For the treatnt, I began placing dicinal ingredients—including the Quoria petals—onto the table.
First, the common components. Then the more temperantal ones. Finally, when the Quoria petals went down, those already watching with cold eyes flared to life and began to shout.
“Aren't those Quoria petals?!”
“What on earth is he doing? We must stop him at once unless we wish to have Lady Lea killed!”
So genuinely believed I’d co to poison Lea; others rely aid to disrupt the treatnt or undermine the Grand Duke who’d sanctioned it.
Lea’s eldest sister strode forward, her Aura crackling with lethal intent.
“…Explain yourself. Why have you produced Quoria petals just now?”
Her aura slamd into like a physical force, pinning in place—like a mouse before a cat.
…Ridiculously strong.
The power of her lineage truly was monstrous. Her leaking Aura alone easily overwheld mine.
But I couldn’t back down now. I’d foreseen this mont.
I drew a steady breath and t her glare.
“…I will drink this dicine myself first. And if Lady Lea suffers harm because of it, I’ll admit all guilt and walk willingly to the execution grounds.”
“Are you saying the House of Berg will shoulder the consequences of your actions?”
I hesitated only a heartbeat before nodding. “Yes. I stake my family’s honor and my life on curing my lady.”
“Lea, do you trust this man?” Her question hung in the air, an ultimatum: if Lea said no, everything would end.
Lea glanced at . “I do not trust him. But I want to trust him.”
“…You want to trust soone you’ve only just t?”
“Because he looked straight in the eyes. And judging him on rumors alone would make like those who mocked , wouldn’t it?”
Her boldness gave even her sister pause. After a mont, she sighed. “It may be dangerous.”
“But in return, this cursed visage might be restored. And the pain that cos each evening might be relieved.”
“…You truly wish to entrust yourself to this man?”
“Yes, I do.”
Her sister exhaled, releasing her Aura. Turning to , she spoke quietly. “You will keep your promises. Both to drink first and to have your House take responsibility.”
“I will.”
“Very well. I’ve interfered enough. Do as you will, Young Lord. I will defuse the others’ complaints. And Lea, seeing your old self again brings joy.”
With a wry smile, she returned to her seat and bowed to the Grand Duke. Though I couldn’t hear her words, she was surely apologizing for her interruption, then settling the others’ doubts.
Oddly, the Elder Council remained silent. From the High Elder's expression, he seed confident I would fail.
He must be ecstatic.
If I failed and Lea died, he’d use it to challenge the Patriarch’s authority.
Not on my watch.
With practiced hands, I resud preparing the ingredients. With permission granted, there was no need to delay.
I peeled the Quoria petals and subrged them in ice water. They stiffened instantly in the chill. Beside them, I poured oil into a large pan and tossed in the other herbs over roaring flas.
Clatter. Clatter. Clatter.
Sizzzzzzzle!
My swift, precise, and theatrical stir-fry—reminiscent of Chinese cooking—captured every onlooker’s gaze. Now, with the addition of Aura…
WHOOSH!
Flas engulfed the ingredients, fusing them seamlessly before I plated them like an elegant dish.
This is the most important part.
I scooped a portion of the chilled Quoria, removed the tiniest trace of its venom, and laid it atop the stir-fried herbs. Sky-blue petals floated over the rich brown.
It was complete.
I lifted a large spoonful and tasted it. Sweet aroma t the Quoria’s sharp tang, dancing on my tongue.
Mmm, delicious.
The culinary skills forged during that endless war had not deserted .
Satisfied, I carried the dicine to Lea. “Please, eat. It’s surprisingly palatable for dicine.”
“…If I really eat this, will my illness be cured?”
“Well, even if you die, won’t I go with you?” I offered, smirking.
Lea relaxed and chuckled, then accepted the dish. “True enough. The journey won’t be dull. And even if I die, I won’t hold it against you. It was my choice.”
She took a large bite. Monts later, she looked up, eyes wide in pleasant surprise.
“I see that it is palatable,” I remarked.
“It actually is. But it doesn’t seem to have any effect?” She frowned, smacking her lips regretfully.
