TDOWD 12

Chapter 12

“What? You’re going to the Carsian banquet? And as the Young Master’s partner?”

Arzen asked back with a look of complete disbelief.

“Why?”

“As thanks for helping me before.”

At my simple answer, Arzen still looked unconvinced.

The Carsian banquet.

It would not be an exaggeration to call it the largest banquet held in the Empire each year.

The Imperial Family usually avoided extravagant celebrations because they had to be mindful of public opinion.

The Carsian Grand Ducal House, however, openly displayed its immense wealth through its banquets.

As the rulers of the richest territory in the Empire, the Grand Ducal House hosted a massive two-day banquet every year to demonstrate the family’s prosperity and strength.

Until now, the Carsian banquet had not been led by the Grand Duke or his son Ludwig.

It had been controlled by the Council of Elders.

And the elders themselves had always been the stars of the event.

Since Ludwig had never been recognized by them, he had not even attended before.

That was why many people were puzzled that his name was on the guest list this year.

“Could the rumor be true? That the Young Master is looking for a fiancée?”

Arzen muttered before looking at me.

I could tell exactly what he was thinking, so I shook my head.

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like that.”

“Why not? That blockhead—I mean, that distinguished gentleman—even asked you to be his partner!”

“Well…”

Because there was no reason for it.

It wasn’t as though I could purify his pain the way Jena could.

According to the original story, Ludwig saw Jena’s purification ability as a source of comfort he wanted to keep by his side forever.

A hand that saved him from the suffering caused by the Evil Dragon’s voice and the signs of his approaching rampages.

It was only natural that Jena, the owner of that ability, would be the only one capable of possessing both Ludwig’s heart and soul.

“As the heir of Carsian, it would be embarrassing for him to appear without a partner. And it’s not like he has any close relationships with noble ladies.”

I said firmly while reading my book.

“I happened to owe him a favor, so I was simply the most suitable choice.”

“……”

Arzen still looked like he had a lot to say, but he pretended to accept my answer.

“More importantly… are they still looking for the culprit?”

“They are.”

A week had passed, and they still hadn’t found even the slightest clue about the person behind the Dregers poisoning attempt.

The culprit had been incredibly careful, leaving behind not a single piece of evidence while quietly watching everything from somewhere.

Now that Physician Cesar—the only witness—was dead, the investigation had reached its limits.

“The culprit is definitely inside the mansion.”

I remembered how Cesar had nervously looked around in those final moments.

As if he were worried about someone watching him.

Someone capable of secretly approaching the family’s physician.

Someone who knew I had absolutely no immunity to Dregers poison.

When I combined all the clues, one person did come to mind…

“But there’s no evidence.”

This was an extremely serious matter.

The granddaughter of the family head had almost died.

Even naming a suspect required caution.

If I made a mistake, I could end up being accused of slander instead.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Miss, Lady Zeria is hosting a tea gathering with her Academy classmates. She wishes for you to attend as well.”

“What?”

I had heard that Zeria returned from the Academy a few days ago, but we hadn’t met yet.

Neither of us had made any effort to visit the other.

We weren’t particularly close.

In fact, being ignored by her had practically become routine.

So why invite me now?

Since she had officially invited me, I couldn’t afford to look like a cold-hearted cousin who ignored her younger cousin’s graduation celebration.

This isn’t really an invitation. It’s more like being dragged there.

“Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”

***

After dressing appropriately, I headed toward one of Drenihan’s greatest prides—the Grand Greenhouse.

As I walked through the greenhouse filled with rare flowers and trees, I heard cheerful laughter.

Several young ladies around my age were gathered around a long table.

Among them sat a girl with fiery red hair.

The moment she spotted me, she waved enthusiastically.

“Sierra!”

It was Zeria.

I walked over and sat in the empty seat beside her.

“It’s been a while, Zeria. Did you graduate successfully?”

“Of course! You’ve been well too, right?”

“I have.”

The Zeria I saw now had become even more beautiful than before.

