The next morning, at Count Acacia's mansion.
People with faces that couldn't even catch their breath began to gather in the lobby on the first floor.
While the few servants were busy serving the suddenly increased number of guests, Vincenzo, who had finished preparing to leave and packed his briefcase, called the people over to sit down.
“You seem to have slept alone shamelessly. Why did you come out dressed up so flashily?”
Vincenzo, still trying to ignore the fierce gaze of Ephero, took out several newspapers from his heavy-looking bag.
“I will go to my grandmother by this road and convey His Highness the Second Prince’s will and truth.”
Rhodnes sat with his legs crossed and lifted his chin as if to tell him to continue.
“Before that, I thought you should know how the capital is doing right now. Actually, my main purpose was to deliver this news. It seems like you don’t know much about the capital.”
The eyes of the tired people immediately grew wide.
The faces as big as a door on the newspapers that Vincenzo had laid out were none other than those of Doris and the Duke of Castagna.
“The Duke of Castagna has fallen.”
"What?"
Ephero asked in surprise. It was certainly unexpected news that the Duke who seemed the healthiest in the world had collapsed.
“I thought you wouldn’t know, since it happened on the day the procession to Elacon left the capital.”
Vincenzo explained seriously.
“As soon as the Duke of Castagna suddenly collapsed and the Crown Princess, who had been quiet, suddenly expressed her intention to become a priestess of the Great Temple, an oracle was handed down. The contents were...”
Vincenzo pushed more newspapers towards Rhodnes.
[ Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess has expressed her intention to become a priest of the Great Hall.]
[The high minister, impressed by the faithfulness of the Crown Princess, receives an oracle.]
[Prophecy: A Saintess who can put to rest the legend that 'the red eyes will destroy the country' will appear.]
[Could that 'Saintess' be the Crown Princess?]
“That’s ridiculous. That woman is a Saintess? Any dog passing by would laugh! F*ck!”
Ephero shouted with fever.
“And why did the Imperial Daily that came to us leave out this kind of news? What the? Did the Crown Princess intercept it? Why are there more gossip columns than newspapers!”
“Let’s look into it. And this is today’s paper.”
[The dramatic revival of the criminal investigation system! Is this the will of the Lord to save Ronta from the ominous red eyes?]
“Yesterday evening, Count Raylon and the Western nobles joined forces to revive the old law that had been repealed.”
Criminal investigation system!
When an older brother dies, the younger brother takes his sister-in-law.
Adrienne's eyes shook violently.
“It means that His Highness the Second Prince, who is legally the highest in line of succession, may have to take Doris Castagna as his wife.”
Noura Giuseppe watched Doris take out her belongings one by one and hand them out.
“Ruby from Elacon, diamond from the Duchy of Katarina... I will also give this brooch to Irene as a special gift. It is a piece my mother left me when I married into the royal family. Make sure to wear it well for your debutante.”
“Something so precious? Your Highness, think again. If you become a priest of the Great Hall, you will no longer be able to wear such things on your body.”
“I’m done worrying. My husband died while being called the saint of Ronta, so I, as his wife, cannot live the rest of my life in luxury in the palace. I will follow his will and spend the rest of my life praying only for the Lord and for my husband in Abadelia.”
Irene hugged Doris with tears in her eyes. Doris gladly patted Irene on the back.
“I’m sorry, Irene. I promised to be your chaperone at Irene’s debutante next year... I promise to arrange for a high-ranking lady to be Irene’s chaperone before I leave the Crown Princess Palace.”
“Your Highness! Why do you care so much about others? Don’t worry about my debutante. And just trust me. I will strongly advise my father to find a way to treat Your Highness with the utmost respect!”
After Irene, who had been talking affectionately with Doris for a while, clenched her fists and left the palace, only Noura was left next to Doris.
Doris wiped away some of the tears that were welling up in her eyes, opened the small jewelry box that was on the table, and handed it to Noura.
“The rest is all Noura’s. Not only His Highness the Crown Prince, but even my father suddenly collapsed... I felt like I was left alone in the world. I can’t tell you how much strength I have because of Noura.”
Noura stared at Doris, who was still calling her 'Noura', and then looked into the jewelry box she held out.
