33. Winning Over Berser

Larael freshened up and, pretending not to hear Sasha and Joanna’s endless nagging, drank her tea. She also sent Lillian to the Empress Dowager’s palace to convey her regards.

Perhaps because things weren’t going according to Herwen’s plan, Lillian seemed to have become almost unnecessary at the Empress Dowager’s palace. Larael was kindly reminding the Empress Dowager of Lillian’s presence.

Berser and Handelson were also adapting smoothly to Abella Palace.

At first, they were disappointed that they didn’t have to attend the knights’ morning and afternoon training sessions, but gradually, they came to appreciate it.

Larael’s kindness toward them also played a big part in their satisfaction. Whenever Larael went out of the palace, she allowed Berser and Handelson to purchase whatever supplies they needed.

Although Berser and Handelson were of noble birth, they weren’t wealthy. Thanks to Larael’s consideration, they could buy not only what they needed, but also supplies for their families.

Today was no different.

Berser didn’t want anyone to know, but his father was suffering from an incurable disease. Berser’s entire salary went toward his father’s medicine.

Larael learned of this when Handelson told her, after Berser had bought a large amount of supplies for his father, upon their return to the palace.

After hearing the story of Berser’s father’s illness, which he reluctantly shared, Larael spoke.

“That kind of illness? The medicine is so expensive—can you really afford it, Sir Berser? That’s truly unfortunate.”

Larael brought her fist to her mouth, deep in thought. Then she looked at Berser with a confident gaze.

“I’ll help you, Sir Berser.”

“What?”

Larael sent all the maids out of the bedroom except for Berser and Handelson. Once the maids had left, Larael spoke with conviction.

“Sir Berser, actually, I know of an herb that works wonders for that illness.”

Berser started laughing as if he’d lost his mind. He seemed to have even forgotten that Larael was the Empress Consort. Handelson, startled by his laughter, glanced at Larael and tried to cover Berser’s mouth.

“If you don’t believe me, that’s fine, but wouldn’t it be worth trying? And please, keep this a secret.”

Berser’s father’s illness was a disease that gradually paralyzed the body.

Later, an herbalist who was diagnosed with the same illness tried to commit s*icide by ingesting various poisonous herbs, but accidentally discovered a cure. The method of combining those poisonous herbs was widely reported in the newspapers. Larael remembered it because she had handled those herbs before.

Larael bit her lip.

Of course, she had no intention of taking credit for the discovery. All she wanted was to win the favor of Berser and Handelson.

“We’ve already tried everything else anyway.”

Berser acknowledged that Larael’s suggestion to give it a try made sense. Larael nodded at his answer and rose from the sofa. She went to her desk and wrote down the information she knew on a blank sheet of paper.

“You must both keep this a secret. If even a word of what we discuss here leaks out, you will be punished as if you failed to protect me.”

Larael spoke in a firm, low voice. Berser and Handelson swallowed nervously at her unusually strong tone.

“Yes. We understand.”

Larael handed Berser the paper with the names and combinations of the poisonous herbs. Berser frowned slightly and studied the paper she gave him.

“I’ll give you three days of leave, Sir Berser. Now, you’d better go. You don’t have time to waste.”

Berser looked back and forth between the paper and Larael, then bowed deeply and left the bedroom. Handelson watched Berser leave with envy. Larael, noticing the look in Handelson’s eyes, smiled and said,

“When Sir Berser returns, I’ll give you some time off too, Sir Handelson.”

“Your Highness, that’s not what I meant.”

Despite his large, muscular build, Handelson scratched his head shyly with a bashful smile.

Larael knew well that this sturdy, loyal man had no ulterior motives. The reason she had requested him as her escort knight was because, in the past, on the day Edward was poisoned, he was the one who had pointed a sword at Larael. She remembered the look in his eyes as he glared at her, as if he would kill her.

This time, Larael would only trust those who had stayed loyal to Edward until the very end.

“Sir Handelson, didn’t you say you have a younger sister?”

“I have a younger sister and a younger brother.”

“I’d like to meet your family someday.”

“Your Highness, you would honor my family… It would be an honor.”

Handelson was the son of a rural noble. His family had almost never set foot near the capital. If they were ever invited to the Imperial Palace, it would cause quite a stir.

Handelson smiled, imagining how his younger siblings would jump and shout if they were invited to the palace. He was grateful that Larael had even spoken such words.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Handelson bowed to Larael and left the bedroom.

Larael sat at her desk, resting her chin on her hand.

She opened the top right drawer and took out a blank invitation, spreading it open. She had been repeating this for several days already. Larael picked up her pen, wrote Ariella’s name, and then stopped.

Thinking of Ariella made her feel uneasy. She stopped writing the invitation, got up, and quietly watched the gardeners tending the garden through the open window.

‘There’s no need to write it right now.’

Larael returned to her desk and tore up the invitation without hesitation.

Although she didn’t show it, Larael was secretly waiting for news from Berser. She hoped what she had told him would work.

Berser was considered quite handsome among the Imperial Knights. But because of his father’s illness, his face was always filled with worry. Even in his mid-twenties, his dark and troubled expression made him look older.

However, when Berser returned to Abella Palace a day earlier than his leave was up, he was a changed man.

The worry that had clouded Berser’s face was gone, and his deep brown eyes, which matched his thick brown hair, now sparkled with vitality instead of concern.

Even the maids and servant girls of Abella Palace who had seen him before blushed and avoided his gaze, as if he were a different person.

Knock, knock.

When Larael gave permission, Berser entered the room with a bright smile.

“Greetings to Your Highness, the Empress Consort.”

“Her Highness hasn’t finished her hair yet.”

Lillian warned Berser.

“I apologize. I’ll come back later.”

“No, it’s fine. All of you, please step outside for a moment.”

Larael sent all the maids out of the room.

Once the maids had left, Berser knelt down on one knee.

“Your Highness, thank you. Truly, thank you.”

Berser’s eyes turned red, and tears welled up in them.

“Sir Berser. It worked, didn’t it?”

“Yes. Until now, nothing had ever worked, but what you told me… it worked. It’s all thanks to you, Your Highness.”

“Sir Berser, if it worked, that’s enough.”

“No. I will become your knight. This is my oath of loyalty to you, Your Highness.”

“Sir Berser, haven’t you already sworn loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor? Since I am a member of the Imperial Family, it’s the same as swearing to me.”

Larael helped Berser to his feet. Tears streamed down Berser’s face and wouldn’t stop. Larael handed him a handkerchief. Berser continued to cry until the handkerchief she gave him was soaked.