Chapter 108

I returned to the mansion nestled securely in Evan’s arms. The destination was not the Clies estate, but the Weiss Duchy.

 

Evan brought me to his personal chambers. Perhaps as a precaution against lingering danger, the surrounding knights were on high alert, their postures stiff and sharp.

 

“It will be better for you to stay here for now.”

 

“Yeah… I think so too.”

 

Evan sat me down on the bed without a word and began to treat my feet. He touched and examined them with such care it felt like a feather tickling my soles.

 

“Evan, that tickles.”

 

When I let out a small giggle, Evan became even more cautious, which only made it itch more. I tried my best to endure the sensation while scanning the room. If my intuition wasn’t wrong, the atmosphere in the mansion was incredibly tense. I expected that from the knights, but even the servants seemed strangely rigid.

 

“Evan, about Prince Fedeshar…”

 

I had tried to tell him what happened on the way here, but he had cut me off, saying that treatment was the first priority.

 

“Don’t mention that ‘Prince’.”

 

Evan’s expression twisted into a cynical, crooked sneer. Well, it wasn’t like I had fond feelings for him either.

 

“Still, he didn’t actually hurt me.”

 

He had confined me, but he hadn’t forced me into hard labor or anything.

 

“It’s a mercy his goal was only kidnapping; otherwise, things could have gone horribly wrong.”

 

Sensing that his retort was a bit sharp, Evan muttered a small apology. I shook my head. His mind must be in a state of chaos as well.

 

“Ahem.”

 

For the record, Evan and I weren’t the only ones in the room. Ben drew our attention as if asking us to remember he was there.

 

“This mage fellow here says he has something he wants to tell you?”

 

“Ah… um… I just wanted to say I’m sorry… It’s effectively my fault that you were put in danger.”

 

I stared at the man who was scratching his head like a condemned criminal. Who on earth is this? He had been with us for a while, but this was the first time I was seeing him clearly. He wasn’t a member of the Information Guild.

 

“He’s the one who helped Fedeshar. Fedeshar used his mana to cast magic.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. I didn’t intend to harm anyone… but that’s how it turned out.”

 

Looking like a simple country youth, he bowed his head in genuine apology. It was clear at a glance that he hadn’t targeted anyone out of malice.

 

“It’s fine. You didn’t know. More importantly, where is Fedeshar? He left saying he had to go to the palace. Is it true the Empress collapsed after taking poison?”

 

“It’s true. Those tea leaves—the ones you discovered a while ago, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“My father was the one who gave them to her.”

 

“He did…?”

 

“Only Father and you knew about the existence of those tea leaves. A maid testified that it was my father who delivered them to the Empress.”

 

For a moment, I couldn’t process Evan’s words. Wait, the Duke gave the Empress tea leaves containing Alosi? That means…?

 

“Evan! What about the Duke?!”

 

“He’s currently in custody.”

 

“Don’t say that so calmly!”

 

I was horrified. I thought the Empress falling ill was the end of it, but there was more! Being ‘in custody’ meant he was being treated as the primary suspect in an assassination plot. This was no time to sit still. If Fedeshar was telling the truth, an antidote couldn’t be made. That was likely why Baron Perio and Elena, who knew the most about Alosi, were nowhere to be seen.

 

“I have to make the antidote…!”

 

I bit my nails in anxiety. Even for a Ducal house, being accused of killing the Empress was…!

 

“Lep, calm down.”

 

Evan gently took my hand.

 

“It’s nothing more than a stalling tactic. There is no connection between that maid and my father. Though, of course, Bastien doesn’t see it that way.”

 

“Prince Bastien…?”

 

Why was Bastien’s name coming up now? I looked up at Evan.

 

“Isn’t the culprit Fedeshar?”

 

Evan frowned, clearly finding that part puzzling himself.

 

“Father suspects Bastien. The Empress collapsed during a tea time with him, after all…”

 

Ben quietly raised his hand to add to the conversation.

 

“There are secret rumors circulating within the palace that the two have grown distant. Some say Prince Bastien has been cutting off the Empress’s ‘hands and feet’—her supporters.”

 

“……Why?”

 

I tilted my head. Why would he do that? If the Empress died, it would actually—

 

Then, what Fedeshar said flashed through my mind. That he wasn’t the only one who wanted this outcome, and that ‘that person’ was targeting even more people.

 

“……It’s both of them. Bastien and Fedeshar have joined hands! From Fedeshar’s perspective, he just needs the Empress gone. And for Bastien, the Empress likely became an obstacle. No matter if she’s his mother, look at the things she’s done.”

 

Evan’s face grew grave.

