Chapter 6.3
And what if that person has the power to control Melina?
In the original story, the person who finds the antidote for Acedium is none other than the crown prince. It wouldn’t be strange for him to find the antidote for Acedium this time as well.
First, he uses the House of Colica or the empress to put Acedium in Melina’s hands. Then, after poisoning Rachel through Melina, he comes to the temple with the antidote…
‘He definitely said he’d see me later this morning. Don’t tell me he deliberately scheduled the appointment for today and pretended it was a coincidence…! And after detoxifying Rachel, he planned to intercept the package with my name on it right there and make me the culprit…’
My whole body went cold in an instant. The thought that this could be close to the truth made anger surge up within me.
How dare, how dare he—!
“Eve.”
Rachel’s hand suddenly rested on my trembling hands.
My hands, those of someone born as a nouveau riche daughter who had never done any hard work, formed a stark contrast with her rough hands that had lived a lifetime as a kitchen maid.
“Right now, it’s more important to think about how to solve this situation than to be angry.”
“That…”
Her utterly calm words left me speechless. Her terribly serene reaction didn’t seem like that of someone who had nearly been poisoned to death.
Come to think of it, Rachel was always calm in front of any situation.
“Aren’t you angry, Rachel?”
“Well, I am angry, but…”
Rachel smiled slightly at my question.
“There have always been many people who dislike me. I suppose their malice has become a habit by now.”
Her gentle tone was truly that of a ‘saint,’ and I couldn’t bring myself to continue speaking.
But… but is it really good to be so indifferent to malice directed toward oneself?
I stared at Rachel, then calmed myself down for the moment.
She was right. Solving the problem was the priority now. The crown prince hadn’t appeared yet, and perhaps my speculation was wrong.
Thinking that far, I curved my lips upward and nodded.
* * *
“My lady.”
I told Rachel, who still hadn’t shaken off the aftereffects of the poison, to rest well, then closed the door and came out.
As soon as the door closed, my eyes began to tremble again and I bit my lips tightly, when Lilith ran toward me.
“Is the saint safe?”
“Oh, sorry, did you wait long? Rachel is fine, so let’s go to the ducal residence now. I think staying at the temple would be too much.”
“Oh, actually His Grace…”
After giving her a forced calm smile, I was about to take a step forward when I was startled by a figure I saw in front of me.
“Rubellian?”
“Are you finished?”
I stopped short upon seeing Rubellian smiling at me. He draped his coat over me.
“Wear this. The night wind is cold especially in the late hours.”
“But you…”
“I’ll be fine since we’re going to the ducal residence anyway.”
“How long have you been waiting? And why did you come?”
“Even though you have knights with you, it’s dangerous to wander around late at night. Anna told me you went to the temple.”
“Then you should have sent me word. I had no idea and stayed in the room the whole time.”
“I thought if you knew I was here, you wouldn’t be able to handle your business comfortably.”
Rubellian murmured as he helped me get into the carriage. Soon he too got into the carriage, and the carriage door closed with a thud.
“So, is the saint okay?”
“Rubellian. I think I’m being framed.”
“…Framed?”
Rubellian furrowed his brow deeply. At his expression asking me to explain in detail what had happened, I told him about the conversation I had with Rachel.
And by the time I finished speaking, Rubellian’s face had completely hardened.
“But how did the crown prince obtain a solution for Acedium?”
“I only know that people who can grant access permits to the Land of Death are direct members of the imperial family. If the crown prince had people obtain Aces flowers and gathered imperial magicians and sages to find various methods, it wouldn’t be impossible, would it?”
In fact, in the original story, the crown prince obtained the answer through such methods. Though it was partly born from the urgency of Rachel possibly dying.
“Then how did you know?”
“Oh, well… Rachel was dying, so it wasn’t the time to be picky about methods.”
Rubellian looked suspicious at my words for a moment, but perhaps judging that asking me more questions would be meaningless, he nodded briefly.
“But the crown prince didn’t appear tonight. Why do you think that is?”
“He might have heard the news that the saint had awakened. The crown prince has quite a few ears in the temple.”
