When Laila opened her eyes, it was already bright outside. As she groggily got up, she was startled to see Countess Himierd suddenly coming in past the screen in front of the bed and pulled up the sheet. Her cheeks flushed at the reflexive action.

“Did you sleep well?”

The Countess asked, unconcerned with Laila’s flustered appearance. Laila thought there was something odd about that question. Rather than simply asking after her well-being, it felt closer to knowing she couldn’t have slept properly and checking to confirm it.

If that was truly Countess Himierd’s intention, she was right. Laila hadn’t been able to sleep all night. She had tried to close her eyes and think of nothing, but the image of Eustar’s grandmother fading away kept coming to mind.

She vividly recalled how sharp the screams and malice that seemed to tear everything apart had been. Unidentifiable, very small and irritating sounds also continued incessantly.

“Actually, I tossed and turned all night.”

Laila said honestly. At that, the Countess chuckled as if she had expected as much and gestured to call the servants. One was Mel, and the rest were new people she hadn’t seen yesterday.

“You’ll feel better after having a warm meal. Wash up and get ready, then have your meal. After that, he said to bring you.”

Laila asked back.

“Who? Where am I being taken?”

The Countess blinked as if surprised she didn’t know.

“His Highness the Prince said so. He said you need to have an audience with His Majesty. Didn’t you know?”

Laila let out a small “Ah” sound only then.

“No, I know.”

“Good. You may not have an appetite after a restless night, but do try to eat well. Meeting His Majesty won’t be an easy task.”

She was curious about what that meant, but the Countess passed through the screen and went outside before Laila could ask. After the sound of the door closing was heard, Mel told the other servants to bring water for washing and clothes to change into.

They moved busily, and Laila had to experience the strange ordeal of having her face washed by someone else’s hands once again. At least it was bearable since they didn’t scrub every nook and cranny of her body like yesterday.

“Would you like some strong tea? Or would you prefer coffee?”

Laila turned her head while awkwardly standing as the servants helped her dress. She had never tasted coffee before. She knew what it was, but there was no way she would have had a chance to actually drink it.

“Coffee would be nice.”

“Understood.”

Mel prepared breakfast without asking twice. A savory aroma that stimulated the appetite wafted through the air. It was definitely a different scent from tea.

After getting fully dressed, Laila sat down at the table and quietly looked down at the pitch-black liquid in the teacup.

“Is this coffee?”

Mel looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Didn’t you know, miss?”

“I know what coffee is, but this is my first time tasting it. Do I just drink it like this?”

For a moment, a hint of a smile flashed across Mel’s lips. It didn’t seem like she was mocking her, so Laila felt relieved.

Mel said:

“Some people drink it as is, while others add sugar. Some prefer to add a generous amount of smooth cream… Try a sip first, and if you want to add anything, just let me know.”

Laila took a sip of the coffee. She was surprised by how bitter it was at first, but soon the intensity faded and a pleasant aroma filled her tongue, throat, and nasal cavity.

“Is it alright, miss?”

When Mel asked, Laila took another sip of coffee and nodded.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad. Then we’ll wait outside. Please enjoy your meal comfortably.”

When all the servants left, the room became quiet. As Laila ate the fluffy egg dish, she briefly thought it felt like she was back at Risikers’ house.

Although there were no creaky chairs here, no sound of birds sharpening their beaks on the wooden roof, and no smell of various herbs being dried.

Countess Himierd had been waiting for Laila to finish breakfast, and when she came out, the Countess closed the book she had been reading and stood up.

Laila noticed the Countess slightly hiding the cover behind the folds of her dress. It seemed everything here was full of secrets.

“Shall we go?”

The Countess said. Laila just nodded and followed behind her.

The clothes were even more uncomfortable than yesterday, and she was anxious about damaging the numerous jewels and decorations hanging from them. Perhaps sensing that Laila’s steps kept lagging behind, the Countess turned her gaze slightly.

“Are the clothes uncomfortable?”

Laila answered honestly this time as well.

“A little.”

“Try to bear with it until the audience is over. After that, His Highness the Prince will probably give you comfortable clothes.”

Eustar? It was a strange thing to say.

Then the Countess spoke again.

“Did you have any strange dreams last night?”

Laila replied.

“I think I did, but I don’t remember well. Actually, I’m not sure if it was a dream or reality. Something like… strange sounds kept ringing incessantly.”

“I’m sure you did. I thought that would be the case.”

Countess Himierd snorted. Her attitude was different from before, tinged with cynicism, and Laila looked at her with a slightly surprised and wary expression.

The Countess said:

“No one can sleep comfortably here. But being awake doesn’t change anything either. I don’t know if His Highness the Prince will keep you at the palace, but if you end up staying here, it would be good for you to think of your own countermeasures.”

