Chapter 23: 22

Chapter 22

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Jaymus moved quickly when it came to his work.

His attitude towards this was no different. It didn’t take Jaymus long to pass everything onto Preston and leave with Catherine. Now, he was presently sitting in a carriage with Catherine, the two of them on their way to the Philadelphia family’s home territory.

The king and queen didn’t speak a single argument against their travels. They viewed it as an opportunity to build a stronger connection with Philadelphia, and it also served to show their people how close of a relationship Jaymus had with Catherine.

And Catherine herself was rather excited that she could leave the capital after so long. She happily agreed with Jaymus’ plans to take a trip, saying she’d been feeling a little stuffy these days.

But looking at Catherine like this, she looked strangely unwell. As the woman the queen had selected, Catherine was someone who’d never even gotten motion sickness before. And yet, whenever the sun glanced off of her, he could see how pale she was. As if the natural light was highlighting her illness.

And then, Iandrus’ letter came to his mind for some reason.

Jaymus turned his head, calling out in a heavy voice.

“Catherine?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Catherine responded quietly.

“Your face looks a little pale,” Jaymus said, showing his concern. He was watching everything about Catherine, from the look in her eyes to even how she cleared her throat.

“I’m alright, Your Highness. I’ve brought a doctor and some maids with me, so everything should be alright. I just haven’t been able to eat properly since the seasons are changing. I must be feeling hot already.”

They were still only in early summer, so the heat was hardly cause enough for someone to become so ill they couldn’t eat. Moreover, Catherine was someone who didn’t mind the heat in the past.

“…….I see.”

But there was no reason to worry Catherine by pointing that out. So Jaymus merely nodded, lending her his shoulder. Not long after, Catherine fell asleep with her small frame resting against Jaymus’ broad shoulder.

Iandrus’ letter specified that it would be best not to bring anyone from Catherine’s family with them, but Jaymus had a different idea. If it turned out that Catherine’s doctor or personal maid was the one who had betrayed her, then he needed to bring them.

This would be his chance to root out the traitor.

And if it turned out not to be true, then it would simply be helpful having a doctor around that knew Catherine well. After thorough inspection, these were the people Jaymus allowed to follow them from House Craydon.

Feeling nervous, Jaymus took Catherine’s hand.

During the time he’d turned his attention away from her, claiming to be busy, Catherine must have been fighting her hardest against this invisible enemy all on her own.

Jaymus clenched his teeth.

Truthfully, he didn’t believe Iandrus at first. He thought that maybe his little brother misheard some information and rushed to act without knowing everything, but he wasn’t the type of kid to do something like that. Perhaps his words leaned closer to the truth than he thought.

Somehow, he felt like this was going to be a long trip.

Jaymus leaned his head, resting it against Catherine’s forehead. If it was true that she’d been poisoned, then he would do whatever it took to cure her.

Jaymus narrowed his eyes.

He knew the world they lived in was a cruel and awful place, but how could something like this happen to Catherine? Catherine was innocent!

Jaymus was someone who always had a relaxed and friendly smile on his face, but right now, his eyes were filled with a dull and foreboding darkness.

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“Count Guinness! The royal carriage approaches!”

A servant exclaimed loudly as he entered Guinness’ room. Guinness turned to Diana, then nodded his head.

“Now then. Time to test our theory. Where’s Dysen?”

“He’s waiting now,” Diana said, nodding to signify that she was ready. Iandrus had already left to greet the royal carriage, along with the retinue knights of the Philadelphia estate, just in case anything went awry.

There was tension in everyone’s expressions.

Soon, under the protection of the Philadelphia knights, they saw a carriage approaching the estate.

“It’s coming, Guinness!” Diana exclaimed in a voice that showed off her excitement. Guinness wrapped his arms around Diana’s shoulders.

Small droplets of sweat formed on Diana’s forehead, thanks to the extra warmth of early summer. Ever since they came to the territory, Diana’s complexion was improving little by little as they worked to recover her health.

But along with that, Guinness just wanted to keep Diana’s peace of mind.

Thump, thump—

The sound of horse hooves meeting the ground echoed out as Iandrus sped through the entrance gates. He pulled on the reins, just as quickly jumping down from his horse.

“Diana. And you too, Guinness.”

“How’s everything going?”

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Guinness gave Iandrus’ hand a quick shake. They turned just as the carriage that was following behind Iandrus entered through the gates—the doors opening as soon as it came to a stop. The coachman was quick on the cue, stepping down and opening the door for the person inside.

