35 – Family
Accepting Alan Maydoff’s proposal wasn’t solely due to Queen Sirocivin.
‘Not the right topic after just having a drink.’
Empress Yeonhwa tore a piece of paper currency with her slender fingers, letting out a wry smile.
Right after sending Alan away, she consumed a beverage mixed with Sirocivin powder and lemon juice.
Taken every three days.
Although it was said that there would be no harm to health even if consumed daily, living in the sensory world for only a few hours a day was satisfying enough.
While fascinated by the effects of Sirocivin, she wasn’t desperate enough to abandon her daughter.
Above all, there was a way to obtain Sirocivin without compromising with Alan. After all, the human body is composed of muscles, bones, and blood vessels. It wasn’t about torturing Alan, but there were means available.
However, there was one reason for accepting willingly.
‘My daughter ignored the warning.’
If it were in Jin-guk, the child who had already received punishment and exile for a similar situation would have reflected. Instead, she not only refrained from self-discipline but also got into another accident.
Did she genuinely believe that she could step on my step-sister through the health syrup?
If so, it was a more significant problem. It meant that rational thinking was impossible. If I embraced her forcibly, she would resume her actions shortly.
No matter how I think about it, it was reasonable to hesitate at this point.
If it’s not regrettable, it was a lie.
‘But what can I do?’
Rather than later being dragged out like a dog and standing in front of the gallows, it was a wise decision to cut it off at this point.
That way, one could preserve the life of a daughter, just as Alan said. You have to keep her alive to be able to see her face.
“Tell Her Majesty that I will visit soon.”
Not now, but about three hours later.
Right after notifying the empress, the empress felt a sensation of her body gradually rising. It was indeed because of the efficacy of Silovine.
At first, she was very confused, but now she was accustomed to the floating sensation and haziness.
Her sense of duty towards her daughter also rapidly faded away.
**
Princess Anais Kallail has been enjoying happy days lately. Perhaps more than the days when she attended the academy thoughtlessly.
Today was a day when two pieces of good news coincided.
First, good news came from the academy.
There was news that a health potion was spreading in the Department of Magic. It was information conveyed by Bobby Duncan, the dean of the Magic Department and an investor. He mentioned it in passing during a lecture, but the students spread it themselves, you know?
‘It would be even better if the trend spreads to other departments.’
It was a rare piece of good news that raised the level of the health potion by one step, or even two.
But there was an even happier event than this.
“At noon, call your sisters and let’s have a meal together. From today onwards, you don’t have to worry about Sienna anymore.”
It was an announcement from the empress just received through the communication device.
The Queen, who had been admiring Siena to an unusual extent, seemed to have changed her mind and decided to extend her hand to the bloodstained one.
“Mother must have heard about the scoundrel he was hanging out with.”
Even now, there were many who mocked Alan and Siena. Especially among health investors, it was a common opinion that Morphin’s position would become precarious if the two of them pushed their luck.
The Queen must have heard the rumors and judged that the tide was turning.
As the appointment time approached, Anais stood on the teleportation magic circle, with a smile on her face. She was accompanied by only one knight.
The destination was, of course, the palace.
As soon as Anais arrived, she received instructions from the chamberlain and headed to the dining room.
The imperial guards, including Alan, stood in a formal posture in front of the door, but she ignored them. Siena took precedence over that scoundrel.
“You’re late, Anais.”
Soon after, the most noble family in the empire welcomed Anais.
The Emperor, who displayed a dignified expression but also a robust appearance, the Empress who smiled beside him, and Victoria in her crimson conquering attire.
Siena, who didn’t particularly want to acknowledge them as family, was also occupying a seat. She even smiled when she saw Anais.
Anais smiled back for now.
After all, if she waited a little longer, the Empress, who had finally decided to help her, would draw her sword. Then she would be able to wipe off that unpleasant smile as well. If Siena went wild and rampaged, there would be nothing more to ask for.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like she would have to wait long.
“…Siena. I have something to discuss before the meal. It might be uncomfortable, but I hope you’ll listen. I’m sure Your Majesty will understand as well.”
“Of course.”
Empress Yeonhwa, who asked for the Emperor’s permission and made a light gesture.
Immediately after, a servant appeared, holding a half-filled glass made of silver. On top of it was a small bottle, none other than the health syrup.
“Are we starting already?”
Hastening, the thought crossed my mind, but it wasn’t a bad idea.
“Goodness gracious. Why is that?”
Although Siena asked with a foolish expression, the Empress showed no concern at all.
“You want to inquire, Siena. Whether you’re genuinely asking because you don’t know.”
“….”
“I wanted to stay out of your affairs if possible. But, Siena, your disdain for health tonics has gone too far. You even went to the generals last week and criticized their health tonics. I’m curious about what you were thinking.”
“I didn’t criticize.”
“If it wasn’t criticism, you might as well have cursed. Was it because your younger sibling’s success bothered you so much?”
Siena’s face, gradually hardening in response to the Empress’s sharp reproach, was truly a spectacle.
