Dead-End Villainess Who Makes Medicine

Time is relative.

When you’re busy, it passes quickly, but when you’re bored, it passes slowly.

The only constant was that it would pass, no matter what.

But now, I was experiencing something astonishing.

 

‘It feels like time has stopped.’

 

The pounding of my heart, the heat of my skin, the scent of Julion’s body on my nose…

My thoughts, where I was, and what I was doing all flew out of my head.

It felt as if everything had come to a standstill.

I stirred gingerly, trying to move, then stiffened again.

Julion’s golden eyes staring down at me were too close.

Our eyes met, locked in an invisible gaze. Julion’s breath felt close, almost touchable.

I felt the trembling of my eyelashes. It was the moment my eyelids were about to flutter shut from the heat.

 

“Your Highness, you should come out for a moment.”

 

Zenid’s voice, along with a knock, pierced through the space between Julion and me.

I jumped in surprise and tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge.

 

“Uh, Julion?”

“… I’ve never disliked Zenid’s timing more than I do right now.”

 

Julion frowned discontentedly, filling my view.

He clicked his tongue low and slowly released me.

 

“I can’t seem to like her today.”

 

For a moment, I almost agreed. I hid my feelings and got up, carefully concealing my inner thoughts.

 

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s rare for Zenid to speak up first like that.”

 

Zenid always prioritized my rest above all else.

Julion seemed to agree without saying a word as he opened the door.

Outside, Zenid stood with a perplexed expression.

 

“Your Highness, I apologize.”

“It’s okay. What’s going on?”

“Well… an uninvited guest has arrived and is causing a commotion.”

“An uninvited guest? Commotion?”

“It’s more like wailing than a commotion, really.”

 

I tilted my head in confusion.

When I glanced at Julion, his expression darkened as if he knew something.

 

“Is that why there was so much commotion at the entrance to the palace?”

“Yes. We tried to drive them away, but I felt it was necessary to inform Her Highness.”

 

After responding to Julion, Zenid turned to me and added an explanation.

 

“A woman claiming to be the nanny of Princess Razia is here, begging to meet with Your Highnesses just once.”

 

Finally, I grasped the situation roughly.

It seemed the nanny had come to beg for forgiveness for the princess’s wrongdoing.

Although I didn’t particularly want to see her, many foreign dignitaries were currently visiting.

The commotion in the palace could reflect poorly on the imperial household.

 

“Shall we have her quietly escorted out?”

“That’s an option, but meeting them might not be a bad idea either. Please bring them in, Zenid.”

 

Perhaps we could obtain useful information from this encounter.

With that, I headed for the parlor.

After a brief wait, a middle-aged woman wearing an anxious expression followed Zenid inside.

Her eyes and nose were red from crying so much.

 

“I greet both of Your Highnesses. I’m Bellad, Princess Chersoniet’s nanny.”

 

The woman, who introduced herself as Bellad, kneeled down on the floor and bowed deeply.

 

“Firstly, I deeply thank you for granting my humble request.”

 

The hands resting on the floor were visibly trembling.

I was surprised that someone would risk their life to protect the princess like this.

I guess that’s what nannies are for.

The sight of Bellad kneeling overlapped with that of a nostalgic figure.

My nanny, my second mother, would protect me no matter what.

Feeling low, I spoke coldly.

 

“Speak your business. Let me warn you in advance; the princess’s crime is not a light matter.”

 

Bellad trembled on her shoulders before lifting her head with determination.

 

“Please spare her life! I beg you, please spare the princess’s life.”

“Razia won’t let her be executed anyway.”

 

According to imperial law, those who attempt to undermine the royal family are to be executed or sentenced to life imprisonment.

But Chersoniet and Shutkatan are royalty on Razia; they would likely want to retrieve them.

Of course, they would have to pay us hefty compensation.

At my casual remark, Bellad bit her lip in fear and shook her head.

 

“No. The king would surely abandon the princess and prince.”

“You mean he would allow his own children to die?”

 

Julion muttered uncomfortably.

Unpleasant rumors about the King of Razia briefly crossed my mind.

He bore a striking resemblance to my own father, the Duke of Cassian.

Bellad continued.

 

“It would be fortunate if they left them alone, but if they return to Razia like this, they will surely face execution there. So please, save them!”

 

Being involved in this troublesome matter gave me a throbbing headache.

Just keeping that pink-haired woman away from Julion would satisfy me.

When I remained silent with a stern expression, Bellad clung to my feet, almost begging.

 

“Your Highness, please, have mercy just this once. Take my life instead, if you must.”

“I don’t think there’s much I can do, given that you claim they’ll die even if we spare them here.”

“Please, at least let them live within the empire. Allow them to hide and escape far away; I beg you…”

 

Her hazel eyes, filled with despair, were desperately clinging to any hope.

I felt my chest tighten as I realized that she was determined to save the princess, even if it meant giving up her own life.

 

‘So did my nanny. She tried to save me…’

 

My expression darkened as the painful memories kept resurfacing.

Beside me, Julion squeezed my hand and looked at me with concern.

 

“Rohiriel, do what you want to do. Whatever it is, I’ll support you.”

 

His warmth seemed to calm me again.

I smiled softly at him, then turned to Bellad.

