23
Etern let out a sigh of relief as she approached Ziggkart.
Since all the attendants had been dismissed, Lance rushed over, panting, and quickly prepared a seat for Etern. However, before she could even sit down, a foul and bitter stench overwhelmed her.
“Ugh, what is that smell? How can you stand it?”
Ziggkart wrinkled his nose slightly and sniffed, then shrugged.
“What can I do? That herb naturally smells like this... when handled properly.”
“Oh my gosh, your eyes are completely dark underneath! What happened to you overnight...? Let me see.”
Before Ziggkart could evade her, Etern grabbed both of his cheeks with her hands. Startled, Ziggkart instinctively tried to pull back.
“Hey! Seriously! Just stay still for a moment, will you?”
“Ow, you’re going to pull my neck off.”
“You’re such a drama queen.”
Etern leaned in closer, carefully examining Ziggkart’s complexion.
How did his face end up like this in just one day? Is he really okay?
Ziggkart looked as if he hadn’t slept in three days. Just yesterday, his youthful face had been bright and clean, but now shadows darkened his eyes.
“I appreciate your hard work, but aren’t you overdoing it?”
Etern wanted to check further—after all, if he fell ill, that would be a serious problem!—but Ziggkart shook his head like a wet puppy, forcing her to let go. Concerned, she asked.
“Did you not get any sleep last night?”
Ziggkart let out a long yawn, as if to confirm her suspicion.
“Why? Was your bed uncomfortable?”
“No.”
“But you still didn’t sleep? Why?”
“I was nervous.”
That was an unexpected answer.
Etern blinked and stared at him.
“You actually get nervous?”
“Are you joking? Do you think I have multiple lives or something?”
As she thought about his words, Etern let out a small “Ah.” So he had been anxious about Emperor Wintier—that made sense.
Only then did she notice the table covered with various tools, medicinal herbs, and medical books. The books, she assumed, had been brought over by an attendant.
“You’re planning to do all this by yourself?”
“I can do it. It'll just take some time.”
“I’ll help. After all, this concerns my mother.”
“Then help me peel these.”
Etern accepted the bundle of herbs that Ziggkart handed her. The plants looked like thickly cut stalks of grass. As she brought them closer to her nose, a sharp, pungent scent hit her.
“What is this?”
“It’s a medicinal herb called ‘Ghostweed.’”
"What kind of name is that?"
"I didn't name it..."
"Why is it called 'Ghostweed'?"
Etern unfolded the bundle and plucked at the end of the herb with her fingernail. Surprisingly, the skin peeled off easily.
"Well? Why is it called 'Ghostweed'?"
"Probably because it grows a lot near graves."
Etern's hands paused as she peeled the herb. Her eyes flickered as if she was deep in thought, then she shuddered slightly for dramatic effect.
At that moment, Lance, who had gone to fetch tea and snacks in place of a servant, returned and saw the scene.
"Your Highness, the Princess!"
His deep voice echoed forcefully, causing the teacups on the silver tray to clatter. Both Etern and Ziggkart turned to him in surprise.
"Geez, Lance! What’s wrong?"
"W-what are you doing...! Allow me!"
Lance hurriedly placed the tray down and quickly took the herb bundle from Etern’s hands. It was almost as if he was snatching it away, but his movements were careful and deliberate.
"Oh, you're fussing over this? It's fine. I wanted to help."
"I will do it! How could the princess handle such a task?"
"Well, now I feel bad for Ziggkart..."
Etern glanced at Ziggkart, gauging his reaction. Lance, realizing his blunder, hesitated slightly but remained firm in his stance.
"I apologize if my words were rude, Lord Ziggkart. I understand that you are devoting yourself entirely to aiding Her Majesty the Empress. However, Her Highness the Princess is my superior and my benefactor—I cannot simply stand by."
Benefactor? When did I do anything to deserve that title? Etern wondered.
Ziggkart, meanwhile, remained focused on sorting out the cleaner herbs, barely paying attention to the conversation. He answered absentmindedly,
"I don’t care who does it, just peel the herbs quickly. They have to be added in the right order."
"Understood!"
In the end, Lance took over the task, carefully peeling the herb stalks. His hands, hardened from rigorous training, struggled with the delicate task at first, but he gradually got the hang of it and worked more efficiently.
With nothing to do, Etern awkwardly looked around before picking up a medical book and flipping through it.
'This is the same book I read before.'
In both her past and present life, she had combed through this book from cover to cover, desperately searching for a way to wake her mother.
Ziggkart had cut pieces of paper and attached notes throughout the book, marking important sections. Most of the notes seemed to be about medicinal herbs, indicating that he had double-checked their effects.
'Did he do all of this last night and this morning? No wonder he looks so exhausted!'
Etern was genuinely impressed as she examined the notes. His handwriting was elegant and neat—surprisingly refined for someone his age.
"How did you learn all this?"
Ziggkart glanced at her briefly before answering.
"Just in case I ever needed it."
"There aren't any doctors or herbalists in the grand duchy?"
"Maybe so. But in the end, I have to be the one to protect myself."
At those words, Etern flinched slightly, as if something had pricked her.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said. Hey, are you done?"
His last words were directed at Lance. The knight, who had just finished peeling the last herb, held out the smooth stalks.
"Next, grind these."
"Understood."
Lance picked up the mortar and pestle and began grinding the herbs diligently, while Ziggkart sorted through the prepared ingredients, setting aside what was needed and discarding the rest. Then, he filled a small, round cauldron with water.
"I'm going to start brewing the medicine now. It’ll take two to three days just to boil properly."
He had Lance light a fire in the stove and placed the cauldron over it. The sound of crackling flames filled the room.
Even as the work continued, Etern remained seated in silence, lost in thought.
What's happening in the grand duchy?
'What do you mean, ‘you have to protect yourself’? Are you saying the Grand Duke’s rightful heir and eldest son might actually be in danger?'
From what Etern remembered, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Randster had two sons and a daughter.
Ziggkart was the eldest, and even when he was forcibly taken to the Sidernell Empire in her past life, he had never lost his title as the heir to the grand duchy.
He had a younger brother, but their age gap wasn’t significant. However, that brother had never posed a threat to Ziggkart’s position.
'I don’t remember much about him… Did I ever even see his face? I think he visited the empire after Ziggkart became emperor.'
It was strange how her memory of those events was so fragmented. But she did remember one thing—when Ziggkart met his younger brother back then, he had smiled.
It was the first time Etern had ever seen him smile genuinely.
Back then, she had been utterly shocked. She had never imagined he was capable of showing warmth.
“I have a question.”
Ziggkart, who had been waiting for the water to boil, nodded.
“Let’s go over there. Somewhere quiet.”
She nudged his side, and Ziggkart gave her a puzzled look.
“Why? What do you want to ask?”
“Just come with me.”
“Why are you being so weird—ow! Stop poking my side!”
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