I let out a big sigh. If this really was something the crown prince orchestrated, I don’t know how he’ll come at me next. Just as my worries were deepening, Rubellian’s serious voice reached me.
“I was planning to just cause discord for a while, but this has become troublesome.”
“…Pardon?”
Unable to understand his sudden words, I widened my eyes, and Rubellian continued with a meaningful expression.
“Originally, I was planning to just drive a wedge between the House of Colica and the imperial family for a while, but it seems it would be better to take direct action.”
“How…”
“First, I should return what I received.”
A faint smile crossed Rubellian’s coldly hardened face.
So he had been just watching up until now.
I nodded at his words and smiled.
“Good. Then I’ll try to solve this matter from a different angle.”
“Eve?”
“Don’t worry. I won’t get hurt.”
Looking at my resolute face, Rubellian showed a somewhat worried expression, but perhaps realizing he couldn’t stop me, he spoke gently.
“Don’t overdo it. I can handle them by myself.”
“Don’t worry. You know I cherish my own body terribly.”
I smiled brightly as if to reassure him, then turned my eyes toward the window and gritted my teeth.
* * *
And the next morning, in the carriage heading to the temple early, I spoke to Lilith.
“I have a favor to ask, Lilith. When we go to the temple today and meet Rachel, remember the shape of the cookies well.”
“Cookies?”
“Shangele cookie. Then, go to Shangele and ask if anyone ordered such cookies in the past few days, and if so, who it was. Oh, don’t forget to slip something into their hands appropriately.”
“Understood.”
The news that Rachel had collapsed yesterday due to Acedium hadn’t spread yet.
But it would eventually be known someday.
I fell into thought about what reactions the crown prince, the House of Colica, and Melina would show.
“By the way, what is Rubellian trying to do… Oh, come to think of it, where did he go so early in the morning?”
“He went to the imperial palace early this morning.”
“Isn’t he really busy? Shouldn’t I make him some tonic to eat?”
At my words, Lilith let out a “puh-” laugh, then cleared her throat with a cough and shook her head.
“I’m sorry, my lady. But I don’t think you need to worry about that. I grew up watching His Grace next to Mrs. Jena, and right now in this ducal house, the person whose health is most urgent is you, my lady.”
“I’m healthy.”
“The maids of the ducal house pull radishes from the field with their bare hands.”
“…Why do the maids of the ducal house pull radishes from the field with their bare hands?”
“It means they’re that strong, and the maids by your side are even more… Oh, I shouldn’t say this…”
“…?”
When I stared at her with questioning eyes, Lilith, who had looked somewhat troubled, smiled awkwardly.
“Anyway, they’re sufficient people to protect you, my lady, so don’t worry.”
“At this point, I’m getting curious. Why is someone who’s the daughter of Count Bolton working as my maid? You don’t go ‘My lady, my lady—’ in front of me, then behind my back go ‘How dare a commoner—!’ and badmouth me, do you?”
“No, my lady! Do I look that wicked to you?”
At Lilith’s aggrieved voice, I laughed softly. Actually, Lilith doesn’t seem like she would do that. I’ve just read too many novels.
“I’m joking.”
“If I hate someone, I beat them to death to their face—not behind their back.”
“No, that’s also a problem…”
“But isn’t it better than cursing behind their backs?”
“Hmm…”
While we were chatting like this, the carriage had arrived at its destination before we knew it.
Getting out of the carriage and about to head straight to Rachel’s room, I saw a familiar emblem in my field of vision and grimaced.
“Really inauspicious from the morning.”
An imperial carriage was parked in front of the temple. I don’t need to say who would personally come to the temple in that carriage. Crown prince, this quick-footed bastard.
Soon I moved my feet and reached Rachel’s door, when suddenly the door burst open and Alfred came out with a deeply furrowed brow.
“High Priest?”
“Ah, Duchess. You’ve come.”
“Is His Highness the Crown Prince inside by any chance?”
Alfred didn’t bother to answer, but I could tell the answer just by looking at his expression.
I knew it! I said while grinding my teeth.
“Can’t you tell Rachel that I’m here?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince ordered that no one be allowed in.”
“Oh, since when did you listen to the crown prince so well—”
“But if I say you’ve come, my lady, the saint will definitely tell you to come in.”
