# 11
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The next day, Evelyn called Rikal, who was about to go take care of his grandmother.
“You asked for me, Lady Evelyn?”
Evelin folded the newspaper she was reading and looked at him.
“I have something to tell you, Rykal.”
"Yes."
“The truth is, your grandmother’s fever spiked dramatically yesterday.”
Rykal's expression hardened.
“How high did it go...?”
“It reached 40 degrees.”
Despite Evelin's calm tone, Rykal couldn't hide his shock.
“What…why are you telling me that yet…?”
“You were already annoyed by Differin scolding you yesterday. I didn’t want to burden you further. But in the end, your grandmother’s fever has completely subsided.”
Evelyn continued quietly.
"When I had a cold as a kid, my grandmother used a folk remedy. I didn't expect it to work so well. Her fever went down almost completely within an hour."
“How is that possible...?”
“I made a soup with Katun herbs and gave it to her. Just like my grandmother used to do for me when I was little. My grandmother had an extensive knowledge of herbs.”
Evelyn confirmed that this was her grandmother's knowledge.
If she claimed to have found a way to lower fever with Catun leaves herf, this would certainly arouse suspicion.
She was planning to pretend not to know that the cure for this plague was Katun leaves, but seeing Rykal's grandmother yesterday made her think a lot.
There must have been others whose lives were threatened by the plague, just like Rykal's grandmother...
She couldn't keep pretending not to know any longer.
So, even if she didn't directly develop the treatment herf, she decided to give a hint about the treatment to someone who could do the work.
“Katon…? Isn’t that a common wild herb?”
“Yes, that's why I was able to go to the nearest hill and pick some on the spot yesterday.”
Rykal had a shocked look on his face.
“…Did you do that to yourf, Lady Evelyn?”
“Yes, I was the only one who visited the palace yesterday.”
“Haha.”
Rekal exhaled deeply, perhaps feeling guilty for letting her do such a difficult task.
"It's okay. It was nice to take a walk after all this time."
“Still...”
“That's enough. We've been scolded enough by Dyffrin yesterday.”
When Evelin responded with a slight laugh, Rykal's lips moved slightly before he finally spoke, changing the subject.
“Was feeding her Caton leaves all you really did…?”
Rikal seemed to find it difficult to believe that ordinary Catun leaves could lower a high fever.
But it didn't matter whether he believed it or not.
After all, the doctor would be called today to check on Grandma's condition, and she would be declared cured, so they would have to acknowledge the influence of the Caton leaves.
“Yes, that's true. However, it's good to get a professional's opinion, so be sure to call your family doctor today to check on your grandmother's condition.”
Rykal nodded with a confused expression.
“I understand.”
* * *
Late in the evening, when Rikal's excited voice echoed through the hall, Evelyn realized that her prediction had been correct.
“Lord Dyffryn, this is an incredible discovery...!”
Dyffrin, who had gone home with him, nodded.
“This may be the key to ending the plague.”
While Rykal was talking with Devrin, he immediately approached Evelyn, who was sitting in the hall.
“Lady Evelyn!”
Evelyn, who was working on embroidery, stopped her needle when she heard her name called.
Rykal, who had recently had dark skin, is now radiant. His reddened face made him look like a child.
“Granny's condition is almost completely back to normal!”
'I already know that, you bastard.'
Evelin suppressed her smile inwardly and put on a feigned ignorant look.
"truly?"
“Yes! The family doctor examined my grandmother today and said that the fever has completely disappeared, and most of the other symptoms have disappeared as well.”
Evelin finally smiled cheerfully.
“Oh, that's great!”
“Thank you, Miss Evelyn.”
Evelin didn't know that Raikal could have such an expression. He took away all his worries with a wonderful smile.
At that moment, Defrin approached.
“Evelyn.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“You fed Katun leaves to Rekal’s grandmother, didn’t you?”
“Yes, it usually doesn't have such a big impact, but I think we were lucky.”
Devrin shook his head.
"No, just to be sure. We've given it to other plague patients, and it had the same effect. This discovery may actually help us calm the plague."
Evelin sighed inwardly with relief.
She set the table for them, but was worried they might dismiss it as a coincidence.
“We will monitor the reactions of other patients for a little while and then start working on the treatment.”
“This is really cool.”
Evelin clasped her hands together, feigning emotion. Then Rikal spoke.
“It's all thanks to you, Lady Evelyn.”
“It's not thanks to me; it was just good luck.”
"No. Who else would have thought of using Caton leaves to bring down a fever? Wouldn't you, Lord Dyffryn?"
Rykal turned to Devrin, but Evelyn didn't expect much.
'There's no way Devrin can compliment me...'
“Okay...”
Dyffrin hesitated before continuing.
“If the plague problem is solved early, it will be thanks to you.”
'What is this?'
