Where the Antidote Went 3
*** (Elliot's POV)
During my stay in the Kanista Kingdom, the room prepared for me
was a guest room in the castle. Befitting a room tailor-made for the stay of a
guest from a foreign country, the furnishings were decent. I could say that at
least the usability of the sofa was good.
Fortunately, I had declined the offer of Kanista Kingdom guards
because it was troublesome, so I easily slipped out of the room in the middle
of the night. After all, if I order, "I'm going for a short walk, do not
follow me," my direct guard knights obey, so rather than sneaking out, I
left the room openly.
My destination was the pharmacological laboratory. According to Layla,
the formal announcement of the antidote hadn't happened yet, and the only
people who knew were Ashren's relatives. When I heard that, I thought:
—In that case, couldn't I claim that I made the antidote and announce
it in the Tarteria Kingdom?
I just have to make it out that Ashren reported the antidote I
made to his brother and mother as if it were his own achievement. I can just
pile money on the people in the Hadren territory, and once it's publicly
announced, it's mine.
This kind of thing is a first-come, first-served win, and even if Ashren
or the Kanista Kingdom complains later, if I dangle coal in front of
them, they'll have no choice but to listen to what I say.
The people of other countries will also believe the words of the prince
of the Tarteria Kingdom over the words of the inferior Kanista
Kingdom. Besides, if Monitares flowers had bloomed in our country, I would
have developed the antidote a long time ago. There's no way I couldn't come up
with a recipe so simple that the people of the Kanista Kingdom could
whip it up in just one night.
Ashren just cowardly got a head start and
completed it while I was bedridden; originally, the one who developed the
antidote was me. Therefore, it is only natural to announce it under my name,
and the praise for it should also be directed at me. If I develop an antidote
for the Bareinurake disease that has tormented the Tarteria Kingdom
for many years, my grandfather and mother will surely be pleased. Even His
Majesty the King, who chose my eldest brother as his successor, would surely
change his mind and appoint me as the next King.
If that happens, I can fulfill my grandfather's long-standing wish and
clear away my mother's regrets. I will be acknowledged and needed by my
grandfather and mother like in the old days.
No, not just from those two; everyone in the country will praise my
abilities, and my excellent brothers will prostrate themselves at my feet.
Hahaha, just imagining it makes me unable to stop laughing. I'll get back at
the people who always looked down on me and make them acknowledge how superior
a human being I am; that desired future is just a little bit away from my
grasp.
The door to the pharmacological laboratory was locked, as expected, so
I moved along the building and came in front of a window.
I did a preliminary inspection when I came during the day, and the
laboratory windows were nothing special. It's a careless matter.
I grabbed a nearby stone and struck the window with it several times.
Making a loud noise might bring patrolling guards, so I carefully cracked it,
removed the glass shards, stuck my arm in, and unlocked it. I felt a sense of
anticlimax at how much easier it was to get in than expected. This is why
country bumpkins are careless.
Moreover, the red lump Layla was making during the day was left
on the desk without being put away in a storage room or safe. Isn't leaving
something like this out just asking for it to be taken?
「Now then, the only thing left is the antidote recipe.」
Right now, Layla is making an antidote. The procedure of making
it first and then adding improvements to suppress side effects is the same
anywhere. If so, a paper with the recipe written on it must definitely be
somewhere in this laboratory.
Because medicine cannot be recreated identically if even one of the
types of medicinal herbs, amounts, heat levels, or mixing timings is wrong,
making it while looking at a recipe is common sense. Even if there are side
effects, it's only to the extent of a runny nose, so there is no need to worry.
For now, I'll just announce it, and then I can improve it later to raise its
level of perfection.
「It's dark. I suppose a light is necessary after all.」
I thought I could manage with the moonlight, but it was a good thing I
brought a lantern just in case. When I lit it and illuminated the desk, papers
were placed haphazardly just like during the day, and besides that, there was
liquid in test tubes and finely chopped leaves.
These must also be materials for the antidote. The lantern I brought
can make the light larger or smaller by adjusting the amount of oil inside. The
text is hard to read because I've turned the light down so as not to be found,
but this is probably the antidote recipe.
Leaving things out on the desk and going home, which in the Tarteria
Kingdom ought to be locked in a safe, shows a complete lack of basics and
responsibility as a researcher. Well, it would be cruel to expect the Kanista
Kingdom to have the same standards as our country. Thinking that, just as I
folded the paper and put it in my breast pocket, footsteps approached from
beyond the door.
