TLDOWN 47

Chapter 47…………

Don’t Go

“Your Grace, a letter has arrived from the imperial palace.”

“From the palace?”

It had been less than a week since his last audience with the emperor. For correspondence to come so soon…

This doesn’t feel right….

The duke hurriedly tore open the letter handed to him by Richel. As his eyes swept down the contents, his face darkened sharply.

“Did something happen, my lord?”

Richel asked carefully when the duke let out a short sigh and pressed his forehead.

“Illei is summoning me. Says he’s lonely and wants to share some tea.”

Akkia muttered as he tossed the letter down irritably. Since when had they been the sort to sit idly and drink tea together? Clearly, there was another motive.

“Has there been any unusual movement around the emperor lately?”

“No, nothing in particular. However, we did catch a trace that Marquis Rodrigo purchased haesari grass through a merchant guild.”

“Haesari grass?”

“Yes. It’s not particularly rare—commonly used as a tonic herb.”

Akkia nodded quietly. Indeed, haesari grass was known as a restorative. But that was only when used on its own. With a faintly troubled expression, he stroked his chin before replying.

“Haesari grass, hm….”

“Shall I look into it more deeply? Haesari grass can, after all—”

“No. I know what you’re thinking. That’s enough. You may go.”

Though hesitant, Richel bowed. Clearly, the duke understood the implication without needing it said aloud.

As he turned to leave, he paused and looked back.

“Ah, and Professor Rams visited the palace. He attended a conference in the capital and had an audience with His Majesty.”

“Professor Rams?”

Akkia, who had been staring down at his papers, lifted his head. Wasn’t Rams the very scholar Lea had met recently?

“Yes. They spoke for about an hour before he left.”

Akkia’s brow furrowed tightly.

An entire hour. Rams was famous, yes—but not enough to warrant that long a meeting with the emperor.

So Illei put someone on Lea.

If Illei was investigating her, it was only a matter of time before he discovered the truth about the Forarium poison. The duke’s apothecary had met with a poison expert.

“Richel. It seems we’ll have to move the schedule up.”

“…The schedule, my lord?”

The meaning was clear enough. Richel’s eyes darkened, realizing instantly what Akkia implied.

“Yes. Where’s Lea?”

“She’s been in the laboratory, as usual. Shall I bring her?”

For a moment, Akkia considered consulting her about haesari grass, but he shook his head.

The antidote research is more urgent.

“No. Leave her. Prepare for my trip to the palace instead.”

❀ ❀ ❀

Illei sat by the window, gazing into the distance.

[Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you. I am Professor Rams, teaching herbal studies at Foren Royal Academy.]

Illei had invited him to court upon hearing he’d be in the capital for a conference—so that he could inquire, indirectly, about Akkia.

He had described Akkia’s illness as if it were merely a “case he’d heard of.”

A mysterious sickness. At first, his strength had simply declined bit by bit, until he collapsed. By the time he regained consciousness, his speech was impaired and his body weakened to the brink of death.

[Hm. It sounds much like Forarium poisoning.]

The answer had struck like a blow.

[Forarium poison? Not an illness, but poisoning?]

[Indeed. Unless it’s congenital, a person’s health does not suddenly collapse like that. Such symptoms usually come from prolonged poisoning. Forarium, in particular, slowly withers its victim over time.]

[…]

[Of course, it rarely happens from one exposure. More likely he’s been subjected over a long period. And this patient—he still lives?]

When Illei heard those words, it had been like ice water down his spine.

Even he had wondered at the sudden decline of Akkia’s health. Until the former empress—his mother—had been killed, Akkia had been healthy, his playmate in childhood. Illei’s brow tightened at the memory.

So either someone had been deliberately feeding him Forarium…

Or—

“…He’s been feigning illness himself.”

Illei’s lips curved into a thin, chilling line.

If he sent his apothecary to meet Rams, Akkia must already know he was poisoned.

Which makes the second possibility all the more likely.

His heart thudded ominously, confirming his suspicion.

Unbelievable.

He lowered his gaze to his trembling hands.

He had thought Akkia nothing more than a frail, dying prince. But if he’d been deliberately drinking Forarium… then he was a beast hiding its claws, crouched and waiting.

Illei’s eyes turned to frost. At that moment, a knock and a maid’s voice broke the silence.

—“Your Majesty, Duke Heidern has arrived.”

Good. Today, my doubts will be answered.

