The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 62

The man’s face was covered with a thick beard.

The cloak he wore was old and worn, and his appearance was nothing short of shabby. Every time he exhaled, a musty odor of mold filled the air, and a large scar marred the skin around his eyes.

By all appearances, he was an unlikely guest for Yerna.

“You’ve become even more beautiful, Lady Yerna,” the man said, attempting to flatter her.

Yerna snorted.

“How is the task I asked of you?”

“Of course…”

The man picked up the small package he had placed on the ground.

“I have prepared it thoroughly, as always.”

What he pulled out was a small glass vial.

The vial, about the size of a finger, contained a transparent liquid.

“…Is this all?” Yerna frowned slightly. There wasn’t much. She would have to mix it with something else, and that would dilute it, wouldn’t it?

“I assure you, it will be more than sufficient.”

The man spoke with confidence.

“Do you remember a few years ago when the soldiers of the Ruwan Empire were wiped out en masse?”

“Yes, I remember.”

Yerna wasn’t unaware of that incident. It had been a major issue at the time. Ruwan soldiers, who had been at war with the Hestea Empire, had died in droves, seemingly overnight.

There were hundreds of bodies found. The most likely explanation was that someone had poisoned their water supply, but no evidence was ever found, and the mystery remained unsolved.

“At that time, the general of the Hestea Empire made the same request to me. And I gave him this. Exactly…”

The man said, shaking the vial.

“It was only half of this.”

“You used half of that in the well, and that many people died?”

“Yes. So I can guarantee, it will definitely be enough.”

Yerna swallowed dryly.

If someone else had said the same thing, she might not have believed them. But the man in front of her was an exception.

He was the one Yerna turned to whenever she plotted something like this. The things he provided always worked without fail. Not even once had they failed.

“Will the effects appear immediately?”

“Not immediately. That would only raise unnecessary suspicion, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

“It will be slow but certain. And the pain will be undeniable. It won’t take more than an hour at most. Once the heart stops, the substance evaporates inside the body, leaving no trace. No color, no smell—nothing.”

“…Good.”

Yerna handed the man a pouch she had prepared in advance.

“I’ve made sure you won’t be disappointed. You won’t be lacking in anything.”

The man peeked into the pouch and nodded.

“That’s certainly true.”

“And you know, of course, if you ever speak of this to anyone…”

“Don’t worry.”

“……”

“Have I ever disappointed you, Lady Yerna, in all these years?”

The man smiled quietly.

“Lady Yerna, I’ve brought the tea.”

A knock at the door was followed by a maid entering the room. She bowed respectfully and placed tea and refreshments on the table.

“Lady Yerna, is there anything else you need…?”

“No, leave.”

Yerna replied coldly. The maid bowed her head again.

“Yes. If you need anything else, please call me.”

Yerna didn’t even glance at the maid as she began sipping her tea. So she didn’t notice the quick glance the maid gave the man before leaving.

***

The maid closed the door quietly behind her and looked around carefully.

“Veina.”

In the corner, Kaen, who had been waiting for Veina, called out to her in a low voice. Veina made sure no one was around before approaching him.

“How did it go? Was today’s visitor the man?”

“Yes.”

Kaen’s expression hardened.

Everything was just as Princess Setz had said. Setz had warned Kaen that their mother was expecting a visitor soon.

Setz knew about that suspicious man. She knew that whenever he visited, a poor concubine would quietly die soon after.

[A man with a thick beard, about ten years older than Mother. He always wears an old cloak and carries a large pack. And he has a big scar around his eye.]

“So, it really was him…”

Setz muttered with a dazed expression.

“Yes. And it seems he bought something, though I’m not sure exactly what…”

“No, it’s fine. I already know.”

Before the time loop, Yerna had killed Lize. The method was simple—poison. It was Yerna’s most frequent tool of choice, and this time would be no different.

“…You did well, Kaen.”

“It was nothing.”

Kaen waved her hand dismissively, but her face was tense, as if cornered. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously spoke up.

