Chapter 6

5.

After examining Rachel's body for a long time, Lumen put down his medical tools and said, "Everything is normal."

A sigh of relief escaped her, contrary to her worries, as the result was not as devastating as she had feared. There was nothing wrong with her body. It was truly fortunate.

"Hold on. Then what have I been taking all this time?"

Given Abigail's character, it was unlikely that she had given her something beneficial...

Lumen suppressed the rising anger, his voice trembling as he spoke, "Your Excellency, have you ever heard of 'Pierrot's Herb'?"

"No? What is it?"

"This poison cannot be healed even by divine power. They say that consuming it kills the soul, preventing rebirth."

"You mean I've been taking something that terrible?"

"Lord Lantern said it seems like you've been taking it for six months..."

Lumen shook his head, puzzled. The symptoms of Pierrot's Herb poisoning were unknown even to experienced doctors and priests. They were not much different from those of alcoholism.

There was only one difference. After taking it for more than half a year, one could no longer form complete sentences.

But look at the current duchess. Her pupils are clear, and she can speak properly.

"This is a poison controlled by the royal family. If you hadn't been exposed to it before, I wouldn't have recognized the symptoms even if Lord Lantern had described them to me."

...Something feels off.

If it's controlled by the royal family, it's something that can't be obtained even with money. I need to find out how it was obtained.

Her frown deepened. Setting that aside for now...

"How have I been fine all this time despite taking such a thing?"

"To my knowledge, there are only two cases where someone has survived this deadly poison."

"Two cases?"

"Either the person is a saint blessed by the gods, or..."

There's no way I'm a saint, so let's skip that.

"Or?"

"Only a wizard who has awakened a very special power."

Magic existed in this world. It was a unique ability that only the chosen ones could awaken, not something gained through training. People with such abilities, who were born with a one-in-a-million chance, were called 'wizards.'

"Throughout history, only one wizard has ever awakened 'that power.'"

Once awakened, they could use their 'unique elemental magic' as naturally as breathing.

Liz, my favorite character, has water as her unique element.

But a wizard with a special power...

"I don't think I am. I can't even feel mana."

Lumen gazed intently at Rachel's eyes. The duchess before him was completely different from the Rachel in his memory. She was a young successor who had never stood up to her high-pressure, aristocratic parents. Rachel was originally quiet and introverted, not considered a suitable successor.

But the current duchess...

'They say it's a poison that kills the soul. Has it changed her personality?'

Her eyes were clear, and her speech was sharp, unlike before.

"Since this poison is not well-known, I don't know much about it. It might have been taken for a short time, so let's monitor it regularly and keep a close eye on the details."

"...Okay. I understand. Thank you for coming back."

"I am grateful that I can still be of use."

He had devoted half his life to the Agnus family, only to be expelled without knowing why. How much he had resented and missed this place, which was like his hometown.

The bitter smile on his face was fleeting.

"Since you've come all this way, go and rest. I'll call you if I need you again."

"Yes. I will take my leave then. If anything is wrong, please call me immediately."

"Sure. I will."

After Lumen left,

"What is this...?"

The symptoms of Pierrot's Herb poisoning were the same as those experienced by the 'Rachel' before she possessed her. But now that she possessed her, her body was fine?

'They say it kills the soul...'

She was lost in thought when Anne arrived.

"Your Grace, may I come in?"

"Sure. Come in."

Anne, who looked much brighter than when they first met, placed a bundle of mail on the desk.

"These are the important letters among those sent to you, and these are the ones that just arrived."

"Hmm?"

A luxurious envelope with an intricate design. The wax seal bore the emblem of the Castor Empire.

"...A letter from the royal family."

The current emperor is Giorgio von Castor. He is the protagonist's uncle, who was later executed when the protagonist ascended the throne.

'They said Pierrot's Herb is controlled by the royal family...'

She felt a strange unease as she opened the letter with a letter opener.

"Hmm?"

Theo von Laxenburg, the Grand Duke.

It was an invitation from the royal family to attend a party celebrating his victory.

***

Agnus Duchy, underground prison.

