Chapter 166 - Chapter 28: I Shall Weigh Love and Life on the Scales
Greetings! I am Violia Nico Fortesia!
It seems it will take several months for my wound to fully heal! Even though Doran healed his in just two days! It appears I cannot quite manage the same feat! Well, I am a human, after all! It cannot be helped!
However, after a week, I was finally able to move my body. After that, it is simply a matter of willpower!
"Violia-sama, are you already returning to your official duties?"
"Yes! It is unacceptable for a Queen to be napping forever!"
"I think it would be permitted, though."
"It does not matter who permits it if I do not permit it myself!"
And so, I am currently working hard on my official duties. I shall steadily clear away the work that piled up while I was asleep!
My physical strength has not yet returned to the point where I can hold multiple audiences a day, but I make sure to appear in public at least for the minimum requirements... The rest can be handled through correspondence, and I can process letters even while in bed!
"Violia-sama... please do not push yourself too hard..."
"Do I look like I am pushing myself!? I am having so much fun I can hardly stand it!"
"Ah, if only I had the power to save Violia-sama...! Even back then, if only I had sensed that Dactor Fila Orchesta was going to pull out a gun, I would never have let him inflict such a wound upon Violia-sama! It is the blunder of a lifetime!"
"Forget about that; you should stop trying to build up poison resistance! It would be a problem if you died!"
"But! Only me! To think that I am the only one who cannot touch Violia-sama's blood! That is just not fair!"
Lital... at that time, he had been sent outside by a quick-witted Giovan to act as the one to call for help and such, but it seems he heard about my blood afterward. Yes.
...Upon learning about my blood, Lital seemed to find many things making sense, and in the process, he decided, 'Then I want it too!'... but as for me, I would prefer him to stay just the way he is.
Now then, once I have finished a round of official duties, I shall exercise.
It would be counterproductive if my wound reopened, but in order to heal quickly and become able to move soon, I must avoid letting my body grow dull!
"Oh, you're at it, Young Lady."
"Oh, Giovan. Greetings."
While I was doing light exercises in my room, Giovan arrived.
"For now, there's no abnormality outside. The news that Her Majesty the Queen fell to a stray bullet hasn't leaked anywhere. Or rather, Doran and Chesta crushed every place where a leak might have been problematic."
"Oh, thank you."
That is good. After all, if the public found out the Queen was shot and nearly died, it would make them anxious.
Fortunately, only about two days passed before my consciousness became clear, so I was able to push through with the excuse that I was 'taking a vacation,' and since then, I have shown my face outside occasionally while appearing a bit busy with 'behind-the-scenes work,' so those around me convinced themselves. As for the parts that could not be helped, I left them to Doran and Chesta. I am glad to see they handled it well.
"So, about the things you requested, I'll present the ones that are finished for now."
"Oh, how lovely!"
Now then.
The reason Giovan came today was not just for a report. He came to perform his job as a 'merchant.'
"Yes. The dresses. I've prepared a red one and a green one for now. ...I didn't think green would suit the Young Lady very much, but, well, it looks decent enough."
"Indeed, I also think red suits me better than green. However, this slightly dull green is lovely. Is it because it is paired with gold embroidery? I feel it suits me as well."
"I think you're the only person in the world who could pull off this dress. Truly."
This is not flattery; truly, only someone like me could pull off this dress...
"But could you all not wear this as well?"
"No, no, impossible. I don't know about Doran, but for me, Keeb, and Chesta, even if we have resistance to your blood, that's only because your blood is a magical poison. We don't have resistance to every kind of poison like you do. We can handle biological toxins, but we'd rather pass on mineral-based poisons."
Is that so? Well, I suppose that makes sense.
...My blood is, in essence, a magical poison born from taking in massive amounts of toxins while my body and magic were growing rapidly. Therefore, it seems it can be neutralized to some extent by magic. Yes. Of course, even for Keeb, complete neutralization is difficult.
Therefore... in a sense, ordinary poisons found elsewhere are harder to defend against than my own poison. Yes. Especially the arsenic used as the dye for this green dress.
It is a famous story that using arsenic kills people, but the fact that using that arsenic produces a beautiful green color is an import from another country! Onii-sama taught me that!
By the way, the red dress is a heavy garment made by layering various red fabrics, but this too was dyed with poisons that exhibit a beautiful red color, such as Basilisk blood, Poison Kunekune Jidanda blood, my own blood, cinnabar, inkberry, and so on. Hmm, I wonder which one I should choose. It is a difficult decision.
"And here are the accessories. Various gemstones and gold, so they can match either color of dress."
Next, I was handed a necklace of multi-colored stones decorated with gold. Yes. It is beautiful. It is a pity it will not last very long.
(T/N: These minerals are toxic and can degrade or react over time.)
