章節 198: [Chapter 198] The Opinion of a Young Doctor
"Coming in without notice, does the Duke find it acceptable for your status?"
Though the tone was mocking, if the Lady truly disliked it, she wouldn't have seated Neris in the reception room and offered refreshments."
Observing the Lady's lips touching the teacup gently, Neris asked straightforwardly, "Madam, do you know about the women who have been meeting the Prince and getting hurt?"
In Neris's view, there were two candidates who had reasons and capabilities to target the women meeting Abelus: Kamil and Natasha.
Kamil took pride in the noble lineage of the royal family and disliked things she couldn't control. She might have resorted to such actions to perfect the alliance between the Gruenwald Marquisate and the royal family.
Natasha loved Abelus and was jealous of the women approaching him. Just by planning the kidnapping without hesitation upon hearing the news of Neris becoming the Princess Consort, it was evident how persistent and daring Natasha was.
As to which of the two was more likely to be the culprit...
"Natasha Gruenwald is a possibility."
The Lady confirmed Neris's speculation with a mocking expression.
Neris tried to remain calm. However, when she lifted the teacup, it made a discordant noise as it clashed with the saucer. It was a sound she would never have made under normal circumstances.
"So, is that why you sought me out?"
"Yes. It seemed like something only you would know."
There was a way to confront the Gruenwalds directly, but it would be too conspicuous. Perhaps all of this could be a trap.
And because she wasn't confident she could kill Natasha on the spot, she came as the Lady Consort. The Lady was not the type to speak as Kamil directed, and she knew the history of many noble families well.
The Lady Consort spoke as if there was nothing special about it.
"The Gruenwalds are said to possess a very malicious substance. A poison so cunning that it can ruin others' lives very skillfully. It would be useful for themselves."
Poison. Yes, she thought that must be it.
Neris gripped the teacup handle tightly. Her mind was spinning.
She recalled the few rare moments when she had conversations with Natasha in her previous life. In the temple, in the palace, in the palace gardens...
After the failed attempt to kidnap Neris with Idalia, Natasha seemed to accept reality. Eventually, after Neris officially got engaged to Abelus, she even behaved properly in front of others.
And it was probably just before the wedding.
"You will soon become the Princess Consort, Lady Elendria."
She thought she hid her bitterness well. At the party held at the Elendria Marquisate, Natasha smiled beautifully as if she had no emotions at all while offering a drink.
At that time, Natasha was about to leave to marry a foreign prince. Neris was wary of Natasha, of the confident way she carried herself, and even feared Eustace who stood behind her. She was wary of the food Natasha served.
Because she had a history.
"My apologies, Your Grace. It's been a few years since you became the Marquise, yet you still haven't learned proper etiquette?"
Unexpectedly, Natasha whispered relatively kindly. Her eyes were a mix of hatred, anger, and various other unnamed emotions.
She couldn't be rude to Natasha, who would soon become a foreign queen in front of society. Even the Elendria Marchioness gave Neris a harsh look. Hurry up and accept it.
It would be difficult for anyone to accept a noble lady's cup for a lifetime.
"Oh, that's right. That drink I eventually accepted! How bitter it was!
Neris bowed her head. She couldn't let anyone see her expression crumbling unexpectedly.
The Lady asked suspiciously, "Why is that? Perhaps that child also to you...?"
"No."
Neris quickly denied. It wouldn't be true in this lifetime. There was no reason for Natasha to do that.
"But why ask about it? Do you need the poison of the Gruenwalds for yourself?"
The Lady inquired with a tone mixed with suspicion. Her expression had suddenly become stern. Neris raised her head abruptly.
"No!"
Such a dreadful item was definitely not needed.
She didn't believe that fertility defined a woman's identity. Even without children, a person could be complete in themselves.
But did she have to cruelly take it from someone who desired it?
Did she need to be so thorough and ruthless when her position wouldn't have been shaken even if she didn't take it?
The Lady's expression softened slowly upon hearing Neris's firm denial.
"Yes, there's no need to be interested in such a vile item. It's important to know of its existence... The Gruenwalds have refrained from what they could do, but that girl Natasha was ambitious. She used what our ancestors had kept secret as a means of revenge."
In noble families, the significance of offspring in marriage increased. Knowing who the descendants of one's own family were connected to, even with the bloodline of another prestigious family, held substantial influence politically and economically.
"So when the marriage between a specific family and another family was not to their liking, the 'poison' of the Gruenwalds could be a means to fundamentally prevent it. It could even break up marriages that had already taken place.
Isn't it a much safer and discreet method than assassination? If a noble's child dies bleeding, an immediate investigation would start, but a couple struggling to have a child for a long time wouldn't raise suspicions in itself.
