The Immortal Queen Cannot Escape the Lies and Obsession of the Demon — Not That She Wants To - Chapter 10

Valerio Shijazuma.

The son of the Duke governing the great territory of Shijazuma in the Fenizard Kingdom.

A quiet, good-natured young man with the gentle aura of a noble—blond hair, blue eyes, and refined features. As the third son of the prestigious Shijazuma family, many nobles sought his hand in marriage, hoping to secure a match with someone of both lineage and beauty.

Yet he never agreed to any proposal.

“I appreciate the offer, but there are things I must accomplish at present.”

Then, a year ago, he announced a cure for Sorel disease, a rampant infection sweeping the nation.

Using the ducal family’s financial resources and connections, he expanded distribution channels to ensure the medicine reached every corner of the country. In just half a year, he achieved the remarkable feat of drastically reducing the number of Sorel disease patients nationwide.

In other words, his already high value as a noble rose even further.

At the royal castle, discussions arose about awarding him a medal for his actions.

From there, his character, abilities, lineage, and the fact that he was still unattached were all taken into account. After a comprehensive evaluation of these factors:

“Wouldn’t Lord Valerio be a suitable candidate for King Consort?”

Such talk emerged, and those who agreed began moving things along behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Ariana, as queen, was deeply involved in state affairs and keenly felt the need for a king consort.

In addition to her existing duties, she had to assist the novice queen, and the burden on her subordinates was immense, there simply weren’t enough hands. Her mother, the only blood relative she could rely on, had returned to her maiden home after Ariana’s coronation and showed no signs of coming back.

She wanted a trustworthy partner to share the burden.

If the other party was also unattached, wouldn’t it be worth at least making an inquiry?

Urged by her ministers to consider the engagement, Ariana nodded in agreement. This was interpreted as the queen’s approval, and the engagement talks proceeded smoothly. Before she knew it, the arrangement with Valerio was settled.

And now, in the present.

Summoned to the reception room, Valerio entered with a solemn expression. The moment he passed through the door, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

“First, an apology. Last night, I displayed an unsightly and immature side of myself, and I am deeply ashamed.”

“Please raise your head! It was only because of you, Valerio, that I didn’t have to remain in the hall covered in blood. I should be thanking you, not accepting an apology.”

Just having him there had been a tremendous help.

Ariana had sought a king consort precisely because she needed someone to handle emergencies like this, and he had fulfilled that role.

Before her engagement to Valerio, Prime Minister William had always been the one to take charge as the king’s proxy.

His drinking had increased, his vigor had faded, and his hairline was receding. His distraught wife had come to Ariana in tears, and the matter had spiraled into a whole commotion. Just thinking back on all that had happened made her feel faint.

If Valerio hadn’t been there last night, she would have had to rely on Prime Minister William again. The thought alone made overwhelming gratitude well up inside her.

“I feel nothing but gratitude toward you, Valerio… truly, truly from the bottom of my heart! I have nothing but gratitude!”

“…I’m glad I could be of assistance.”

Caught off guard by Ariana’s impassioned speech, Valerio raised his head and stood, letting out a wry smile as if the tension had melted away.

The atmosphere grew relaxed, and the two sat on sofas across a table. Behind each stood a silent guard knight. Fols stood behind Ariana, watching Valerio with a probing gaze.

“I heard that by dawn your fever had broken and your condition had stabilized, but seeing you safe and well in person puts my mind at ease.”

“Likewise. You looked so pale back then, I was worried. I left everything to you. Were you able to get any rest at all?”

“…! I thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. That you would still have room to worry about me in such a situation.”

Valerio’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he looked at her with respectful eyes and offered a gentle smile.

It felt like an overreaction.

Ariana shook her head, feeling as though her ordinary concern was being taken too seriously.

“No, at the time I was barely holding myself together. I just thought the sight of blood must have been quite shocking for someone not used to it.”

“It’s all right. I’ve seen similar symptoms in terminal Sorel disease patients.”

Sorel disease—feared under the alternate name “the festering sickness”—had existed since before the kingdom’s founding.

As the name implied, those afflicted would develop festering sores all over their bodies.

Most symptoms involved skin inflammation, but the range was broad: loss of appetite, blindness, loss of motor and sensory functions. Depending on whether the festering occurred on the skin, internal organs, nerves, or bones, the symptoms varied greatly, as did the risk of severe progression.

(Similar symptoms to that.)

Yesterday’s poison had brought excruciating pain, as if her internal organs were burning and rotting.

Sorel disease worsened over several years, so it wasn’t an acute reaction like Ariana’s poisoning. But imagining “similar symptoms” progressing slowly made it seem even more cruel and vivid.

And of course, patients had no hope of survival until the cure was developed very recently.

“…Once again, I’m reminded of the great feat you accomplished.”

“Once again, such words are too generous for me. I merely followed the paths of many predecessors and happened to arrive first. I’m just a fortunate soul.”

His refusal was phrased the same way as when he declined the medal.

That brought back memories of a plea from a colleague who had worked with him in the same lab.

“That… You’ll get scolded again, you know?”

“Please keep it a secret.”

How much of his personal wealth had he poured into the lab?

How he had thrown himself into developing the cure, ignoring the risk of infection?

How, despite being a high-ranking noble, he respected his colleagues and predecessors regardless of status?

He deserved a medal and a place in history. The colleague had passionately insisted.

Incidentally, the one listening at the time was the equally exhausted deputy prime minister, who had no authority to make such decisions. He understood the sentiment but couldn’t fulfill the request, and was nearly in tears.

In the end, Valerio had hurriedly stepped in to calm the situation and withdraw. Ariana happened to witness the scene from afar, and it remained in her memory as both amusing and revealing of his kindness and the deep trust others placed in him.

“Also, if possible, I’d prefer if you forgot about that incident.”

For him, it seemed to be a memory that was both pleasant and moderately embarrassing. Though he still wore a gentle smile, his words came out haltingly.

His humility was a virtue and part of why he was deemed suitable as king consort but for those who admired him, it must have been a frustrating attitude.

Ariana smiled back warmly.

“Yes. If possible, I’ll forget.”

Valerio’s brow furrowed further, as if troubled. Behind him, his guard knight quietly lifted the corners of his mouth in delight.