Chapter 10
Edwin already knew what Evangeline looked like from her portrait.
As soon as he saw her, he immediately bowed his head in respect.
“Your Highness, the Star of the Apollonia Empire, the Princess.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Evangeline smiled gently and sat down on the sofa.
But unlike her smile, her complexion looked somewhat unwell.
‘Is she feeling unwell somehow?’
Edwin tilted his head, waiting for her to speak.
In a weak, barely audible voice, Evangeline said,
“You’re the new imperial physician, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Your name is Edwin, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
It was such a simple, ordinary name.
Because her mother was a commoner, Evangeline ironically looked down even more on commoners and treated them with disdain. Of course, she never showed it outwardly, only in her heart.
Edwin’s background was utterly lowly.
She didn’t even want to face him like this.
She couldn’t understand why Selenia had brought such a commoner into the palace.
No matter how half of her blood was commoner’s, the other half was noble royal blood, unmatched in dignity.
Making such a person a palace physician, responsible for the health of the royal family, was laughable.
Yet, a few days ago, a message from Luciel mentioned using him.
If he was just a tool to satisfy her own desires, she could face him without problem.
Evangeline put on a worried expression and slightly bowed her head.
“I came because I have something to say.”
“Something to say…?”
“It’s about my younger sister, Selenia’s scar.”
Edwin’s eyes clearly trembled.
He also couldn’t meet Evangeline’s eyes and lowered his face.
It was obvious he came worried, as someone who would become Selenia’s brother-in-law.
Seeing his expression, Evangeline’s mouth twitched.
If she hadn’t pressed her lips tightly, a sneer might have escaped.
He truly seemed to care deeply for Selenia.
How laughable that love was.
‘A commoner, yet branded by the crown princess. How arrogant.’
Evangeline hid her true expression with a very composed attitude.
But Edwin sensed something strange and shrugged his shoulders.
For some reason, there was contempt toward him in her eyes.
But he soon shook his head as if thinking his thoughts had gone too far.
There was no way the princess he met today would harbor negative feelings toward him.
Edwin answered with a heavy voice.
“Yes…”
“Please be honest.”
Evangeline asked with pure, clear eyes.
“How is my sister’s condition?”
Of course, Evangeline already knew how severe the poison inside the scar was because her aides had asked Angelin, the priestess.
But she wanted to show him in person how much she cared for Selenia.
To make him fully trust her.
“Haven’t you heard?”
“Selenia doesn’t tell me anything about her scar.”
Evangeline’s golden eyelashes trembled mournfully.
“Maybe she doesn’t say because she doesn’t want me to worry.”
A single tear fell from her eye.
Evangeline took out a handkerchief with trembling hands.
“The one who should be worried is herself…”
Eventually, she burst into sobs.
Wiping her eyes with the handkerchief, she continued.
“She always tries to bear everything by herself.”
Edwin looked at her with pity.
He also had a younger sister.
Who among siblings would want to see their sibling suffer?
Edwin dismissed the royal family members as peaceful rural family members.
That might one day become his greatest poison.
“Please don’t cry, Your Highness. Of course…”
Edwin barely spoke.
It was painfully difficult to admit that the life of the crown princess was running out.
“The poison in the Crown Princess’s scar is very… serious…”
“Is that true? How serious exactly?”
Evangeline put on a disgustingly fake act.
Unaware it was just an act, Edwin answered seriously.
“…She won’t last beyond three months…”
He choked and couldn’t finish the sentence.
But before Selenia’s sister, he couldn’t show a pathetic side, so Edwin suppressed his sadness as best he could.
“Three… months…?”
Evangeline’s eyes widened at the specific number.
Even Angelin, the palace priestess, hadn’t been able to find out such a precise time.
She was said to be a doctor using divine power; she must be quite skilled.
Evangeline blinked as if pretending to be shocked and fell into thought.
Three months would be after the emperor’s coronation ceremony.
If Selenia were to receive the goddess’s blessing at the ceremony, all the poison in her scar would disappear.
Such a thing must never happen.
Luciel’s plan had to succeed no matter what.
Besides, his plan was very interesting. It was a way to completely break Selenia.
Evangeline started sobbing, even sniffling.
Seeing a woman cry like this was a first for Edwin, who awkwardly didn’t know what to do and brought her a glass of cold water.
She stared at the water he brought.
She didn’t want to drink water given by a commoner.
Evangeline didn’t touch the glass, swallowed hard, then took a deep breath without him noticing.
In a very desperate voice, she pleaded,
“Please, please save Selenia…!”
