Chapter 25
I wanted to say I was fine, that I really didn’t need to leave. But like this, I didn’t look fine at all!
Of course they’re sensitive about things like this, with a patient already here.
I knew it would be troublesome to stay in this condition.
But still…
The scroll is still intact.
Even as I sneezed, I desperately checked the scroll. No matter how many times I looked, nothing had changed. The original story hadn’t even begun yet—it was still in the process of revisions.
Then what on earth is this?
If it wasn’t meant to harm Mother right now, then why couldn’t I stop coughing?
“There are certainly many enemies there. The problem is, you can’t completely weed them out.”
Suddenly, Father Harzen’s words to Father Derrick came back to me. Countless enemies, so many that it was impossible to completely root them out. Could one of them be here?
But still…
Even if they are an enemy, it doesn’t make sense to harbor murderous intent toward Mother in a situation like this. Unless… unless they were the one whose plan to assassinate the Empress had failed…
Wait a minute. That thought was terrifying.
“Ahm fine.”
I had to convince them I was fine, otherwise I’d be kicked out for sure. Pinching my nose shut, I forced myself to speak. For a moment, it almost worked—
“Ah-choo!”
No, it didn’t.
“Don’t be stubborn, Cici. Let’s step outside first.”
Mother firmly took my hand and led me out of the bedroom. I resisted with all the strength in my legs, but of course, I couldn’t match her strength.
Dragged, dragged, dragged… until we finally left the corridor.
“Phew…”
Only then could I catch my breath and calm down.
Does this mean that every time I sense someone who wants to harm Mother, I’ll keep sneezing like this? That’s a disaster…
“Should I call for a physician immediately? You don’t seem feverish, though.”
“I’m fine now, really. Look, I stopped coughing.”
Of course, the moment I went back in, it would start again. But more importantly—
“Mother, don’t you notice something strange about this?”
Strange, suspicious! How could sneezing come suddenly and then vanish just as suddenly? Surely she realized?
“Strange? About your health…?”
Mother only tilted her head, clearly having forgotten all about the sneezing powder.
No choice, then.
If I was going to use it on Mother and Father eventually, I would have to explain anyway. I’d just say it was something I brought from Father Kyle’s laboratory.
“Actually, the truth is—”
But just as I was about to explain, that voice echoed—the one I least wanted to hear right now.
“Oh? I didn’t expect to find you out here.”
I stiffened and turned my head, meeting eyes with Bertholt.
“…Hello.”
Not happy to meet you, sir. Would you kindly leave now?
“Brother.”
“I came running as soon as I heard Her Majesty had regained consciousness… but judging from this scene, perhaps now isn’t the best time to talk.”
Yes, exactly! You’re right. Please, keep going—with your back turned to us!
“Her Majesty has only just fallen asleep again. She hasn’t fully recovered yet…”
“Still, regaining consciousness is what matters. But tell me, why were you out here?”
At once, three pairs of eyes turned toward me, curious about what I’d been about to say.
But—
No! Not in front of this man!
If I said anything now, I’d be handing over my hidden card to the enemy himself. Absolutely not!
Wait. I can’t even tell Father Harzen directly about the sneezing powder. He might let it slip to Bertholt.
I quickly adjusted my plan, glancing apologetically at Father. Sorry, Dad. For now, this will stay just between Mother and me.
“What were you about to say, Cici? You mentioned something strange.”
Mother looked at me curiously. I scrambled to come up with something—anything.
“Uh… I was coughing, but no runny nose.”
Yes. That was my best excuse. I gave a sheepish smile.
“Perhaps the room was too dry…” Mother murmured.
Father, still frowning seriously, added:
“A sudden change in environment can cause sudden illness. I should at least take Cici for an examination.”
“Oh, would you? Then I’ll stay and care for Her Majesty a bit longer before joining you.”
“…What?”
Was she serious? Leaving Mother here with Bertholt—and with some unknown enemy lurking about?
That’s absolutely not okay!
“Dad, no.”
I shook my head urgently and grabbed at the nearest sleeve.
Naturally, it turned out to be Bertholt’s.
“I’ll go with Uncle.”
This way, Mother and Father would stay together, and I could drag Bertholt away from them at the same time. Perfect.
“Hmm?”
Bertholt raised a brow, intrigued by my unexpected choice, then chuckled low.
I clung tighter to his sleeve and forced a bright smile.
“Isn’t that fine, Uncle?”
“Of course it’s fine.”
“Brother.”
“Really, it’s no problem. After all, Mother isn’t in any state to talk yet. And truthfully—”
His blue eyes gleamed coldly in the moonlight as he smirked down at me.
“—I’ve been curious about this little girl myself.”
Well, the feeling’s mutual, you awful man.
“I’ll take her to the physician. You two, stay a while longer.”
He took my hand firmly, and I waved with the other to Mother and Father before following him.
We walked in silence for a while. By the time we reached the Empress Palace garden, night had fully fallen.
Suddenly, Bertholt spoke:
“Lately, this palace feels oddly unfamiliar to me.”
“So much has changed in such a short time.”
The moonlight caught in his eyes, making the deep blue shimmer strangely.
“I wonder… is all of this because of you?”
I swallowed hard, staring back. His words could just as easily mean all because of you as all thanks to you.
The chill running up my spine—was it from the night air, or from him? He was smiling at me, and yet…
I want to run.
Was I wrong to choose to stay alone with this man? What if I vanished without a trace tonight?
I kept glancing back toward where Mother was, as if to reassure myself.
“You seem to care for your mother very deeply.”
He studied me closely. I pouted and answered, firmly:
“Of course. She’s my mother.”
Stay strong, don’t back down. Be brave.
“I also heard you requested a laboratory from your father.”
He changed the subject abruptly.
“What did you make there?”
Why was he asking this?
“…Powder. Glittering, sparkling powder.”
“That’s all?”
End of Chapter 25
