“What kind of medicine is it?”

“Well… It’s a bit troublesome if elder brother hears about it…”

Susan, who had been confident, glanced at Douglas and fiddled with her lips.

Seeing her twirling her hair and pretending to be distracted, it seemed like no ordinary medicine.

‘Wasn’t it cold medicine? What kind of medicine could make Susan act like that?’

I gestured for her to tell me secretly without Douglas knowing.

Susan scurried over and whispered in my ear.

“Does such medicine really exist in this world?”

“I knew you’d be surprised. Hoho.”

“But this is…”

“I made just one bottle for you, elder sister. I have no plans to make more.”

“Susan.”

“I also hope you won’t need to use this medicine. But you never know when it might be necessary, right?”

I examined the pink medicine bottle once more with eyes mixed with awe and fear.

If what Susan said was true, it was nothing short of an amazing discovery.

As Susan said, it would surely be of great help someday.

“Did grandfather research this?”

“I eliminated a few side effects.”

“Susan, you’re a genius!”

“If it wasn’t for you, elder sister, I wouldn’t have found the book grandfather wrote before he passed away. I wouldn’t have been able to recreate this medicine either.”

“Grandfather in heaven must be proud of you, Susan.”

Susan blushed and scratched the bridge of her nose.

It was amazing that this small, fragile girl had developed a medicine that even court pharmacists couldn’t make.

Douglas, who had been briefly left out of the conversation, also looked at Susan and me with a pleased expression.

“It seems Susan is trying harder because she wants to receive praise from Elizabeth.”

“With all the support you’ve given me, elder sister, I should at least do this much!”

“Don’t overwork yourself. I’m afraid you might suddenly fall ill.”

“Oh, elder brother. I haven’t had a fever or collapsed lately, have I?”

“Letting your guard down is how big troubles happen.”

“Nagging men aren’t popular with women! Right, elder sister?”

Susan turned to me, asking for support.

“I agree with Douglas. Don’t forget that health comes first, Susan.”

“Even you, elder sister?”

“I’m just caring for Susan.”

Douglas nodded with an unusually big gesture, as if agreeing with my words.

Susan pouted her lips.

“At times like this, you two are exactly the same.”

“?”

“When you speak with a smile, I can’t even refuse the nagging.”

“It’s good to heed the words of your elders.”

“You’re both treating me like a child! At 16, I’m old enough to get married and start a family.”

I burst into laughter at Susan’s grumbling.

Douglas also let out a suppressed chuckle.

It was cute how Susan, who looked like she was in her early teens due to her small and thin frame, was trying to act grown-up.

Susan, who had been glaring at Douglas and me with a sulky expression, spoke quite maturely.

“Since I’ve seen you both laugh, I’ll forgive you generously.”

“When your cold is completely gone, I’ll take you to see the Imperial Palace. Let’s go for a walk together.”

“Really?”

“If you promise to hold my hand tightly so you don’t get lost.”

“Elder sister!”

Susan made a sulky face.

Once again, clear laughter spread through the canary room.

When I was with the deer siblings, I felt a little sorry and somewhat awkward.

Today, I was just happy to be able to laugh comfortably.

Had Douglas decided to remain as my friend?

While thinking it was fortunate if that was the case, a selfish disappointment slightly raised its head.

Not knowing that someone was watching this scene.

[This is the timeline separator]

Even laughing and chatting required energy.

After the deer siblings left, my fever rose again.

The senior court healer who had been taking care of me day and night gave me a scolding.

It was the first time I saw him this agitated, even though he was said to be the highest-ranking person among the court healers.

“I’m prohibiting visitors for the time being.”

“I’m almost better. The fever will go down soon too.”

“I know. But please stay in bed for the sake of the medical staff!”

“Pardon?”

“If Lady Elizabeth doesn’t recover quickly… I don’t want to imagine such a terrible thing. Anyway, many people, including myself, will be in danger.”

Senior Healer Jeffrey shuddered with a face as pale as wax.

Judging by his appearance alone, he seemed to be suffering from a much more serious illness than me.

“Did His Majesty threaten you?”

“He also ordered me to keep quiet.”

“Please tell me.”

“I can’t.”

“But you want to, don’t you?”

I gave the senior healer a charming wink.

He blinked blankly for a moment before answering with a softened expression.

“Ahem. I suppose there’s nothing I can’t say if Lady Elizabeth is asking.”

Of course. If I’m to live as the villainess in a novel, I should at least have this much privilege.

Rejoicing inwardly, I asked again.

“What did His Majesty say?”

“He said to devote more effort than when treating His Majesty himself. To do our best as if we were reviving the first emperor.”

“That’s harsh.”

“He said if you don’t recover completely within a week, he’ll send all the medical staff to the northern mines. That place where no one has ever returned alive.”

“A week… How can we treat a person, not a machine, in such a short time?”

“…Do you remember the pharmacist who brought you the potion on the first day?”

“I heard he had been a court pharmacist for 20 years.”

“By now, he’s probably on a cart heading to the mines.”

“What?!”

The senior healer sighed deeply enough to sink the ground.

“Your cough, which had been quiet after drinking that potion, worsened.”

“Isn’t that how colds usually are?”

“His Majesty didn’t accept that.”

“He’s truly a tyrant!”

Just then, an unfamiliar sound was heard from outside the window.

An ominous feeling crept over me, raising goosebumps on my arms.

“What’s going on?”

When the maid checked, there was a thick branch broken by the window.

Could a bird have visited on this clear day with no wind?

