CH 30

“I’ll have to draw a little more blood next time.”

The Marquis poured half of the distilled water and Renato’s blood into the herbs prepared in advance, put them on a small brazier, and started to boil them. Then, he divided the remaining blood into several test tubes.

“I hope it works this time……”

Taking out the poison he had made last night, Marquis Medus muttered. What he was researching recently was a poison that could destroy the fairy blood’s healing power.

He succeeded in killing Ludmilla without any sign of poisoning, but the problem was Trudy. Currently, the 2nd Prince was under the strict protection of the Imperial Knights Order. It was nearly impossible to kill that child even with a skillful assassin.

In the end, killing with an undetected poison just like how he did with Ludmilla was the longest but safest way. As someone that had taken control of the palace doctors, it was very easy for him to poison someone’s food or medicine.

However, the problem was that Trudy was an imperial family member. Never before in the history of the Empire did a direct imperial family member die because of poison. There were several attempts, but they survived every time thanks to the fairy blood.

In other words, he needed a poison that would neutralize the fairy blood and not be detected in the tests. It was not an easy task even for Marquis Medus, who was praised as the doctor given by the Fairy King.

But he didn’t give up. He had already been failing for several years, but if his research succeeded at any time, he’d be able to eliminate both Trudy and Tristan.

“Tsk, is it a failure again?”

Marquis Medus nervously dropped the poison he had made into a test tube that contained Renato’s blood, then quickly clicked his tongue. The poison was a combination of centipede and spider venoms, together with numerous poisonous herbs and mushrooms, but this time, it was also purified by the fairy blood.

“It’s difficult, really difficult.”

The Marquis, falling into a difficult problem that could hardly be solved, let out a sigh. He felt like he was reaching a wall.

“I wonder if there are any decent talented people out there……”

Sometimes, new perspectives or fresh opinions were needed. Marquis Medus moved his hand again, thinking that he should contact the Imperial Academy to find out if there was anyone he could use. The lights in his lab were on until late at night.

III. The Prince’s Circumstances

“You found him?”

“Yes. I have completed the final confirmation. I’m sure he is the one you spoke of.”

Hearing the good news Luna just brought, Renato, who was preparing to go out, was delighted and approached her.

“Baikal Witcher, who was fired from his job as a teaching assistant belonging to the Faculty of Medicine in the Imperial Academy two years ago, is now working as a backstreet doctor on Baker 13th Street under the pseudonym ‘Bai’. From what I have investigated, it seems that he’s having debt due to his younger sister.”

“It’s the right person. You seem to have searched well.”

Renato internally compared his memory to Luna’s report and nodded. After finishing her report, Luna bowed her head to apologize.

“It took a while because his appearance has changed a lot from before. My apologies.”

“No. It’s fine because you found him in the end anyway. It wouldn’t have been easy to move while avoiding people’s eyes, so you did a good job.”

Renato lightly patted Luna’s shoulder. He was a little nervous because finding that person was slower than expected, but now that he had succeeded, he felt happy. If it had been delayed for a few more days, that person might have fallen into Marquis Medus’ hands just like in his previous life.

“I think it would be difficult right now to bring him to the Imperial Palace while avoiding His Majesty the Empress’ eyes…… What should I do?”

“No, you don’t have to bring him here. I’ll meet him when we leave today.”

“Pardon?”

His unexpected words made Luna raise her head. Louis, who was helping Renato with his clothes, also opened his eyes wide. Renato was calm despite the two’s surprised gazes.

“I have to go to the Khan Kingdom’s diplomatic office in the afternoon. So we can leave a little early and stop by Baker 13th Street too.”

“It’s not possible. It is too dangerous.”

As soon as Renato said so, Luna protested. Each road’s 13th Street, the so-called backstreet, was a street of orphans, poor people, criminals who had nowhere to go, and was a place where they could get a glimpse of the dark side of the bright and splendid capital city. It was also a place of various crimes. She couldn’t take Renato to such a dirty and dangerous place.

“How about doing this? You will wait near 13th Street, Your Imperial Highness, while I’ll go get that guy and come to your place.”

“No, then people will notice. There can also be a commotion. It would be better for me to go there and meet him in person.”

