Chapter 219. Infectious Disease, Part XII

Translator: Khan

Editor: Aelryinth

While Julietta ate and rested for a while, a simple meal was also served in the parlor. Killian couldnt regain his composure enough to go down to the dining room, and all of them had to eat dinner in the parlor.

After the meal, the people who put their tea in front of each other discussed how to handle the poison spreading in the capital.

Im so glad we found an antidote. The princess is safe and innocent people dont have to be sacrificed anymore.

As Oswald spoke, breathing deeply into the fragrant tea, Killian nodded agreement.

But how are you going to distribute the antidote? asked Adam anxiously.

We cant reveal that its poison.

Everyone but Dr. Paulo agreed to Killians answer. It should not spread that the Kiellini family was involved. Those who were gathered in the parlor presented various opinions, such as telling all the doctors how to make a prescription, or making and distributing the antidote. As they gathered their heads together and tried to figure out a way, Maribel remained silent without much comment.

Killian paid attention to the sly woman. The troupe leader, I think you have an idea. Tell me.

Maribel appeared to be hesitating for a while, and opened her mouth, Though I think Im fooling around with peoples lives, this is an opportunity, so I thought I shouldnt miss it.

Tell me.

Dr. Paulos impression turned nasty when he heard she was fooling around with peoples lives, but Killian urged her to keep going, pretending not to see him.

When she got his permission, Maribel said what she thought. If we cant bring to light the guilt of Prince Francis, I think we need to break his ambition. That way, no one will be victimized by their other plots.

Dr. Paulo had a tense face, thinking, Lets see what shes going to say. As she said, no more innocent people should be killed in the battle against the throne.

How would you do it?

When Killian asked, Maribel shook his head. I havent thought of a way yet. I just thought we had to take advantage of this great opportunity.

A way?

Julietta!

Julietta walked out to the parlor, assisted by Vera. The Marquis of Anais sprang up, but Killian was one step faster. He pulled Julietta into his arms, sweeping her away from Vera.

Are you all right now? Without caring that the Marquis was staring at him with a sad face behind him, Killian led Julietta to the sofa with all care and sat down close to her.

Its okay, except for dizziness and lack of energy, Julietta greeted the crowd in the parlor with a sweet smile.

I was really worried. Im so glad youre alright. At Oswalds words, everyone added their words too.

Killian was watching them, and said to Mrs. Raban, Mrs. Marquise, I asked you to fill the mansion with someone you could trust, but this is what happened. How can I trust you with this?

Now that the epidemic had been proven to be poison, it had become clear why Julietta had fallen. Simone lowered her head quickly at the cold words of the Prince, feeling as if the air would crack apart.

Im sorry, Your Highness. If you give me one more chance, I will do my best to repay you for your faith.

A week.

Yes?

Ill give you a week. Youll have to figure out who poisoned Julietta.

When Simone bit her lips and said yes, Killian changed his angry look until then, and looked affectionately at Julietta. Go on with what you were going to say.

Julietta tried to wriggle out of Killians arms, embarrassed by his unusual behavior, but it didnt work. Your Highness, please loosen this arm. Im stuffy. She was embarrassed to be stuck together at a gathering place like this. She whispered as low as she could so that it could not be heard by others.

However, Killian only pulled her closer with an air of innocence. What? Youre dizzy? Yes, lean your head on my shoulder.

The princess, its too much to move already. Youve been lying unconscious for a few days, so be careful for a while.

Julietta shook her head at Dr. Paolos anxiety. Its okay now. I felt dizzy just getting out of bed earlier, but now Im perfectly fine, except Im a little weak.

Killian pretended not to hear Juliettas complaints and ordered Vera, From now on, do not order anyone else to prepare food or tea for the princess to eat, but do it yourself.

Dr. Paulo added at Killians order. The food ingredients youve brought in to the Kiellini mansion may contain poison. Dont make any food that can be poisoned. Use only vegetables and meat, as much as possible. Safe water is a basic premise.

When Vera answered that she would keep that in mind, Killian looked back at Julietta. What were you trying to say? Youd better talk and go to bed and rest.

I think Mrs. Grayson is right that we should take this opportunity to make sure Prince Franciss ambition is shattered. We should spread your prestige across the continent, so that they wont do this again.

Julietta looked back at people with the burning eyes full of will, as if this was an opportunity. Set up a temporary treatment center where the sick are quarantined. Distribute the antidote that you found with Dr. Paulo. The mere fact that people get better after taking the antidote will raise your prestige, and you will be a tree that Prince Francis will never be able to climb.

Yes, thats right. We dont need a way. Its just important that Your Highness found an antidote for the terrible epidemic and will save the people of the Empire.

Maribel smiled at Julietta as if she were brilliant.

Send your soldiers to each of the clinics. We dont know what else Prince Francis will do when he finds out about it.

I think it would be better for your men to take care of the clinic themselves and keep the sick until theyre all well. And I want you to keep the treatment a secret.

Dr. Paulos eyebrows frowned again at Juliettas words. Its understandable to set up a clinic to raise the prestige of His Highness. But we should reveal the antidote. We dont know where this dangerous poison might have spread, and we cant just hide it.

Metum is not a commonly used material. Its only used for makeup, so theres not much demand for it, so there arent many places that grow it. As far as I know, every theater that needs makeup materials grows on its own, right? Julietta looked at Maribel and asked.

Thats right. It takes six months from sowing the seeds to harvest, so to leave land fallow to grow this plant is not profitable. Thats why the Kiellini family doesnt handle it, either. The nobles use expensive, aromatic rosia petals, seashells, and cosmetics made of natural minerals, while commoners use lip balms or powder from chard seeds and fruits, so they do not use hard-to-grow oily or bad-smelling metum.

At Maribels answer, Julietta continued, It will be a big problem if Prince Francis finds out about this treatment, and tries to buy up or eliminate the metum. Even if we sow the seeds of metum from now on, it will take six months to harvest. We cant risk it when we dont know if the amount on the market is enough.

I suppose so. Dr. Paulo killed his objections, understanding the need for secrecy now.

Only

Did you say you brought all the excess from the theater?

Maribel nodded at Killians question. Yes, Your Highness. Therell be more in other theaters on Eloz Street, but Im worried about what theyll think if we suddenly start looking for metum stems.

It must be in doubt. How much does it take to quell the poison?

Its hard to measure. The amount the princess took was about three spoons worth, but it can vary depending on the intoxication period, severity, physical constitution, concentration, and dosage, so its hard to guess at this moment.

Killians face darkened at Dr. Paulos answer.

We dont know how much were going to need until weve used all the poison in the market.

Why dont we release people all over the continent and find a place to grow metum?

At Oswalds opinion, Maribel shook her head. Austern is the only place on the continent that has theaters. Even if there were somewhere else, it would be hard to avoid the eyes of Prince Francis or Duke Dudley. Its like revealing the antidote to the enemy.