Like clouds drifting effortlessly on the breeze, it was hard to resist the natural flow.

“I’ve personally arranged your accommodations. Please stay here for a few days, share stories of the Empire, and check on my condition once more. I will ensure you are properly compensated.”

This was the true purpose behind the hasty invitation. It seemed the shock of fainting had made them want to keep me close for a while. I understood their feelings, so I had no choice but to follow her lead. To be honest, as a healer, I had a soft spot for patients’ requests.

The time at the Marquis’s residence was so peaceful it bordered on boring. Every meal was prepared with such care that I hardly noticed any difference from staying at the royal palace. The Marchioness not only joined every meal but also sought me out during afternoon tea, hinting that she wanted a check-up. Understanding this as typical anxiety from someone who had been seriously ill, I readily examined her.

On the afternoon of the third day at the Marquis’s residence, I frequently recalled my mentor’s teaching that a healer should not be dragged around by patients. My plans to head to D’Agnon were being delayed, so I finally spoke up.

“Madam, your treatment has gone well. As long as you eat properly, you won’t fall ill or faint again. So, I’ll conclude your check-ups today. If it becomes a habit for me to check on you daily, your anxiety will only increase once I leave the mansion.”

Sitting side by side on the low sofa, I gently placed her hands down and spoke calmly, as if soothing her. She looked down slightly, as if afraid.

“Then… could you at least stay until the day you leave?”

“There’s really no need for that. Trust me, Madam.”

“…Yes, I understand. It’s been shameless of me to keep asking you.”

Her frail voice and still-recovering, thin face inevitably stirred my sympathy. It made me feel like I was some sort of villain. But I couldn’t give in to such feelings. I steeled myself once more.

“Not at all. I’m just saying this because I genuinely hope you can shake off your fears soon.”

“I’ll try. But you’ll still join me for tea time, right? Who knows when I’ll get to hear stories of your homeland again?”

“I’d love to, but I need to return to the palace now. My schedule has been delayed too much.”

If it weren’t for the Marchioness’s request, I wouldn’t have stayed here for days. However, instead of agreeing, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh my, I’ve invited merchants for you, healer. They’ll be here soon. You must see them before you go!”

“Merchants?”

“Yes, a tailor, a jeweler, and even a tea maker are coming. It’s been ages since I called them. It’s all for you, healer. Please come down to the first-floor salon in ten minutes.”

Caught off guard, I nodded, and she left with a bright smile.

That was just the beginning.

The merchants arrived with an endless array of goods until just before dinner. Unable to constantly refuse the Marchioness’s recommendations and suggestions, I began to reciprocate her kindness. Eventually, I couldn’t even remember which items I had chosen. It seemed impossible to move to D’Agnon on my own. By the time I concluded I needed to call for a carriage, I was being led to the dining room by the Marchioness.

Faced with the lavishly set table, I found it impossible to voice my intention to return to the palace. After the meal, the Marchioness refused to let me leave, citing the dangers of traveling in the dark.

Similar incidents kept happening. Whenever I tried to mention that I needed to leave, she would invariably lead me somewhere else.

Suddenly, she would show me the mansion’s treasures, reveal a secret library, or ask for help with gardening. When she was quiet, a few employees would suddenly fall ill or get injured. Naturally, treating them was the next step.

Amid these small tasks, there were elaborate meals that were hard to refuse, laid out with great care.

Eventually, I somewhat resigned myself to the situation and requested a carriage to go to the city center instead of the palace. It was partly to explore and partly to gather ingredients for making a stamina-enhancing potion. However, Marge, who was in charge of attending to me, fussed and stopped me.

“That absolutely won’t do! There’s a madman roaming around the city center right now. They say he appears out of nowhere and attacks people, and they haven’t caught him yet. It’s too dangerous, so please stay inside the mansion. If you write down what you need, I’ll ask the knights to get it for you.”

It was an awkward and strange reason, no matter who heard it. In any capital, trained knights patrol the streets. Even if Marge’s words were true, it didn’t seem like a big issue to send the mansion’s knights or accompany me in the carriage. However, before I could argue, Marge excused herself, saying she forgot to change the water for the flowers, and left with a vase.

