The Forbidden Remedy

Chloe slipped away from the main palace and headed far north.

After passing several trees, she reached the very edge of the grounds.

There stood a small building.

It was called the Hall of the North Star, the imperial academy where scholars resided and conducted research.

Despite its reputation as the Empire’s foremost research institute, it looked rather shabby.

It was on the verge of being expelled from the palace.

Under the pretext of experimentation, the scholars had stirred up more than a few scandals.

They had long fallen out of favor with the Emperor, and even the Privy Council had proposed making the hall an independent institution and removing it.

Only by desperate pleas had the scholars managed to remain tucked away in a corner of the palace grounds, largely because they relied on access to the imperial archives.

Naturally, their funding had been drastically reduced.

The scholars of the Hall of the North Star survived on little more than burning academic zeal.

Chloe had come here for contraceptives.

She could not leave the palace herself to purchase them, and no maid would assist her.

‘I will never bear Hector’s child.’

She could not forget the man who had once shared her bed countless times, only to send her to the stake.

To live again and still be forced into his arms was torment enough.

Though he had ordered her to conceive, even if she bore a child, what hope would there be?

If her fate followed the same strange path as before, would a child left behind be safe?

The best course was never to conceive at all.

She approached cautiously.

The lawn before the building was scorched bare, the earth yellowed and exposed.

What sort of experiment had set it ablaze?

One of the windows bore a fist-sized hole, not from arrow or bullet.

The glass around it had melted smoothly, without shattering.

As she neared the door, an unfamiliar stench reached her.

It was impossible to describe—simply vile.

She covered her nose and mouth.

A light tap touched her shoulder.

“Where have you come from?”

She turned sharply.

A woman of similar height to Chloe stood there, holding a book nearly as large as her torso.

Clearly a scholar.

The girl looked to be in her mid-teens, freckles scattered across her face.

Her eyes gleamed with an odd curiosity.

There was something slightly unhinged about her demeanor.

Some scholars were known for outrageous experiments.

This one likely belonged to that sort.

“I have a request. I can offer generous compensation.”

“…Pardon?”

Chloe sensed opportunity.

“If you are interested, shall we speak somewhere more private?”

She pressed a gold-buttoned ornament into the girl’s hand.

The scholar followed without resistance.

They hid behind a large tree split in a strange shape.

When Chloe suggested setting the heavy book down, the girl clutched it protectively instead.

“May I ask who you are?”

“I am… a temporary guest in the palace. My name is Chloe Larouge.”

She omitted her title deliberately.

Technically, she was a guest.

“May I know your name?”

“Sophie Beaumont.”

“It is a pleasure, Sophie. May I call you that?”

“If I gain a pretty older sister, I would not mind, Lady Chloe. But how much can you offer? My research funds are in urgent need.”

Sophie’s thoughts were transparent.

She saw Chloe as a source of funding.

“Serious research requires investment. As for compensation…”

Chloe whispered the amount into Sophie’s ear.

She had no coin, but Hector had lavished her with jewels.

Converted into value, they amounted to quite a sum.

Sophie’s freckled nose twitched.

She seized Chloe’s hands eagerly.

“I will work diligently. Leave it to me.”

The leverage was now Chloe’s.

“Before that, tell me your level of research. I must know you are capable.”

“I am the vice dean. The dean must be older to meet His Majesty.”

Chloe nearly smiled.

A vice dean at such a young age.

Perhaps even more talented than the dean.

After confirming the silver ring signifying her rank, Chloe continued.

“I require a contraceptive. With your ability, I imagine it will not be difficult.”

“That is simple enough—”

Sophie paused suddenly.

Her eyes rolled thoughtfully.

“Why come here for such a thing? And pay so dearly?”

“There are circumstances.”

Chloe offered prepared lies.

Normally, a servant could fetch such medicine from outside.

She needed an excuse.

Sophie looked her up and down.

“Who are you, truly?”

Chloe sighed.

“I entered the palace due to a connection with His Majesty. I was recently appointed Imperatris Secunda.”

“Ah!”

Sophie flinched.

The position was powerful, standing in place of the absent Empress.

“I retract what I said. You do not want His Majesty’s child.”

Chloe could not deny it.

She handed over every piece of jewelry she carried, save the tiara.

“Please. I need this.”

Sophie stared skyward in thought.

“Then I require more.”

“How much more?”

“I want access to the forbidden section of the imperial archives. Guarded at all times. If I cannot bribe my way in, you must assist.”

“The forbidden section?”

“Yes. Books as rare as unicorns.”

“That is a one-sided demand.”

“Then forget it.”

Sophie turned to leave.

Chloe intercepted her.

“Very well. I will double the price. But you must ensure I do not conceive.”

Sophie’s face brightened.

Ancient script was etched across the back of her hand.

Days later, they met again.

They exchanged jewels for medicine.

They arranged a secret means of contact.

Inside the small pouch were several round pills.

Chloe swallowed one immediately.

It tasted bitter and heavy.

She returned safely to the palace.

But a new problem arose.

There was nowhere safe to hide the pouch.

The Emperor’s bedchamber was frequented by servants.

No corner was untouched.

After much thought, she decided to move it often.

Morning, in the coat pocket of the dressing room.

Afternoon, beneath the mattress.

As she retrieved it to relocate it,

she heard footsteps at the door.

Cold sweat slid down her spine.