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Chapter 11
“Are you talking about the imperial physicians?”
Karsiel asked.
“The one who studied only in the Western Continent? It will take time for him to find a treatment….”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Find Sir Aster Edith of the Third Imperial Knight Order. His father is currently running an herb shop, but in the Eastern Continent, he used to be a physician.”
Aster had been one of the members of the hunting guild I created in my first life. In both previous lives, he had been expelled from the knight order after getting involved in brawls, but for now, he should still be in the imperial service.
When we started hunting monsters, I—along with the entire guild—had been treated by his father. I still remembered it.
His personality was terrible, but his skill could be called the best across both the Eastern and Western continents.
“……”
Instead of answering, Karsiel simply stared at me and spoke.
“How do you know all this?”
“……”
“I cannot believe you diagnosed the disease just by looking at complexion and pulse. Everything you’ve told me cannot be known without training or prior information.”
I swallowed dryly. I hadn’t expected such sharp questions to come so directly.
“…Training methods vary.”
After a brief silence, I replied.
“There are ways to gain knowledge and information without attending formal institutions.”
“You’re indirectly telling me not to question further because you won’t deny that the situation is suspicious.”
Karsiel let out a small laugh as he interpreted my words.
Unlike his cold tone, the corners of his lips lifted gently.
For a fleeting moment, he looked like a young boy.
Just as I was about to respond again, the back doors of the banquet hall swung open, and several men and women stepped into the garden.
Instinctively, I tried to step away from Karsiel, but he caught my wrist holding the handkerchief and stopped me.
His smile deepened.
“Didn’t you publicly say you admire me? If you create distance now, others might misunderstand your intentions.”
“That’s….”
I had nothing to say. He was right.
“I see.”
I took a breath and stepped closer. Then I leaned in, facing him directly, and pressed the handkerchief lightly against his cheek.
“This looks more natural for a farewell.”
“…Farewell?”
Perhaps because my face was too close, Karsiel’s eyes wavered slightly. I leaned even closer and whispered into his ear.
“Once you recover, please trust me, Your Highness.”
“……”
“I have many things I wish to give you… and many things I wish to receive from you.”
It was purely an act to avoid suspicion from others, and Karsiel must have understood that.
So when I withdrew my hand from his face, the heat lingering on his cheek that seemed even warmer than before must have been my imagination.
“Have you lost your mind?”
As soon as we arrived at the ducal estate, Bartol shouted.
“Prince Baltazar didn’t even look at me after returning to the banquet hall! He didn’t even accept my greeting!”
He threw off his vest and slammed it onto the floor, stomping on it in frustration.
“It’s all your fault! What are you going to do about this?”
“Nonsense.”
I replied calmly.
“Prince Baltazar was avoiding you and Damon Gideon because he didn’t want rumors about him being involved in same-sex affairs to spread. That’s why he kept women by his side. Use your brain a little.”
“You shut up! If it weren’t for you, none of this would have happened! All my efforts to gain His Highness’s favor are ruined!”
Bartol snapped.
“Brother is right. Anthony said the same thing.”
Demeira, who stood nearby with a twisted expression, joined in.
She didn’t look pleased either. I assumed she had been rejected by Anthony Morin again, but this time she seemed angry for a different reason.
“You’ve ruined our family’s standing with Prince Baltazar! What if he decides I’m worthless? How are you going to take responsibility?”
“We should praise Lord Morin’s judgment….”
“Shut up?”
Her anger flared at my interruption.
“Mary, lock that girl in her room.”
“Yes. And don’t give her food until our parents return.”
Bartol and Demeira gave simultaneous orders.
Mary, who usually silently took their coats, froze. Normally she would have immediately taken me away, but today she hesitated and looked between us.
“Mary, didn’t you hear me? Take her away! You can even hit her on the way. She tried to turn us against each other earlier today.”
“……”
Mary remained silent. Only her brows twitched slightly. Her gaze toward Bartol looked hollow—almost cold.
“Then take the blame yourself, Bartol.”
I cut in.
“If you’re the one who betrayed others, don’t act like nothing happened just a few hours later. My maid isn’t a genius, but she’s not stupid either.”
“What did you say?”
Bartol growled.
“You call her your maid? Just because she followed one of your orders doesn’t make her yours. She works for our household. She’s practically our property.”
“Even if she started in the Panton family, her current contract is under House Aphellemion. That’s what matters. Though that’s not the point.”
“Then what is….”
“First, if Mary has even a little judgment, she won’t follow your orders. Just because you’re Baltazar’s dog doesn’t mean others will become dogs too.”
As if proving my point, Mary silently glared at Bartol and ignored his command.
“Second, neither you nor Demeira will be able to give Mary orders from now on. If you even accidentally assign her a tea task, I’ll make sure your gambling debts are reported to your uncle, aunt, and the entire imperial court.”
“What… what did you say?! Are you threatening me?”
“Yes. It’s a threat.”
“And tonight’s incident with Prince Baltazar—especially how Lady Wiemer and her son laughed at you in public—I will also report in detail to your parents. Refuse, and lose Mary.”
“Y-you…!”
Despite his fierce expression, Bartol could not form coherent words.
“Fine! Do whatever you want! It’s just one maid! As if that will ruin anything! Let’s go, Demeira!”
He stormed up the stairs and disappeared, with Demeira following him in confusion.
“Mary, did Bartol often threaten you?”
I asked suddenly after watching them leave.
“Sometimes he said I’d be kicked out. I thought he didn’t mean it….”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Mary widened her eyes, not expecting comfort, but I continued.
“My threats are worse. I don’t hit people from behind like Bartol. If you betray me, I’ll break your limbs myself.”
“A-Young Lady….”
“And I will recover everything you stole from House Aphellemion from your family. Don’t forget the damage you’ve caused me.”
“……”
“You’ve turned the estate’s wealth into cash at shady pawn shops. That’s damage to the family’s honor as well.”
Mary’s face went pale.
“Of course, if you obey me properly, you’ll be rewarded far more than you could ever get from Bartol.”
Mary was simple. Which meant she responded well to both punishment and reward—an easy servant to manage.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
As expected, she swallowed and answered without hesitation.
“I will never betray you.”
Her eyes were tense but determined. She was not lying.
“Good. Then let’s check something first.”
“Huh?”
“What’s under your bed.”
I finally asked the question I had been holding back.
“You probably stole some valuable items too, didn’t you? Clothing would only be cheap things… so what else? Surely it’s not just a few silver utensils and some gold coins, right?”
Mary’s eyes widened more and more, but I didn’t care.
“A-aren’t you going to tell me to return them?”
“Return them? No. Sell them. If you leave them, Demeira will report it to the lady of the house. Sell them immediately.”
“You mean Aphellemion property? Even though it concerns the family’s honor?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
What did family honor matter? I needed immediate cash.
And for that, the first thing I needed was the address of the pawn shop Bartol had been using.
