CH 138

Conspiracy (11)

Roelin listened to what she talked about and laughed as was surprised. Thanks to that, she could even forget about the whole pain.

Maybe Lucy had gone on with the story for that kind of purpose.

Roelin noticed Lucy’s feelings, but she didn’t wish to express it as she just smiled and kept listening to the whole story.

Even until dark.

And right up to the second seizure that occurred sooner than anyone had ever expected.

* * *

“Ugh!”

There was an uncontrollable amount of blood that continued to pour out of Roelin’s mouth. Lucy, who had turned white, supported Roelin’s body and questioned the Palace Doctor.

“What the hell is going on here? Didn’t you say that it would be a day! It should take a day until the second seizure.”

“Oh, I think the reason is that the Empress’s body is weaker than most of ordinary people.”

The Palace Doctor was also contemplating before he finally answered while still examining Roelin’s condition.

It happened while making a bed that was deep in the forest at night. The wind eventually drew everyone’s attention back to Roelin.

The knights and servants couldn’t approach and asked her directly, so they just looked at her with such concern in their eyes.

On behalf of them, the Duke of Bönt approached instead. He immediately came up to the Palace Doctor and asked promptly.

“Is the antidote not ready yet?”

“I’m trying my best to make it, but it’s still……”

The Palace Doctor seemed to feel helpless as he clenched his fists and blurted the end of his words. The Duke of Bönt tried to say something more to such a doctor, but he soon closed his mouth in return.

It was clear that the Palace Doctor was doing his best. Just by looking at the blackness under his eyes and his complexion that was gradually getting worse in those hours, the Duke could already guess that he had been pushing himself to the limit as he kept working on the antidote.

“……then, please go ahead and make the antidote even faster.”

The Duke gestured to the Palace Doctor. For now, there was nothing in particular that the Palace Doctor could actually do for us.

“Ughhh…”

Roelin trembled with her hand still clenched tightly. Her hand was balled into a fist so tight that her fingertips had been all white. It also meant that the pain she was currently feeling was intense.

“Empress.”

“……Duke.”

After wiping the blood off her mouth, Roelin rose to her feet with Lucy’s help.

“You’re having a hard time because of me—in many ways.”

“No. Rather, I feel very guilty for not protecting the Empress.”

“Why is the Duke blaming himself now? I was the one who drank the tea without knowing anything in the first place. Moreover, I even accepted the necklace too.”

“How could you refuse what your own mother had recommended? It’s not the Empress’s fault at all.”

“It’s not the Duke’s fault as well, even more so.”

Roelin spoke jokingly even in the midst of such difficulties. The Duke of Bönt could not say anything about her consideration, but soon he managed to bring it up.

“The bed is all ready.”

“Thank you.”

She moved slowly while leaning against Lucy. Then, the knights and soldiers all over the place stood upright while looking at Roelin as they apparently wanted to do something for her.

But Roelin didn’t even notice their gaze. This was because it had been too much for her to endure all the severe pain with fitful groans. Eventually, she went into the tent that was already prepared for herself.

It was a tent that had been built temporarily in the forest, but the interior was still pretty good.

Roelin lay herself on the cot and turned her head to the corner. The inside of the tent was all warm thanks to a side where the ground had been dug before a fire was made in it. The careful consideration had warmed her heart as well.

“Are you still in a lot of pain?”

“No. It’s pretty bearable.”

Roelin answered Lucy’s question. Then, Lucy sat next to her bedside and held onto Roelin’s hand.

“If you can no longer stand it because it hurts too much, just hold on to my hand. Or you can even take and bite it down tightly.”

Lucy knew that Roelin was trying not to groan. Still, Roelin simply smiled quietly while giving a faint nod and closed her eyes.

‘………Kergel.’

Roelin called out his name inwardly. To be honest, it would be a lie if she said that it wasn’t scary.

Every time she had vomited blood, she was absolutely terrified. In addition, after the second seizure had occurred much earlier than expected, the fear was bound to grow even more.

At this rate, she wondered what would happen if a third seizure were to occur even before the antidote was made.

If Kergel had been in front of her, she might have already held onto him and bawled. She would have complained that she was scared and asked him to hug her close.

‘Let’s not get weak right now. I have to live at all costs.’

She clenched her lips. Lucy’s warmth that was felt through the palm of her hand soon diminished a little. Then, her mind became a little bit clearer.

‘If I die…… Kergel will be in a lot of pain.’

She was more worried that he would be in pain rather than the fact that she could die. She was concerned about abandoning him alone and leaving him all by himself first.

To the point where she even wondered how such a mind could be possible.

She was looking forward to the future with him. There were many things that she wanted to do together. And yes, didn’t he say so; let us go on a trip together?

……that was why she had to live.