Chapter 3

Late at night.

Alicia waited in her bedchamber for Rina.

‘It’s past the time she should have been back……’

Already well past midnight.

Knowing how secretively dealings with black market traders were conducted, worry came first.

Then, at that moment,

“Your Highness.”

Rina, returning from outside the castle, stepped carefully into the room. In her hands was a small, neatly wrapped box.

“I’m sorry. I was running around without a moment to breathe, and it’s only now that I’ve made it back.”

Rina’s voice was full of apology. Alicia shook her head and took the box.

“No. The fact that you came back safely is enough. You worked hard.”

Alicia opened the box and took out the Siren’s Flower, checking its condition right away.

She examined the number and size of the leaves, and the freshness of the roots, thoroughly.

‘Ten times more than last time. It will take longer to make the antidote, but that means I can produce something that much more effective.’

Alicia began carefully mixing the ingredients. Rina watched and spoke.

“Shall I help? It looks like you could use more hands.”

Alicia shook her head.

“Thank you, Rina. But this is something I have to do myself. You should rest.”

“Even so……”

“I really am fine.”

She nudged the hesitant Rina out and sent her on her way.

“Phew.”

Completely alone at last, Alicia steadied her breathing and finished her preparations.

She thought briefly of the other visitor who was supposed to come today.

“It seems he won’t be coming tonight.”

Grand Duke Evander, who had said he would visit her bedchamber every night, had sent no word at all.

He was unpredictable by nature.

And since visiting her chambers was entirely the Grand Duke’s choice, she had no grounds to ask why.

“Perhaps that’s a blessing……”

Alicia turned her focus back to making the antidote.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

The grand ducal residence was quiet as the night air settled in.

But Grand Duke Evander could not sleep easily.

It was because of the report Lieutenant Derick had just delivered.

The maid named Rina, who attends to the Grand Duchess’s quarters, returned to the castle a short while ago.

At this hour? What was she doing outside the castle?

She stopped by the Persephone Trading Company and purchased something, apparently.

Grand Duke Evander’s eyes narrowed.

The Persephone Trading Company.

Run by Count Jeffrey, it was one of the top three trading companies in the capital. But what concerned him most was,

‘Count Jeffrey is one of Helena’s closest associates.’

He funded Helena handsomely with the profits from running the large trading company, and in return she backed him, allowing him to rise steadily.

What kind of deal did Alicia make with the trading company?

Perfect trust was never possible between them to begin with.

He had to confirm it himself.

Grand Duke Evander headed toward the eastern annex where Alicia was staying.

The report had kept him quite late.

She’s probably already asleep.

But,

when he looked up, the light in Alicia’s bedchamber was still on.

What is she doing at this hour?

Unable to contain his growing suspicion, Evander carefully climbed onto the railing and peered through the gap in the window.

Inside the room, Alicia was sitting at a table, deeply absorbed in something. Small glass vials and herbs were spread across the table. She was so focused she did not even notice Evander’s gaze.

‘That’s…… the antidote.

Alicia was making the antidote for Grand Duke Evander.

Quick, careful hands.

The care of someone determined not to get even the smallest measurement wrong.

The maid’s outing, and why she had kept the light on so late, both made sense now.

She bought the ingredients for the antidote.

Exhaustion was plain on her face.

The process looked complicated and far from easy.

And yet the fact that she was going to such lengths for his sake unsettled something in him.

Then, at that moment,

“Ah!”

A small cry escaped her lips.

For all her care, the knife she had been using to mince the flower had caught her fingertip.

The blood that welled up stained the white cloth on the desk red.

Flinch.

Grand Duke Evander’s body lurched forward in an instant. He nearly crossed the window and stepped inside.

“……”

But he held himself back.

Because it was a pain he could not take in her place.

He slowly lowered the hand he had placed on the windowsill.

Deep in the night.

The uninvited shadow disappeared back into the darkness.