Large pearls, sapphires more brilliant than the sea, and even rose-shaped rubies popularized by Blie Acacia.
'All the things I have given to Your Highness.'
All the truly valuable treasures were given to Irene Siscometin, and all the things given to Noura were those that Noura had brought and offered that were originally Noura's.
Noura felt a little hurt for a moment but forced a smile.
“And before I go into the main temple, I have a favor to ask of Noura.”
As a look of doubt appeared on Noura's face, Doris took out a heavy black wooden box from the shelf under the table.
The moment she saw the box, Noura's face stiffened with a smile.
“Do you remember the incense that I treasured so much that I never burned it in this palace?”
Every time she remembers.
Noura clenched her trembling hands under the table.
“I also want to express my gratitude to Blie for her sincere assistance to me and His Highness the Crown Prince and for taking the long journey to Elacon.”
Noura felt the fear she had been trying to suppress welling up inside her and she bit her lip.
After delivering a wooden box that looked exactly like that to the Duke of Castagna, the Duke of Castagna collapsed the next day.
Noura was certain that the scent contained in that box had made the Duke of Castagna like that.
And this is just a guess.
That may have contributed to the death of Grand Duchess Adrienne.
She clearly heard the Crown Princess sneakily inserting that medicine into the box she was sending and telling the head maid of the Grand Duchess' residence to burn incense with care.
Since it is intended for use on sick people, special care must be taken when using it, and caution is also given to dilute it in very small amounts.
It was a very precious incense made from medicinal herbs that the Crown Princess, who always told her the names of the plants in the garden, told her were good for the body.
At that time, she thought it was just like that without thinking about it.
Noura secretly ran her goosebump-inducing arm up.
When she remembered that the precious thing had never been brought to the palace and had only been sent to the Grand Duke's residence, her guess became certain.
Moreover, there was not even a warning to dilute the scent that was sent to the Duke and Blie.
“Now that I have given up all my wealth and honor and am a priest, I don’t need this incense. It might be a hassle, but Noura, please pass it on. I heard that Blie and the second Prince are staying in Acacia County for a while.”
Doris frowned briefly at the word “Second Prince,” then smiled gently again.
Noura was startled and opened her eyes wide at the sudden request to go to the North, where she had no connection, and deliver this.
“Oh, are you telling me to go to the Acacia County and deliver it to her?”
"Yes."
Doris answered firmly, even though she was boldly requesting such an arduous journey.
“Please tell her that I am giving it to her as a token of my friendship, so please make sure to think of me when she is alone.”
For someone who talks about friendship, there was a rather cold smile on Doris's face.
Naturally, Noura recalled the moment when she had witnessed the death at the Castagna mansion, where she had returned again on Doris's errand.
The scent of herbs tickled her nose amidst the maids' screams.
Noura slowly hugged the bowl in front of her. Doris' side profile, as she sipped her tea, was as beautiful as ever.
That made it even more creepy.
Several days have passed since Vincenzo left Acacia Territory with the shocking news.
Rhodnes was busy with Rhodnes itself.
In addition to the monsters they encountered on the first day, various types of monsters appeared regularly, so they led Ephero and Victor on a mission to subdue them.
When Rhodnes heard the news of the revival of the criminal investigation system, all he could say was, "It's disgusting."
He told me that I didn't have to be anxious at all, but I tried to escape my anxiety by concentrating on Rossi and awakening my magic.
Is it because of Rossi who started to help me sincerely?
I quickly became aware of the warm magical power flowing within my body and succeeded in transferring it to the mana stone and bringing it back again.
“Excuse me, Madam. You have a guest from the capital who has come to see you.”
"Guest?"
While I was taking a short break, an unexpected guest arrived.
When I went down to the lobby on the first floor, I was shocked to see the face of the person who had come all the way to this dangerous place to find me.
“Lady Giuseppe?”
“Hello, Countess Acacia. It’s been a while.”
It was Noura, who had lost weight and had a swollen face.
Perhaps because our relationship wasn't that bad until recently, I was quite happy to see Noura, so I quickly told the maids to treat her and greeted her.
But the more she was treated, the darker Noura's expression became.
She was restless and looking around, unable to sit comfortably on the luxurious sofa that Count Acacia had hastily purchased for us.
