Chapter 50

“Unpleasant.”

The veins stood out clearly on Kian’s large hand as he gripped his water glass.

“…Grand Duke!”

“She saved your dying daughter, and yet you draw a sword against your benefactor.”

“I…”

“I never thought you were foolish enough to forget that your benefactor is the Grand Duchess.”

“Ah…”

“And did you think I’d stay silent after hearing words that insult my wife?”

A cold silence settled over the conference room. Everyone was watching Kian’s reaction.

“Your Grace! I am not trying to make baseless accusations!”

“…….”

“Of all things, an outsider suddenly proves her worth in the North with a strange power that only appears in the subversive books the Emperor ordered to be burned!”

Gunther seemed intimidated by Kian’s force, but even with his strangled voice, he steadily planted seeds of suspicion.

Indeed, it had been a miracle that seemed almost premeditated.

“How could a monster break through the barrier and enter the ducal residence! There must have been someone inside. If not the Grand Duchess herself, then at the very least, nothing should be spared from investigation—”

“If you think about it that way, you’re deliberately ignoring the fact that you are the most likely suspect.”

“…Is it because my family manages the servants who come and go from the ducal residence?”

“…….”

“But my only daughter, Gisela… she nearly died, so how could you suspect me! My family and I have devoted our lives to serving you faithfully!”

Gunther raised his head under the lights. Everyone’s eyes were drawn to the long scar that crossed half his face—a mark of his long-standing loyalty.

Moreover, Gunther had paid the highest price in this incident. His only daughter had almost rotted away alive.

“…….”

Kian was silent for a moment. In the quiet, his ash-gray eyes flashed sharply.

“That alone doesn’t clear you of suspicion.”

“Your Grace!”

“And the monster was aiming for the Grand Duchess from the beginning. How dare it, my wife…”

Kian spoke as if spitting out the words. He glared fiercely at Gunther.

“For the time being, Gunther Royce is forbidden from entering the ducal residence.”

“Your Grace, this is unfair…!”

“Will you ignore the fact that the recommendation for the maid who turned into a monster was stamped with the Royce family’s seal? Did you truly believe I would hold no one responsible?”

“If that maid was switched with a monster, isn’t that exactly someone’s scheme to frame me?”

Gunther began to tremble, but Kian ignored him.

“Besides, you dared to speak so recklessly about the Grand Duchess in front of me. I think this is a very lenient punishment.”

Gunther’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Stay at your residence and reflect. Further decisions will be made later.”

“…Your Grace!”

Kian calmly stood up and looked around. Each time his gaze landed, everyone straightened up nervously.

“The Grand Duchess is innocent.”

“…….”

“Do I have to explain myself before you all?”

The nobles, led by Viscount Hoover, shook their heads desperately. They believed there must be a reason Kian defended the Grand Duchess so strongly, and the power she had shown at the hunting competition had been extraordinary.

“I guarantee there will be no exemption in the investigation.”

“…….”

“So until then, anyone who speaks carelessly about the Grand Duchess will not be tolerated.”

It was almost a warning. Somewhere, someone swallowed nervously.

“…Bauer.”

As Kian headed for the door, he suddenly stopped. Baron Bauer quickly stood and followed Kian as he left the conference room.

“…D*mn it.”

In the silence, Gunther Royce clenched his fist.

* * *

“…Butler, what is all this?”

“Ah, the antlers on the left are…”

“No, I didn’t mean for you to explain each thing…!”

Iris was dumbfounded by the parade that had invaded her room early in the morning.

At first, several physicians arrived, carrying all sorts of medicinal herbs and tonics. Before she could stop them, next came the servants with various nourishing foods.

“These are all prepared by order of His Grace, the Grand Duke.”

“So… what kind of order was it?”

“He said that restoring your health is the first priority of the ducal residence, Your Grace!”

“I’ve been like this ever since I came to the North. There’s nothing new to recover from!”

The butler’s stubborn eyebrows drooped.

“Your Grace, that’s not true. Please, don’t say such heartbreaking things…”

“No, why are you suddenly empathizing! Just act as usual, as usual!”

The butler cleared his throat and straightened up.

“Your Grace, your health has always been important, but now that His Grace has commanded it, we will devote ourselves even more seriously…!”

“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

The butler puffed out his chest and looked around. He accepted a mysterious bowl from the frontmost servant.

“Your Grace, please try this tonic first.”

“…What is this?”

Donna, who was beside her, quickly supported the bowl and opened its lid. Inside was a blackish liquid filled with strange floating bits.