Swallowing a feeling he could not name.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

The next morning.

Alicia had produced a considerable amount of antidote over the course of a single night. The result of an all-night effort.

This should be enough.

It was a quantity that could last for several months.

After that, fortunately, the antidote would no longer be needed.

Helena’s side will realize the plan has gone wrong and look for another method.

She had already thought through the next step after that as well.

Phew. For now, today’s event comes first.

Outside the window, dawn was already breaking.

Without a wink of sleep, she had to prepare for the nuptial mass.

“Rina?”

Alicia stepped out of the bedchamber and called. There was no answer, so she looked around and found Rina dozing in a chair.

In her hands was the black dress Alicia was to wear. She had spent the night carefully mending it.

“Mm. Miss, you’re up already?”

Rina opened her eyes, belatedly sensing a presence.

She tried to smile, but the exhaustion hidden behind it was impossible to conceal.

“Wait, did you not sleep either?”

“It seems neither did you.”

Everything was ready, from the dress to all the preparations. Rina gave an awkward smile and checked the dress once more.

“It’s the first time you’ll be standing before the people. I couldn’t afford to be careless. Haaah.”

“You prepared all of this on your own. You’ve gone through so much on my account.”

“Gone through? They say additional maids will be assigned in a few days.”

Maids who should have been assigned right away.

It had taken far longer than expected.

“Though I hear the principality’s situation is difficult lately, so not many nobles are volunteering.”

The principality’s poor state was a fact.

Back-to-back poor harvests, and coal production had dropped recently too, so even the coming winter was a cause for worry.

But that was not the whole of it.

“More than that, it’s because there is nothing to be gained from me. Maids share their fate with the noble they serve.”

Alicia saw through the nobles’ true motives in an instant.

Even the maids of the Darlington domain, who had been with her for so long, had been reluctant to accompany her. The nobles of the capital were bound to feel it even more keenly.

It was proof of just how great Helena’s influence was within the principality.

“But don’t worry. It will be resolved soon. Before long, you’ll be able to see your siblings again.”

Her confident promise brought a smile to Rina’s face as well.

“Of course. But that’s not what matters right now.”

Rina guided Alicia to sit before the mirror.

“I told you, didn’t I? Today is the first time the beautiful Grand Duchess makes her official public appearance. And look at this. You need a good night’s sleep for makeup to sit properly……”

Rina began preparing with special care for Alicia.

“Now, today I’ll use a hairpin set with pearls. I think it will suit you beautifully.”

Rina spoke as she carefully placed a hairpin.

“There, take a look.”

At Rina’s words, Alicia looked into the mirror.

A delicately crafted pearl hairpin glittered in her silver hair. The dress that draped smoothly over her figure made her look all the more elegant.

“Ha, to look this beautiful even after an all-nighter. I really do envy you.”

A half-jealous, half-admiring remark escaped Rina’s lips.

A face that shone like spring sunlight.

Alicia, fully prepared, was that beautiful.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

An elaborately decorated carriage drawn by six horses.

Dressed in her ceremonial attire, Alicia made her way slowly toward the procession carriage.

Grand Duke Evander had already arrived and was waiting ahead of her. His eyebrows rose slightly at the sight of her.

“You look different from usual.”

A flat tone that gave no indication of whether it was a compliment or not. He extended his hand and led her forward.

Receiving Grand Duke Evander’s escort, she climbed slowly into the carriage. His expression was as cold as ever, but his touch was careful beyond measure.

The two of them boarded the carriage and began waving slowly to the people of the domain.

“Hooray!!!”

“Long live His Highness the Grand Duke!”

“Congratulations on your marriage!”

The cheers of the people filled the open square.

In that moment, a horse startled at the thunderous roar.

Jolt. The carriage lurched, and Alicia lost her balance.

Her body tipped backward. But something caught her waist quickly.

It was Grand Duke Evander.

“Careful.”