The middle-aged lady is talking excessively, to the point that her voice fills every second without pause. Yet, Benetta only nods, not really listening to her. All Benetta can think of is how to get away from her as soon as possible, and how she curses the long corridor in the Ivor Residence. She recalls with disdain how, two days ago, she witnessed the very same red-haired lady speaking very highly of Cenric’s perfume gift, while berating her husband for getting the southern painting which caused a lot of hassle. Now, she spends a useless fifteen minutes listening to the lady talking trash about Cenric.

“We’ve arrived, Benetta. Please, check on him. He’s been around Cenric for so long, I'm afraid he might have picked up something bad from Cenric,” says the lady.

“Rest assured, milady,” answers Benetta as she walks into the room, then closes the door. 

Benetta sees Atreus sitting with his back turned, gazing at the dark red sky in silence. To her, the back seems to carry a glumness she can not quite explain, yet it feels strangely familiar. She has known Atreus since he was little, and she knows how deeply he cares for Cenric. When she received the call, she knew perfectly what had caused Atreus’ condition, even before the messenger had finished talking. 

Silence lingers between them for a few seconds before Benetta steps forward, causing Atreus to turn his head. Atreus may have a big build, but all Benetta sees in that moment is a small boy, with his red eyes indicating recent tears, just like she remembers from the past. 

“I was summoned here by your mother, Lord Atreus. Please, do eat something. No food, no life, and you know that.”

This is the first time Atreus giggles after getting separated from Cenric.

“I know. I just don’t have the desire to.”

Atreus waves his hands, gesturing for Benetta to come closer. When they are close enough, he whispers, “Did you know what my mother has been saying since yesterday?”

Benetta simply shakes her head. From the way Atreus opens the topic, she knows it must be a political issue, something she usually pays no attention to. But now, she has to.

“She’s been going around here and there, saying I should be the crown prince, replacing Cenric.”

Benetta’s eyes widen as she turns and sees Atreus’ troubled face. She knows Atreus’ reactions and behavior patterns too well, and all she can see is that he does not want to become the crown prince. This explains his sulking and refusal to eat. It is childish and not proven to be effective in handling his dissatisfaction in most cases, but this is what Atreus typically does. It’s just that the recent incident has made his mother extra worried. 

Realizing what has happened to Atreus, Benetta lays out her medicine tools and some dried herbs. After placing them on a table beside Atreus, she begins grinding the dried herbs. A slight smile plays on Benetta’s lips as she whispers, “Such coincidence.”

“What is it? You’re scaring me. Just because Cenric is not here, does not mean you have to look for another guinea pig,” whispers Atreus.

“No. Apparently, Erhard has reached a conclusion regarding the disaster.”

Now, Atreus’ eyes widen as he looks at Benetta with a meaningful gaze. Benetta responds with a confirming nod, her hands still grinding the herbs, although they have already been pulverized into ashes.

“Listen. Erhard needs you to go outside the capital with him. He asked me, as the one currently scheduled to meet with you, to ask whether you’re interested or not. So, are you, Lord Atreus?”

Atreus hesitates, asking, “But, for what?”

Benetta smiles again. This is what she and Erhard have anticipated this morning, and she has received permission from Erhard to tell Atreus the truth –or maybe not, she is not sure anyway. What she knows is she has to throw the bait while pretending to grind the herbs, which have been ground so finely that a slight blow may cause them to fly into dust in their current state.

“I don’t know specifically, but he slipped that Cenric is alive. According to the stars, Valria needs both of you,” whispers Benetta in a really low voice. 

Hearing the name he has been wishing to hear for the past two days, Atreus jumps in ecstasy. He has always been predictable, and his reaction is very much what Benetta has anticipated. A slight pang of guilt passes through Benetta's mind, but she reminds herself, 'For Valria.'

"There's no way I would reject the idea, you know. I've been worried sick. Did he say anything else? Is Cenric safe?"

Benetta taps the back of Atreus' hand and says, "Calm down, Lord Atreus. We don't want your mother to find out."

Atreus nods passionately, reminded how furious, but more likely, opportunistic his mother can be. He agrees to the coincidence Benetta mentioned when they first talked. 

Benetta throws another smile, then pours a little wine into the bowl of ground dried herbs, stirs the strange mixture, and gives it to Atreus.

"I don't need this, Benetta. I'm fine, to be honest," says Atreus.

"We don't want anyone to suspect this discussion, right? It's okay, it's just spices and wine to keep you warm. No medicinal herbs included."

Atreus accepts the glass reluctantly, bracing himself to drink whatever is inside, then finishes it in one go. It tastes surprisingly good and all it does is warm his body. Afterwards, Benetta stands up and immediately leaves the Ivor Residence, with Atreus finally starting to eat his lunch, causing his mother to perceive Benetta as a very powerful herbalist.