RBAR 25

Chapter 25

It happened so fast that Elisa thought she had imagined it.

After the trial, Richard spoke to her.

‘I can’t be with you today because of another appointment. I’m sorry, Elisa.’

His words, as always, were polite and calm, without any extra emotion.

But for some reason, it still bothered her.

“Yeah, he left first. Said something urgent came up.”

Elisa smiled as she recalled it.

“Tsk, that’s not how a good fiancé acts. He should be here comforting his nervous fiancée.”

Lawrence shrugged as he said this. Even though his words sounded like pity, his tone was light and cheerful.

But Elisa couldn’t point it out.

‘Who would dare call him out? Anyone who knows the twins’ true nature wouldn’t even try.’“It’s okay. We’re here for you.”

Natalie gave her a soft smile.

And in that moment, Elisa felt this was the perfect time to act. She quickly let a single tear fall from her eye.

“Natalie… Lawrence… I’m so scared.”
“Poor Elisa.”

Natalie gently patted Elisa’s shoulder, comforting her. Lawrence, watching them, muttered casually:

“Why not take Edith there instead?”

Natalie made a thinking sound at his words.

Elisa’s ears perked up.

‘There?’

She knew it wasn’t good to get curious about the twins, but she couldn’t help herself.

“Where are you talking about?”
“You want to know?”

Lawrence asked, and Elisa nodded slightly.

“Yes…”
“Haha. Are you sure? Little timid Elisa might be shocked if she hears.”
“…Then maybe I don’t need to know.”

If someone as cruel as Lawrence warned her, then it had to be worse than hell.

She never wanted to know where “there” was.

“If you had insisted, I might’ve told you. Too bad.”

His green eyes looked gentle, but they reminded Elisa of a predator watching its prey slip away. There was no malice, but the cruelty was chilling.

‘He really gives me goosebumps.’

A deep fear rose in her stomach. The only comforting thought was that, thankfully, the twins didn’t hate her.

“Don’t make that face. We’re not taking you there. It’s only for Edith.”

Elisa froze for a second, unable to respond.

“She has to pay the price for stealing away the only friend who understands us. Don’t you agree?”

Natalie smiled as she said it. Elisa forgot her plan to provoke them and just nodded awkwardly.

“And it’s annoying that she refused our help, too.”

Lawrence added coldly.

As Elisa tried to follow their strange and shifting conversation, Natalie let out a soft gasp.

She remembered the words exchanged at the trial:

‘Edith, if it gets hard, tell us. We’ll help you.’
‘This is your last chance.’
‘Go away.’

Natalie’s expression turned sullen.

“I think Edith forgot just how scary we can be.”
“Maybe it’s time to remind her.”
“Hehe, sounds fun. Just thinking about it gives me chills~”

At last, the twins smiled—real, happy smiles. Like innocent children about to play a game.

* * *

The next day at noon, I went straight to Gold House.

That’s usually the time Killian showed up.

‘I can’t just sit and do nothing anymore.’

Yesterday’s trial reminded me of something important:

‘I need to gain power that Duke Adelheid can’t touch—as soon as possible.’

And the fastest way to do that… is by developing the cure and saving the princess.

Killian was as graceful as ever, sipping coffee alone in the VIP room of Gold House.

He looked a bit surprised to see me.

‘His Highness likes to be alone.’

I had learned that from Russ Marty while preparing for the trial. Killian especially prefers to be alone when drinking coffee or tending his garden.

“Then I’ll be quick. A new menu item is coming out soon—would you be willing to try it?”

I suddenly felt nervous that this might annoy him, so I added:

“If I’m bothering you, I’ll leave.”
“Show me.”

Thankfully, he didn’t turn me down coldly.

I rang the bell, and the manager—already told beforehand—brought out the drink.

Killian sniffed it with interest.

“The scent is sweet.”
“It’s coffee mixed with sweet liquor and milk.”
“Ah, a cocktail of three ingredients.”

I was trying to recreate the liqueur and milk cocktail I had in my past life. It wasn’t perfect, but it came out better than expected.

With a confident smile, I offered him a taste.

He drank it without hesitation—and ended up drinking half the glass.

“This is quite good. Is this also a recipe Lady Stella told you from the future?”
“No, I came up with this one myself.”“In that case, you’re a genius.”

He didn’t hold back his compliments. He must have really liked it.

‘If Killian likes it, it’s definitely going to be a hit.’

Killian had a reputation for being picky. Even the royal palace chefs often failed to satisfy his taste.

So if I impressed him, the new drink was sure to succeed.

“So, what’s your real reason for coming?”

His eyes looked right through me.

“…Ah.”

I didn’t expect to be seen through so fast. I stood there with my mouth half open.

“You’re not here because you like me. You used the drink as an excuse to talk. Right?”
“…Wouldn’t admitting that make me a terrible person?”
“Go ahead and admit it. I might be a little hurt… but I’ll survive.”

He said it so calmly, still sipping his coffee. Not a trace of offense.

‘How can someone lie so easily without even blinking?’

I knew he wouldn’t really be hurt, so I decided to be honest.

“I want to speed up the cure development.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think the princess has much time left.”
“Did Lady Adelheid say that in her will?”
“…No. I just have a bad feeling.”

The last time I saw the princess, she looked like a withered leaf barely hanging onto a branch—ready to fall any moment.

“Good intuition. I just heard yesterday that the princess collapsed.”
“What?!”

My shocked face made Killian tilt his head.

“You’re acting like this is the first you’ve heard. Didn’t you already know?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t see the future.”
“That’s too bad.”

Too bad? What exactly was it?

“So… could you convince the princess to agree to treatment?”
“I don’t have magic to change people’s minds. Or are you asking for mind control?”
“Of course not.”

Ugh. How can someone sound so heartless?

‘Forget it. I’d be better off trying to persuade her myself.’

The princess’s condition was getting worse.

It was tragic… but also the perfect opportunity.

“I’ll try to talk to her today. Maybe I can change her mind.”
“You want to meet her and try to convince her yourself, then.”

Killian’s eyes lit up with amusement.

“Turning someone else’s crisis into your opportunity—bold strategy.”
“…I can’t let this chance slip away.”

Ugh. Why does it feel like he just insulted me?

It annoyed me, but… he wasn’t entirely wrong, so I stayed quiet.

He set down his teacup and spoke.

“I’ll go with you. You won’t get palace access on your own today.”
“Really? You’ll go with me?”

That was great news. I needed a royal permit to enter the palace.

But Killian and Duke Adelheid—as top nobles—could enter freely.

“Think of it as payment for letting me try your new cocktail.”
“Thank you so much!”

I couldn’t hide my happiness and bowed in thanks.

“If I didn’t go with you, you’d be in trouble.”

He chuckled softly.

We arrived at the palace in Orpheo’s carriage.

The princess, looking pale, greeted us.

“Cough… I didn’t expect you to come here. It’s been a while.”

“Yes… Your Highness, are you okay? No, actually, you don’t look okay, so you don’t have to answer.”

The Princess I saw in person was in a state where I couldn’t even ask if she was okay.

She was in a more serious condition than when I had seen her before, and even then, her complexion hadn’t been very good.

Perhaps because she wasn’t feeling well, her face was without the red rouge she usually made sure to apply.

Suddenly, I was reminded of Stella’s appearance before she died.