“The backstreet is not a place for you to go, Your Imperial Highness. If there is something wrong, you can be in great danger.”

“It’s okay. Because I have you.”

“Pardon?”

“If anything happens, you will protect me. Isn’t that right?”

Renato looked at Luna with trusting eyes. In terms of her skills alone, Luna was a talented person who would have been able to enter the Imperial 1st Knights Order. But she chose to stay by Renato’s side.

“Of course……”

Luna was speechless for a moment and involuntarily slurred the end of her words. Seeing his face full of confidence in her, she couldn’t say the opposite.

“I know your skills best. As long as you are there, there will be no problem.”

“……Understood. However, your appearance will quickly attract attention, Your Imperial Highness. I will prepare a robe to cover your face and body.”

Luna, unable to win against Renato’s stubbornness, stepped down with a helpless face. She couldn’t say she wasn’t confident when Renato believed that she would protect him.

“Then do so. When we get out of the Imperial Palace, take the opportunity and change to a common carriage…… Ah, isn’t there a workshop that has a connection to the Imperial Palace on Temeter 10th Street, which is close to Baker 13th Street?”

“Are you talking about the workshop run by a dwarf craftsman?”

“Yes. That place. That dwarf craftsman has a peculiar personality, so customers have to go directly to make requests, right? How about dropping by that workshop as a guise? I think we can make an excuse by saying that we come there to order a gift for the newly appointed diplomatic ambassador.”

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. It will take an hour or two to discuss what to make, come up with a design, and choose materials. If we say we go out for the grand prince’s gift, even His Majesty the Empress won’t have any doubts.”

“Right? Then let’s stay for a while at first, and leave the rest to Louis while we sneak out to Baker 13th Street……”

Hearing Renato’s words, Louis, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, intervened in surprise.

“Please wait a minute, Your Imperial Highness! Will you leave me in the workshop?”

“Yes. So we can deceive people’s eyes, no? You will draw the horseman and attendants’ attention while I’m on Baker 13th Street.”

“No! I also……!”

“No. If all three of us leave, we’ll be caught right away. You have to do this. I have no one to entrust this to but you, Louis.”

“Ugh.”

When Renato said he only had Louis to entrust this to, Louis’ momentum waned. It was because he knew that except for him and Luna, Renato couldn’t trust anyone else. How could he oppose that when seeing Renato’s bright eyes?

However, he was still not relieved. That was not just any place, but a backstreet called the darkness of the Empire’s capital and the den of evil.

When he thought that his Prince-nim who grew up preciously was going to such a place, he couldn’t help but worry.

“It won’t be dangerous if Luna goes with you, but…… Please come back as soon as possible. You’re really just going there for business, right? If anyone starts a quarrel, please always step back and leave it to Luna. And……”

Louis, who was frequently getting anxious because of Renato these days, said with a worried face.

“Alright, alright. Don’t worry too much since I will never leave Luna’s side. Let’s get ready to go out first. We have to finish the matter quickly so I can go to the diplomatic office in time for my appointment.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”

After discussing with the Louis siblings, Renato hurriedly prepared to go out. Somehow, he had a feeling that today would be a very busy day.

* * *

Flap, flap.

The documents in Khalid’s hand were quickly flipped. They were reports about Renato that Nasir had prepared and sent him.

“Huu.”

Having read all the way to the last part, Khalid let out a heavy sigh. Leaving the twenty or so reports on his thighs, Khalid leaned against the carriage chair. He had already expected it to some extent, but his heart felt stuffy after finishing reading them.

The contents of the report were just as Khalid had guessed. If he had to define Renato’s life in one word, he had no choice but to say ‘unfortunate’. All the stories recorded on the few sheets of paper were miserable, melancholic, and lonely.

Only one trait of ‘Beta’ turned a birth that deserved to be blessed into a tragedy. Khalid was greatly displeased by that fact.

“……Just like me.”

Khalid’s feelings after reading the reports were short, yet heavy. He felt empathy for Renato. His life as an illegitimate son and the Prince’s life who was born as a Beta seemed to be similar. A life that was criticized by everyone just because they were born.