…Alfred, you must really dislike the crown prince. Well, I’d also dislike it if the crown prince came hovering around someone I liked.
Since he was taking my side, there was no reason to refuse. Sure enough, Alfred, who went back in and opened the door again, nodded as he came out of the room.
“Please go in.”
Alfred, fighting! I’ll actively support you. Of course, if Rachel dislikes you, there’s nothing I can do.
I smiled at Alfred as a sign of gratitude, then entered the room.
Inside were Rachel sitting on the bed with a pale face and the crown prince with a displeased expression.
“I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince. Rachel, are you okay? I was worried so I came to see you.”
I threw just a brief greeting at the crown prince, then immediately approached Rachel’s side.
The crown prince’s brow seemed to furrow at my figure that suddenly whisked past him, but he skillfully smoothed his face again.
“I see the duchess here.”
“Yes. I heard that the saint was unwell.”
If he really had administered the poison and had ears in the temple, there was a high possibility he knew I had detoxified the Acedium.
He’s probably curious too. How a nouveau riche daughter knows the solution to Acedium.
“Yes, it’s regrettable that such a thing happened. Acedium, who on earth would do such a terrible thing.”
You.
“I’m grateful for your concern, Your Highness. However, since the detoxification is already complete, I should be able to get up soon.”
“Still, it’s fortunate that a detoxification method was found. But since the empire’s saint experienced such a thing, there needs to be a thorough investigation. Do you happen to know how you were affected by Acedium?”
At the crown prince’s question, Rachel shook her head and said.
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh dear. So, nothing at all came in from outside? No food, no objects?”
Look at this bastard, desperately trying to frame me by steering the conversation.
“The temple receives countless gifts for the saint. It’s difficult to confirm each one, so it’s hard to determine.”
“Then yesterday’s gifts…”
“Your Highness.”
At that moment, Rachel cut in with a soft, composed smile, interrupting the crown prince’s question.
“The temple will handle this matter, so you don’t need to worry too much about it. In any case, it’s a temple matter, and I don’t want to make others tremble with anxiety.”
“……”
“I want a peaceful Holy Spirit Festival for all the people of the empire.”
Seeing the regret that flashed through his eyes for a moment, I chimed in.
“That’s right. It’s better to handle such matters as quietly as possible. The Holy Spirit Festival is still in full swing, and if word spreads, people will be confused.”
“Duchess. The duchess seems unaware of the seriousness, but the saint being attacked is…”
“That’s why my husband also quietly passed over the attack for Your Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, didn’t he?”
“…!”
“Isn’t that so?”
I blinked innocently and smiled brightly.
“Oh, or are the duke and the saint different? Indeed, to Your Highness, the temple’s saint is more important than a mere noble…”
“Duchess, you’d better choose your words carefully.”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I was ignorant and spoke carelessly.”
At the crown prince’s growling sound, I immediately lowered my tail and bowed my head deeply.
At that, Rachel smiled warmly and opened her mouth.
“The duchess is right. With important matters ahead, we shouldn’t create confusion over my personal problems.”
Actually, that wasn’t true. Whatever the case, someone nearly died, but it was more beneficial for me to let this matter pass this way.
Eventually, the crown prince nodded with an endlessly false smile.
“If that is the saint’s will.”
Soon, perhaps thinking that smooth conversation would be difficult as long as I was there, the crown prince stood up.
“Anyway, it’s fortunate that you’re safe. Then since the duchess has come, I’ll take my leave.”
“Oh, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
I cheerfully called out to the crown prince who was about to move. When he turned around with a deliberately gentle face, I smiled broadly and said.
“Thank you for the ‘gift’ you sent.”
Since things had come to this point anyway, there was no reason to hide it and laugh “haha hoho.” Especially in a situation where the other side had clearly caught on to some extent.
At my words, the crown prince’s eyes trembled for a moment, but as if nothing had happened, he regained his composure.
“I don’t know what gift you’re talking about.”
“Wasn’t it something Your Highness sent? Perhaps it was something Lady Barnes sent… It was such a precious gift that I thought Your Highness had sent it.”
“The duchess has misunderstood. I have never sent the duchess a gift.”
