TPGV 21

Chapter 21

“What do you think you’re doing, Priscilla?”

Elice protested, brushing off her now-soaked dress. The wine stain stood out all the more starkly against the blue fabric.

Priscilla sneered arrogantly, glaring at her.

“I’m treating you the way your filthy blood deserves. Did you think a half-breed like you belonged at this party?”

“I came with an invitation, so I’m clearly a guest. You haven’t changed one bit. Still going on about blood.”

Elice spoke with a stiff expression.

It wasn’t anything new. She had suffered this kind of treatment often when she was in the imperial palace.

Back then, she had no motivation and just endured it quietly—but not anymore.

Now, she had a goal: to save Hadin. And the will to go to Tulean.

She realized when she escaped the palace with Hadin: without strong determination, it was impossible to leave the empire.

So she couldn’t let herself be defeated by something as petty as this. If someone strikes, strike back. Simple.

“Know your place and leave. Do you plan to walk around the party like that? In a soaked, shabby dress?”

Priscilla laughed mockingly, raising her voice.

Elice stared at her coldly. Then, without a word, she picked up a wine glass from the table and splashed it directly onto Priscilla.

Priscilla’s dress was now stained red from chest to hem.

There was no way to enjoy the salon party with grace now. And she had no intention of suffering alone.

She would leave the country in three months anyway. There was no need to maintain dignity in front of these people.

All she needed was Hadin. In this vast empire, he was the only one on her side.

“You—! What do you think you’re doing to me?!”

Enraged, Priscilla raised her hand to slap Elice.

As expected, when her hand came toward Elice’s cheek, Elice firmly grabbed her wrist.

“I simply gave you the treatment your actions deserved. Did you think throwing wine was something only you could do?”

People began to gather. They stayed silent, clearly intrigued by the fight between half-sisters. Even Lexius was watching her with a curious expression.

Maybe this was Madame Angre’s plan all along—she had brought up Priscilla the moment Elice arrived.

Perhaps it was a ploy to make Lexius grow tired of her and eventually divorce her.

No, maybe rumors about the divorce were already spreading.

“How did trash like you end up marrying Lexius?!”

Priscilla trembled with fury, shouting.

Then Elice suddenly remembered—Priscilla had always been obsessed with Lexius.

She used to boast constantly that she would marry the empire’s most eligible bachelor.

Why the emperor had married Elice to Lexius instead of Priscilla, no one knew.

“Rex.”

Elice tried calling him by the nickname Calix used for Lexius, pretending to be affectionate.

Would he respond?

Her heart pounded with anxiety. She hoped the dark charm spell had worked—but what if it hadn’t?

Their eyes met: her blue ones, his red.

Lexius looked at her with a blank expression.

It failed. Just as she was about to say something else—

Lexius smirked and raised an eyebrow, then held out his hand to her.

“Shall we go, Princess? Seems we’re not welcome here.”

Elice exhaled with relief. Thank goodness—he had responded.

“Yes. We should be more selective about which parties we attend next time.”

She spoke gracefully and boldly linked her arm with his. She feared he might brush her off at any second.

Thankfully, Lexius didn’t reject her touch. He even took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, guiding her toward the exit.

He didn’t even glance at Madame Angre as they left the hall.

“I ruined the party… What should we do?”

Outside, Elice finally let out a worried sigh.

“Don’t worry. We won’t be coming back here anyway.”

“Still… will it be okay?”

“Madame Angre played a dirty trick. She knew you’d be here and invited Priscilla. It was an insult to me.”

Lexius replied coldly.

“You said it would be a fun party. Seems no different from those at the palace—just a bit more relaxed.”

“They’re usually fun. Sometimes we have heated political debates.”

“That’s supposed to be fun?”

“It helps with political insight.”

“Sounds like academic fun.”

Elice shook her head. Politics and current affairs weren’t her concerns.

All she cared about was the greenhouse, Hadin, and Tulean.

“It’s a shame to just go back. Want to take a walk?”

Lexius offered gently, but Elice shook her head.

“No. My dress is ruined. I really liked this one.”

“You can get a new one. Marianne will make you the best dress.”

“Let’s just go home. I didn’t even get to visit the greenhouse today.”

“You’re more of a farmer than a princess—worrying about your plants even now.”

“It’s the only thing I’m good at.”

She laughed and hurried toward the carriage. Somehow, she felt triumphant.

When Lexius offered his hand to help her into the carriage, she didn’t reject it. She held his hand firmly and stepped up with grace.

Who knew the emperor’s dark magic would actually help her?

If Lexius hadn’t taken her side in front of Priscilla, she would’ve felt utterly humiliated.

She didn’t mind that Lexius was falling under her spell—though she had no idea what the end would bring.

