“Ha. If you’re going this far, I have my own thoughts. Did you really think I wouldn’t realize the reason you called me here with an excuse as flimsy as this ineffective comb? Surely, it was because you wanted to have a private conversation with me!”
The Duke of Simand struck with a triumphant jab, his face turning red. Though to me, it was no more effective than a misstep.
I blinked innocently.
“But everyone else says it works perfectly fine, though?”
His attempt to frame this as seduction was deftly deflected as I shifted the topic back to the comb.
In essence, I countered: “Why interpret pure intentions as scandalous?”
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Simand hissed in frustration and pulled out his own comb.
“Everyone is severely mistaken! This comb isn’t some kind of miracle cure. How could it possibly be effective for insomnia or fatigue?”
He was utterly desperate. Unless he proved this comb useless, he couldn’t convince others that I had ulterior motives for bringing him to the balcony.
“Watch closely, everyone! I’ll show you that I feel absolutely no effect from this comb!”
Sure, it’s not like Lindo’s work is a cure-all.
But thanks to the potent herbal scent and the placebo effect, everyone had already been convinced of its efficacy—and they were on my side.
Well, time to make good use of that.
“If you insist. Perhaps you’re right, Duke. Maybe it doesn’t work.”
I hesitated deliberately, my innocent eyes full of doubt.
“Finally, you admit—!”
“Lindo, didn’t you mention that there are cases where the comb’s effects don’t manifest?”
At my diversion, all eyes turned to Lindo.
The Duke of Simand exhaled furiously, gritting his teeth.
“Yes, that’s true. However, it seems like I’ll need to discuss the details privately.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! Speak now, or else I won’t let this nonsense slide!”
When Lindo paused, the Duke shrieked in impatience, clearly determined to disprove any claims and humiliate us both.
“My apologies, but under certain medical conditions, the comb’s effects may not appear at all.”
“Oh dear, what kind of condition would that be? Duke, do you have any health issues?”
Feigning concern, I asked with an innocent expression.
The Duke, convinced I was scheming again, sneered.
“Ha! I am perfectly healthy! Don’t you dare try to twist this into something it’s not. If you’re lying, everyone here will bear witness. Speak now!”
“Your Grace, it’s a rather private condition. I suggest we discuss it elsewhere.”
Despite multiple attempts to steer the situation, the Duke only grew more agitated as Lindo delayed.
In the end, Lindo was left with no choice but to speak in front of everyone.
“Your Grace’s condition is…”
Even the passing servants paused, straining to listen.
With a solemn expression, Lindo declared:
“Erectile dysfunction.”
“Pfft!”
“Ahem. Hehe. Ahem!”
The grand hall instantly erupted with gasps, murmurs, and muffled laughter.
Meanwhile, the women began subtly edging away, as if they’d heard something they shouldn’t have.
The Duke of Simand’s face turned volcanic red, receiving pitiful glances from every direction.
He couldn’t refute it by proving otherwise—and admitting it was entirely out of the question.
“N-no, no, that’s not true!”
“Ahem! Thanks to Her Majesty, this ball has concluded most delightfully.”
“This is by far the most unique and memorable party I’ve ever attended!”
A few sympathetic nobles quickly moved to wrap up the event, though their efforts only cemented the impression that they were rushing to gloss over the “erectile dysfunction” debacle.
“Hahaha. The gift Her Majesty prepared will certainly be unforgettable!”
“Of course, it must have been all part of her plan—a rare and clever item, perfect for strengthening bonds. How witty and wise!”
And so, the grand ball ended on a high note for everyone—except the Duke of Simand.
Unsurprisingly, the Duke was promptly dragged away by his knights, vanishing from sight.
“Shall we go?”
Having neatly crushed the lineage of a serial harasser, I smiled brightly and exited the ballroom with Sian.
****
“His Majesty has departed for the main estate.”
Though I walked out of the ballroom and into the hall with Xian, he silently unlinked his arm from mine, turned on his heel, and left alone without a word.
“What? Not the Empress’s Palace?”
The chief attendant, who had hurried to inform me, was already bowing apologetically as I stared dumbfounded at Xian’s retreating figure.
Did he misunderstand something?
After all, outsiders didn’t know about the Empress nearly as well as those living in Bermut’s imperial castle.
The rumors painted me as a scandalously eccentric woman, but that was about the extent of it.
That’s why Duke Simand’s accusations of a scandal didn’t gain much traction, and why the gift-giving incident was dismissed with a casual “Haha, how fascinating!”
Still, Xian might have found the situation strange. After all, he was the one who saw me daily, shared meals with me, and even slept in the same bed.