“It’s a tonic with all sorts of ingredients to restore your energy. It’s a bit bitter, so please drink it all at once.”

“What exactly is in it…?”

“After boiling antlers of snow deer, we add tendons from a white wolf…”

“Wait, stop. That’s enough.”

The butler seemed ready to explain every ingredient. Iris knew that if she heard them all, she’d never take even a sip.

“I-I’m fine.”

“Your Grace, please have at least a little!”

“Butler, aren’t you usually super busy? Surely you have mountains of work—don’t waste your time just convincing me!”

“…Your Grace, how could you call it a waste!”

Through his glasses, the butler’s eyes widened.

“Restoring your health is the most important mission for all of us servants, Your Grace…”

“I get it, but…”

“And Donna has tasted everything thoroughly. If you’re worried about poisoning, I assure you it’s perfectly safe!”

Iris slowly massaged her forehead and looked at Donna.

“That’s right, Your Grace! I tasted it over several days, and even though I couldn’t sleep because I was so energized, I’m still totally fine!”

No wonder Donna had seemed so robust lately…

“Your Grace.”

When Iris continued to refuse the tonic, the butler took a step closer. He apologized, then whispered in her ear.

“Are you hesitant because you remember collapsing after drinking tea?”

“…What?”

Wasn’t that already over long ago? Iris frowned deeply.

“Actually… His Grace instructed me to secretly investigate that incident again.”

“His Grace?”

She barely suppressed her rising voice. Iris looked at the butler in confusion.

“So please trust me and drink.”

“…….”

“I won’t overlook even the smallest suspicion from now on.”

Thinking Iris had agreed, the butler gestured to Donna. Donna, as if entranced, tried to take the bowl, but suddenly shook her head vigorously.

“No! Your Grace, your delicate wrist might break!”

Donna and the other maids moved in perfect coordination. One supported Iris’s waist, while Donna carefully poured the tonic into her mouth.

“Ugh!”

The taste was even worse than expected, and Iris snapped awake.

“Drink it all, Your Grace!”

“You can do it, you can do it!”

It was like being cheered on by enthusiastic parents at a sports festival. Embarrassed, Iris squeezed her eyes shut.

Isn’t this posture kind of like taking poison?

“Waaaah!”

When she finished the last drop, the servants burst into applause.

‘What is with this over-the-top reaction?’

With the atmosphere feeling like a childcare drama, Iris’s cheeks burned.

“You did it, Your Grace!”

“You’re so delicate and have a weak stomach—how admirable!”

‘Please, stop exaggerating…’

“It’s nothing, really, ah…”

Just drinking the tonic seemed to drain her energy, and Iris’s head throbbed.

“Her Grace, the Grand Duchess looks tired. Everyone, leave!”

“Yes, understood!”

The butler’s command was met with a loud response.

“Everyone, walk on your tiptoes as before!”

“Of course! For Her Grace’s sensitive ears!”

So that’s why they were so quiet when they all barged in earlier? Iris felt dizzy.

“Physicians and servants who prepared the energy-boosting dessert, stay! Especially those with pudding made from long-lived ice turtles and candy made from antlers…”

“What? You want me to eat even more?”

Just hearing it made Iris’s stomach churn. The butler only smiled kindly despite her protest.

“I believe in you, Your Grace. I’m sure you can do it again!”

“Enough, please!”

* * *

“Ah…”

The effect was so outstanding it was almost annoying.

It was already well past midnight, but Iris was far too alert.

“What am I doing in the middle of the night!”

To burn off some energy, Iris paced around her room.

Since coming to the North, she’d never felt so lively.

‘If I keep going along with the butler’s plans, I might end up addicted to exercise myself.’

But there was no way to stop this strange campaign. After all, it was a direct order from the Grand Duke.

‘Grand Duke…’

Her blood circulated so well her heart thumped quickly. For no reason, courage welled up inside her.

‘That’s right, I’ll go see the Grand Duke myself and tell him to stop right away.’

She took a key from the nightstand and hurried to the bookshelf. Recalling the secret passage, she made her way to the Grand Duke’s bedroom.

“…….”

Standing before the large door blocking her way, Iris suddenly found herself unable to breathe.

‘Am I drunk on the tonic? Why did I come here in the middle of the night?’

Realizing too late, she tried to quietly turn back.

“Is that you?”

From inside, she heard the Grand Duke approaching. 

‘Ah, this is bad……’