Duke, Please Fail! - Chapter 57

Episode 57

However, he was worried. Leonel had given a direct warning to Frer. He revealed his suspicions. If he were a spy, he could easily deceive Nelly using her trust.

‘He might even try poisoning. She’ll drink it without suspicion.’

It was a while before Levance returned with a book.

“These fruits contain awakening ingredients. They’re not addictive.”

Looking at the herbs, it seemed like Nelly knew what she was asking for.

‘Have you been working hard?’

He thought he was reducing her workload and feeding her well.

‘Or is she also having nightmares every night?’

Leonel rested his chin and then stood up from his seat. He was considering giving Nelly a warning not to eat what Frer had given her.

When he went outside, he saw Nelly stealthily climbing the stairs.

“Did you go to the ranch keeper?”

As he spoke, Nelly, startled like a rabbit, turned her body with a quick movement of her shoulders. A sound came from the glass bottle in her pocket.

“What’s in your pocket?”

“It’s medicine.”

“What kind?”

“Well, this is, uh, a fatigue recovery potion.”

“Hmm…”

The name of the medicine matched the efficacy of the herbs Nelly had collected without any room for error. However, there was no guarantee that Frer hadn’t mixed in other herbs.

“Give it to me.”

“Why? Are you going to drink it? Try it.”

“I can’t just drink something suspicious.”

Nelly’s eyes narrowed in an instant. She pulled the string attached to her pocket from side to side, tightly sealing the opening.

Although she didn’t take it out of her mouth, it was an action that protected Frer. It stemmed from her belief that Frer wouldn’t give her anything strange.

“That’s right. The taste is terrible. I was going to drink it alone…”

“Have you already had some?”

Leonel’s stomach twisted for a moment. But more than that, worry took precedence.

He approached Nelly, wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and lowered his head to look at her face. Clear, unaffected pupils turned toward Leonel.

“How long ago did you take it?”

“It’s been a few hours.”

“Is there anything wrong with your body?”

“None at all.”

He once again gently examined Nelly’s body. Then, he met her clear green eyes again.

A strange thirst parched his mouth. Perturbed by the unfamiliar sensation, he furrowed his brows and stood up, causing Nelly’s gaze to tremble.

“Why are you acting like this?”

Leonel sighed and ran his hand over his face.

“Don’t worry about it.”

And, unexpectedly, he retreated as if fleeing the scene.

* * *

I watched Leonel ascending the stairs absentmindedly, step by step.

What’s with him? He probably saw Arette and got a report. 

Why such a reaction? People can be so unsettling.

‘Have you taken poison?’

Leonel isn’t someone who would check on my condition for no reason at all. It seemed like there was a need to confirm the effects of the medicine accurately.

‘Frer said it could be mixed with fruit juice, right? Since he’s experimenting, it’s better to do it under similar conditions.’

As I returned to the kitchen, one of the servants spotted me and greeted me. I returned the greeting and made my request with a smiling face.

“My throat is dry. Do you happen to have any juice left?”

“What kind of juice would you like?”

“Anything refreshing will do.”

“We have some strawberry juice left. I’ll get it for you.”

Of course, it had to be strawberry juice. I quickly erased the image that automatically came to mind when I thought of strawberries and nodded. Soon, the servant returned with a large glass filled with strawberry juice.

Back in the deserted corridor, I poured the medicine into the strawberry juice and mixed it well. As I looked around, I noticed that the traps set to catch mice were sporadically visible.

Come to think of it, Mary had sighed and mentioned it last time. She said the mice had become clever, only taking the food and avoiding the traps.

‘I guess I can pour some here.’

With light steps, I approached the trap and sprinkled some medicine on the food placed to lure the mice.

‘This way, I’ll know what happens by tomorrow.’

I returned to my room and placed the strawberry juice on the table, observing it. At first glance, it was just a slightly darker strawberry juice.

As I watched it, I became curious about whether the horrible taste had been masked.

‘I had a spoonful of it earlier, and it was fine, so maybe I can have a bit more?’

I dipped a stick into it and tasted it. Then, I looked at the strawberry juice with a newfound perspective. It had become slightly more tangy, with a crisp aftertaste. However, that made it cleaner and more refreshing.

If you didn’t know there was medicine in it, you wouldn’t notice.

Great. Leonel probably won’t suspect anything.

“Hehehe.”

The next day, as soon as I woke up, I went outside my room and wandered around until I found Mary.

“Mary!”

As I approached, she turned slowly. Unlike her usual self, she looked tired.

“Miss Nelly, you’re up early.”

“Yes, I woke up early. Did you have trouble sleeping, Mary?”

Mary nodded. 

