Episode 12

 

“What? You’re going to the Karsian party? And as the Duke’s partner?”

 

Arzen asked with a puzzled expression as if he couldn’t believe what he just heard.

 

“Why?”

 

“As a repayment for the help you gave me last time.”

 

My simple and straightforward answer still seemed incomprehensible to Arzen.

 

The Karsian party.

 

It was not an exaggeration to say that it boasted the grandest scale among the numerous parties held in the Empire every year.

 

While the Imperial Family refrained from hosting extravagant parties to consider the feelings of the people, the Duke Karsian’s family held a party that unabashedly showcased their wealth.

 

As the family with the most prosperous territory in the Empire, the Duke Karsian’s family would hold a large-scale party for two days every year to demonstrate their prosperity.

 

Until now, the ones leading the Karsian party were not the Duke or his son, Ludwig, but the Council of Elders.

 

The focal point of the party was also the council members.

 

Ludwig, who had not been acknowledged by them, had never attended the party before.

 

So, it was natural that many people were curious about why he was unusually included on the guest list this time.

 

“Could it be true that the Duke is searching for a fiancée?”

 

Arzen mumbled, looking at me with a certain gaze.

 

I could understand what he was thinking, so I shook my head.

 

“I know what you’re thinking, but that’s not it.”

 

“Why do you think it’s not? That stone-hearted guy, I mean, that person, even applied as a partner!”

 

“Well… There’s no reason for that.”

 

Because I wanted to purify his pain like a Jenna, that’s why I did it.

 

In the original work, it was described that Ludwig felt Jenna’s purification as a relief he wanted to keep by his side for a lifetime.

 

Amidst the constant torment of the dragon’s voice and the signs of his rampage, Jenna’s touch rescued him from the pain.

 

It was only natural that only Jenna, the possessor of that ability, could possess both Ludwig’s body and heart.

 

“I mean, as the Karsian heir, it wouldn’t be dignified to attend the party without a partner. But there’s no young lady who has a close relationship with the Duke either.”

 

I said while reading a book, with a voice that meant not to entertain any futile thoughts.

 

“Besides… Are they still searching for the culprit?”

 

“Yes, they are.”

 

It had been a week, but they still hadn’t found any clues to the culprit behind the attempt to poison the Draegus.

 

They were so cunning that they left not even a trace of evidence and seemed to be lurking somewhere, observing the situation.

 

Even the only witness, doctor Cesare, had died, making it challenging to gather evidence.

 

“They must be inside the mansion.”

 

I recalled the moment when doctor Cesare seemed to be glancing around, as if being watchful of someone.

 

A person who could personally contact members of the family and plan such a plot.

 

Someone who knew that I had no immunity to Draegus poison.

 

Combining various clues, someone came to mind, but…

 

“We have no evidence.”

 

This was a very serious incident.

 

The granddaughter of a Duke almost died.

 

Even pointing out a suspect needed to be done with great caution.

 

I could have easily been misunderstood and blamed for someone else’s wrongdoing.

 

Knock-knock.

 

At that moment, I heard a knock on the door.

 

“Miss, Miss Seria, Miss Jeria has arranged a gathering with her Academy classmates, and she wishes for you to attend as well.”

 

“What?”

 

I had heard that Jeria returned from the Academy the day before, but I hadn’t met her yet.

 

I didn’t bother to look for her, and she didn’t come looking for me either.

 

We weren’t close, and in fact, I was used to being ignored by her, so what was going on?

 

Since she had officially invited me, I had to go to avoid appearing like an uncaring older sister who ignored her cousin’s graduation celebration.

 

“This is not an invitation, it’s more like being dragged there.”

 

“I’ll go soon.”

 

* * *

 

After getting ready quickly, I headed to one of Drenihan’s proud attractions, the grand greenhouse.

 

As I strolled through the greenhouse, where rare flowers and trees delighted the eyes, I heard cheerful voices chattering.

 

A group of young ladies was gathered around a long table.

 

Among them was a girl with fiery red hair, who looked like a torch, and as soon as she spotted me, she waved enthusiastically.

 

“Sister Sierra!”

 

It was Jeria.

 

I went to the empty seat next to her and sat down.

 

“Long time no see, Jeria. Did you graduate from the Academy well?”

 

“Of course! How about you, sis?”

 

“I’m doing fine.”

 

Jeria, who I hadn’t seen in a while, had become even more dazzlingly beautiful.

 

“I made it to the top of my class, you know. I always got praise from the professors, but I never expected to be the top.”

