For the treatment, I began placing medicinal ingredients—including the Quoria petals—onto the table.
First, the common components. Then the more temperamental ones. Finally, when the Quoria petals went down, those already watching me with cold eyes flared to life and began to shout.
“Aren't those Quoria petals?!”
“What on earth is he doing? We must stop him at once unless we wish to have Lady Lea killed!”
Some genuinely believed I’d come to poison Lea; others merely aimed to disrupt the treatment or undermine the Grand Duke who’d sanctioned it.
Lea’s eldest sister strode forward, her Aura crackling with lethal intent.
“…Explain yourself. Why have you produced Quoria petals just now?”
Her aura slammed into me like a physical force, pinning me in place—like a mouse before a cat.
…Ridiculously strong.
The power of her lineage truly was monstrous. Her leaking Aura alone easily overwhelmed mine.
But I couldn’t back down now. I’d foreseen this moment.
I drew a steady breath and met her glare.
“…I will drink this medicine myself first. And if Lady Lea suffers harm because of it, I’ll admit all guilt and walk willingly to the execution grounds.”
“Are you saying the House of Berg will shoulder the consequences of your actions?”
I hesitated only a heartbeat before nodding. “Yes. I stake my family’s honor and my life on curing my lady.”
“Lea, do you trust this man?” Her question hung in the air, an ultimatum: if Lea said no, everything would end.
Lea glanced at me. “I do not trust him. But I want to trust him.”
“…You want to trust someone you’ve only just met?”
“Because he looked me straight in the eyes. And judging him on rumors alone would make me like those who mocked me, wouldn’t it?”
Her boldness gave even her sister pause. After a moment, she sighed. “It may be dangerous.”
“But in return, this cursed visage might be restored. And the pain that comes each evening might be relieved.”
“…You truly wish to entrust yourself to this man?”
“Yes, I do.”
Her sister exhaled, releasing her Aura. Turning to me, she spoke quietly. “You will keep your promises. Both to drink first and to have your House take responsibility.”
“I will.”
“Very well. I’ve interfered enough. Do as you will, Young Lord. I will defuse the others’ complaints. And Lea, seeing your old self again brings me joy.”
With a wry smile, she returned to her seat and bowed to the Grand Duke. Though I couldn’t hear her words, she was surely apologizing for her interruption, then settling the others’ doubts.
Oddly, the Elder Council remained silent. From the High Elder's expression, he seemed confident I would fail.
He must be ecstatic.
If I failed and Lea died, he’d use it to challenge the Patriarch’s authority.
Not on my watch.
With practiced hands, I resumed preparing the ingredients. With permission granted, there was no need to delay.
I peeled the Quoria petals and submerged them in ice water. They stiffened instantly in the chill. Beside them, I poured oil into a large pan and tossed in the other herbs over roaring flames.
Clatter. Clatter. Clatter.
Sizzzzzzzle!
My swift, precise, and theatrical stir-fry—reminiscent of Chinese cooking—captured every onlooker’s gaze. Now, with the addition of Aura…
WHOOSH!
Flames engulfed the ingredients, fusing them seamlessly before I plated them like an elegant dish.
This is the most important part.
I scooped a portion of the chilled Quoria, removed the tiniest trace of its venom, and laid it atop the stir-fried herbs. Sky-blue petals floated over the rich brown.
It was complete.
I lifted a large spoonful and tasted it. Sweet aroma met the Quoria’s sharp tang, dancing on my tongue.
Mmm, delicious.
The culinary skills forged during that endless war had not deserted me.
Satisfied, I carried the medicine to Lea. “Please, eat. It’s surprisingly palatable for medicine.”
“…If I really eat this, will my illness be cured?”
“Well, even if you die, won’t I go with you?” I offered, smirking.
Lea relaxed and chuckled, then accepted the dish. “True enough. The journey won’t be dull. And even if I die, I won’t hold it against you. It was my choice.”
She took a large bite. Moments later, she looked up, eyes wide in pleasant surprise.
“I see that it is palatable,” I remarked.
“It actually is. But it doesn’t seem to have any effect?” She frowned, smacking her lips regretfully.