“You know, I graduated second in my class. The professors always praised me, but I never expected to rank that high.”

Zeria said proudly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Immediately, her Academy classmates joined in.

“Oh, stop being so modest. Lady Zeria is exceptional. Honestly, I’m surprised you weren’t first.”

“Exactly. Whether it’s academics or swordsmanship, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

“I wish you could’ve attended the Academy with us, Sierra. It was so much fun. I made so many friends.”

Zeria smiled confidently.

“Though that’s just a dream for someone with your health. I only mean it would’ve been nice.”

“Yes. It would’ve been nice. Even imagining it.”

I had wanted to attend the Academy too.

Because I wanted to become a healer.

Growing up sickly, I had always been surrounded by physicians.

Naturally, I became interested in medicine.

I had no friends, so reading books became my daily routine.

I had read nearly every medical book in Drenihan’s famous library.

Once, despite knowing it was impossible, I had stubbornly begged Father.

“I want to attend the Academy too, Father. I don’t want to spend my life hidden away in this mansion.”

Even though I knew those words would hurt him deeply, they had slipped out before I could stop myself.

Why had I said something like that to the person who worried most about my health?

I had been immature.

The pained expression on Father’s face haunted me throughout the entire night.

The next day, I apologized and pretended the conversation had never happened.

Back then, I resented both my weak body and the world itself.

But then…

“I submitted an Academy application, Sierra.”

That day, Zeria applied to the Academy despite never having shown any interest in it before.

She used to say she disliked the Academy’s equal treatment of people regardless of status.

I clearly remembered her arguing with Aunt, insisting that attending would only waste time and that social gatherings were far more enjoyable.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you want something so badly. It made me curious about what kind of place the Academy really is.”

Ah.

So she had seen it.

The conversation between Father and me.

“I’ll tell you all about it when I come back. We won’t see each other for a while, so take care of your health.”

A bright smile spread across her healthy, beautiful face.

After that, Zeria left for the Academy.

It seemed she found more interest in fulfilling her cousin’s impossible dream than enjoying high society.

Ever since childhood, Zeria had enjoyed shining brighter than me.

The major she chose at the Academy was medicine.

With her brilliant mind, every letter sent to the family was filled with praise from her professors.

Zeria taught me exactly what deprivation felt like.

“More importantly, are you feeling better now? Something terrible happened recently.”

“I’m alright now. Thanks to the Young Master helping me.”

“You owe the Young Master quite a debt. I should thank him at the banquet.”

Zeria’s eyes sparkled as if she had already decided what she would talk about when she met Ludwig.

“My younger sister saw the Young Master at a banquet recently. She said his appearance was so unreal that she couldn’t stop staring.”

“My older sister has practically abandoned her fiancé and started writing love letters to him. I can’t wait to see his face myself.”

“Come to think of it, Lady Sierra has seen him in person. Is he really as handsome as the rumors say?”

What was there to even explain about the male lead’s face?

The descriptions in the original story didn’t do him justice at all.

He was simply so handsome that words couldn’t adequately describe him.

There was no need for a lengthy explanation.

“He’s extremely handsome.”

“Oh my, then the rumors must be true.”

“When I was younger, Father considered proposing a marriage alliance with Carsian, but I refused. I want to go back and slap my younger self!”

“Well, back then everyone said he was a monster with scales covering his face. I would’ve refused too.”

At that moment, Zeria joined the conversation.

“I actually saw the Young Master’s face by chance when I was younger. I’ve had a small crush on him ever since… but he never appeared in public, so I never had the opportunity to meet him.”

Zeria smiled shyly.

“I think I’ll ask him to be my partner.”

“Oh my, how bold. If it’s Lady Zeria, the Young Master won’t be able to refuse.”

Looking pleased, Zeria turned toward me.

“Sierra, your health still isn’t good enough for you to attend a banquet… but could you at least help me choose my dress?”

“I’m attending the banquet too.”

“What? Why would you…?”

“And the Young Master’s partner has already been decided.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, he asked me to be his partner.”