“How was it? Did it go as expected?”
After returning the medicine bottle to Princess Chersoniet and arriving at Garnet Palace, Julion was waiting for me.
He reached out his hand to hold mine, as if it had become as natural as breathing.
Feeling the warmth of his touch, which I didn’t dislike, I smiled faintly and replied,
“Yes, exactly as I expected, to the point where it’s almost boring.”
“I thought as much. Your predictions are always spot-on.”
“Not always. Just with foes.”
“In that case, I’m glad. After all, you’re still human.”
“What have you been saying since earlier?”
Puzzled, I glanced at Julion, who was smiling as gently as ever.
“I was just thinking about how remarkable my wife is.”
Julion spoke such an embarrassing compliment so boldly.
Unsure how to respond to such overt praise, I remained silent. Julion guided me to the sofa.
“Marquis Thetman will be coming soon. Rest a little until then.”
“Oh, I’m glad he could come today.”
“If he couldn’t, I’d make him. It’s my summons, after all.”
Julion smiled brightly as he gazed at me.
Once he started expressing his affection, it seemed to flow endlessly.
Finding it difficult to handle, I subtly avoided his gaze and picked up a teacup.
Thinking my actions were somewhat natural, Julion let out a soft chuckle.
“It seems you also need to drink the air.”
Just as I was about to ask what he was talking about, I realized the teacup was empty.
I had just arrived, so there was no way the teacup would be filled.
“……I just thought it was pretty and wanted to take a closer look.”
“But this is the teacup you use every day.”
“It might look even prettier today.”
Even I knew that was a lame excuse.
Embarrassment flushed my face.
Julion was about to say something with a smile, but a sharp knock interrupted.
“Your Highness, Marquis Thetman, has requested an audience.”
“Ah, yes. Tell him to come in.”
The door opened immediately, breaking the tension.
I breathed a sigh of relief and welcomed Marquis Thetman.
“Welcome, Marquis. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Good to see you, Your Highness. I hope you’ve been well.”
“Of course. Please have a seat. Zenid, could you bring tea?”
As he spoke, Julion looked at Marquis Thetman with a dissatisfied or disappointed glance.
Receiving unnecessary coldness, Marquis Thetman awkwardly chuckled and cleared his throat.
“Ah, did I perhaps arrive a little too late?”
“No, you came at a good time.”
“That’s a relief.”
“How’s Raviette? It’s been a while since I last saw her.”
“Thanks to Your Highness’ concern, she’s doing well. The tea you sent her the other day is helping with her morning sickness; I’m truly grateful.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Let me know if you need more.”
I was really surprised when I first heard about Raviette’s pregnancy.
I wasn’t sure if the baby would be born healthy if she got pregnant while still poisoned by the poisonous beetle.
But luckily, the timing was right, and she conceived after she was freed from the poisonous beetle.
Last week, she started having morning sickness and couldn’t eat anything, so I sent her a specially made tea.
“I didn’t call you here for idle chit-chat, Thetman.”
Julion’s gruff voice interrupts the pleasant conversation.
His earlier laughter disappeared, replaced by a cold expression.
“There will be a welcome party for the envoy in a week. There’s something you’ll need to say there.”
Marquis Thetman blinked, as if he didn’t quite understand Julion’s words.
“What exactly should I say, and in what situation?”
“It’s simple. You just need to say one thing. Say it as if you’re amazed, whispering a secret, but loud enough for everyone around to hear.”
“That doesn’t make any sense… No, before that, what exactly am I supposed to say?”
Julion’s eyebrows twitched uncomfortably as his gaze sharpened.
I sighed and supplemented the explanation.
“I’ll explain the rest. So, the representative of the envoy from Razia is…”
That’s how I briefly explained the necessary information to Marquis Thetman.
The Marquis couldn’t hide his bewilderment when he heard about the use of drugs, and after listening to what he was supposed to say, he shook his head vigorously.
“Oh, no! I absolutely can’t say that!”
“Why not? It’s just a simple thing to say.”
“If I end up being seen as strange in social circles, will Your Highness take responsibility for it?”
He seemed really reluctant, even closing his eyes tightly and waving his hand.
However, Julion responded with a scoff, showing no intention of accepting it.
“What nonsense are you talking about? What more could you possibly do to be any stranger than you already are here?”
“Your Highness! Are you really going to do this? I really didn’t want to say this, but this reminds me of the incident with the antidote last time. I practiced acting so hard with Raviette, only to be stabbed in the back like that…”
Marquis Thetman’s impassioned plea continued.
In summary, he was expressing his disappointment that, even though he had worked hard to follow Julion’s instructions last time, Julion ultimately didn’t trust him and used a truly potent poison.
Of course, Julion was listening with an indifferent expression.
“Anyway! I absolutely can’t do this!”
With this strong exclamation, a brief silence fell.
The sound of the teacup being placed down echoed unusually loudly.
With a small sigh, Julion threw out a sentence.
“Paternity leave. I’ll extend it by three months.”