—

***

—

“If any more invitations come from Madame Angre, toss them straight in the trash.”

Lexius ordered as soon as he entered the study, calling for Bangshu.

His rough tone startled Bangshu a little.

“Yes, Your Grace. But may I ask why…?”

“The salon’s not what it used to be. The quality’s dropped a lot since three years ago.”

Lexius tugged off his cravat. His headache was worsening. Still, the party had achieved its purpose.

He had publicly sided with Elice at the most talked-about salon. The rumor would spread through the capital—and eventually reach the emperor.

It was vital the emperor believed the dark charm spell was working. Only then would he lower his guard and show his true intentions.

“What about Gallaitos?”

“He’s still in the library, hasn’t come out.”

“And food?”

“We’ve been delivering meals to him.”

“Good. Make sure he’s eating. He tends to skip meals when he’s absorbed in something.”

“Yes. But… Your Grace, you don’t look well today.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Lexius frowned at Bangshu’s concerned reply.

“It’s just a headache. Portals are useful, but this is the downside.”

“Do you have a fever?”

“No. You know me—I’ve never even caught a cold.”

“Still, just in case. Let me check.”

Bangshu approached and gently touched his forehead—then looked shocked.

“You do have a fever. A very high one.”

“I have a fever? Me?”

Lexius touched his own forehead, looking skeptical.

“Could it be… Kolun fever?”

“Don’t jinx it. I’ll sleep it off.”

Lexius pressed a hand to his throbbing head and headed for the sofa. He had wanted to lie down for a while now.

At first, he thought it was just fatigue. But now, unfamiliar symptoms were setting in.

He had never had such a severe headache. His body was burning up, yet he felt chills colder than anything he’d experienced in the north.

“Just rest for now. If it gets worse, I’ll call the lady.”

“No need. I know my own body.”

Lexius collapsed onto the sofa. He didn’t even have the strength to make it to his bedroom.

The moment he lay down, his eyes closed—and he lost consciousness.

—

***

—

“What did you say? The Duke collapsed?!”

Elice jumped up, forgetting the herbs she was preparing.

Bangshu nodded, explaining what he suspected.

“It seems to be Kolun fever. If he had just taken the medicine, he’d be fine. But he refused…”

“Are there rashes? What about his fever?”

“Burning hot. The rashes are mild but present.”

“I’ll go see him.”

Elice grabbed a vial and rushed out. He had seemed fine when they returned from the party.

Or maybe he had been enduring the pain all along. Knowing him, he’d ignore his own condition.

Lexius was sprawled on the study sofa, drenched in cold sweat and burning with fever.

“Your Grace.”

Elice tried to wipe his sweat and wake him, but he didn’t stir—not even a groan.

“We should get the medicine in him.”

Bangshu looked uneasy.

“But he swore he wouldn’t take anything from you…”

“Then we’ll give it secretly. He’s unconscious—he won’t know.”

“But if he finds out later, he’ll be furious.”

“He might not have a ‘later’ if we don’t.”

“…You’re right.”

“Just say you didn’t know. Blame me.”

“…Very well. Better to disobey than to risk his life.”

Bangshu finally agreed. He couldn’t let his master die out of blind loyalty.

“Bangshu, please bring some water.”

“Yes, right away.”

As he left, Elice searched the study and found a sharp letter opener.

Only three pills remained—she had to conserve them. So for Lexius, she would use another method. More effective, too.

She pricked her finger and drew blood, then placed it between his lips.

When a fair amount had gone in, Bangshu returned with the water.

Elice casually removed her finger, pretending nothing had happened, and poured water into Lexius’s mouth.

The effect came quickly. The fever dropped, and the rashes on his face and neck faded.

Bangshu felt his forehead and gasped.

“Incredible. The lady’s medicine must be amazing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But it’s strange—others suffer for at least a day, but the Duke…”

“He’s strong. Maybe that’s why it worked faster.”

Elice smiled to cover it up.

“Thank you, my lady. I’ll return to my duties.”

“Go ahead. I’ll stay with him.”

“Please take care of him.”

Once Bangshu left, Elice looked closely at the sleeping Lexius.

He had always seemed harsh and cruel, but asleep, his face looked like a divine angel’s sculpture. Truly the empire’s most handsome man.

Without realizing it, Elice reached out to touch his lips.

Those strong yet elegant lips drew her gaze.

Then, Lexius suddenly moved—and grabbed her hand.

She gasped, nearly falling backward in surprise.

Thankfully, his eyes remained closed. It seemed like sleep-induced movement.

But he didn’t let go of her hand.

Then, his perfect lips parted, and a drowsy voice slipped out.

“…Adele.”

It was quiet, but Elice understood clearly.

His face held a soft, radiant smile—the kind only a pure-hearted boy would wear.

A smile she had never seen before.