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chapter 52
“Your Majesty! We’ve returned safely!”
“Safely?”
At Gunter’s exclamation, Dantes looked at the four slumped shoulders before him as if asking what on earth was going on. Yet he didn’t continue his remark—there were simply too many eyes watching.
Despite Dantes’ question, Gunter proceeded with his duties as if the report had already been completed.
“Water! Bring water!”
He shouted while removing his subordinates’ gas masks. The servants brought buckets of water and lined up in front of Gunter. He poured the contents over his subordinates’ faces in one go.
“Cough, cough.”
“Don’t swallow—spit it out! Let everything—the tears, the snot—come out! Quickly, request the antidote for these guys!”
“Yes, sir!”
Gunter still carried Roselina on his shoulders. Following Gunter’s movements, she swayed side to side, then couldn’t bear it any longer and lightly tapped his shoulder.
“Gunter. Me…”
“Ah, right! I forgot because you’re so light!”
Gunter placed Roselina carefully on a medical stretcher to the side.
It was only then that Dantes could see her face. She looked worn and her lips were tinged a dark red, but her eyes were clear.
“What happened, Gunter? The culprit should have been the most poisoned… yet she seems fine.”
“Fine” was hardly an appropriate word to describe Roselina. Dantes knew this but spoke resolutely nonetheless.
“On the way here, she was reportedly given small, consistent doses of medicine prescribed along the way. The antidote seems to have worked gradually.”
“That Monterano fellow was showing off unnecessarily.”
“Still, she’s not free from poisoning. We should be grateful she didn’t die!”
Gunter grabbed the bucket and poured the worst of it over Roselina’s head. She flinched, but he poured again. Far more black powder came out of her than from the knights.
Dantes watched Roselina shiver like a wet mouse. She wasn’t dying right now, but it wouldn’t have been surprising if she did in a few seconds. Struggling to tear his gaze away, Dantes continued.
“Ensure that the toxin on the culprit doesn’t spread to other prisoners or soldiers. There must be no additional victims. Gunter, transfer the prisoner to the royal underground prison’s isolation cell and manage her closely.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Normally, I would not permit a doctor’s care…”
“……”
Gunter didn’t respond, simply looked at Dantes. Dantes spoke firmly.
“However, since she could be an important witness for this incident, Roberto Brida must not die. Allow treatment for poisoning only.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I believe Monterano Aventurine is the right person. Shall I summon him?”
“……”
Dantes felt uneasy at the mention of Monterano’s name. At the same time, it was critical that more people didn’t learn Roselina was female. He spun around sharply and said:
“Do so.”
Roselina coldly watched Dantes leave. When he returned to the palace, perfectly dressed in his formal attire, he looked far more impressive than she had imagined.
‘He really has become the emperor—the most magnificent emperor to rule Delion.’
Dantes briefly averted his gaze, then flinched at the look in Roselina’s eyes. It was the first time he had seen them since their reunion—tender, warm eyes fully focused on him. He straightened his head and quickened his pace.
He had only spoken sharply, so what was that gaze about? Why was she looking at him like that?
Perhaps it was because she was still under the effects of poisoning, unable to see clearly. He wanted to turn back and look at her properly. He even wanted to secretly summon a doctor for the shivering, soaked Roselina.
But he couldn’t. Doing so could put her in even greater danger. Hastening his steps, Dantes spoke:
“The fact that someone dared such a bold act within the palace means they could threaten the royal household. Whoever they targeted, the fact that harm was done is a disgrace. They must be found and punished as an example.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
His tone was sharp and decisive, showing no concern for Roberto Brida—only anger at the force that dared challenge the royal authority. The captain of the guards following him bowed low. Dantes continued briskly:
“Marco Griffin will oversee the investigation of this incident. By tomorrow’s meeting, a detailed report analyzing the situation must be prepared.”
“Yes, I will relay that to Sir Griffin.”
