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Chapter 73

"Phew, thank goodness."

Emilia had managed to enter the study with Herald as her ally.

Kayden let out a short laugh at the sight of her clinging close to Herald.

Just then, Herald stepped before Kayden.

As an aide, he had to confirm that his superior had properly handled his affairs.

Herald asked with a skeptical look.

"Your Grace, you've returned early. But you did finish everything, right?"

"Of course."

Kayden nodded calmly, and Herald asked.

"Then how's the antidote development going?"

"Still in progress."

"Well, I suppose the Empress wouldn't use ordinary poison."

Herald shook his head as if he'd expected that.

Just then, Emilia, who had been listening from behind, cautiously asked.

"An antidote? What do you mean?"

"Ah."

Herald turned to her with a short sigh.

"We've been researching an antidote for the poison the Empress uses in the ducal territory."

"Oh, I see."

Emilia nodded.

"It's a sensitive matter, so His Grace had to go to the territory in person to oversee it."

Herald added, then suddenly paused.

"Wait a moment."

Something struck him, and his eyes went wide.

"Miss Emilia!"

"Yes?"

"You used a wound remedy on His Grace's injury before, didn't you?"

"Ah, yes."

At her answer, Herald turned to Kayden with hopeful eyes.

"Even with His Grace's resistance to poison, the physician thought it was strange how quickly he recovered."

"Yes."

"Could that remedy have had some detoxifying effect as well?"

Listening to Herald's plausible guess, Kayden looked at Emilia.

At his gaze, Emilia flinched, and Herald excitedly asked her.

"Where did you get that remedy?"

Emilia avoided Kayden's eyes and answered Herald.

"Ah, a friend from my hometown made it."

"Is that so?"

Herald's eyes went wide at the unexpected answer.

"Then could you ask your friend about the ingredients and formula of that remedy? It might give us a lead on the antidote. Of course, we'll compensate you—His Grace will."

Even with the same type of remedy, the ingredients and formula could vary widely in effectiveness.

Since they couldn't just get it for free, Herald boldly nodded toward Kayden.

"Yes, I'll contact my friend."

Emilia readily agreed.

But her attention was still focused on the man beyond Herald.

Because ever since earlier, Kayden's gaze hadn't left her.

Feeling awkward, Emilia half-hid behind Herald.

She forced herself to stay calm and asked.

"...That aside, why did you call for me?"

She couldn't help but hear Kayden's words from last night echoing in her ears.

"At least call me by my name too, Emilia."

...Still, calling him by his name is a bit much.

Of course, she couldn't keep calling him "Your Grace" in formal settings either.

But in everyday conversation...

"Emilia."

"Y-yes?"

Startled, Emilia answered with a slightly higher voice.

Kayden spoke in a calm tone.

"Today's the day for the business progress report, isn't it?"

"Ah..."

Emilia let out a small sigh.

Come to think of it, today was the day she was supposed to give him a regular report as a business support officer.

I forgot, since he came back so suddenly last night.

Emilia lightly bit the inside of her lip.

"...Sorry, I wasn't thinking."

She felt her face flush.

What did I think he called me for?

She'd been the only one overthinking his words from last night.

Just then, Kayden's low voice came again.

"Then finish Ivan's lesson and come back to my study."

"I-I will."

With a quick bow, she left the study in a hurry.

Click.

Herald looked at the door Emilia had gone through and tilted his head.

"Miss Emilia seemed a little off today, didn't she?"

"Who knows."

Kayden said with a faint smile.

"If she is, that's all the better."

"Pardon? You'd want her to be off?"

Herald asked his oddly speaking superior, but Kayden just touched the corner of his mouth with a satisfied look.

---

Meanwhile, at that same time.

Estelle had been summoned by the Empress and arrived at the reception room.

"That woman is far from ordinary!"

Estelle recalled the previous day and let out an incredulous laugh.

"For a commoner, she had the nerve to lecture people as if she were a real noble lady, and her innocent act was utterly detestable—"

"Estelle."

The Empress called her name, cutting her off.

The reception room fell silent, and the sound of a teacup being set down clicked softly.

Estelle flinched and looked at the Empress.

"Y-yes?"

The Empress traced the rim of her teacup with her finger and lifted the corner of her mouth.

"Do you think I called you here just to listen to your complaints?"

"O-of course not."

At the Empress's obvious displeasure, Estelle quickly answered.

"Then what about the task I gave you?"

She wanted to get to the point, without wasting time on idle chatter.

In truth, Estelle had realized her mistake the moment she spilled the tea yesterday.

Because of that, the Duchess had left the tea party early.

Watching her go, Estelle had gritted her teeth at her own impetuousness.

After the tea party ended with no useful information gained—

Estelle had been wandering nervously around the palace, unable to even return home.

Then, a stroke of luck.

"No way... no way."

A man who appeared to be a palace official walked by, muttering as if dazed, then suddenly raised his voice.

"No way!"

Estelle frowned.

What's all this noise?

She was already in a bad mood, and just as she was about to leave, shooting the noisy man a glare—

"Emilia really became the Duchess of Valen...?"

What?

Estelle stopped dead.

She couldn't let those words pass.

She turned and quickly called out to the official.

"You there!"

The man flinched and looked at her.

"Wh-what is it?"

Estelle asked to confirm.

"Did you just say the Duchess of Valen?"

"Huh? Yes... but... what is this about?"

The man glanced at her lavish dress and answered hesitantly.

"Seems like you know something about that woman..."

She removed a large jeweled ring and held it out to him.

"Could you spare me a moment?"

Estelle recalled what she'd learned from him and lifted the corner of her mouth.

"Of course, I've brought information that will satisfy you, Your Majesty."

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