❦❦❦
ERNEST Travis Selden was one of King Rodrick the Second’s closest friends. And at that moment, he was in a confidential meeting with the king, queen, and the royal physician in a room just outside the palace.
“Everything the count said was correct.”
King Rodrick nodded along as the physician spoke.
They conducted an investigation into whether the Queen had this reaction to small amounts of chrysanthemums that were consumed in other ways. It was a dangerous experiment, but Queen Adeline had insisted on it to prove the innocence of her trusted servant.
“I see. So, Ernest, or should we say, Watoh’s daughter, was correct.”
Hylant’s young king sat in an ornate chair, resting his chin in his hands. At twenty-eight, he was only one year older than Ernest, and the two shared a relationship that was one part lord and retainer, one part close friends. The two had traveled together quite often in Rodrick’s days as the crown prince.
“Please extend her my sincere gratitude as well. It is due to her efforts that my dear maid’s innocence was brought to light.”
Adeline had suffered greatly out of fear over some unknown malevolence. Though her health still wasn’t completely restored, she appeared to have relaxed upon hearing she hadn’t been deliberately poisoned.
“I am grateful we’ve determined the cause, but I still have some concerns.”
Likely chief among those concerns was how much information about the queen’s affliction to divulge. They would only tell the staff that needed to know. And to those precious few, only the fact that chrysanthemums might cause her a rash.
Their other concern was Yuuri. They trusted Ernest’s assessment of her, as he seemed to have come to understand Yuuri, and yet…
“Are you certain that this Yuuri Watoh will indeed keep this matter confidential?”
“You can trust her, Your Majesty.”
“It does not sit well with me to doubt the one who has been so generous in aiding us… What to do with her…?”
The king had not come to know Yuuri the way Ernest had, and so he was forced to treat her with suspicion. But Ernest had anticipated the king would not trust her so easily and had planned for that possibility.
“If that is your concern, why not make her one of our own then?”
“You mean through an award or honorary title? But then the public would want to know why…”
The people had been told the queen’s collapse was merely due to poor constitution, so rewarding someone for finding a cause was out of the question.
“No, I was actually thinking of making her my wife.”
“What?!” Rodrick had lifted his head and was gaping at Ernest.
“If she were to marry into the nobility, it would then be her responsibility to serve the royal family and maintain their confidence. She will keep your secret. I stake my life on it.”
Yuuri’s father may not be nobility, but their family had riches that rivaled any noble. And it was common for wealthy merchants to try to marry their daughters off to nobles (generous dowry and all). Marrying Yuuri would be a simple matter.
“U-Uh…that is unfair to Watoh’s daughter. And no matter the reason, I cannot force her to marry you.”
“Of course not. I would never dream of asking you to compel a woman who does not love me to marry me just for the secrecy of the royal family. But listen to me. She has all the charm of an aloof cat…”
“Ernest, you cad! So you prefer women who are cold on the outside!” Rodrick shook his head in his hands, long familiar with his friend’s antics.
“I suppose you could say it was love at first sight.”
“So do you think Miss Watoh feels the same?” The king glanced curiously at Ernest, already having guessed what he was thinking.
“Definitely…well, maybe.”
“I wish I knew where you derived your confidence from. Well, I suppose now you need to ask your potential bride-to-be and her father. If she accepts, you’ll have my blessing. Considering the influence he has as a merchant, Watoh’s lack of status should not be an issue.”
“You have my gratitude.”
“That poor girl has my pity though, as does anyone who has caught the eye of an odd man like yourself. Who knows what other shenanigans you’ll pull her into?”
Ernest was shocked by Rodrick’s words. Yuuri’s reticence was what led him to tease her. If she would be warmer toward him, he would gladly whisper sweet nothings into her ear. The thought made him laugh.
“Even your laugh makes me shudder…”
What a cruel thing to say. He was well-aware everyone believed his smile to mean he was plotting something.
It seemed as if all the loose ends in Ernest’s plans to make everyone happy had been tied up nicely. Queen Adeline was equally pleased that, if Ernest married Yuuri, she would be able to thank the girl in person.
“Well, I believe we’re done here. I’m off to inform my little witch of everything we’ve decided.”
And with that, Ernest once again set off for the witch’s shop.
✦ ✦ ✦
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BY the time Ernest reached Yuuri’s shop, the sun was beginning to set. The pleasant dinnertime aroma of meats and spices filled the streets.
“Well, good evening.”
“Good evening, Count.”
Yuuri lit the oil lamps as she met Ernest at the door.
“I apologize for coming after hours, but I have some news to share.”
He took his usual seat on the couch, but this time, she sat down next to him. She pretended to be annoyed, saying she just sat next to him because it was inconvenient to keep bringing out the chair.
Ernest first reported the results of the investigation and the maid’s return to her station. He also shared the royal couple’s gratitude for Yuuri’s role in finding the cause.
“I see. Knowing that the maid has been allowed to return is thanks enough for me.”
“Miss Yuuri, I still must ask—”
“Ask what?”
“Which title is correct? Are you the ‘Misfortune Devouring Witch’ or the ‘Witch Who Preys Upon Misfortune’?”
Yuuri told him she hated that moniker, period.
But Ernest had another thought. Perhaps the grandmother who had raised and trained her was the one who preyed on the misfortune of others.
“She devoured them, yes. As a young woman, my grandmother served this town by helping people solve their problems, thus devouring those troubles and bringing people good fortune. They gave her that name as a sign of their affection. But…”
Even in the dim orange light, he could see her expression darken.
“But as time went on, the ordinary citizens turned toward more modern medicine and the era of the witch came to a close. She was forgotten.” But the name somehow managed to persist, taking on a life of its own. Because of that, no one dared enter the witch’s shop, spawning a vicious cycle.
“I see. I believe your grandmother would be proud of the way you helped us. You have my deepest gratitude.”
Yuuri looked genuinely surprised for once, the corners of her eyes softening.
“Did you just smile?”
“I can smile just fine, thank you very much. I am not a doll.”
Ernest instantly regretted pointing it out to her. Her bright red cheeks swelled.
“You’re positively adorable when you’re angry, but I hope to make you smile more often. After all, I am your treasured food source. Oh yes, and I wouldn’t mind hearing you call me by my name for once.”
“No.”
“I thought you might say that. You’re so obstinate!”
Ernest sighed. At this rate, he wouldn’t get her to agree to marry him anytime soon.
On the other hand, nothing worth having is easily gained.
“Well, I can be just as stubborn as you, so I expect we make a fine pair.” Ernest laughed while Yuuri’s annoyance only grew.