🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 58
A Chilling Atmosphere
In the heavy silence, Elizia quietly studied the Duke’s face. His expression was frozen, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
She thought for sure he would snap back with something like “Then why didn’t you explain yourself properly in the first place!” But no scolding came. That alone was surprising. Even more, he didn’t show the slightest trace of disappointment.
What on earth is he thinking?
Just as Elizia furrowed her brow, the Duke finally spoke.
“…The food from that day—when checked, there was nothing wrong with it.”
His voice was still cold.
What?
Elizia’s eyes widened.
Nothing wrong with it? Impossible.
She was certain she had gotten the system’s warning that there was poison.
Unless… it’s because I put all the leftovers into my inventory? Maybe only the parts without poison were left on the plate?
As she tried to puzzle it out in her confusion, another voice cut in.
“Father, that’s enough. She’s a patient right now.”
It was Howell. He had been so quiet she hadn’t even realized he was in the room, but now she saw he’d been sitting just outside her field of vision.
Huh. He’s taking my side for once?
That was unexpected. Just as she felt a little grateful, Howell continued.
“She’s probably just spouting nonsense because of the fever. It’s not the first or second time she’s talked rubbish. Don’t take her too seriously.”
Wait, so you were just dismissing me as a babbler?!
That stung in its own way. As Elizia scowled at him, Howell ignored her glare and pressed on.
“When the Saintess examined her last time, she was perfectly fine. Even if she’d gone to a physician earlier, it’s likely they wouldn’t have found any signs. So this really isn’t the time to argue about this.”
His tone was calm, clipped, and logical. Howell then shot a quick glance at the attending physician.
“Do everything you possibly can.”
“Y-yes! Of course, young master.”
The physician replied with a solemn voice. Satisfied, Howell turned back.
“Elly, don’t waste your strength. You don’t seem to realize how dangerous this is—you could easily end up leaving this world for good. Do you really want to throw your life away?”
“…No.”
She wasn’t about to. She planned to survive and make it back in one piece.
Elizia let out a sigh inwardly. At least the Duke had dropped his line of questioning, so for now she’d let things slide.
This won’t do. I should just pretend to sleep for the time being.
She had opened her eyes out of concern for the servants, worried they might be punished if she looked too unwell. But all she got was more nagging in return. At this point, the best way to avoid another pointless argument was to fake sleep. She let her voice grow faint and murmured:
“I’m tired. I should rest more.”
As for neutralizing the poison… she decided not to do it yet. After having been examined like this, suddenly recovering perfectly would only arouse suspicion.
Having reached that conclusion, Elizia slowly let her eyes drift shut.
* * *
Looks like everyone’s gone.
When she woke from a brief doze, the room was quiet. It seemed everyone had stepped out under the pretext that the patient needed complete rest. The calm was welcome, but above all, she was relieved that the uncomfortable presence of the Duke was finally gone.
So, am I free now?
Elizia pricked her ears, weighing the situation. She was just about to open her eyes when—
“Hey, don’t tell me you actually fell asleep? Are you out?”
…Ah. Guess not.
Unfortunately, it seemed she couldn’t open her eyes, check her status screen, or resume broadcasting just yet. Howell was still there.
“……”
Elizia kept quiet. Thinking she was truly asleep, Howell let out a few heavy sighs, then muttered in a low voice:
“Ha… seriously. I told you so many times not to eat strange things you find.”
Did you really, though?
He claimed to have taught her so much, it was starting to sound doubtful. Elizia, still pretending to sleep, couldn’t scowl openly and had to settle for grumbling inwardly.
Besides, I didn’t eat random scraps! The scone in the house was poisoned—what was I supposed to do about that?
Thanks to her, they now knew there was a danger. She deserved thanks, not scolding!
Still, if she argued, it would give away that she was awake. She forced herself to stay quiet as Howell continued.
