Chapter 39
I spoke up first before the physician could open his mouth.
“It’s just as I said. I’ve been given a terminal diagnosis.”
“H-how could this be…?”
“They told me I had six months left at the time. Half of that’s already gone, so I really don’t have much time now.”
Leaving the panicked Estella behind, I silenced the physician.
“The medicine is fine. I have something else I take. And I trust you won’t carelessly spread this around.”
“O-of course!”
The physician, realizing this wasn’t his place to meddle, quickly excused himself.
Estella gave him not a shred of attention.
Naturally. Her concern was fixed on me.
“Are you alright? You’re not in pain? We should return to the estate immediately.”
Whether it was the effect of my gift or guilt weighing on her, she was desperately trying to treat me well.
To think the famously cold princess would panic over my health like this.
I hadn’t planned to reveal my time limit, but now that I had, things were easier to explain.
“Don’t worry too much. Actually, I recently found a bit of hope. I discovered a cure for my illness.”
Estella let out a deep sigh of relief.
“That’s wonderful news.”
“But…”
“But?”
I lifted myself from where I had been lying and knelt before her. It was a gesture meant to draw sympathy and show sincerity.
“They say the Tears of the Stars you possess are one of the ingredients for the cure.”
“…What? The Tears of the Stars?”
“Yes. Until the banquet, I hadn’t had the courage to bring it up. But if Your Highness no longer misunderstands me, then shameless as it may be, I must beg you. Even just a little—could you share some with me?”
Lowering my head, I continued.
“I know it’s a holy relic, not something to be handed out lightly. But… is there truly no way?”
“Lady.”
Her cold voice rang above my head, and I lowered it even deeper.
Ah, is this a no? Even after giving her that magnifying glass?
Maybe I should’ve negotiated instead of asking outright. A swirl of thoughts raced through me.
“You should have told me immediately!”
“…Pardon?”
“Do you think I would’ve ignored something concerning a person’s life?”
Estella snapped, yanking the pendant from her neck.
Snap! The chain broke, but she paid it no mind as she flipped the pendant open.
Inside sloshed a shimmering, translucent liquid.
So that’s the Tears of the Stars…
It looked like a simple pendant, but what it held was a first-class relic, a divine water.
It was said to contain an entire lake of sacred water within—a pendant that was itself a lake, a never-drying spring.
“Bring me a large flask at once!”
At her order, a maid hurried back with a big container.
Estella inverted the pendant into the opening, and to my amazement, water poured forth.
“Wow…”
The liquid sparkled, as pristine and radiant as its name promised.
But… just how much does she intend to pour?
I had only expected maybe a cup’s worth. The endless stream startled me, and I called out to her.
“Y-Your Highness?”
“This doesn’t seem enough. Should I fill another flask?”
“…Yes? If you would, I’d be grateful.”
Somehow, I ended up with two full flasks of the divine water. Coming back to my senses, I quickly bowed.
“Your Highness, thank you so much!”
“If it’s still not enough, just tell me again. I’ll give you as much as you need.”
My goodness—how could anyone be this generous?
Estella was surely an angel. Or perhaps a goddess.
“Your Highness, you are my savior!”
“Think nothing of it. I’ve received a wonderful gift too, and I owe you an apology, so this is hardly enough.”
“What’s past is past. What matters is the present, isn’t it?”
Mixing flattery with sincerity, I answered. Estella’s blue eyes lingered on me.
“I must have misunderstood you. You’re actually quite a good person.”
Then, as if an idea struck her, she added:
“Once your health improves, I’d like to invite you formally. You’re the first who’s ever brought me a gift that wasn’t jewels or dresses.”
“Of course! It would be an honor, Your Highness.”
I clenched my fist silently. I had scored big today.
At that moment, Heraith approached Noah, who was looking for Sienna.
“Heraith. How is Sienna?”
“She’s fine. This was her decision.”
“I see.”
Despite not getting along, the two conversed smoothly—just like now.
Noah immediately understood Sienna’s intentions and set aside his worries for her.
As they waited idly for her return, a man approached.
It was Rio Maze.
“Long time no see, brother.”
“Who are you calling brother?”
Realizing his slip at Noah’s sharp reply, Rio bowed his head.
“…Forgive me. Young Duke.”
Forcing himself to ignore Noah’s cold gaze, Rio turned to Heraith.
“And this is…?”
“Up close, you’re even worse. So this is the man she once liked?” Heraith sneered, looking Rio up and down with blatant disdain.
“And yet you don’t even glance my way? That hurts my pride.”
“What…?”
“I thought she had high standards, but apparently, they were very low.”
Rio frowned at the obvious mockery.
I heard he was a commoner, yet he looks down so naturally.
And that gaze—like a predator. The pressure was suffocating, the kind only someone born to rule could give off.
“And who are you to butt in?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
With arms crossed, Heraith chuckled.
“To cheat on Sisi with another woman… your taste is abysmal. Still, I suppose it’s fortunate for her.”
“Hey. You’ve been extremely rude from the start.”
“And a man who cheats talks about rudeness? Unbelievable.”
Rio glared, fists trembling with humiliation.
But there was no comeback.
Of course. No matter how he dressed it up, what he and Daphne had done was infidelity.
“You should be shunned from society, yet you parade around shamelessly. You and that woman both.”
“That’s…!”
“So, how about I give back to you the pain you gave Sienna?”
His even fingers reached toward Rio’s face, voice chilling as he whispered:
“Shall I?”
“Heraith.”
At Noah’s call, Heraith stopped and withdrew his hand.
“You’re lucky.”
Murmuring so low only Rio could hear, Heraith turned back to Noah with his usual smile.
But Noah’s look said he had seen right through him.
Damn, he’s immune to charm. How troublesome.
Though Heraith had prepared excuses, Noah said nothing more.
“Enough. Stirring up trouble on such an important day will only burden Sienna. Go outside for some air. Better yet, take her with you.”
“Very well.”
With a shrug, Heraith withdrew.
Only when his footsteps faded did Rio release the tension in his shoulders.
What the hell was that?
He had never felt such crushing pressure, not even on the battlefield.
Swallowing hard, Rio was still staring at the vanished Heraith when a hand fell on his shoulder.
“I don’t think he was wrong. Every word he said was true.”
“Young Duke…”
Clench.
Noah’s grip tightened painfully.
“I don’t know why you came to me, but you’d better be prepared.”
The menace in his voice drained the color from Rio’s face.
Meanwhile, I skipped down the corridor with a light heart.
There was no one around, and even if there had been, I wouldn’t have cared—I was in too good a mood.
Even if Rio and Daphne showed up spouting nonsense, I could meet them with magnanimity.
Once this banquet ends, I’m running straight to Oel!
I could have left earlier, but out of respect for the princess who had shown me kindness, I decided to stay until the end.
As I headed toward the banquet hall, I caught sight of suspicious movement in the distance and instinctively ducked behind a pillar.
Peeking out, I frowned at a familiar face.
Where have I seen them before?
A maid and an attendant were hastily exchanging something, their hands moving busily.
A vial?
Glancing around nervously, they lowered their voices.
“This… all of it… make sure… Lady…”
“Don’t worry… definitely… will…”
