Chapter 107……………..
I let slip a rather significant remark in my mother’s palace.
“When Yevgeny contracted magic insensitivity… Actually, the medicine developed for him could have caused side effects if used improperly.”
“Side effects… you say…?”
Mother looked startled, and I nodded slightly before continuing.
“But it’s alright. That happens only if combined with certain herbs! Sorcier was very careful with it.”
“Then that’s a relief.”
Mother smiled, seemingly reassured.
Rustle…
Small, but unmistakable.
The sound of a maid brushing past the slightly open door.
I laughed elegantly and continued my conversation with Mother.
‘Come to think of it, Grandfather said something like this.’
‘Why on earth would he send someone likely to betray us into the Empress’s palace?’
Would she believe me if I said it was all for this moment?
Though the opportunity came from an unexpected situation, I waited for the Empress to act with joy.
And now.
“Your Highness Princess—! Th-there’s a huge problem…!”
It was my moment to move.
“Do you know Baron Verden’s youngest son? That young master of the Verden family…! That young master, believe it or not…!”
“Oh, Ilia. Calm down. You’re about to pass out.”
“This isn’t the time to calm down! There’s chaos at the Verden manor…! The Baroness is heading to the Empress’s palace to see Your Highness in person…!”
Ilia, pale, hurriedly explained the situation.
The youngest son of the Verden family, Oliver Verden, unfortunately suffered from magic insensitivity. It was only recently discovered, and treatment began this year.
How it was discovered so late: until then, he had lived a very normal life, but with the sudden onset of magic awakening, the Baron and Baroness realized their son’s condition.
But that was one thing; the current state of young master Verden was severe.
His body was covered in dark red blotches, and with rising body temperature, he was losing consciousness, according to the reports.
And that wasn’t all.
“I didn’t want to report this… but… among commoners, there are now many cases showing the same symptoms as young master Verden.”
“There’s an influx of inquiries to Sylvain Hospital, Your Highness…”
Sylvain Hospital had been established by me through the temple.
Even though the temple provided relief for impoverished commoners, they were still precious personnel.
Priests were rare, especially the first-division priests.
Divine power was not something given to just anyone. The temple was always busy caring for commoners and its privately-run orphanage.
Thus, through the Pope, I provided funding and helped establish the hospital discreetly.
I even sold the treatment for magic insensitivity to avoid suspicion.
So it was only natural that Sylvain Hospital would have a remedy for magic insensitivity.
I narrowed my eyes at the frantic memorial petition.
“When did this start?”
“T-the symptoms started appearing just the afternoon before yesterday.”
“And?”
“And… oh… now that I think about it, the symptoms only appear in those who received a prescription at the hospital.”
Mullin tilted her head in curiosity.
“That’s… strange…”
“Exactly.”
I smiled faintly at Mullin.
Earlier, I had been in panic mode and couldn’t think clearly, but now that I was calm, there were many strange things about this situation.
“Why would side effects suddenly occur at such a time…? It’s almost as if someone is trying to tarnish Your Highness’s reputation…”
“Someone who would do that…”
Ilia and Mullin exchanged glances.
Then they turned their gaze to the distant Empress’s palace.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but… I think I understand how this incident unfolded.”
“But I wonder. How could she… commit such a deed?”
Just then.
Bzz— Bzz—
One of the two communication stones in my pocket started ringing loudly. Our three eyes simultaneously fell on my pocket.
I pulled Mullin and Ilia aside, took out the stone, and checked the caller ID.
[Orca Sorcier.]
“They say speak of the tiger and it appears.”
I muttered and answered the call.
But—
[Your Highness Princess…]
“Hello, Sorcier—not just Sorcier, but the Empire’s foremost palace advisor?”
I smiled brightly as I greeted him.
Yet Orca Sorcier’s voice was barely audible, as if on the verge of collapse.
He croaked and wheezed like a thoroughly dejected puppy, apologizing in a sweet, pitiful tone.
[I-I’m sorry… I have no idea… how to explain this… I have truly committed a grave mistake.]
“Hmm? What happened?”
[…It’s just… I was summoned by the Empress the day before yesterday, so I visited her palace. And there, Your Majesty…]
I cut him off with a firm “Stop.” Orca fell silent, sucking in a breath.
Even unseen, I could tell how deflated he was.
I laughed as if I couldn’t help myself and explained.
“First, let me apologize, sir.”
[W-what…? N-no, I should be apologizing to Your Highness—]
“You heard the Empress asking what herbs must be combined for side effects to appear in the magic insensitivity cure, right? That was actually a line I deliberately let slip to someone in my mother’s palace. You don’t need to be so formal.”
[…Pardon?]
“So I orchestrated the situation to play out like this.”
[…]
There was a three-second silence from Sorcier.
Then he gasped, groaned, and collapsed onto his desk, his voice muffled.
[Hngh… You’re too much. How could you plot such a scheme without consulting me? I was agonizing over what to do!]
“Oh my.”
[‘Oh my’ doesn’t cover it! You carried it out without a single word to me. I was completely blindsided… Even though Your Highness told me to answer all questions from the Empress, this—this I did not expect!]
Indeed, it had been quite some time since the medicine was developed.
Even if side effects emerged now, people would likely find it suspicious.