Don't tell me, there are still people remaining? There shouldn't be
anyone in this country diligent enough to work late into the night. However,
the footsteps are clearly approaching this room. What should I do? Hide under
the desk? Or escape through the window? While I was hesitating, the door
opened, and a light different from the lantern I was holding shone into the
room.
「Who's there? What are you doing here?」
A frail voice echoed, and my gaze met firmly with trembling copper-red
eyes.
Perhaps his interest was dampened by me silently continuing my
research, because Prince Elliot left the laboratory surprisingly easily
after a while. As if switching places, Flora-san and Tick
returned, and when I asked about the aroma candle making, they said it was
progressing smoothly. It seems they are currently waiting for them to harden in
a room at the Pharmaceutical Department.
「Thank you very much.」
「It's fine. It was so much fun, I got completely engrossed.」
「Flora got creative, mixing in flower petals,
trying out marble patterns, and making all sorts of varieties, ssu.」
「You have good taste, Flora-san, so I'm looking forward to the
finished products.」
Although they were originally made for knights as insect repellents,
considering that the Director is trying to sell them to women as well,
it's better to make the designs cute so that wives and noble ladies will also
take an interest in them.
「But, I'm worried about whether they will harden properly.」
「In that case, I plan to work overtime tonight, so I will go check on
them. I will go to the Pharmaceutical Department later, ask Reizan-sama,
and get the key.」
「Then we will stay too. We can't let just you work overtime, Layla.」
「I want the finished products to be in time for the birthday party, so
please don't worry about it. I will go home before the date changes, so it's
fine. In the Jilgista Kingdom, pulling all-nighters was commonplace, so
this much is no big deal.」
When I said that, Flora-san's eyes widened, and Tick let
out a "Hii!" and shook his head as if he hated the idea. In this
country, the only ones who pull all-nighters are guard knights, after all.
But that wasn't the only reason. Being alone in the separate estate
makes me restless and lonely, so working distracts me. Perhaps noticing my
feelings, Flora-san said, "Don't push yourself," and took Tick
home with her.
After that, I continued extracting the components of the Monitares
flowers, and in between, I also handled the preparatory work for the plants I
planned to mix with them. After finishing my late-night snack, I went to the
Pharmaceutical Department and checked the aroma candles; they were hardening
nicely. Moreover, all of them had stylish designs; I wonder if I can have one
if there are leftovers. While thinking such things, I returned to the
laboratory, but...
「Who's there? What are you doing here?」
Inside the laboratory, where I should have extinguished all flames
before leaving to prevent a fire, the weak light of a lantern floated blankly.
At first, I couldn't tell clearly in the dim darkness, but as my eyes adjusted,
the face of the person there became clear, and my surprise increased even more.
「Prince Elliot...」
「L-Layla. You hadn't gone home?」
「I wanted to finish it as quickly as possible, so I am working overtime
tonight. ...And so, why are you in a place like this, Prince Elliot? The
entrance was locked.」
Even if I was just going to the nearby Pharmaceutical Department, I
wouldn't leave it unlocked. Because there are many important research documents
here, I put everything away in the safe and lock up securely before leaving.
Then, where did Prince Elliot come from? As I thought that, a breeze
caressed my cheek.
「...I locked the windows too. Could it be that you broke in?」
「Heh, well, you could say that.」
Speaking as if defiant, Prince Elliot walked towards me. I
looked behind him, but there was no sign of his guard knights; it seems he
sneaked out and came here.
「Do you understand what you are doing?」
「Of course. I am just trying to take back what I should rightfully have
obtained. That's right, Layla. If you decide to side with me right here,
I could make you my wife.」
「I do not understand what you mean.」
「I am the one who developed the antidote for Bareinurake disease.
If I announce that, I can kick down my older brothers and become the Crown
Prince of the Tarteria Kingdom. With my grandfather's backing, things
will proceed easily. I won't be the prince consort of a small country like the Kanista
Kingdom; eventually, I will become the King of the Tarteria Kingdom.」
What is this person saying? His face, illuminated by the weak light,
narrowed its eyes spellbound, and he seemed to be intoxicated.
「In other words, you mean you came to steal the antidote recipe?」
「That makes me sound bad. I told you, originally, that is something I
was supposed to develop. And then I will get back at those who looked down on
and made a fool of me, gain my grandfather and mother's acknowledgment, and
become King. I can soon make that dream, which I once let go of because of Ashren,
a reality. When that happens, Layla, I'll make you my official Queen.
