CHAPTER 69……………………………..
Lewd
Even after Dmitri left, Lea stood absent-mindedly in place for quite some time.
The Duke said he allowed it?
The same man who had firmly said “absolutely not” the last time she asked suddenly gave permission?
Don’t tell me… he’s planning to leave me here and go to the capital alone?
The thought left her with an odd sense of disappointment. Her shoulders drooped as she listlessly left the library.
Then she tried to reason out why Akkia would have allowed it.
Maybe it’s because of the antidote for the side effects.
Even if he had said the antidote wasn’t urgent, he must have been painfully aware of its necessity. The side effects were like a time bomb—no one knew when they might strike.
Right. It must’ve been uncomfortable for him too. He can’t have me glued to his side at all times.
A few frightening memories flashed through her mind, and Lea shuddered. The antidote was a matter that could no longer be delayed.
Most likely Duke Belarus told him about Dr. Franken.
That could be why Akkia permitted her to stay here.
Unless she became the palace apothecary, the only shortcut to an antidote was consulting Dr. Franken.
Still, even if her head understood Akkia’s reasoning, the sting of disappointment lingered.
He’s the one who once told me to use him however I needed.
And yet in just a few days, he flipped like a coin. Was being with her a burden now? Complicated thoughts filled her head.
I should at least talk with him about this…
How long were they supposed to remain apart?
When was he planning to return to the capital?
Just as she turned toward Akkia’s room to ask, their eyes met—he was standing at the top of the stairs.
“Duke?”
“Lea.”
As if he had been searching for her as well, he came closer the moment their gazes met.
“Where were you? You weren’t in your room.”
“I went to the library for a bit. Were you looking for me?”
“I had something to say.”
“Perfect. I had something to say too.”
As if she’d been waiting for the moment, Lea asked:
“I heard from Duke Belarus. You told him it’s fine for me to stay here, right?”
“So you already know. I was about to tell you myself.”
He answered casually, but Lea’s mouth turned bitter. The capital and the Belarus estate were far apart.
If they parted now, they wouldn’t see each other for at least a month—and yet he looked so unconcerned.
Seriously. Not long ago he acted like he couldn’t bear to be apart for even a moment.
His sudden change of attitude made Lea’s heart ache.
“Am I that much of a nuisance to you?”
“What?”
“When I asked indirectly before, you said absolutely not… but now—”
Her voice shrank as she spoke, unlike her bold start. Akkia’s gaze wavered slightly.
“…You said you’d allow me to stay here. But you have to return to the capital, don’t you? Doesn’t that mean you’re leaving me behind?”
Blinking as if to process her words, Akkia suddenly chuckled.
“Oh, that’s all? I’m staying here too.”
“…What?”
“I’ll live with you in the Belarus estate. As if I’d ever leave you alone.”
Wait. Then…
Lea’s lips trembled without sound as her face flushed red. So everything had been her own misunderstanding. She had ended up whining at Akkia not to leave her alone.
“Ah, I didn’t mean—”
She tried to recover, but flustered as she was, words wouldn’t come out right. Watching her, Akkia tilted his head with a deep smile.
“Sounds like you really don’t want to be apart from me.”
“Huh?”
“Pouting like that, throwing little tantrums.”
“That’s not—!”
But he only shrugged, unwilling to hear more.
“Not that I mind. It’s kind of cute.”
He tapped her cheek with a finger. Embarrassed, Lea quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, what made you suddenly decide to stay? You said you were busy with capital affairs.”
“I was. But something more important came up.”
His lips curled up at one side.
“The hot spring development in Bialytskal. I took it on.”
“Hot spring development!?”
Lea’s eyes went wide.
A hot spring!
In her previous life, her favorite pastime was visiting public bathhouses. Not quite the same as hot springs, but close enough.
Hot springs are good for the skin… and good skin means…
Money.
Bialytskal smelled like a gold mine. Akkia glanced at her sparkling eyes and muttered:
“Suspicious.”
“What is?”
“Your expression. Right now, you look downright lecherous.”
