Archduchess Christina was arranging flowers.
She snipped off branches and trimmed stems before carefully placing them in a vase.
“Even flowers change their beauty depending on how they’re arranged. Don’t you think, Count Gaisa?”
“Who could rival Your Highness’s sense of aesthetics? Truly exquisite.”
Smiling gently as she stroked the flowers in the vase, she picked one and handed it to Count Gaisa.
“Please, take it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
With a smile still on her lips, Archduchess Christina gestured, and the head maid approached with a small box in hand.
“This will be useful when you travel to the Duchy of Cartellani. Take it.”
Count Gaisa bowed his head as he received the box.
“There’s a village on the way to the duchy. Stop by and refresh yourself. The item inside will be of great use.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If you handle this matter well, your merits will not be forgotten.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“I believe in you. Now, you may go.”
After bowing deeply, Count Gaisa left the archducal residence and returned to his own estate.
In his study, he opened the box Archduchess Christina had given him.
Inside was a small glass vial filled with a purple liquid.
Count Gaisa found the liquid highly suspicious.
“Hmm.”
As he put the vial down, he noticed a note attached to the box’s lid and read it.
“A plague will break out in the village…”
A sinister smile spread across Count Gaisa’s face.
If he could earn Archduchess Christina’s favor by succeeding in this mission, her trust in him would deepen—and his path to advancement would widen.
His eyes gleamed sharply as he stared out the window.
Lying in bed, Elia thought about Count Gaisa.
He was a man who would use any means to climb the social ladder.
In the past, he had used every dirty trick to torment the duchy.
‘Every time Count Gaisa was involved, the duchy suffered.’
Elia recalled the trouble he had caused.
“Wait a minute…”
There were two instances when Count Gaisa personally delivered food supplies.
“The first time…”
A sudden realization flashed through her mind.
“The first time, the food spoiled after resting in a village where a plague had broken out.”
Count Gaisa claimed the plague was the cause, but the truth was different.
“It was rotten from the start.”
This current supply delivery was ordered directly by the emperor. Even a figurehead emperor could act decisively when necessary.
‘The emperor knows the duchy is vital.’
While the noble council continued to obstruct and pressure the Duchy of Cartellani, they couldn’t deny its importance.
“He actually intended to send real support.”
So the supplies loaded onto the wagons were originally fine.
“They were swapped along the way.”
The spoiled food was what would be delivered, while the good supplies ended up bolstering the archducal household.
“That won’t do.”
Smirking, Elia immediately activated her communication orb and contacted Lapis using her magic, as instructed.
– What’s the matter?
“I need you to look into something.”
– What is it?
“Investigate the Memphis Trading Company.”
– Memphis?
“They supply food to the imperial household. They should have recently acquired a large amount. Find out where it went.”
– I don’t need to investigate.
“What do you mean?”
– We recently picked up intel that Memphis Trading Company is transporting a large shipment of food to the East.
“The East?”
– Yes.
Elia’s eyes widened like lanterns.
‘The East… That’s Archduchess Christina’s homeland. And there…’
“Hey, old man.”
– I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
“Your gut’s always spot on.”
– It’s what’s kept me alive.
“Let’s raid the supplies.”
– Pardon? Did I hear that right?
“You heard me.”
After a brief pause, Lapis asked:
– Why the sudden decision?
“Because those supplies were meant for our duchy.”
– But I heard Count Gaisa is delivering the supplies himself.
“You’re quick with information.”
Elia explained.
“The supplies he’s bringing are fake.”
– What?
“He stole the real food and is bringing the spoiled batch instead.”
– The World Tree’s intel is terrifying.
“So, are you in or not?”
– Does the Duke know?
“I’ll tell him.”
– All right. I’ll take care of it.
“Thanks, old man.”
After ending the call, Elia went straight to find Alexis the next morning.
She ran toward him as he emerged from his bedroom.
“Duke!”
“Elia.”
“Come on a quick inspection with me.”
“Inspection?”
“Yes. I think we should check on a village called Alfonso.”
“What’s going on?”
Elia used the World Tree as an excuse.
“The World Tree said Alfonso is in danger.”
“Alfonso?”
Alfonso was a logging village under the duchy’s jurisdiction.
Just then, Felix approached, visibly flustered.
“Duke, my lady…”
“What is it, Felix?”
“It’s Jasper. She’s very ill. Could you take a look?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll come too.”
“No, Duke. Please stay here.”
Elia looked intently at Felix.
“Uncle, did Jasper visit Alfonso recently?”
“Yes, just a few days ago.”
Elia’s eyes lit up as she turned to Alexis.
“Duke, please visit Alfonso. I think something serious is happening.”
“You believe Jasper’s illness is related?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. I’ll go at once.”
Nodding, Elia turned to Felix.
“Let’s go see her.”
Elia and Felix headed to Jasper’s home, located in the outer district.
Elia quickly examined her condition.
Blue spots had spread from her arm to her face. Her heart was beating, but just barely.
‘Her pulse is weak…’
Suddenly, Branch covered its nose.
[Ugh, the smell.]
Elia’s eyes glowed golden for a moment, then faded.
‘It’s a curse.’
This wasn’t a regular illness.
Someone had placed a curse on her.
Elia could see black mist swirling around Jasper’s body.
With a sigh, she grasped Jasper’s hands and looked at Branch.
‘Hey, Branch.’
[What?]
‘Help me out.’
[You only call when you need me.]
‘It’s a good deed.’
[I know. It’s my duty, too.]
The World Tree’s mission was to protect the world from corruption. And this evil energy was no exception.
Branch placed its hand on Elia’s.
The power of the World Tree flowed from Elia’s body and wrapped around Jasper.
Felix watched in awe as the golden light surrounded Jasper, his face filled with reverence.
When Elia opened her eyes, she saw Jasper’s complexion had improved. She sighed in relief.
Jasper groaned and slowly opened her eyes.
“L-Lady Elia?”
“Feeling better?”
“How…”
“You were cursed.”
“A curse?”
“Yeah.”
Jasper looked bewildered, then glanced at Elia with concern.
“You saved me, didn’t you?”
Elia stopped her from sitting up.
“Stay lying down. I lifted the curse, but you still need to rest.”
“…Are you all right, my lady?”
“This is nothing.”
Even as she shrugged it off, Jasper’s face didn’t ease.
“I really am fine. Trust me.”
“Thank you… truly.”
“Get some rest. I’m going to take a break, too. Uncle Felix, please look after her.”
“Of course. Thank you, my lady.”
Felix bowed deeply to Elia.
Elia smiled warmly as she watched the two embrace each other with love.
To have someone you love—it must be a wonderful thing.
She knew just by looking at Felix and Jasper.
She had always hoped for that kind of love, too, but had failed.
[Now’s a good time.]
‘Yeah.’
[Jealous?]
‘A little…’
[You’ll find it too, once your body grows.]
‘Thanks for the pep talk.’
Branch blinked slowly.
