Chapter 17

Chapter 17 : Even Good Medicine Tastes Bitter (2)

Theore’s eleventh birthday banquet. That day became unforgettable in Legina’s memory due to two events.

The first event was Theore’s sword dance. Legina didn’t know how the young Theore managed to drink alcohol, but her drunken brother snatched a sword from an Imperial Guard and performed a sword dance. It was an excessive sword dance for an eleven-year-old’s birthday celebration. Several soldiers who tried to stop Theore ended up bleeding, and the young lady of Count Olly’s family, who was set to be engaged to Theore the following year, fainted upon seeing the spectacle.

And the Emperor? He simply sat there with a dumbfounded expression, calling for the Imperial Guard knights, and that was it. Naturally, Legina was the one who cleaned up the mess.

And the second event was the assassination attempt on the Emperor. At the time, it was a failed attempt, and only later did she realize it was a poisoning attempt that had been very successfully completed. If the Emperor hadn’t been defeated that day, Legina would never have had to wear the regent’s crown.

Recalling that time made her feel like shedding tears. The nobles were practically dying to tear her down, the barbarians at the border attacked constantly, grating on her nerves, and her troublemaker brother, whom she thought had finally come to his senses, evolved from a pushover to an utter fool, bankrupting the imperial finances! No, fine. Draining the money, she could understand… or could she? No, even if she could understand that! When that idiotic brother, in his foolishness, even ‘borrowed’ the Emperor’s seal to the traitors, she truly felt like just dying.

‘He borrowed it because they told him they wanted to use the Emperor’s seal as a reference to create a new family seal! Does being a pushover mean you lose the ability to think logically?’

A horrified Legina quickly retrieved the seal, but the traitor was even faster. As if prepared in advance, he used the borrowed seal to forge documents, accelerating the Imperial Family’s downfall. Putting aside her bursting frustration at her brother’s explanation that he borrowed it because he believed he would become family with Legina through marriage, the feeling of watching her brother, now a criminal who had ruined the country, be beheaded by the traitors was truly…

I’d rather die again than repeat that misery!

She didn’t want to repeat that suffering. She absolutely hated it. No, if it literally meant dying, she might consider it once, but no was no. Legina vowed to absolutely prevent that poisoning attempt this time. It didn’t even matter if she couldn’t perfectly stop it.

Because I know how to make the antidote.

That was why Legina was currently heading to the Ducal House of Vestein.

I need to meet Sir Aaron, review the plan one more time, and get some Danilan flowers too.

The Danilan flowers growing in Duchess Barbara Vestein’s garden were the core and sole ingredient for the antidote to the poison Larousse suffered before her regression. She had learned about the ingredient and the recipe by chance during her previous life and was able to save her people with it. And that recipe remained vivid in Legina’s mind. To make the antidote, she needed fresh Danilan flowers, roots and all. However, Danilan flowers withered quickly the moment they were pulled out by the root, making them very difficult to obtain fresh.

It’s fortunate that the Duchess’s maiden family is the Benjamin Count family.

The garden, personally created and gifted by Duke Vestein to his wife, who longed for her distant hometown, was overflowing with Danilan flowers, a specialty of the Benjamin County. If she had known this beforehand in her previous life, could she have prevented the Emperor’s poisoning? At the very least, if the Emperor had enjoyed Danilan flower tea, the poison might have been somewhat neutralized.

“Even so, ‘if only’ is ‘if only,’ and ‘perhaps’ is ‘perhaps.'” Legina murmured to herself, recalling her belated realization from before her regression.

“Your Highness?”

“Just talking to myself. Don’t mind me.”

“…Yes.”

Legina gave Selma a bright smile, ignoring her suspicious gaze, and tapped the carriage window with her fingertip, reviewing again the things she needed to obtain from the Vestein Ducal House. Meanwhile, the swiftly moving carriage arrived at the Vestein Ducal House.

Una, who had been standing with the ducal family members, waiting for her, quickly approached Legina as she alighted from the carriage, escorted by Johan.

“Your Highness, why did you arrive so late?”

“I actually came quite quickly.”

“The ducal family members kept whispering that you arrived too quickly.”

“…Didn’t you say I was late?”

“Well… you were late, but you also arrived quickly.”

What did that even mean? Legina tilted her head in confusion for a moment, then, seeing the young Duke of Vestein greeting her with an awkward expression, she understood Una’s words.

She means I was late to Una, but early to those people.

