HBWnovel Chapter 33
Chapter 33
The more Minoja listened, the more shocked she felt by Liana.
Was she really just fourteen?
Because Liana's thoughts mirrored her own exactly.
"The question now is—does Mepeilu understand this drug?" Liana asked.
"Grand Princess Mepeilu once took this drug herself," Minoja replied.
"And the antidote?"
"I only learned about it from reading records. So it’s highly likely that Grand Princess Mepeilu doesn’t know about it either." Minoja pulled out a book that contained information on the antidote.
"Good. Then there’s no problem."
"I understand. Lady Liana, please wait in this room for a moment. It seems someone suspicious has their eyes on Grand Princess Mepeilu," Minoja said before leaving.
Liana was left alone.
She didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, the door unlocked with a faint click.
Mepeilu hesitated at the threshold, nervous, unsure how to face Liana.
"Liana..."
"Mepeilu... No, Grand Princess Mepeilu, it’s been a while." Liana leaned back in her chair, acting as if she didn't care that she was speaking to the kingdom’s successor.
"Indeed. It’s been nearly a year since we last met. How have you been?"
"Thanks to you? Fairly well. Not like you, though—so busy that it took you a whole month to clear your schedule," Liana replied.
"I’m sorry..."
Mepeilu had intended to come immediately. But as a successor, she had imperial duties, and the start of the term at Ibet Magic Academy had made it impossible to leave.
Still, she had at least sent Olivia ahead to ensure Liana’s safety.
"Another apology?" Liana scoffed. She’d heard plenty of those from Mepeilu already. "Then bring me these items."
"Let me see... I'll try to fulfill your request as much as possible."
So long as it didn’t cross a certain line, Mepeilu had no problem procuring things for Liana. She had done so many times before.
But this time—when Mepeilu saw the list of items, her expression froze in disbelief.
"Cave Spider’s Silk, Forest Scorpion Venom, Desert Lone Wolf’s Fang..."
These ingredients—she recognized them.
They were used for a forbidden drug.
Very few people knew about it. But Mepeilu had taken it before. She understood its effects.@@@@
She also knew what it meant for a magic user to suddenly lose their powers—the sheer terror it would cause.
Only then did Liana realize—her neck stung.
For a second, she thought Minoja had actually meant to kill her.
"I’m sorry, Liana... This is the only thing I can't do for you."
Mepeilu’s words stabbed straight through her heart.
"Liana... come back to the royal capital with me. I’ll protect you—I’ll stay by your side forever. So please... don’t do this anymore."
Mepeilu didn’t want to see her like this any longer.
The Liana in her heart—had already been utterly ruined.
But this was just a test.
And once again, it was proven—no matter what she did, Mepeilu would protect her.
Liana cleared her throat and spoke, her voice ice-cold.
"I don’t need your fake sympathy. I’ll be blunt—I called you here to get these materials. If you won’t give them to me, then there’s nothing more to say."
She turned to leave.
"Liana!"
But she didn’t stop.
As she stepped out the door, she ran straight into Ruth, who had been lingering outside.
Liana wasn’t worried about the conversation being overheard.
The private chambers of nobles were warded with magic.
Besides—there was a Judge inside.
Who would dare to eavesdrop on a room protected by a Judge?
If Ruth had somehow managed to spy unnoticed by Minoja, then she might as well be a Judge herself.
But while it wasn’t intentional, this coincidence worked in Liana’s favor.
Because just as the door opened, Ruth heard Liana’s final words:
"I hate you, Mepeilu."
To Ruth, this was fantastic news.
She had been worried about what they might discuss in private—but now?
"Liana?" Ruth called out as Liana stormed out. "Is that how you speak to Grand Princess Mepeilu?"
"That’s none of your business!"
Liana now looked just like a sulking child, storming away down the corridor.