#9
When I returned to my room, I was examined by the doctor.
“Your Highness, Iām afraid my knowledge is limited, and I canāt figure out the cause of this illness.”
He spoke with a worried expression. It was understandable since, despite Ruslan and my own health not being well, there was no apparent reason for it.
“Have you checked the food and water thoroughly?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Hmm.”
Ruslan and I only shared a few things, like food and water. If it wasnāt those, the only remaining thing could be the air.
But since many people share the same air, I wasnāt sure how to proceed.
āCome to think of it…ā
Recently, Ruslanās suffering from the curse had decreased. But I remembered the incense that had been burned.
āIs there really a need to keep using it?ā
Since I started treating Ruslan with my holy power, his chronic pain had mostly disappeared. Betty and the other maids likely knew about this too.
“Nana.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Bring the incense burner from Ruslanās room.”
Nana immediately understood and left, returning with the incense from the adjacent room.
I handed it to the doctor.
“Please analyze the ingredients inside and let me know.”
The doctorās eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly put the incense in his pocket and stood up.
“Iāll let you know as soon as I have results.”
After the doctor left, I decided I needed to talk to the Emperor about this.
“I should go see the Emperor. Please let him know.”
Nana hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully.
“Your Highness, perhaps you should first discuss this with Count Orleans?”
“With Count Orleans?”
“Yes. It seems the Emperor is deeply upset about what happened earlier. It might be better to give him some time before telling him.”
Nana made a valid point. It seemed better to talk to Count Orleans first, rather than telling the Emperor immediately while he was upset.
“I think youāre right. Can you contact Count Orleans for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I sighed as I watched Nana leave. Nothing ever seemed to be easy.
“Incense?”
Count Orleans looked at me in surprise.
“Yes. The only things Ruslan and I share are food and water, and both have been carefully checked. So, the only remaining factor is the air. Since incense can easily be tampered with, I think itās the most suspicious.”
He immediately jumped up from his seat, grabbed my shoulders, and looked me over. Then he sharply called to Nana behind me.
“Has the Princessās health been checked? How could you let her walk around like this with symptoms similar to the Prince?”
Nanaās face turned pale. She knelt and lowered her head.
“Iām sorry.”
Sigh…
Count Orleans sighed heavily and stood up.
“Letās go to the room.”
“No, Iām really fine. But the Emperorā¦”
“Iāve heard about that too, so donāt worry. This is something only an adult like me should handle.”
His words made it sound like I should rely on him, which felt a bit strange.
“Why?”
“Huh?”
“Your expression doesnāt look good. Do you have a fever?”
Count Orleansās large hand covered my forehead. I flinched in surprise at the sudden touch from an adult.
“Oh, sorry. Did I startle you? You donāt have a fever, but just in case, donāt do anything today and rest properly. Iāll take care of it.”
His kind words made me feel uneasy. He reached out and ruffled my hair, then stood up.
“Letās go back for now.”
He extended his hand to me, as if to escort me.
“Oh, I can go alone…”
“Well, I was planning to visit Ruslan anyway, so letās go together.”
Honestly, the return journey with him felt like hell. Going back to a place where I would be taken care of was something new to me.
We finally reached my room in the Imperial Palace. Count Orleans had a servant bring hot water bottles and medicine for me.
“Take this and rest well.”
“Itās really not that bad.”
“Leaving it untreated will only cause more trouble later. You need to rest today.”
His words were firm, and before I knew it, I was guided by the maids to the bathroom. I quickly washed up and changed into a thick nightgown.
I was soon laid down in bed, the warmth from the hot water bottle making me feel comfortable.
Count Orleans handed me some water and medicine.
“Donāt worry about our issues, just rest.”
“Yes.”
He watched as I took the medicine and lay down with my eyes closed, then pulled up a chair and sat beside me.
“Arenāt you leaving?”
“Iāll wait until you fall asleep. Ruslan will probably still be asleep too.”
“No…”
“I can tell you donāt plan on resting, so Iāll keep an eye on you.”
“Iām not a kid.”
I accidentally blurted out, then quickly covered my mouth. It had become a habit to speak without thinking.
“Iām sorry.”
“Youāre a kid. To me, you and Ruslan are the same. So listen to me.”
He then pulled the blanket up to my chin and patted it.
“And thereās no need to apologize, so donāt worry.”
With that, he crossed his legs and began reading a book, acting like he wasnāt paying attention to me.
“Go ahead and sleep.”
Despite his gruff tone, I could sense that he was concerned about me. It felt strange that someone who barely knew me was so concerned.
I followed his advice and closed my eyes. Thanks to the medicine, I fell asleep more easily than usual.
A few days later, the doctor returned with the results for Count Orleans.
“Count, the incense is of a regular blend. Butā¦”
“But?”
The doctor hesitated, then squeezed his eyes shut before continuing.
“Thatās for adults. For a child like Prince Ruslan or Princess Melisa, it could be poisonous.”
Hearing this awful news, Count Orleans clenched his eyes shut in anger.
“How could this happen? We checked all the incense that was brought in!”
“It seems they used a method to add something later. If itās not burned, it doesnāt show its toxicity, so it likely passed the checks.”
“I see.”
With his lips set in a firm line, he knew he had to report this terrible situation to the Emperor.
The Emperorās face twisted in despair when he heard the news.
“Thereās no time for guilt. We need to resolve this before you leave.”
“Weāve already investigated all the maids. The nurse is the most likely suspect. We found herbs that could be used for poisoning in her room.”
“Take her immediately.”
Count Orleans left the room, knowing that anything he said now wouldnāt reach the Emperor.
Betty sat next to Ruslan, gently stroking his head.
When she first saw the young prince, she was certain she had been born to care for him.
She used all her resources to look after Ruslan.
āIām more of a mother to him than the Emperor.ā
While the woman used state affairs as an excuse to abandon her sick child, Ruslan trusted and followed Betty more.
Taking care of an ill child and indulging him wasnāt that difficult.
But the Emperor was a woman unlike anything Betty had expected.
The idea that someone else might be able to treat Ruslan and bring him back to health made her uneasy.
āI should have opposed it more back then.ā
Though she was grateful that Ruslan was healed, she felt it wasnāt enough.
She couldnāt accept that someone like Melisa was taking her place as the princeās consort.
āSheās taking my position.ā
Her growing anxiety made her more determined.
“Ruslan?”
Ruslan woke up at dawn and called for her.
She smiled brightly, as if waiting for this moment, and went over to him.
“Your Highness, how are you feeling?”
“Iām just okay.”
Seeing his pout made her smile unconsciously.
“Whereās Mother?”
“Oh, the Emperor is busy.”
“I see.”
Seeing him so down made her feel guilty.
The Emperor had been coming every day for the past few weeks, but Ruslan had only been sleeping.
But to get rid of that girl, Betty had to prove that the holy power wasnāt helping Ruslan.
“Betty, Iām hungry.”
“Wait here, Your Highness. Iāll bring you something to eat.”
She left, smiling brightly, but when she opened the door, unexpected people were waiting.
“Count Orleans? What are you doing here at this hour?”
It was Count Orleans with his soldiers.
Betty unknowingly stepped back.
“Take her.”
