Lexius returned to Stelten on the day of the party, accompanied by Gallaitos.
There was still much work to be done in the north, but he had decided to entrust it temporarily to Calix and Count Chantal and remain in the capital for a while.
For now, keeping a close eye on Elliche’s movements was his top priority. He also needed to assist Gallaitos in recovering his magical power.
“Anything unusual happen while I was away?”
The moment he arrived, Lexius summoned Bengshu and asked, just as he usually did.
Normally, Bengshu handled most matters on his own with good judgment, so this was more a formality than a genuine inquiry.
“There was a major outbreak of Kolun disease at the estate.”
But Bengshu’s response was more than enough to shock him. Such a serious event, and not a single report had been sent?
“What? And you didn’t contact me during such a crisis?”
Lexius slammed his hand on the table, anger flaring.
Bengshu had one of the magical communication orbs that Calix had created. If something urgent happened, he was supposed to use it to reach Lexius at any time.
Yet in the midst of a serious outbreak, he hadn’t even tried.
“So how bad was it? There weren’t any deaths, were there?”
Bengshu cautiously avoided Lexius’s sharp gaze as he began his report.
“Well… Over 50 people showed severe symptoms, but they were all cured with a remedy the lady made.”
“What? With the princess’s medicine?”
The answers kept getting worse. And they had just accepted her medicine without question?
“Yes. She even gave it to those not yet infected. She said it would prevent infection—and in fact, no further cases spread.”
“And you just… trusted her and gave it to everyone?”
“The situation was urgent. But the effects were remarkable. Those infected recovered within a day of taking it.”
“In a single day?”
That was impossible. Even with the best medicine from Charlson, the top physician in Stelten, Kolun disease typically required a full month of recovery—and even then, half the patients died.
“You should probably take the medicine too, Your Grace—along with Lord Gallaitos. There are reports that Kolun disease is spreading rapidly in the capital.”
Bengshu sounded completely convinced of the remedy’s power. Lexius was shaken.
He knew well that Elliche cultivated potent medicinal herbs.
But there was no guarantee that her medicines were free of dark magic or other sorcery.
Gallaitos, after all, had lost his magic—possibly due to that very same medicine.
“I won’t take it.”
Lexius said firmly.
Gallaitos, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
“Nor will I.”
Bengshu looked confused. Weren’t they the ones who had insisted on treating Elliche as the lady of the house? Now they were saying they couldn’t trust her medicine?
Lexius knew it was contradictory.
“Frankly, I don’t trust the princess. I said to treat her as the lady so I could observe her. I want to see what she plans to do here.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“So treat her with respect, but don’t believe in her. Who knows what she’s planning after gaining everyone’s trust with that medicine.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After giving his warning, Lexius dismissed Bengshu. A sharp pain throbbed in his head—likely a side effect from the portal.
Portals were convenient for instant travel between distant locations, but they drained one’s energy significantly. While Lexius, with his warrior’s constitution, could handle the fatigue, he couldn’t avoid the migraines that often followed.
“I’ll head to the library.”
Gallaitos bowed.
“Go. Tell Bengshu to unlock the door for you.”
After Gallaitos left, Lexius checked the time. There wasn’t much left before Madame Engre’s party.
He quickly changed into appropriate formal wear and headed to Elliche’s room.
The thought of having to act like he was under her spell made his headache worse.
—
—
—
“I guess His Grace isn’t home? It’s a shame—his wife looks so beautiful, and he’s not even here to see it.”
Marianne sounded regretful as she pinned a floral hairpiece into Elliche’s styled hair.
Marianne had brought the completed dress herself and had even helped Elliche prepare for the evening.
She braided Elliche’s long hair neatly and applied fragrant powder to her face. Her cheeks and lips, tinted with the red of flower petals, made her pale complexion glow with vibrance.
“He’ll be here soon. He’s not the type to be late.”
Elliche replied while gazing closely at her reflection in the mirror.
She looked like a different person.