It’s unlikely for a tree as thick as a child’s arm to just break.

“Anyway, I’ll speak to His Majesty about allowing the pharmacist to return.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“Why not?”

“He was incompetent, having entered through family connections. He didn’t follow my orders well either. Although there was no problem with the medicine he gave to Lady Elizabeth.”

“Then this is a good opportunity to recruit a new pharmacist, right?”

“I apologize.”

“Then may I recommend someone?”

The court healer looked puzzled.

But shortly after, his expression brightened as if something had occurred to him.

“Ah! Is it perhaps the person who made the abrasion ointment you showed me before?”

“Though young, I can vouch for their skill and passion. If you’re not satisfied, you can ignore my recommendation.”

“How old is this person?”

“Old enough to get married and start a family, so don’t worry.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Why didn’t I have the guillotine nightmare while I was sick?

Why did it end quickly even when I did have it?

“Execute the tyrant Nikolai and the villainess Elizabeth!”

The moment Claudia shouted that in my dream, a warm breeze blew from somewhere.

A breeze as cozy as a blanket washed clean and dried in the sun, and as clear as water flowing in a deep valley.

A mysterious breeze that penetrated through the strict security and even opened the window latch.

When that breeze gently caressed my forehead, the nightmare would disappear as if it had been a lie.

At first, I thought it was just a coincidence.

Like finding two pieces of dried seaweed in a ramen packet, or the traffic light changing in sync with my steps – a rare but occasional stroke of luck.

When the breeze came again, I realized there’s no such thing as repeated coincidence in this world.

“It was Your Majesty.”

The breeze hesitated.

Through my narrowly opened eyes, I saw a familiar silhouette.

The shadow backlit by moonlight was enough.

The impossibly broad shoulders and the firm muscles hidden under the white shirt were as vivid as if I could touch them.

His clean yet refreshing scent lingering at the tip of my nose.

I thought the fever had subsided, but my blood vessels heated up again.

“Did I wake you?”

His pleasant baritone voice blended with the gentle breeze.

I didn’t want to show it, but a smile involuntarily spread across my face.

At the same time, the bridge of my nose tingled.

‘It was you. The one who saved me from nightmares every night and watched over me so I could sleep soundly.’

Swallowing the saliva pooled in my mouth, I barely managed to reply.

“I wasn’t asleep yet.”

“You need to sleep well to recover quickly.”

“I’ve slept a lot already. You know that better than anyone, Your Majesty.”

Silence was affirmation.

Both his lips and eyes were affirmative.

A wave of happiness rushed over me, making my chest feel tight.

It was so happy that everything felt like a lie.

More than breaking the rule that the emperor doesn’t make sick calls, it was unbelievable that Nikolai had spent long nights by my side.

‘It’s also strange that my nightmares disappeared. Does Nikolai have some special ability?’

Whatever the reason, it didn’t matter.

Even if all the stars in the sky poured into the night sea, it wouldn’t be as bright as my heart right now.

“I know well. That you laughed and chatted with your former fiancé, and that you treated me like a tyrant.”

Nikolai replied gruffly.

“Was it Your Majesty who broke the branch?”

“Be grateful I didn’t tear down the entire palace.”

“Your Majesty!”

“How dare he give you a sword as a gift. Insolent fool.”

Nikolai’s eyes flashed with a dangerous killing intent as he clenched his jaw.

“Were you secretly watching from outside the window?”

“I said I needed to know who you meet, who you talk to, and who you smile at.”

“You shouldn’t be near someone who’s sick.”

“It’s fine because no one knows.”

“How can no one know when Your Majesty is away from your post?”

Instead of answering, Nikolai turned his gaze to the side.

His arrogant attitude suggested that the aftermath was not his concern.

“People will criticize me. I might infect Your Majesty.”

“It’s not the first time I’ve broken custom because of you.”

“That’s why it’s more problematic.”

This would be the moment for him to grumble about being criticized despite his good intentions.

Nikolai let out a low laugh.

“Haha. Seeing you talk back, it seems you’re feeling better now.”

“You won’t punish the healer for breaking the gag order, will you?”

“I have nothing to gain from being discovered here either.”

“You seem pleased.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d fall ill because of… me.”

Nikolai’s voice deepened further.

He must have blamed himself even more when I wasn’t around.

I replied in a cheerful tone.

“It was nice to get plenty of rest. I didn’t have to suffer under Franz either.”

“If work is too hard, we can look for a new teacher.”

“Are you going to keep violating the contract like this?”

It was an indirect reference to the recent incident of bringing in a new empress candidate.

Nikolai’s thick eyebrows twitched.

The very word ‘contract’ seemed unfamiliar to him.

It was the same for me as well.

Though I didn’t say it out loud, I could guess that the feelings we were sharing now had nothing to do with the seduction game.

It was impossible not to know that it couldn’t be defined in a few sentences, nor could victory or defeat be determined easily.

Just by being together, the air around us became dense.

The gazes we exchanged were cautious, but there was always a hidden stickiness that could change at any moment.

Just by Nikolai placing his hand on my forehead, for instance.

“Your fever hasn’t gone down completely.”

Maybe that’s why.

His large hand, big enough to cover my entire face and then some, was as cool as valley water.

I barely resisted the embarrassing urge to rub my cheek against that hand.

My heart fluttered, and my vision blurred.

It was all because of Nikolai, so I quickly changed the subject.

“What’s in the box?”

“Haven’t you opened my gift yet?”

“I was surprised. It was an unexpected item.”