However, how many parents wouldn't declare war upon finding out that their precious child was unable to have children for life, and that the cause was some petty manipulation? The Gruenwalds naturally kept the existence of this unique item a secret and likely only used it when absolutely necessary.
Until a descendant emerged who believed that what they desired was indeed necessary.
"The Marquis's ancestors may have kept it a secret, but the royal family must have known. Did the Lady Consort also learn about it in the palace?"
"Yes. What the royal family doesn't know doesn't exist in the Empire."
...Yes, that's right.
Neris closed her eyes inevitably.
Even the heart that felt pain, she doubted if there was anything left.
'Knowing everything.'
Knowing everything, yet leaving Neris alone to face blame... From the beginning, it meant that the royal family never intended to acknowledge her.
Her efforts were meaningless. Not once did they acknowledge her.
***
Waiting for Neris, who arrived at the mansion looking pale, was someone.
"A person from the Upper Division of Mori has arrived, Your Highness."
"Gilbert, who had been speaking gently, was taken aback by the pale expression of the mistress, who seemed healthy when she went out. He sent a reproachful look to Dora, implying that she had not treated the Princess Consort well, and Dora looked unjustly and shook her head. It meant that nothing significant had happened on the way back.
However, Dora knew as well. There was something in the conversation she heard today that deeply saddened and puzzled Neris.
Neris, having removed her hat and gloves, instructed Gilbert with a tired face, "Escort me to my room."
"Madam, you don't look well. It would be better to rest for a while before meeting."
Neris nodded at Gilbert's cautious suggestion.
"I must meet now."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will escort you."
The Duchess was usually a reasonable person, but when she was firm, even the Duke couldn't argue back. Knowing this well, Gilbert reluctantly followed the order.
Neris, upon entering her room, anxiously waited for the person sent from the Upper Division of Mori. Eventually, a young but intelligent-looking man entered her room.
He was a familiar face. The doctor from Rantville, who was likely busy as Joann would have introduced him to the Lady Consort. The capable young man who had successfully cultivated belladonna and hellebore together.
The doctor appeared more confident than Neris had seen in her previous life, but his cautious and serious demeanor seemed unchanged. As he entered, he met Neris's gaze but politely lowered his head without showing surprise.
"I have been sent by Joann."
Seated in her chair, Neris asked as if it were expected. The doctor handed her an envelope.
"Yes, Your Grace. This is a letter from the Lady Consort."
Originally, Joann and Neris were supposed to discuss important business matters today. The contents of the envelope that had raised considerable expectations when she went out earlier were now nothing. Neris touched her forehead and ordered Dora,
"Dora, close the door properly and see if anyone is around."
"Yes, madam."
Dora faithfully carried out the command. The doctor, who didn't understand English, seemed nervous.
Neris gestured for him to approach.
"Joann wanted you to check on my health, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
And since rumors had spread about the Duchess's health not being good, they would have discreetly sent this capable individual as a messenger. While Joann's intention was merely out of concern, Neris found it very fortunate at this moment.
Neris spoke with a faint feeling of fainting,
"From now on, what I say is a secret. Don't tell Joann."
The doctor became more tense.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I... I'm worried that my health isn't good enough to have a child. So, I want you to examine me. Not only my current health but also if there are any issues with having a child in the future, all related tests. If you need any tools, bring them. If you need to purchase tools, all expenses will be covered by me."
Confirming that there were no eavesdroppers around, Dora returned to Neris's side. Dora's thoughts were also complicated. Could it be that Natasha Gruenwald had reached out to our mistress as well?
If that were the case, it would be better for Natasha to die. The Duke Consort, of course, and all the Mainland people wouldn't leave her alone.
The doctor, who had come for a routine examination, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat at the heavy task given to him, but he had no choice but to follow the orders. Fortunately, due to Joann's cautious nature, he had brought all the useful items he had.
"Please give me your hand, Your Highness."
From the very wealthy doctor or the magical bag he could possess, an ordinary person would find it difficult to guess the purpose of the glass vial that came out, along with various reagents and needles for drawing blood.
The doctor conducted all possible tests on Neris. The unknown substance in the glass vial changed color, and the blood drawn with the needle seeped into the elongated paper. Dora, who didn't understand the meaning of these reactions, grew increasingly frustrated as time passed.
However, Neris herself grew calmer as time went on.
...Yes, blaming Natasha for the misdeeds against the unfortunate women who tried to seduce Abelus didn't necessarily mean that Neris not having a child was entirely Natasha's fault. Doctors from her previous life repeatedly mentioned that her health itself was not good...
How much time had passed? The doctor carefully set down his items and spoke in a trembling voice.
"In my opinion... Your Highness, you tend to be a bit lean, but overall, you seem very healthy. There doesn't seem to be any issue with planning to have children."
No problem.
Upon hearing those words, Neris bowed deeply.
She had no choice but to bow deeply to hide the tears that were about to come.
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