I stopped breathing at the sight I had never seen before.

Green smoke was circulating throughout Susan’s body.

‘Everyone else had red stains. Why is only Susan green? It’s also the first time I’ve seen it moving instead of stagnating in one area.’

As befitting the divine object of the healing goddess, Morasyncia’s eyes reflected everything I wanted to see without exception – blood vessels, organs, bones, muscles.

They would also tell me where there were problems.

Otherwise, how would I, not even a doctor, know anything?

This time everything was different.

The goddess’s eyes were silent, and I could only infer based on my limited experience.

‘There’s none of the ominousness felt from the red stains. Does this mean Susan has no illness? How can that be?’

Even at this moment, the green smoke was swimming leisurely like a fish.

Except for that, every part of her body was perfectly normal.

This couldn’t be right. It was truly strange.

“Susan. You said you were sickly since childhood?”

“My grandfather tried every method, but didn’t even know the name of the illness.”

“It’s understandable you became interested in pharmacology.”

“I wanted to cure myself. Though I haven’t had any success yet.”

“Haven’t you become healthier than before?”

“I wish… but suddenly collapsing is still the same as ever.”

“May I ask how it feels?”

Susan fell into thought for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.

“It feels like wind blowing inside my body. Sometimes it builds gradually, other times it hits like a storm. When the wind starts, I suffer from high fever before my consciousness suddenly cuts off.”

“Do you feel any signs beforehand in your daily life?”

“Not at all. That’s what makes it scarier.”

“It is truly frightening. And bizarre that even the name of the illness is unknown.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I heard Baron Douglas always read books to you. That he started writing novels because of you?”

I subtly changed the subject while removing my monocle.

Susan seemed happy to be able to recall pleasant memories.

“That’s right! Listening to elder brother’s stories was the most fun thing in the world.”

“I guess Baron Douglas wasn’t interested in pharmacology?”

“Elder brother was more interested in theology.”

“The Nettleton marquis family had many devout Morasyncia believers, right?”

“That’s why they say the first emperor bestowed a divine object imbued with Morasyncia’s grace. Though to me it just looks like an old pair of glasses.”

Indeed, the Nettleton family had deep ties to Morasyncia.

That was the third reason I came to see Susan today.

It seemed natural at first glance for pharmacology researchers to worship the goddess of healing.

On the other hand, it was a bit strange for science students to be so devoted to religion.

Just look at Susan, who had no interest in faith at all.

‘The first divine object was in the marquis estate’s chapel. Hints about the second divine object might be here too. Douglas might know something.’

I recalled the original work I had forgotten for a while.

«Claudia embraced Susan’s corpse and shed hot tears. Douglas prayed day and night in the chapel. As if refusing to accept that even if the goddess descended, she could not revive Susan.

When Douglas’s prayers stopped, flames rose from the chapel.

It was the moment when the noble scriptures and divine objects sleeping in the marquis estate turned to ashes.»

The exact wording might be different, but it was definitely that kind of content.

There must be secrets of Morasyncia sleeping in this mansion besides the first divine object.

‘Should I ask Douglas? I should stay away as much as possible… I can’t give him an excuse either.’

At that moment, Susan tapped me on the shoulder.

“I found the content you were looking for in this book.”

“Ah. You mean the tonic for His Highness the Crown Prince?”

I had ordered a children’s nutritional supplement from Susan.

I thought it might help Franz, who was smaller than his peers.

The invitation said Susan had developed a recipe that perfectly matched my wishes.

“Herbs might be better than medicinal herbs for strengthening physical strength and growth development.”

“Herbs?”

“I searched through grandfather’s records and found a rare herb shop. I checked and it’s still in business.”

“Thank you so much! As expected, Susan, you’re the best!”

I hugged Susan’s neck.

Susan seemed happy but bewildered by my enthusiastic reaction.

‘I might be able to find that man. The farmer Boritz, Claudia’s colleague! I was at a loss for how to find him, but now I see a light. The original work didn’t even mention the exact place name.’

I planned to make Claudia’s colleagues from the original work my allies one by one.

My abilities alone were not enough.

I had to make the most of my memories as an avid reader.

Moreover, Boritz was a character who would accomplish great things in the future.

I might be able to find the number one talent I absolutely had to get my hands on, thanks to Franz and Susan.

It seemed fate was showing me a bit of mercy.

“Where is this herb shop? Is it in the countryside?”

“It’s in the capital, but…”

“I need to go there right away. I can’t delay since it’s for His Highness!”

The position of Franz’s education supervisor always provided a plausible excuse.

But my heart was already in the bean field.

My heart raced at the thought of meeting Boritz.

If I could steal Claudia’s power and build up my own forces, I could survive without Nikolai.

Farewell, damn Casanova!

“It’s near the slums, so it might be dangerous for you to go alone.”

Susan made a troubled expression.

“I have the guard knight His Majesty assigned to me.”

Though I’ll ditch him.

Susan finally revealed her true thoughts.

“Why don’t you go together with elder brother instead?”

“But Baron Douglas will be with His Highness at the palace, won’t he?”

“He’ll be back soon. He also has a very good sense of direction.”

“But…”

“Elder Sister Elizabeth. You came on the day of literature class on purpose to avoid running into elder brother, didn’t you?”

