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“I think it’s possible considering the fairy blood’s uniqueness, but…… Do you really have to go that far?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Renato looked at Arche to ask what was wrong. His forehead slightly frowned, expressing his mood. Seeing that expression, Arche hurriedly made excuses with a startled face.
“Ah, about that…… Even the imperial family cannot recklessly use their blood. If you get caught……”
“Using it for my companion is an exception.”
Renato coldly responded, interrupting Arche’s words. In fact, the imperial family often made jewelry containing their blood as wedding gifts.
In the past, Blanche also received a set of red diamond earrings and necklaces infused with Tristan’s blood as his wedding gift. At one time, it was his pride. Not only Blanche but also people that married the imperial family considered it an honor to receive gifts infused with that noble blood.
In other words, if Renato presented Khalid with an artifact using fairy blood, no one could raise an issue. Though, even if it was a problem, he would still think of ways to give it to Khalid.
“What I want is his highness’ safety. If my blood is necessary, I can provide it as much as needed.”
The frigid lavender eyes turned to Arche. The reason Renato wanted to create an artifact was because of Marquis Medus. Renato planned to gradually distance himself from the Marquis after returning to the Empire and holding his wedding ceremony.
“Once the antagonistic relationship earnestly starts, Marquis Medus will probably try to get rid of his highness first. His military force is a hindrance to the Marquis.”
Marquis Medus mainly used poison to eliminate enemies standing in his way. No matter how careful Khalid was, it was better to always be prepared as they never knew when, where, and what kind of trick the Marquis would use. In that case, an artifact that could be carried around at any time would be more effective than cumbersome general-purpose antidotes. Artifacts wouldn’t completely stop the poison, but they could slow the rate of it spreading through the body.
“My apologies. I couldn’t understand Your Imperial Highness’ thoughts toward his highness and spoke carelessly.”
Noticing that Renato was offended, Arche quickly apologized. She made a mistake by asking if Renato had to go that far even though their marriage was a political one. It was clear their relationship was not established solely for political purposes considering Renato’s devotion to Khalid, but she inadvertently got caught up in the stereotype of an arranged marriage.
“No. I think I reacted a little sharply. Anyway, just ask the shaman if blood can be used without saying anything else. You know that you must keep it an absolute secret that the client is me, right?”
“Of course, sir.”
“……By the way, is Dame Iris doing well?”
Renato changed the topic to lighten the heavy atmosphere. Arche’s twin sister, Iris, had successfully passed the Imperial Knights Order’s special exam before Renato left for the kingdom.
However, she remained in the Empire because she had to spend about three months as an apprentice. As a result, she decided to keep up with trends within the Empire and monitor Marquis Medus’ movements while living as the Imperial Knights Order’s apprentice knight.
“I received her contact yesterday and she seems to be doing well. Marquis Medus’ faction doesn’t have much action, either. They seem to be holding back after young Duke Florence’s matter.”
“I see…… How about His Majesty the Emperor?”
“His Majesty is showing his presence by attending state affairs conferences more often than before. Accordingly, the imperial faction is also actively taking action.”
“That’s a relief.”
Hearing news about Tristan, Renato’s face slightly lit up. Tristan’s positive change was quite different from his previous life. If Tristan recovered like this, Marquis Medus and Blanche would pay attention to him.
When the Emperor who had been bedridden for years succeeded in recovering, they would have to face a bigger enemy than Renato or Khalid. Renato and Trudy would also have a strong ally.
“Tell Dame Iris to be careful. Marquis Medus considers you two to be the Emperor’s people, so he might find fault to stop her from becoming an official knight. His Majesty the Emperor of course will obstruct him, but it’d be better not to give him an opportunity to attack.”
Renato expressed concern for Iris. Arche and Iris became an aide and an imperial knight thanks to special employment, so in others’ eyes, they seemed to be assigned by Tristan to check on Renato. Marquis Medus and Blanche also believed that Tristan planted the sisters to monitor Renato and gather information.
It was their delusion, but Renato let the Marquis and Blanche think so. He also initially intended to make it like that. By turning Marquis Medus’ gaze to Arche and Iris, he was able to take independent actions. It was a kind of feint operation.
“Thank you very much for your concern. Please don’t worry too much.”
Arche bashfully smiled with a somewhat flushed face. Whenever Renato cared about her and her sister, she would foolishly smile like this.
It had only been a few months since she became an aide, but Arche quickly realized that Renato was a good person. Having met countless people and seen all sorts of dirty things while operating an information guild, she could realize that.
