How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 48.1
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When we returned to the Belforte Harbor lodging, Constantine greeted us. His short, chubby legs moved so fast they were almost a blur as he ran toward me, apparently bored all day.
“Your Grace! Where did you gooo!”
Was he waiting for me and not us? Tristan, who had worked hard to feed and care for him, was ignored as Constantine pressed himself into my arms. I laughed and lifted him up.
“I just ran some errands. Were you having fun, Your Highness?”
“Hmm. Was I? I was busy too, Your Grace.”
Constantine nodded solemnly with a smug expression. What is this soft little blob talking about? What errands could a child possibly have? A child’s duty is simply to eat well and play well.
I planted a quick kiss on Constantine’s cheek and set him down. He twisted his body shyly, as if he had something to say.
“Actually… I have something for you, Your Grace. Yes, a gift!”
With his small hands, Constantine pulled something from his chest and handed it to me. It was a silver case with elaborate gold decorations. I smiled and accepted it.
“What is this?”
“Cosmetics! I bought it for you, Your Grace…”
It seemed he had gone to the market with the knights while I was away. His “errands” must have been browsing the market and picking out a gift for me. I smiled, lowered myself to his level, and bent one knee in front of him.
“Really? Thank you, Your Highness.”
Although I did not use cosmetics, I found the gesture adorable. Thinking I liked it, Constantine became even more excited and babbled on.
“Yes! The shop owner chose it for me. They say if you apply it every day, your face will become white and pretty. You already have a naturally pretty, pale face, so you do not need this… but giving a gift is about the heart, so it will make you happy! And the case is pretty too!”
The silver case seemed more valuable than the cosmetics themselves. Cosmetics of this era were quite simple, likely made from crude, unremarkable ingredients.
“Try it, Your Grace. It is made from very fine mercury!”
“……Mercury?”
I flinched at the terrifying word and looked down at the cosmetic case in Constantine’s hands. Of course, at this time, cosmetics were made with mercury.
It was popular because it supposedly made the skin white and smooth. Yet its side effects were severe. Irritation, red spots, and inflammation were common. In severe cases, skin could peel or turn black. And that was just the beginning.
I forced a bright smile to avoid hurting the child’s feelings.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness. It is a very lovely gift.”
“Hehe, right? I picked it really well!”
Watching Constantine’s satisfied smile, I still felt a heavy weight on my heart. It would be difficult, but I would have to teach him not to touch items containing mercury.
Then, a fleeting memory from the original story came back. A faint recollection stirred in my mind.
‘Could it be…’
But I had only skimmed this part before and forgotten it, so I was not certain. I would need to check the original story.
However, I had already used all my chances to check the original. The strict system would not make exceptions for an urgent situation.
‘What ongoing events are there? Is there anything I can complete quickly for rewards?’
As soon as I started thinking, the system appeared with a fanfare before my eyes. Familiar letters quickly formed in the air.
[Checking current ongoing event status!] ☆Tristan’s Wish Fulfillment☆ Event in progress Goal: Achieve profit by selling a certain quantity of Hezekia specialty goods (0/5,000,000 Gold) Only glassware may be traded. End♡
It would be perfect if the system gave me a hit cycle or loot event at a time like this. I am not asking for much; it is just that I have a suppression potion now, so it can be solved easily. Really.
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