Chapter 15

In the bronze flowerpot adorned with ornate carvings and gold inlay, a small orange tree was growing.

“I’ve been pouring tea into it every day, but it’s growing better than expected.”

Marlene said as she observed the still-lively tree.

At her words, Heila also turned her head.

For the past few days, she had felt that the maid bringing the tea was acting suspiciously.

The way she would secretly check whether the teacup had been emptied every time she came to retrieve it, the gaze that seemed to hide ulterior motives, and that servile smile.

Knowing what kind of repulsive people those in the ducal household were, any kindness from them without reason had to be questioned.

For example, things like tea or snacks being sent up without being asked.

“Honestly, it does feel unsettling. Since when did they care about you this much, my lady? The tree is growing well, so it doesn’t seem to be poison, but it still bothers me.”

“Exactly.”

“It feels off, so shouldn’t you tell them to stop bringing the tea? Judging from her reaction earlier, the way she kept glancing and sneaking looks feels unpleasant.”

“No. I’ll have them keep bringing it. If it’s such precious tea, it would be a waste for me to drink it alone.”

With a faint smile, Heila looked at Penny.

“Don’t throw away what’s in the teapot—keep it. I want to find out exactly what’s in it. You can do that, right?”

***

The answer came within half a day.

“There was an ingredient mixed in that has contraceptive effects. It doesn’t cause significant harm to other organs, but if taken for a long time, it can lead to infertility. And if you were to become pregnant, there is a high chance of a stillbirth.”

Penny reported, her face pale with shock.

The room fell into a heavy silence.

In her previous life, the time when Uriel had laced her food with something had come years later.

But this time… why already?

Did Kersian know about this?

“Your Imperial Highness, are you alright?”

Heila blankly accepted the handkerchief Elliot offered.

Marlene’s eyes reddened as she pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Please don’t worry too much. You didn’t drink it, so nothing will happen.”

Heila did not respond.

She had suspected—no, been certain—that something might have been mixed into the tea, yet it seemed she had still hoped it wasn’t true.

Seeing how her heart sank upon hearing the confirmation.

Not long after she had entered the ducal household, when it had barely been a year, whenever three or more people gathered, the topic of the ducal heir would inevitably come up.

Kersian had defended her to some extent, but at some point, he grew irritated and began to ignore it.

He must have grown tired of hearing such things as well.

But the gazes and words of those who suspected there was something wrong because she couldn’t bear a child weighed heavily on her heart every time.

At some point, she felt like a criminal, unable to lift her head, and whenever the topic of an heir came up, her heart would pound as if it might drop, making her want to flee from the spot.

Meanwhile, Kersian visited the Count Bettia residence every single day.

According to the servants, he spent even more time there after marriage than he had before.

It was as if the issue of an heir rested solely on her shoulders.

Thinking about it now, it was a relief that she had no child.

If she had, she would have been bound to the ducal household.

So… she should feel relieved.

She definitely should.

Then why were tears falling?

It must be because of the wounds left behind by the past.

‘The physician said your body is too weak to conceive. I’ve sent some medicinal herbs that are good for women’s health, so make sure to take them. Let’s not rush and just wait. A child isn’t urgent.’

One day, she recalled how deeply moved she had been by the gentle words and gifts Kersian had given her.

But when the child died, his reaction to it had been completely different from hers.

Perhaps he had never wanted the child from the beginning.

Had he simply pretended not to know?

…Or had he killed it?

The answer she had never been able to uncover in her past life—this time, she would make sure to find out.

***

With a short knock, Kersian entered the room without waiting for a reply.

He saw Heila sitting on the sofa, leaning back as she drank tea.

It was their first time facing each other since what had happened on the hill a few days ago.

It was quite unexpected that she had called for him first.

As he looked around the room, he saw the head maid, an unfamiliar maid, and a knight with a familiar face.

Kersian’s gaze narrowed when he saw that knight.