“Just stay lying down. The quacks are coming to examine you soon, so don’t waste energy or try sneaking out. Honestly, don’t cause trouble, alright?”
“……”
Wait—quacks?
Elizia nearly opened her eyes in disbelief. She was in a life-threatening condition after ingesting poison, and he wanted to leave her to “quacks”? That made no sense. Still, it seemed more like muttering to himself than anything meant for her ears.
“Anyway, just wait here.”
His voice grew distant, finally fading.
…Did he actually leave this time?
Straining her ears, Elizia cautiously tried to rise, then thought better of it and cracked her eyes open just a little.
Or at least, she tried to.
…Ugh.
Her eyelids felt unbearably heavy. Maybe it was from keeping them shut so long, or maybe from the fever, or maybe the soft bedding—it felt like her consciousness was slipping again, the same sluggish drowsiness as nodding off in class no matter how hard you fought it.
I can’t fall asleep… I’ve got too much to do.
Her body slackened as she let out a long sigh.
* * *
“His Imperial Majesty’s physician has arrived.”
“This… this seems to be a type of poison I’m not familiar with.”
“Who could have done such a thing?!”
“The Tower of Magic is already…”
The murmur of voices drifted in. Shuffling footsteps, sharp exclamations, the cool touch of a damp cloth against her forehead.
From the sounds and movements, it seemed the maids were taking turns keeping watch. Hopefully they weren’t staying up all night. She had no idea how much time had passed.
…I really want to detoxify quickly.
Left alone, her stamina would slowly drain, even if only little by little. More than anything, her burning fever, her limp muscles, and the pounding headache were intolerable. She couldn’t even sit up.
It had been so long since she’d last felt sick that she had forgotten how miserable it could be. She gritted her teeth and bore it, regretting it all the while.
This won’t do. I should at least ask for painkillers…
She could hold out with pain relief, then claim recovery later at the right time. She was about to open her eyes when—
Huh?
Something was strange.
My body… it doesn’t hurt as much anymore.
It was true. The pain that had plagued her just moments ago was easing.
A fresh, cooling sensation began at her forehead, gradually pushing away the throbbing. The muscle aches and headache melted little by little, and Elizia’s expression softened.
Phew. Now I can finally sleep—wait, no!
She almost let herself drift off in relief, but snapped back alert.
This was abnormal. She hadn’t taken medicine or used a skill—her recovery made no logical sense. She needed to know the cause. Just as she tried to think it through—
Swish.
She felt the cool cloth on her forehead being shifted.
“……”
Elizia steadied her breathing, still feigning sleep. Someone had changed the towel.
…Was it just a maid?
Had the new cloth fooled her into thinking she felt better? But if so, why was the hand that placed it still resting against her forehead?
And the truth was clear to her senses—the source of that refreshing energy was the hand itself. It lingered gently on her brow, radiating a steady, desperate current of healing magic. No ordinary mage could keep channeling such power endlessly.
I need to stop this.
Whoever it was, they clearly didn’t realize how strong she was. She didn’t need anyone wasting their strength like this—she could detoxify and recover on her own. It was pointless to expend so much magic on her.
Who could be foolishly doing such a thing?
Unable to contain her curiosity, Elizia suddenly flicked her eyes open.
And then—
“……!”
She froze, forgetting even to breathe.
Violet eyes filled her vision. They flickered with shock, wide as if caught off guard. Whoever it was, they hadn’t expected her to wake, and their surprise was written plainly across their face.
“…Finn?”
At the sound of her voice, he startled, quickly lowering his gaze. In a flustered tone, he answered:
“Lady Semperion, I… I was sent here from the Magic Tower at their request. I was using healing magic.”
“…Ah.”
Elizia’s expression eased with comprehension. Seeing that, Finn relaxed at last and let a faint smile spread across his lips.
The change was so swift that Elizia wondered if she had only imagined the shocked look on his face. Maybe it had never been real. He looked like the type who’d never lose composure in the first place.
