TPGV 16

Chapter 16

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“This room is so much better. It’s spacious, beautiful, and has a wonderful view. It looks like the Duke has finally realized what a good lady you are. He’s acknowledged you as the true mistress of the house.”

 

Cecile, looking around the new room, spoke in an excited voice, her face glowing with joy. She was absolutely delighted.

 

Lexios had moved Cecile’s room next to Elliche’s. It was, without a doubt, far better than her previous one.

 

“Now you can make your medicines on a large table. You always had a hard time working on that small one.”

 

“Yes, that’s true.”

 

Elliche nodded, honestly agreeing.

 

So far, Lexios’s behavior merely showed that he had taken a bit more interest in her—there were no signs of any black magic as she had feared.

 

She had thought the Emperor might have placed some kind of black spell in addition to the powder, but maybe that had just been her imagination.

 

“But why do you look so down today?”

 

Cecile, who had been arranging the curtains, asked curiously.

 

“It’s nothing. I just have some things on my mind.”

 

Elliche gave a vague answer, masking her tangled emotions.

 

Ever since Calix had visited yesterday, she hadn’t felt right.

 

She had created an antidote for Chorfen, but she didn’t know much about magical energy.

 

What if one of the herbs she used had properties that nullify magic? Herbs could have multiple effects, and she certainly didn’t know every property of every plant.

 

The burden on her mind was growing heavier. The one who lost his magic was none other than the Archmage Gallaitos—after taking her antidote.

 

It was a relief that Lexios didn’t seem to suspect her medicine, but that didn’t mean she felt any better.

 

Knock knock.

 

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Elliche cleared her throat and called out:

 

“Come in.”

 

She expected Lexios or Calix, but two maids entered cautiously instead.

 

“My lady, we’ve come to clean.”

 

Their expressions were as sour as if they had just bitten into rotten apples.

 

It was clear they had been pushed into this by the head maid and came against their will.

 

“Alright. I was about to head out anyway. Clean while I’m gone.”

 

Elliche decided to leave so they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. She had to visit the information guild anyway.

 

“What are your names?”

 

As she was packing medicine bottles into her bag, the thought struck her.

 

The cleaning maids had changed, and she didn’t even know their names.

 

“Um, I’m Sally.”

 

“I’m Delphine.”

 

They answered in a fluster, clearly uneasy about talking to her.

 

“Alright. I’ll remember that.”

 

Elliche tried to sound gentle, but the maids went pale.

 

She had only asked to learn their names, but they seemed to take it as a threat—that she’d remember them for stepping out of line.

 

The freckled, skinny one was Sally. The chubby one with a sweet face was Delphine.

 

Elliche made a mental note and smiled as she greeted them:

 

“Well then, take care.”

 

“Yes, my lady.”

 

The two bowed deeply, unsure what to do.

 

Elliche stepped outside with Cecile. While Cecile went to fetch the coachman, Elliche wandered through the garden to pass the time.

 

The breeze was warm, and the well-tended garden was beautiful.

 

Flowers of every kind bloomed brightly, boldly announcing the arrival of spring.

 

“My lady.”

 

It was then that Venshu called from the other side of the garden. He hurried toward her.

 

“What is it, Venshu?”

 

“The Duke has instructed me to teach you how to manage the estate’s finances. When would be a good time to start?”

 

Elliche felt a headache coming on. But this was something she had no choice but to do.

 

“I’m quite busy this week. How about we start next week?”

 

“Shall we say Monday, then?”

 

“That sounds fine.”

 

“Then I’ll visit your room on Monday afternoon.”

 

Like the meticulous butler he was, Venshu didn’t leave until everything was clearly arranged.

 

Next came Judel.

 

“I’ve been assigned to escort you from today. I’ll be in your care.”

 

He bowed politely and took his place beside her.

 

“Let me guess—Duke’s orders?”

 

“Yes, my lady. I’ll be following you wherever you go, starting today.”

 

“I’ve been going around just fine without an escort until now.”

 

“This was a special instruction from the Duke.”

 

Elliche let out a long sigh. The number of things she had to deal with was only growing.

 

“Alright, let’s go together then.”

