Chapter 56: The Deceptive Plague

Red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge… Ugh. If you don’t want to die, take the Only Heir of the Ezeneta Dukedom and leave immediately!! Red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge… Hear it a hundred times and you’ll all be dead!!

A hoarse, almost dying voice shook the marketplace floor. As the bystanders around the maid wore expressions of horror, one of them softly echoed, “…Red bean porridge.” That single word sent everyone into a panic, and people turned tail and fled.

“Kyaaah!”

“Run!”

“Kyaak, I heard it too!”

“Aaahhh!!”

“Mom!”

A child, having lost his mother, collapsed and burst into tears. Yet, no one reached out to help. Amid the chaos and collisions, the market transformed into a madhouse in an instant.

An unknown plague began to overrun the capital.

* * *

Emperor Karlahee sat in his elevated seat, receiving the latest report on the outbreak sweeping through the capital.

“We’ve sealed the city gates and implemented a strict quarantine system to prevent any further spread.”

“Good work,”

Dieses bowed once in response.

“But it’s still not safe. Strangely, this plague acts like a curse—if you hear or say the Red Bean Porridge chant more than a hundred times, it guarantees death. Thus far, 27 lives have been lost, truly lost.”

“Are you absolutely sure? That those deaths are real?”

“Yes, I saw it on the news.”

He wore a look of unwavering trust, much like a schoolkid earnestly recounting a ghost story to a friend.

Karlahee let out a sorrowful sigh and massaged his forehead. A mind-controlling curse was notoriously troublesome. Whoever was behind it, any insidious move against the empire had to be halted.

“The temple is also working on eliminating this plague, so please, Your Highness, do not worry too much.”

Drawing near to the anxious Emperor, Dieses whispered quietly.

“From now on, it’d be best if you stayed indoors. You must not hear the Red Bean Porridge chant.”

“Understood. And thank you for stepping in personally.”

“Not at all. I’m just doing what needs to be done.”

Though his words were modest, it was clear that Dieses had taken the initiative by setting up and managing the Disease Control Headquarters, which greatly reassured Karlahee.

“Also, given the circumstances, it’s best to postpone the engagement with the 공자님. When things improve, we can arrange the ceremony.”

“I’ll follow your advice,”

“Wise decision.”

Dieses smiled as he stepped forward, his outstretched hands covering Karlahee’s chin and ears.

“Leave this plague to me.”

“…Marquis?”

“From now on, trust only me and heed only my words. That’s all there is to it.”

With a final touch, removing his lips from Karlahee’s ear, Dieses revealed a secretive, possessive look.

* * *

A nationwide curfew was declared. The containment of the outbreak was the top priority, strongly enforced by Marquis Dieses.

Thus, citizens stayed holed up at home, relying on distributed rations. With grim reports of 74 deaths already circulating, few dared to step outside.

Two days later, Lady Elina I and Lady Elina IV paid a private visit to the Schmord Residence. Lara Schmord found their discreet arrival somewhat suspicious, though Lady Elina I sincerely apologized for her previous runaway incident.

“I understand there was a misunderstanding… I’ve also settled things with the other Elinas. They all feel deeply sorry towards you, Lara.”

“I’m sorry for that day. Please forgive me, Miss Lara.”

With Lady Elina IV joining the apology, Lara’s heart eased slightly.

“Alright then; it’s a relief that Lady Elina I has come to her senses.”

“Has your illness been sorted out?”

“I’ve received proper treatment.”

After that, the conversation dwindled. A brief silence settled over them as Lara quietly stirred her tea with a teaspoon.

“By the way, I heard you’re engaged to His Highness. Congratulations. Though it’s unfortunate that the engagement was postponed because of the plague.”

“Thank you… Actually, there’s something I need to say.”

Lady Elina I hesitated for a while before finally speaking.

“Regarding this plague incident… it’s all a hoax.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

At Lara’s inquiry, Lady Elina I lowered her head guiltily and soon eyes welled with tears. Overwhelmed with distress and unable to speak, she whimpered, prompting Lady Elina IV to calmly explain the situation.

