Chapter 2. The Grand Duke’s Apothecary

Walking through the imperial garden where tulips bloom beautifully, one encounters a luxurious hall adorned with white marble and gold.

The Golden Hall was a building designed for enjoying orchestra performances or operas by court musicians, typically opened according to Empress Marianne’s mood.

Empress Marianne, reclining on a couch, was appreciating the performance with her eyes closed.

Two hours had already passed.

Istad, standing like a punished child behind the Empress, suppressed his anger and pondered deeply.

‘D*mn it.’

Despite trying various methods to meet the Grand Duke, he received nothing but cold rejections and dismissals. No persuasion worked.

He wondered what tricks that apothecary who had taken his position had used to bewitch Kaisel.

‘Surely they couldn’t have actually treated the Grand Duke?’

If medicine that suppressed the curse truly existed, this wouldn’t end with merely incurring the Empress’s displeasure.

‘I need to confirm whether this medicine exists first.’

In the end, Istad had no choice but to seek Empress Marianne’s help.

To meet Kaisel, he absolutely needed the power of the imperial family.

As it happened, Grand Duke Kaisel was like a thorn in the eye of Empress Marianne, the Moon of the Empire.

Though the Emperor had Prince Felix as his legitimate heir, he still hadn’t been proclaimed Crown Prince despite reaching adulthood.

Thus, Felix ranked below Kaisel in the imperial succession.

The Empress was anxious about the possibility of Kaisel meeting his companion and having his curse lifted.

Due to Kaisel’s extraordinary magical abilities and the symbolism of the dragon, there was a high possibility he would become the ruler of the imperial throne.

But the Empress, not knowing the identity of his companion, could only grow more impatient.

Ultimately, she would want to discover his every move and control him within her grasp.

‘The Empress also needs me to track the Grand Duke’s movements.’

Though he appeared bored with worldly affairs, Kaisel was a man with the powerful strength of a dragon.

One never knew when he might strike, watching leisurely before biting the neck and cutting off the breath.

The Empress knew this too, which was why she couldn’t act rashly.

So if she truly considered him a discarded card, she wouldn’t have made him stand in punishment or given him her time.

Istad bit his lip and endured.

At last, the soloist’s aria came to an end.

The Empress, satisfied with the performance, gestured, and the court musicians quickly moved to the back of the hall.

With all sound gone, only a chilly atmosphere lingered as if the place were empty.

Finally, the Empress’s gaze turned to Istad. He hurriedly bowed with proper etiquette.

“I greet the noble Moon of the Clanes Empire.”

“Welcome.”

Hearing her sharp voice, he hastily brought out a gift to pique her interest.

“…This is.”

Curiosity settled in the Empress’s wrinkled eyes. Relieved, Istad cleared his throat and answered.

“It’s Mona wine. Being difficult to obtain, I thought it right to present it to its true owner, Your Majesty the Empress.”

This wine made from Mona grapes was so rare that less than five bottles were produced in the Empire each year.

Its price was astronomical—one bottle cost enough to buy a mansion in the center of the capital, and its value kept increasing.

Istad had disposed of half his private assets to win the Empress’s favor. Though the loss was severe, it was the only way to properly gain an audience with her.

‘I can make it up once I’m reinstated as the Grand Duke’s physician.’

The Empress licked her lips and gestured, prompting a maid to quickly move and pour the wine.

As the rich fruity aroma of cherries, strawberries, and plums wafted through the air, everyone present swallowed hard.

“Ooh.”

The Empress’s expression softened considerably after tasting the deep flavor. Seizing the opportunity, Istad hastily broached the main topic.

“Your Majesty the Empress, please help me. The Grand Duke has suddenly dismissed me. If I remain distant from him, I won’t be able to properly monitor his activities.”

Empress Marianne, who had been moistening her lips with an enraptured expression, slowly opened her mouth.

“Baron, I’m afraid I cannot intervene in the Grand Duke’s affairs because of the Emperor’s protection.”

“But, Your Majesty.”

The Empress twirled her wine glass and smiled benevolently.

“That doesn’t mean there’s no way.”

“Pardon?”

“The Tower Master will be coming to the imperial palace soon.”

“You mean Marquis Vyntert?”

The Empress’s brown eyes gleamed sharply at the surprised Istad.

Though the letter might have contained a plausible excuse, the Tower Master wouldn’t come to the capital without reason.