“It’s because of the mice. Usually, they run around for a few hours and then calm down, but for some reason, they were running around all night. I couldn’t get any rest.”

There was indeed no poison! Moreover, it seemed to have the desired effect.

I gave Mary some candy for losing sleep because of me.

“My room is still clean, so you don’t have to clean today. Take a nap in my bed during that time.”

“Thank you, Miss Nelly.”

We exchanged greetings as it was almost time to start working, and then we parted ways.

I arrived at the office and worked tirelessly all day. During my free time, I also visited the exotic crops the Queen Her Majesty had entrusted.

Seeing the crops growing vigorously, I swallowed back tears and returned to the castle. Then, I asked Mary, who was in slightly better condition than in the morning:

“Mary, have you heard any reports of dead mice?”

“No.”

Mary’s expression looked truly regretful.

Only after confirming once again that there were no dead mice did my heart ease. I returned to my room, planning to wake up around two in the morning, and went to bed early.

When I opened my eyes, it was already four in the morning. It was later than I had intended to wake up.

Holding the strawberry juice in my hand and hoping that Leonel would be awake, I went outside.

As I walked down the corridor, I saw a light coming from Leonel’s room. I knocked on the door right away.

“Come in.”

I heard a voice from behind the door. I hesitated, my heart weakening.

‘Should I just go back?’

Without a moment’s hesitation, the door opened.

When I raised my head, I saw Leonel leaning against the door frame. His expression had softened unexpectedly.

“Were you sleeping?”

“No.”

I looked inside beside him. It seemed he hadn’t been working; his desk was neat.

Then why was he awake at this hour? I tilted my head, and Leonel’s voice came through.

“What’s that?”

“It’s strawberry juice.”

Leonel stared at the juice for a moment and then raised his head.

“Do you have something to discuss?”

“No, I just thought you might want some juice…”

“That’s random.”

I knew I should have brought it every time I came to visit in the early morning. I briefly regretted it but looked confidently at Leonel, fearing that showing hesitation might only arouse suspicion.

Upon seeing my confidence, he opened the door wide.

“Come in.”

“I have to go to work in a little while.”

Leonel paused and turned towards me.

“You still have a few hours.”

The large wall clock beside him still pointed to around four o’clock.

I hesitated briefly before entering and closing the door. Leonel went to the sofa.

He rubbed his temples with his palm as if tired. I subtly slid the juice in front of him on the table and asked.

“Why weren’t you sleeping?”

“And why are you awake at this hour?” 

The question was thrown back at me. It seemed he didn’t want to answer by deflecting the topic. That made me slightly annoyed, but then I was startled.

Annoyed? Get a grip, Nelly Pepper!

I lightly tapped my cheeks with both hands and answered.

“I slept and woke up.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting.”

Leonel leaned on his arm and supported his forehead with his palm. His eyes were completely closed, and he wore a faint but satisfied smile on his lips.

Seeing that smile, it seemed as if he would be pleased even if he knew my cause of death was exhaustion and I had worked myself to death.

‘It’s unsettling when I imagine it.’

While I was silently scrutinizing Leonel, he opened his eyes. He then stood up and furrowed his brow slightly.

“Your expression.”

“It’s impolite.”

“I see.”

A moment of silence passed. Leonel stared at me without saying a word. His gaze made me uncomfortable for no reason. I should hurry up, give Leonel the juice, and leave.

‘Is he not drinking because he thinks I might have ingested poison?’

Leonel would probably think of that possibility.

Since I had just woken up, taking this medicine wouldn’t make any difference. I should drink half of it as Frer instructed, and then give the rest to Leonel.

With that in mind, I reached out, but Leonel raised the strawberry juice.

“Didn’t you bring this for me?”

“You’re right. I’ll drink half and give you the rest. That way, you can be at ease, right?”

Leonel, who had been about to hand me the strawberry juice, frowned and took it back.

“That’s not necessary. I just left it because I wasn’t thirsty.”

He said it without any conviction.

I glanced at him casually, stood up, and fetched the juice. After taking a few sips, I handed it to him. He touched his forehead, sighed, and then took the juice.

He left the remaining half of the juice untouched on the table, but he placed it far enough that my hand couldn’t reach it.

“I’m going to drink it, so don’t stare at it.”

“Can’t you at least taste it? I made it myself.”

Leonel looked at me with surprise and then alternated between me and the strawberry juice. I didn’t make the juice, but I confidently raised my head because I had ingested the medicine.

The corners of Leonel’s mouth lifted slightly. He looked at me drowsily, then finally took a sip of the strawberry juice.

Half the glass disappeared in an instant.

“It’s not bad.”

It was a clumsy compliment. Feeling guilty for no reason, I couldn’t meet his gaze and turned my head away.