“I nearly died.”

Despite coughing up blood so dramatically, Acelia woke up safely.

When she first opened her eyes, she noticed the nanny and maids had puffy eyes, making her wonder what had happened.

Recalling that her last memory was collapsing at the temple due to poison symptoms, Acelia had to comfort them as soon as she got up.

Ironically, she felt refreshed like after a good night’s sleep, except for a slight weakness from low blood pressure.

‘There were many strange things this time.’

While the maids went to fetch the imperial physician, Acelia thought while lying in bed:

First, the error message on her status window.

Acelia had seen countless goddess statues while touring the temple.

She wasn’t sure if that particular statue in the reception room was special or if she had met some specific condition, but suddenly the roulette malfunctioned and “Acelia’s” memories overwhelmed her.

‘What I saw then was definitely……’

Though the visions were jumbled and unclear, she saw the Empress’s escort knights.

There was also Ensia with an arrogant expression, and Acelia herself pleading desperately to someone.

One person she couldn’t identify was a man with honey-blonde hair and red eyes. Something about him reminded her of Gale…….

‘Could it be the Second Prince?’

Among the imperial family, the only one whose face Acelia hadn’t seen was the Second Prince, Diego Hedwig.

It was difficult to understand why he appeared in Acelia’s memories from just those fragmentary scenes, but they didn’t seem to be on good terms.

‘Acelia’s life was harsh too.’

She had such poor relationships with all members of the family. As someone who grew up in a relatively harmonious family herself, she couldn’t understand it.

Another fact she learned:

—If all the truth comes to light.

‘What problem did Acelia have?’

That was Acelia’s voice.

“Ah, I don’t know! You need to tell me properly!”

Acelia flailed her arms and legs, venting her frustration at the roulette.

The rising damage level made her anxious even when she didn’t want to be.

Not knowing what it was. Not being able to guarantee what would happen if the number kept increasing.

Acelia suddenly stopped moving.

‘Should I ask Joachim for that statue when I see him next? Would he give it to me if I asked?’

Her thoughts returned to the beginning.

Since the incident was caused by the statue, seeing it again might help her learn something definite.

Just then—

Bang!

“Princess!”

“Acelia!”

“You startled me. Who bursts in without knocking…… High Priest Joachim? Gale?”

“Are you okay? Look at your face.”

“Give me your hand first. I want to check your condition.”

Why are these two here together?

Acelia’s eyes widened at the unexpected visitors—the imperial physician was nowhere to be seen.

She was told only a day had passed since the incident.

How were both of them here instead of where they should be?

Judging by how quickly they appeared after she woke up, they must have been staying at the Princess’s Palace.

The nanny who followed them shouted,

“Everyone step away from Her Highness! What kind of careless behavior is this in front of a patient!”

‘That’s right. I am a patient.’

Acelia inwardly agreed. She discreetly wiped the sleep from her eyes.

It doesn’t matter that one was family and the other someone she didn’t need to impress, she was a person with dignity.

The nanny’s gaze toward Gale and Joachim was sharp.

From the nanny’s perspective, it made sense to be displeased with them, since Acelia had collapsed while in their company at the temple.

Both the free-spirited Gale and the perpetually bored Joachim bowed their heads before the nanny.

“……High Priest Joachim. Since you’re here, please check Her Highness’s condition first.”

“Yes.”

“Madam, I told you no! This disaster happened when she was left alone with that man. How can you trust him with Acelia?”

“And why did Your Highness leave her side?”

“That’s……!”

Gale’s face turned red. Well, he had gone to the bathroom…….

While Gale and the nanny argued, Joachim approached Acelia.

Seeing his handsome face—just her type—she had a thought inappropriate for the situation.

‘I hope I didn’t drool in my sleep?’

She touched her mouth with her hand. Fortunately, there was nothing there.

Meanwhile, Joachim had different thoughts while looking at the pale-faced princess.

He had been shocked when she suddenly coughed up blood. Despite having witnessed numerous deaths, that moment was vividly imprinted in his mind, replaying repeatedly.

Being by her side, Joachim was able to take immediate action, but he couldn’t determine why the princess had coughed up blood.

Except that he had strongly felt the goddess’s power in that moment.

