Chapter 93

It was dinnertime, and Lili finally woke up, ate, and fell asleep again.

She had intended to wait for Jesar to return, but it seemed she was indeed tired.

The next morning, she discovered an indentation on the pillow next to hers, evidence that Jesar had slept there, and she was filled with regret.

"Oh, what have I done... My husband came back tired from work, and I, his wife, was sleeping soundly... What a waste."

Still, Jesar had made sure to sleep with Lili.

Thinking about this made her want to shout out the window in joy, but she was also worried.

She knew she had to confess her secret sooner rather than later.

(But I can't figure out the right timing...)

It wasn't something she could talk about just before bed, and during the busy daytime, it would be a bother to Jesar.

After much deliberation, Lili finally got up, got dressed, and had a hearty breakfast.

Then, while leisurely enjoying her post-meal tea, a request for a meeting from Conrad arrived.

"Hmm... Can you decline it, citing fatigue? If anyone else requests a meeting, decline them all, please."

"Understood."

Lili, though not actually frail, was indeed tired from the long journey.

Even after so much sleep, she hadn't fully recovered, and she wanted Tena and Rese to rest as much as possible.

Yet, if she had to entertain guests, she wouldn't be able to rest.

(Normally, they should consider these things. Conrad really can't read the room...)

As the imperial successor, Conrad was welcomed wherever he went.

He was charming and had a bright, friendly personality, making him quite popular, even more so than Jesar.

Lili felt he was getting arrogant about it.

(Really, everyone has no eye for talent...)

Jesar had just returned from a long trip and had been working early both yesterday and this morning.

Yet, Conrad seemed to be loafing around, which made Lili angry.

(Rather, if Conrad could take over Jesar's work, Jesar and I could rest... He should show more consideration.)

If Conrad took more responsibility as the successor, Jesar's burden would decrease.

Then, the work wouldn't have piled up this much.

Lili didn't think Conrad could take over Jesar's work, but she was feeling a bit resentful.

She decided that she couldn't delay confessing her secret for too long and would ask for a dinner together soon, followed by tea or wine afterward.

(The problem is... how to handle that pottery—Maris. How to get Jesar and the Emperor to accept my plan...)

The main purpose of the trip to Toyzen, to create pottery like Shana's, was almost achieved.

Thanks to Hans and Edgar, they even exceeded expectations.

On the way back to the palace, Lili had been boasting to Tena and the others about the success.

With Frederick's presence, they discussed various matters.

However, before making those proposals, Lili was also considering whether to confess her secret to Jesar.

(I'll leave it to Jesar to decide whether to tell the Emperor... The proposal might be seen as cunning in some cases... I should confess the secret first. Yes!)

Jesar would probably be quite busy today and tomorrow.

There was still the aftermath of the Lili kidnapping incident to deal with, and she might be questioned by the Emperor or others.

Of course, she had already told Jesar everything except for the part about seeing it in a dream.

(But I will definitely stay awake and wait for him tonight!)

She couldn't afford to repeat last night's mistake.

A good wife, as written in the books she read before marriage, should heal her tired husband.

Lili hadn't realized how much her early behavior had tired Jesar, but she was now focused on healing him tonight and tomorrow night.

She hoped that by the night after tomorrow, they could have dinner together.

As the night deepened, Jesar, thinking Lili was already asleep, quietly opened the door to the bedroom and froze.

The room was filled with an unusual smell.

"Lili...?"

"Jed! Welcome back from work today!"

"Ah, yes... And this smell?"

Jesar cautiously asked, looking at Lili, whose eyes were shining strangely.

He was afraid to hear the answer.

Jesar, known as the "Red Reaper," hadn't felt such fear in a long time.

Unaware of Jesar's inner turmoil, Lili happily replied.

"I made a special drink for you, Jed, to help you recover from your fatigue!"

"Special... drink..."

By the window in the bedroom was a long chair, and in front of it was a small table.

On the table sat a pitcher containing Lili's "special drink."

One of the glasses seemed to have already been used.

"I learned the recipe from a pharmacist who regularly visits the Freit castle. It's a drink that helps with fatigue and boosts energy. The pharmacist was very old, and everyone called him a 'witch,' but he was skilled, so it's fine!"

"...Witch"

"He admitted to being a witch himself."

Jesar didn't know what to say.

But after a few months of marriage, he had developed some resistance.

"What's in this special drink?"

"The ingredients aren't too many. Well, there's Muca, a specialty of Freit, which can only be grown in the highlands of the Hoetter Mountains, and Oriental ginseng from the far east, plus garlic and the witch's special powder."

"Wait a moment... I'm particularly concerned about this 'witch's special powder.'"

"Oh, it's fine. I secretly asked, and he told me. It's made from the liver of venomous snakes and eels, and the dried and powdered testicles of a sea lion from the northern sea."

"..."

"When I decided to marry Jed, the witch gave it to me as a wedding gift. Later, Mr. Fu—Mr. Frederick told me that while the venomous snakes are dangerous, the eels and sea lions are very rare and expensive. So, I saved it for a special occasion."

"Special occasion..."

"It smells terrible, and it tastes bad too, but I mixed in honey, so you can drink it all at once without choking. I tried it first, so there's no problem."

"You drank it!?"

"Yes. It was easier to drink than the hangover remedy. In fact, I think it works well. I'm not sleepy at all, even though it's so late."

Jesar realized that this was why Lili's eyes were shining so strangely.

Moreover, Lili seemed to have experienced a hangover before.

Thinking about the terrible taste of the hangover remedy, Jesar realized he was avoiding reality.

"Did you make this special drink, Lili?"

"Yes. The recipe was included."

"...I see."

Jesar wondered why the maid hadn't stopped her, but if she could have, Lili wouldn't have done such outlandish things before.

Deciding that further resistance was futile, Jesar resolved to drink the precious "special drink" Lili had made for him.

He took the glass, and Lili smiled, pouring the thick liquid into it.

Believing Lili's words that it was easier to drink than the hangover remedy, Jesar quickly downed the glass.

The smell was strong, but the taste wasn't as bad as he expected.

Lili immediately handed him a glass of water, which he gratefully drank.

"How was it?"

"...The smell is terrible, but the taste is... okay..."

"Right? Soon, your body will start to feel warm."

"...I see."

Jesar nodded in resignation and, a short while later, looked at the soundly sleeping Lili with a resentful gaze.

As Lili had said, his body felt warm—almost feverish, and he couldn't sleep.

He felt more energetic, but he wasn't sure if his fatigue had truly been relieved.

In the end, Jesar waited until dawn, kissed the sleeping Lili to wake her up, and got his revenge.