The weakness he had been meddling with.
The nameplate clearly read “Purple Root Thistle.”
“Oh, of course, this is top secret! You know that, right? Since it’s related to His Majesty’s health…”
Mia, who had regained her senses, urgently asked,
“Embra! Does the Imperial Medical Center also manage the medicines for His Majesty?”
Embra tilted her head and replied,
“General medicinal ingredients used in food are managed by the Medical Center. Why do you ask?”
Food.
That one word oddly lingered in Mia’s mind. She felt uneasy, thinking, It can’t be, right?
“Is there any chance there could be a security issue? Actually… earlier today, there was someone suspicious!”
“Suspicious? What did they do?”
“They tampered with the medicine chest! I’m sure the nameplate said ‘Purple Root Thistle!’”
“Really? Are you certain?”
Unlike the anxious Mia, Embra scanned her face with a peculiar expression.
“Something like that happened? Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”
“No! They were definitely suspicious and…”
“Suspicious, you say? In what way?”
“Well… I can’t explain it, but…”
Hearing this, Embra let out a soft laugh, patting Mia’s hands in a soothing manner.
“My lady, His Majesty has always been under the threat of poisoning. For that reason, he undergoes a routine of injecting small amounts of poison to build up immunity. There’s no need to worry!”
“But that doesn’t mean drinking poison doesn’t hurt!”
“What?”
At Mia’s outburst, Embra widened her eyes in surprise.
“Even if it doesn’t kill him, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt! How can you just accept that as normal…?”
Mia answered anxiously, biting her lip. After a long silence, Embra hesitated before speaking.
“Well, I suppose… you could see it that way…”
“Right?”
Mia looked ready to cry. Embra collected herself and smiled once more.
“It was probably just a delivery physician dropping off ingredients. Don’t worry too much!”
“But…”
“Ahaha! I need to check on my staff. I’ll take my leave now, my lady!”
“Embra!”
“Come by for dessert again sometime! We seem to have similar tastes!”
Despite Mia’s attempts to hold her back, Embra steadfastly ushered her out of the Medical Center.
“Why won’t she listen? It’s definitely something to do with Chrysor!”
Left alone, Mia fumed with confusion and frustration. Feeling uneasy, she returned to Adillot’s chambers, her mind racing with scenes from The Serenity of the Rose Garden.
“At least there’s no episode in the original where Adillot gets sick from poison.”
Though the story didn’t follow the original exactly, surely the male lead’s peril would have been mentioned if it were significant.
That thought gave her some comfort, but the unease in her heart persisted.
“So why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?”
—
It was evening. Mia was escorted to Adillot’s private office. As the door opened, she saw him dressed casually, sifting through documents. A simple meal was set on a table in front of him, though it seemed untouched.
“Excuse me…?”
As Mia entered, the man standing beside Adillot was the first to greet her warmly.
“Ah, we finally meet.”
Mia’s eyes widened at the unexpected figure.
Light brown hair that fell to his shoulders, silver-framed glasses, and greenish eyes.
“I’m Joachim Kirch. I’m serving as Chancellor, though I’m far from perfect.”
Joachim’s friendly introduction made Mia beam.
“I’m Mia. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
“I hope my presence doesn’t make you uncomfortable?”
“You’re too handsome for that!”
“Haha, hearing that in His Majesty’s presence is a bit embarrassing.”
Joachim chuckled softly.
“Anyway, I’ll be heading to the eastern provinces soon, so I won’t be able to see you often. I hope you’ll take good care of His Majesty in my absence.”
“I’m not a child…”
Adillot, who hadn’t lifted his head from the documents until now, muttered irritably. Joachim, who had been smiling gently, immediately frowned.
“If you’re not a child, then you should eat properly, shouldn’t you, Your Majesty?”
“I got it, I got it.”
Adillot finally set down the papers, rubbing his shoulder. Then he suddenly froze.
“…What happened to your hand?”
“Pardon?”
Mia glanced at her right hand, which was wrapped in gauze.
“Oh… I went out for a bit and got hurt by accident!”
“By accident?”
“Getting scratched by a pet while playing is pretty common, you know!”
Mia, unwilling to discuss the Medical Center, answered playfully. She figured Adillot would already know about her visit.
Since I got hurt in Chrysor’s territory, it’d be nice if he thought I was on his side.
Even if he didn’t, it didn’t seem like something Adillot needed to concern himself with.
However, contrary to her expectations, Adillot’s expression gradually darkened.
“Joachim.”
He spoke coldly, his face suddenly devoid of warmth.
…Uh-oh.