If Akkia was indeed poisoned with Forarium, the truth would show itself in what Illei had prepared.

“Let him in.”

At his word, the doors opened.

“Welcome, Akkia.”

Illei rose from his seat. His smile was warm, all trace of earlier ice gone.

Gesturing to the chairs, he offered a friendly invitation.

“I longed to see you more often, but since you never visit, I had no choice but to summon you.”

Scratch, scratch—the sound of writing on paper filled the audience hall.

[My apologies. My health has been too poor to go out lately.]

Illei read the note Akkia handed him.

“Oh dear. All the more reason you should have told me. Before you leave, let the court physician examine you.”

Clicking his tongue as though in genuine concern, Illei lifted his hand. At his signal, Marquis Rodrigo ushered in a maid with a trolley.

“As it happens, I had something prepared with you in mind.”

The emperor’s smile was smooth as silk.

“This tonic is said to be excellent for restoring energy. I had it specially prepared for you.”

[This is…]

“Haesari grass tea. They say it’s especially good for those who rarely see the sun, like yourself.”

Akkia’s brow twitched as he stared at the steaming cup set before him. Illei was always like this—forcing his will, regardless of the other’s wishes.

Sighing softly, Akkia looked down at the tea. As duke, he could not openly reject such “kindness” without arousing suspicion. To lower Illei’s guard, he had to accept.

“For my sake, I hope you’ll drink every drop.”

Illei added fuel to the fire with a pleasant smile.

[Thank you, Your Majesty.]

After a long pause, Akkia carefully raised the cup to his lips. A sour tang spread across his tongue.

“They say medicine is bitter, yet this is sour. Isn’t it strange? For a herb to yield such a taste.”

Illei lifted his own cup, watching keenly as Akkia drank. Haesari grass—it was indeed a restorative.

Ordinarily.

“Even if you dislike the taste, it’s best to finish it. To the very last drop.”

His eyes, relentless and cold, pinned Akkia in place as he drank.

❀ ❀ ❀

By late afternoon, the sky glowing orange, word spread that the duke had returned from the palace. Lea hurried to his chambers.

I need to finally ask him about that night.

That day, she’d been too shocked to ask anything before running away. But thinking it over later, too many things hadn’t added up.

He claimed we spent the night together, but… it didn’t feel that way at all.

She’d actually felt rested the next morning.

“And I need to ask how I actually looked that night.”

If she was to cure these humiliating side effects, she had to know exactly what symptoms appeared.

Before she knew it, she was standing at Akkia’s door.

Knock knock.

“Your Grace, it’s Lea. There’s something I’d like to discuss. May I come in?”

There was no response. Lea tilted her head.

“Maybe he isn’t here…”

She started to turn away, but then his voice came, low and muffled.

“…Come in.”

Perhaps he had dozed off after returning from the palace. His tone was lower than usual.

Entering, she found him reclining on the sofa, head tipped back, face half-covered by his arm.

“Was it something important?”

His languid voice brushed her ears.

“Not really. If you’re tired, I can come back tomorrow.”

“No. I have a feeling I won’t hear it tomorrow.”

“…Pardon?”

Not catching his murmur, Lea asked again. He only exhaled a low sigh.

“Don’t just stand there. Sit.”

“Ah, yes.”

Since that night, she hadn’t properly faced him, and the air was thick with awkwardness.

“Your Grace, about that night…”

She dropped her gaze, unable to look at him directly.

“Nothing happened.”

Before she could even ask, his answer came. She looked up, startled, meeting his eyes.

“Nothing you’re worried about took place.”

“…I see.”

So it was true. Nothing had happened.

Relief washed through her, her body relaxing, when—

“…Lea. Once you finish the antidote, will you return to Tren?”

His gaze lingered on her, unreadable.

Tren….

Normally, she should have answered Of course. Their contract would end once the antidote was complete—leaving was only natural.

And yet… she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

As she fumbled for words, his quiet murmur wrapped around her ears.

“Don’t go.”

It was like a breath of heat escaping him. Don’t go.

Her eyes widened at the unexpected plea.

“If I told you that, would you stay?”

What?

Lea was shaken, confused. She couldn’t grasp his intent—and she couldn’t understand why her own heart trembled at those words.

What do I really want?

Her lips parted and closed several times, her fists wrinkling her skirt.

“Your Grace, I…”

Turning to face him, she tried to speak—

And then—

Thump.

The sofa shifted as something heavy fell against her shoulder.