With a surprised look, Evelin's eyes quickly brightened.
"truly?"
“…Don’t make me say it twice.”
The way he looked away gave Evelin a feeling of joy.
Whenever she saw Devrin's shy side, she felt a childish urge to tease him.
Evelin's eyes sparkled as she looked at Devrin before suddenly hugging him.
"What do you do…!"
His frantic attempt to push her away betrayed his true feelings.
When she looked up, Evelin saw his eyes narrow.
Evelyn said, with a hint of laughter,
“You suddenly looked great.”
For a moment, Defrin froze and stopped trying to push her away. His body seemed stiff.
“Ahem.”
At that moment, Rikal's voice, which reminded them of his presence, came from the side.
Evelyn decided it was time to stop the teasing and walked away from Dyffrin.
So she didn't notice the faint redness creeping up Dyffrin's neck.
* * *
A few days later, there was an article in the newspaper about the development of a cure for the plague.
Of course, Differin is credited with developing the treatment.
Because he was the one who actively pushed the work forward.
Well, it's not like Evelin was particularly keen on receiving recognition, so she folded the newspaper without any regrets.
I was simply relieved that the plague would quickly subside.
“The second problem has been overcome.”
In the process, she becomes unexpectedly close to Rykal.
No, instead of just being close, Rykal was now completely on her side.
He even subtly sided with her during her little arguments with Dyffryn.
“He was a trusted ally...”
Now that his grandmother's plague has been completely cured, Rykal has returned home, which Evelyn finds a bit disappointing.
When Evelin finished her lunch and refreshed herf with the cold water, the head maid, Merlin, approached her and spoke.
“Ma’am, a message has arrived that there are new fabrics in the dress shop. Would you like to go and have a look?”
Evelyn thought for a moment.
‘Hmm…’
Evelin didn't have many occasions to meet people these days, so she didn't ask for a new dress. But it wouldn't be a bad idea to go check out a dress store, just for fun.
“Okay, let's go in the afternoon.”
“Yes, I will prepare your going out clothes.”
Merlin bowed respectfully and disappeared upstairs.
Evelyn spent some time in her bedroom before getting ready to go out in the afternoon.
The weather was a bit cloudy, but since most of the trip would be by car, it didn't matter much.
However, Merlin was careful, and packed an umbrella in case of emergency.
The carriage carrying Evelyn and Merlin set off towards the city. It will take about 20 minutes to get there.
Evelyn settled into the carriage, looking out the window. The sky seemed to be getting darker, making it look like it was going to rain.
“Lucky we brought an umbrella.”
While Evelin was thinking about different things, she suddenly coughed.
Cough, cough.
Merlin, eyes wide, quickly handed her a tissue.
“Are you okay, ma'am?”
“Yes… I think I have a cold.”
Evelin has been coughing a lot lately. She wondered if it was a lingering effect of the plague but she knew it couldn't be.
She had not come into contact with any sick people or been bitten by any vampires. Besides, the treatment has already been developed.
So, I assumed the cough was just a regular cold.
However, I was confused as to why she would catch a cold even though she often stayed indoors.
At that moment, Evelyn noticed Merlin's worried expression.
Evelin was temporarily worried about her health, but she quickly changed her thoughts and smiled inwardly.
'You really chose the right head maid.'
Merlin was excellent in her role as head maid.
Not only did she meticulously manage the palace accounts, but she also had a commendable attitude.
She was polite and respectful towards Evelin and strict with the other maids.
Since some of the maids had a history of embezzling palace funds, she seemed intent on managing things carefully.
The other maids, whose wages were increased, did not resent Merlin's strictness.
Using the house's saved money, the house was repaired and old elements replaced, leaving it looking clean and well-maintained.
Thanks to Merlin's competence, Evelyn's life became more comfortable.
Having a flawless home will be crucial in facing future challenges.
“Looks like we've arrived, ma'am.”
When the carriage stopped, Evelin's thoughts were interrupted.
When she got out of the carriage, a cold raindrop fell on her head.
It looked like it was starting to rain.
'I better get in quickly.'
When Evelin opened the door of the dress shop, a small bell rang. There were already a few people waiting, having come to hear news of new fabrics.
People looked at Evelin.
As the daughter of a poor baron who married Duke Leonock, Evelyn became the imperial Cinderella, so most people likely recognized her.
I tried to ignore the looks and sat in the corner. Fortunately, the attention was quickly distracted.
Instead, I heard whispering voices.
“Have you heard of Master Fenris?”
'Fenris...?'
Evelyn couldn't help but perk up her ears at the mention of Fenris.
"Master Fenris? Do you mean the Second Prince?"
"Yes, this is correct."
Evelin's facial expression was conflicted.
'So it's really about Fenris…'
Fenris was the second prince, a central character worthy of attention, and the second-in-command of this novel.