After Alexis's death, Gerard had been spending his days frantically analyzing every single vial in the late doctor’s lab and reading through his research journals, all under Estella’s orders.

“Check each one thoroughly. If you find anything suspicious, report it immediately.”

“Ugh, this damned house! Not a single peaceful day. Finish one headache, and another, worse one appears. And yet, I’m too curious to just leave it all. Tsk!”

Gerard grumbled constantly, but he couldn’t sleep at night—too curious about what would happen next. People said there was nothing more entertaining than watching fires and fights, and in this house, there wasn’t a single dull day. It was physically exhausting, sure, but the drama made up for it.

“She really is a woman who goes looking for trouble.”

With the inheritance she had, she could’ve easily married someone suitable and lived a life free of hardship. But Estella never let anything slide. The matter of Alexis’s lab was just another example.

“When am I supposed to go through all this? If I’d known there was this much work, I never would’ve signed the damn contract. I was swindled. Tricked!”

Grumbling, Gerard pulled one of the many journals from the box. True to his meticulous nature, Alexis’s handwriting was clean and legible—unlike Gerard’s own—and it made reading a lot easier.

Some of the findings were so groundbreaking they made Gerard’s eyes pop. The man truly deserved his reputation as the Empire’s best doctor.

“Why the hell didn’t he publish any of this? If he had, he would’ve been rolling in gold. Oh well—guess I’ll have to claim it all as my own.”

Gerard chuckled, but he still couldn’t understand Alexis’s choices. Being the family doctor of a marquisate wasn’t a bad gig, but based on these results, Alexis could have risen far higher.

“Was Katrin what held Alexis back…?”

Gerard still firmly believed something was going on between them. The question was whether they were just lovers, age gap be damned, or whether it was something deeper.

“Could Katrin be Alexis’s blood relative? Now that I think about it, their eyes are a bit similar…”

He shook his head.

“No way. Even if that were true, the marquis isn’t an idiot. If she weren’t his daughter, he wouldn’t be doting on her like that.”

Gerard had always had a good impression of the marquis. The man had handed over Alexis’s lab without question, purely on Estella’s word, and he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the territory’s people.

And the loyalty of the Black Lily Knights toward him? It said everything about what kind of man he must’ve been on the battlefield. Gerard had no doubt that the marquis was the most skilled among them.

But that generous impression shattered the moment Gerard found a hidden notebook tucked inside a false bottom of Alexis’s chest.

“The marquis… I thought he was a good man, but he’s just a brave idiot. A complete fool. Tsk tsk.”

Gerard clicked his tongue like a motor while reading Alexis’s meticulous notes.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Estella entered.

Gerard quickly slid the document beneath his own research journal. This was far too important to skim or report hastily—his own life might depend on it.

Besides, Estella had more than enough on her plate already.

“Don’t you think you should ask before coming in?”

“I knocked.”

Estella sighed deeply at Gerard’s whining. He was about to retort, but noticing the dark shadows under her eyes, he held his tongue. Even he, socially oblivious as he was, knew now was not the time to test her patience.

“Find anything?”

Estella glanced around the now-chaotic lab. Back when Alexis was alive, it had been pristine. Now, it looked like someone had just moved in and dumped everything everywhere. Estella reflexively reached down to pick something up from the floor.

“No! Don’t touch that! I organized it my way! That needs to stay exactly where it is! Put it down!”

Estella froze, then slowly lowered the item.

“Good! Nicely done. Hands on your knees.”

Obediently resting her hands on her lap, Estella finally realized Gerard was teasing her. She shot to her feet, fists clenched, ready to punch him.

Gerard cackled, holding his stomach, while Estella let out a long sigh and slumped into a chair.

“Relax your face. You’re already ugly enough without adding that scowl.”

“Says the guy with mismatched eyes calling someone else ugly?”

“Wow! Attacking my one weakness like that? Short-necked freak!”

“I can’t even send you outside on windy days. You know why?”

“Because I’m precious?”

Gerard formed a flower-petal shape under his chin with his fingers.

“Because your scrawny neck would snap like a chicken’s.”

“See? That means I’m precious.”

Smirking, Gerard shrugged exaggeratedly. Estella finally cracked and punched him in the shoulder.

“Aaagh! I’m dying! I think my shoulder’s dislocated!”

“Cut it out. You’re loud and not even funny.”

Estella’s lack of amusement made Gerard pout.

“So, did you find anything?”

“Give me a little more time. I’ve got something spectacular in the works.”

“Then get that spectacular thing done faster. I’m about to lose my mind.”

Instead of replying, Gerard placed one hand over his chest and delicately pinched the hem of his coat with the other, bowing his head like a prim lady.

“So, to what do I owe the honor of today’s visit?”

Estella, ignoring the act, pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from her pocket and handed it over.

“Make this.”

“Can’t you see I’m already drowning in work? Do you have no conscience?”

“Nope. Now open it.”

“You’re so shameless. If you’re going to be like this, at least raise my salary—wait, what the hell is this?”