“All standing forces, including the royal knights, must be re-inspected. Problem areas and solutions must be clearly identified. Has such laxity set in merely a few years after the war? At this rate, we couldn’t even protect an ant.”
The captain stopped and bowed at Dantes’ stern words.
“We’ve committed a grave offense, Your Majesty. We shall reform.”
Those following also bowed similarly. Dantes glanced back at them and spoke:
“So, how many are truly ready to atone with their lives? Who can end their life right now before me?”
“……”
He hated empty words of remorse. He hated flattery. Without giving them a chance to respond, Dantes walked on, his mind filled with the pale, drenched face and dark-blue lips of Roselina.
“Your Majesty is truly harsh. How can you not even allow a doctor for someone poisoned?”
Roselina watched Monterano, who looked as if he might cry, treating her. He had entered pale-faced and was treating her as if pouring medicine onto her.
Roselina believed Monterano’s skill surpassed that of most doctors. She had experienced it before, but this poisoning incident proved it even more. Without the antidote he provided, her life might have been at risk. She had no complaints about him, yet Monterano, eyes glistening, continued speaking.
“She was truly in a dangerous state. I even saw the reagent Sir Butler had—it’s made to ensure death! Only a professional could do something like that.”
“……”
How could Monterano recognize it as professional skill? Perhaps his studies weren’t limited to magic alone. Roselina observed him as he treated her.
He was safe for her, but she couldn’t be certain about Dantes or her friends. Moreover, she didn’t yet know why he was gentle only with her, or what his ulterior motives might be. His age didn’t matter now.
“But why does he keep referring to Ros…”
Monterano glanced around. The prison’s isolation cell was completely separate from other prisoners. Gunter’s direct subordinates kept watch, but at a distance.
Still, Roselina’s gender was a secret that must be preserved. Monterano cleared his throat and continued.
“Do they want to kill Roberto?”
“……”
“Even just going to Sen Square, rumors abound that Your Majesty would punish severely. Why try to kill first when leaving her alone could suffice?”
Monterano spoke as if he truly could not understand, and Roselina agreed.
Roselina, hunted and captured for long under charges of offending the royal family, was ultimately meant to die. Yet someone still targeted her, causing these incidents.
In Fort’s case, misunderstandings might explain it, but now everything was clear. Dantes and the three musketeers treated Roselina solely as a criminal. During the journey, with the Gae-Bakha incident and excessive marching, some even feared she might die—so public opinion was partially settled.
Who? Why? For what purpose did they spread poison in the Black Tower? Was it the same person behind the Gae-Bakha incident?
If their goals were clear, like in the Terjes Kingdom, countermeasures would be straightforward. But the attacks centering on Roselina were ambiguous.
“Jealousy, perhaps?”
“……”
Roselina looked at Monterano as if asking what he meant. Monterano answered with a matter-of-fact expression:
“They’re jealous of Roberto! Whether hatred or trust, he’s in the Emperor’s attention. That’s also why Sir Fort acted as he did.”
“……”
“But the Emperor’s wrath is too great to bear, isn’t it? What foolish person would risk it?”
Roselina observed Monterano’s unfounded speculations and spoke:
“It’s not about me. What matters is what they want to convey to the Emperor using me as a pretext.”
“……”
“It’s not about envy or jealousy.”
“Why are you so certain?”
Roselina smiled faintly and said:
“Because I’m not that important.”
“No, Roberto is the most famous in Delion…”
“I’m destined to die anyway, Monterano.”
“……”
“It doesn’t matter. To anyone.”
Whether self-suggestion or reality check for Monterano, it was unclear. But one thing was certain—Roselina wasn’t lying. She spoke the truth, firm as ever.
Monterano was silent for a moment, then spoke with his usual innocent expression:
“You really say things that tire out the person treating you.”
“……”
Roselina didn’t respond to Monterano’s muttering—nothing would change anyway.