“I intend to, Your Highness. So please stop crying…”
‘How stupid.’
Suppressing a sneer that was about to burst out, Evangeline sighed to compose herself.
‘It’s time to set the trap.’
Her lips curled up in a vile smile.
As if an idea had come to her, she opened her eyes wide and spoke.
“Ah…”
“Yes?”
“Have you ever heard of the ‘Fruit of Life’?”
“Fruit of Life?”
Edwin tilted his head.
He had boasted he had read every medical book, but he had never heard of the Fruit of Life.
“I heard about it at a tea party recently. It’s said to be a newly discovered plant… They say it can cure any disease… I thought you’d know since you’re a capable doctor.”
Evangeline’s words made Edwin’s eyes sparkle.
It was probably just a rumor, but he had to grasp at anything.
He wanted to believe even a superstition.
He desperately wanted to save Selenia.
Edwin suddenly stood up and shouted,
“Where does this plant grow?!”
Startled by his sudden outburst, Evangeline frowned slightly.
But she quickly composed her face and said,
“Well… I don’t really know… Ah, but I know someone who knows about it.”
“Could you introduce me to that person? I want to hear more.”
“Of course.”
Evangeline elegantly fanned herself and stood up.
“I will order them to come here.”
“Thank you so much, Your Highness!”
Edwin smiled genuinely, delighted.
Even the smallest clue was welcome. It could be the way to save Selenia.
Evangeline smiled faintly at him and leisurely left the room.
Unaware of the bitter smile on her face, Edwin watched her back with hope shining in his eyes.
He would never know. No, he surely wouldn’t even after death.
That this event would become a grave matter that would haunt him even after death.
“…I must go to Her Highness.”
Edwin slapped his own cheek a few times to regain his composure.
Trying to save her was important, but maintaining his relationship with Selenia was also crucial.
He couldn’t just stay still and let misunderstandings grow.
He opened the door and headed to the Crown Princess’s palace.
The palace where Edwin worked was quite far from the Crown Princess’s residence.
‘Her Highness walked this path every day…’
He felt sorry for having been so indifferent to her.
He loved Selenia more than anything in the world.
If the medicine to save her was his own heart, he’d gladly give it.
‘Is this what branding means?’
He laughed at himself for being so madly drawn to her.
Yes, his thinking was wrong.
No matter how much it was for her, Selenia must come first.
He deeply regretted sending her off earlier like that.
Edwin quickened his pace.
Soon, he reached the Crown Princess’s palace.
The palace gate was guarded by the knight captain, Michael.
Still limping from wounds inflicted by a vampire, Michael was restless with guilt for failing to protect Selenia.
“Who goes there?”
At the sight of a stranger, Michael growled fiercely like a loyal dog.
Edwin rummaged through his jacket and showed the palace physician’s badge he received upon entering.
Michael’s face stiffened coldly at the sight.
There was a strange hostility from him.
Michael’s sword seemed to radiate murderous intent.
Edwin’s shoulder twitched at that threatening presence.
“So you’re the famous new palace physician.”
Rumors that Selenia didn’t just bring him in because of skill had already spread in the palace.
Of course, the source of the rumors was Evangeline.
Even the most precious pearl would be tarnished if dirt stuck to it, and the image of the noble crown princess would surely be broken.
Because of that, some whispered how could the crown princess love a commoner like him.
Edwin knew those rumors, having heard the maids endlessly gossip about him.
His expression darkened momentarily, but he soon closed his eyes and smiled.
“Famous… I’m just an ordinary…”
“Sorry, but you’d better not get your hopes up too much.”
But Michael cut him off sharply.
He brought his mouth close to Edwin’s ear.
“A commoner can never be the emperor’s consort.”
He sneered cruelly and continued.
“At best, you’d be a concubine, watching enviously as the consort is chosen.”
Feeling petty and miserable himself, Edwin had no choice.
Selenia was a perfect person above all.
If anyone dared to scar that perfection, Michael was ready to cut them down mercilessly.
But Edwin didn’t waver at all.
Though afraid of the sword in Michael’s hand, this was not the time to back down.
Even if he were cut by the sword here.
Edwin stared at Michael like an unshakable tree, steady and firm.
Then he spoke.
“I don’t care.”
“What?”
“Consort, concubine, or just palace physician… I will accept the position the emperor gives me.”
Michael was the one who wavered at those words.
Edwin continued unfazed.
“That’s the only way I can show my loyalty to His Highness.”
He smiled brightly with a pure face that showed no greed.
