ATIRPBT 46

CHAPTER 46

After the banquet ended, strangely enough, the number of letters addressed to me began increasing day by day.

Even now, while waiting for Nocturne’s research results through Delran Sorcier, Ilia came running in, panting heavily and thrusting a letter toward me.

“Your Highness! Your popularity is soaring day by day! What a joyous event! It’s already been three years since I began serving you! I’m so happy to see more and more people finally recognizing how lovely and admirable you are!”

“You say that, but I caused quite a commotion at the banquet meant to celebrate my first achievement. I doubt anyone’s trying to get on my good side after that.”

“Oh, you mean the incident with Count Locton? It’s been the talk of the palace—I’ve heard all about it. Perhaps that boldness of yours gave others a new perspective on you, Your Highness. For example—”

“For example?”

“Like this one here!”

After rummaging through the stack of letters, Ilia pulled one out and handed it to me. The moment I saw the sender, my face crumpled in annoyance.

“Jeron Idrea.”

“It seems there are quite a few young nobles—both men and women—falling for Your Highness, like Sub-Marquis Idrea here. Look, these girls your age even sent you tea party invitations!”

“…Still no word from Viscount Delran Sorcier?”

“Ah, shall I go check if a new messenger has arrived?”

“Yes, that’s more urgent right now.”

“Then I’ll go right away.”

Ilia bowed deeply and reached for the door, but her movement was interrupted by sudden commotion outside.

“Hey…! You can’t just barge in here like this—!”

“Let go of me! I said I have business with the First Princess…!”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you need permission to request an audience—!”

“Out of the way!”

Suddenly the door burst open. Ilia stepped back in alarm as the ruckus entered the room—caused by none other than a maid, Blemie.

Ilia, clearly exasperated, scolded the panting, disheveled Blemie.

“What do you think you’re doing, storming in here like this?”

“And who are you to block my path? Step aside—I came to see none other than Princess Lirien.”

“Even so, show some respect to royalty—!”

“Ilia, that’s enough.”

“B-But Your Highness, she was the one who—!”

I know. Just step back for now.

“…As you command.”

Ilia bowed and stepped aside, allowing Blemie to stand before me in full view. She was a mess—clearly in a hurry, sweat pouring down from the effort, her hair usually pristine now unruly.

Looking at her, I turned to Ilia and gave an order.

“Go get her a handkerchief or something.”

“That won’t be necessary. I only came to deliver my plea to Your Highness and take my leave.”

“When did I say the handkerchief was for you?”

“…Huh?”

I made a show of pinching my nose. Blemie’s face turned beet red in an instant. I waved my hand in the air as if fanning away a smell and frowned.

“Your sweat reeks from here. What an undignified scene, all thanks to a discourteous maid… Ilia, fetch her a handkerchief and open the window. We need some fresh air.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ilia tossed the handkerchief from her pocket to Blemie and quickly opened the terrace window. Blemie, humiliated, wiped her sweat roughly.

I sighed inwardly, watching her expression twist in frustration, but then she suddenly burst out, gripping the handkerchief tightly.

“How… How can you be so heartless? Your half-sister lies ill in bed, and yet the First Princess attended a joyous banquet?! Doesn’t it pain you to think of Princess Evgeni?!”

“Of course it does. She’s suffering a high fever in that small, fragile body—how could it not pain me?”

“Then why haven’t you informed His Majesty?!”

Blemie’s scream prompted the other maids outside to rush in and restrain her by the arms.

One of them growled, “You’ve lost your mind! Beg for forgiveness now! Do you even know why Her Highness ended what should’ve been a four-day banquet in just two?!”

“She should’ve canceled it from the start! Do you even know how hard it was for Princess Evgeni to lie in bed, hearing the sounds of revelry from the Imperial Palace?!”

“And why is that the First Princess’s fault?!”

Exactly.

Why are they acting like it’s my fault?

Evgeni brought this on herself from the beginning. The day she got that severe burn from the Emperor’s magic, she refused to take responsibility. Instead, she even went so far as to have an innocent maid killed.

Just thinking about it made my blood boil. I glared coldly at Blemie.

“You clearly don’t understand. If His Majesty were to stabilize Evgeni’s condition, he’d have to use magic.”

“So you should inform him—!”

“But if he does, his already-burned hand might become permanently crippled.”

“…!”

“If he uses magic with that injured hand, the movement of magic will generate heat. Surely you know a magician’s body grows hot during casting?”

“B-But Princess Evgeni is in so much pain…”

“That’s why I’m trying to find another way. You people are so impatient. How have you survived palace life so far?”

“….”

“Evgeni too. Knowing full well the Emperor could get hurt again—how could she still think only of herself?”

“I—I don’t understand what you mean.”

Blemie avoided my gaze, eyes darting around. I gave a hollow laugh.

“Feigning ignorance—just like your mistress.”

Unable to hide her emotions even in the smallest things, she really was just like Evgeni. Rubbing my temples, I gave the order.

“That’s enough. Get out. I’ll let it go this time, but if you ever barge in unannounced again, you’ll be punished.”