“It was staged. Although the news claimed nearly 100 deaths, it’s all fabricated. I confirmed it through my own experiments.”

“Oh…”

“I recited the Red Bean Porridge chant a hundred times—if not a thousand—and yet I remain perfectly fine. My continued existence is proof that the Red Bean Porridge plague is a sham.”

“I felt I had to confess this. Only then can we finally stop Dieses… him.”

“What are you saying…?”

With a hesitant tone, Lady Elina I went on to reveal everything. She explained that Marquis Dieses, partially driven mad by news of their engagement, had fabricated the false plague in order to bring everyone under his dominion.

“But how could that be true…?”

“The maid, rumored to be the original spreader, is actually a professional actress employed by Dieses. Even the child Marquis—the one the maid brought along—is a child actor. In fact, there is no such Marquis family at all.”

“Why didn’t we know about this?”

“I can’t believe we were duped by such a childish scheme…”

Lara shivered all over, an electric thrill racing through her.

“Miss Lara, if you don’t believe me, recite the Red Bean Porridge chant a hundred times right here.”

“What if that suddenly kills me…?”

“Trust me and give it a try.”

Red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge, red bean porridge……

With eyes tightly closed, Lara recited the chant as fast as she could a hundred times. Her heart pounded, and her feet tingled, yet nothing catastrophic happened despite her intense nervousness.

The Elinas’ words rang true.

* * *

Inside an opulent, darkened bedroom overlooking the capital’s glittering nightscape sat Marquis Dieses Esteban.

“1,587,612 citizens all cozily confined indoors—a truly satisfying sight. It should have been this way from the start.”

The thought that the entire empire was within his grasp filled him with exhilaration. After taking a swig of wine, Dieses slowly rose from his seat.

He drew aside the heavy red curtains. On the bed, Karlahee sat with a sleep mask and earmuffs covering his eyes.

“…Marquis? Is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me, Your Highness.”

“Even if it’s to prevent the contagion, this is going too far. I can barely hear you.”

Like a child instinctively seeking its mother’s milk, the Emperor responded to that feeble tone. With a satisfied glint in his eye, Dieses cupped Karlahee’s cheek with both hands, pressing his lips against his ear as if whispering a clandestine proposal.

“Do you long to break free from me?”

“…I can hardly hear you.”

“Ah, forgive me, Your Highness, but I have no intention of letting you go. Struggle as much as you want on this cramped bed.”

With an ecstatic smile, he left the bedroom. As he reached for the lock on the door, someone stepped into his path.

“Stop it…”

“Wandering around at this late hour? Miss Elina I, are you provoking me now?”

“I’m sorry, but I simply couldn’t stay quietly in my room.”

Lady Elina I bowed her head as Dieses firmly gripped her arm and dragged her into the corridor.

“Keep this up and you’ll be under surveillance all day. Hurry back, or I’ll lock you in my room.”

“…Please do.”

“What did you say?”

“Lock me up. Just me…”

Tears streamed down as Lady Elina I clutched at Dieses’ sleeve, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.

“Is that not enough for you?”

“…”

“Can’t you only be obsessed with me? Please stop obsessing over others too.”

“You will never understand me, ever.”

Avec a chilling indifference, Dieses turned away. Yet, as Lady Elina I grasped his cheek, she forced him to meet her gaze once more.

“Tell me, I want to hear about your childhood… what turned you into who you are today.”

His reply was as calm and analytical as that of a seasoned profiler, which only plunged him into an inexplicable whirlwind of emotions.

“Lady Elina I, why do you love me without regard for my status, wealth, or honor? Do you accept all of me?”

“Look at my face.”

“Ah-ha.”

Dieses murmured in quiet admiration. Out of the 142 women he’d encountered, none compared to Lady Elina I.

Every woman he’d met had been frivolous, but this one was different—a woman he felt compelled to capture. Having passed the Male Lead’s rigorous internal scrutiny, Lady Elina I regarded Dieses with clear, unwavering eyes, as if expecting nothing in return.