“I’m not sure what you mean. What kind of countermeasures are you talking about?”

When Laila asked back, the Countess shrugged and shook her head.

“I don’t know either. Wouldn’t you know better? You’re a real witch after all. Don’t witches have unique spells or incantations passed down to them?”

Spells or incantations. Of course, there were witches who dealt with such things. But most didn’t.

Most witches were just better at finding herbs than ordinary people, and knew a bit more about what combinations to use to get the desired effects.

Witches could always find the herbs they wanted, even if they didn’t know where they were.

They could make the tincture they wanted without knowing the recipe. Mother said it was memory from ancestors, but that explanation didn’t really resonate with Laila.

After being lost in thought for a moment, Laila said:

“I can make a tincture that allows you to fall into a deep sleep quickly.”

The Countess nodded her head.

“That would be good too. As long as you can wake up.”

“I’m not trying to make poison. It just helps you sleep well, as I said.”

Countess Himierd, who had been walking without slowing down, stopped in front of a grand door. It was the door leading to the royal presence.

As she nodded her head slightly, the doorkeepers opened the tightly closed door.

Entering inside, Laila saw solemnly arranged pillars, carpets, and a high throne. But above all, what caught her attention at once was the work painted on the ceiling.

“Where is His Majesty…”

“He’ll be out soon.”

Laila waited nervously. However, it wasn’t the king who appeared. It was Eustar.

As always, he had his long hair tied tightly in one bunch, and suddenly the exposed elegant jawline, ears, and the curved bones leading to the nape of his neck dominated Laila’s view.

“You’ve come, Laila. The Countess has done well too.”

“It’s not much trouble for this much. Then, Your Highness the Prince, I’ll take my leave now.”

As Eustar nodded, the Countess soon left the royal presence. Seeing Laila bewildered at suddenly being left alone with him, he said:

“Come this way.”

“Weren’t we supposed to meet His Majesty the King?”

Hearing her voice clearly showing signs of confusion, Eustar smiled slightly. When she was in Risikers, although she lived lonely, she was a person with her own personality.

But coming to an unfamiliar place, her careful and sensitive reactions to each and everything felt somewhat annoying yet cute. Even when they first met, he knew she had a cautious personality, but…

“That’s right. But he’s not here, he’s in his private chambers. My elder brother is unwell.”

“Do you mean he’s ill?”

“That’s right. Now, let’s go in.”

Eustar opened a small door. It was a dark corridor, though lamps were lit.

Laila tried not to be afraid by focusing only on the fact that she could still hear his footsteps behind her, but she kept hearing what sounded like whispers from inside the walls.

“I hear sounds.”

“Sounds?”

It seems they’re not audible to his ears. Laila thought.

“From inside the walls.”

“Are they ghost sounds?”

“It seems so. Since you can’t hear them, and only I can…”

Eustar stretched out his arm to open the second door. His fingertips lightly brushed Laila’s elbow.

“The royal palace of Sierow is a historic place. In other words, it’s also an environment conducive for ghosts to thrive. But don’t worry. What happened yesterday won’t happen again. My grandmother was a bit of a special case.”

“Have you… seen any ghosts here other than your grandmother?”

Eustar’s lips, half-hidden in darkness, moved slightly.

“Well…”

It wasn’t a satisfying answer, but Laila couldn’t ask him any more questions.

As the last door opened, a pungent medicinal smell hit her. It was so strong that even Laila, who was used to the smell of herbs and tinctures, felt momentarily dizzy.

But she soon realized that it wasn’t the medicinal smell making her dizzy. It was very brief, similar to blinking once, but Laila clearly felt it. There was something ominous in this room…

A fear arose that if she took even one wrong step, she might fall into a trap bristling with blades.

That feeling intensified as she entered the room, becoming stronger when she saw the silhouette vaguely visible beyond the bed screen. Laila almost stepped back, but Eustar’s hand gently grasped her arm.

“Pay your respects.”

Laila felt uneasy even with Eustar’s hand touching her. Until now, he had only touched her to protect and guard her.

But not now. Although there was still a protective purpose, it felt more like he was preventing her from leaving here.

As Laila stood in front of the bed, the chamberlain who had been standing like a statue drew back the screen hanging from the bed.

The figure of a man appeared, emaciated and with darkened skin from battling illness. If there was anything in his body that still had some vitality, it was only his glittering eyes.

“How do you fare, Your Majesty? I… My name is Laila Kristrad.”

The man, King Ord, stared intently at Laila’s black hair and red eyes for a long while before making a few weak gestures.

“Come closer.”