The moment the carriage carrying Ermedillin disappeared after checking the sewers, Pellio collapsed right there.

The servant attending Pellio tried to lift him up in confusion, but withdrew at his firm gesture.

Pellio had loved his mother like any son.

Perhaps due to a marriage of convenience owing to her weakening magical bloodline, Pellio’s mother was not particularly dear to his father.

The days they spent ignoring each other outweighed the affectionate ones.

Such an environment inevitably influenced their child.

Pellio, their only child, grew into an introverted and warped boy as his parents’ indifference towards each other increased.

So much so that he became averse to the very idea of getting married and starting a family, apart from loving his parents.

The handkerchief had been a gift from his mother on his last birthday before she passed away.

As far as he could remember, it was the last day he saw his parents act affectionately towards each other.

A few months after his birthday, the relationship between his already indifferent parents rapidly worsened, and his mother died from a terrible curse.

For Pellio, that handkerchief was not just a piece of ordinary cloth.

It was the last comfort of the happy family he had longed for.

But what meaning could such a handkerchief hold now?

He was protecting the woman who couldn’t control her beastlike emotions and killed his mother, and had turned his back on his father.

When asked why, he answered that he couldn’t bear to see blood on his hands.

And that was his sincere answer.

Pellio now did not want to hurt even a sliver of Ermedillin’s soul, let alone her physical wellbeing.

He wished he could carry all the karma of her past burdens if he could.

So it was fine if the handkerchief was lost.

He had made up his mind to walk the path of a beast himself.

He rummaged in his pocket and took out a brooch he had put away after the founding ceremony.

“Attach this.”

All of a sudden, after contemplating with a serious look, he wanted the brooch attached?

The servant hesitated for a moment, but then did as he was told and fastened the brooch to his cloak.

“I remember feeling during the founding ceremony that it suits you very well, sir.”

“Does it?”

As Pellio looked down at the servant and smiled, all hesitation left his face.

“It matches the handwriting of Duke Bellian.”

“Is that so? I can’t even recognize the handwriting of Valier, can I?”

“Yes, I also found it strange and verified several times. But this request was undoubtedly written by the Duke himself.”

In Henri’s hand was a request to change the design of a dress newly ordered by Valier.

It indeed resembled the handwriting in the note sent by Ermond.

“In that case, keep it quiet for now. I will check it myself. How’s the epidemic going?”

“Most areas have prevented a second infection, but some have failed. There are places where the whole village has been infected and there are multiple casualties.”

“I see.”

In a situation where nothing was going as he wanted, the request in Henri’s hand crumpled powerlessly.

Henri immediately found Valier.

Valier, who had been downcast for some time, began to brighten up at the news of his arrival, forgetting his unfavorable circumstances.

“It seems His Majesty’s anger has subsided.”

“What anger? I’m not infected with the epidemic, am I? And I didn’t spread it.”

Valier’s brazen reply was met with silent bows from the maids.

Valier, utterly unconcerned with the maids’ feelings, finished dressing up just in time for Henri’s arrival.

“Your Majesty! It’s been a long time!”
Valier greeted Henri with a genuinely warm smile.

Henri felt touched by the smile for a moment but quickly remembered why he was here.

“We’re planning to send a message to the orphanage the empress is building. I thought it would be nice to include yours.”

Although Valier was displeased that Henri had come for something involving Ermedillin, he accepted the offer, thinking his name would be alongside Henri’s in the message.

“Okay, I’ll do it!”

“Just write a brief blessing here and sign it.”

Valier cheerfully took the paper Henri offered.

Then he picked up the pen and began to write carefully.

In that brief moment, Henri prayed again and again.

He prayed to gods he didn’t believe in that Valier’s handwriting would match what he knew.

But as always, the gods turned a deaf ear to his prayer.

The handwriting was identical to the round script on the note sent by Ermond.

Unaware of the situation he was in, Valier poured his heart into each letter.

“Done!”

Handing over the white paper, a lovely blush adorned Valier’s cheeks.

He was happy that Henri had asked him for something.

Unaware, Henri found Valier’s demeanor so charming that he instinctively stroked her hair.

“Thank you.”

At Henri’s touch, Valier’s heart skipped a beat, and another shy smile escaped.

Leaving Valier’s residence, claiming he had business to attend to, Henri immediately handed the paper to Count Halstein, who was waiting outside.

“Have it analyzed by an expert.”

“Yes.”