When The Silver Bell Of Charlotte's Pharmacy Rings (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 4
King Ryuen’s sharp eyes intently scrutinized the faces of the three Curia members.
Her gaze held a power akin to seeing straight through a person.
Even Count Scrabster and Marquis Mattele, seasoned veterans of politics who had weathered countless storms over many years, often felt a twinge of unease under King Ryuen’s direct stare, wondering if they’d made any mistakes or overlooked something.
Yet only one person—the youngest among them, Duke Elinak—met Ryuen’s gaze with fearless eyes.
She seemed quite pleased by the duke’s bold audacity, offering a faint smile before giving a slight nod.
“After deliberation in the council meeting, we’ve concluded that these matters can no longer be left solely to local administrators and peacekeepers. That is why I summoned you.”
Count Scrabster spoke.
“My officials are continuing their investigation into the illicit drugs. I am hopeful we’ll soon catch the distribution network’s trail.”
Ryuen replied.
“We cannot afford to drag this out. The more we hesitate, the more victims will pile up—until this kingdom rots from the ground up. We must eradicate this root as swiftly as possible.”
“I shall act promptly, as Your Majesty commands.”
The count bowed his head. The king’s gaze then shifted toward the marquis.
“Marquis Mattele’s daughter holds considerable influence in the eastern region, does she not?”
The marquis said,
“Your praise is too generous. She is still an inexperienced child. I only strive, in my own way, to serve Your Majesty faithfully, and I humbly ask for your kind regard.”
“There is no need for such modesty. I would like to meet that girl myself. As you are likely already aware, we have several pieces of evidence indicating the drug-related issues first originated in the east. If this proves true, then…”
King Ryuen let her sentence trail off briefly, then tapped the tabletop firmly with her poised fingertips.
Her crimson lips curled into a small, tight line before stretching into a faint, knowing smile.
“A thorough cleansing will be necessary—like spring cleaning, house by house. Only by sweeping away cobwebs we failed to notice and dust we chose to ignore can we stand honestly beneath tomorrow’s sun.”
“Your words are most wise.”
Though the king said no more, Count Scrabster and Marquis Mattele already had a clear list forming in their minds of the tasks they must undertake.
Of those present, Duke Elinak alone was left without a specific mission.
Ryuen sent him a look that said, “You know what I mean without my saying it,” and slowly parted her lips.
“Your Grace, investigate the series of murders occurring in the Eliky region. Do so quickly and discreetly. Meet with the local peacekeepers, but do not trust them—assess each one, individually, carefully. And thus…”
“I shall devote all my efforts to uncovering who is shielding this criminal and who is neglecting their duty to pursue him. Please set your mind at ease, Your Majesty.”
A brighter smile spread across King Ryuen’s face. The candle flame flickered gently with her breath.
“Very well. But today, I have one more task for you, Duke.”
“Please, speak.”
Duke Elinak’s eyes, catching the candlelight, gleamed distinctly—sometimes like orange, sometimes like gold.
They were eyes that seemed to hold fire within. It was precisely this quality that made King Ryuen especially fond of Duke Elinak.
One who carried an unquenchable flame needed only the slightest fanning to blaze fiercely and incinerate all that stood in his way—
whether noxious weeds, pests, or even the smallest specks of dust she found intolerable.
“I hear Baroness Lireld is hosting a party this evening, gathering her close acquaintances. Are you acquainted with the baroness, Duke?”
“We have exchanged greetings, but we share no closeness.”
Ryuen nodded calmly, as if she had expected as much, and continued.
“Baron Lireld is a high-ranking official in the Royal Treasury. Last night, the Treasury Minister reported to me that one of the royal holdings has gone mysteriously missing. As you know, Duke, items specially safeguarded by the royal family and national treasures are inspected monthly by treasury officials.”
“Was it missing after Baron Lireld’s inspection?”
“Surely not. If the culprit were that careless, would I trouble a busy duke like you with such a matter? Nothing was amiss during Baron Lireld’s inspection. However, about a month ago, he was reportedly seen near the Treasury Office by a guard on duty. He claimed he’d forgotten something and asked to have the door opened.”
The office where treasury officials worked held many sensitive documents related to royal finances.
Thus, guards were always stationed nearby even after officials had left, and the office remained locked until the Treasury Minister arrived first thing each morning.
Duke Elinak, listening intently to the king’s account, asked,
“Are you saying the guard granted his request?”
“Of course not—he was refused. Baron Lireld then simply left. However, according to the guard—yes, that same guard—he was seen lingering near the royal palace for about an hour afterward. One week after that incident, during a routine inspection of the vault, they discovered that ‘Sir Rogues’ necklace’ had vanished.”