Maybe he’s wondering why I went out of my way to prepare a gift for the Duke?
Given that the only thing I ever cared about was Xian’s health, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to think that. I was, after all, a self-proclaimed stalker of the Emperor.
To be fair, I only did it because Duke Simand’s hair had great properties, and Lindo needed another sample.
Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I chuckled inwardly.
Still, explaining the truth would just lead to a cascade of questions: Why collect hair? Why make an antidote? How do you know you’ll be poisoned in two years?
I’ll explain everything later when he comes to bed, I thought, mulling over possible excuses as Lindo and I chatted on our way back to the Empress’s Palace.
****
“Say you were practicing to brush His Majesty’s hair better. That you were observing how to handle someone else’s hair.”
“Would he believe that? He’s not a child.”
As I sighed heavily in frustration, Lindo, busy concocting the antidote, shrugged.
“Didn’t you see how quiet His Majesty was earlier in the hall? Normally, he’d have drawn blood from Duke Simand without a second thought.”
Hmm. True, before I stepped in, Sian had squeezed my hand tightly as if to tell me to stay still.
And he actually stayed quiet, just looming ominously in the background.
Well, surely the bond we’ve built is strong enough to clear this up, I thought optimistically.
A few days of coaxing and explaining that I had no ulterior motives, and things would go back to normal. We’d eat together, sleep together—it’d all be fine.
That confidence spurred me on.
“Your Majesty, here’s the newly formulated antidote.”
Lindo handed me the miracle antidote, now infused with the Duke’s hair sample, and left.
“Drink it quickly for the best results, but don’t take it all at once. The toxin is too potent. One dose per day.”
“Got it.”
I carefully stored the vial in the corner of my vanity, hiding it securely. After washing up and changing clothes, I headed to the bedroom.
I hope he likes the new ASMR playlist…
Knock, knock.
“Xian?”
I called out cheerfully, masking my nerves, but…
“Huh? Where is he?”
The black panther who usually waited for me after his evening bath was nowhere to be found.
“Lauren, where is His Majesty?”
“Uh… practicing swordsmanship, Your Grace.”
“At this hour?”
Lauren bowed, clearly flustered. I dismissed him with a resigned sigh.
Fine. He’ll come eventually.
He’s sulking. Definitely sulking.
I paced the room, gnawing at my lip.
Still, if he’d come back to the room, I could’ve explained and smoothed things over. Why throw a tantrum like this?
Worry crept in. What if this caused a rift in the relationship I’d worked so hard to build?
I don’t want to grow apart again.
Not that I couldn’t handle it if it happened. If he ignored me, I could just stick to him like glue again. The sleepy panther always caved in the end.
But having seen the “tyrant” soften, even just a little, and finding solace in shared moments…
I can’t bear to see him hurt again.
I wasn’t sure if this protectiveness was like a pet owner doting on a beloved companion or a best friend chasing after a mischievous buddy.
Regardless, I prepared myself and went to the main estate to find him.
“His Majesty has ordered no one to enter the training grounds.”
“What! Not even me?”
“Especially not Your Grace.”
The guards blocked my path with a solemn formation. Considering my history of barging in, they seemed ready to physically hold me back.
I wasn’t equipped to overpower armored knights, so I sat outside and waited for hours.
“Your Grace, it’s nearly dawn. Please, rest for your health.”
He’s really mad this time.
The cold and oppressive darkness made me trudge back to the Empress’s Palace in defeat.
But even after lighting the empty bedroom and waiting, Sian didn’t return. I slumped to my personal room and sat before the vanity.
Is he really not coming back tonight?
Three hours past his usual bedtime, and still no sign of him.
Deciding to distract myself, I pulled out the antidote Lindo had given me.
Opening the vial, I downed the strongest dose first, watching my reflection in the mirror.
The sweet but potent liquid burned as it went down, and soon, a familiar heat welled up in my chest.
“Cough, cough!”
Blood poured from my mouth.
Prepared, I let the blood fall into the basin filled with Lindo’s special solution, which rendered it clear and odorless.
How do I make it up to him?
A special event with a song? But I can’t sing… What if it wakes him up and makes him angrier?
As I mulled over ideas, the heavy bleeding left me dizzy.
Ugh, I feel faint.
My reflection in the mirror was ghostly pale, like a terminally ill patient.
Good thing I drank this tonight when no one’s around.
After thoroughly cleaning up, I returned to the bedroom.
Maybe alcohol will help again.
The last ball had gone well with a little liquid courage. Maybe I could use it to smooth things over.
But the thought of alcohol churned my already queasy stomach.
Sigh. What a mess.
“At least there’s not much time left now.”