He had a strange knack for noticing the oddest things. Flustered, Lea cleared her throat.
❀ ❀ ❀
Council chamber. Illei slammed the letter he had been reading down on the table in irritation.
Not only had Akkia returned alive from his posting in Bialytskal, he had even discovered hot springs there.
But with the ministers watching, Illei’s expression briefly hardened before he put on a benevolent smile.
“Duke Heidern has resolved the salt mine issue admirably.”
“…”
“All the trapped miners were rescued, and even the Duke and the apothecary who had been caught in a secondary collapse were saved unharmed. The goddess Helena must have aided them.”
At his words, the nobles sighed in relief.
“On top of that, he discovered hot spring water beneath the mine and intends to develop it. Remarkable, isn’t it?”
He smiled as he added this last remark, but the taste in his mouth was bitter.
“A second collapse in the salt mine, of all things.”
“And that sickly Duke suddenly turning so vigorous—astonishing.”
“Still, hot springs? Does he mean to revive Bialytskal’s economy?”
“That must be it. This will certainly boost his popularity.”
Illei stroked his chin at their words.
Popularity…
Among the common folk, Akkia’s reputation was already soaring. The rescued miners were singing his praises nonstop.
Just traveling personally to Bialytskal had drawn public attention. But then he’d even rushed into the mine himself to save the trapped miners.
And of all things, there were hot springs under the mine…
Illei bit his inner lip. He had sent Akkia there to die, but instead the man’s standing had only risen.
Worse, at the end of Akkia’s report was a note: he had obtained Duke Belarus’s approval for the hot spring development.
Illei thought of Duke Dmitri of Belarus, the so-called Lion of the Empire.
That stern old man agreed to hot spring development?
For Illei, who had ascended the throne over Akkia, weakening imperial authority was a constant problem. That was why, right after his coronation, he had gone to see Duke Belarus.
Dmitri had served the late Emperor Phillips III longer than anyone. The Belarus family was the Empire’s most influential ducal house, and its contributions to the founding of the Empire were unparalleled.
Illei had hoped to borrow their power to strengthen his throne.
[Lord Illei—no, I should call you Your Majesty now.]
[…]
[Your Majesty, this old man only wishes to spend his remaining years quietly in the duchy.]
He had rejected Illei’s request outright.
Sipping tea with vacant eyes, Dmitri bore no trace of his former commanding presence.
The fierce gaze that once made men shrink back had lost its light.
[What ambition can remain in a father who buried his only daughter?]
Illei remembered that hollow look. After Lady Ariel’s death, Duke Belarus had withdrawn from most family affairs, keeping only small ventures alive.
And yet such a man gave Akkia permission for hot springs?
Illei’s unease grew. Of course Dmitri wouldn’t have volunteered it—Akkia must have pressed him persistently.
Yes. It must be Akkia’s attempt to restore the Heidern family’s power.
As he mulled it over, Illei cast a glance at Marquis Rodrigo beside him. Reading his signal, the marquis carefully stepped forward.
“But, as we all know, hasn’t Bialytskal been barren for centuries? What difference will building a hot spring resort there make?”
At his question, the nobles began murmuring.
“True enough. If such ventures could revive it, they’d have done so long ago.”
“Duke Heidern is young and reckless. There are reasons Bialytskal was never developed.”
At this, Illei’s tense gaze finally eased.
“Why not let him try, Your Majesty?”
A calm, resolute voice cut through the din. Instinctively, Illei turned toward it.
It was Count Leorod, head of the Parcia merchant guild and brother to the current Empress Dowager.
“Is it not admirable, a young Duke seeking to revive dead land?”
Silence spread as everyone gauged Count Leorod’s and Illei’s reactions. Then a low chuckle broke the stillness.
“Hahaha. Indeed.”
Illei instantly grasped the Count’s real meaning: What does it matter if a sickly pup thinks he’s strong?
Fine then. When Akkia’s praise reached its peak—
I’ll drag him down from the highest place.
“Gerald. Prepare a reply.”
Illei’s gaze as he called to Marquis Rodrigo was sharper than ever.
