The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

Herdin distributed the vials to the doctors who followed him.

“Take it, wolf beastmen first.”

The doctors, who had received the vials, followed Herdin’s orders diligently.

“Each prescription is based on the patient’s condition, so don’t confuse the antidotes.”

The doctors’ eyes sparkled with determination, as if they wouldn’t make any mistakes. Their attitudes resembled that of soldiers in an army.

“Ugh…”

As those who took the antidotes began to regain consciousness, admiration poured in from all sides. The effect was too fast, even for those who were on the brink of death.

Seeing Herdin’s skillful treatment, Ishel couldn’t help but express his admiration.

“As expected, sir Herdin… I hope you’ll stay with me for a lifetime.”

“I would like to receive severance pay, so I’ll decline.”

As the two showed a flawless image, the eyes and mouths of the nobles opened wide.

Herdin was Count Rohan’s eldest son and the Crown Prince’s trusted aide, and this information spread rapidly in all directions.

Despite the attention pouring in from all sides, Herdin didn’t blink an eye. He just gave instructions to the doctors.

Laria, who was observing this from the side, felt a strong gaze and turned her head.

The Emperor was staring at her with a very uncomfortable expression.

He had an expression that he really liked it but…

‘Is it not?’

It was different from what she had heard through Zenox, which made her confused.

With a discreet glance Laria looked around.

Since the culprit hadn’t yet been caught, it was possible that they were observing the situation rather than leaving in secret.

Laria checked one by one, but there was no one particularly suspicious.

While doing so, the inside of the banquet hall seemed bustling.

The chamberlain ran over in haste.

“Your Majesty, there is something I must inform you.”

The Emperor, who had been giving orders to the knights to find the culprit, nodded.

“Speak.”

“The servant in charge of the drinks went missing, so I searched the entire palace and found him…”

The chamberlain lowered his head apologetically.

“It was already after he had taken poison and committed suicide. And…”

The chamberlain handed over a glass bottle wrapped in a handkerchief.

“There was a bottle that contained poison in his arms.”

Everything clearly indicated that the palace servant was the culprit. It was too neat, he had even taken his own life to avoid punishment.

The audience was agitated by the unexpected outcome.

The Emperor, with a sharp gaze, asked:

“Was there anyone involved?”

“We couldn’t find any other evidence. It seems to have been the act of an individual.”

The Emperor clenched his jaw, feeling suspicious about the overly tidy resolution.

The servant committed suicide so that no one could even hear why he committed the crime.

It was unclear, but there was no excuse to hold back the nobles who had run out of patience. The Emperor turned towards the nobles who were looking at him.

“I will inform you of the details through a letter… and now, let’s end the banquet.”

The nobles, who had been bustling, began to leave one by one. With many people leaving all at once, there was a sense of chaos.

Laria decided to wait a bit before leaving. Getting caught up in that procession would have meant falling ill the next day.

As she watched the people leaving the banquet hall, a strangely familiar figure caught her eye.

Amidst the crowd, there was a middle-aged man with distinctive neat hair.

When she looked closely at his face, Laria’s body stiffened. How could she forget that face?

‘He’s the one who tried to kill me.’

He had tried to kill Whitie… That was Zenox’s uncle.

Laria stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. Throughout the evening, Zenox had only watched her, so his gaze also shifted in that direction.

Zenox’s face, upon seeing Rubenta, became unnaturally stiff.

With her arm still firmly held by Zenox, Laria was pulled behind him as if her arm would be torn off.

“Ugh.”

A groan escaped her involuntarily, but Zenox seemed to pay no attention to her. He was too busy shielding Laria behind him, as if protecting her from an archenemy.

Standing behind Zenox, Laria, who had ended up there almost by accident, saw his trembling armor, like a convulsion.

‘Has he partially transformed ?’

Zenox had always worn armor whenever they met, but this was the first time she had seen nails protruding from it. It was evidence that he was extremely agitated.

