“Of course, I drank it.”

“You drank it even knowing it could be poison?”

“I was doubtful at that time. Above all, since Viscount Warren also had the same tea as me, I thought the tea I drank was safe.”

“Ah, you really…”

Kaern sighed deeply with a complex expression on his face.

“Are you okay? Did you experience any health issues?”

“No, I’m perfectly fine. And I’ve even identified what it is.”

“You found out the source of that fragrance?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a flower called Asdel.”

“Asdel?”

Judging from his expression, he seemed unfamiliar with it as well.

“Viscount Warren informed me about it. It was a flower I had never heard of before. He mentioned that it blooms in the western desert.”

“The western desert.”

“It’s such a rare flower that it wasn’t easy to find information. I searched through the study, the bookstore, and even the academy library.”

“So, did you find it?”

“Yes. There was a book about rare flowers in the academy library, and it had a description of Asdel.”

I explained to Kaern in detail all the information I had gathered so far.

“In the desert, people boil and drink water made from the tea leaves of this flower because there is a shortage of tea leaves. They remove the dangerous parts from the poisonous flower and drink it.”
“Yes, that’s right. So, when I drank tea with Viscount, nothing seemed unusual. But even when I tried to investigate further, I couldn’t find the flower. I traveled to various places, but I couldn’t find the flower, and there were hardly any people who knew about it.”

“So, did you go to Viscount again?”

“Yes, that’s right. It would be the answer to the question Kaern asked earlier.”

“Did you find it then?”

“No, unfortunately. Viscount mentioned that he received it as a gift, so there’s nothing left.”

“He received it as a gift?”

“Yes, he said it was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress. She mentioned trying to ask the Empress if it’s possible to obtain Asdel. So, all we have to do is wait for Viscount to get in touch.”

Having shared the story up to this point, thinking that any misunderstanding might have been cleared, I smiled brightly at him. However, Kaern still had a pensive expression, as if he was carefully considering something.

Why?

This should be a sufficient answer.

In the brief moment when a slight doubt crossed my mind, Kaern immediately opened his mouth.

“I will get Asdel. So, don’t meet Viscount Warren anymore.”

“What? But…”

“Even if it was a gift from the Empress, having a flower used for poison means you possessed it. Do you not suspect Viscount at all?”

“Well…”

I did. I was the one who suspected Blake more than anyone else. That’s why I went to see Blake.
However, I could never tell him this story.

“I won’t deny that you’ve been a great help. But don’t get involved any further. As I mentioned earlier, I won’t stand by and watch you expose yourself to danger.”

When I couldn’t say anything, he seemed to think I had accepted his words and spoke more firmly.

“But Kaern…”

Knowing he wouldn’t be persuaded no matter what I said, I couldn’t speak any longer.

But I couldn’t stop here.

Since it was an incident involving Kaern, my determination was firm.

“…Alright. Then, please let me know when you find Asdel. I know a bit about plants, so I might be of help.”

“Got it. I’ll make sure to do that.”

With that, I stood up from where I was.

And with Kaern’s farewell, I returned home.

As soon as I returned home, I sent a letter to Blake.

The content of the letter was simple.

It stated that it was okay if he didn’t find Asdel and apologized for unnecessarily causing him concern.

I didn’t want to make Kaern more tired by meeting Blake without any good reason.

‘Kaern said he would find it, so it will probably be resolved soon.’

So, there was no need to think any further about that problem.
The response to the letter seeking permission for my last visit came quickly, unlike this time, where there was no reply. Not particularly concerned, I thought it was okay and visited the Ravellon Duchy again the next day. It happened while I was tending to one of my tasks, taking care of the garden. “Herena.” At the sound of the familiar voice calling me, I immediately stopped what I was doing and turned around to see Kaern standing there. “Kaern?” I approached Kaern with my hands covered in dirt. “What’s going on here?” “I have a place to go with you.” “With me?” Instead of answering, Kaern nodded, and as he began to move, I quickly followed him.
Quietly, Kaern, leading me, came to a stop in front of an old and small building.

“This is…”

“Let’s go inside.”

“Yes.”

When Kaern opened the door, the musty and damp smell that I had experienced before filled the interior. As we entered, without realizing it, I wrinkled my nose.

Kaern extended a white handkerchief to me. It was the same handkerchief I had given him as a gift, with the initials “KH” engraved on it. As soon as I saw those initials, my heart tingled momentarily.

“Use this to cover your nose.”

“No, it’s okay.”

I vigorously shook my hands, not wanting to dirty the handkerchief he had given me.

“Come on.”

“It’s okay…”

When Kaern forcibly placed the handkerchief in my hands, I reluctantly accepted it. After he turned away, I carefully placed the handkerchief near my nose, tucking it into my pocket.

Without hesitation, Kaern walked forward, lifted the carpet on the floor, opened the secret passage, glanced at me once, and then descended the stairs. I followed him and was about to step onto the stairs, but Kaern reached out his hand from below.

“It’s dark, hold my hand.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Be careful.”

“Yes.”

After taking his hand and descending underground, we soon arrived in a room where a black horse was waiting.
The body seemed to have been treated to prevent easy decay, but the smell still filled the room.

“The handkerchief?”

“Here it is.”

When he asked about the handkerchief, I immediately took it out from my pocket and handed it to Kaern.

“Why did I give it to you if you’re not going to use it?”

“I’m really fine.”

“I’m not fine. I feel bad for bringing you to a place like this.”

Seeing him speak so earnestly, it seemed difficult to insist on my own way.

So, I brought his handkerchief to my nose.

Whether Kaern always carried this handkerchief or if it was a different scent from when he gave it to me as a gift, I sensed a completely different fragrance from the fabric.

Perhaps because of that fragrance, when I covered my nose with the handkerchief, the surrounding stench seemed to disappear completely.

Only after confirming that I had covered my nose and mouth with the handkerchief did Kaern approach.

“After you left yesterday, when I reexamined the body, it really had the scent of flowers.”

As he said that, Kaern once again brought his nose close to my ear.

“The fragrance from a flower called Asdel, is it the same as this?”

To double-check, I lowered the handkerchief and imitated his actions.

“Yes, that’s right. The scent is unmistakable.”

“Asdel, Asdel…”

Muttering like that, he gently stroked the body of the black horse.
I had heard from Adelia, but I could instantly sense how much affection Kaern had for his words.

“Kaern…”

Calling him with a voice full of compassion, Kaern quietly opened his mouth as if whispering.

“This guy was a gift from my parents on my fifteenth birthday. It was the last gift. They passed away in an accident less than a year later.”

I couldn’t say anything and just focused on his story.

“Since then, I’ve spent over ten years with this guy. Wherever I went, we were always together.”

My heart ached, and tears seemed about to come out.

But if I cried in front of him, who spoke calmly, it seemed like he would be even sadder.

So, I had to do my best not to cry somehow.

“Do you know what this guy’s name is?”

I slowly nodded my head.