“Your Highness… I’m sorry, but…”

“Hm?”

“You’re not planning… to do something dangerous, are you…?”

Just as Luna had worried about Setz and looked after her, so did Kaen. She had been one of the people caring for Setz since she was young.

Moreover, Luna’s final words before her death had been this:

“Please take good care of Her Highness while I’m gone.”

Kaen’s anxiety was understandable, and Setz knew this well.

“I can’t presume to know what Your Highness is thinking, but… even so, doing something dangerous…”

“I won’t, Kaen. So don’t worry. I just… I just don’t want anything worse to happen.”

Setz’s voice cracked, drained of strength.

“Kaen, I’m really sorry, but could I ask one more favor?”

“A favor…?”

“Could you keep an eye on my mother for a while? It’s not a difficult task. Just keep track of her movements. For example…”

“…”

“If she happens to visit Lady Lize’s palace late at night, something like that…”

“Your Highness…”

“Please.”

Setz’s voice was pleading. After a moment of hesitation, Kaen finally nodded.

Then, in a small voice, she asked again.

“You’re really not planning anything dangerous… right?”

“Yes.”

Setz looked directly at Kaen as she answered.

“Then could you leave me for a bit? I have a headache… I think I need to rest.”

“Yes, of course. If you need anything, just call me. Also, it’ll be time for dinner soon… I’ll come back once it’s ready.”

“Alright.”

Once Kaen had left, Setz sat wearily on the edge of her bed.

“…Haa.”

Her sigh felt heavier than usual. It was inevitable—after all, she had realized that everything was beginning to repeat itself.

[Close your eyes, cover your ears. Don’t see anything, don’t hear anything.]

With those cryptic words, Raytan had sent Setz away.

“…Maybe Brother already knows.”

For some reason, that thought crossed her mind. Perhaps Raytan was already aware that Yerna was targeting Lize’s life.

But something felt off. If her assumption was correct, then why wasn’t he showing any reaction, even though he knew their mother was in danger?

And Lize…

“Why did such rumors even start in the first place…?”

Even if it was true that Raytan had killed Johann Franz, the rumors still felt a bit far-fetched.

Lize was a calm, quiet person. She surely didn’t like Yerna, but she wasn’t the type to show it.

Moreover, it was even less likely that Lize would have someone killed to stop Yerna’s influence from growing.

As Setz pondered over it, her face suddenly hardened.

“Could it be… the one who spread the rumors…”

…Was Lady Lize herself? Could she have calculated everything? Even knowing that spreading such rumors would put her own life in danger?

“And if Lady Lize were to die… Brother would have a reason to…”

Setz trailed off, mumbling to herself.

“…He’d have a reason to start the coup…”

Setz instinctively covered her mouth.

“That’s impossible.”

There’s no way. Lize wouldn’t throw her life away like that, just to give Raytan a reason. Setz squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.

For now, she had to prevent Lize’s death at all costs. That was the most urgent matter.

And if she succeeded, perhaps Raytan’s coup wouldn’t happen. It was her only hope.

“Luna, please give me strength.”

Setz murmured as she stared blankly at a portrait.

…The next night, Yerna made her way to Lize’s palace.

The harsh winter wind howled mercilessly. The air was cold and still, and the biting chill cut through the skin like a blade.

On the roof of Lize’s palace, white breath puffed from between Eaton’s lips as he sat perched atop the building.

“What are you doing up here?”

“…Belkiel.”

“Are you enjoying some solitude? You sound like an old man.”

Though Belkiel’s words were teasing, he crouched down beside Eaton.

“Where have you been?”

“What does it matter to you?”

Belkiel responded indifferently. That was typical of him. Eaton glanced at him, then chuckled softly.

“Not just one or two people have been killed. The smell of blood is everywhere. Someone was killed just a few days ago.”

“I know.”

“Do you know who they were?”

Eaton turned to look at Belkiel, caught off guard by the sudden question.

“They were descendants.”