Chapter 45

Morning of January 30. The newspapers’ front pages were dominated by a major exposé of corruption in the pharmaceutical companies, throwing the capital—and the entire country—into an uproar.

<Corruption in Pharmaceutical Companies – Are the Poor Denied Proper Medicine?!>

[It was revealed that pharmaceutical companies had created two separate product lines: one sold proper medicine to pharmacies whose main clients were nobles, and another, low-quality version filled with oatmeal instead of active ingredients, to pharmacies serving poor commoners.

With the cooperation of the Duke’s shadow knights and the prince’s personal knights, most of those involved were apprehended and are currently under interrogation and investigation.

According to sources, a woman and a young boy provided the decisive tip that made the investigation possible.]

In Lucas’s office, Lucas and Calis had been glaring at each other since morning.

Their aides, Halo and Dillon, were sweating just trying to restrain the two of them.

Lucas threw the newspaper, showing the front page, onto the conference table.

“Calis! Did you really have to do this now? The envoys from other empires are still here! Couldn’t you wait a few days before causing such a scandal?”

Lucas was clearly displeased that Calis had chosen this exact time to expose the empire’s shame, in front of foreign envoys.

On the other hand, Calis was equally firm.

“Your Highness! In those few days, poor citizens could die from taking those medicines! How could you say we couldn’t wait a few days? Even a cold can kill a commoner!”

Calis had seen many poor commoner soldiers while leading the army and understood their hardships better than Lucas did.

If he could save even one commoner sooner, he could not stand by and let them suffer for the sake of appearances.

“They’ve exposed our shame to foreign empires! We’re in the middle of delicate diplomatic negotiations, and now our reputation has been damaged before entering talks!”

“Your Highness, diplomacy is important, but so is the health of the people. Even with the foreign envoys staying for your wedding, we cannot make them continue taking those abnormal medicines for another two weeks!”

Lucas, who prioritized diplomacy, and Calis, who prioritized principle, remained in a deadlock, and it seemed their power struggle would not end soon.

+++

Halo and Dillon exchanged glances and decided to try gently calming the two.

After all, Lucas and Calis needed each other. Both were stubborn, but that stubbornness would help the empire develop further.

“Your Highness, this matter involves human lives, so I think the Duke acted swiftly for the right reasons. Perhaps you could turn this incident into a publicity opportunity, showing how much you care about the people. And you could also reward the two who provided the decisive tip, further enhancing the dignity of the royal family.”

Halo subtly suggested giving Lucas all the credit for the matter.

“We haven’t caught Bart yet. Once again, he erased his name from all the ledgers and cut his ties. We’re tracking one of his current corrupt acts, and if the royal family takes all the credit while using us, we’ll withdraw from this matter entirely.”

Dillon, seeing through Halo’s plan, threatened him. The tension escalated, and now Halo and Dillon were on the verge of clashing too.

“Halo, make sure the press highlights the Duke of Rubelia’s contributions. At the same time, emphasize that the royal family cares for its people.”

Lucas sank into the chair at the head of the conference table, motioning for everyone else to sit.

At his gesture, everyone took their seats. The attendants quickly refilled their cold drinks and returned to their original positions.

After raising their voices, they drank their cold beverages and began scheming toward a conclusion favorable to themselves.

Lucas was intrigued by Halo’s suggestion to turn the incident into publicity.

If the story of the Crown Prince caring for his people circulated, it could only benefit diplomatic negotiations.

“Very well. Who are these two people? I will personally award them.”

Dillon glanced at Calis before speaking, judging from his expression that it might not be the right time to say.

“Your Highness, no reward is necessary. The Duke’s house will handle it themselves.”

Calis’s cold tone froze the room again, and Lucas and Calis resumed glaring at each other.

Dillon sighed inwardly and looked at Calis.

“Duke… this is not about the Crown Prince… it’s Bart.”

Calis understood Dillon’s glance, averted his eyes from Lucas, and gave the answer he wanted.

“Filina Rubelia and her little friend.”

“Who? Filina?”

Lucas was startled when he heard her name, and Calis’s expression grew stern again.

Halo and Dillon tried once more to break the tense atmosphere.

“Hahaha… The Duchess herself… Truly remarkable… As for the award, Your Highness, think it over slowly later.”

Halo grabbed Lucas’s sleeve, signaling him to stop.