 

Blushing, Jeria proudly boasted.

 

Then, the classmates who graduated from the Academy with her chimed in with a word each.

 

“Oh, be humble. Lady Jeria is so exceptional. I actually wonder why she’s not the top rank.”

 

“That’s right. Studying, swordsman ship, there’s nothing she can’t do, she’s like a versatile prodigy.”

 

“It would have been great if you had gone to the Academy with us, sis. It was so much fun. I made so many friends.”

 

Jeria said with a spirited expression.

 

“It’s just a dreamy story for you, sis, since your health is weak… I mean, I’m saying it would have been nice in my imagination.”

 

“Yeah, it would have been nice. Just in my imagination.”

 

I also wanted to go to the Academy.

 

I wanted to become a healer.

 

Growing up close to physicians and clinics due to my weak constitution since childhood, I naturally developed an interest in medicine.

 

With no friends, reading books in the mansion was my daily routine, and I always made sure to read books related to medicine from Drenihan’s library, known as the repository of knowledge.

 

Once, I even had the audacity to protest to my father.

 

‘I want to go to the Academy too, Father. I don’t want to live like a trapped mouse in this mansion.’

 

I knew it was a hurtful thing to say to my father, who cared for my health more than anyone else, but without realizing it, I blurted it out without any restraint.

 

It was a time when I lacked maturity.

 

My father’s pained expression stayed with me throughout the night, and the next day, I finally brushed it off as if it never happened, citing that it was a moment of thoughtlessness.

 

I resented my weak body and the world more than anything else.

 

But then…

 

‘I applied to the Academy, sis.’

 

That day, Jeria applied to the Academy, something she had never shown any interest in before.

 

She disliked the egalitarian atmosphere of the Academy, which didn’t care much about social status.

 

I remember her telling her stepmother that it was a waste of time, and that the social scene was much more enjoyable.

 

‘I’ve never seen you so earnestly longing for something, sis. So, I became curious all of a sudden. What is the Academy like?’

 

Ah, so she saw it.

 

The conversation between me and my father.

 

‘When you come back, tell me what it’s like there. We won’t be able to see each other for a while. Take care of your health during that time.’

 

A bright smile spread across her beautifully flushed face.

 

After that, Jeria set off for the Academy.

 

It seemed like she found more interest in fulfilling her stone-like cousin’s unattainable wish than in the pleasures of high society.

 

Jeria had always been a child who enjoyed shining brighter than me since we were young.

 

At the Academy, Jeria chose to study medicine. With her extraordinary talent, the letters of praise from professors filled the envelopes sent by the family.

 

Jeria made me keenly feel what it meant to be deprived.

 

“Are you okay, sis? There was a big incident not long ago, right?”

 

“I’m fine now. It’s thanks to the Duke’s help.”

 

“You owe a debt to the Duke. You should express your gratitude at this year’s ball.”

 

Jeria’s eyes sparkled as if she had decided on a topic to bring up when she meets Ludwig.

 

“My little brother actually saw the Duke at the ball, and he said he was mesmerized by his otherworldly appearance.”

 

“My sister is writing letters to the Duke despite having an engagement. I also want to see him as soon as possible.”

 

“Come to think of it, Lady Siera must have actually seen him. Was he really as rumored?”

 

How could the male lead do anything wrong? The original text described him as a handsome man to the point that it’s difficult to express in words.

 

There was no need for a detailed explanation.

 

“He’s very handsome.”

 

“Oh my, I guess the rumors are true.”

 

“When I was little, Father was considering proposing to the Duke’s family, and I said I didn’t want to. I wanted to be hugged by him at that time.”

 

“Until then, it was true… Rumors said that he was a monster with scales all over his face. I was in the same situation.”

 

That’s when Jeria chimed in.

 

“To tell the truth, I happened to see the Duke’s face by chance when I was little. Since then, I’ve had a little crush… but he rarely shows his face, so I didn’t have a chance to meet him.”

 

Jeria shyly chuckled.

 

“Should I apply to be his partner?”

 

“Oh my, you’re quite proactive. If it’s Lady Jeria, the Duke probably won’t refuse.”

 

Satisfied with Jeria’s expression, she turned to me and said.

 

“You can’t go to the ball because of your health, but… can you help me choose a dress for the ball?”

 

“I’m going to the ball too?”

 

“What? Why would you…?”

 

“And the Duke’s partner has already been decided.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“Oh, I asked him to be my partner.”