Baby Pharmacist Princess - Chapter 108

As soon as the mention of that lady from the separate palace was made, everyone stiffened, their expressions darkening.

The rumors surrounding the separate palace had been unsettling lately.

It was said that the maids there were suffering as if they were on the verge of collapse. Yet, despite their misery, no one dared to utter a word of complaint against her.

After all, this was something the Emperor himself had allowed.

“The original plan was to cast her out into the streets, ensuring she would be found in the most pitiable state possible,” Rikraz muttered, tapping the armrest of his chair, his eyes clouded with a dark glint.

The night Pabel had visited flashed through his mind.

“She’s just insurance. If Alexandra stays quiet until the agreed day, all the better.”

“You were instructed to handle it, weren’t you? Make sure no significant issue arises to draw unwanted attention. Keep it under control.”

“I’ve been doing just that. You wouldn’t believe how many ridiculous plots I’ve cut off halfway.”

“But…”

“Still, Rikraz, your daughter is far too reckless. It wouldn’t be surprising if something exploded at any moment. This is insurance for that time.”

“What good will a trembling girl like her do?”

“Don’t worry. She’ll be molded into something useful soon enough. She’s sharp and desperate. With a bit of training, she’ll serve her purpose.”

That girl Pabel had brought—her name was Jessica Fever, wasn’t it?

Pabel had cackled as he gave her a new name, Alice, and then disappeared.

And so, after several years…

Alice had fully adapted to life in the palace, but somewhere along the way, she lost her mind, believing herself to be a Princess. She claimed she was of royal blood, having been raised in the wrong household and suffering unjustly.

“The girl’s purpose was originally to act as a decoy, should any unnecessary attention fall on the South Palace.”

“That’s correct.”

“In that case, now seems like the perfect moment. One scandal should always be covered by a greater one.”

At the words of his advisor, Rikraz finished his deliberation.

Yes, after all, she was just a tool that would be useless in a few years anyway.

Now was the time to put her to use.

If Vikal even so much as caught a whiff of suspicion, it would be disastrous.

Rikraz dreamed of becoming the Emperor of the Castalia Empire.

Not of a “united” empire, but a singular, massive entity under his sole control.

That was why, 18 years ago, he had secretly made a pact with the demon Pabel.

Pabel had eagerly agreed when Rikraz offered him a “fun opportunity.”

In exchange for the soul of Rikraz’s firstborn, Pabel would stay in the northern palace, serving that child while marking locations where gates to the demon world could be opened.

And when the day arrived, gates would open simultaneously across the empire.

The South would lock its doors tightly and offer no assistance when the time came.

When the monster crisis began, and demons appeared en masse, Raerhod Royal Castalia, Rikraz’s great-grandfather, would inevitably go to war. And he would perish under the full-scale assault of the demons.

Rikraz had waited patiently, in silence, for that very day.

He couldn’t let his reckless daughter ruin everything now.

“Dad!”

At that moment, the door to the meeting room swung open, and a young boy dashed in, breaking through the tense atmosphere.

“Oh, Your Highness!”

Judging by the nursemaid chasing after him in a panic, it was clear that Luon had once again insisted on barging into the meeting room.

The bright and cheerful appearance of the young prince softened the mood in the room.

“Luon, what did I tell you about coming in during meetings?”

“You said not to interrupt meetings, Dad!”

“You cheeky little rascal, knowing full well…”

Luon. Rikraz’s second child.

When the Empress had been pregnant with him, she had consumed Pabel’s blood to ensure a stronger heir.

Pabel had claimed that if the fetus absorbed demon blood during its development, it would be born as a half-demon.

And so far, Luon had met every expectation Rikraz had.

“But look! I caught a grasshopper! I wanted to show you first, Dad!”

Luon beamed, proudly holding up what he had caught.

“…!!!”

A chilling silence fell over the room.

What he held up wasn’t a grasshopper.

It was a human finger.

Returning from the Dragon Merchant Street, I blinked in surprise at the chaotic state of the ship.

“Princess! Princess, you’re here!”

“Princess, oh thank goodness, wahhh!”