The Marquis, who disliked the imperial palace, likely had his main purpose elsewhere—the grand ducal residence, meaning a meeting with Kaisel.

The Empress’s mood soured at the thought of these vermin conspiring together.

“When the Marquis leaves the imperial palace for the grand ducal residence, I plan to persuade His Majesty to recommend you as the Marquis’s physician.”

“…Will the Marquis accept?”

Tsk. The Empress clicked her tongue softly and gave him a cold look.

“He’s just a senile old man now. If there’s no illness, can’t one be created?”

The Empress whispered in Istad’s ear. He bowed deeply with the corners of his mouth turned up.

“Indeed! Your Majesty the Empress’s insight is exceptional. I will follow unconditionally.”

“Since I’ve received such a fine wine as a gift, I’d like to hear one more piece.”

Empress Marianne rolled her wine glass with an elegant smile.

“What piece would be good? Ah, I think a requiem would be fitting.”

“A truly wise choice, Your Majesty.”

As the dark red wine in the glass swirled like a dragon’s blood, the corners of the Empress’s mouth rose with satisfaction.

❀❀❀

A few days later.

On a hot afternoon, an unfamiliar visitor came to Cynthia’s cottage.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Baron Victor Cannon, the Grand Duke’s aide.”

“Nice to meet you, Baron.”

Cynthia greeted Victor awkwardly. He was a large man with gray long hair tied back, making the cottage feel small.

Pushing up his round glasses, he gazed at her observantly.

“I’ve completed all the tasks instructed by my lord. All the herbs from the Blewitt family have been purchased through the Pressa Guild and are currently stored in the warehouse.”

Thanks to the capable aide, the herb issue was successfully resolved. Cynthia handed over a paper she had prepared in advance.

“I’ve written down the neutralizing agent for the petrification and the herbs I need. After spraying the neutralizer on the herbs, they’ll return to normal in about an hour.”

“How fascinating. Oh, don’t worry about the condition of the herbs. The guild warehouse has magic stones that maintain freshness.”

“That’s a relief. Please sell all the herbs at market price except for those I’ve listed.”

Hmm, Victor scratched his chin and couldn’t resist asking out of curiosity.

“Miss Cynthia.”

“Yes?”

“Why not sell these hard-earned herbs at a premium?”

Victor couldn’t understand Cynthia’s actions.

If rumors spread that the Blewitt family’s herbs had been discarded, prices would soar, and selling then would generate more profit.

“There’s no special reason. However, the Blewitt family owns a massive herb trading guild. If rumors spread that the herbs intended for sale are diseased, the supply would decrease and herb prices would skyrocket.”

Cynthia chose her words carefully.

In fact, Viscount Blewitt had inflated sales by raising prices several times, using poor harvests as an excuse.

“Unlike nobles, the imperial citizens find it difficult to access physicians or temples. So they nurture their illnesses and die. Since herbs are connected to life, I believe their prices shouldn’t surge.”

“…I see.”

Victor’s eyes, which had been filled with suspicion, softened somewhat.

As he had sensed in the carriage, she truly was an apothecary with a kind heart.

Victor firmly believed that what an aide needed most was outstanding insight and the ability to discover talent to assist his lord.

Not only did she possess the remarkable knowledge to petrify herbs in emergency situations, but she also suggested a method of buying them with money.

Additionally, she had a belief in caring for commoners, not just nobles, and a thorough business attitude toward guild transactions.

In that sense, he had an intuition that Cynthia could become a good colleague.

Perhaps thanks to her, even Kaisel’s thinking might change a little?

‘I’ve gone too far.’

Victor shook his head with a bitter face.

“I’ll complete the requested tasks soon and report back to you.”

“Thank you.”

A bright smile appeared on Cynthia’s face. Victor gave a slight nod and left the cottage.

“Nice weather.”

He created a shade with his hand as he looked at the fresh herbs and the blazing sun.

It was a tranquil scene that didn’t match the grand ducal residence, which was usually filled with coldness.

Feeling strangely at ease, Victor moved his steps slowly, thinking he could handle even more work than before.

❀❀❀

The bluish moonlight streaming through the window illuminated a handsome man.

Kaisel, with his arms leisurely folded, gazed at the imperial palace and let out a snicker.

“My sister-in-law has been using her brain, I see.”

The letter bearing the Emperor’s seal was full of concerned worry about his health.

Kaisel put down the letter carelessly.

“So my former physician will be accompanying the Tower Master.”