“Hahaha. Duke, let’s conclude this here and move on to the next matter… We will need the Crown Prince’s knights’ assistance as well. Duke, hahaha.”

Dillon grabbed the end of Calis’s sleeve, silently urging both the Crown Prince and Duke to stop fighting.

‘Next Emperor, remember! Duke!’

The centuries-long tension between the royal family and the Duke’s house seemed to have worsened in this generation with Calis and Lucas, making Dillon sweat.

“Duke, this matter is concluded… Let’s prepare for the next. This time, we must catch him.”

Lucas, needing Calis, extended his hand for a reconciliation handshake.

“Yes, Your Highness. This time, let’s definitely catch him.”

Calis shook his hand, not entirely pleased but agreeing to maintain this necessary alliance for the time being.

Halo and Dillon wiped the sweat from their foreheads. At least until this incident was resolved, Lucas and Calis would cooperate.

+++

Morning of January 31. Heavy snowflakes fell from the sky, the kind I loved, but my heart was gloomy, and Margaret shared my mood.

The first group of envoys would return today after yesterday’s meeting, while the remaining envoys would leave after Lucas’s wedding. My admired Chester brother was part of the first group.

Of course. He had intentionally joined the envoy to meet me. The merchant who managed a large trading company in the Luna Empire had been away for a month, so he could no longer stay here.

He planned to leave before lunch, so Margaret and I hovered nearby, busy watching him pack.

“Filina, come here. I had someone get this from the city yesterday.”

Once the packing was mostly done and the attendants began moving luggage, my brother called Margaret and me to the parlor and gave us each a small pink box.

We sat at the tea table in the parlor, without tea, staring blankly, then opened the boxes.

“Oh my… Viscount… This is too much…”

Margaret was shocked and placed the box back in front of Chester. Inside was a platinum necklace with a diamond the size of a thumbnail.

“No, Margaret. Thank you for always watching over Filina. Later, I’ll pick a gift personally for you.”

He smiled at Margaret, who didn’t know what to do, and told me to put the necklace on her.

“Margaret, I’ll put it on. And brother… thank you for taking care of my precious Margaret.”

I fastened the necklace around her neck, grateful for my brother’s thoughtfulness.

“Thank you, both of you…”

Margaret bowed her head, touching the diamond on her neck. Her ears were red; she must have been quite touched.

I left her a bit longer to enjoy the moment and opened my own box.

“Huh… Is this all, brother?”

Inside was just two red silk ribbons. I checked under the paper lining and even flipped it over—still nothing else.

“In this empire, red symbolizes good fortune. The local official gave this to the envoys as a gift. It’s for you.”

“Oh… thank you. It’s very meaningful.”

When I showed a hint of disappointment at the simplicity, he laughed and pulled out another black box.

“Of course. You were surprised.”

I had been worried he gave Margaret a diamond while I got only ribbons, but opening the black box, I felt relief.

Inside was a hairpin decorated with alternating pale pink pearls and small diamonds.

“It’ll go well with your black hair.”

“Thank you, brother. I’ll wear it every day.”

I hugged him, expressing both gratitude and reluctance. I was always receiving love from the Agnis family.

“Now… it really is time to leave.”

“Do you want me to go with you to the carriage?”

My heart was heavy and I felt tears coming, but I kept my smile.

“Look, Filina, your husband is coming.”

“Indeed. He said he was busy.”

Margaret and I were seeing Chester off when Calis approached us.

“You must travel a long way again, and with so much snow, please be careful.”

“Please take care of our Filina. She is still young and sensitive, and my family often worries about her.”

“I always put my wife first. Do not worry.”

Calis held his shoulder firmly and extended his hand to my brother, worried I might follow him. Chester, knowing I had already thrown the apple to catch the two bad guys, shook Calis’s hand, regarding him as a harmless chick.

“Don’t forget, Filina. Agnis is always on your side.”

“Thank you, brother. Travel safely. Please tell my parents I am living well.”

Chester wanted to take me with him immediately, but since he could not, I held tightly onto Calis’s hand on my shoulder.

The carriage carrying Chester slowly disappeared into the snowy distance.

‘Brother… wait just a little longer. One month left! In a month, I’ll go back to our home I miss, with my own strength.’

I repeated this vow until the carriage became too small to see.

“Filina, come to my room tonight.”

“Huh?”

I was startled by Calis whispering in my ear and looked at him. His face was full of a gentle smile.