 

“Alright, if there’s something going out, there should be something coming in. If I grant your request, what can you do for me in return?”

“M-my life, I will pay with my life.”

“Dying right away won’t be of any help.”

“Then… what do you wish for?”

 

The hazel eyes in front of me trembled with anxiety.

Yet, the determination to save the princess at all costs continued to grip me.

 

“If we’re trading lives, you should provide information worthy of that.”

“Information, you say… what kind of…”

 

Because she had been the princess’s nanny, she likely knew a lot about Razia.

There are unseen power dynamics, factions, political issues, and even weaknesses within the kingdom.

We were going to put heavy pressure on Razia anyway, so the more we knew about their inner workings, the better.

I leaned back comfortably in the chair and replied.

 

“Everything about the Kingdom of Razia.”

 

Bellad’s eyes widened as she took a deep breath.

There was a momentary whirlwind of emotions on her complex face, but soon, she lowered her head and answered.

 

“Yes, I accept.”

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Razia turned out to be much, much, much worse than I had imagined. It was garbage.

Beyond the scandalous private life of the king of Razia, which was too scandalous to mention, the entire country seemed rotten to the core. It looked so bad that one wondered if any loyal nobles remained.

If Princess Chersoniet did not marry a powerful foreign ruler, her half-brother might potentially violate her legal rights.

 

“While that doesn’t excuse her crimes, it’s rather pitiful.”

 

Julion pushed a bowl of pumpkin soup in front of me.

Its warm aroma tantalized my taste buds.

I scooped up a spoonful and swallowed it smoothly. The creamy flavor filled my mouth delightfully.

As I quietly savored a few more spoonfuls, Julion extended a piece of bread this time.

 

“Let’s eat together.”

“Oh, thank you. Why aren’t you eating, Julion?”

“I prefer watching you eat.”

 

I was chewing the bread slowly when I almost choked for a moment.

As I coughed, Julion quickly handed me a glass of water.

 

“Here, water. Drink slowly, Rohiriel.”

“No… Can you not say things like that?”

“It sounds like you’re asking for more.”

“That’s not it.”

 

Julion lifted the corners of his mouth joyfully.

The warmth in his golden eyes, softly crinkling, was not unpleasant to me.

I let out a small sigh.

Seeing that smiling face made all my nagging thoughts disappear. I realized the problem must be me.

 

“So, what should we do now?”

 

There was no subject matter, but I knew it was about the Kingdom of Razia.

After a brief hesitation, I spoke up.

 

“In fact, as long as we get the maximum compensation to benefit our empire, I’m okay with it.”

“But you don’t look happy about that.”

“… You’re right. Whatever happens to Razia has nothing to do with Sertizan, but it does bother me a little.”

 

To be honest, I was quite concerned.

The people of Razia who are living there are suffering.

Julion’s smile deepens, as if he knows what I’m thinking.

This time, he speared a piece of steak with his fork and brought it to my lips.

I gulped and took a bite.

It was delicious.

As I savored it, Julion casually remarked,

 

“So, shall we bring it down?”

 

His question came lightly, as if suggesting we go for a walk.

I blinked, wondering if I had misheard, but Julion continued,

 

“The Kingdom of Razia. Let’s wipe it out.”

“……No, wait, it’s not that simple.”

“The coronation is right around the corner, so we’ll get to it after it’s over.”

 

This was not like Julion.

I thought he might be joking, but his expression suggested otherwise.

No matter how dominant our forces might be, war leads to casualties and misery among the people.

I shook my head and was about to interrupt, but then I remembered something.

Something I heard from Bellad. According to her…

Julion’s golden eyes sparkled as we locked gazes.

 

“We don’t necessarily have to resort to force in order to bring it down.”

 

Economically, Razia was already on the brink of collapse.

Realizing Julion’s intentions, I smirked and nodded approvingly.

 

“That’s actually a very good idea, Julion.”

 

My response seemed to satisfy Julion, who chuckled softly.

Pushing the steak plate towards him, I said,

 

“You should eat now, too.”

“Well, someone once told me, if you want something from someone, give it to them first.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

 

Julion chuckled mischievously, alternating his gaze between me and the steak.

His eyes sparkled brilliantly, as if sprinkled with gold dust.

I chuckled in disbelief and poked the meat with my fork.

 

“Really, you fed me first for this?”

 

If I said his eagerly swallowing expression was cute, would I sound like a lovesick person?

I thought to myself as I extended the fork towards Julion.

 

“Here you go.”

 

Julion eagerly opened his mouth with an ecstatic expression.

Feeling a bit embarrassed for no reason, I avoided his gaze and changed the subject.

 

“Anyway, wouldn’t it be nice to visit Mt. Hale soon?”

 

After looking at Bellad, I found myself longing for my nanny.

We might not meet again, but memories of our time at Mt. Hale Villa lingered deeply.

Aside from that, there were other people living there now, and I hadn’t seen them in a long time.

Lost in thought, I suddenly realized Julion still hadn’t eaten the meat.

 

“Julion? Why aren’t you eating…”

 

I trailed off, looking at Julion’s face.

He remained frozen with his mouth wide open, and his eyes widened in shock, as if the world had just collapsed around him.