Chapter 72
At that warning, both Marin and Modway cautiously agreed.
[Time was too short, so there was no choice~. But even I’m a bit worried~. I can’t predict how that emperor will react~.]
[Hing! Even when Mistress died, he acted differently than expected! Will it really be okay?!]
The spirits’ concerns were something I was well aware of.
I let out a deep sigh and muttered:
“…It’s something I was prepared for.”
Lately, with Mother’s diary and the knowledge of the original story, I’d been able to weave far more precise schemes than before.
But looking back, before I learned about the original, my choices had always been gambles.
How could I always pick only the safest path?
All I could do was choose the method with the highest odds among countless possibilities.
There were bound to be times when you gained the bones but had to give up the flesh.
This will probably make the emperor’s wariness and surveillance of me even stronger.
I tried to keep my composure, but my heart inevitably felt heavier.
Suddenly, the uncertainty of the future and the pressure it brought began to tighten around my throat.
It was strange.
This sort of tension was always with me.
From childhood, hadn’t I wrapped myself head to toe in lies?
So this kind of anxiety should have been tediously familiar.
It should have been…
Then why… does it feel so suffocating right now?
Just moments ago, I’d been comfortable with Hist.
…Or was it perhaps because of that relief that I now felt this way?
I rose from my chair and looked around the greenhouse.
It’s like a birdcage.
This place was the only spot in the palace where I could relax, even a little.
But how long must I play the role of the canary inside this cage?
How long must I read others’ intentions and walk an invisible tightrope?
If I find the culprit who killed Mother, deal with the emperor, and put Moren on the throne…
Would I… finally be free?
The question I had always avoided now cluttered my mind, so I bit my lip hastily.
I can’t waste time like this.
My targets were still strong and lofty—too early for me to sink here.
Alright, let’s think of a plausible excuse for the emperor.
And if he suspects me more than expected, I’ll need a backup plan.
Think. Think…!
Just as I was cooling my head with such thoughts, I sensed a small movement.
When I lifted my head, past the worried spirits, I locked eyes with Dimodi, who was sneaking around.
“Dimodi?”
The little mole flinched for a moment, then muttered resolutely:
[I will… help you…]
“What?”
In the very next instant—
The spirit dropped the glass bottle filled with blood without hesitation.
Crash!
With a sharp shattering sound, the blood Hist had gathered spilled helplessly across the floor.
The other spirits shrieked and hurried away from the spreading red.
[Oh my~! How revolting~!]
[Ugh! I hate that blood! It’s dirty and ominous!]
[Ugh, Dimodi! What are you doing?! Making trouble like this!]
But Dimodi’s actions didn’t stop there.
[I… will help my master!]
I could only gape in shock.
“My goodness, Dimodi!”
The emperor finally summoned me.
It was exactly a week after I had returned to the capital.
I’d stayed at the Telum Duchy for about a week too, so it’s been half a month.
Just because I’d mixed in a single ancient plant—he really hadn’t needed to avoid seeing me this long.
Its effect was surprisingly remarkable.
During that time, Hebaro had also visited me and shared what he had discussed with the emperor.
—I didn’t expect such improvement. Thanks to Your Highness, there’s real hope for new medicine now.
—That’s wonderful! I didn’t expect it either, but I’m so proud!
—While checking the tribute belatedly, more seeds were discovered. His Majesty is keeping them separately.
—Really?
—After this experiment, he might entrust them to you, Princess.
—That would be an honor for me!
—If it isn’t too much trouble, could you teach me how you cultivated the ancient plant? There are quite a few seeds, and it may be too burdensome for you alone.
—Hm? Uh, that might be difficult…
Since Hebaro had visited me officially that day, I knew parts of that conversation would be reported to the emperor.
So I deliberately answered with the most innocent tone possible:
—It takes a very special power to raise an ancient plant!
Did Hebaro faithfully deliver that suspicious-sounding answer to the emperor?
[Of course he did!]
[That was the whole point of the conversation~.]
[If that old man isn’t a fool, he surely passed it along intact. Don’t worry.]
