VFAI 14

Chapter 14

Elodie, the Problem Solver?
2022.08.18.

How did it end up like this?

I could only sit awkwardly in this completely unexpected dining situation.

The banquet hall of the main Perdia estate.

All members of the Perdia family were present, and sitting right next to me as my so-called fiancé was the First Prince.

“Even though this was such a sudden visit, to be received this warmly… I don’t know how I should repay Perdia’s hospitality.”

At the First Prince’s words, the Duchess responded with a graceful smile.

“It is our honor to host Your Highness. I do hope the meal suits your taste.”

“It is no less splendid than an imperial banquet.”

“You flatter us.”

Ha ha ha.

Their fake, polite exchange between the Duchess and the First Prince was nauseating.

Yansi and Karlotte also joined the conversation here and there, while I merely picked at the food in front of me.

‘I want to go back to the annex…’

This kind of meal wasn’t supposed to happen in the first place.

So how did this uncomfortable banquet come to be?

Time rewinds a few hours earlier.

…

It was already past noon by the time I opened my eyes, likely because I had gone out the day before.

After yawning and stretching lazily, I found Martha entering my room.

“Miss, what will you be doing today?”

“I’m just going to practice my power today.”

What I called “practice” was actually making antidotes to deliver to the Duchess.

Claiming it was a power that destroyed poison was a surprisingly useful excuse.

Fortunately, no one suspected a thing.

Once I started, the toxins lingering in my body meant I couldn’t leave my room for days, so I had to prepare myself mentally.

After a quick wash, I sat at my desk and laid out the poisons I had received from the Duchess.

“Like last time, don’t come in until I call you.”

“Yes, Miss. I’ll also tell the other servants in the annex not to approach your room. Pull the bell cord if you need anything.”

Martha, now used to my antidote-making sessions, reassured me and left the room.

The first poison I picked up was one that killed by paralyzing the respiratory system—even a single drop would stop breathing and cause death by suffocation.

“…This one will take at least three days—no, four—of being stuck in bed.”

But I had no choice if I wanted to earn independence money.

Just as I took a deep breath and opened the bottle—

Knock knock.

A sudden knock made me look toward the door. My concentration broke immediately, and irritation followed.

“I told you not to come in before I call.”

Then Martha’s voice came from outside.

“Um… His Highness the First Prince has arrived.”

“The First Prince?”

I had already sent a refusal letter yesterday, saying I was unwell.

It was annoying, but I couldn’t turn away royalty who had personally come, so I had no choice but to meet him.

“Take him to the reception room.”

“I tried to, but…”

Before she could finish, a familiar male voice came from right outside the door.

“Lady. Is your health alright?”

“…Why is that man right outside my bedroom?”

This was beyond rude.

Even if we were engaged, standing right outside my bedroom was unacceptable.

But the other party was royalty—and a strong candidate for the next emperor.

I had no right to complain after refusing his invitation first.

Sigh.

I was only in simple loungewear, not formal attire, but whatever.

He was the one who showed up without giving me time to prepare.

The moment I opened the door, I saw the First Prince standing there as if he owned the place.

As dazzling as ever.

His slightly tousled silver hair suited his relaxed aura.

His green eyes studied me carefully.

“Are you still unwell?”

“Thanks to you, I’m much better now.”

If he had come even a little later, he would’ve seen me collapsed from poison effects.

Since I had already fainted in front of him once, I really didn’t want a repeat.

‘Because I’ll get annoyed if he thinks I’m scheming again.’

More importantly, why was he here? It wasn’t as if he truly came to check on my health.

“Did you come to see my father?”

At my question, he nodded.

“I came to discuss something with the Duke, and remembered you weren’t feeling well.”

“I’m fine now, so you can leave.”

A polite way of saying “please go away.”

But the First Prince shamelessly stepped into the room anyway.

“I have time for a cup of tea with you.”

“What should I do? We’re out of tea leaves.”

“Then water is fine.”

What is wrong with this man?

He walked in and sat on the sofa as if he belonged there.

Martha, who had followed in with a tray, prepared tea and left.

After taking a sip, Adenmir (the First Prince) smiled faintly.

“You said there were no tea leaves, but this is premium Crundel mountain tea.”

“It seems there was some.”

Even when I spoke coldly, he didn’t look bothered at all.

Then his gaze suddenly shifted to Martha, lingering for quite a while.

I tilted my head.

‘Don’t tell me he likes Martha?’

Unfortunately, Martha preferred men with a more attractive face.

After Martha left, he set down his cup and spoke quietly.

“You should fire servants who don’t know how to properly serve their master, Lady.”

Instead of falling in love, he was recommending firing her.

I blinked in confusion.

“Did my maid do something disrespectful to Your Highness?”

