# Chapter 23
Chapter 23
“It is an allergy symptom caused by eating nuts.
The doctor thought bad news certainly happened often these days.
It all started the day Cayena was poisoned.
If he couldn't save her, her neck would be cut.
Fortunately, it was not a fatal poison and she did not take a fatal dose, so she recovered well after taking the medicine.
Then suddenly she was burned because of a court lady.
The princess, who he thought would attack wildly, became quite quiet, while Rezef became violent.
But now, she collapsed in the room, alone without a single lady-in-waiting by her side after she had eaten a nut cookie.
The allergies were serious and could even lead to death.
"A cookie with walnuts.
What were the court ladies doing, letting that go?"
The doctor sighed as he looked at the serving plate next to him.
“But shouldn’t it have been bad enough to make her faint like that… and there’s no rash either… and because of her recent weakness?”
Other than being unconscious, Princess Cayena was very healthy and showed no other signs of an anaphylactic reaction.
But to say it was strange would be inappropriate in this dark atmosphere.
The doctor checked the cookie for bite marks.
Perhaps she had broken off a piece before eating it, as there were no teeth marks.
But the amount extracted was very small.
Well, he was happy that nothing big happened.
He didn't think much about this incident.
“She only ate a little, so she'll feel better soon.
The doctor picked up the medical equipment while looking at Rezef's strangely still eyes.
Beside him, all the ladies of Cayena's court were prostrate on the floor.
Rezef was sitting on the sofa next to the bed, expressionless.
It was a tense and explosive situation.
“Skirt.
With Rezef's permission granted, the doctor immediately left with his medical bag.
A chilling silence fell in the room.
“You.
He pointed to Vera.
“Stand up and explain the situation.
Vera stood up carefully and informed him.
“While I was delivering snacks to His Highness, a nut cookie was mixed in with the refreshments for His Highness.
Please kill this wicked woman who was far from her home.
“So, the princess's snacks weren't checked properly...
In fact, this was the most basic task of court ladies.
His discipline had become lax recently.
The ladies-in-waiting stopped being careful with everything and left many tasks aside.
That's why they didn't know that Donna, the maid who followed them, served nut cookies along with the refreshments.
“All very well.
Let's say pecan cookies were mixed together by accident.
But why was my sister lying alone in the room?
No one answered Rezef's compound question.
How could they say they were all out to investigate the princess?
“Why are you all silent?
“… we apologize, Your Highness.
Rezef threw the glass vase next to him.
Beat-!
“Kyaa!
— Annoyed, he threw his hair back and repeated: — I'll ask again.
Why was my sister lying alone in the room?
If no one found her, it could have been fatal.
Everyone shut up at that.
“Something like this happened in the imperial household before.
A case where a nut allergy was used to kill a member of the imperial family.
Rezef angrily said to the ladies-in-waiting: — And that person was the Empress!
— The ladies of the court were terrified by these words.
At this rate, their families could be exterminated for the crime of treason.
They appealed to Rezef desperately to live.
“Please have mercy, Your Highness!
We never wanted this to happen!
— Lydia pointed to Donna.
“That maid must have done it.
She's trying to frame us!
— Then Donna knelt down immediately.
“I just took the tray and brought it here.
The kitchen servants will attest to my innocence.
Donna raised her head with an expression of someone who had been wronged.
“I watched with my own eyes when those cookies were removed from the box sent by Archduke Heinrich!
“…Archduke Heinrich?
“Impossible!
— the court ladies shouted.
Then, someone pointed at Lydia, with tears in her eyes.
“Lydia Benzeman said His Highness's behavior was suspicious.
She asked us to help her investigate!
She understands usShe imitated, saying that if we didn't obey, she wouldn't leave us alone, Your Highness!
— Lydia's face was completely pale with her waiting companion's betrayal.
She couldn't take the blame like that.
In any case, she was a Benzeman, so her voice would be more important than theirs.
She started screaming immediately.
“I'm being framed!
Your Highness, don't listen to such foolish things.
This is a strategy to undermine Your Highness's power.
There must be a spy among them!
—Rezef exploded in anger when he saw the ladies-in-waiting accuse each other of being dishonorable.
It was pathetic and disgusting.
“Of course there is a spy among you, since you have not told me the truth even once.
Rezef got up from the sofa and walked towards the ladies in waiting.
He grabbed and pulled one of the trembling women.
“Ahh!
- And you?
Are you a spy for Heinrich?
“Your Highness!
This child could never be a spy!
“Then who?
And you?
“Kyaak!
Rezef roughly tugged at the courtesan's hair decoration.
“I see that you all dare to mock me!
“Please spare us!
“We regret our actions, Your Highness!
— That was when Rezef took an iron poker from the fireplace and tried to throw it at them.
“Announcing Your Majesty, the Emperor!
Through the chaotic atmosphere, they heard the gatekeeper's voice.
Soon, the bedroom door opened and the pale-faced emperor walked in, supported by Grand Chamberlain Luden.
“We salute Your Majesty the Emperor!
— Rezef dropped the iron bar in his hand and knelt.
“I salute Your Majesty.
The emperor's eyes looked at Cayena lying on the bed, at the mess of court ladies prostrate on the floor, at Rezef.
Then he uttered a word.
“Pathetic.
“…
The emperor did not grant Rezef, who was kneeling, permission to rise.
He called Luden, who was helping him walk.
“Luden.
“At your command, Your Majesty.
“Whip all the ladies-in-waiting here, expel them from the imperial palace, and give an instruction to forbid them from returning to the capital.
The ladies-in-waiting began to cry.
That's when the knights dragged them out.
“Release that lady, — said the emperor, pointing to Vera.
Vera immediately lowered her head.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.
“I heard you acted wisely.
Give this lady a reward.
“I will comply with your order.
Finally, the emperor looked at Rezef, who was still kneeling.
“Did you think I was ignorant about your actions just because I didn't react?
He knew that Rezef was the culprit who poisoned Cayena.
He only let it go because Cayena took the crisis as an opportunity to behave well.
Rezef gritted his teeth.
“Restrict Prince Rezef to his palace until he regrets his actions.
Rezef slowly lowered his head.
“…I will fulfill your order.
“I will select the princess's lady-in-waiting.
Know this and leave immediately.
Rezef bowed again and left the room.
Everyone gulped at his disloyal attitude.
The emperor said to Vera without concern: — I will send more maids, so in the meantime, try to manage the princess's palace on your own.
If necessary, I will give you an appropriate rating.
“It will be an honor from my family, Your Majesty.
The emperor nodded and took his attendants with him as they left the room.
Only Cayena and Vera were left in the room.
Vera stood up and said: — Everyone has left, Your Highness.
Cayena, with her eyes still closed, smiled.