Not a concubine, but my formal wife. It's not a bad offer, is it?」
When I heard from the guard knight that Prince Elliot was
suffering between his excellent brothers and a grandfather who placed excessive
expectations on him, I thought he had his own hardships, but it seems his
emotions are twisted far beyond my imagination. He can only find value and
existence in himself by becoming the Crown Prince, and he will choose any means
to make those around him acknowledge him; that way of thinking is already
deviating from the norm.
There was also the incident at the library, and I should leave this
place immediately; I thought that, but slightly faster than I could move,
Prince Elliot headed this way and quickly closed the door.
「...Why are you so fixated on me?」
My escape route blocked, I asked as calmly as possible while
desperately suppressing my voice from trembling.
「Because I like you, of course, Layla.」
「...That is a lie. You just want to steal me away from Ashren-sama,
Prince Elliot, and you have never once truly looked at me, have you.」
「How sad. To think you thought such a thing.」
Raising one corner of his mouth with a smirk and shrugging his
shoulders, he slowly approached me. As he closed the distance inch by inch, I
backed away, being careful not to trip in the darkness.
「We had several opportunities to talk, but you never once tried to get
to know me, Prince Elliot. What you want is not me, but Ashren-sama's
fiancée. Why do you hate Ashren-sama so much?」
「Because of that guy, I lost everything. Therefore, I will take
everything back with the antidote Ashren completed. Isn't that perfectly
natural?」
「I do not think so.」
「Layla, think about it. You should easily be
able to understand that rather than continuing your research in this country,
which is inferior to its neighbor, it is better to choose me, who will become
King in the future. Besides, I don't think Ashren cherishes you as much
as you think he does, Layla. If it were me, I wouldn't let my fiancée
return alone to the royal capital where there is a man trying to woo her.」
Before he finished speaking, he closed the gap, and grabbed by the
shoulders by Prince Elliot, I was pressed against the wall just like
that.
「Please stop.」
Even as I struggled to push Prince Elliot away with both hands,
my wrists were grabbed and pinned together above my head. Holding both my
wrists with one hand, Prince Elliot drew a lewd arc with his lips.
「What a nice view. If it were me, I would keep what's important by my
side and not let go. Because you never know when someone might snatch it away.
That guy is probably still carefree researching in the Hadren territory
right now, not even thinking that his woman is about to become mine... Kuku,
the face Ashren makes when he returns and feels frustrated will surely
be a sight to see.」
His other hand traced my cheek, grabbed my chin, and forcefully made me
look up. His black eyes, unreadable in their emotion, were like hollow caves,
and I felt as if I caught a glimpse of the darkness in Prince Elliot's
heart.
「There is no way Ashren-sama would allow such a thing. Prince Elliot,
you do not know just how two-faced that person is, do you? Right about now, he
is surely running around for my sake.」
Ashren-sama will never let me go. He will do
anything for that. Overturning even things thought to be impossible, and
bringing back results beyond that—that is Ashren-sama. When I stared
straight at Prince Elliot and retorted, his black eyes wavered slightly
with anger.
「I believed in such a person and returned alone. In the same way, Ashren-sama
also believes in me.」
My face reflected in his obsidian-like eyes was full of confidence.
When did I become able to make such a face? It's all thanks to what Ashren-sama
taught and gave me.
「S-Shut up!! Why is it Ashren! Why doesn't everyone look at me,
need me, or acknowledge my abilities!!」
「Kyaa!」
Thud!
Prince Elliot pushed me down to the floor, straddled me, and
looked down at me. I noticed the shards of glass that had fallen on the floor
glaring under the moonlight at the same time, and by the time I thought 'Ah',
Prince Elliot grabbed one and pressed it flat against my cheek.
「I am only taking back what I should rightfully have. The position of
successor, my grandfather and mother's expectations, and my achievements as a
researcher; originally, they were things I was supposed to have. Don't you
think Ashren, who interfered with that, deserves a fitting punishment?」
「...Ghk!」
A pain ran across my cheek. Had it been cut a few centimeters? There
was a faint smell of blood. I flailed my legs, not wanting to lose to a person
like this, but the force holding me down only increased. When I opened my mouth
to scream, it was covered by his hand. What should I do, I have to do
something.
Even though I thought I needed to calm down and think rationally, my
thoughts spun its wheels and I didn't know what to do. Even while I was
panicking, the sadistic light floating in the black eyes looking down at me was
becoming increasingly darker.
Just as I thought this was bad.
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