Anais exerted herself to suppress the laughter threatening to escape. Laughter in such a serious atmosphere could shatter the tension.
‘Just endure a bit, just a bit.’
I wonder if this effort will not be in vain.
Before long, Siena began to reveal her sharp temperament. Daring to glare at the Empress, she sighed.
“Goodness gracious. Honestly, it’s awkward. But I want to make one thing clear. I didn’t attack Anais.”
“If you’re going to justify that you pointed out the danger of health tonics, stop. If it really was such a dangerous medicine, someone would have already died.”
“Someone might have died. Some may have become invalids. It’s just that the numbers are still low.”
“Going too far. I hope you stop at that.”
“Ha….”
Uncomfortable air gradually filled the dining room.
The Emperor still closed his eyes with a serious expression, and Victoria firmly held onto Siena’s arm, worried that an explosion here might harm her younger sibling.
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But it was not enough to suppress Sienna with that degree of force.
“Hey!”
Sienna stood up, pushing her chair rudely.
“Anais, is this your doing?”
Sienna aggressively interrogated, glaring at her.
Seeing the anger on her face, it was clear that she was on the verge of exploding. A slight provocation could lead to an irreversible mistake.
Anais innocently tilted her head, pretending not to understand.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know very well that health syrup is dangerous…! Isn’t it proof that you excluded the poison ivy after Alan’s warning? Even if the number of deaths decreases, the risk is not eliminated. Depending on the constitution, even short-term use can be fatal…!”
“What warning? There was no such warning, so stop making a scene. Health syrup is harmless, unlike your rumors.”
“Harmless?”
Sienna’s emotions seemed to be out of control. She even put her hand on her waist and gnashed her lips. It seemed like she was about to curse if she scratched a little more.
“Shall I provoke her further?”
Just as Anais was contemplating, Sienna took action first.
“Fine. You really believe it’s harmless?”
“…Of course.”
“Then prove it.”
After saying that, Sienna began her action.
She snatched the syrup bottle from the maid, took a teacup, and poured twelve spoons of health syrup into it. She then ordered the maids standing nearby to bring hot water. She meant to make tea on the spot using the health syrup.
“That crazy woman…!”
To the astonished Anaïs, she pushed the eerie tea until the end.
“Drink it and prove it.”
“…Sister, what are you doing?”
“I’ll believe it if you drink it. I’ll even apologize publicly.”
Anaïs had hoped for her to break down, but to what extent?
Of course, Anaïs had no intention of indulging in Siena’s absurd behavior.
She had never tasted a health syrup before, and she had no intention of doing so in the future. Let alone twelve spoons? She couldn’t predict what would happen if she were to consume it.
After a moment of contemplation, Anaïs shook her head.
“It’s become unbearable. Stop, sister.”
“So you don’t want to drink it.”
“I’m not sick. I’m not tired either.”
Wasn’t this enough to let it go?
But Siena was relentless. After glaring at Anaïs as if she wanted to kill her, she turned her target to the empress this time.
“Would you drink it instead of Anaïs, Mother?”
It seemed like the end was near.
“Of course, she’ll refuse, too, Mother.”
Or maybe today, the emperor, who was unusually quiet, would scold her sternly.
Either way, Siena’s antics would end up being in vain. A princess demanding a taste test from the nobles. Such behavior was unheard of.
However.
“Alright. I’ll drink it.”
“What?”
The Empress, who easily accepted and received the teacup, exclaimed.
Anais opened her eyes wide and looked at the Empress.
While grateful for her assistance, there was no need for her to personally consume it. It’s not like she was particularly healthy, and if she drank that, there could be an accident…
“I should stop it…! No. If I do, won’t I be suspected?”
After a brief hesitation, Anais ultimately chose silence.
In the meantime, the Empress downed the health syrup she had prepared.
She drank it all, very sweetly, gulp after gulp.
It was supposed to taste good. After all, it was basically sugary water. But she couldn’t know the exact amount of op*ium and belladonna mixed in.
“What should I do with this?”
Anais lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her hands. Her mind was dizzy from the large amount of health syrup that had passed through the Empress’s throat.
Even managing her expression had become difficult for a while.
It was supposed to be a situation where only Siena would be seriously injured and it would end, but she wondered how it had come to this.
“Just once… Yes. It’ll be fine since Mom has become healthier than before. Suddenly, nothing bad will happen. It’s best to let it pass.”
As Anais muttered to herself, as if admonishing herself, a dry voice rang in her ears.
“So you didn’t stop it after all, Anais. This might have been your last chance. …What would you have done if this was real health syrup?”
What?
Surprised, she raised her head and saw the Empress casually wiping off the syrup on her lips.
Beside her, the Emperor sighed deeply as if he was dejected, and Siena was smiling brightly as if asking when she had become excited. Even Victoria, who had just tried to stop Siena, had a crestfallen expression as if she had realized something.
A prolonged stillness.
“Ah.”
Anais’ face, having finally grasped the situation, rapidly turned pale.