The ducal family members must have been beside themselves with anxiety at the sudden news of the Imperial Princess’s visit, and Una must have been suffocating, waiting for her, watching those people. She understood both sides, but what could she do? Legina had a reason to be here immediately, and telling Una to just deliver the letter and return wouldn’t make sense since it was a place they would have to visit together again anyway. It was far more efficient to wait for Legina here than to waste time and energy.

Ah, this thought is a bit troublemaker-like right now!

A thought solely for herself! Legina admired her excellent adaptation to the path of a troublemaker, smiling brightly at the young Duke of Vestein who stepped forward to greet her.

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

“I know my sudden visit surprised you, but thank you for greeting me so warmly, my lord.”

“Father is away from the mansion for a moment.”

“It’s fine, as you are here to welcome me instead.”

It was Gissley who greeted Legina, his long, loosely tied golden hair cascading over his shoulders. Legina, disembarking from the carriage with his escort, sighed in relief at Gissley’s handsome appearance, which was much easier to face than Aaron’s. A flicker of puzzlement briefly crossed Gissley’s blue eyes as he saw her reaction.

“Did I make some mistake…?”

“No, I was just relieved that you came to meet me.”

To truly act like a troublemaker, she should behave as insolently as Theore, but the Vestein Ducal Family members had to be unequivocally brought to her side for future matters. Especially Gissley, who possessed a smooth tongue unbefitting a Vestein and a mind skilled in stratagem; she absolutely could not leave a bad impression on him.

If I break off the engagement with that traitor, he won’t have reason to be wary of me, but there’s no harm in leaving a good impression beforehand. Besides, considering what I plan to do to Aaron later… I need to make a good impression.

Despite such a resolve, her first visit was undeniably lacking in manners, but it didn’t matter. For now, Theore was still the apex troublemaker, and Legina had a long way to go to catch up to him.

“Shall we go inside first?”

Boldly, as if she were in her own home. Legina extended her hand, expecting an escort even before Gissley offered one. Gissley hesitated for a moment, then lightly placed Legina’s fingertips on his palm. He didn’t know the purpose of Legina’s visit to the Vestein Ducal House, but given her status as Imperial Princess, he couldn’t leave her standing outside.

Thus, guided to the mansion’s drawing-room, Legina ignored Gissley’s scrutinizing gaze and waited for Aaron. The stated purpose of her visit today was to obtain Danilan flowers, but there was no way Aaron wouldn’t appear once he heard of her visit. She didn’t even consider the possibility that Aaron might be away. That’s because the first thing she had coordinated after discussing the contract relationship was Aaron’s schedule.

Normally, Aaron would have quickly headed back to the border, where Egil Vestein was waiting. However, after agreeing to the ‘contract relationship’ with Legina, Aaron had decided to remain in the capital for the time being. There was a plausible excuse.

He decided to stay in the mansion and spend time with his family until his coming-of-age ceremony, which isn’t far off. And there’s Theore’s sword lesson too. The timing was truly perfect.

Legina thought so, then took a sip of the Danilan flower tea the servant had offered. A subtle aroma lingered on her tongue, then smoothly flowed down her throat.

“You’re wondering why I’ve come, aren’t you, my lord?”

“Because Your Highness has had no prior dealings with the Vestein family.”

Hermann Slyveig was still her fiancé. It was natural for Gissley, who could not know that Legina was aiming for an annulment, to be suspicious of today’s visit.

“You don’t need to be so tense. As written in the letter, I’m simply here to obtain some Danilan flowers today.”

“…If you commanded, we could have brought them to you ourselves, Your Highness…?”

“It’s a matter of disturbing the Duchess’s cherished garden, so I couldn’t possibly. I am a person who knows courtesy.”

To think that Gissley Vestein was so transparent! Legina remembered the war of nerves she had engaged in with Gissley before her regression and somehow felt like laughing. After all, Gissley was only twenty years old now, and he had only recently taken over some of the Duke’s duties.

He’ll soon turn into the cunning old fox he was before the regression, so I should enjoy this face now.

Legina set down her teacup, averted her gaze from Gissley, and turned towards the drawing-room door. It was about time for Aaron to make his appearance.

As if Legina’s thoughts were not mistaken, a soft knock came from beyond the drawing-room door. The waiting servant waited for the knocking to cease, then slowly opened the door.

“My apologies. I have just finished my training and am late in offering my greetings.”

Aaron, who appeared from beyond the open door, bowed to Legina in greeting. And Legina, seeing Aaron, instinctively covered her mouth with her hand and couldn’t help but let out a small gasp of admiration.