Gerard, who had been glaring, unfolded the paper with irritation, only for his eyes to widen. His gaze darted wildly across the blueprint Estella had drawn.

“You still have that Flame Stone I gave you, right?”

“You want me to make this with it?”

“Can you?”

“What even is this?”

“A flame shocker. You know how the Flame Stone gives you a tingle when you hold it? And if mishandled, it explodes.”

“Which makes it dangerous.”

Gerard eyed her warily, wondering what insane idea she was cooking up this time. Yet despite himself, his differently colored eyes twinkled with curiosity. Being around Estella was exhausting—but it was also undeniably thrilling. Just like now.

“I’m going to maximize the Flame Stone’s instability so it’ll deliver a shock when it touches someone else’s body.”

“And the person holding it?”

“That’s your job. The holder stays safe. The target gets fried.”

“Wow. You’re terrifying. Frying people, huh?”

“Some people deserve to be fried.”

The fury in Estella’s voice still hadn’t cooled. Gerard thought of Ria’s battered face.

“This for Ria?”

“Yeah. And for Luka, too. And for his stepmother.”

“What about me?”

Estella stared at him, then nodded.

“You’re weaker than Luka. So you’ll get one too.”

“Yes! …Wait, why am I weaker than that little brat? You forget I’m a mage? I used to work at the Mage Tower.”

“It’d be great if you could make it quickly. I’m running out of time. There’s too many people I need to protect—and even more I need to fight.”

Gerard had been about to make another joke, but seeing the grim look on her face, he stayed quiet. Her expression was so cold and sharp, it made him think he might be the one getting fried if he didn’t deliver.

“Oh, right. Take this with you.”

As Estella stood to leave, Gerard tossed something her way.

“What is it?”

She caught the vial midair with perfect reflexes and turned it over.

“A potion Alexis made with great care. Supposed to intensify pain to the max. No idea why he made it. You said you were going to interrogate that knight, right? Use this on him. He’ll be wetting himself the second you touch him.”

Gerard’s words were crude and absurd—not what you’d expect from a once-promising Mage Tower candidate—but Estella found his irreverent tone oddly satisfying.

Though it was broad daylight outside, the underground prison was pitch black, as if it were the dead of night. The air was damp and moldy, and every breath made Estella’s nose itch.

It was a place no noblewoman would ever step into, but Estella’s footsteps were firm as she descended the stairs. With her came Ciel, leader of the Squirrel Mercenary Band, and Viller, the knight representing the Order. Others had wanted to accompany her, but Estella had firmly refused.

Ciel kept a watchful eye on the slippery moss-covered steps, worried she might fall.

Inside, Gai sat dazed, leaning against the dark stone wall.

Clang!

The chains securing the iron bars rattled, and the door creaked open. Gai lifted his head with a jerk. The fear struck him like lightning, jolting through his blank body. His eyes flew open in panic.

He hadn’t drunk a single drop of water since last night. Though there was a bowl of water on the floor, it was in a moldy wooden dish—no way someone as fastidious as Gai would touch it.

Estella silently tossed him a leather canteen. Gai instinctively caught it.

“Drink. That’s the last kindness I’ll offer.”

He stared at it for a moment, then unscrewed the cap and chugged it down. Surely it wasn’t poisoned. They wouldn’t kill him yet—not if they wanted to unravel the truth.

The water was cold and sweet. Thankfully, no poison.

“You done?”

“Yes.”

Gai answered flatly. Estella turned to Viller.

“Could you bring him a chair?”

Viller quickly dragged over a wooden chair, placing it beside Gai. His glare was full of rage and hatred. How could the man he once revered as vice-commander murder Denian so horrifically?

“Sit.”

So she wasn’t dragging him to the torture room after all. Maybe noble ladies didn’t do that kind of thing. Slightly deflated, Gai obediently sat down. Viller tied him up tightly with rope. Clearly, something was coming.

“I acted alone. If you’re trying to get me to betray—”

“How was the water?”

Estella cut him off mid-sentence.

The question made Gai realize—she had put something in the drink. But since he didn’t feel anything yet, it clearly wasn’t poison.

“What have you done?!”

He screamed, determined not to fall for her tricks. He had sworn to protect Katrin to the bitter end.

Without answering, Estella stood and silently grabbed his shoulder—tight.

Instantly, Gai clenched his teeth in unbearable pain. It felt like his bones were being ground to dust. His vision flared white. His shoulder felt like it was being pressed with molten iron. Blood seeped between his clenched teeth.

At last, he could no longer endure it.

“AAAAAAARGH!”

The pain was worse than being burned alive or bitten by a monster. He could barely breathe. He would rather die than feel it again. By the time Estella let go, the front of his trousers was soaked.

Estella stared him down without blinking.

“Did Katrin order you?”

With her hand on his left shoulder, she asked again.

Gai sobbed and nodded.

“Yes… It was Lady Katrin. She asked me to do it.”

So much for love.

Chapter 102

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