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#16. Elizabeth Sets Justice Right
“It seems you don’t trust my abilities. Let me show you my skill.”
She interlaced her fingers, making a sharp cracking sound. She loosened her neck a couple of times.
Next? It was time to expose the so-called royal physician.
“Doctor, is there truly no special problem with His Highness?”
“Of course not. As the royal physician, I know better than anyone. Ha ha.”
Did he think that would deceive me? I glared at the physician, my gaze laced with cold venom.
“You’re not a royal physician—you’re a quack, unfit even to be a healer.”
“What did you say?”
“Or perhaps the greatest liar in the land.”
“An outrageous insult!”
The royal physician’s face turned bright red.
Regardless, Nikolai’s gaze remained fixed on the monocle I wore.
“Elizabeth, when did you steal that artifact?”
“I only borrowed it briefly.”
“Was that a boast to show off your stealing skills?”
“You’ll soon call me your benefactor. Just wait and see.”
Through Morasincia’s eyes, I scanned Franz.
A white glow swirled, rendering his body transparently visible.
There’s definitely something wrong. There are reddish spots scattered inside his body like paint. They’re faint, but they’re there…!
If it weren’t for Morasincia’s vision, I would never have known what it was.
And leaving it unchecked could lead to serious trouble.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has been poisoned.”
“Poisoned?!”
A chilling murderous intent shot from Nikolai’s eyes. I steadied my breath and spoke as calmly as I could.
“A trace amount of toxin has been accumulating in his body. He isn’t in critical condition yet, but the antidote must be administered immediately.”
“Are you saying someone is trying to assassinate the Crown Prince?”
“Regrettably, yes.”
“Elizabeth, can you take responsibility for that claim? This is a matter that could shake the Empire.”
Nikolai pressed aggressively. Franz, in contrast, kept his head low.
“Ask His Highness. I think he may have already noticed.”
“Poison? That’s absurd!”
The royal physician, pale and sickly, raised his voice.
“I am a descendant of a distinguished family that has served the royal household for generations! How could I not know if His Highness was poisoned?”
“Who said you didn’t know? You concealed it after realizing. Perhaps you even mixed the poison into his medicine.”
“It’s a slander, Your Majesty! That woman is framing me!”
“Call in a poison expert. We’ll quickly determine whose account is truthful.”
“Do not heed the whispers of a villainess!”
“It would be best to summon someone from outside the palace, as you are well aware.”
Our gazes locked in midair. He remained silent, as if refusing to make a rash judgment.
Though he seemed calm, I noticed his fingers trembling ever so slightly. The effort to hide his agitation tugged at me—both pitiful and reassuring.
Perhaps it was a misunderstanding to think he was indifferent to his son. Maybe he’s better than I initially thought.
Why did I keep thinking that, despite being repeatedly disappointed? Perhaps I wanted to believe that Nikolai was a good man.
The Empire’s poison experts were summoned.
Antidote specialists, apothecaries, and herbalists crowded the Crown Prince’s chambers.
Their consensus was unanimous.
“Though the poison is mild, there’s no doubt he’s been poisoned. How did you detect it without any overt symptoms?”
“It doesn’t matter. Spend whatever it takes—neutralize the poison completely and immediately.”
“By the Emperor’s command!”
After the experts left, Nikolai summoned the royal guards.
“Arrest the physician’s apprentices, family, and servants. Investigate every person who entered or exited the Crown Prince’s chambers—leave no one unchecked!”
“Yes!”
“But confessions extracted by torture are forbidden. Take special care not to alarm the young pages and ladies. Understood?”
“Understood!”
Nikolai had a side I hadn’t seen before—consideration for children and women.
If he were a tyrant, he could have slaughtered them all. Yet he remains composed and methodical. He knows what must be done, so no unnecessary chaos will ensue.
He handled the situation swiftly without blaming or cornering Franz. Unlike the original story, he appeared emotionally and technically competent.
“I am innocent!”
“Please, Your Majesty!”
Some resisted violently, but most complied obediently with the knights. I watched the arrests with a sense of intrigue.
If I had popcorn and cola, it might have been even more entertaining.
I hope they catch the mastermind soon. Anyone who poisons a child deserves death!
My enthusiasm for justice rivaled that of a devoted moralist. Good people should succeed, and villains should fail—but reality rarely aligned. Evil often thrived brazenly.
This time, however, was different. A man as relentless as Nikolai would not let the culprit escape. It felt rewarding to see justice served.
Nikolai suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“There’s a place you and I must go.”
The grip was firm yet not painful. For a moment, I forgot the strict social customs of men and women.
I had just realized that I liked a man with such large hands.
He led me to the Crown Prince’s garden.
Colorful flowering trees exuded a sweet, intoxicating fragrance.