“It’s disappointing, but… you did your best, so—cough…!”
Blood spurted from Lea’s mouth. Panic seized her as she clamped her hand over it. The crowd surged forward like bees.
At that mont, the Seventh Elder lunged, Aura blazing. He seized my collar and slamd against the wall.
CRASH!
“Guh—!”
Blood spurted from my throat, agony rippling through . But the critical pain was the grip choking .
He tightened his hold, eyes blazing. “How dare you… insult the Praha Duchy? Whose orders are you following? Who is it!”
Darkness began to creep over my vision as his fingers threatened to crush my windpipe. Still, I could not yield.
Channeling a sliver of Aura, I pushed back against his own.
“Let go, and then we can talk,” I gasped.
“Hah! Every dog has its day, and today, you’re the lucky pup, aren’t you? No need to listen to the words of so hired killer. And what, pray tell, has the Patriarch been doing all this ti to let a debacle like this occur?!”
The Seventh Elder’s roar echoed, clearly under orders from the High Elder.
“This is contempt for Praha! Since the Patriarch allowed it, he too must face punishnt! Explain yourselves!”
He stord toward the Grand Duke, eyes flashing, but the Grand Duke’s calm voice stopped him.
“What are you talking about?”
“What, you ask? Can’t you see our House has been disrespected!”
“I see no disrespect. Before , I see a brilliant healer and an old fox threatening him.”
“A brilliant healer! That’s absurd!” But his next words caught in his throat as his gaze fell on Lea.
The grotesque, twisted figure that had reeked of filth was gone, replaced by a visage so lovely it was as if a celestial goddess had manifested in flesh—her hair cascading in golden waves, her clear eyes shining brightly.
“N-no… what is this?” he stamred.
“So then, how about letting go of now?” I wheezed.
The Seventh Elder clicked his tongue, released my collar, and murmured to the Grand Duke, “We must confirm her full recovery. If anything happens… then the Young Lord of Berg County will bear responsibility.”
Huffing, he returned to his place.
I straightened my collar and drew a steady breath. That old fox would doubtless try to poison Lea and pin it on .
…Ha. There goes my plan to keep these for myself.
I thought of the Mirror Frog glands and Mandragora Roots in my pocket.
Those ingredients were ant to brew an elixir that grants poison resistance, and I had planned to keep it all for myself.
After all, if word ever got out that I could produce such an elixir, powerful figures would co seeking , and threaten my life while I was still vulnerable.
But if I stayed on the sidelines, I had no idea when Lea might die. And I’d be left bearing the stigma of her murderer.
I couldn’t let that happen.
…I’ll have to ask her to keep my little secret.
Lost in the thought, I turned as the Grand Duke descended and enfolded Lea in a fierce embrace.
“You’ve done well… you’ve held strong,” he murmured.
“Father, there are others watching,” Lea said, embarrassed but smiling through tears.
The Grand Duke held her as though nothing else existed, then gently released her and approached .
“I’m glad I trusted you.”
“It was the right choice,” I replied.
“So it seems. Yes, so tell your wish. I will grant whatever you ask.”
“I wish to take the leftover dicinal ingredients.”
“You shall have them. Whatever you desire, ask and you shall receive. Anything else?”
“Once Lady Lea’s treatnt is perfectly complete, I will accept any further rewards. Though she is cured now, the dicine’s long-term effects should be observed.”
I lied easily—she was indeed cured, and no monitoring was necessary. But since I planned to administer my elixir in secret, I had to keep it that way.
The fewer who know, the better.
As I spoke with brazen confidence, Lea approached and bowed deeply.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, Young Lord Louis, I could never have returned to normality.”
Her perfect etiquette, tear-brightened smile, and gentle words captivated everyone. Those who’d whispered derisively monts ago now blushed and glanced her way, hesitant to speak.
I clicked my tongue at them, then addressed Lea.
“Please raise your head. There was no grand purpose behind saving you, so you needn’t thank .”
“…What?”
“I treated you solely for the sake of an engagent. Therefore,” I bowed to the Grand Duke and continued, “I respectfully request your permission to marry Lady Lea Praha.”
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