Chapter 31 - The Poison

He decorated the space with different colored fabrics he had received for free for buying so much. The flower path on the floor was decorated with fine candles. The warm and beautiful candlelight made the dark front yard dreamy.

“…!”

When she arrived at the temple, Laila’s mouth hung open slightly as she took in everything in front of her.

“Oh my gosh…”

“Laila.”

With a pleased expression, Venio called out to Laila, who was surprised by what she was seeing. Then, he removed the blanket from her shoulders and deftly wrapped her in a beautiful, fragrant indigo-blue fabric.

The indigo fabric brushed against her gently. Finally, a small silver-pink tiara and a veil embroidered with gold thread were placed on her head. Venio stared intently at Laila.

He whispered, smiling, “Now, you just need to walk down the flower path with me.”

“Ah.”

Venio wanted to carry her in his arms, but he couldn’t say it because he was afraid to startle Laila. She looked at the flowers with an indescribable expression.

Some people had come to deliver the goods, and there were some who had heard of them; they stood around them to watch the scene. Informal cheers and applause were heard as Venio and Laila stood in the middle.

Since it wasn’t an official ceremony, the priest did not give any congratulatory message. They simply exchanged rings and kissed each other on the cheek.

Venio took out the family heirloom engagement ring he had brought with him this morning and put it on Laila’s finger. Then, he lowered himself so Laila didn’t have to tiptoe.

With slightly flushed cheeks, Laila pressed her trembling lips to his cheek. Venio blinked when the quick kiss landed. The place she touched was especially ticklish and warm.

“…”

With such a foolish thought, he carried Laila in a flash and left with whistles and laughter behind them.

The news reached the emperor first. The emperor froze up like a stone statue for about ten minutes before he sent a letter to Estevan Duchy robotically. The engagement between Archduke Venio de Arsene and Laila Estevan was thus cemented.

* * *

“You mean the lady is engaged?” Gail, an old doctor of the Estevan family, asked with his mouth wide open. Duke Estevan was speechless. It was late at night. After checking with the messenger, sure enough, Laila Estevan was not around as stated in the letter.

“If so, why have you called for me?” asked Gail after recovering himself. As he asked, he thought about whether he should write a note about Laila’s condition and send it to the Archduke, and how many extra painkillers to give her.

Laila was born with an illness, and she was getting worse. It had already developed too much, so there was no way to fix it, but it would still be good to be able to ease the pain or alleviate the symptoms even a little.

The Duke, who had been rendered speechless, looked down at Gail with a murderous look and said, “You did something unnecessary, Gail.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Don’t interfere any further. I wouldn’t give another chance even if it’s you.”

“Master, by any chance…”  Gail sensed that the Duke was being unusual and his eyes widened. A flash went off in his mind and he thought of the poison that Laila probably ingested.

“Stop. Stop there.”

But he couldn’t ask any further. The Duke was glaring into space with an expression full of hatred on his pale face. He remembered seeing that expression before. It was an expression from losing something extremely precious all at once.

“Go back to her dwelling and switch the remaining medication to something else. She will certainly come back for them.”

“May I ask what I should change it to?”

At Gail’s question, the Duke responded as if he had been waiting to be asked, “Poison.”

Swallowing a sigh, Gail lowered his head sadly.

* * *

Gail, the old doctor, was a fairly savvy person who served the Estevan duchy. After being saved by the Duke, he vowed to dedicate his life to only protecting the Duke.

The reason the Duke let him stay around him for so long was probably that he trusted his vow. Because Gail had been by the Duke’s side for a long time, he recognized the signs.

“Master’s heart has been greatly broken.”

Perhaps because he was a doctor, or perhaps he was just born with such a personality, he just couldn’t be cruel. So, the Duke did not entrust Gail with that sort of work.  But this time, it was different.