“Oh my God…”

Here’s the translation for the next chapter, “I Will Annul the Engagement (1)”:

Chapter 5: I Will Annul the Engagement (1)
Theore’s birthday banquet quickly arrived. In that short time, Legina regularly delivered tea to the Emperor every day—and though the Emperor threatened that he wouldn’t drink it unless Legina came herself, he gave up when Legina counter-threatened to double the amount if she brought it herself, which is an open secret—and called Theore to the training ground for various lessons. Of course, Theore’s minor rebellions occurred, but the Danilan flower medicinal tea and the club made specifically for her brother were a great help. Thanks to this, she had a very busy but also very fulfilling time. Of course, the Emperor’s and Theore’s opinions would differ, but what mattered was Legina’s mood, not theirs.

“Your Highness, I hear the disposition for those who carelessly spoke rumors about His Highness Theore has been decided.”

“Oh? Later than I expected.”

“Yes, because they didn’t just commit an ordinary crime; they uttered seditious words directly forbidden by His Majesty. I heard it was delayed a bit due to a thorough investigation into any additional offenses.”

“Is that so?”

Legina, who had just returned from making Theore train since early morning, sat in the bathtub, listening to Selma’s voice. Due to the banquet preparations, sword lessons hadn’t taken place for the past few days, so Legina was truly enjoying putting Theore through his paces. Feeling the hot water gently soothe her tired muscles, Legina leaned her head back in the tub and slowly blinked her eyes.

“They say all the weekly wages they received while working at the Imperial Palace have been confiscated, and they’ve been expelled from the capital, forbidden from setting foot in it again.”

“They received a lighter punishment than I expected.”

“Yes, but they will tell everyone themselves why they were punished, so it’s not bad.”

Selma recalled the method Legina had described for killing rumors and replied. Legina nodded at her words, tracing the steamy bathwater with her fingertip, waiting for her next words.

“The dress is prepared as you instructed, and the gift for Sir Aaron has been delivered safely.”

The gift Legina gave Aaron was a pair of cufflinks made of red diamonds. It was an item crafted to match the accessories she would wear on the day of the banquet. She almost missed the deadline due to the rush, but the power of money was immense. She paid an additional fee of more than double the market price, and the cufflinks, boasting a more perfect cut than ever before, were completed and delivered. It was a moment when she felt foolish for having been so patient before her regression, believing that one couldn’t get good things by badgering the artisans, and simply waiting for completion.

“And what about looking into a banquet partner for the young Duke of Slyveig?”

“It is Lady Annetta Veedis of the Viscounty Veedis.”

“What is their publicly known relationship?”

“I hear the Duke of Slyveig took in Lady Annetta several years ago after her parents, the Viscount and Viscountess, died, leaving her alone. I’m told that she is almost like a true sister to the young Duke of Slyveig…”

At this point in time, she was known as the only daughter of the insignificant Viscounty Veedis, fortunate enough to have gained Duke Slyveig as a guardian, but Legina knew her true identity. She was Slyveig’s sorceress. The woman who had aided Hermann Slyveig in his rebellion before the regression. Selma seemed to be deliberately omitting it, but Annetta was already the subject of backroom rumors in high society, known as Hermann’s hidden lover around this time. Her worry about him perhaps bringing a different partner to protect her was now gone.

“Finally, we meet.”

Legina clenched her teeth, gripping a single flower petal floating on the bathwater. This was finally the meeting with the ill-fated connection from before her regression. She still hadn’t found proper evidence, so there was nothing she could do yet, but she had no intention of letting them off easily at this first meeting.

This time, I will absolutely not let things proceed as you wish.

Of course, she couldn’t do anything drastic to the two of them on the day of the banquet. All she could do was declare the annulment of her engagement in a grand and spectacular fashion, effectively smearing Hermann’s face with dirt. However, Legina knew well that it wouldn’t end with just “smearing dirt.” How much had Slyveig exploited under her fiancé’s status before the rebellion?!

So, this declaration of annulment was a declaration of war. A magnificent and flashy declaration of war that she would never be taken advantage of again!

“Selma.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“This banquet is very important.”

“…Yes. I will prepare thoroughly.”

Selma quietly replied, dripping scented oil onto Legina’s black hair. She didn’t know why Legina wanted to become a troublemaker. It was because she was constantly being swept along by Legina, who wielded a club and shattered her every common sense, leaving her no time to think deeply. Nevertheless, Selma obediently followed Legina’s words because she trusted her.