 

“Then targeting the Duchy makes sense. We would be a hurdle when he becomes Emperor. Our relationship has already soured beyond repair anyway. And if things go well, he probably thinks he can make you his as well.”

 

Evan whispered quietly that things had gone as far as they could.

 

‘Is Bastien planning to rule through fear? Even to the point of killing the Empress? And he’s trying to tear down the Duchy as well.’

 

But Bastien’s real target must be the Emperor!

 

“Evan, this might sound strange… but is His Majesty the Emperor alright?”

 

“……What do you mean?”

 

“No, I mean, Fedeshar’s goal is the Empress. But isn’t Bastien’s goal the Emperor? He’s killed the Empress and framed the Duke. There’s no way he isn’t targeting the Emperor. Especially with the Duke out of the picture……”

 

There was a reason the Duke always stayed by the Emperor’s side. To say this might be considered treasonous, but I had heard the Duke assisted the Emperor not just because the Emperor was unreliable, but to suppress the Empress and protect the Emperor’s life. If the Duke was gone, the Empress would clearly seize the palace—and if both were gone, the throne would be Bastien’s.

 

“……It’s a possibility.”

 

I couldn’t just sit here treating my feet and resting. I hated that I had to work so hard to save the Empress, but it wasn’t in my nature to sit back and watch when I knew a way to save a life. That was why I had saved Fedeshar, and why I had helped Bastien before.

 

Furthermore, the biggest problem was that the country was about to fall into chaos! I mean, seriously—what kind of children plot to kill their own parents?!

 

“I really have a personality that only invites loss…”

 

But I couldn’t help it when the situation was right in front of me.

 

“That’s why I like you. Your kindness and warmth, Lep. Though, of course, I do wish you would focus solely on me.”

 

Evan said, cupping my cheek. Perhaps because we had been together for so long, he seemed to read my intentions without me having to say a word.

 

“I’ll help you from your side.”

 

Evan looked me straight in the eye.

 

“You have a way, don’t you?”

 

“Yes. There’s one way to get the herbs.”

 

“Baron Perio and Elena said the same thing. That you would know how to break through this situation. But you mustn’t overdo it.”

 

Even so, Evan trusted me. Feeling happy deep down, I gave him a bright smile and spoke energetically.

 

“Don’t worry!”

 

“Your eyes are swollen from crying.”

 

“Ah……”

 

Well, I had no comeback for that.

 

“But I believe you. I have to believe my wife’s words. If not hers, whose would I believe?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Today was supposed to be a joyful, happy day… I had prepared a bouquet to ask for permission to marry, and I brought many gifts to make a good impression.”

 

Evan said with a charming smile. Only then did I realize what I had said yesterday. That’s right. I had asked Evan to marry me. Evan’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he still felt the regret of the missed moment.

 

“We have to strike back. I have no intention of being pushed around forever. For the sake of our old friendship, I have to set things right. And I have no intention of letting anything be taken from me. Nothing at all.”

 

His slender fingers reached toward me. Evan quietly brushed his lips against my hair and spoke.

 

“Be careful, truly careful. I’ll be back soon. Since we have this mage, catching Fedeshar is as good as done. Once we prove the link between them and Bastien, it’s over. Piote will be here soon, so move with him.”

 

The mage, who had been listening silently, pointed to himself.

 

“You already contacted him?”

 

“The moment I found you. I have to earn some points, after all.”

 

With a smirk, Evan gave my head a light pat and stood up.

 

“Ah, Evan, wait a second…!”

 

I tugged on his sleeve. Evan slid back toward me.

 

“You have to be careful too, Evan. That crazy Bastien might target you as well…!”

 

It didn’t matter anymore if he was the Crown Prince or an original character. They targeted the Duke. That was the same as targeting Evan.

 

“Yeah, I’ll be careful.”

 

I waved as I watched Evan drag the mage away by the collar with one hand.

 

‘I have to move too. Evan will handle the palace side.’

 

I couldn’t leave everything to him. I couldn’t just keep being the victim.

 

“By the way, My Lady, can you really get the herbs? You’re not going to the beach, are you?”

 

“Do I look like a fool? Don’t worry.”

 

I set out to find the final key from the original story.

 

 

***

 

 

Bastien surveyed the interior of the palace, which was filled with a quiet but gloomy energy. The Empress, who seemed like she wouldn’t bleed a drop of blood even if pricked by a needle, had collapsed, and the Duke had been named as the culprit. It was only a matter of time before it became public.

 

Bastien knew. Although they had detained the Duke based on the maid’s testimony, there was no physical evidence. He would have to release the Duke soon.

 

If so, shouldn’t he strike the final target now?