“It seems that Bonis is coming with the baggage carriage sent from the Shatto O’Neil Kingdom.”

I was silent for a moment, staring intensely at Duke Martins’ face.

Is Bonis really coming here, to the Raphion Imperial Palace?!

Mixed with confusion and joy, I forgot to breathe for a moment but quickly regained my composure.

“Duke, why are you… telling me this?”

“Didn’t Your Majesty say that the maid Bonis is precious to you?”

“Yes. What I mean is, why are you helping me?”

“What are you talking about?”

Duke Martins tilted his head slightly and continued right away.

“I haven’t done anything to help yet.”

“No, just mentioning Bonis is already a big help.”

“I don’t know why Prince Tesla ordered the maid to be brought here. Still, I thought you should be aware. And as for the story about Bonis…”

“Yes, I’ll keep what I know a secret.”

If I were to ask Prince Tesla about Bonis coming here, he would likely suspect Duke Martins of leaking the information, creating an awkward situation for the Duke.

“No, that’s not what I meant. Prince probably intends to use Bonis as a bargaining or persuasive card. So, Your Majesty, it was meant for you to avoid mentioning her, prepare alternatives in advance, and handle it well.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you.”

I expressed my sincere gratitude.

Duke Martins cleared his throat with a dignified face and narrowed his eyes again.

“Oh, and we should prepare the magic potion before going on the hunting trail.”

“Is it possible? Can it be done?”

My heart became restless again with the mention of the magic potion.

“At that time, didn’t you reserve it at the clinic?”

“Yes, but the wizard called Big said he couldn’t quickly make what I needed. So, I’m a bit anxious.”

“I will send someone or go myself to meet him.”

“Really… Would you do that?”

I asked with hesitation at Duke Martins’ unexpected favor.

“Yes, please don’t worry too much, Your Majesty.”

I felt genuinely thankful.

Today, Duke Martins’ face, which usually looked unpleasant, seemed quite reliable.

It couldn’t be helped. He was the only person I could discuss this matter with.

He also played a role in bringing up the matter about Bonis.

For the first time today, I looked at Duke Martins’ face without wrinkling my forehead.

“By the way, Your Grace, did you get a new injury?”

I pointed to the wound on his right cheek with my finger.

It was a slightly grazed wound.

“Oh, this is a kind of evidence.”

“What kind of evidence?”
“I have evidence that I read people very well. Evidence that my choices were right.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You don’t need to know. By the way, I also have a scar in a similar position as Her Majesty. It seems we have something in common.”

Duke Martins raised his hand to the scar on his right cheek.

“I cannot admit that.”

“Haha, why is that?”

As I became serious, the Duke chuckled briefly and asked.

“Your Grace’s wound will soon disappear, but my facial scar remains as a scar, though it temporarily disappeared with the magic potion.”

I also touched the area where the burn scar used to be on my right cheek.

“Just with that minor injury, you want to compare yourself to me?”

Seeing the Duke’s bitter expression, I could laugh, albeit somewhat disappointed.

We started walking through the greenhouse again. After a while, I lowered my voice and said,

“Yesterday, I happened to witness a court lady from the West Palace being murdered at the Hwanghu Palace sponsorship. It seems to be related to Prince Tesla.”

Duke Martins, walking face-forward, glanced at me.

I told him everything that happened last night, including Prince Norton witnessing it.

“Prince Norton saw the court lady in the location where Princess Fesilini’s quarters are. It seems that Prince Tesla’s puppet is Princess Fesilini. What do you think?”

While I conveyed my serious concerns, Duke Martins seemed calm.

“Yes, that’s correct. I was actually going to tell you about it today.”

Duke Martins said calmly.

“Oh, you already found out? But Prince Norton… Is he okay? In case he mentions last night when he met me to the Prince…”

“Yes, he’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about that part.”

The Duke reassured me as if he understood what I was worried about.

“How can you be so sure?”

“I’ve already heard about the events from Prince Norton last night.”

“You two… were familiar with each other?”

Come to think of it, when I first met Prince Norton in the war council, he also asked me about Duke Martins.

“We’re developing a favorable impression and getting to know each other slowly. I still don’t know Prince Norton’s feelings for sure.”

“…Really?”

“One thing is for sure; Prince Norton prefers me over Prince Tesla. So, don’t worry too much. Oh, that sounded a bit strange…”

Duke Martins, seeing the curiosity in my eyes, chuckled and quickly added,

“Don’t misunderstand anything strange.”

“Yes, anyway, I hope you two… achieve good results. Whatever that may be.”

I cheered with my fists clenched.