“Well, not really…”

Since there was no invitation to come alone or come together, it didn’t matter.

Atia roughly tied her hair.

‘I should choose an outfit since I can’t go in my negligee.’

She couldn’t wear the sheer negligee, so she picked something from the wardrobe.

‘I shouldn’t bother Kesha and Harry to dress me.’

As Cascus was in the room, it might make him uncomfortable.
Atia, as usual, chose comfortable pants instead of a dress. The top was a slightly tight cream-colored one.

“I’ll put on clothes, so don’t peek.”

“Yeah, got it.”

As Atia was about to leave after putting on her clothes, Cascus narrowed his eyes while looking at her.

“Isn’t it… too small? The clothes?”

“What?”

The cream-colored top Atia was wearing revealed her collarbone, slightly accentuating the chest, and her waist looked slender. Depending on how one perceived Atia’s hourglass figure, the top alone could evoke various thoughts.

“Not too small? Let’s go quickly; the Crown Prince will be waiting.”

“Just a moment.”

Cascus took off his outerwear and put it on Atia.

The large coat of Cascus didn’t fit Atia well, making it look like she was wearing her dad’s clothes.

“Much better.”

“Huh? It’s too big for me…”

Atia said, trying on the sleeves of the coat, feeling awkward wearing something several sizes too big.

“It’s better for clothes to be one size larger. Now, let’s go.”

Cascus enveloped Atia’s shoulders and grinned.

Owen’s office.

Atia appeared wearing a long, oversized coat that didn’t fit her.

“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Atia bowed her head.

Owen, who had been investigating the Duke and Duchess, raised an eyebrow uncomfortably. He didn’t expect Cascus to come along.

“Why did you come with her? I summoned the Duchess for something.”

“There was no order to come alone. Moreover, a couple is considered as one.”

Cascus twisted his lips and said.

Owen felt uncomfortable with Cascus’ hand on Atia’s shoulder.

Did they really have to behave like this here?

“Well, it’s quite a remarkable display of spousal love.”

Owen chuckled as he sat down, uncrossing his previously crossed legs.

“How’s your health?”

Looking at Atia’s complexion, she seemed pale but appeared to be fine.

“…Yes, well, it’s fine. How about His Highness?”

“Me?”

Owen’s lips drew a half-smile.

“Thanks to you, I’m perfectly fine. It would have been precarious without you; I wonder what would have happened by now.”

“If it weren’t for me, I wouldn’t have been able to go to that island. Anyway, it’s fortunate. You don’t seem to have any injuries.”

Owen liked Atia’s straightforwardness in saying whatever was on her mind.

It was a bit uncomfortable to have Cascus by her side, though.

“You have an extraordinary talent.”

“?”

“All the expressions of the tribe that passed through your hands turned bright. Unlike the doctors, you didn’t use herbs, so what did you do?”

“Oh…”

Atia pulled up Cascus’ coat, which felt awkward, and answered.

“I simply shared the knowledge I have. There were many sick people there. Just by touching, I could have a significant impact.”

“Can you tell that at a glance?”

“You’d know better if you touched it. Even if it looks fine on the surface, there are many problems in the body when examined closely.”

“Problems in the body, even if it looks fine on the surface?”
“Yes. Even though someone looks fine, everyone has their own areas of pain. Many people live without knowing they have incorrect posture. It’s challenging to put knowledge into practice even if you fully understand it.”

Owen wanted to ask Cascus to check his body too if he was okay, but with Cascus right next to him, he refrained from saying it.

“Why go to such lengths when you’re not even a doctor?”

“Well… there was no reason not to, and it’s just my personality not to ignore such things.”

“You said it yourself that you’re on borrowed time. Then you should have taken care of yourself first. You don’t know when you might collapse and die.”

“Since we don’t know when it might happen, we should be even more prepared. We should do our best in the present, not knowing what might happen tomorrow. I did what I could within my capabilities. I don’t particularly regret my actions.”

Owen, who had been staring at her blankly, nodded his head, then chuckled softly.

“I respect your way of thinking.”

“Thank you.”

“I haven’t properly thanked you either. Thanks to you, I was able to smoothly resolve a very embarrassing situation.”

Considering the state of the palace finances, finding the treasure-laden 4th ship was no small matter, so for Owen, Atia was nothing short of a savior.

“It was to uphold the treaty.”

Owen stared at Cascus’ hand around Atia’s shoulder, then stood up from his chair.

“Follow me. There’s something I want to show you.”

The place Owen led them to was the underground of the palace.

Strict guards were stationed at a solemnly guarded entrance located in a separate building within the palace garden.

As Owen passed by, everyone bowed and cleared a path for him.

Holding Cascus’ hand, Atia descended the stairs slowly.

To prevent the coat from dragging on the ground, she lifted it with her other hand.

‘I struggled so much to come here. Finally, I can come here.’

After descending the dark stairs for quite some time, rooms with a musty smell appeared. From the look of the padlocked doors, they seemed to be secret chambers.

‘Haru felt something here. There must be something…’

Throughout the dark ashy stone walls, various sizes of spider webs were spun.

Dim torches between the pillars illuminated the dark underground.

Owen stood in front of a certain room and inserted the key into a large lock.

Click.

The sound of the rusty iron door opening, and Owen, Atia, and Cascus entered.

“Creak!”

Upon entering the room, Atia coughed. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief she had prepared just in case.

‘Totally a dust pit… not good for the lungs.’

The dark space had no windows and no ventilation.

Owen ignited the torch he held in his hand. The room brightened.

The long wooden table was covered with a thin layer of dust, and in the center lay a thick book.

Looking at the dusty book, Atia asked, “What’s this?”