They’d think it a clear scheme—trying to undermine a powerless princess by digging up old affairs.
I myself would have laughed while preparing it, knowing how ridiculous it was.
But the Empress would have been helpless.
In such a short time, the only way to topple me would be the bait I had deliberately planted for her.
Moreover, public opinion in the Empire was inexplicably falling.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strike decisively while people were shaken.
“She must have been quite desperate. Even the nobles wouldn’t have spoken, but they probably sensed who was behind it.”
[Indeed… So, what will you do? Baroness Verden is leading the charge to tarnish Your Highness’s reputation.]
“Hmm.”
I pretended to ponder delicately.
Knowing the full picture, Orca probably thought I was mocking him, and he sighed faintly.
[I know Your Highness. Being as meticulous as you are, this must have been planned in advance to solve the problem. If there’s anything I can do, I will help in every way, so please tell me your plan.]
“Hmm, no!”
[…Pardon?]
“You don’t need to help, Sorcier. My connections are surprisingly strong. Anyway, I’m busy, so I’m ending this call.”
[Your Highness? How can you just—!]
Click.
I pressed the home button, cutting off Sorcier’s frantic voice.
I stuffed the communication stone into my pocket and blinked.
A bird-shaped new magical tool on my dressing table caught my eye. I carefully summoned it.
“Come here, Pipi.”
Flap!
In that moment, as if infused with life, the bird-shaped magical tool suddenly flew up and perched on my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek with its small head.
I laughed at the ticklish sensation and spoke to Pipi.
“What’s Jester doing right now? Can you bring him here?”
“Peep!”
Pipi nodded, then closed its eyes and began trembling.
Then—
Bang—!
“Whoa.”
Jester appeared out of thin air.
He blinked at the changed surroundings, then saw me and smiled brightly.
Let me introduce.
This magical tool is called Pipi.
It was a gift from Jester on his fifteenth birthday. It allows me to summon him anywhere, anytime!
I looked at Jester with shining eyes.
“Jay, take me to the magic tower.”
“Sure.”
Without hesitation, Jester reached out his hand. Just as I was about to grasp it, I spoke.
“Wait, just in case, let’s leave a doppelgänger of me here.”
“You want a doppelgänger? That’s easy.”
With a single spell, Jester created a human duplicate of me without any complex incantation.
He whispered to the doll-like replica, which quickly came to life and moved on its own.
“Take care. I’ll guard everything here.”
The doll bowed politely and saw us off.
‘Ah, I still can’t get used to that.’
I glanced reluctantly at my replica, then placed my hand over Jester’s.
He watched in awe.
“I’ve been waiting for you to call me. Let’s go—to the magic tower.”
“Yeah.”
And we teleported toward the magic tower.
“Who’s there?”
“Ah, Tower Master.”
“Why are you here again?”
Jester seemed to have teleported to the top floor. Upon arrival, the first face he saw was his father, Adix Lordbridge.
He made a grimace upon seeing Jester holding my hand.
“Is this your bedroom now? Stop visiting so often.”
“Ririen hasn’t been here for six months. Welcome me, Father.”
“I’ll welcome my son only.”
He turned away, saying, “You’ve greeted me, now leave.”
“Though you say that, I know you enjoy my visits.”
“Yes, I know.”
I shamelessly nodded, and Jester chuckled, rushing me to his room from his father’s office.
Sometimes, when I want to escape the royal palace, I take advantage of Jester. His magical tools make it even easier.
He seated me on the sofa and asked:
“So, what do you need me to do? You needed me, right?”
“…Hearing it that way, it sounds like you’re just a tool.”
“I don’t mind being a tool if it’s for you.”
Jester smiled warmly. I felt a pang of sorrow and looked at him.
‘Why can he say that so casually?’
Instead of scolding him, I gently patted his head.
Finally, I spoke.
“Jay, I need to go to the Dark Forest. I have business there.”
“The Dark Forest? Why?”
“Something happened. To resolve it, I have to go there.”
“The Dark Forest…”
Jester tilted his head thoughtfully.
“I’ll bring it. What exactly do you need?”
“I need the juice of Solia fruit. As much as possible.”
“Solia fruit?”
His eyes widened, then he smiled.
“I can give that to you right now.”
“You have it?”
“Yes, plenty. Come, I’ll guide you.”
I slowly rose and followed Jester. As we walked down the corridor, someone spoke behind us.
“Oh, Your Highness Princess.”
We ran into Carmen, who smiled upon seeing me.
“You’re visiting? But isn’t the eve festival soon? Is it alright for you to be out here?”
“Yes, I snuck out anyway.”
“I see. By the way, it’s unfortunate about the Orichalcum matter. Our tower’s help was for Your Highness.”
“Ah, that. I’ll discuss that separately later. After the eve festival and Foundation Day, I’ll send a letter.”
“Understood. I have things to do, so I’ll take my leave.”
Carmen nodded lightly and passed us. I continued following Jester.
Soon we reached a room. Jester produced a key from thin air and unlocked the door.
The wooden door creaked open, revealing a space that instantly brightened as I stepped inside.
I widened my eyes in awe.
“What is all this…?”
Inside were vast amounts of Solia fruit—dried, liquid, and fresh.
Jester grinned.
“I’ll give it all to you if you want, Riri.”
