Chapter 35
I twitched my eyebrow once.
That approach had been completely wrong.
I should have remembered that, to the researchers, my dad Kyle carried the image of a “demon of the century.”
“Actually, my real father is Harzen Walker.”
I quickly changed my family registry.
The researcher, however, shuddered violently as though he had just witnessed a nightmare.
“Even like this… you really do resemble Kyle Blake…”
What on earth did he see in me to react like that? This was a total backfire.
‘Then I’ve got no choice.’
I flashed him another bright smile and activated Plan C.
“You’re worried about what I’ll use this for, aren’t you, oppa?”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
“It’s for my mother. You know her too, right?”
The saint of this era, the one who defeated the Demon King and purified entire lands—
the kindest, most compassionate healer of all, Yuria Miller!
“Of course, I know her… but.”
The researcher tilted his head.
“Why would such a person ever need something like this? It’s not as if she has to capture someone and force a confession…”
“Hehe.”
I giggled shyly, narrowing my eyes with a sly curve, and whispered,
“Do you really want to know?”
If he was that curious, I had no reason to hide it.
‘After all, Grandfather entrusted him with Berbium. That much shows his trust.’
And more importantly—I knew.
This researcher, like the rest of them, had no friends he could confide his secrets in.
“My mom told me…”
I leaned in, covering my mouth with both hands, whispering softly.
“Grandmother didn’t collapse just because of an illness.”
“…If it wasn’t a disease, then—”
The color drained from the researcher’s face in an instant.
“Ah, no…! This can’t be!”
“Eh?”
Was it really that shocking? Did he revere the Empress that much?
The man clutched his head and groaned, his voice filled with despair.
“This kind of palace intrigue is the number-one forbidden topic for researchers! We’re not supposed to hear things like this!”
Ah, so that’s the issue. Just as I thought.
“You mustn’t say this out loud, oppa.”
I warned sincerely. Not for my sake, but for his.
At my words, his voice rang with grim determination.
“…I’ll go back and concoct a memory-erasing drug for myself.”
“Wait, that exists?”
“If it doesn’t, I’ll invent one somehow.”
…That was a little extreme. I almost felt bad for him.
“Even so, that reason alone isn’t enough,” he said firmly after regaining his composure.
“No matter what, shouldn’t your mother come in person? If it were me, I’d never send my own daughter on such an errand.”
“Well… that’s true.”
If Mom knew, she would have come herself. She only didn’t because she didn’t know.
“But still…”
I leaned closer and whispered again.
“If you were the culprit, wouldn’t you keep watching Mom? Just in case?”
Silence.
“When you’re trying to catch a criminal, you can’t let them have a chance to run.”
Silence again.
“If Mom came herself and the culprit realized it and fled, wouldn’t that be a national loss…?”
“Aaagh…”
He clutched his head once more, groaning like a man doomed.
“Curiosity killed the cat… At this rate, it’ll kill me too. This is exactly the kind of information I should never have heard.”
“I’ll pray deeply for your safety, oppa.”
“This fake kindness… it’s so Kyle Blake of you.”
His shoulders trembled in disgust as he muttered.
But I had meant it sincerely!
I pouted, then spread out my palm once again.
“So… you still won’t give it to me?”
Time to drive in the nail.
“Grandfather already gave his permission.”
He hesitated.
“And if you don’t… Grandmother could be in danger ag—”
“Fine, fine! Enough!”
Finally, with a deep sigh, his trembling hands extended the vial of Berbium.
“…Please, give this directly to Her Majesty. And tell her… I heard nothing today. My only wish is to live long, quietly, and die doing research.”
“Of course~”
I’ll make sure Grandfather hears that wish in spirit.
“Thank you so much!”
I snatched the shaking vial with a beaming smile.
Sorry for tormenting you, kind mister. I’ll never forget your heart that truly thinks of the nation…
A few hours later, in the afternoon.
I sat at a table in the Empress’s palace, crunching on cookies.
‘Alright.’
Preparations were complete. It was time to begin in earnest.
The reason I was here was simple.
This morning I had been with Grandfather, but afterwards, I followed Mom and Dad to the Empress’s palace.
The looks on their faces when they came to fetch me—
Priceless.
‘It was so awkward I thought I’d die.’
Even Mom, who was normally a master of social grace, couldn’t handle it. She practically dragged me out like she was fleeing.
Remembering it made me grin as I reached for another cookie—
‘No, stop! Enough already!’
I quickly put it back on the table. These cookies were dangerously addictive.
…But maybe one more wouldn’t hurt?
“Where did you get those cookies?”
Mom’s voice cut in just as I was wavering, like a child staring at marshmallows.
I couldn’t resist. I grabbed another cookie and answered,
“Grandfather’s office. You didn’t notice, but I was holding a bag of them back then.”
“Do you want one, Mom? I can share.”
For Mom, I could even give up the last cookie. I held it out to her.
But she slowly shook her head.
“It’s not that I want to eat it, Cici. I just think it would be better to wait until we return to your room.”
“Why? You’ve already finished concentrating, haven’t you?”
I’d even refrained from eating while she used her powers!
“Grandfather gave these to me so I could share them when I got hungry…”
Even with my sulky protest, Mom was unyielding.
“This isn’t your room, Cici. You have to behave properly here.”
I puffed out my lips. Mom was so strict sometimes… though I loved her for it. Still, I couldn’t help feeling a little hurt.
“It’s fine.”
A gentle voice interjected.
It was the chief lady-in-waiting of the Empress’s palace, who had just entered.
“These were bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor precisely for such occasions. There’s no need to be so restrictive. And more importantly—”
She turned to the bed where the Empress lay, her eyes soft with affection.
“Her Majesty would surely wish to see such a sight.”
Her words carried deep devotion.
‘Wow… she really loves Grandmother.’
I had noticed before how attentive she was, but this only confirmed it.
“It’s truly a blessing.”
The woman continued warmly.
“Before long, Her Majesty will rise from her sickbed completely, and she’ll be able to watch this scene herself.”
“I’ll do my very best.”
Mom smiled gently in return.
“I’m always grateful for your devoted care, Lady.”
I watched the two of them fondly, then glanced around.
…But aside from the chief lady-in-waiting, no one else was here.
Hadn’t they arrived yet?
“Hey, hey,” I asked with innocent curiosity,
“why are there no attendants in Grandmother’s chambers? My room is always full of maids.”