I was now certain that the unease I had been feeling for days was not just in my head.

There was no violence or force, but I was clearly being detained by the Marquis and his wife.

***

Lanette, who was always impeccable in his work, quickly submitted his report. There were several points in the content that irritated Leopold, making his head ache from trying to suppress his annoyance.

“The Duke said he would welcome you at any time, but he looked quite troubled.”

“Because of Aaron Rumatera, I presume.”

“Yes, indeed. Apparently, the Marquis was about to hold a successor appointment ceremony. In such a situation, our lady found and brought the prince, so he’s probably worried about how to pass on the throne to his son. It seems that, despite having built a good reputation, the Marquis doesn’t have enough justification to simply hand it over to his son.”

“There have been quite a few cases in the duchy where a collateral line became king.”

He frowned deeper, muttering as he stroked his chin.

“But if they found the prince, they should be enemies. Yet they claim to ‘protect’ Hazel… What a joke. With such an obvious trick? What excuse did they use to take Hazel?”

“At the party welcoming the prince’s return, the Marquis’s wife collapsed, and our lady healed her. The Marquis invited her to express his gratitude.”

For Aaron, it was a plausible excuse. The real problem was that it was too obvious to Leopold that Aaron intended to exploit the benefactor of his rival.

Moreover, his wife was someone with a strong sense of duty and was not one to easily refuse the kindness of patients. Letters from her academy days, where Isabel often scolded her for this, flashed through his mind.

“…Did she look healthy?”

“Yes, indeed. I even saw her smiling during a walk.”

Fortunately, the Marquis didn’t seem entirely foolish. If she was comfortable enough to smile while walking, it meant Hazel was being well taken care of without any discomfort.

Leopold was merely curious. Why was she smiling? Had she heard an amusing story or seen something cute? Or was it because he wasn’t there?

The headache was growing more intense.

“What will you do now? We can’t keep the troops stationed here indefinitely.”

It wasn’t a difficult decision. Regardless, Aaron had essentially taken Hazel as a hostage. How dare he.

“We’ve gathered enough evidence. I must meet the Duke directly. I will personally ensure the Marquis understands the consequences of trying to use me.”

This time, the Marquis would never ascend to the throne.

***

Claiming I felt a bit under the weather, I declined meals and spent the entire day in my room, pondering how to leave the mansion. However, I hadn’t fully grasped the layout or geography, and the only route I knew was the main entrance, making it impossible to devise an escape plan. I considered sending a letter to Raphael, but it seemed unlikely to be delivered properly.

Hoping to find some clue, I headed to the library alone late at night. If I was lucky, I might discover a less-traveled path through books documenting the mansion’s history or blueprints. Perhaps a secret passage like the one in the Lawrence mansion.

The mansion, shrouded in darkness, was silent. I moved quietly, silencing even my footsteps and breathing, as I made my way to the first floor. The library was at the end of the hallway.

Expecting no one to be there since the moon was already high, I was surprised to hear voices coming through a slightly ajar door. The only person likely to be in the library at this hour was the Marquis Aaron, but it was a woman’s voice I heard first.

“So, the plan is perfectly prepared?”

The once-kind voice of the Marquis’s wife now carried a chill.

“Of course. Raphael seems to be living like a complete libertine. According to Philip, he isn’t even diligently attending successor lessons.”

Startled by the familiar name, I quickly covered my mouth. Fortunately, the voices continued without pause.

“Is it because he lacks ambition?”

“No. He probably assumes he’ll naturally inherit the throne. Foolish guy. Tsk.”

“That’s enough justification. Honey, you’ve worked hard.”

“You’ve worked hard too. Just wait one more week. I’ll soon have you seated as queen.”

The conversation paused momentarily. My heart pounded so loudly it was deafening. I moved as quickly as I could.

Throne, justification, one week, queen.

These were undoubtedly words hinting at something dangerous.