“P-Princess Evgeni is your sister, Princess Lirien… Just this once, please ask His Majesty, even a little, I beg you…! I’m afraid something terrible may happen to her…”

“His Majesty’s hand hasn’t healed yet, so the answer is no. Goodbye. And watch out for bugs on your way out.”

As I waved her off, I saw Blemie glare and mutter curses under her breath.

Once she was gone, I collapsed onto the sofa.

Ilia gave me a worried look. “I’ll go check if a new messenger arrived from Delran Sorcier. I’ll also bring back something sweet to cheer you up.” I nodded slowly.

Once she left, the room fell silent—like the calm after a storm.

“I wonder what rumors they’ll cook up next.”

The moment Blemie left my quarters, she would spread gossip to the maids in Evgeni’s palace. Those maids would then leak exaggerated versions to the social circles.

‘I still need to meet Orca Sorcier, Delran’s older brother, and I have to get permission from His Majesty about that.’

Why does my to-do list keep getting longer?

If only I had been Evgeni instead.

I flinched and shook my head at that thought.

“What nonsense, Lirien. Do you know how much you’re worth?”

Even now, I still have this habit of thinking negatively when I’m exhausted.

I sighed—just as Ilia returned with a trolley and a new letter in hand.

“Your Highness, good news! A letter just arrived from the Sorcier side. It may be about Nocturne!”

“We’ll know once we read it. May I have the letter?”

“Yes, but first—please have this.”

She placed a chocolate cake topped with mousse and a glass of orange juice in front of me.

Seeing it, she rubbed her cheek shyly.

“You’ve been low on energy lately. And I noticed you haven’t been sleeping well… I thought something sweet might help, but maybe it was presumptuous…”

“…No, actually, that bitter feeling I had just now faded away.”

Blushing faintly, I took a bite of the cake. The bittersweet taste flooded my mouth and suddenly brought back a memory.

That boy, with those strong hands, handing me a cake.

‘…I just happened to pass by and saw it. I remembered you like chocolate desserts. If Your Highness doesn’t mind… would you care to join me for some tea?’

‘I won’t regret it. Even if you do, I’ll just have to make sure I do better.’

‘…So please, don’t make that face.’

Why was Richard’s face suddenly coming to mind?

I shook my head and focused on the letter from Sorcier in one hand, fork in the other, quietly reading.

Ilia asked anxiously, “Was the result favorable?”

“….”

“Your Highness…?”

Her nervous voice prompted me to reply.

“Ilia, would you congratulate me?”

“W-Wait, you mean…!”

“Yes. The results are in. And they’re very good.”

Orca Sorcier had accepted my proposal, and—

[The research shows that Nocturne possesses a force that repels magic. It might just be the key to curing the Second Princess’s condition.]

Delran Sorcier’s pharmaceutical research confirmed it.

The synergy between those two results had yet to reach the ears of the Empire.

They still had no idea that Lirien was about to create a cure for magic insensitivity.

Smiling faintly, I murmured to myself:

“Now then… who truly holds power in the Imperial Palace?”

The beloved Evgeni? Or—

The timid and cowardly Lirien Sha Caliberg?

Two Days Later

“Orca Sorcier greets the First Princess, Lirien Sha Caliberg. May the blessings of Goddess Airidium be upon you. It is an honor to meet you.”

“The honor is mine, Lord Orca Sorcier. I’ve heard of your skill in healing magic. Your name was even on the shortlist for the palace’s official physicians.”

“You mean the list of 1,450 candidates? As you know, the selection ratio is 1450 to 3. I might’ve made it close to the final stage, but I never expected to be chosen.”

Despite his modesty, he would later become one of those three—proving his incredible talent.

If I borrow this man’s skills, Evgeni could be cured within a year.

The very man who had begun the research into Nocturne now stood before me.

He had pledged loyalty to the Empress, who gave him the chance to enter the palace, and dedicated himself to curing Evgeni.

And then I appeared—offering him a direct route into royal medical service and even higher honors. What’s not to like?

As if to prove it, he looked at me with a subtle gleam and asked:

“Is it true that I’ll be appointed as Princess Evgeni’s personal physician?”

“It’ll be a strong credential for you. Especially if you succeed in curing her. I assume you’ve heard that I assigned your brother the research on Nocturne?”

“Yes, I knew. My brother was the one who introduced you to me, after all.”

“Then how much do you know about Nocturne?”

“Well, I know that the herb is black in color, and that it induces hallucinations when handled improperly…”

“Correct. Anyone who touches it suffers from hallucinations for two to five days.”

“…Which makes it rather dangerous as a medicine.”

“No, Nocturne is the perfect cure.”

My firm declaration made Orca tilt his head.

“How can you be so sure? If Princess Evgeni were to suffer hallucinations, both her life and mine would be in danger.”

“But do you know this, Lord Sorcier? Nocturne is a herb from the Forest of Darkness—it’s weak to light.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“Then we’ll use the sun.”

Nocturne—its leaves grown from the nutrients of monsters in the Forest of Darkness—was notorious for its black appearance and harmful effects.