With his delicate features and slight build, at a glance, it was hard to tell whether he was a boy or a girl.

Seeing a boy and girl of similar age together, they looked rather well-matched.

“Even if he’s a guard, is it really necessary to bring him around inside the house as well?”

Kersian sat down and looked at Heila with displeasure.

Her pale, flawless face and full lower lip carried a faint reddish hue.

The bruise was hidden under makeup, making it less noticeable and not bothersome.

Her small face was filled with well-defined features, and her thin jaw ended in a sharp point.

Her eyebrows were light, her eyes long and deep, and her nose small and well-shaped.

She still had a youthful look, but once she matured a bit more, she would likely become far more beautiful.

“Even if he’s a guard, isn’t it too careless to bring an unrelated man into your room?”

“This isn’t a bedroom—it’s a sitting room. Since he’s my guard, it’s natural for him to stay by my side. I’m not alone either, I’m with my maids. What’s the problem?”

“Why choose a trainee knight when Sir Heinrich is available? Aren’t you worried about what people will say?”

“Are you talking about the kind of rumors going around about you and the Count Bettia’s daughter?”

Kersian’s expression stiffened for a moment.

But soon, he spoke as if nothing was wrong.

“I believe we agreed not to bring that matter up again.”

“More precisely, you decided that on your own and simply informed me.”

Kersian’s lips parted slightly.

But seeing the bluish bruise still lingering on her cheek, he forced himself to calm down.

Softening his voice, he asked,

“So, why did you call me?”

“I just wanted to share a cup of tea with you.”

The maid had said it was tea leaves that had been difficult to obtain and had asked for Kersian’s permission.

Could a mere maid dare to lie so boldly?

Unless Kersian was truly uninvolved.

It was suspicious, but not certain.

So she had to confirm it—for the sake of the time she had lived through.

Without hesitation, Kersian lifted the teacup.

Watching him set down the half-emptied cup, Heila’s gaze wavered.

“That’s all?”

Kersian asked in a voice full of doubt.

“I received the gift you sent through the maid.”

“What?”

He had definitely never sent anything to Heila.

Yet she claimed to have received something—there had to be a misunderstanding, but her tone was certain.

She had definitely received something.

“What are you talking about?”

“Wasn’t it from you? I suppose I was mistaken. There’s no need to worry about it.”

“I’m curious how such a misunderstanding happened. Who sent you a gift?”

“No one. Earlier, a maid brought some tea leaves and boasted that she had gone through great trouble to obtain them at a high price because you like them. So I misunderstood. It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it.”

“Is it this tea?”

Kersian savored the aroma.

As he set down the empty teacup, he spoke calmly.

“If it’s such rare tea, the scent does seem a bit unusual…”

Heila set down her own teacup, trying not to let her hands tremble.

The ingredients mixed into the tea were said to have the same effect on men as on women, and even a single drink could have some effect.

At the very least, Kersian had nothing to do with this.

Which meant it was purely Uriel’s doing.

In that instant, the tension drained from her, and a sense of relief washed over her.

Until this moment, she had been afraid to confirm the truth.

She had thought she no longer had any feelings left to be disappointed, yet it seemed she had still been afraid.

“I know you enjoy tea. I heard that a merchant from another continent is staying at the House of Hameln—shall I have them come here? Whether it’s tea, dresses, or jewelry, choose whatever you like. It’ll be a good change of pace.”

It was true that Heila had been acting irritably lately.

When he heard she had been shutting herself in her room and not eating properly, he had thought she was rebelling.

But seeing her now, so gaunt inside the room, his resolve softened.

He still needed her.

Since Heila had called him first, seemingly seeking reconciliation, he intended to accept it.

At that moment, a maid rushed into the room in a panic.

It was the same maid who had brought the tea.

Her gaze quickly swept over the teacups in front of the two of them.

The moment she saw that Kersian’s cup was empty, her complexion darkened instantly.