The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 67

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the magic tower as Ilya accompanied Naz. They were welcomed by Rene and Councilor Debbie, settling around a round table to delve into the matters at hand.

After entrusting Naz with the task of dealing with the mischievous maid, Ilya sought solace in the chapel. Meanwhile, Naz, summoned in the dead of night, found herself entangled in the intrigue of a thieving maid in the dungeon.

[ Naz, the maid, attempted to pilfer the ring bestowed by Odin Madus. Investigate this matter,] a message from Ilya reached Naz as she witnessed the gagged maid, evoking a sense of déjà vu. Urgently, she contacted Rene.

“René, have you examined the maid’s blood?”

“Yes, the investigation is complete. She was indeed under the influence of a peculiar substance,” Rene replied.

Congressman Illya produced a strand of hair, leaving Ilya perplexed. “This is hair…”

“Do you recall the servant who attempted to poison you during Lord Odin’s visit to the Great Siege?” René explained, unveiling the connection.

Ilya’s expression turned grave. “This is his hair?”

Naz, prompted by Rene’s glance, clarified, “Your Highness, let me elucidate. The servant took her own life at the scene, and Arthas collected her hair.”

Memories resurfaced for Naz. Belina and Arthas had relayed similar information—the servant exhibited abnormal behavior, laughing while attacking a sword-wielding knight.

Ilya, leaning forward, asked, “So, you’re suggesting both the servant and the arrested maid were under the influence of drugs?”

“Yes, and they share the same substance,” René revealed, pointing to the hair on the table.

A weighty silence settled in the room. Ilya inquired, “Could it be the same drug causing all this?”

“You’re on the right track, Your Highness. The primary ingredient in the hallucinogenic drug is mandala,” Renee confirmed, leaving Ilya visibly troubled.

Within the Grand Siege, someone had already fallen victim to hallucinogenic drugs, and the possibility of the insidious substance spreading throughout the Grand Duchy loomed large.

The legislator, breaking his silence, spoke, “I’ve been involved in investigating similar drugs in the Marquis of Lorraine’s gambling dens.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to him.

“The substances found in the servants and maids match those from the gambling establishments.”

Beyond the Grand Duchy and even into the Marquis of Western Lorraine, the threat persisted.

Ilya queried the councilor, “Has Marquis Lauren discovered the source of the drug?”

“I am not privy to that information. The Commander of the Knights Templar is adept at tracking such substances,” the councilor responded.

A flicker of unease crossed Ilya’s face, fleeting yet noticeable. “Very well, I will confer with the Knights Templar leader. Thank you all for your efforts.”

As René left the magic tower, a concerned look lingered on her face.

***

“Miss, are you awake?”

“Yes, good morning. Did you sleep well, Sophie?”

Sophie entered the bedroom with a cheerful countenance, and Evelyn couldn’t help but return the smile.

“Miss, did you fall asleep while praying in the chapel?”

“Huh?”

You arrived on the coattails of His Majesty, the Grand Duke. “Well, you danced so passionately; it’s no wonder you’re tired,” Sophie remarked, causing Evelyn’s cheeks to turn red as she chuckled. Casting a quick glance around, Sophie lowered her voice conspiratorially.

“Miss, do you know what happened last night?” Sophie asked, piquing Belin’s interest.

The young maid continued, “The maid working in the kitchen tried to steal jewelry from your toilet room.”

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. “She said there was something there to steal? I’d rather go to the main building.”

Sophie nodded, her tone hushed. “That’s right. We were all in the garden watching a play. At that time, she hid in the toilet room and was caught by His Highness.”

Evelyn blinked, struggling to comprehend Sophie’s revelation. “He came to my birthday party yesterday?”

Her thoughts wandered back to the bud-shaped necklace, a birthday present from Illya. Questions buzzed in her mind. Why didn’t he enter if he brought a gift? And why did he come to the chapel after apprehending the maid?

The Ilya Evelyn witnessed last night seemed peculiar. A realization struck her. “Wait a minute, toilet room?”

Recollections of her long-forgotten sunflower necklace and ring flooded back. Nervous about keeping them in her bedroom or toilet room, she had stashed them in a secret location only she knew. Reflecting on it now, it was a wise choice.