“…”

Zenox glared at Rubenta, holding his breath.

Sensing Zenox’s gaze, Rubenta met his eyes.

A faint smile played at the corners of Rubenta’s lips.

The strange standoff didn’t last long. Rubenta was the first to turn his head and disappear into the crowd.

* * *

Carriages lined up and left the imperial palace one by one. Among the procession, there was the Hahshir family’s carriage.

Hashir Banesion, who was returning home with Sienna, had been in low spirits throughout the evening.

“How on earth did this happen…?”

Who could have anticipated that a poison incident would occur at the imperial palace banquet?

Although the servant had been identified as the culprit… Well, who knew?

Banesion suspected that there must be someone else behind the scenes, aside from the dead servant.

“It can’t be that he did it.”

As Banesion muttered to himself, Sienna raised her head. He realized he wasn’t alone in the carriage.

“It’s nothing.”

Lost in thought again, Banesion put his hand on his head. He recalled the man he had briefly glimpsed at the banquet.

Rubenta Krassium…

He had heard that Rubenta had told that he would take care of it himself, but he hadn’t known he would attend the banquet.

He rarely got involved in anything. He must have had a reason to show his face at the banquet.

“I can’t believe it’s him.”

There was no way Rubenta Krassium could be here. His purpose must have been related to making his nephew, Zenox, a puppet.

Banesion clicked his tongue in annoyance. The Rohan family was going to gain attention from this incident, what made him feel sick.

It seemed as if they had been waiting for the opportunity to make a move.

Banesion had a reasonable suspicion that it might not be a mere coincidence and that the Rohan family was behind the scenes orchestrating this play.

-Um, if it’s fireweed you need, I have some.

Banesion slammed his fist on the armrest of the chair.

The fact that the guy who normally didn’t show his face was wagging his tail like a dog to impress the Emperor was irritating.

At best, he ran a shabby herbal shop.

His irritation subsided only after he remembered Theodore, who was trembling with a pale face.

A smirk formed on his lips as he remembered the guy who had blocked him at the auction house.

Although he had briefly suspected that it might be Theodore, it was clear that it couldn’t have been him. That cowardly guy wouldn’t have dared to block him.

Banesion had completely washed away his suspicions.

Satisfied, he turned to look at Sienna, who was sitting across from him.

Sienna was startled by the gaze, but resolutely made eye contact.

“You must win in the upcoming contest.”

“Don’t worry. Of course, I’ll win.”

Despite Sienna’s confident response, Banesion was not entirely satisfied.

“Completely crush her. Don’t let her even think about handling magic ever again.”

“…That’s harsh.”

Sienna’s pupils flickered briefly.

Instead of giving specific instructions, Banesion reached out and grabbed Sienna’s shoulder.

“Don’t disappoint me this time.”

Sienna bit her lip at the deep voice.

“Okay.”

With a determined tone, Banesion made it clear. Although he had never defeated Theodor before, Sienna was different.

She had entered the Sorcery Office as the youngest and was receiving training from top-level sorcerers.

She was different from Laria Rohan, who had only recently manifested as a sorcerer.

Banesion’s lips curled with a satisfied smile at the thought of seeing Theodore, who would be forced to watch his beloved daughter suffer.

Before they knew it, the carriage had arrived at the front gate of Marquis Hashir’s mansion. They rode through a garden filled with blooming roses and finally came to a stop in front of the entrance.

Banesion, as he got off the carriage, paused for a moment.

It was unusually quiet, considering that the servants should have come out to greet them by now.

“What’s going on with everyone, now that the master is back…?”

Banesion grumbled his displeasure and then looked up, sensing something amiss.

Someone was standing on the steps of the entrance.

A man, partially obscured in darkness, took a step forward, revealing his hidden face.

As Banesion saw the uncovered face, he froze in place.

“You left early and arrived quite late, Marquis Hashir.”

Rubenta Krassium smiled.