The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 160

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 160

“You know that garden I frequent? They said this came in new there recently. It was recommended to me.”

…That means.

Someone might have deliberately introduced that rose to Lady Claudius.

Lady Claudius and Her Majesty the Empress had always been close.

Even when attending Her Majesty the Empress’s tea time, Lady Claudius would make bouquets from various flowers she grew herself and bring them as gifts.

So then.

‘What if they guided her to send that rose to Her Majesty the Empress from the very beginning?’

I know it’s a flimsy speculation that seems tailored to fit the situation.

But if my guess happens to be correct against all odds.

There might have been at least something in the Imperial Palace that could combine with that rose to harm Her Majesty the Empress.

And since that object itself wouldn’t be toxic, it could avoid suspicion.

…It might still be there unchanged.

“Dietrich.”

I called Lord Claudius with a stiff voice.

“The items in the Imperial Palace. Could we conduct another thorough investigation?”

“The Imperial Palace? But why…”

“This is likely just speculation.”

I opened my mouth.

Lord Claudius, who had been listening carefully to my words, let his eyes gleam coldly.

* * *

At Lord Claudius’s strong request, another thorough investigation was conducted.

The subjects of investigation were the roses Evangeline had sent as a gift to the Empress, and all items in the Imperial Palace.

‘No, why suddenly investigate again…’

‘Didn’t we already do this once before?’

Some people harbored inner complaints, but those complaints disappeared as soon as the investigation results were announced.

Because shocking facts were revealed.

Which was.

“Her Majesty the Empress most likely collapsed due to poison.”

The fact that the Empress’s illness was poison, not a witch’s curse.

“Ornen components were detected in the roses.”

The researcher who had conducted the investigation pushed up his sliding glasses and spoke.

“Actually, ornen components are completely harmless to the human body by themselves. You see these unique red patterns on the roses? That component forms these patterns.”

“…Ornen components.”

Dietrich mulled over the unfamiliar name.

“However, when combined with beryllotum components, it creates toxins fatal to the human body… Oh, beryllotum components are also harmless to humans as a single component.”

The researcher hastily added his explanation, cleared his throat briefly, and continued.

“Ahem. Anyway, beryllotum components were detected in these letters, specifically in the ink used to write the letters.”

Dietrich looked down at the bundle of letters placed on the table.

Stiff new letter paper, and old letter paper that had aged to a cream color.

Both letters were written in dark green ink that showed a greenish tint when it caught the light.

The sender of the new letter was Lady Lopez.

It was Seraphina.

“It’s a poison that shows symptoms like fever, so in the past it was used to poison people without raising suspicion.”

“Poisoning?”

“Yes. However, it’s a method that’s almost obsolete nowadays. Beryllotum components are really difficult to obtain.”

The researcher listed the knowledge he possessed.

“It’s extracted from a mineral called beryl, but that mineral itself isn’t found in Jedo. We have to import everything…”

But Dietrich let the researcher’s explanation go in one ear and out the other.

He had no choice.

His blue gaze trembled finely.

‘This letter…’

His trembling fingertips slowly caressed the surface of the old letter envelope.

‘It’s a letter Mother sent.’

The old letter was one sent by the Previous Lord Claudius’s wife.

That means.

Mother had been using that incredibly rare ink component…

In her daily life.

‘And that rose that Evangeline sent… was also a rose that Mother had grown herself.’

Dietrich’s expression became cold as if frozen.

After all, Evangeline’s hobby of growing roses in the first place had been influenced by Mother’s particular fondness for roses.

In memories now faded.

Mother personally decorated Father’s desk with a vase full of roses and smiled brightly.

“Look at this, Dietrich. Isn’t it pretty?”

The pure white roses with red patterns scattered like waves were quite enchanting even to young Dietrich’s eyes.

Mother placed a letter she had written herself beneath the rose vase.

Dietrich tilted his head.

“Why does Mother always write letters to Father? You could just tell him with words.”

“Well… there are feelings that are a bit embarrassing to convey with words.”

Mother stroked Dietrich’s head and answered in a shy voice.

“When our Dietrich grows up a bit more, you’ll understand Mother’s heart.”

“…So.”

After a long silence, Dietrich spoke with a hoarse voice.

“Will Her Majesty the Empress be able to recover?”

“Yes. Fortunately, an antidote has already been developed.”

The researcher nodded.

“Since we’ve administered the antidote, she’ll probably wake up soon.”

“That’s fortunate. Then let me ask one more thing.”

The researcher flinched for a moment.

The bright blue eyes looking straight at him were as sharp as broken sapphire fragments.

“Is it possible for an ordinary person to accidentally obtain ink containing beryllotum components?”

“That’s…”

The researcher swallowed dry saliva and answered.

“I can tell you it’s impossible.”

* * *

Late at night.

Lord Claudius finally returned home.

“Dietrich!”

I, who had been waiting restlessly, jumped up from my seat to greet Lord Claudius.

Lord Claudius walked toward me with long strides, his face expressionless.

And then.

He pulled me into his arms with both hands.

“Larit.”

The voice calling my name sounded so exhausted and weary.

I felt my heart sink with a thud.

“Did something happen?”

“…”

I didn’t hear an answer to my question. Instead.

“Dietrich?”

The strength of the arms holding me grew even stronger.

Lord Claudius burrowed into my embrace just like a wounded young beast.

…As if he couldn’t speak properly due to overwhelming emotions.

And then.

“It’s about my parents.”

After a long silence, a crushed voice flowed out.

“It seems they didn’t die from illness after all… but were murdered.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Larit was right. There was poison… there was poison.”

Lord Claudius gritted his teeth as he continued speaking.

“The roses that Evangeline gave as a gift, the letter that Mother sent to Her Majesty the Empress, and Lady Lopez’s letter…”

His voice scattered incoherently.

But even with just that, I immediately realized what had happened.

‘There was something in the letters…’

Some element that the roses possessed combined with elements from the letters.

…To function as poison.

“I… didn’t even know that.”

“Lord Claudius.”

“All this time, foolishly thinking it was just a fever…”

Lord Claudius’s body, which had always been steadfast, was now trembling uncontrollably.

Lord Claudius right now was like a sandcastle.

Old grief came rushing in like waves, helplessly crumbling away.

“Ugh, huu…”

Sobbing sounds rising from deep in his throat.

That was probably the resentment and sorrow that had been buried deep in his heart for so long.

I embraced Lord Claudius with all my strength.

Hoping that this meager warmth I could share might offer him even a little comfort.

* * *

“I’m sorry, I showed you such an embarrassing side of myself.”

Lord Claudius, having calmed down a bit, apologized to me with a somewhat sheepish expression.

“That’s not embarrassing at all.”

I shook my head and smiled brightly.

“Rather, I’m happy that Dietrich seems to rely on me even a little.”

“…”

A faint smile seemed to appear on Lord Claudius’s lips.

Then suddenly he pulled me into a tight embrace and stretched out long on the sofa.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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