Count Scrabster and Marquis Mattele, who had been holding their breath as they listened, both let out short gasps simultaneously.
Duke Elinak, however, remained expressionless, lost in thought.
King Ryuen continued.
“I looked into it a bit and learned that among Baron Lireld’s close associates is a man who specializes in jewelry repair. He is not nobility, but the baron fully supports and sponsors him, so he apparently lives quite comfortably.”
Duke Elinak said,
“You suspect Baron Lireld stole ‘Sir Rogues’ necklace’ and intends to alter it into another piece of jewelry to sell.”
King Ryuen gave a faint smile.
“That must not be allowed to happen, Duke—surely you understand how vital that necklace is to our House of Roanoke.”
Of course, Duke Elinak thought.
The necklace known as ‘Sir Rogues’ necklace’ was an exquisitely ornate piece set with hundreds of large and small diamonds. It had once belonged to the founding monarch of the Roanoke Kingdom.
According to age-old legends passed down through generations, the mines owned by Rogues produced diamonds as plentifully as dirt.
Rogues had carefully selected only the finest gems from that vast trove and, when the founder of Roanoke proclaimed the kingdom’s name and ascended the throne, personally placed the diamond necklace upon him.
Thus, the necklace was regarded as the most treasured among the royal heirlooms.
Ryuen said,
“Baroness Lireld is vain and frivolous. If a man like Duke Elinak were to attend her party, she’d welcome you with open arms.”
“I understand Your Majesty’s intention.”
Duke Elinak replied crisply, then rose from his seat.
There was much to prepare for attending a party—especially one beginning that very evening.
“Then, with your permission, I shall take my leave.”
“Be cautious, Duke. Baron Lireld is a suspicious man.”
“I shall do my utmost not to cause you concern.”
With calm, composed poise, Duke Elinak bowed and, escorted by the waiting attendant who opened the door for him, stepped back outside.
No one was visible in the narrow alley around him. He glanced around once, then pulled his hat low as he returned to his carriage.
“Head first to Duke Elinak’s residence.”
Scarcely had the words left his lips when his loyal coachman immediately set the carriage in motion.
As Duke Elinak gazed out at the scenery slowly passing by, his eyes held a look of firm resolve mingled with a faint sense of emptiness.
Sir Rogues’ diamond necklace…
Though, as King Ryuen had said, this was a matter of great importance, it was not truly within Duke Elinak’s sphere of interest.
[This is the timeline separator]At half past five, as the sun began its slow descent toward the west, carriages of invited guests started arriving one after another at Baron Lireld’s estate garden.
“Oh my! Come in, come in! Goodness, Berinean! How long has it been? Do come inside!”
The hostess of the party, Baroness Lireld, wore a flamboyant dress of long, multicolored feathers and a towering hat piled high like ice cream, greeting her guests with boisterous enthusiasm.
Her cheeks were painted with such vivid rouge that she resembled a clown, yet every guest eagerly praised the baroness’s “exquisite taste.”
“Sherry!”
The baroness, who had been exchanging cheek kisses with each guest, suddenly brightened upon spotting a young woman entering the manor, drawing everyone’s attention at once.
But soon, they tilted their heads in puzzlement.
Amid a crowd dressed in ostentatious finery, the attire of this woman named ‘Sherry’ was so plain as to be nearly invisible.
“Hello, Baroness?”
“My goodness, you came so suddenly! You turned down every invitation I sent before! How long has it been since we last saw each other?”
The woman gave a soft, bashful smile.
“I’ve been terribly busy—there was simply no help for it. You’ll understand, won’t you? I came without an invitation today, but you won’t turn me away, will you?”
The baroness laughed loudly.
It sounded exactly like a crow cawing triumphantly after successfully tormenting a cat.
“What nonsense! You’re always welcome! Invitations mean nothing—you yourself are the invitation! Come, come in quickly! You look even lovelier than before.”
Baroness Lireld grasped the hand of the woman called ‘Sherry’ and pushed through the crowd.
The guests, curious about this Sherry—who could so completely subdue the prideful, condescending baroness—found themselves involuntarily eager to learn more.
“This is as easy as eating cold porridge.”
Sherry—or rather… Charlotte—thought to herself.
Her silver hair was neatly coiled into a bun, crowned by a small hat, and she wore a demure emerald-green dress. Her appearance radiated an entirely different aura than when she worked at the apothecary.
She retained her characteristic air of mystery, yet all traces of the common, herb-scented simplicity were gone.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
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To be honest, Tae Mi is my favorite character in this novel.
Wow that’s grotesque. I didn’t think this novel was going to be so gorey