“As expected, I can’t fool you, Susan.”

I gave an awkward smile.

I didn’t want to hurt Susan, who liked me.

So I emphasized once again.

“Susan. I appreciate your feelings, but I have no intention of getting back together with Baron Douglas.”

“Elder brother has changed.”

“I know that too.”

“He exercises regularly now, and even earns a lot of money. Though it might seem laughable to you.”

“It’s not laughable at all. I’m glad Baron Douglas seems to be improving. I sincerely congratulate him.”

“But you still won’t?”

“I’m sorry, Susan.”

“You know elder brother is a good man, don’t you? And that he’s in love with you?”

“He’s truly too good for me.”

But it still can’t be.

There was no need to finish the last words.

Tears welled up in Susan’s large doe-like eyes.

It was regrettable that I couldn’t respond to her stubborn but pure heart.

‘Until the revolution, Douglas didn’t give up on Elizabeth. He didn’t believe her evil deeds either. This time… will Douglas come to hate me like in the original work? While resenting himself for having loved me?’

I seemed to see Douglas and Susan under the guillotine in my dream.

Thinking that I might become an object of contempt to the deer siblings who liked me more than anyone, my chest ached.

But kindness and romantic feelings were just luxuries to me.

Right now, digging a hole to let in sunlight was the urgent task.

Nikolai was taking a walk in the garden.

To be honest, he was heading towards the Crown Prince’s palace under the guise of taking a walk.

He planned to meet Franz by pretending it was a coincidence.

The reason was simple.

Elizabeth’s scent would be on Franz.

‘What a true scum I am. Using my only blood relative for such a purpose.’

He couldn’t lift his head due to shame and self-loathing.

However, he did not turn back.

It had already been 8 and a half days since he last saw Elizabeth.

He even chased Elizabeth away when she came to his office.

She would never know.

That he had been leaning against the door the whole time while talking to Careth.

That he couldn’t move an inch due to the painfully sweet scent seeping through the door crack.

That he had grabbed and released the doorknob several times, recalling the sensation of tracing her lips.

He wanted to fling open the cumbersome door.

He wanted to meet Elizabeth’s luscious black eyes.

He wanted to commit even more sticky and intense acts than that.

His lip bled as he suppressed his violent desires.

He resented the patience that was still being exercised even in that moment.

‘I still can’t meet Elizabeth. The Netherflower seeds on me might transfer to her.’

The wolf laughed softly, having read Nikolai’s inner thoughts.

«Poor Nicky. Wasting precious time trying to deceive yourself again.»

Nikolai feigned composure.

But he couldn’t completely erase the shock.

Originally, the wolf was supposed to be crouched beneath Nikolai’s unconscious until it smelled the Netherflower.

‘To pop out this frequently. Has the wolf gone beyond my control?’

He had some idea.

The wolf was a being that parasitized Nikolai’s desires and senses.

Though Nikolai barely controlled it with willpower, it would pop up and try to snatch his body at the slightest inattention.

The more sensitive his revived senses became, the freer the wolf became.

It increasingly interfered in Nikolai’s life as it pleased.

The wolf’s voice grew louder the more Nikolai was consumed by desire and lost his reason.

It was all the more complicated and frightening because he had brought it upon himself.

«You just isolated the woman with the Netherflower seeds. Why are you staying away from Elizabeth?»

“Only young women are being contaminated by the Netherflower seeds. We haven’t even figured out the reason for that.”

«The seeds cannot germinate where we are together. That’s also why you keep the women in the palace.»

“There’s no guarantee it will continue to be so. We can’t let our guard down until the 9th day of isolation when the stench fades.”

«Elizabeth is special. Why worry about a woman who repels even the stench?»

“Elizabeth is the only hope. I can’t put her in danger.”

«You said you’d use her as a diffuser? As kindling to stir up the rat bastards?»

“The plan hasn’t changed.”

«You seem at a loss because Elizabeth is precious to you?»

“…”

«Hey, Nicky. You won’t win Elizabeth’s heart that way.»

“Don’t interfere no matter what I do, you insolent wolf.”

«Won’t you regret it? I’m offering to teach you a thing or two.»

“What nonsense.”

«I’m the real Casanova. Compared to a novice like you. Haha.»

Not all the women in the harem had fallen for Nikolai’s looks and power.

Some had lovers or husbands.

There were even women who refused to become empress like Elizabeth.

Each time, the wolf had to step in.

Only after the wolf exerted its own charm did the women follow to the palace.

Nikolai hadn’t paid close attention to that process.

Though he didn’t sleep with them, it was shameful enough to lose control to the wolf and associate with women he didn’t care for.

«Do as I say. I’ll make Elizabeth yours.»

“Have you forgotten how Elizabeth was terrified because of you?”

«You touched her slyly first. Even you would have gone crazy, right?»

“Get lost, you cunning wolf!”

«Both you and I want to be close to Elizabeth. Isn’t this the first time we’ve been in sync like this?»

“…”

«Don’t think about picking up crumbs and leave it to me. I’ll definitely succeed.»

Blue veins bulged on the back of Nikolai’s clenched fist.

Impulse stomped on pride.

Desire was eating away at reason.

What would happen if he pretended to give in and accepted the wolf?

Just then, he heard a presence behind him.