68. Please Investigate the Krauf Disease

Not long after leaving the palace, the carriage slowed and came to a stop. When it halted, Larael glanced around and looked out the window.

“You managed to find a building this close to the palace in the city center? The rent must be expensive, and it couldn’t have been easy to secure…”

Larael was the mistress of Abella Palace. With the money she had at her disposal, she could have bought any place she wanted, but there were some things that money simply couldn’t buy.

“It was the best location among the properties Count Winters had found. And the owner of this building is Count Winters himself.”

Larael felt as if she owed Count Winters a debt. She had asked him to find a building, but now it felt less like a request and more like she had forcibly taken his property.

“I should thank Count Winters personally.”

The building had three floors. Once everyone except for Berser and Handelson, who stayed behind to keep watch, entered, a spacious hall was revealed. To the right of the central hall was an open area used as an office and a reception room for guests, while the left side housed the kitchen and dining room.

On the second floor, several rooms faced each other across a corridor. Kali planned to use one as her bedroom, and another was prepared for Larael to rest in should she ever visit. The remaining spaces were currently empty.

“When I was at the Layton barony, I had a maid. She was dismissed from the barony when I left for the convent, but she’s very diligent. May I hire her?”

Kali asked carefully. After all, someone was needed to manage and clean the building on a daily basis.

“I’ve entrusted all hiring decisions to you, Kali, so do as you see fit.”

Larael replied as she ran her hand over the desks in the office.

Sasha and Joanna went to look around the kitchen, giggling and chatting together. Left in the office, Kali and Larael sat across from each other at the meeting table.

Kali kept glancing toward the kitchen, where Sasha and Joanna’s laughter could be heard, perhaps bothered by the open layout from the main hall to the kitchen. Seeing this, Larael smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

“Sasha and Joanna are my maids from my family home. We’re very close, so it’s fine. But please be careful what you say around Lillian and Kara.”

“Yes, understood.”

The information Lillian passed to the Empress Dowager seemed to be of little value, but since she was sent from the Dowager’s side, Larael still kept her guard up. The same went for Kara.

As long as she had Sasha and Joanna, Larael felt no need to make an effort with the others.

Kali took out the paper Larael had given her and spread it out on the table.

– Krauf Disease
Main symptoms: Begins with a mild cough, then progresses to high fever and severe difficulty breathing
Outbreak region: Northern Kalia
Treatment: Drink tea made from dried leaves of the Gotunia tree, native to Kalia.
(Only alleviates symptoms; not a complete cure)
Special note: Meet Dr. Hobbs in Mendel, Kalia region.

“I’ll search through all the literature for information on Krauf disease, then plan to visit the Kalia region myself.”

“Meeting Dr. Hobbs is the most important thing. We must get our hands on the treatment he developed for Krauf disease.”

Larael bit her lip hard.

She recalled how Herwen had used Krauf disease in her previous life before returning.

When the epidemic, which had started in Kalia, spread like wildfire across the Kazel Empire, Larael lost her parents.

Upon hearing of the count and countess’s deaths, Larael was half out of her mind and tried to go to the Hedway estate, but leaving the palace was strictly forbidden.

This was to prevent the disease from spreading inside the palace, but Larael, consumed by grief, was not thinking clearly.

She had gone to Edward, who had done nothing wrong, and screamed at him to save her parents, making a scene.

She remembered the expressionless look Edward had given her then, and it still felt like a thorn in her heart.

Larael shut herself in her bedroom for days, not moving at all. One day, Herwen came to her, his face ashen.

“Lara, I found a cure. Give it to your parents quickly.”

Hearing those words, Larael broke down in tears. Though it was already too late, Herwen was still her savior.

It was said that someone had found the cure, made by a doctor named Hobbs who had already died from a chronic illness, among his belongings. Larael had believed that obvious lie without suspicion, and Herwen must have laughed inwardly at her naivety.

But she now knew Herwen had thoroughly exploited the epidemic. Thanks to the cure, Herwen had become almost a divine figure within the Kazel Empire.

***

Larael left the office. She considered stopping by the Marquis Argen’s residence, but a sudden visit didn’t seem proper.

“Your Highness, if we go just a bit further, there’s that antique shop you said you wanted to visit last time. Would you like to go?”

Noticing Larael deep in thought and not getting into the carriage, Joanna quickly read her mood and asked.

“Yes, the weather’s too nice to just go back.”

Larael nodded. Joanna led the way. As she followed, Larael glanced at Berser and Handelson, who were scanning the surroundings attentively.

Since returning from the summer palace, they seemed even more overprotective.

“Joanna, how do you remember directions so well? You didn’t even grow up in the capital.”

“I’m strangely good at remembering roads. Everything else I forget quickly, though.”

When Joanna changed direction without hesitation, Larael looked at her in amazement.

It was still the height of summer, so the streets were relatively empty. Handelson, who sweated a lot, groaned. Berser scolded him for making noise, and the two bickered.

“Joanna, maybe I wasn’t thinking straight. Should we just go back to the carriage?”

Larael fanned herself repeatedly. She usually hardly ever sweated. Joanna looked back with a puzzled expression, then nodded in understanding when she saw Handelson drenched in sweat behind her.

“Your Highness, is it because of Sir Handelson?”

Joanna asked directly, and Handelson waved his hand.

“If it’s because of me, please don’t worry. I’m really fine.”

Larael looked between Handelson and Joanna.

“Then Sir Berser can stay, and Handelson, you go back and rest at the building with Kali.”

“What? I’m really fine.”

Handelson protested, but he was so soaked in sweat that it was pitiful. He refused several times, but in the end, he had to give in and returned to the building with Kali.

Berser shook his head as he watched him go. Seeing this, Larael smiled slightly and asked,

“Sir Berser, is your father recovering well these days?”

“Yes, of course. He’s getting better every day. It’s all thanks to Your Highness. My father said that when he’s fully recovered, he’ll come and thank you in person. He’s grateful to you every single day.”

“I’m glad. I’d love to invite you both to a meal once he’s well.”

Berser grinned and scratched his head. Larael quickly turned away, feeling a tightness in her chest at the sight of his smile.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”

Joanna stopped in front of the antique shop on the street.

Just as they were about to enter, a loud noise made them stop.

“Let go of me! I said, let go!!”

Larael searched for the source of the voice.

Four men were dragging along a boy who looked about sixteen. The boy was struggling, desperately trying not to be taken away.

Compared to the burly men, the boy looked small and frail. He resisted as much as he could, but there was no way he could overpower four grown men.

“Your Highness, I think it’s best if we just leave.”

Seeing Larael frown and watch the scene, Sasha spoke in a worried voice. This time, Joanna added her support.

“Your Highness, you haven’t fully recovered since returning from the summer palace.”

Larael let their words go in one ear and out the other, and, as if drawn by some force, walked toward the commotion.