CH 81

The back of the messenger who had to return to the capital empty-handed looked pitiful.

“You’ve put in a lot of effort coming all the way here. I hope you have a safe trip home.”

“Good luck on your way back.”

As always, Ryzen bid them a courteous farewell. Likewise, Zeke muffled a giggle next to him. Of course, there was no need to explain that this series of actions made the messenger extremely displeased.

Zeke, having had enough entertainment for the day, vanished quickly after he had to check his unit.

As soon as Ryzen returned to the Grand Duke’s drawing room, his pocket watch rang. Calix quietly opened his mouth as he watched Ryzen turn off the alarm.

“Time flies, doesn’t it?”

The alarm was designed to ring precisely at the same time every day. Although he knew it couldn’t be helped, Calix was sick and tired of the familiar sound.

“The Emperor must have gone through a lot of trouble to produce such a large quantity.”

“What trouble? It isn’t like he makes it himself.”

“In any case, the only person who can activate the Holy Chalice is the Emperor.”

“I don’t see how such a detestable name as ‘Holy Chalice’ is appropriate for such a thing. It seems that the first emperor also had a nasty taste.”

While Calix crushed the founding Emperor of the empire and his founder with harsh words, Ryzen picked up a silver case from the box.

As a matter of fact, this month’s supply had just reached the bottom of the box yesterday. But even if it was prepared a few days earlier, the Emperor wouldn’t send it out; he would wait a few days after it ran out before he would send it to the duchy.

Knowing that this was a silent demand to bow down to the Emperor, his master would not bend.

“Judging by the dark and glossy color, it seems that he took a lot of care in preparing this.”

After checking to ensure the medicine dissolved well in the water, Ryzen soundlessly placed the teacup in front of Calix. Calix, who had been looking down at the tea as it swirled, immediately sneered through his tightly pursed mouth.

“The Emperor is going to be pissed.”

“Isn’t that why you didn’t bother to give him the antidote?”

“Of course.”

He felt a little better when he thought of how angry the Emperor would be when he learned that he wouldn’t get what he wanted.

‘Well, who told him he could touch my wife? When I went all the way to warn him? It was the Emperor who ignored the warning and fired the first shot. A tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye.’

This was how he lived his life so far; what was given to him must be repaid tenfold.

“Since he was the first to pick a fight with me, I have no choice but to reciprocate with pleasure.”

Calix poured the now cold cup of tea down his throat as he recalled what had happened a few days earlier. It was the memory of when he saw the demonic beast attacking the carriage which Asella boarded.

It felt as if his blood was flowing backward. An incomprehensible rage surged through his body, and when he came back to his senses, he found that the entire surrounding area was already filled with the dead bodies of the beasts.

And when he saw that she was safe in the half-destroyed carriage… He felt… something subtle but obvious… relief.

‘Nonsense.’

Calix mocked the thought that popped into his head because it didn’t make any sense.

Asella Benvito.

She was just his legal wife, a woman he had brought in thoroughly for a clear purpose. In any case, it was true that he needed a successor and didn’t have much time.

However, since they attacked the only other person with the name Benvito besides himself, of course, retaliation had to be made to protect his honor.

But that was all.

“Your Excellency?”

Ryzen’s voice came to his ear as he fell into thought. Calix, who had emptied his cup, lowered it to the table and calmly opened his mouth.

“How did the treatment go?”

His wording was vague, but it was clear to whom he was referring. Ryzen had just heard from Margo, whom he had run into in the hallway on his way here after seeing off the Emperor’s messenger.

“She is recovering nicely; it won’t leave any scar. She is now spending some time with Lady Mariel after they had dinner.”

In fact, the last line was an unnecessary addition. But Calix did not bother to point it out, either.

Then silence drifted into the drawing room.

For that not-too-short period of time, all Ryzen did was faithfully wait for his master’s words. Calix, leaning against the sofa, stayed there in silence while thinking.

At some point, the sun’s rays, which had illuminated the vast land at sunset, faded away. As the night fell, the surrounding area quieted down.

After a long pause, Ryzen broke off the silence and carefully began to speak. 

“I may be presumptuous, but may I ask you one question, Your Excellency?”

Ryzen swallowed dry saliva as the Grand Duke’s eyes fixed on him. Even though he had served him as his lord for a long time, there were times when he made his hair stand on end when facing his intense gaze.

“Say it.”

Fortunately, the Grand Duke’s permission was granted. Taking a deep breath, Ryzen slowly opened his mouth.

“Tonight, are you going to visit Her Highness’s bedchamber?”