BLRP 42

chapter 42

Before her stood the Imperial Chamberlain and armed knights, guarding like fierce hounds.

They stared at Fiorentia, who wore a mask, with a mix of curiosity and unease—so much so that manners never crossed their minds. Fiorentia bit back the urge to snap at them.

Why do they act like this every single time, even though they’ve seen me before?

When her gaze met theirs, the Chamberlain seemed to regain his composure, clearing his throat and quickly turning his head away. He addressed Desdemona in a stiff, awkward tone.

“Ah—if you’re ready, may we open the door?”

“Do so,” came Desdemona’s commanding voice, measured and deliberate, asserting that these weren’t her people. Fiorentia almost chuckled at the pretense, but she clenched her teeth and held it in.

Leaning closer, the Chamberlain lowered his voice to a whisper, almost a warning.

“As you know, only Duke Marcella is permitted to enter.”

“I’m aware,” Desdemona replied, nodding just as the bedroom door opened.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence—a sound so horrifying it made one want to cover their ears. It was unmistakably the voice of Empress Josephina.

The knights and attendants quickly moved the cursed doll inside, while Desdemona entered with a determined, stern expression. Fiorentia wanted to observe a little more, thinking it might be useful to know what was happening. But from her distant position, she could see almost nothing.

In an instant, the door closed again. Fiorentia bowed her head politely to the Chamberlain and knights before turning to leave.

Despite her lingering curiosity, her steps quickened—she had other plans.

I wonder how long Desdemona will take to finish her work…

Desdemona’s task, using the inherited Marcella family sorcery, was to extract the madness and venom tormenting Empress Josephina and transfer it into the cursed doll. It required immense concentration and secrecy—no breaks allowed.

Until Desdemona completed her work and left the Empress’s room, Fiorentia could enjoy uninterrupted time of her own.

After Desdemona finished, the next step would follow immediately: Duke Theodore would enter and put the Empress into a deep sleep. Once both steps were complete, the Third Duke would announce to the public that the Empress had gone on vacation.

Though governance remained in the hands of the Triarch Council, the Empress had minimal duties—most importantly, producing an heir.

Usually, heirs were arranged while the Empress was of sound mind or before a long sleep, but fate often interfered. The dragon’s curse could strike at any time. This was the case with Empress Josephina: ascending the throne young, unmarried, and unwed.

It was a harsh, almost inhumane practice, but unavoidable in the Imperial Court. The Lichten Empire revered the royal family as sacred, and the empire’s stability depended on the continuation of the imperial line. This practice had been upheld for generations. Josephina had been educated from childhood to accept it.

The final choice of heir remained undecided. Perhaps Theodore is among the candidates, Fiorentia mused. If he knew, he might have raged at being treated like a stud. But having read the novels, Fiorentia knew he wasn’t directly connected to the Empress. Still, at this point, he must have been on the list.

Whether likely or not, every unmarried younger son from a legitimate noble family probably made the list.

The Triarch Council would later weed out unsuitable candidates.

Ah, that’s not the main concern right now.

Fiorentia shook her head and pushed herself to move faster.

Duke Theodore can only enter after Desdemona has completed her work.

Judging by the time it usually took to craft a cursed doll, the process would take two to three days at most.

I have to meet Luion Theodore this time.

Fiorentia steadied her breath, reaffirming her resolve.

Returning to her assigned room, Fiorentia carried three ash-wood branches in her hands. After shaking off the leaves and placing them neatly aside, she immediately got to work.

The palace maids I saw earlier said Duke Theodore has already entered.

Though she wasn’t sure of his exact route, she knew the best chance to encounter him was near the quarters he’d been assigned.

Fiorentia hurriedly opened the clothing bag she had brought from the mansion.

Not this… not this either…

Nothing satisfied her.

My body needs to be properly visible.

After several tries, she finally settled on a lightweight indoor dress, close to pajamas, unusually revealing around the neckline. She added a shawl and finally stopped fussing.

She approached the small table and sat down. The palace maids had prepared a simple tea set. Fiorentia gazed at it like a still-life painting, though her trembling eyes betrayed her. Sweat formed on her palms.

I don’t have time to just sit here.

She inhaled sharply, the sound surprisingly loud even to herself. Swallowing, Fiorentia summoned a poisonous mushroom.

Whoosh!

A grotesque black mushroom, resembling a mummified hand, sprouted on the table. Fiorentia took a steadying breath and stared at it.

There was only one way to activate these mushrooms—to command them, to channel her intention through them.

She wondered: Would the poisonous mushroom affect me as well?

She snapped off one of its horns.

What I need right now…

Her breath grew shallow, her heart beating with urgency. She willed the mushroom to carry her intent.

Sensory dulling. The pain I feel should lessen.

She didn’t want to block the pain entirely—if it lasted while meeting Luion Theodore, things could go terribly wrong.

I’ve heard he’s gentle, but he’s one of the Triarch Dukes.

She calculated that it would be safer to earn sympathy than act unnaturally. Fiorentia began biting off pieces of the mushroom horn. Its texture was unpleasant, squishy in her mouth.

Gross.

Her mind flickered to Theodore. I fed him this twice before, despite the circumstances. She felt a twinge of guilt.

Initially, she had wondered if anyone who ate the poisonous mushroom could wield this power. Seeing Theodore made her doubt it.

Perhaps only the first person to resonate with it can truly command it.