Chapter 102
Chapter 102: The Potion’s Side Effects
Papers were strewn messily across both the desk and floor, making it hard to believe this was Lupeon’s usually tidy study.
‘It’s this disorganized…?’
He seemed to have no time to breathe, having to juggle his duties while implementing plans to depose the Emperor.
There was much to oversee even after discrediting Marquess Byzantium, the Emperor’s close ally, and tarnishing the Crown Prince’s reputation.
Lupeon intended to restore the previous Emperor’s honor and completely bring down his uncle.
He had secretly made agreements with powerful military families, moving one step closer to reclaiming the throne.
If there was anything worrying, it was his overwhelming workload that could cause him to collapse at any moment.
‘He’s already busy, this must be even harder…’
Belatedly realizing the room’s untidy state, Lupeon let out a short sigh, dismay flashing across his face.
Elena, feeling uneasy, briefly considered what she could do for her fiancé.
Finally coming up with a good idea, she carefully spoke up.
“Lupeon, I have a favor to ask.”
“Please tell me.”
When Lupeon answered without hesitation, Elena tilted her head.
“Don’t you want to know what kind of favor?”
“Whatever you want, I intend to grant it.”
At his matter-of-fact attitude, Elena’s face slightly reddened as she gave an awkward smile.
“Hmm, then first, may I organize your study?”
Given that there were many confidential documents mixed in his study, he probably couldn’t easily entrust cleaning to the servants.
Surprise flickered across Lupeon’s face at the unexpected question.
“…You want to do it yourself?”
“I’m actually quite good at cleaning, you know!”
Elena answered brightly, confident in her cleaning abilities.
She had always cleaned her laboratory herself, where important experimental tools, alchemical materials, and medicines were kept.
Unable to resist her sparkling eyes, he finally nodded slowly.
‘Good. First, the table…’
While organizing the documents carefully to avoid disrupting his work, Elena soon looked at her fiancé with questioning eyes.
The potion she thought he would have finished was somehow still sitting untouched on the table.
“Lupeon, why haven’t you taken the potion?”
Elena had been giving Lupeon stamina-boosting potions every morning, so it was strange that he hadn’t drunk today’s portion even by nighttime.
She wanted him to drink it soon to build his immunity, especially since he must be quite fatigued.
No sooner had she finished speaking than there was a sharp crack— as the fountain pen in Lupeon’s hand broke.
When Elena raised her eyebrows and glanced at his desk, she saw ink leaking from the broken pen.
The man’s expression hardened and his blue eyes trembled slightly, while Elena, more flustered, blinked and asked.
“Lupeon, are you alright?”
Just as Elena was looking around for something to clean with and about to offer her handkerchief—
“…I’m fine.”
Lupeon, showing a moment of agitation, stiffly refused her kindness.
Wondering if she had done something wrong, Elena swallowed dryly as she looked at him, but Lupeon instead avoided her eyes.
‘Why is he suddenly acting like this?’
She quietly gazed at her fiancé with bewildered golden eyes.
Then Lupeon, his ears and neck reddening, answered in a low voice.
“I was so busy today I forgot to drink it.”
“…?”
‘Well, that could happen, but…’
At his suddenly distant tone, Elena tilted her head.
“Would you like to drink it now then?”
Clearing his throat, Lupeon touched his nape as he continued.
“It would be better not to drink it when I’m with you.”
“Ah…?”
Not immediately understanding his words, she just stared blankly up at her fiancé.
Then soon comprehending his meaning, her face began to flush hot.
After all, she knew the side effects of the stamina-boosting potion.
‘Oh no! What did I just ask?!’
Her face bright red, Elena threw a meaningless glance into the air as she spoke.
“Ahem, come to think of it, it would be better to drink it later.”
“…Is that so.”
At his voice tinged with regret—when he had been avoiding her gaze all this time—she gave an awkward smile.
“It seems quite late, so I should go now!”
“Then I’ll—”
As Lupeon started to rise from his desk, Elena hurriedly cut him off.
“S-Sir Josephine is waiting outside! You don’t need to escort me.”
At her desperate response, Lupeon raised an eyebrow as he finished what he had been trying to say.
“I was just going to see you to the door.”
“Ah… I see.”
Feeling needlessly embarrassed, Elena felt beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.
The man who had reached the study door before her showed no trace of disappointment.
‘Seems I was the only one sad about parting.’
As she let out a shallow sigh, Lupeon watched her briefly before lazily smiling and lowering his head.
Just as Elena was startled by the suddenly close distance, he whispered softly in her ear.
“Next time, I’ll escort you all the way to the bedroom.”
“…!”
“Most properly, of course.”
Elena’s golden eyes trembled uncontrollably as she gulped.
She had a feeling sleep wouldn’t come easily tonight.
* * *
It was near the end of autumn, when cool winds brought a chill to the air.
Word came that some minor nobles from the Progressive Faction had secretly approached Marquess Rohenbach, saying they would change their political stance even now.
No matter how desperately the Emperor and Marquess Byzantium tried to bring down Lupeon, what was visible wasn’t everything.
‘Though there is something concerning…’
“Lupeon, isn’t there anything I can help with?”
“You’re already helping me more than enough.”
“Even so…”
“Really, it’s fine. Please don’t worry.”
Elena went to see Lupeon, whose face had become even harder to catch glimpses of, but he seemed to want to ease her concerns instead.
Unable to do more, she thought the best way to help him was to quietly fulfill her own role well.
She paid extra attention to Anasha on behalf of Lupeon, who felt guilty about not being able to spend time with her.
Contrary to worries that she might be dejected from not being able to see her brother lately, Anasha showed a brave and composed demeanor.
Elena could only guess what conversation must have passed between the siblings on the day they returned from the capital.
Nevertheless, Elena watched carefully to ensure the child didn’t feel hurt by the current situation.
Knowing it would be selfish of adults to expect complete understanding, she frequently asked about the child’s thoughts and feelings.
“Young miss, please tell me if anything makes you sad or upset, alright?”
“Yes. Because big brother and new sister will protect me.”
Elena couldn’t help but look at the child with admiring eyes at her touching response.
While thinking of how apologetic Lupeon felt toward his sister, she gently added.
“You know how much Lupeon loves you, right?”
“Of course! I love big brother too.”
Elena’s face broke into a warm smile at the child’s honest confession of her feelings.
Since it was bedtime, Elena decided to read her a storybook.
“Young miss, which book shall I read to you today?”
“Hmm…”
Anasha came to her side and seemed lost in thought, resting her chin on one hand as she surveyed the bookshelf.
Elena let out a soft laugh watching the child flip through various books, clearly having many she wanted to read.
‘A child is a child after all.’
After peering at the bookshelf for quite a while, Anasha’s eyes finally sparkled as if finding the book she wanted.
“This book would be perfect!”
Elena’s golden eyes trembled slightly as she confirmed the storybook the child shyly held up.
It was none other than “Sally’s Maid Diary.”