A pergola surrounded by flowers was furnished luxuriously with fine furniture and silk cushions.
It resembled a scene straight out of a fairytale, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Servants brought tea.
Leaning toward me, Nikolai’s eyes gleamed sharply behind his interlaced fingers, as if urging me to tell everything.
“How did you know the royal physician was lying?”
How could I not? Morasincia’s eyes had shown me the truth, and his protests had only confirmed it. Yet it was too soon to reveal everything.
“It seemed strange that Your Highness refused treatment so adamantly.”
“Is that all?”
“Have you heard about him undressing the pages and feeding a silver spoon to the former tutor?”
“No.”
“Everyone assumed it was due to His Highness’ eccentricity.”
“Pinch isn’t that kind of child!”
Nikolai’s voice was urgent, worried I might misunderstand Franz.
Even porcupines find their own offspring adorable, it seems.
I couldn’t help but smile at the Emperor’s human side.
“I know. He seemed more mature than his age.”
“You have a keen eye.”
“Blood doesn’t lie. He may have a foul temper, but there must have been a reason behind his actions.”
“Did Franz investigate the culprit on his own?”
“He avoided food served on golden plates but ate from silver plates. What could that mean?”
“Does it indicate distrust of the palace staff?”
“He also advised me to be cautious.”
“Franz said that?”
“Perhaps expelling the tutors was also for their protection—he feared they might be poisoned because of him.”
For a week, I struggled to persuade Franz, but I failed repeatedly. I couldn’t even use my charm spell.
So I changed my approach.
Understanding Franz is more important than persuading him. What would he think? What does he fear most? His actions hold the clues.
I recalled Franz’s words carefully.
“Tell them to run immediately if they want to survive.”
“Being surrounded by knights isn’t safe.”
“I know my body best!”
The truth was beginning to emerge.
It wasn’t enough. I gathered information about Franz through palace staff. They feared speaking out, but no one could resist bribes or charm entirely.
“His Highness became extremely sharp a year ago.”
“They said he went through puberty early.”
“Perhaps, but something might have changed drastically at that time.”
“What could that be?”
“We’ll find out soon. We need to uncover the poisoning incident and open His Highness’ heart.”
“Why did Pinch try to solve it alone without telling me…”
Nikolai murmured, troubled at the thought of his young son worrying by himself.
“Elizabeth, any guesses?”
“Roughly.”
“Speak immediately. I’ll reward you accordingly.”
Nikolai looked pleased. I gazed at him silently and shook my head.
“Unlocking someone else’s lock with a borrowed key is useless. A new lock will just appear.”
“Isn’t this urgent?”
“All the more reason to take the long way. Understanding comes first.”
“…”
“You can’t rush this stage. Think carefully before acting.”
“So this is that special training?”
Nikolai leaned back, frowning.
“It’s a secret method I don’t show anyone.”
I tried to appear relaxed, but it was useless. He wanted more truths.
“I now see that you’re smarter than I thought.”
“Should I be grateful?”
“Your observation, logic, and decisiveness aren’t bad.”
“They say people die if they act outside their usual behavior.”
“That alone doesn’t explain it. How did you know Franz was poisoned? Do you possess supernatural powers?”
He wouldn’t relent if unconvinced.
I lifted my teacup, moistened my dry lips, and began my explanation.
“Do you know I was gravely ill before coming to the palace?”
“I know you recovered after a fever and reformed.”
“Since then, I’ve seen a faint something.”
“?”
“Sometimes it speaks to me. Then, as if possessed by a healer, I can detect people’s illnesses…”
“Do you mean you became a medium?”
“Exactly! You’re perceptive.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Neither do I, and I don’t want to.”
“Hmm.”
“I barely have time to live my own life, so why should I care about others’ ailments? I want to ignore it, but I see it anyway—it’s maddening.”
Though I included slight exaggeration, most of it was true.
Nikolai hesitated, unsure whether to believe me. I took advantage of the pause and revealed Morasincia’s eyes.
“I’ll return the artifact. I only borrowed it for Your Highness’ son.”
“Why was it necessary?”
“It strengthens spiritual energy. Thanks to it, I could clearly detect the poisoning.”
There were several reasons I hadn’t revealed everything about Morasincia’s eyes:
-
He wouldn’t believe me anyway.
-
I didn’t fully understand it myself.
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I could be exploited or used as a test subject.
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I didn’t want unnecessary attention.
Before medical advancements, shamans and priests were treated as healers. People believed illnesses were divine punishment.
This world’s physicians were hardly advanced. Basic hygiene was only slowly taking root. Ordinary people still sought temples rather than expensive doctors.
If it became known that a divine artifact existed and that I was its user, it would invite trouble—or worse, exploitation.
He’s still suspicious… how should I handle it?
I watched Nikolai cautiously.
But there was no need. His attention was elsewhere.