The knights were all lined up, their backs straight and on high alert as they stood in formation with the royal carriage in the center.

Leonid’s future, the current Crown Prince, was inside this carriage, so all of the knights had their guard all the way up. Even Iandrus’ expression looked nervous.

Then, Jaymus appeared from the darkened carriage interior. He took one step. And then another.

Jaymus stood on the ground floor, turning back and helping Catherine off as well. His expression was entirely hidden by the glare of the sun, so no one could tell what kind of face Jaymus was making. Diana held onto Guinness’ arm with an anxious expression and a pitter patter in her heart.

But when they finally saw Jaymus’ face, he looked fine.

“Count Guinness.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Guinness bowed his head and Diana followed suit with a curtsy. And as their heads were down, Jaymus issued an order in a loud booming voice.

“Put all the people Catherine brought into custody.”

“Your Highness…..!” Catherine was completely stunned, grabbing onto Jaymus’ arm.

“I got your letter, Iandrus. You said there was something wrong with Catherine’s health. So I have no choice but to have these people locked up until Catherine’s condition can be confirmed and we receive the results of a poison test.”

Iandrus dutifully nodded.

Jaymus’ face, usually always covered with a radiant smile, was as stiff as stone. 

The people who came with Catherine screamed out. The knights struck some in the back of the neck to knock them out, while others were carried out one by one on their shoulders. Jaymus sent out the additional order that their things be checked for any suspicious objects as well, such as poison.

“Poison…….?” Catherine’s face turned pale.

But the blueish, sickly color didn’t leave her face. It was strange no one noticed how unwell she looked until now. 

Jaymus hugged Catherine by the shoulder, whispering sweetly, “It’s nothing, Catherine. I won’t let anyone do anything to you.”

Led by Jaymus holding a confused Catherine in his arms, the party entered the estate. Meanwhile, Iandrus was supporting Diana’s body, who seemed just as sick as Catherine was.

“Do you feel ill?” He asked.

“….No.” Diana shook her head. Instead, her worried gaze was directed towards Catherine. “…..You don’t think we’re too late, do you?”

“So long as we can save her, it won’t matter if we’re a little late on the draw.”

“You think so……?”

Diana clenched her teeth. This was different from her past when she was completely ignorant. Her heart was beating so fast.

Guinness prepared another spacious bedroom for Jaymus and Catherine. It was a luxurious room, usually reserved for the heirs of the ducal family. Dysen, who had been waiting, bowed in respect before taking Catherine’s wrist.

First he checked her pulse, and then he drew some blood by pricking her fingertip. Then Dysen took a rod of silver, running it through the sample of dark red blood. Seeing the results, he bowed towards Jaymus.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince. And Lady Catherine. I have the results now. And my diagnosis has concluded that there is a ninety-nine percent chance that Lady Catherine has been poisoned.”

And it was right then that their theory came to total fruition. Catherine had not died of an illness before. Diana’s heart pounded. Just how deeply did this conspiracy run? And where did it even come from?

Diana’s lips trembled.

Catherine winced, stumbling in a daze and leaning against Jaymus. Though everyone else was at a total loss for words, Jaymus quickly asked, “Can you find out what kind of poison it is?”

“It’s hard to tell as of now. But I can at least conclude that it is a type not meant to kill someone right away.”

“Then it’s possible the person responsible is already in custody. Can you save Catherine?”

“…….If an antidote can be found, then most certainly.”

Jaymus held onto Catherine. “You must save her life. If you can save Catherine, I promise you will be rewarded.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will do my best.”

“Then go. Do what you have to.”

Dysen quickly excused himself from the room, gathering his medicine box as well as a small vial containing Catherine’s blood. Meanwhile, Catherine let out the breath she was holding the moment he was completely gone.

“Jay, Jaymus…..”

“It’s okay, Catherine. He said he could help you. You heard him,” Jaymus soothed, his voice exceedingly kind.

“But who, who could’ve……”

She looked terrified and in obvious need of rest. Jaymus turned to Iandrus, who nodded the second their eyes met. Turning on his heel, Iandrus ushered Guinness and Diana out of the room. As soon as the door to the bedroom closed, they heard a soft sob escape through the crack in the frame.

“…….I’m glad we were able to help Lady Catherine in time,” Diana whispered.

The distant sound of Catherine’s cries sounded very similar to her own.

But this might not be the end. Lady Catherine’s death was supposed to be the catalyst to the Princess of Branneux becoming Prince Jaymus’ fiancée……..

It felt like they were just scratching the surface of this conspiracy.

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