Chapter 106
When the Crown Prince stopped in front of the Grand Duke, a silent commotion rippled through the crowd.
But I could hear it clearly.
The silent screams of the noble ladies and young maidens.
Seemingly oblivious to the shock and bewilderment around him, William looked up at Karden with a bright smile.
To my eyes, he looked just like a Golden Retriever, not knowing what to do with its happiness.
“Hyungnim, you came to the ball. I’m truly delighted.”
Karden greeted the Crown Prince with formal courtesy.
In contrast to the Crown Prince’s bright smile, Karden’s expression remained impassive.
“Thank you for inviting me to this splendid ball, Your Highness. I pray for the peace and health of Your Highness, the star of the kingdom.”
“Not at all. With you, the guardian sword of the kingdom, by my side, what should I fear?”
William clasped Karden’s hand and patted it.
The surrounding nobles couldn’t hide their surprise at this scene overflowing with brotherly affection.
“My goodness. The rumors about bad relations between His Highness and the Grand Duke were false.”
“I never knew His Highness trusted the Grand Duke to such an extent.”
“This will certainly strengthen House Helleide’s position even further.”
The nobles were busy exchanging opinions. One could almost hear them calculating which side would be more advantageous to align with.
I observed Berdin’s expression as he stood one step behind Karden.
After greeting Karden first, the Crown Prince received greetings from other high nobles and exchanged pleasantries.
However, he merely acknowledged Duke Alred’s greeting ceremoniously, without even glancing at him.
I observed Berdin carefully, curious about his reaction.
Berdin remained in place like a flower, still wearing a gentle expression.
Then, perhaps sensing my gaze, he looked directly at me.
Ah, how surprising. He’s quite perceptive.
Berdin suddenly began moving in my direction.
Hmm? Meeting that person right now would be awkward.
I deliberately hid behind Princess Cade.
Sometimes today’s enemy can become a reliable shield.
As expected, my prediction was correct.
Princess Cade and her followers spotted Berdin and greeted him warmly.
“Oh, Duke Alred. How have you been?”
“Ah, Princess Cade. Have you been well? Your beauty shines even brighter at today’s ball.”
“Thank you for the compliment. It’s an honor to meet such a renowned duke.”
Thank you sincerely, Lady Cade.
I mentally expressed my gratitude and quickly made my way through the crowd toward Karden.
However, with nobles swarming like clouds to see the Crown Prince and the Grand Duke, it wasn’t easy to get there.
“Excuse me, could you please make way…”
Despite my request, my voice was drowned out by the music, laughter, and conversations.
At that moment, two hands were extended to me simultaneously.
“Huh?”
Both Karden and Crown Prince William had reached out their hands to me.
Whose hand should I take?
After a brief moment of hesitation, I took both their hands and emerged from the crowd.
“Your hair is disheveled.”
Karden delicately fixed my tousled hair.
“Ah, thank you, Your Grace.”
The Crown Prince lowered his chin slightly with an apologetic expression.
“Lady Shuvelia almost found herself in trouble. I’ll have the hall organized.”
The Crown Prince called the chamberlain and gave orders. Soon, the chamberlain addressed the nobles.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please maintain order in the hall.”
William and Karden escorted me to the VIP seats.
As the Crown Prince moved to his seat, the nobles finally returned to their places, engaged in conversation, or focused on finding dance partners.
The VIP section was screened by red curtains, with plush sofas and tables prepared inside.
From the VIP section located at the central upper seats, one could view the entire ball as if watching an opera performance.
William examined me slowly with a curious expression.
“Now we can finally exchange proper greetings. When I saw you at the palace before, you were an adorable fluffy fox, but to think you were such a beautiful lady, I’m quite surprised, Lady Shuvelia.”
I bowed to William according to court etiquette.
“I greet Your Highness, the star of the kingdom. May glory and light be upon the Arden Kingdom.”
After greeting him, a question occurred to me. The Crown Prince must be seeing me in human form for the first time.
“Your Highness, how did you recognize me?”
“When I saw a beautiful lady with silver hair and blue eyes, I thought of Shushu. And when I saw how my Hyungnim rushed to save you, I was certain.”
“Ah, I see.”
William looked at me with a warm smile. It was like an older brother proud of his grown-up sister.
“To think Shushu would grow up in an instant, it’s somewhat regrettable. I wished to remember your adorable, fluffy days longer.”
“What? I only met Your Highness once. Anyone listening might think Your Highness raised me.”
William burst into hearty laughter at my words.
“Haha. Though it was a short time, I must have grown quite attached to Shushu.”
Karden’s gaze turned somewhat fierce as he watched me and William conversing with smiles.
Surely he’s not jealous over something so trivial?
Karden cleared his throat to draw attention.
“Your Highness. Duke Berdin hasn’t shown any unusual movements.”
William’s expression, which had been wearing a gentle smile, instantly turned serious.
“I see. How is the situation at the shapeshifter shelter?”
“My direct knights have entered the shelter and are searching for evidence. They will report before the ball ends.”
“Good. This time, we must expose House Alred’s dark intentions.”
A flash of suppressed anger glinted in William’s eyes. It was completely contrary to his previous friendly demeanor.
I became curious. What could have happened for the Crown Prince to harbor such hostility toward Duke Berdin?
He drank the tea prepared on the table with visible thirst.
“Since you’ve come to the capital, Hyungnim, you must know that His Majesty the King deeply trusts Duke Alred.”
Karden nodded briefly.
“Yudis reported to me. I heard that the special medicine made by Duke Alred has great efficacy in treating His Majesty’s illness.”
William exhaled a deep sigh, clearly frustrated.
“That’s right. His Majesty deeply trusts Duke Alred, refusing treatment from doctors, healers, or ministers, and only accepting treatment from that man.”
I carefully posed a question in the serious atmosphere.
“Isn’t it fortunate if His Majesty’s condition improves?”
William gave a bitter smile.
“His Majesty’s condition only improves when Duke Alred treats him, but once he leaves, the symptoms worsen again. That’s why His Majesty is increasingly dependent on that man.”
I have a bad feeling about this. What exactly is Berdin doing to His Majesty?
“What kind of medicine is he using to cause this? That’s not proper treatment.”
“Wait a moment, Shuvelia.”
William rang a silver bell to summon a servant. He gave orders to the servant in a low voice, and soon the servant returned with a wooden box.
When the wooden box was opened, it contained a small brown medicine bottle.
“This is the special medicine manufactured by Duke Alred.”
William carefully took the medicine bottle from the wooden box. When he opened the cork seal of the bottle, a too-familiar scent spread out.
The intensely thick lily scent that makes one’s head dizzy –
To think the King’s treatment is made from Turba flowers, how could this be?
I spoke with a trembling voice.
“Your Highness, this medicine is extracted from Turba flowers. It contains components that make shapeshifters go berserk. The strong lily scent is its characteristic.”
William put his nose to the medicine bottle and tilted his head.
“Indeed, I smell nothing.”
“Humans cannot smell Turba.”
“Yes. I’ve heard that. Turba’s characteristic is that it’s colorless and odorless to humans, making it difficult for any medical scholar to identify what components are used. But it has a strong scent to shapeshifters.”
“Isn’t it too dangerous to use Turba medicine on His Majesty?”
The Crown Prince looked down at the medicine bottle with a bitter expression.
“Turba has powerful antibiotic effects on humans. The fact that the King is still healthy is thanks to this medicine. This medicine is keeping my father alive, Shuvelia.”
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