Cecile usually helped her dress, but with limited accessories and outdated gowns, the results were never especially refined.
But this time, everything was different—starting with the dress. Marianne’s touch was elegant yet dazzling, graceful without being stodgy. To be honest, Elliche was very pleased.
“My lady, you look so beautiful. The dress suits you perfectly.”
Cecile beamed with delight. She had always felt a little sad that Elliche showed so little interest in fashion.
To fund the greenhouse, Elliche had sold the few luxurious dresses she owned, keeping only her mother’s heirloom jewelry.
She had never planned to attend a party, so all her efforts had gone into the greenhouse.
She needed money to save Hardin, and after being locked in the palace for so long, growing herbs and making medicine were all she knew.
Knock knock.
Just then, a light knock sounded and the door opened.
It was Lexius.
Elliche was a little startled. Perhaps because he wasn’t wearing his usual tunic and cloak.
In a formal evening suit, he looked quite different.
Maybe it was the lighting, but gone was the usual harsh and arrogant man—standing there now was a breathtakingly handsome figure.
A man worthy of the title “most handsome in the empire.”
With jet-black hair, ruby-red eyes, and a face sculpted like marble, he was effortlessly captivating.
His tall, well-built frame paired perfectly with his refined outfit. For the first time, Elliche truly grasped what kind of man she had married.
“Still not ready?”
Lexius strode toward her.
“No, I’m done.”
She answered coolly.
“You look especially beautiful today.”
Elliche was taken aback. Had he ever smiled at her before?
That smile—so captivating—was almost dangerous. His firm lips curved gently, enhancing the allure of his already perfect features.
“Thank you.”
She tried to calm her strangely fluttering heart as she replied with practiced indifference.
“You did well, Marianne. Finishing the dress on time couldn’t have been easy.”
Lexius turned to Marianne, who smiled radiantly and bowed.
“Thank you, Your Grace. I worked three nights straight without rest.”
“I knew you’d manage something excellent, even with a tight deadline.”
“But I was disappointed. You haven’t visited Monchelle for three years. Are you getting your clothes made elsewhere now?”
“No. I’ve just been too busy to think about clothes.”
Their exchange felt warm and familiar—clearly, they had known each other for a long time.
Elliche felt an inexplicable sense of distance. Marianne kept smiling at Lexius, and he responded far more naturally to her than he ever did to Elliche.
“I think your cravat needs a little adjustment. May I?”
Marianne asked, and Lexius nodded silently.
Without hesitation, she reached up and tidied his cravat. To Elliche, it was clearly an act of flirtation.
Her blushing cheeks and eager eyes confirmed it.
Lexius didn’t seem to notice at all. Instead, he turned back to Elliche.
“I heard you sent the jeweler away. Why?”
“Nothing caught my eye. Everything was just expensive.”
“Then let’s go together to a different jeweler. We’ve got some time before the party.”
“No need. I like this necklace.”
Elliche gently touched the blue necklace she always wore.
Lexius offered another unreadable, charming smile.
“I want to buy one for you. I’ve never seen you wear anything but that.”
“I told you—it’s my mother’s keepsake. I don’t need anything else. I wouldn’t wear it anyway.”
Elliche glanced at Marianne, who had just stepped back from Lexius.
The woman clearly still had feelings for him, but Lexius seemed entirely oblivious, too focused on jewelry.
“How about letting me treat you today? I don’t want to be the kind of husband who can’t even buy his wife a jewel.”
“All right. Let’s stop by a jeweler together.”
Elliche nodded calmly.
Somehow, it felt satisfying to know he had no interest in Marianne’s obvious attempts at seduction.
Besides, if she bought jewels now, she could sell them later when she needed a large sum of money.
“Then let’s be off. Take care getting home, Marianne.”
Lexius extended his hand to Elliche.
She took it casually, as if she always had.
Somehow, she wanted Marianne to see it.
Lexius was still an infuriatingly arrogant man—but at the end of the day, he was her husband.