Yes, Hebaro was sharp enough.
Equipping myself with a bright smile, I headed toward the garden where the emperor awaited.
Behind me, my maid, Hidia, whispered:
“Um, Princess… Is it really alright for me to go with you?”
She looked slightly nervous.
It was true that I rarely brought a maid along for my tea times with the emperor.
No need to show others that our talks were actually completely trivial and fruitless.
But now, the more witnesses, the better.
“Of course, Hidia! You said you were curious about His Majesty’s garden~.”
“Well, yes, but…”
“It’s fine! As long as you don’t get too close, His Majesty won’t mind! Just wait nearby and enjoy the garden!”
At my casual reassurance, her eyes lit up slightly.
“Thank you, Princess. I’ll be very quiet so as not to disturb you two.”
Even if she said that, greedy Hidia wouldn’t waste this chance.
No doubt she’d strain her ears to overhear our talk.
And she’ll deliver whatever she hears straight to her father.
Since that was the original plan anyway, I nodded innocently.
As we walked on, I saw a group of people gathered at one side of the garden.
A round-domed pergola stood slightly apart, beneath which sat the emperor.
More people than usual.
Normally, he called no one else when having tea with me.
Perhaps, like me, the emperor wanted spectators too.
Thinking that, I lifted my skirts and ran toward him with girlish enthusiasm.
“Your Majesty~!”
Like a daughter delighted to see her father after a long while.
Calling him sweetly as I approached, the emperor let out a small laugh.
“You’ll trip like that, Neroli.”
“I couldn’t help myself when I saw you! Have you been well?”
As I drew close, the chief attendant naturally pulled out the chair opposite the emperor.
I sat, then glanced back.
Hidia had settled herself a little ahead of where the emperor’s attendants waited.
A perfect spot to observe.
Yes, watch closely from there.
When I turned back, the emperor’s crimson eyes were fixed steadily on me.
“I’ve been well. Hebaro’s new medicine has been more effective than expected. Did you hear I stayed away because of the testing?”
“Of course! I’m so glad!”
“You weren’t upset?”
“Not at all! It was for Your Majesty’s well-being—I don’t mind!”
“Mm. Yes. And it was all thanks to that ancient plant you cultivated.”
“I’m just happy I could help Your Majesty.”
I blushed lightly and gave him a sweet smile.
“If the medicine continues to develop well, won’t Your Majesty’s madness be completely cured? Just thinking of it makes me so happy!”
“And when that happens, you’ll leave this palace and claim your freedom?”
“Hehe, that’s part of it! But more importantly, it means Your Majesty won’t have to suffer anymore!”
“…I see.”
The emperor watched my smile closely, then slowly spoke again.
“For that, I’ll need even more of your help. I called you today because there’s something I wish to know.”
“Something you want to know?”
“Bring it.”
At his command, the chief attendant moved fluidly.
I focused on what he carried.
It was a flowerpot filled with soil.
In that instant, I guessed what the emperor intended, but pretended not to and tilted my head curiously.
“This is…?”
“Inside, I planted seeds of an ancient plant newly found among the tribute.”
At his words, the attendant placed the pot on the table before me.
Since nothing else had been placed before me yet, it was easy to do.
I looked down at the pot.
I was wondering when they’d serve my tea.
I lifted my gaze back to the emperor.
For a fleeting moment, his crimson eyes gleamed with a damp hostility before returning to normal.
It lasted only a heartbeat, but I caught it instantly—my senses always sharp to his moods.
Hostility…
“Neroli.”
Unlike his gaze earlier, his voice was gentle as he called me.
“I very much want to know. Just how did you manage to grow an ancient plant?”
As he spoke, he tapped the tea table lightly with his finger.
“Hebaro said it requires a special power…”
He never once broke eye contact as he murmured:
“That makes me all the more curious. Show me now—how you made it bloom.”
So, the moment had finally come.
As expected, I clenched my fist slightly—when Nesgal approached and whispered:
[Hm, that man at the far end. I sense strong divine power from him.]
Divine power?
[Yes. It must be him—the cardinal said to be residing in this palace.]