Mia shrugged her shoulders. The atmosphere felt tense. Joachim noticed her unease and immediately bowed his head.
“It was an unavoidable measure.”
“……”
“I will accept any punishment.”
“……You should. Clean up the aftermath properly.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Mia stared blankly at the scene.
What on earth are they talking about?
It seemed that Adilot and Joachim had the ability to understand each other without needing specific words.
Well, both Joachim and Ferdian had been on Adilot’s side until the end of the original story. Even while secretly loving Serenity, they never let it show.
Honestly, I don’t really get that kind of thing.
As Mia shook her head in disbelief, Adilot motioned with his chin.
“Go eat.”
He gestured toward the seat next to him. The ground was covered in layers of luxurious carpets, and silver tableware was neatly arranged. The carpets were undoubtedly high-quality, and silk cushions embroidered with gold thread surrounded the area. Flowers were scattered here and there, giving it the air of a sultan’s harem.
The trays, utensils, and bowls were all silver, and there were even more dishes laid out for Mia than for Adilot.
It’s Persian-inspired, she thought.
Unlike Mia’s simple impression, Adilot spoke cautiously.
“Let me make one thing clear—this wasn’t my idea.”
“Pardon?”
“It was my idea, Miss Mia,” Joachim interjected.
“……What?”
What is he talking about? Mia looked confused, and Joachim gave an apologetic smile.
“Miss Mia, you’re under suspicion of treason. Since your official status is now His Majesty’s pet, some formalities had to be observed, which is why the meal was set on the floor.”
So it’s official—I’m a pet now.
Mia didn’t mind. As long as she could stay alive, she wouldn’t care if they served her food in a dog bowl.
“I actually like sitting on the floor! It’s fine.”
Mia smiled brightly and sat down. Adilot watched her for a moment before speaking again.
“Get your hand checked again later.”
“I already had it checked.”
“By someone else.”
“……?”
Mia didn’t fully understand, but she nodded anyway. Adilot’s expression briefly softened before reverting to his usual indifferent look.
“Well then, let’s eat!”
Mia cheerfully picked up a fork. Just as she was about to spear a piece of meat, she caught sight of Joachim in her peripheral vision.
He was watching Mia and Adilot eat with a satisfied expression. Mia tugged on the hem of Adilot’s garment, who was seated in a chair.
“Um, isn’t the Chancellor going to eat?”
“Joachim doesn’t eat with others.”
“Really?”
Come to think of it, there were no scenes in the original story where Serenity and Joachim shared a meal.
Author, how many secrets are you hiding in this story?
Mia chewed her meat, occasionally glancing at Joachim with a concerned look.
“Are you worried?”
Adilot was quick to notice Mia’s behavior.
“Of course!” Mia blinked in surprise.
As he nonchalantly ate grapes, Adilot reached out his hand.
“Huh?”
And then—
Flick!
“Ow!?”
His finger flicked her forehead, causing her to tear up. It hurt a lot, fitting for someone with his strength.
Why!? Why would you do that!?
Mia looked up at Adilot with eyes full of questions.
“Just eat your food. You’re not in a position to worry about anyone—especially him.”
“Haha.” Joachim neither confirmed nor denied Adilot’s words.
Mia puffed her cheeks.
“Treating a pet like this will send you straight to hell!”
“After all the people I’ve killed, do you really think I’m going to heaven?”
Wow. Way to leave me speechless.
With a pout, Mia quietly picked up her fork. Adilot spent the meal reading a book, and Joachim did the same.
What are these two even doing at the dining table?
Mia felt like she should also ask for a book and finished her meal, feeling slightly uneasy.
The meal ended quickly and quietly. Just as Mia was rubbing her chest to ease her digestion, servants came in to clear the table and bring out dessert.
Mia’s eyes sparkled.
“Wow! This is Lamopet’s carrot cake, isn’t it!? It’s limited to only 12 servings a day!”
In front of Mia was a three-tiered cake stand and a pot of tea. Unlike her excitement, Adilot looked indifferent, as if annoyed by the arrival of yet another dish.
Mia glanced at Adilot’s table. All he had was a simple tea tray with one or two snacks.
“Does that tiny portion really fill you up?”
“Are you worried?”
“Nope! Just making sure you don’t steal mine.”
Adilot chuckl
ed in disbelief as he picked up the teapot.
“You’ve really got some nerve.”
“Don’t worry! I won’t beg you to share!”
“Good grief…”
Adilot let out a small laugh and poured tea from the pot.
Drip.
Bright purple tea poured into the cup.
