The man immediately sent the royal medical team upon hearing the critical news.

The letter from the territory suggested there was little hope for his comatose cousin to awaken.

He had sent people to essentially sentence Akkia to death. However, the news brought by the Lord was vastly different.

“The Count had intentionally poisoned himself, likely suspecting the surveillance from Baiern.”

“…”

“He has been laying a trap, waiting for an opportunity to expel Baiern…”

The man slammed his pen onto the desk, interrupting the Lord’s report.

“So, Akkia was never poisoned?”

A cold voice flowed from the lips of the man who had remained silent at the Lord’s report. His eyes flickered menacingly.

“So, you’re saying I’ve been played by a sickly Count.”

“…”

“By someone who could drop dead at any moment.”

Each word carried an oppressive atmosphere, making even the seasoned Lord wince.

“My apologies. I thought Baiern was a capable candidate; this was my oversight.”

The Lord sank to his knees, bowing his head to the ground.

Messing with this man’s mood was not something even a sibling of different blood could afford to do.

Because this man had that much power and authority.

“Indeed. My disappointment in you is immense this time.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll make up for this mistake.”

Rodrigo, still kneeling, bit back curses.

‘Damn that Baiern.’

He had followed me since childhood, calling me his brother despite our different blood. The Lord had always disliked Baiern.

But he had seemed clever, useful even.

To mess it up like this, irritating a man of such high standing. What foolish audacity.

As the Lord clenched the carpet beneath him—

“Well, I value you, so I’ll grant you another opportunity.”

Relief washed over him as the man’s voice softened.

“By the way, how did Akkia manage such a daring act? According to you, he’d need considerable knowledge in herbs.”

Lifting his head, the Lord met the man’s look of puzzlement—a feeling Rodrigo initially shared.
The Count had spent his youth in the royal palace. He had only received some basic lessons for heirs, but he had never learned such herbalism.

“It’s not something the Count can do on his own.”

Those words implied that someone was assisting the Count. The Count immediately thought of Lea.

The young apothecary who had pushed Jane, the Count’s maid, as a witness.

It was Lea who boldly accused Bayern in front of the Count himself. A woman with hair red as blood.

Yes, even the color of her hair was quite irritating.

“If she’s like that, the apothecary is likely an accomplice.”

Count Rodrigo seemed to ponder for a moment before he spoke.

“I believe the apothecary had a hand in it.”

“The apothecary?”

“Yes. The newly appointed apothecary seems very malicious.”

As the Count mentioned an unexpected individual, interest flickered in the man’s eyes.

“Since most of the Count’s servants are from Bayern, the most likely accomplice would be the newly appointed apothecary.”

“Then investigate the apothecary.”

“Understood.”

An order to investigate the apothecary had already been given. The Count stood up at the man’s indication that he could leave now.

Just as he was about to turn away, a soft voice from the man caught the Count’s steps.

“By the way, what happened to Bayern?”

“He was dealt with, without any mishaps.”

Bayern had officially died on the road to the capital, ambushed by a gang of thieves.

Of course, it was the Count who had taken care of it. There was no reason to spare a man who could be a problem for the family, no matter his lineage.

“Well done. Anyone who is overly ambitious will invite trouble.”

The Count silently listened to the man’s brief words of praise before asking,

“What will you do now? With Bayern gone, there’s no one left to watch over the Count.”

The man appeared to be in thought, stroking his chin. As the Count said, with Bayern gone, there was no reason left to watch over the Count.

Bayern had been attached to the Count when he left the capital, supposedly for the sake of his only younger cousin.

But now that this servant had left his side. Leaving the newly malicious Achkia as is in the territory was also not an option.

“No choice.”

Seemingly resolved, the man muttered to the Count.

“I will have to summon Achkia to the capital.”

‘If I can’t keep an eye on him, better have him close by.’

Within reach at any time.

“……Excuse me? Summon the Count to the capital?”

The Count’s eyes widened at the unexpected reply.

“Yes. How can a brother stay idle when his younger sibling has suffered such disgrace?”

Yet, contrary to his gentle voice, the man’s gaze was icecold. Sharp as a blade touched by sunlight, his eyes shone fiercely.

“Convey the brother’s wish to keep his ailing younger sibling by his side.”

His lips curled into a sly grin. Knowing what lay behind that smile, the Count couldn’t look away for a long time.

The man held the highest position in the empire. He was Ellery Magnum Van Croatia, the Sun of Croatia and the current Emperor.