Your Highness Legina is still young, but she has never once made a wrong judgment until now.

So Selma intended to wait until Legina explained her reasons. What if she didn’t explain? Then she wouldn’t know, that’s all. Such a thing alone wouldn’t change her feelings and judgment towards Legina. Thinking so, Selma slowly began to massage Legina’s black hair, which was imbued with the scented oil.

“Selma.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Absolutely no alcohol near Theore. You know that, right?”

“His Highness Theore’s coming-of-age ceremony is still a long way off. You don’t need to worry.”

“I worry because there’s reason to. Tell the servants absolutely no, especially that the area where the champagne is placed must never be left unguarded.”

“Yes, I understand.”

If Theore somehow wanted champagne and they couldn’t stop him, they were to stall for as long as possible and then call her. Legina, who had no desire whatsoever to see the sword dance from before her regression, emphasized this two or three times, then entrusted her entire body to Selma and the other maids assisting with her bath, closing her eyes.

Now, only a few hours remained until the start of the banquet. The time to face her enemies was drawing near.

The moon rose, and the Imperial Palace gates opened. Carriages that had been waiting slowly moved, entering the Imperial Palace, while in the central square of the capital, the common people were celebrating Theore’s birthday. Legina, who had been watching the spectacle of the bright carriage lights stretching long, brighter than the stars in the night sky, from the balcony attached to her room, turned around.

Having already completed all her banquet preparations before sunset, Legina stood dressed in the gown prepared for today. Her long, glossy black hair, half-tied and flowing down as she had not yet had her coming-of-age ceremony, swayed with the hem of her dress in the breeze. The gasps of the maids who were in her room to help with Legina’s banquet preparations could be heard from various places. White skin contrasting with black hair, mysterious violet eyes that only royalty could possess, and red lips; Legina herself seemed unaware, but she too was one of the most beautiful women in the Ellias Empire. Why did she acknowledge Theore’s beauty, which resembled hers, but not her own…?

Selma, the first among those in the room to regain her composure, let out a small sigh, then clapped her hands lightly to bring the stunned maids back to their senses.

“Alright, alright. If you’ve all finished your duties, everyone return to your original posts.”

“Yes, Madam Signy.”

The maids who had come to assist with her dressing withdrew, leaving only Selma, Una, and Legina in the room. Una, who had briefly stepped back at Selma’s gesture, came out of the dressing room carrying a small jewelry box. It was the jewelry box containing the specially chosen accessories for today.

Selma gently took Legina’s hand and sat her before the dressing table, then opened the lid of the jewelry box Una held out.

“It’s truly fortunate we met the deadline.”

“They received that much gold, so of course they had to meet the deadline, Madam Signy!”

They were a necklace and earrings made of red diamonds. Selma carefully took out the necklace and moved her hand so Legina could see it clearly.

“I wonder if Sir Aaron was satisfied too?”

“I heard it’s a cut that’s difficult to achieve even with ordinary diamonds. I deliberately had it made with red diamonds to match his eye color, so even if he’s not familiar with jewels, he must have been sufficiently satisfied.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

Legina swept her long hair to one side, revealing her slender, long neck, and Selma, going behind her, carefully draped the necklace over her white skin. She then carefully put the earrings onto Legina’s ears and stepped back. Hearing the lid of the jewelry box Una was holding close, Legina looked into the dressing table mirror.

The accessories, framed in platinum and illuminated by red diamonds, harmonized with Legina’s white skin, showcasing their beauty to the fullest.

“Your Highness, you are beautiful!”

“Thank you, Una.”

“I’m not just saying that, you truly are!”

If someone else had worn them, they might not have looked so beautiful. Selma nodded at Una’s admiring voice, indicating that she shared the same thought.

“That’s good, but… Una, aren’t you forgetting something?”

“What?”

“My partner today is Sir Aaron.”

“Ah…!”

“It would be a miracle if I even looked like an ordinary person next to him, you know.”

She had dressed up with all her might for the first time in a long while, but her partner, who would be standing closest to her, was Aaron. Since it was a banquet, he would surely dress up to some extent… What would happen if a man who was already so beautiful he strained her heart even without dressing up, truly decided to adorn himself?

“I don’t know if I’m excited or terrified.”

Legina calmed her strangely trembling chest and checked her reflection in the dressing table mirror one more time.

Knock-knock.

“It’s time to move.”

Had the nobles already entered? At the servant’s voice from outside the door, Legina took a deep breath and rose from her seat. Finally, it was time to move and face her enemies.

– Mochinuna.