“……Your hand.”

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

Uncomfortable with Joachim’s lukewarm but persistent gaze, Acelia averted her eyes and extended her hand.

The man’s hands, which she expected to be cold, were surprisingly hot. Even hotter than usual, it seemed?

Holy power swept through Acelia’s body, making her melt like a cat high on catnip.

For this moment, even her wariness toward Joachim briefly wavered.

“There’s nothing wrong.”

“Are you sure you checked properly?”

“I checked multiple times.”

“Huh? She coughed up so much blood, but nothing’s wrong? Aren’t both the imperial physician and this guy quacks?”

They had immediately summoned the imperial physician when they brought the unconscious Acelia back to the palace.

But the imperial physician couldn’t determine the cause.

Only the nanny, who knew about Acelia’s poisoning, looked at her with concern.

Acelia put her index finger to her lips, signaling not to reveal anything.

Since continuing this conversation wouldn’t benefit her, she changed the subject.

“I understand why the High Priest is here, but why are you here, Gale?”

“Wouldn’t you be worried if someone collapsed right in front of you?”

“So you stayed in my palace?”

“He refused to leave, so we provided him with a guest room.”

“And the High Priest?”

“I’m a witness.”

“Are you sure you didn’t do something to her?”

Gale growled, looking ready to grab Joachim by the collar.

Acelia glanced at the nanny with a look asking if he’d been like this the whole time, and the nanny silently confirmed.

Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Joachim kept his eyes fixed on Acelia.

“Do you often cough up blood?”

“No, never.”

She told the truth. But people’s reactions were strange.

“Really, it’s the first time?”

“Yet you seem surprisingly calm.”

Acelia finally realized what she had missed.

For ordinary people, coughing up blood is a serious matter.

Of course, the situation had been visually shocking for Acelia too, but now she actually felt lighter, as if the poison had been expelled.

You know how pricking your finger with a needle when you have indigestion can bring relief? It felt similar.

She had just been thinking that the poison effect could be helpful sometimes, but her demeanor seemed to be causing misunderstandings.

‘It’s not like that!’

Acelia grew desperate.

But remembering that strong denial equals strong affirmation, she spoke calmly, as though she was not flustered at all.

“Really—it’s the first time.”

“We need to identify the cause to prevent recurrence.”

But it didn’t work at all.

Ah~ Why are people making this so tiring?

Whatever trick the roulette had pulled, they couldn’t even notice she was poisoned.

Everyone thinks it’s serious because of you!

Acelia unconsciously spoke with a sharp tone.

“For someone who seems uninterested in others, why are you so persistently curious?”

“I must not have things I don’t know about.”

“……? Are you God? Humans can have things they don’t know.”

“That’s not acceptable. So please tell me. What problem does Your Highness have?”

Does this person have obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? Or maybe delusions of grandeur.

Anyway, she could tell he wasn’t acting out of concern for her. She sighed.

“I don’t know either. I looked at the goddess statue in the reception room and that happened. I’m the one who wants to know why. Did you do something to the statue at the temple?”

“The statue…… you say?”

“Yes.”

A momentary confusion flashed through Joachim’s blue eyes.

“So, could you bring me that statue?”

“No.”

Why not again!

“I didn’t mention this before, but I strongly felt divine energy when Your Highness collapsed that day. If this incident occurred because of that, I need to thoroughly examine the statue.”

“You didn’t say anything about that! Are you trying to hide something you did at the temple? This is attempted murder of an imperial family member!”

“Please calm down, Prince Gale!”

“Let me go. I said let me go!”

The chaotic situation made Acelia dizzy.

“Enough!”

The nanny’s thunderous shout rang out, and silence fell. Acelia peeked up.

“Everyone please leave. Have you forgotten that the Princess is unwell?”

The nanny never cowered, even before the Empire’s high priest and prince. She was truly reliable.

Realizing the situation was unfavorable to him, Joachim withdrew obediently.

“I’ll visit again later.”

“Why would you come again? Do you know where this is? Don’t ever come back!”

“Both of you, please stop!”

Acelia finally covered her ears with a pillow.

Meanwhile, news of her condition was being meticulously reported to someone.