He frowned as if he didn’t even want to think about it.

“When you collapsed previously, that maid didn’t even panic. How can a servant remain so calm when their master faints?”

“Ah…”

“She must have been shocked. I understand.”

A faint smile.

“Even I would’ve been shocked if someone I trusted acted that way.”

He tried to empathize, but I could only laugh awkwardly.

‘No, this isn’t funny.’

Poor Martha…

Before the conversation could continue, I quickly changed the topic.

“Your Highness, my father is probably waiting for you.”

“If I’m meeting my fiancée, the Duke will understand.”

I don’t think so…

As I sipped my tea with a reluctant expression, his gaze drifted over my shoulder.

On the desk behind me were bottles of poison I hadn’t cleaned up yet. He probably couldn’t recognize them, but I subtly blocked his view.

Fortunately, he looked away quickly.

“Since you seem fine, you should also attend the dinner banquet.”

“What banquet?”

“The family dinner. I was invited by the Duke. I heard all family members will attend.”

What fresh hell was this.

Even monthly family meals were annoying enough, but now with the First Prince included?

“I’m not feeling well—”

“You look fine. Or are you perhaps pretending to be ill?”

“That’s not it—”

“I’ll inform the Duke. You still have time before dinner, so prepare slowly.”

“Wait, Your Highness!”

Bang.

He left without waiting for my response.

So much for royal manners.

Martha, who had been waiting outside, entered with curiosity.

“Miss, what did His Highness say?”

“He said to fire you, Martha.”

“What? Why? There’s no maid who cares about you as much as I do. Hah, seriously?”

I nodded along while mentally thinking about how strongly I should push for breaking off my engagement with the First Prince.

Meanwhile, my thoughts were elsewhere.

Dinner.

‘I don’t want to go!’

Even though I thought that very intensely, I still had to come in the end because the Duke personally sent a steward to fetch me.

Since I was already here, I decided I might as well enjoy a good meal.

The family’s conversation flowed around me like background music.

The Duke spoke first—the reason the First Prince had come.

“So, the Angellos family is beginning large-scale procurement in the military supply business.”

Yansi responded with a smile.

Even though I tried to ignore it, I couldn’t.

Because I already knew this story.

It was an event from the novel.

The source of the incident was the Angellos family.

One of the four great families granted the power of regeneration, led by a greedy patriarch obsessed with fame and wealth.

The First Prince frowned as he spoke.

“They are reportedly monopolizing all the mana stone mines used for magical armor materials.”

This was the problem.

Producing military supplies itself wasn’t an issue. The issue was their methods.

Monopolizing key resources—wasn’t that essentially sabotaging Perdia’s business?

Perdia did have its own mines, so there was no immediate crisis, but long-term it would become difficult.

“That’s troubling,” the Duchess said calmly.

For someone calling it “troubling,” she seemed far too relaxed.

“Then perhaps we should purchase more mana stone mines,” Yansi suggested.

But the First Prince immediately dismissed it.

“You’re too late. Most mines have already been auctioned off by Angellos. Acting now is meaningless.”

As the discussion continued seriously, I casually continued eating.

Knowing the future, I didn’t feel particularly anxious.

‘Because they lose anyway.’

Angellos would fall.

Perdia would eventually find a solution—Yansi would come up with a plan.

There would be trial and loss, but in the end, Perdia would win.

So I stopped paying attention.

And then—

“Elodie.”

“…?!”

I looked up abruptly, mid-chew.

The Duke was looking at me.

“Finish your bite before you answer.”

I quickly swallowed.

“Why did you call me?”

“I want your opinion.”

The entire dining room was surprised.

Including me.

The Duke had never once asked for my opinion before.

‘Something is wrong with the Duke…!’

Calling me, asking my opinion—what was going on?

Yansi smiled awkwardly and tried to intervene.

“Father, I think this might be too difficult for Liri to answer.”

That was reasonable.

I had never taken interest in the family’s affairs.

‘Though that was because I avoided them so the Duchess wouldn’t feel threatened.’

Karl remained silent, and the Duchess simply smiled elegantly.

Everyone likely shared Yansi’s thoughts.

But the Duke didn’t back down.

“I wasn’t asking you, Yansi.”

His cold gaze made Yansi’s smile crack slightly.

“…I spoke out of turn.”

“Elodie.”

He ignored Yansi and called my name again.

I hesitated.

I actually knew the solution—but it was something future Yansi would figure out.

If I said it now, I would be stealing his credit.

But if I intervened now, I could prevent unnecessary trial and loss…

Finally, I made my decision.

“There is a way.”

The Duke nodded as if he expected that.

Yansi quickly asked me,

“What is it?”

“It’s…”