That was the end of Marquis Thetman’s little rebellion.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
“Princess, it’s time.”
Chersoniet rose at the maid’s call.
She looked pretty satisfied with her reflection in the mirror.
Her long, pink hair cascaded down, with a gleaming ruby hairpin on top.
She finished off with a jeweled accessory woven through a few strands.
The dress, with its harmonious blend of red and white, was one of Chersoniet’s favorites.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
It had been a week since Crown Princess Rohiriel’s visit.
Initially, she was anxious because things had been resolved too smoothly, but now satisfaction was replacing the unease.
‘They must not have found any evidence.’
Or maybe everyone was so naive that they believed her words without suspicion.
In any case, she no longer had to be concerned about the incident involving the exposed medicine bottle.
At first, when the plan completely fell apart and she felt helpless, she couldn’t sleep at night.
Thinking about it now, she feels unfairly treated.
“Jenby, did they say today’s party was the welcome party for the envoys?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“So, envoys from other countries will all be attending?”
“That’s what I understand.”
Chersoniet, after applying her perfume for the final touch, seemed to ponder something and slowly lifted the corners of her mouth.
“If that’s the case…”
Originally, she had intended to seduce Julion Sertizan.
However, that seemed entirely impossible, so she had to find another way.
Of course, becoming Julion’s consort would be the best option, but as things stood, considering alternatives wasn’t a bad idea.
‘The heir to the Duchy of Dotes was quite handsome.’
Or perhaps the Grand Duke of the Cali Kingdom would be a suitable choice.
Even the royalty from the eastern Miho Kingdom, who had also arrived, could be worth considering.
Whichever path she took, as long as she could leave Razia forever, achieving her goal was all that mattered.
“I’m really looking forward to this.”
Chersoniet hummed a tune as she walked.
Her heels’ clicking echoed leisurely down the corridor, following her shadow.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
“Announcing the arrival of Prince Shutkatan of Razia and Princess Chersoniet of Razia”
With the call, the doors to the ballroom opened.
Bathed in bright light, Chersoniet walked confidently forward.
Among the gazes of the crowd, two figures stood out conspicuously.
‘The more I see it, the more regrettable it becomes.’
Jet-black hair shimmers like black pearls, adorned with finely crafted golden ornaments. The Crown Prince’s uniform barely concealed his broad, toned shoulders.
Chersoniet swallowed hard, twisting her lips upward.
‘If only I had a little more time, I might have had a chance.’
But the white woman, standing proudly by his side, ruined everything.
Her colorless hair was intricately studded with blue gems, resembling sprinkled stardust.
Though they were of the same gender, she was remarkably stunning, stealing everyone’s attention.
That fact displeased Chersoniet.
Nevertheless, she maintained her smile and greeted Julion and Rohiriel.
“It’s a pleasure to see you both. Your Highnesses look as beautiful and… handsome as ever.”
“How gracious of you to host such a banquet.”
Shutkatan also wore a friendly smile as he continued the polite greetings according to protocol.
“This is the least we can do for the guest who came to congratulate us. Please enjoy yourselves fully.”
“I am truly grateful for your generous hospitality. Your Highness is as beautiful as ever today.”
While Shutkatan engaged in conversation, Chersoniet discreetly scanned the banquet hall, identifying the men she had pre-selected.
Near the terrace, behind tables, by the pillars…
After a quick survey, Chersoniet was about to say her final farewells and approach them.
“Well then, I should be going…”
“By the way, Princess Chersoniet. Are you feeling well?”
However, Chersoniet couldn’t finish her farewell due to Rohiriel’s sudden question.
As the Crown Princess, the host of the banquet, it would be improper for Chersoniet to leave without responding.
‘Why is she asking about this here?’
Chersoniet carefully replied, trying not to break her smile.
“Well… truth be told, I’m not recovering well. It must be because I missed some of the medication…”
“Oh dear.”
Rohiriel furrowed her brows in genuine concern and bit her lip.
As their conversation continued and the topic of medicine came up, some nearby individuals perked up, listening intently.
Since the topic had been brought up, Chersoniet wanted to make it known that the Crown Princess had harmed her.
She even touched her head and let out a faint sigh, as if in pain.
“Still, how could I not attend an event graciously hosted by Your Highnesses? I am truly grateful for the invitation.”
More and more people started to take an interest in Chersoniet’s condition.
She enjoyed the intrigued glances with an air of interest, continuing the delicate performance of the fragile princess.
Observing this version of Chersoniet, Rohiriel seemed to ponder something briefly before gesturing to Zenid.
“Provide what we prepared for the princess.”
She didn’t have long to wonder what it was.
Chersoniet questioningly looked up at Rohiriel as she accepted the small vial.
With a compassionate face, Rohiriel gently smiled and spoke.
“This is the reward I promised to give the princess. A medicine specially made for you.”
“You made medicine for me…?”
“It’s a medicine that can completely cure the sensory impairment you’re suffering from.”
