Chapter 86

Chapter 86

After noticing Erina’s awkward expression, Princess Anna clasped her hands together as if she truly felt sorry.

“If I were to start from the beginning, the story would be too long, so I’ll keep it brief.”

“Y-yes…!” 

Erina nervously waited, wondering what the princess was about to reveal.

Soon after, Princess Anna began recounting everything that had happened in chronological order.

“I’ve been sickly since childhood. It’s just how I was born, so I never had any complaints about it. But at some point, I started suffering from illnesses that couldn’t be explained by just being weak.”

She recalled events from a few years ago. Coincidentally, it was around the same time that Consort Darien met the Emperor.

“In truth, no one in the imperial palace questioned my worsening health. It was more like, ‘Well, it was bound to happen eventually.’”

She could still remember the pitiful voices of the attendants each time she passed out from a high fever. 

They probably assumed she couldn’t hear them, but even while teetering on the edge of life and death, their words pierced her ears like sharp needles.

“I should’ve been suspicious even back then… but instead, I just resigned myself to the idea that this was the end for me.”

Hearing the princess’s calm confession, Erina clenched her fists in sympathy. 

She was born of the empire’s most noble blood, how must it have felt to be unable to protest those pitiful comments? 

It made Erina even sadder that Princess Anna was speaking of it so indifferently.

“But thanks to you, Erina, I realized that the perfume I was gifted contained toxic herbs. Of course, my attendants removed everything fragrant from my bedroom. I especially loved my incense sticks… oh! Those scented sticks are also called incense sticks.”

She glanced briefly toward her bed, as if recalling the items that once lay there.

“After that, the constant haze in my mind began to lift. Actually, it’s more accurate to say I began to feel emotions again. Lately, I get irritated over trivial things, feel strangely anxious as if I’m being chased, and have trouble sleeping because of the unease.”

As Erina listened to the princess’s explanation, a theory began to form in her mind.

“Could it be that your symptoms are…?”

“I thought you might guess. Yes, I was addicted to something, and now I’m experiencing withdrawal.”

What…?

Erina was so shocked she couldn’t find the words. To think someone had dared to do this to the princess! It was an outrageous conclusion.

“S-so that’s why you asked me for detox herbs?”

“Yes. I need to overcome the withdrawal symptoms as soon as possible.”

“You did the right thing! It’s best to deal with these things quickly. But wouldn’t it be better to inform His Majesty the Emperor or ask the imperial medical office for help rather than relying on me?”

Erina asked out of genuine concern. The emperor was known for his love for his daughter, so surely he could provide better aid.

But Princess Anna shook her head.

“If I told my father, he would do everything he could for me, but that also means the risk of others finding out becomes much higher.”

In truth, Princess Anna’s trust in the Emperor had greatly diminished. Even if he wasn’t directly involved, he likely turned a blind eye to the forces that wanted her gone. 

That might explain why, even after hearing she had collapsed, he hadn’t come to see her.

So now, she neither expected anything from him nor could she rely on him.

She had no choice but to quietly find a way to survive on her own.

“That’s why I asked you, Erina. You’re just a guest in the Sylvian Empire, so I felt you could help me without any conflicting interests.”

Out of breath from speaking nonstop, the princess exhaled shallowly.

Erina quickly moved to her side and gently rubbed her back. If anyone else had been there, they would have exploded at the sight of her daring to touch the princess, but fortunately, only dragons were in the room.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please tell me! I’ll be there no matter what!”

Erina promised the princess with conviction.

Princess Anna gave her a faint, grateful smile. The hand that gripped Erina’s was trembling.

“As you can see, I’m still showing signs of withdrawal. Especially in the mornings and evenings, I often find myself dazed without realizing it.”

A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

“I’ve been pretending to be in a daze to avoid others noticing, but sometimes it’s not acting—it’s real.”

“When… when do you think you first became addicted…?”

“My guess is it started two years ago when I began using incense sticks imported from across the sea.”

With that, the princess stood up and headed into her bedchamber.

Seeing her suddenly disappear, Erina’s eyes widened. Should she follow?

While Erina hesitated, the children beside her began chattering, eager to respond to what they had heard.

“So the princess has to hide that she’s not really sick? Whoa, that sounds fun! I think I could do that really well! I’ve read about stuff like that in books!”

“Lia doesn’t like complicated things… I didn’t understand a word the princess said! Erina, can I go catch butterflies instead?”

“Poi wants to stay with mama! I-I’m not going anywhere!”

The children got off the sofa and stomped their feet.

Resen waved his arms like an actor on stage, Lia tried to climb onto the window ledge, and Poi clung to Erina’s skirt, squirming beside her.

“Kids, what did we promise before we came to visit yesterday? You’re not supposed to run around however you want today, remember?”

Erina sat Resen and Lia back down on the sofa.

The kids protested, “But the princess isn’t sick, so this isn’t a sick visit!”

Erina shook her head.

“She said others mustn’t find out, remember? That means we have to protect the princess’s secret too.”

The triplets nodded at Erina’s explanation.

“Just like how we keep Erina’s secret?”

The kids had scooted up beside her and whispered into her ear, clearly remembering the secret of Erina’s sparkling hair.

“That’s right! The princess has a secret too, just like I do. Got it?”

Erina whispered back to them.

The triplets giggled and went, “Shhh!”

Erina and the children were genuinely concerned and curious about what the princess had gone through. While, of course, Hael had been bored the entire time.

‘So what if they’re a princess or emperor? They all die in less than 100 years anyway—what’s the big deal?’

She barely managed to stifle a yawn as she listened.

But when the princess disappeared into her bedchamber, something piqued Hael’s interest.

“Just like how we keep Erina’s secret?”

The children’s words hit Hael’s ears with perfect clarity, thanks to her highly developed hearing.

‘Erina… has a secret?’

Hael began to wonder what kind of secret this plain-looking woman might have. She also instinctively felt that Lord Dylan probably knew.

‘How can I find out what Erina’s secret is?’

Her head was now buzzing with curiosity.

While Hael was all but licking Erina with her eyes, observing her closely, Princess Anna returned holding something.

“Sorry for disappearing so suddenly.”

The princess had felt her condition worsen and hurried back to make another request of Erina.

Noticing her change in demeanor, Erina focused intently, wondering what else the princess was about to say.