“We thought something had happened to you! Sniff!”

As soon as people saw me, they began crying and making a commotion.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, patting Shami’s back to calm her down.

Sophia would have to explain this mess.

“What happened?”

“Princess Alexandra went on a rampage. She was searching for you… and now His Highness the Prince has subdued her and had her restrained.”

“Huh?”

What in the world…

Was it a good thing I was at the Dragon Merchant Street?

“Is anyone hurt?”

“We’re fine, but several young ladies were…”

“Oh…”

I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

“At least His Holiness the Pope was here. Even the severely injured were healed by him. It was incredible.”

Hanna wiped her eyes and sniffled as she spoke, clearly still shaken.

I patted everyone gently, including Sophia, to reassure them.

Just then, Dad and my brothers teleported into my room using magic.

“Cherishe!”

“Cherishe!”

“Chirp!”

I looked at my family, feeling a bit sheepish, and gave them an awkward laugh.

There wasn’t much I could say when they demanded to know where I had been, so I kept my mouth shut.

“I’m just relieved you’re safe.”

Dad hugged me tightly, letting out a low sigh.

Yeah, the timing was indeed impeccable.

I muttered to myself as I decided to use the save-point dart I’d received as a birthday gift at this very moment.

“The birthday party is over. All the guests will be sent back. I’ll send the bill for the damaged cruise ship to the South Emperor.”

Dad’s voice was cold.

“And I’ll use this as leverage to demand that Alexandra’s rights as a royal heir be revoked, Cherishe. Don’t worry.”

Idsys spoke in a calm tone, though his face betrayed no hint of humor.

I stared at him, wide-eyed.

“Is that even possible?”

“While it’s true that her birthright is significant… many people were injured.”

“I heard.”

“As a royal heir, she’s proven herself unfit. If we can’t revoke her birthright entirely, we’ll at least push for her to be excluded and have another heir named in her place.”

This is what happens when you cross Idsys.

He’ll strip you down to your very bones, leaving you humiliated and disgraced…

Though he was my brother, I couldn’t help but shiver at the thought.

‘Wait… in that case…’

Couldn’t I become a royal heir?

Wouldn’t that be great?

I could be named a royal heir before I even turn fifteen!

Surely my abilities would be deemed outstanding, without the need for evaluation.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news from the South Emperor!”

Just then, a voice echoed down the hallway, calling for Dad.

Things were about to get even more interesting.

In the end, it was decided that Alexandra would be sent back to the South Palace.

Normally, going on a rampage would result in exile, but since she was so young, they wouldn’t send her far away. Instead, they decided to keep her at the South Palace.

“And now they want to invite us for an apology…”

“Apology, my foot.”

I was sitting in Dad’s quarters on the ship with him and my brothers.

As I listened to Dad and Idsys talk, I scanned the invitation list.

‘Sihat is on the list too!’

Of course, Sihat had been the one cleaning up the aftermath.

Under normal circumstances, Sihat would have returned to the papal palace during the middle of my birthday party.

But thanks to the situation, his return had been delayed.

“They’ve promised that the South royal family will compensate all those injured because of Alexandra. They’ve also said they’ll personally thank the Pope for healing everyone.”

“Oh, so the Pope is going with us?”

“Yes, Gergys.”

“Well, I’m going to step out for a bit. There’s someone I need to go after, so I’ll deal with that first.”

Ah, he must be talking about those mini portrait cards.

Dad gave Gergys a quiet order.

“You should report directly to the Emperor. Let him know what happened and that we’ll be stopping by the South Palace.”

“Yes, Father. But we won’t be staying long, right?”

“Just two days.”

“Ugh. Fine. I’ll be back by tomorrow.”

Gergys patted my head before disappearing.

Idsys, deep in thought for a moment, soon returned to his usual soft smile.

“Shall we head to the South Palace now, Father?”

“We can’t stay here any longer, so yes.”

“I’m curious what their real motive is for inviting us. It’s been harder to plant spies there lately.”

“We’ll find out when we get there.”

And so, everything was decided in a flash.

A couple of hours later, we arrived at the South Castalia Palace.