“His Highness the Second Prince will be back sometime soon. So, it’s okay to rest comfortably.”
I remember her being both amazed by his beauty and afraid whenever she saw Rhodnes, and I said to her in a taunting tone.
“Wasn’t it hard for you to come here? If I had known that you would miss me this much, I would have written you a letter.”
Noura's face remained stiff even after a joke was made to ease her tension. She followed the maid and received a black box, placing it on the table.
“Have you heard the news that Her Highness the Crown Princess... has taken refuge in the Grand Palace?”
I silently stared at the mouth that blurted out Doris's recent news without saying anything.
“Her Highness said that she no longer needed all her valuables and gave them to us maids. She also gave Madam a final gift, praising you for assisting her and the Crown Prince.”
Irene didn't know, but Noura and I knew that Doris wasn't that nice.
I watched her sweating profusely for a while before smiling faintly.
“That’s really appreciated. Her Highness even bothered to take care of me, a person who always goes out... Please tell them I’m really grateful.”
I forced myself to gather affection and answered, then grabbed Noura’s cold hand and held it tightly. The hand that was hiding its trembling flinched.
“I would have greeted Her Highness when I returned to the capital, but why did Her Highness send you alone all the way to this dangerous north? ...While you’re here, why don’t you go and take a hot spring bath, Madam? This place is adjacent to Elacon, and there are huge baths where you can take a hot spring bath. This mansion has two huge baths. One is for guests, so I made it special for you to rest in....”
"...Ma'am."
As I was stroking the back of her hand as if to say that it was okay, Noura, who was staring at my mouth with wavering eyes, cut me off.
“Madam, madam, I...”
“What’s wrong, Noura?”
“I can’t do it, ma’am.”
She cupped my cheeks and distorted her face.
“That thing in that box is incense. But after I leave... When the maids Her Highness sent to follow me make sure that Madam is burning incense... Please pour it all out and throw it away!”
Noura lowered her voice extremely and shouted in anguish.
I raised the corners of my lips mercifully as if I had been waiting. And I sincerely and warmly held her hand.
Because I was waiting for her to tell the truth.
People with faces that couldn't even catch their breath began to gather in the lobby on the first floor.
While the few servants were busy serving the suddenly increased number of guests, Vincenzo, who had finished preparing to leave and packed his briefcase, called the people over to sit down.
“You seem to have slept alone shamelessly. Why did you come out dressed up so flashily?”
Vincenzo, still trying to ignore the fierce gaze of Ephero, took out several newspapers from his heavy-looking bag.
“I will go to my grandmother by this road and convey His Highness the Second Prince’s will and truth.”
Rhodnes sat with his legs crossed and lifted his chin as if to tell him to continue.
“Before that, I thought you should know how the capital is doing right now. Actually, my main purpose was to deliver this news. It seems like you don’t know much about the capital.”
The eyes of the tired people immediately grew wide.
The faces as big as a door on the newspapers that Vincenzo had laid out were none other than those of Doris and the Duke of Castagna.
“The Duke of Castagna has fallen.”
"What?"
Ephero asked in surprise. It was certainly unexpected news that the Duke who seemed the healthiest in the world had collapsed.
“I thought you wouldn’t know, since it happened on the day the procession to Elacon left the capital.”
Vincenzo explained seriously.
“As soon as the Duke of Castagna suddenly collapsed and the Crown Princess, who had been quiet, suddenly expressed her intention to become a priestess of the Great Temple, an oracle was handed down. The contents were...”
Vincenzo pushed more newspapers towards Rhodnes.
[ Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess has expressed her intention to become a priest of the Great Hall.]
[The high minister, impressed by the faithfulness of the Crown Princess, receives an oracle.]
[Prophecy: A Saintess who can put to rest the legend that 'the red eyes will destroy the country' will appear.]
[Could that 'Saintess' be the Crown Princess?]
“That’s ridiculous. That woman is a Saintess? Any dog passing by would laugh! F*ck!”
Ephero shouted with fever.
“And why did the Imperial Daily that came to us leave out this kind of news? What the? Did the Crown Princess intercept it? Why are there more gossip columns than newspapers!”
“Let’s look into it. And this is today’s paper.”