“Is that so? How disappointing. I was preparing a return gift.”
It was a meaningful statement. Seeing that he caught the implication, I could see him almost clench his fist before releasing it.
“Since I didn’t send it, you’ll have to regrettably throw away the gift.”
“You don’t need to worry about it. It seems like it will be put to use soon anyway.”
At my words, the crown prince immediately turned and left the room. Judging by his attitude, my guess seemed to be almost correct.
‘Even if it wasn’t the crown prince’s doing, he’s definitely involved.’
I let out a long sigh and looked at Rachel. She was staring at where the crown prince had disappeared with a strange expression.
“For some reason, I feel bad whenever I see His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Rachel continued speaking while tilting her head. The unpleasant expression reflected on her face showed that her words were sincere.
A moment of silence flowed between Rachel and me.
As I was wondering whether I should tell her that I suspected the crown prince, Rachel turned her head toward me.
“By the way—is there something wrong, Eve?”
I pressed my lips together tightly and smiled at her question. Perhaps she instinctively knew that I had come here with another purpose.
So I spoke honestly.
“It’s nothing else, but I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes.”
Since things had come to this, I couldn’t just sit back and watch. Thinking so, I looked at Rachel with a somewhat resolute face.
* * *
I had never directly harmed anyone. That was my last minimum line of defense from living in modern times.
But I hate being beaten like this.
“Lilith, did you do as I asked?”
“Yes. And just as you expected, my lady, it seems the person who ordered those cookies from Shangele placed the order under your name.”
“How thorough.”
I laughed dryly.
“Soon the crown prince will say he caught the culprit or something, and he’ll definitely say there was a problem with those cookies.”
“Will you be alright, my lady?”
“But it doesn’t matter. Rachel is on my side anyway.”
I smiled, recalling Rachel’s wide-eyed expression at my words.
‘I need to deal with Melina first.’
I had been too lenient with Melina all this time, calling her a minor villainess and such. But since the crown prince was using Melina so viciously, I needed to separate those two.
I turned my attention to the ‘item’ I had just received from Rachel.
‘They ordered under my name at Shangele, even deliberately ordering it in a special shape. Later, when something happens, they’ll call someone from Shangele to corner me, saying the cookies Rachel ate were exactly what I ordered.’
So I should take this opportunity to corner Melina, then make my move when she points to me as the culprit.
But then the crown prince would be troublesome…
I was lost in thought, wondering how to plan this concretely, when—
Knock knock—
At the sudden knocking sound, Mrs. Jena and Lilith turned their heads. With my permission, someone opened the door and entered, and when I confirmed who it was through the mirror, I couldn’t help but look puzzled.
“Bill?”
What’s he doing here?
He was someone who usually wouldn’t come near my room. That guy particularly detested me.
However, he was entering my room with a perfectly calm face.
“What’s wrong? Why did you come all the way here?”
“I came to deliver His Grace’s message to my lady. He said he’ll probably have to spend today at the imperial palace.”
“What? Is he that busy with work? Is it because he couldn’t catch that assassin?”
“He caught him.”
“Oh, then that’s goo… what?”
I almost nodded at Bill’s calm voice. But realizing something was strange, I widened my eyes.
“The assassin was caught?”
“Yes. The assassin was caught, and he has currently committed suicide.”
“Heavens, where was he found? Do you know who caught him?”
I asked him with a slightly tense face. However, Bill delivered bombshell news to me in his characteristically calm voice.
“He walked into the imperial palace on his own.”
“Is he crazy?”
“And he attacked His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“…?”
“For reference, His Highness the Crown Prince is currently in a life-or-death situation.”
“……”
At Bill’s tone, as if saying mountains are mountains and water is water, I blinked my eyes. What did he just say? The crown prince’s life is hanging in the balance?
“…Hey.”
“Yes.”
“Be a little tense when saying such things! Anna is always making a fuss, but why are you so extremely calm?!”
At my outburst, Bill grimaced. Soon he answered with a bewildered face.
“Didn’t you know?”
“How would I know that! I’m not some prophet!”
“That… didn’t His Grace tell you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The assassin’s disappearance incident was originally planned by His Grace.”
