Kays Translations

Chapter 120: Departure for the Royal Capital

The servants of House Heine stood in orderly lines before the mansion, and I stood among them.

The last snow had melted. Small green shoots were emerging from the ground.

Today, Alex and Cain would depart for the royal capital.

Mother addressed fifteen-year-old Alex and thirteen-year-old Cain, who looked considerably more nervous.

“Take care of yourselves. Alex, look after Cain.”

“Leave him to me, Mother.”

“I’m not a child anymore,” Cain protested.

He wasn’t entirely an adult either. Alex, by contrast, would be recognised as an adult when he completed his final year at the academy. The family was already speculating that he might become vice-president of the student council.

“Brother Alex, Brother Cain, please write occasionally,” I said.

“I’ll include a letter for you whenever I report to Father and Mother,” Alex promised.

“I’ll try to write,” Cain said with a strained smile.

Cain preferred physical activity and wasn’t fond of desk work. I hoped that letter writing wasn’t beyond him.

“Study diligently,” Father told them. “I look forward to seeing how much you’ve grown when you return.”

He patted both their heads before they climbed into the carriage.

With roughly ten escorting knights, they began the journey to the royal capital.

“Kyu…”

“They’ll return in summer. We’ll be lonely only for a while.”

I stroked Mira’s head. Both brothers had spoiled them throughout the winter, so their departure naturally hurt.

The unrest in the royal capital appeared to have subsided, but the person behind the poisoning remained unknown. I didn’t expect anyone to target the academy, yet the possibility still troubled me.

Our parents might have preferred to keep both sons home. Alex was nearly an adult and had earned their trust. Cain worried them more; Father had repeatedly asked whether he truly intended to attend the Royal Academy. Cain had insisted, so he would at least understand the need for caution.

Several quiet days passed. I took Mira to Mount Claire, inspected the territorial capital, and gradually adjusted to life without my brothers.

When the trees had become noticeably greener, a letter arrived from Alex. Separate letters went to Father and Mother.

“What has he written?” I wondered. “Perhaps a romantic report about Princess Daniela.”

The contents were nothing like that.

His Majesty the King had nearly been poisoned.

The incident was being treated as an absolute secret. Alex had learned the details privately from Princess Daniela, which suggested that the two of them were indeed becoming close.

His Majesty survived because an unidentified magic potion acted immediately. To avoid a crisis capable of destabilising the kingdom, the royal family suppressed the news and renewed the strict inspection of all food.

The person who administered the poison had been captured and was under interrogation. Only a small number of people could approach the King’s meals, so the investigation might finally expose the conspiracy.

The unidentified medicine had to be the Panacea I entrusted to Chloe.

Its quality had been poor. His Majesty must have grimaced at the concentrated taste of a forest and its unpleasant aroma. The next Panacea I produced needed to be considerably better.

I was grateful that only the King had been targeted. If Her Majesty the Queen and Chloe had been poisoned at the same time, one bottle couldn’t have saved them all.

Sweat gathered on my forehead as I read.

Ding-dong.

Before I answered, a servant called urgently through the door.

“Lord Julius, your father requests your presence.”

“I’ll come immediately.”

Father’s letter undoubtedly contained the same information. Being summoned because of it wasn’t encouraging.

I went to his study, rang the chime, and entered. Father and Lionel were waiting.

“You sent for me?”

“Read this first.”

The letter described the attempted poisoning and ended with a request that I come to the royal capital.

Princess Daniela had apparently asked Alex to deliver the message. Alex’s confusion was evident from his writing.

“Julius,” Father said, “was the medicine used on His Majesty the Panacea?”

“Almost certainly. They avoided naming the source because they wish to protect Chloe and probably me as well.”

“That would explain using Alex’s private letter. A direct message from the King could be traced to its recipient.”

The royal family couldn’t safely send even a simple letter.

Chloe had written to me openly, but perhaps correspondence between children attracted less suspicion.

“If they’re summoning me, they want to discuss the Panacea,” I said. “It may be safer to disclose the method rather than continue hiding it. Then the royal household could prepare several doses, improving the chances of protecting Her Majesty and the princesses.”

“Then we’ll leave as soon as possible,” Father said. “Lionel and I’ll accompany you. Prepare immediately.”

“Understood.”

My peaceful routine had ended almost as soon as it began.

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