[The dramatic revival of the criminal investigation system! Is this the will of the Lord to save Ronta from the ominous red eyes?]
“Yesterday evening, Count Raylon and the Western nobles joined forces to revive the old law that had been repealed.”
Criminal investigation system!
When an older brother dies, the younger brother takes his sister-in-law.
Adrienne's eyes shook violently.
“It means that His Highness the Second Prince, who is legally the highest in line of succession, may have to take Doris Castagna as his wife.”
***
Noura Giuseppe watched Doris take out her belongings one by one and hand them out.
“Ruby from Elacon, diamond from the Duchy of Katarina... I will also give this brooch to Irene as a special gift. It is a piece my mother left me when I married into the royal family. Make sure to wear it well for your debutante.”
“Something so precious? Your Highness, think again. If you become a priest of the Great Hall, you will no longer be able to wear such things on your body.”
“I’m done worrying. My husband died while being called the saint of Ronta, so I, as his wife, cannot live the rest of my life in luxury in the palace. I will follow his will and spend the rest of my life praying only for the Lord and for my husband in Abadelia.”
Irene hugged Doris with tears in her eyes. Doris gladly patted Irene on the back.
“I’m sorry, Irene. I promised to be your chaperone at Irene’s debutante next year... I promise to arrange for a high-ranking lady to be Irene’s chaperone before I leave the Crown Princess Palace.”
“Your Highness! Why do you care so much about others? Don’t worry about my debutante. And just trust me. I will strongly advise my father to find a way to treat Your Highness with the utmost respect!”
After Irene, who had been talking affectionately with Doris for a while, clenched her fists and left the palace, only Noura was left next to Doris.
Doris wiped away some of the tears that were welling up in her eyes, opened the small jewelry box that was on the table, and handed it to Noura.
“The rest is all Noura’s. Not only His Highness the Crown Prince, but even my father suddenly collapsed... I felt like I was left alone in the world. I can’t tell you how much strength I have because of Noura.”
Noura stared at Doris, who was still calling her 'Noura', and then looked into the jewelry box she held out.
Large pearls, sapphires more brilliant than the sea, and even rose-shaped rubies popularized by Blie Acacia.
'All the things I have given to Your Highness.'
All the truly valuable treasures were given to Irene Siscometin, and all the things given to Noura were those that Noura had brought and offered that were originally Noura's.
Noura felt a little hurt for a moment but forced a smile.
“And before I go into the main temple, I have a favor to ask of Noura.”
As a look of doubt appeared on Noura's face, Doris took out a heavy black wooden box from the shelf under the table.
The moment she saw the box, Noura's face stiffened with a smile.
“Do you remember the incense that I treasured so much that I never burned it in this palace?”
Every time she remembers.
Noura clenched her trembling hands under the table.
“I also want to express my gratitude to Blie for her sincere assistance to me and His Highness the Crown Prince and for taking the long journey to Elacon.”
Noura felt the fear she had been trying to suppress welling up inside her and she bit her lip.
After delivering a wooden box that looked exactly like that to the Duke of Castagna, the Duke of Castagna collapsed the next day.
Noura was certain that the scent contained in that box had made the Duke of Castagna like that.
And this is just a guess.
That may have contributed to the death of Grand Duchess Adrienne.
She clearly heard the Crown Princess sneakily inserting that medicine into the box she was sending and telling the head maid of the Grand Duchess' residence to burn incense with care.
Since it is intended for use on sick people, special care must be taken when using it, and caution is also given to dilute it in very small amounts.
It was a very precious incense made from medicinal herbs that the Crown Princess, who always told her the names of the plants in the garden, told her were good for the body.
At that time, she thought it was just like that without thinking about it.
Noura secretly ran her goosebump-inducing arm up.
When she remembered that the precious thing had never been brought to the palace and had only been sent to the Grand Duke's residence, her guess became certain.
Moreover, there was not even a warning to dilute the scent that was sent to the Duke and Blie.
“Now that I have given up all my wealth and honor and am a priest, I don’t need this incense. It might be a hassle, but Noura, please pass it on. I heard that Blie and the second Prince are staying in Acacia County for a while.”
Doris frowned briefly at the word “Second Prince,” then smiled gently again.