Abigail, with a haggard face, leaned against the damp wall. The musty and foul smell that filled her nostrils with each breath seemed to tell her that her life was over.

"This is all because of my sister-in-law! If she hadn't meddled, we wouldn't be locked up like this!"

Tayl, who was locked in the adjacent cell, blamed Abigail with a voice full of anger.

"...My fault? Who was the one who sneaked in and agreed to it at first?"

"Ugh! Anyway, do something quickly. I really feel like I'm going to die."

A bitter smile appeared on Abigail's face. The only thing she could do now was hope that the duchess would change her mind.

"What did we do wrong? Damn it...!"

The knights who had formed a group with Tayl grumbled. The officials who had been appointed through bribes to Abigail pleaded with the guards.

"At least we won't be executed."

Abigail, like Tayl, was a noble. She was the former Countess of Weaver. While a commoner could be executed without a trial, a noble required one.

In other words, evidence sufficient to warrant the death penalty was needed.

'There are few people who know about that drug...'

If she were brought to trial, she could deny everything. There was a good chance she could escape by claiming it was a frame-up, especially since the duchess was fine.

'But how is the duchess fine?'

No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't understand.

Until that day, the alcohol she had given him had made him so drunk that he couldn't think straight. She had given it to him for half a year. By that time, his mind should have been completely destroyed.

It was incomprehensible that he could suddenly be fine.

'Could he have been pretending all this time?'

But why?

There was no reason for him to do so for half a year.

Creak.

Abigail suddenly lifted her head at the sound. Rupert, with a terrifying gaze, stood in front of the cell.

"Come out."

"No matter how many times you ask, I won't answer you!"

Does she still think she can manipulate the Agnus family?

Rupert looked at her disdainfully and said, "Come out. It's by the Duke's order."

"I knew it. The Duke must have finally trusted my loyalty...!"

Loyalty?

Rupert snorted inwardly and grabbed her bound hands, pulling her out.

"You will be moved to another place."

She would likely not see sunlight for a long time. According to the Duke's order, she would be secretly managed in a place where not even a mouse could enter.

***

Theo von Laxenburg.

To describe him...

"In a word, he's a madman."

"Ugh."

Rachel groaned and buried her face in the desk at Marcus's words. The Laxenburg Grand Dukes had always been 'Fire Wizards.' Despite the fact that the wizard's ability was not hereditary, they strangely awakened the power of fire.

They were called the 'Curse of Blood' because they all craved blood and died on the battlefield, generation after generation.

They lived in constant death.

The current Grand Duke was no different.

'This man didn't even appear in the novel.'

He only appeared in a brief 'obituary' after the protagonist ascended the throne.

"...Do we really have to attend?"

At her words, Marcus said, "Your Excellency, there's no better opportunity to announce the Agnus family's revival than at a royal party. You know that, don't you?"

Marcus was right. Since she became the duchess, she had secluded herself in the mansion for half a year, avoiding social activities.

"There will be all sorts of speculation and rumors about you in society. This is the chance to show that you are well."

"That's true, but..."

"Is it the Grand Duke of Laxenburg that concerns you? It will be fine as long as you don't get too close."

"Ugh."

The Grand Duke of Laxenburg.

Perhaps because she knew his fate, she felt uneasy about seeing him.

She recalled Rachel's memories. His hair was as black as the night sky, and his eyes were pitch black, revealing nothing.

All that was in those eyes was emptiness.

Shudder.

Just thinking about his eyes made goosebumps rise on her arms.

"Your Excellency, steel yourself. This is a hurdle we must eventually overcome."

"Right. I have to..."

She took a deep breath. She had resolved to do anything for her favorite character's happiness.

So, even if she didn't want to, she had to attend.

"...But Marcus."

"Yes?"

"Isn't there something you should tell me?"

"What do you mean?"

"About that child."

"Yes?"

She looked at Marcus, who was puzzled by her sudden question, and spoke the name she had kept in her heart.

"Liz."

Startled.

"Where is my half-sister now?"

At her words, Marcus's eyes shook as if an earthquake had struck.

"How do you know...?"

Liz Agnus.

The illegitimate child of the previous duke was a closely guarded secret known only to a select few.