HTNSA 78

Chapter 78

Peony quickly entered the passage.

Guided only by the lamp’s dim light, she walked the dark corridor for a while.

Soon, she caught up with Lorna.

“Her Highness is resting inside. Make sure she doesn’t leave while I’m out.”

“Yes.”

“She’ll probably fall asleep soon anyway, but if anything happens, report it immediately.”

“Yes, I’ll check on her when I come in to clean the tea set.”

Peony was relieved to find a small gap in the wall, allowing her to spy on them.

But Lorna’s expression was cold—completely different from how she looked when facing Peony.

A chill ran down Peony’s spine as she saw this unfamiliar side of her maid.

Holding her breath, she quietly resumed tailing Lorna.

Though it was broad daylight, Lorna moved cautiously.

She passed by the physicians’ quarters and headed toward a rarely used part of the palace.

As she walked, a smirk formed on her lips.

“Princess Peony probably has no idea why her doctor is staying somewhere so remote.”

Soon, guards came into view, standing alert.

Lorna approached them confidently.

“I’m Lorna, Princess Peony’s personal maid.”

At her words, the guards stepped aside.

Inside, Peony’s doctor, Sarah, was already waiting.

But beside her stood another man—middle-aged, with a broad forehead and round face that gave off a gentle impression.

It was Sir Dio, Prince Darian’s personal physician.

Brought directly from Marquis Rotang’s household—Empress Eliza’s family—he was once awarded for his medical achievements in the imperial palace.

On the surface, there was nothing strange about the scene.

Peony had been gravely ill, and physicians consulting one another was natural.

“No one followed you, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Any issues? Princess Peony is still taking the medicine regularly, I assume?”

“Well… actually, she’s recently been refusing it. Maybe it’s adolescence—she’s skipped many doses.”

“Hmm, that’s a problem. What’s her health condition like?”

Lorna glanced around, then whispered,

“…She’s getting healthier.”

Sir Dio tilted his head, clearly confused.

“I was hoping to speak with you about that. Her health has been steadily improving. Could it be due to the reduced dosage?”

“That’s impossible. The medicine’s formula is very special. Once its effects accumulate, they don’t dissipate easily. At best, skipping doses would only slow the deterioration. Lady Sarah, have you done anything differently?”

“N-No, I haven’t touched her treatment.”

Sir Dio nodded thoughtfully.

“Strange. The formula hasn’t changed either… Perhaps she’s developed a tolerance. I’ll review the composition.”

To anyone else, it would seem like a routine medical discussion.

But to Peony—listening silently behind the wall—it was shocking.

They were puzzled over why she was getting better.

They were discussing why the “medicine” wasn’t working as it used to.

If Eila hadn’t warned her that the treatment was actually poison, she never would’ve thought to spy.

If not for that, she would’ve innocently continued taking it—and likely met her end.

“…Foolish.”

Peony closed her eyes tightly and gathered her thoughts.

Darian’s personal doctor was involved.

That meant Darian himself might have ordered it.

“He always acted so kind…”

The betrayal hit her hard.

He had treated her like family—taking her outside in secret when they were children, giving her sweets after she took bitter medicine.

“Peony, if you’re ever sick or in pain, just tell me. I’ll always be there for you.”

That same gentle brother… was the one behind the poison.

All those cherished memories were now tainted.

“I want to believe this is a lie.”

She didn’t want to believe it. She couldn’t.

If it had been Christina or Adolf, she could have accepted it.

But not Darian. He was her favorite.

He had once filled the void left by her mother.

Tears welled up—but none fell.

If he had just told her honestly that he wanted the throne, she might have stepped aside and gone to a faraway land.

That thought ignited a quiet rage in her eyes.

She clenched her fists so tightly that veins bulged.

She could no longer be the naive girl she once was.

She would abandon all trust and sympathy for her family.

To make them pay, she would have to become colder.

Several days passed.

While Peony underwent her “checkup” and received new prescriptions, the dragon’s condition didn’t improve.

Its health was deteriorating, and the emperor finally decided something had to be done.

He made an announcement to his children:

“Try feeding the dragon and caring for it yourselves. Whoever helps it recover first will be recognized as its master.”

Peony hadn’t cared who became the dragon’s master.

But now, things had changed.

“If Darian becomes its master, I’ll never be able to oppose him.”

So despite her reluctance, she had to participate.

“I haven’t seen him since that dinner…”

The thought of facing Darian again was dreadful.

Now she knew he’d been poisoning her.

But she didn’t show it.

She understood that emotions were a weakness she couldn’t afford anymore.

Just as Darian had fooled her with kindness, she would now deceive him.

She remembered what Eila had told her before she returned to the palace:

“When you’re in the palace, always keep a calm expression. Don’t speak carelessly. Pause before you answer—always think carefully.”

It was oddly specific advice, as if Eila had been in Peony’s shoes before.

“She’s right. I’ll treat Darian like he treated me—completely unaffected.”

When she arrived, Darian greeted her with a warm smile.

“Peony, you don’t look well. Is it because you’re not used to being back at the palace?”

Thankfully, she managed to remain composed.

She paused—just like Eila had advised—then calmly replied.

“Yes, I haven’t been sleeping well.”

Adolf, the youngest, scoffed.

“Hmph, if the palace bothers you that much, you shouldn’t have come. Maybe life outside suits you better!”

Darian immediately rebuked him.

“Adolf, don’t be rude to Peony.”

“…Fine.”

Though he often teased her, Adolf quickly quieted down in front of Darian.

Even he knew Darian—despite his gentle appearance—was not someone to provoke.

Still, Adolf couldn’t hold his tongue for long.

Having grown up spoiled by Christina, he hated being second to anyone.

He crossed his arms and declared proudly,

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter! I already gave the divine beast some food—it’s going to pick me!”

Adolf was third in line for the throne.

But he was confident because he had inherited more of the dragon’s magical affinity than Darian had.