Noura was startled and opened her eyes wide at the sudden request to go to the North, where she had no connection, and deliver this.
“Oh, are you telling me to go to the Acacia County and deliver it to her?”
"Yes."
Doris answered firmly, even though she was boldly requesting such an arduous journey.
“Please tell her that I am giving it to her as a token of my friendship, so please make sure to think of me when she is alone.”
For someone who talks about friendship, there was a rather cold smile on Doris's face.
Naturally, Noura recalled the moment when she had witnessed the death at the Castagna mansion, where she had returned again on Doris's errand.
The scent of herbs tickled her nose amidst the maids' screams.
Noura slowly hugged the bowl in front of her. Doris' side profile, as she sipped her tea, was as beautiful as ever.
That made it even more creepy.
***
Several days have passed since Vincenzo left Acacia Territory with the shocking news.
Rhodnes was busy with Rhodnes itself.
In addition to the monsters they encountered on the first day, various types of monsters appeared regularly, so they led Ephero and Victor on a mission to subdue them.
When Rhodnes heard the news of the revival of the criminal investigation system, all he could say was, "It's disgusting."
He told me that I didn't have to be anxious at all, but I tried to escape my anxiety by concentrating on Rossi and awakening my magic.
Is it because of Rossi who started to help me sincerely?
I quickly became aware of the warm magical power flowing within my body and succeeded in transferring it to the mana stone and bringing it back again.
“Excuse me, Madam. You have a guest from the capital who has come to see you.”
"Guest?"
While I was taking a short break, an unexpected guest arrived.
When I went down to the lobby on the first floor, I was shocked to see the face of the person who had come all the way to this dangerous place to find me.
“Lady Giuseppe?”
“Hello, Countess Acacia. It’s been a while.”
It was Noura, who had lost weight and had a swollen face.
Perhaps because our relationship wasn't that bad until recently, I was quite happy to see Noura, so I quickly told the maids to treat her and greeted her.
But the more she was treated, the darker Noura's expression became.
She was restless and looking around, unable to sit comfortably on the luxurious sofa that Count Acacia had hastily purchased for us.
“His Highness the Second Prince will be back sometime soon. So, it’s okay to rest comfortably.”
I remember her being both amazed by his beauty and afraid whenever she saw Rhodnes, and I said to her in a taunting tone.
“Wasn’t it hard for you to come here? If I had known that you would miss me this much, I would have written you a letter.”
Noura's face remained stiff even after a joke was made to ease her tension. She followed the maid and received a black box, placing it on the table.
“Have you heard the news that Her Highness the Crown Princess... has taken refuge in the Grand Palace?”
I silently stared at the mouth that blurted out Doris's recent news without saying anything.
“Her Highness said that she no longer needed all her valuables and gave them to us maids. She also gave Madam a final gift, praising you for assisting her and the Crown Prince.”
Irene didn't know, but Noura and I knew that Doris wasn't that nice.
I watched her sweating profusely for a while before smiling faintly.
“That’s really appreciated. Her Highness even bothered to take care of me, a person who always goes out... Please tell them I’m really grateful.”
I forced myself to gather affection and answered, then grabbed Noura’s cold hand and held it tightly. The hand that was hiding its trembling flinched.
“I would have greeted Her Highness when I returned to the capital, but why did Her Highness send you alone all the way to this dangerous north? ...While you’re here, why don’t you go and take a hot spring bath, Madam? This place is adjacent to Elacon, and there are huge baths where you can take a hot spring bath. This mansion has two huge baths. One is for guests, so I made it special for you to rest in....”
"...Ma'am."
As I was stroking the back of her hand as if to say that it was okay, Noura, who was staring at my mouth with wavering eyes, cut me off.
“Madam, madam, I...”
“What’s wrong, Noura?”
“I can’t do it, ma’am.”
She cupped my cheeks and distorted her face.
“That thing in that box is incense. But after I leave... When the maids Her Highness sent to follow me make sure that Madam is burning incense... Please pour it all out and throw it away!”
Noura lowered her voice extremely and shouted in anguish.
I raised the corners of my lips mercifully as if I had been waiting. And I sincerely and warmly held her hand.
Because I was waiting for her to tell the truth.
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