“I have to go and see if he’s okay. Sophie, I want to go to the fairy spring after lunch.”

“Yes, I will prepare,” Sophie agreed before rushing out.

Evelyn called out to Sophie before she disappeared. “I’m going to wear the shawl that Sophie gave me yesterday.”

Sophie turned around, teasingly sticking out her tongue. “Renee, you were so happy to see your gift; I thought you forgot about my gift.”

Evelyn shook her head in protest. “No! That can’t be possible. Sophie made it herself, and I remember everything.”

Evelyn gazed at the corner of the room, where various gifts were piled up, her expression one of happiness. A shawl embroidered by Sophie, delicate lace gloves from Belina, a portrait drawn by Louis, a bouquet of flowers from Arthas and the Eagle, and a fruit from Libe, along with dried snacks.

Everything held sentimental value for her.

“Miss, I’m really leaving now,” Sophie declared proudly, turning to go.

****

“Ma’am, please have a nice time,” Belina said, smiling, as she opened the door to her separate room and stepped out. It bothered Evelyn that, each time, she deceived Belina.

‘I’m sorry for every time, Lord Belina. I’ll be back soon.’

Evelyn entered the secret passageway behind the screen in her closet. The narrow passage, fit for one person, held a framed painting with the family motto of the Grand Duke’s family. Carefully removing the picture frame, Evelyn thumped it on the floor, revealing the secret entrance. Her hand explored the wall until it stopped in one place. Pressing her finger there, she slid inside to find a small space where the wall had been torn.

“It’s okay.”

She retrieved her small box—a jewelry box housing the sea lily necklace and ring. After confirming that the torn wall had returned to its original state with magic, Evelyn hung the picture frame back on the wall.

This is a safe place, but I think it would be better to leave it to René.

Having found the sunflower necklace and ring, she hesitated for a moment before leaving the closet. Evelyn stared at a spot on the wall before picking up her box and exiting.

After Belin finished her bath in the hot spring in her separate room, she returned only after sunset.

“Ma’am, are you here?”

When the knights at the annex entrance nodded to her, Evelyn paused. Sophie, spotting Evelyn, rushed over and whispered.

“Lady, Her Majesty the Archduke has arrived. You’re in the bedroom right now. You’ve been waiting for quite a while.”

“Okay, I’ll go in.”

Evelyn sighed as she walked upstairs to her bedroom. The stairs felt particularly short today. Standing in front of the bedroom door, she announced her arrival.

“Your Majesty, your wife has returned.”

“Take them inside.”

The cracked voice sounded unfamiliar today. When the knight opened the door, Evelyn entered the bedroom, now dark as nightfall. She lit her lamp.

“I’m sorry I’m late. Have you been waiting long? If only you had given me a message in advance…”

“I heard you went to the fairy spring,” Ilya said.

Belin turned her head to see a man sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at her.

“Yes, I was a little tired, so I went because I wanted to enjoy the hot springs.”

Ilya, whose expression was unreadable, stood up and approached her. Evelyn watched him, unsure of reality. He stood in front of Evelyn, reaching out to brush away her wet hair. His hand slowly ran down her hair, reaching the side of her neck. Evelyn held her breath as she looked up at him.

“You don’t like it?” Ilya asked, and Evelyn immediately knew what he was talking about.

A sprout-shaped emerald necklace. The twenty-third birthday present bestowed upon Evelyn by His Majesty.

“Your Majesty gave it to you, so it could be possible, but…” she hesitated for a moment, her voice a mere whisper, “scary.”

Evelyn lifted the box containing the necklace to eye level and continued, “You know. What did my father and brother do to this necklace?”

Ilya hastily withdrew his hand from her neck, as if her words had burned him. Evelyn offered a sad smile.

“I just don’t like wearing something around my neck because it feels like I’m wearing the shackles of a slave.”

Evelyn surprised herself; she had never uttered a refusal to this man before, but today, the words flowed smoothly.

[If I touch this wrong, won’t I become your slave too?]

[Yes? That can’t be possible.]

She couldn’t understand why she was recalling what Elijah had said that night.