 

When the coachman brought the carriage to the front of the mansion, Elliche quickly climbed in. Judel followed naturally and sat across from her.

 

Elliche found herself missing the days when Lexios had shown no interest in her at all.

 

Things were getting complicated.

 

 

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* * *

 

“Here are the eight vials of antidote we agreed on.”

 

Elliche placed the vials on the table as she spoke.

 

Gunter inspected them one by one, a satisfied smile appearing on his crimson lips.

 

“Perfect. Then we’ll begin the task immediately.”

 

“The person I want you to find is named Hadin. He has silver hair and violet eyes.”

 

“I already know.”

 

Gunter answered smoothly.

 

He must really have an extensive information network, to already know who she was trying to find.

 

Elliche hesitated a moment before speaking again.

 

“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“I’m looking for a village. It might even be a city. It’s called Tuléan.”

 

“I’ve never heard of it.”

 

“I figured as much. But I want to find it. What continent it’s on, what country, how to get there from here—anything.”

 

Gunter raised his eyebrows and looked at her.

 

“That’s not the sort of request we usually take.”

 

“I’ve heard there’s nothing you can’t do—except assassinating the Emperor. Was I misinformed?”

 

Gunter chuckled quietly.

 

“You give us too much credit.”

 

“So, you won’t take the job?”

 

Elliche asked, anxiety creeping into her voice. Gunter looked thoughtful.

 

“I’ll try. I can’t guarantee anything, though.”

 

“How much is the initial fee?”

 

“Same as before. 100,000 shtel. If it takes longer, we’ll charge an extra 100,000 per week. There’s no risk involved, but it’s resource-intensive. We’ll have to send people across all continents—and maybe even search remote islands.”

 

“Alright. I’ll bring the 100,000 shtel tomorrow.”

 

She stood up, eager to leave—Judel and Cecile were waiting downstairs.

 

But Gunter called out again.

 

“One more thing, Duchess.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’d like to ask you something about the Third Empress.”

 

“What about her?”

 

“Did she really have silver hair and violet eyes?”

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

“She’s the only royal the guild has no records on.”

 

“So even your guild has gaps. Yes, she had silver hair and violet eyes. She was beautiful.”

 

Gunter nodded, a strange smile playing on his lips.

 

“But according to our information, she didn’t die from illness.”

 

Elliche’s face slowly hardened. She neither wanted to hear nor speak about her mother’s death.

 

“What are you implying?”

 

“Some say she was poisoned. Others say the Emperor ended her life himself.”

 

Elliche immediately shook her head. The truth could never be spoken aloud.

 

“No. My mother died of illness. The Empire didn’t suit her. She always missed her homeland. She couldn’t even go outside.”

 

“Where was she from, then?”

 

“I don’t know. No one ever told me.”

 

Elliche chose silence.

 

In truth, her mother didn’t know where Tuléan was either. She had never left until she met Elliche’s father.

 

There were no maps there. She hadn’t even known about other continents or the ocean.

 

She had come to the Empire after taking multiple ships, guided by her husband. They’d crossed rugged mountains and vast forests.

 

The journey had been so complex that her mother couldn’t remember the way back.

 

“You don’t seem to know much about your mother.”

 

Gunter smiled with a hint of sarcasm.

 

“I was too young.”

 

Elliche responded quietly, standing up again.

 

But the truth was, she remembered everything. Her mother had been her entire world. Every word, every expression—she had etched them all into her heart. Even the painful moments as her mother’s life slowly faded.

 

One truth remained:

 

The longer she stayed in the Empire, the more certain it became—she would die the same death as her mother.

 

That’s why she had to leave this place. Escape the Emperor’s grasp as soon as possible.

 

Gunter asked nothing further. He simply escorted her to the stairs and bowed politely.

 

Once he was gone, Elliche paused halfway down the steps.

 

She rolled up the sleeve of her dress, which covered even the back of her hand.

 

The black mark on her upper arm stood out clearly. When it first appeared three years ago, it had been the size of a fingernail. Now it had grown to the size of a finger.

 

It would keep growing.

 

And the day it spread across her entire body would be the day she died.

 

Just as her mother had, long ago.