I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 177
Mirabel’s gaze shifted to the small bottle of medicine resting on the nightstand.
The purple medicine Ricardo had given her had worked wonders, as he promised
Charles grew healthier by the day.
In stark contrast to Ricardo, who seemed to be weakening by the day.
‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’
As Mirabel stared at the bottle, she eventually withdrew her hand from her face. She motioned for one of her maids to approach and gave a command.
“Bring the Grand Duke to me.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“No, hold on a moment.”
As the maid bowed and turned to leave, Mirabel stopped her.
“I should go myself. Sophie, take care of Charles.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll go, I’ll go too!”
When Mirabel said she was going to see Ricardo, Charles, who had been playing with Luce, reached out his hand toward his mother.
Mirabel gave him a warm smile and gently patted his round cheek.
“The Grand Duke is sick. I’m going to visit him. We’ll go together next time, okay?”
“Is Uncle sick again?”
“Yes.”
“Give Uncle this too.”
Charles jumped off Sophie’s lap and grabbed the purple medicine bottle. When he handed it over carefully to Mirabel, she shook her head with mixed feelings.
“This is for Charles. The Grand Duke will need a different medicine.”
“Buutttt….”
“I’ll tell him that Charles misses him so much.”
“Okay.”
Charles nodded silently, lowering his head. Mirabel gave him a hug and then stood up.
* * *
“You’re out of your mind!”
When Mirabel arrived at Ricardo’s door, the loud shout from inside made her flinch. Flustered, she turned to the maids who had followed her.
“Stay here.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Mirabel pushed the maids back and hesitated for a moment.
She had been worried about Ricardo’s condition, but something about the timing didn’t feel right.
‘Maybe I should come back later.’
After all, there was no need to meet with him now. His illness could complicate her plan to bring down Durante, but she needed to confirm a few things first.
As she made up her mind, she turned to leave.
“Princess?”
Just as she was about to turn her back completely, someone suddenly opened the door and appeared.
“Why aren’t you coming in?”
The voice from inside had been shouting like lightning moments ago. Mirabel turned to confirm the person’s identity.
“Crown Prince.”
“Oh, did you hear?”
Valerio rubbed his chin looking somewhat embarrassed. He looked away briefly before gesturing for her to enter.
“Please, come in. Ricardo is waiting for you.”
“For me?”
As Mirabel asked the question, the scene inside unfolded before her. Ricardo was sitting by the bed with a pale face, leaning against the headboard, while Ugo was sitting beside him.
“Princess.”
Ugo quickly stood and bowed deeply as soon as Mirabel entered. As she stepped into the room, she lightly grasped the edge of her dress before letting go.
She tried to turn her gaze away from Ricardo and directed it to Ugo.
“…You’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all.”
Ugo lowered his head towards the princess and turned his body towards the bed. Watching him busily gather the vials, Mirabel spoke up.
“Well, this works out. There are things I wanted to ask you.”
“Please, ask away.”
“First of all, the medicine for Charles. The purple liquid. What exactly is it? I’ve been giving it to him since you prescribed it.”
As Mirabel brought up the topic of the medicine, Ugo slowly straightened up. He met her gaze directly and asked seriously.
“Has there been any adverse reaction?”
“No, nothing like that. If anything, it’s working too well.”
Ugo, who had been looking at her with a tense expression, sighed deeply.
“It’s working as expected. When it runs out, let me know, and I’ll provide more.”
“Yes…”
As Mirabel responded, she realized that Ugo was now finally making direct eye contact with her.
‘Why is he still silent, though?’
Ugo knew Armilla’s face well. Yet, despite looking at a woman who resembled her so much, he showed no surprise.
It was almost as though he had known her face all along.
‘Well, Durante was the same way.’
Mirabel thought of Durante and soon dismissed the question.
Some people remember others not by their face but by the clothes they wear and their status. Ugo might be someone who remembers others in a similar way, just like Durante.
“By the way, Ugo, do you know the imperial doctor well? The one who attended to the Emperor until the very end.”
Mirabel pushed aside her unnecessary worries and asked Ugo the question she had been meaning to. He blinked slowly before answering.
“I know him. We studied under the same master once.”
“That’s good.”
Mirabel smiled brightly and then turned her attention to Valerio. She spoke to him, who had been listening intently to her and Ugo’s conversation.
“It would be wise for the Crown Prince to secure the imperial doctor first. It’ll be too late once the funeral is over.”
“That makes sense. I understand.”
Valerio was impressed by Mirabel’s advice.
If the emperor was poisoned, his doctor must be protected first. Whether he acted under Durante’s orders or not, the doctor is the one closest to the truth.
“It will be much easier to persuade him if he is Ugo’s comrade.”
Mirabel added with a smile. She then turned her gaze back to Ricardo and spoke matter-of-factly.
“And as for the Grand Duke, did you get the promissory note from Count Adalberto?”
As she spoke casually, Mirabel’s voice slowly faded.
Ricardo’s deep gaze as he watched her closely, and his face, which had become unrecognizable and much thinner in just a few days, made Mirabel’s mind go blank.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
