VFAI 08

Chapter 08

Come with me, I have something to say
2022.07.28

Two days had already passed since the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

Aside from official events, I was still under confinement, quietly staying in the annex.

Perhaps because I had terrified the servants right before regaining memories of my past life, they all avoided catching my eye and stayed strictly within their assigned areas. Thanks to that, I could enjoy even more peace and quiet.

Resting my chin on my hand while reading a gossip magazine from high society, I recalled the First Prince’s face at the banquet.

Right after I stepped on his foot.

‘He looked like he had a lot to say.’

But after that, the First Prince said nothing and politely escorted me as my fiancé.

Maybe I went a bit too far stepping on him on purpose—but I wasn’t some object to be evaluated for usefulness. That wasn’t something I could just ignore.

Just because I regained memories of my past life didn’t mean my bad temper had disappeared.

‘The old Elodie is still me.’

If anything had changed, it was that I could now view situations more objectively.

Still, the fact that the First Prince refused to break off the engagement was quite troublesome. From his perspective too, it would be easier to end it now.

“Hmph. He should fall for Estelle and come crying to me, begging me to break off the engagement.”

I only imagined it, but it was completely out of character for him.

“I was just getting to the part where Count Paut’s wife and the estate butler secretly entered the stables…”

Just as I was about to continue reading, Masha burst in.

“My lady, did you cause trouble?!”

I had been cooped up in the annex lately, so I felt wronged and shook my head vigorously.

“N-no?”

“Look at you stuttering—you definitely did! Otherwise, why would the Duchess summon you?!”

“The Duchess? She called for me?”

“Yes! She said to come to the greenhouse!”

Unlike Masha, who was panicking, I smiled brightly and put on my outer robe.

I could roughly guess why I had been called.

“Y-you’re going?”

“Of course. She called for me.”

I could understand why Masha was so afraid.

The House of Ferdia, rulers of the shadows.

All its members were cruel, but if one had to choose the most ruthless among them, it would be the Duchess, Temis.

There was even a story that she had fed a spy a poison that caused burning agony for a month straight. Another rumor said she continued torturing him even after he confessed everything, just to enjoy his suffering—though that part wasn’t confirmed.

‘She still scares me too.’

I had approached her for funds to gain independence, but otherwise, I would never have dared speak to her first.

We had an uncomfortable relationship.

I had lived in this estate since I was a baby who couldn’t even crawl, so of course I had my first memory of the Duchess.

I must have been sick. I was crying loudly, and there was no one around to take care of me—except her.

She simply looked at me.

As if I were an object.

That was all.

That memory resurfaced occasionally.

Still, she had never openly mistreated or humiliated me. She just treated me like a guest—formal and distant.

If we met, we exchanged brief greetings. At meals, we spoke only polite formalities.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we had never had a long conversation like recently.

Anyway, I needed to calm Masha, who looked like I was heading to my death.

“It’s fine, Masha. I don’t fall for poison anymore.”

“You mean your ability to destroy poison?”

“Yeah, that.”

Fortunately, Masha believed my lie. After assigning her a task to ease her worries, I headed straight to the greenhouse.

The sunlight on the way there was scorching. Even being outside briefly made me frown from the heat.

Inside the greenhouse, it was better than outside—but not cool.

“Where is she?”

No one was at the Duchess’s research desk. Since documents and materials were scattered around, I avoided touching anything and instead looked around the nearby flowerbeds.

‘Wow, it’s pretty.’

Among them, I saw a large, dazzling flower shimmering in five colors.

It swayed as if inviting me to touch it. Without thinking, I reached out—

“Had you stretched your hand just a bit further, your entire arm would have been torn off.”

“Ah—!”

I quickly pulled back and turned around. The Duchess was already there.

“A carnivorous flower, Halkaria. It lures people in with its beauty and pollen, then devours them. Be careful, Elodie.”

“I didn’t know.”

“That’s natural. It was recently discovered on an uncharted island in the Kingdom of D’Vey.”

The Duchess smiled fondly at the plant.

I laughed awkwardly and sat across from her.

Instead of getting straight to the point, she served me tea.

A cold tea with rose-shaped ice floating in it.

“Drink.”

“Thank you!”

Parched from the heat, I gulped it down in one go. It was cool, sweet, and delicious.

But the Duchess’s reaction was strange.

“Did you… just drink all of it?”

“Was I not supposed to…?”

I had finished every drop.

“I rarely see someone drink tea I serve without hesitation.”

Ah.

Now I understood.

‘Because she uses poison… people would suspect the tea.’

But that didn’t apply to me. No matter how deadly the poison, my purification ability would neutralize it.

Of course, she didn’t know I created antidotes by ingesting poison.

“Well, I was thirsty…”

“Your life should matter more than the heat.”

“The aroma was nice…?”

“It has no scent.”

Every excuse failed.

After a brief hesitation, I blurted it out:

“Because we’re good partners! No one would poison their own partner, right?”

“Partner?”

“Yes. You must have liked my ability. The antidote passed approval, didn’t it? I thought that’s why you called me.”

I tensed, worried I sounded rude.

But the Duchess simply replied:

“Partner… yes, a partner. You’re right, Elodie.”

Relief washed over me.

“I didn’t put poison in your tea. If I intended to, it wouldn’t be in such an obvious situation.”

“…I see.”

“And if I truly wished, I could harm you anytime.”

Her words sounded like:

If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead.

“You’re right.”

When I smiled, she let out a small chuckle.

“As you guessed, your antidote has been approved for sale. The prepared stock has already been distributed, and we’ve received advance payments. It’s not a large amount, but here.”

“Thank you.”

I accepted the pouch, trying to hide my excitement. It was heavier than expected.

“Check the financial records here.”

“Yes.”

I skimmed them and closed the document.

“And I have another request.”

“Yes?”

“I’d like to place another order for antidotes. How long will it take?”

“About two days. The quantity will be small again—is that fine?”

“Yes. Also… could I purchase your formula?”

“…No. It’s a trade secret.”

Revealing it might expose my power.

“I see. Then, can you create antidotes for other poisons?”

“Yes, but stronger poisons take more time.”

More pain, actually.

As I stood to leave, I remembered something.

“Thank you for keeping my secret from Yansi.”

“We’re partners. Of course I would.”

‘We…’

That word felt strange.

On my way back through the west corridor, I passed by the underground prison.

“Lock him up.”

“My lord! I am innocent—!”

“Silence.”

Thud!

I stopped.

The Duke stood over a beaten man.

It was Hector Arold, his aide.

“You’ve been conspiring with the Second Prince.”

“It’s a scheme!”

The Duke smirked.

Then—

Stab.

The sword pierced the man’s hand.

Screams echoed.

Only after he fainted did the Duke withdraw the blade.

Blood dripped.

I tried to quietly slip away—

“Elodie Ferdia.”

I froze.

His cold golden gaze locked onto me.

If he finds out I’m not his daughter…

Fear gripped me.

He passed by.

“I have something to say. Follow me.”

“…Yes.”

And I followed him without protest.