“It’s disappointing, but… you did your best, so—cough…!”
Blood spurted from Lea’s mouth. Panic seized her as she clamped her hand over it. The crowd surged forward like bees.
At that moment, the Seventh Elder lunged, Aura blazing. He seized my collar and slammed me against the wall.
CRASH!
“Guh—!”
Blood spurted from my throat, agony rippling through me. But the critical pain was the grip choking me.
He tightened his hold, eyes blazing. “How dare you… insult the Praha Duchy? Whose orders are you following? Who is it!”
Darkness began to creep over my vision as his fingers threatened to crush my windpipe. Still, I could not yield.
Channeling a sliver of Aura, I pushed back against his own.
“Let go, and then we can talk,” I gasped.
“Hah! Every dog has its day, and today, you’re the lucky pup, aren’t you? No need to listen to the words of some hired killer. And what, pray tell, has the Patriarch been doing all this time to let a debacle like this occur?!”
The Seventh Elder’s roar echoed, clearly under orders from the High Elder.
“This is contempt for Praha! Since the Patriarch allowed it, he too must face punishment! Explain yourselves!”
He stormed toward the Grand Duke, eyes flashing, but the Grand Duke’s calm voice stopped him.
“What are you talking about?”
“What, you ask? Can’t you see our House has been disrespected!”
“I see no disrespect. Before me, I see a brilliant healer and an old fox threatening him.”
“A brilliant healer! That’s absurd!” But his next words caught in his throat as his gaze fell on Lea.
The grotesque, twisted figure that had reeked of filth was gone, replaced by a visage so lovely it was as if a celestial goddess had manifested in flesh—her hair cascading in golden waves, her clear eyes shining brightly.
“N-no… what is this?” he stammered.
“So then, how about letting go of me now?” I wheezed.
The Seventh Elder clicked his tongue, released my collar, and murmured to the Grand Duke, “We must confirm her full recovery. If anything happens… then the Young Lord of Berg County will bear responsibility.”
Huffing, he returned to his place.
I straightened my collar and drew a steady breath. That old fox would doubtless try to poison Lea and pin it on me.
…Ha. There goes my plan to keep these for myself.
I thought of the Mirror Frog glands and Mandragora Roots in my pocket.
Those ingredients were meant to brew an elixir that grants poison resistance, and I had planned to keep it all for myself.
After all, if word ever got out that I could produce such an elixir, powerful figures would come seeking me, and threaten my life while I was still vulnerable.
But if I stayed on the sidelines, I had no idea when Lea might die. And I’d be left bearing the stigma of her murderer.
I couldn’t let that happen.
…I’ll have to ask her to keep my little secret.
Lost in the thought, I turned as the Grand Duke descended and enfolded Lea in a fierce embrace.
“You’ve done well… you’ve held strong,” he murmured.
“Father, there are others watching,” Lea said, embarrassed but smiling through tears.
The Grand Duke held her as though nothing else existed, then gently released her and approached me.
“I’m glad I trusted you.”
“It was the right choice,” I replied.
“So it seems. Yes, so tell me your wish. I will grant whatever you ask.”
“I wish to take the leftover medicinal ingredients.”
“You shall have them. Whatever you desire, ask and you shall receive. Anything else?”
“Once Lady Lea’s treatment is perfectly complete, I will accept any further rewards. Though she is cured now, the medicine’s long-term effects should be observed.”
I lied easily—she was indeed cured, and no monitoring was necessary. But since I planned to administer my elixir in secret, I had to keep it that way.
The fewer who know, the better.
As I spoke with brazen confidence, Lea approached and bowed deeply.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, Young Lord Louis, I could never have returned to normality.”
Her perfect etiquette, tear-brightened smile, and gentle words captivated everyone. Those who’d whispered derisively moments ago now blushed and glanced her way, hesitant to speak.
I clicked my tongue at them, then addressed Lea.
“Please raise your head. There was no grand purpose behind saving you, so you needn’t thank me.”
“…What?”
“I treated you solely for the sake of an engagement. Therefore,” I bowed to the Grand Duke and continued, “I respectfully request your permission to marry Lady Lea Praha.”