Renato was gentle and kind-hearted unlike the imperial family, and he also had a better aptitude for politics than she had expected. Besides, he was generous to his subordinates. He was a good person as a boss and as an individual.
Perhaps that was why Arche felt her loyalty grow day by day. At first, she was loyal to him out of gratitude for bringing her and her sister, who had to live in the shadows for the rest of their life due to threats, back under the sun. Back then, she had expectations of him because he was a Beta like them. But now, she wanted to follow Renato for who he was.
“Yes, Dame Iris is also a talented person just like you, so I don’t have to worry.”
Renato brightly smiled, expressing his trust in their abilities. There was a saying that one talent is more helpful than a hundred ordinary people, and it was exactly the case for Arche. She was able to do various things on her own. The information guild she led with Iris was also useful in many ways.
The only regretful thing was that she sometimes made a slip of the tongue just like now. But he could easily let it slide. After all, Arche didn’t know the exact circumstances.
“I believe you will continue to do well in the future.”
Renato seriously pondered whether to let Arche know that his marriage to Khalid was due to a contract. Quite a lot of trust had been built up between them now.
“I will do my best to repay your trust.”
When Arche replied with a resolute expression, Louis’ voice came along with a knock on the door.
“Your Imperial Highness, I have brought Sir Baikal.”
“Come on in. You can go out now.”
Renato allowed Baikal in and let Arche out. After Arche left, Baikal, dressed in the Black Wolf Knights’ military doctor uniform with a brooch indicating his government official position, came in.
“Greetings to the successor of the noble blood.”
“Welcome.”
Renato welcomed Baikal who greeted him. Then, he motioned Baikal to sit down. It was where Arche had been sitting a while ago.
“Your face seems much brighter than before. It’s nice to see.”
“It’s all thanks to Your Imperial Highness.”
“How could it be thanks to me? Is your sister doing well?”
“Yes, she has gotten a lot better compared to before. I received a letter a few days ago, and it said that she had become friends with the daughter of the diplomatic office’s chef.”
Baikal’s face brightened when he talked about Vienna. Because of her weak body, Vienna stayed in the Empire and was cared for by the diplomatic office’s attendants. In the past, he wouldn’t have thought of leaving her alone, but thanks to Renato and Khalid’s support, she was able to take her medicine every day, making her health a lot better compared to before.
“And about the herb Your Imperial Highness told me before. It’s very effective when used with kesnip……”
“You mean espeto?”
“Yes, I think we can create a new cure by combining kesnib and espeto.”
After his trip to the Khan Kingdom was decided, Renato advised Baikal to add not only kesnib but also a herb called espeto to Vienna’s medicine. On that day, Baikal immediately went into research. And he found that mixing espeto and kesnip, as Renato said, amplified the effect.
“I didn’t know that Your Imperial Highness was well-versed in pharmacy. Seriously…… The academic world will be thrilled when the new cure is successfully completed.”
Baikal’s voice became higher. Vienna’s disease was originally a rare and incurable one. That disease wouldn’t lead to death if the patient was taken good care of, but it would tag along for the rest of their life. However, thanks to the medicinal herb Renato told him, he could see hope.
“I just happened to learn several things from my maternal grandfather who is praised as the best doctor in the Empire. I’m glad it helped.”
Renato awkwardly smiled at Baikal whose eyes were sparkling. Originally, Baikal in his previous life made the cure for Vienna. He only heard about the ingredients from him.
Unable to say that directly, Renato aptly made up that he knew a little about medicinal herbs thanks to Marquis Medus. He felt a bit sorry for taking Baikal’s contribution but decided to think positively that Vienna would get better sooner than before and the two would not fall into the Marquis’ hands.
“But what did you find me for?”
Baikal nervously asked. Up until now, Renato had only unconditionally shown kindness to him. When Baikal said that he wanted to work for him, Renato answered that it was not yet the time.
But today was different. Baikal intuitively felt that the time to work for Renato had come. Then, he was excited like a child on a picnic. He couldn’t wait to work for Renato. Only then would he be able to repay the favor even if it was a little.
“I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Favor? Please just give me any orders as you please. I will do anything I can.”
“You don’t have to be so serious. It will be a little difficult, but……”
Seeing Baikal waiting for his command with a determined expression, Renato faintly smiled. Then, he took a small vial from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“I want you to analyze this medicine and replicate it into new ones with the same effect. It would be good if you could develop a medicine with stronger effects than this, too.”