"Blue vitriol, realgar, orpiment, and witherite... oh, is this stibnite? It is quite beautiful when decorated like this."
Yes. These are also poisons. Everything as far as the eye can see is poison.
"You should be more grateful to me for managing to collect all this. I really went all out."
"Yes. You did well, Giovan. I shall praise you. I shall express my gratitude through the denomination of money."
"Well, that's wonderful."
Now then. I gently place the items I received from Giovan into a wooden box.
...For the time when I shall use these, you see.
While walking outside my room for exercise, I met Lital and Keeb.
"Ah, Violia. Are you okay?"
"Yes. Thank you. My body will grow dull if I do nothing but sleep."
"I see. If you say so, it's fine... but I've heard from this guy that you've been doing nothing but work, so I got a bit worried."
"It is the truth, Keeb-san! Violia-sama is too hard on herself! I think it would be fine to take a break from official duties at a time like this..."
Oh my. I wonder if Lital's worry has been contagious. Keeb looks worried as well. Honestly, what kind children.
"I am truly fine. I know my own limits best. By the way, did you two perhaps go to check on the dungeon?"
"Eh, ah, yeah."
And as for what the two of them were doing together... it seems they went to check on the dungeon.
"How was the situation?"
"Well, same as always. I can't tell if he's gone mad or not. It doesn't change the fact that he's annoying, though."
"After acting with such insolence toward Violia-sama, he still... that is, he claims to 'love' Violia-sama and such! He's spouting such nonsense! He should be executed immediately!"
"Oh my. Is that so? That sounds like something to look forward to..."
Looking at the two of them, who were angrier than I was, I found them quite adorable. I patted both of their heads and smiled involuntarily.
"Indeed. If he claims to love me, then let us by all means put that heart to the test."
It was that night.
"Violia! It is finished!"
"Oh, Onii-sama! Welcome!"
While feeling happy that Onii-sama had visited, I was also delighted by the package he handed me!
"Here, this is it! I had it made in former Windry... you should check it immediately!"
"Former? ...Well, then, right away..."
I felt like I heard a slightly concerning word, but for now, I open the package Onii-sama gave me. Inside was a single perfume bottle with lovely craftsmanship.
Encouraged by Onii-sama, who was smiling broadly, I gave the perfume a spray.
...Immediately, a sweet fragrance wafted out. It is lovely, isn't it?
"How is it?"
"Umu, I cannot tell."
"I cannot tell either..."
However, I do not know the extent of its effect! Why? Because both Onii-sama and I have too much resistance to poison! Even if this perfume were a toxic substance! I would not! Know at all!
Even if the selling point was that this perfume gradually decomposes into a poison that dissolves into the air! I would not! Know at all!
"...However, the scent is good."
"Indeed..."
Well, for now, the scent is not bad. Yes. If it is just to enjoy alone as a simple perfume... yes, for example, just a spray before going to bed, it might be nice...
My impression of the perfume ended up being like that, but I shall gratefully make use of it.
After putting the perfume away in the box, I talk with Onii-sama for a bit.
"So, are the preparations coming along?"
"Yes. The dress and necklace have arrived. I have also said I want a ring or a bracelet, so those should arrive eventually."
"I see. Giovan is handling that, was it? He is competent."
"Truly. It is a great help. By the way, Doran and Chesta are the ones collecting the materials. Thanks to them slaying Basilisks, I have been able to drink Dragon and Basilisk blood every morning lately."
"I see, I see. Then your recovery should be fast."
"Yes. Well, I cannot quite manage to return to the point of being able to fight two days after being shot like Doran, though."
Doran's recovery is abnormal, but well, I am also recovering steadily, you know?
I can obtain plenty of nutritious food, and it is offered to me. Besides, I have my inherent willpower! If one has spirit, things usually work out somehow! Ohohohoho!
"Oh, that is right, Onii-sama. I had something I wanted to consult with you about."
"Oh? Then you may consult me about anything. Is the subject about Dactor?"
"Yes."
Then, before I forget, I consult with Onii-sama.
The consultation is about Dactor-sama.
...About his execution, that is.
"I wonder if I should start with dinner first? Preparing something very light..."
"Indeed. It is standard to gradually make it heavier. Besides, if it is effective to some extent from the start, it will undoubtedly lead to hesitation afterward. Also, let us decorate the room with flowers. I found something perfect. Beautiful flowers with a sweet scent, but they are poisonous."
"Oh, lovely. ...Indeed, since it is a special occasion, I would like to be particular about the room as well. I suppose the wallpaper should be green."
"Then let your dress be red. Red truly suits you best."
...While chatting with Onii-sama, I told him about my future plans and received advice, spending a meaningful time.
Yes. Dactor-sama's execution shall be carried out quietly.
Quietly. And... thoroughly.