Chapter 8
A sick twist ran through her stomach in an instant.
The memory of that day—when her side was stabbed—flashed back with such sharp clarity that Ines thought she might vomit right there.
As soon as the man disappeared down the stairs, Ines collapsed against the corridor wall as though her legs had given way.
“U-ugh…”
She pressed her palm tightly against her lips, gagging as dry heaves racked her body.
The stinging smell that had pierced her nose replayed that memory all over again, dragging her back to the truth of her husband’s horrifying reality.
Wet. Sticky. Brutal.
She could almost see the drops of blood, dripping endlessly onto the ground before her eyes.
“Urgh… kuhk…”
“My lady!!”
Stanley and several maids came rushing up the stairs. They quickly supported Ines, who was trembling violently, calling her name again and again in panic.
The commotion reached the study. The door opened, and Kallion stepped out.
The moment he saw Ines slumped in the hallway, he strode over without hesitation, brushing the maids aside. Then he swept her into his arms.
“Y-your Grace! The Duchess suddenly—!”
“Call the physician.”
His voice was low, commanding.
Ines let out a faint breath as she rested against the broad chest of Duke Elmenhardt.
He was supposed to be a cruel, merciless killer.
And yet, his arms were so warm, so solid.
The faint smell of blood that had clung to the man in the hallway—none of it lingered on him.
All she smelled from Kallion was the clean, comforting scent she had always known.
Strange…
The contradiction gnawed at her. And slowly, her consciousness slipped away.
“Thankfully, there’s no major problem. It seems the lady was only badly startled. With proper rest, she should wake soon.”
The physician, Mr. Brown, spoke while adjusting his thick glasses, then hesitated before adding carefully:
“I was considering administering a nutrient tonic. But… may I ask if there is a possibility that her Grace could be pregnant?”
Pregnant.
Kallion’s gaze lowered toward his wife, lying pale and still on the bed. At first glance she seemed peaceful, asleep. But the faint furrow in her brow betrayed otherwise.
“I don’t know. She looks so thin, I doubt it.”
“You’re correct. Her body weight is well below average. I’ll prescribe only a light tonic, nothing that will put strain on her. Still, she must focus on gaining strength and increasing her weight.”
“She’ll have to listen first,” Kallion muttered curtly.
Then, with a sigh, he placed a heavy hand on the physician’s shoulder.
“Good work, Brown.”
“Not at all, Your Grace.”
The physician bowed again before injecting the nutrient into Ines’s frail arm.
Several hours later, Ines stirred awake.
Her eyelids fluttered open to the sight of the familiar ceiling pattern above her.
Where… am I?
For a moment, her mind tangled. Was this before her death, or after? The memory of preparing dresses for the ball, mixed with the memory of bleeding out after being stabbed, blurred together.
“Are you awake?”
A low voice at her side startled her. Ines turned sharply toward it.
“Jumping at nothing,” Kallion murmured.
He sat in a chair close by, legs crossed, a small book in hand. He closed the book and set it on the nightstand, then picked up a half-full glass of water and held it out to her.
“….”
Dazed, Ines just stared at it. He tilted the cup slightly.
“Do I have to feed you?”
“No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. She took the glass and forced herself to sip. Cool water slid down her throat, easing her dryness. After a small cough, she set the glass down again.
“Why did that happen all of a sudden?”
Kallion took back the cup and asked flatly.
Ines hesitated. Should she tell him? After a pause, she spoke softly.
“The man leaving your study… who was he?”
“Did he frighten you?”
At the mention of the man, Kallion’s expression darkened.
“No! That’s not it…” Ines quickly shook her head.
“Then why ask?”
“I don’t know. I was heading to your study to check the dress for the Imperial Ball… then suddenly I felt dizzy, and I just couldn’t stop gagging. It wasn’t because of him.”
Kallion studied her intently. Then, with a slow motion, he brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen across her forehead.
“You collapse because you eat like a bird.”
“….”
“He’s one of my trusted men. You don’t need to worry about him.”
Of course.
Ines lowered her head slightly, unsurprised. Kallion never told her anything. He always kept a wall between them, hiding every part of his world from her.
Kallion stared at her resigned expression for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he said:
“You don’t look well. You don’t have to attend the ball.”
“No. I can go.”
Ines replied quickly.
Normally, she might have been relieved to avoid it. Facing rival noble ladies at such gatherings was always exhausting.
But this time was different.
Mother and Judith will be there…
That alone made the thought tiring. But—
a fragment of memory had flashed when she fainted.
In her previous life, she had glimpsed Kallion meeting suspicious people at that very ball.
She didn’t know if it was connected to the murders, but with no leads at all, she couldn’t afford to miss it.
“If I rest today, I’ll be fine tomorrow,” she said firmly.
Kallion gazed at her for a long while, stubborn as ever. Finally, he gave a slight nod.
“As you wish.”
The day of the Imperial Ball.
With the help of Amy and the maids, Ines was dressed and ready. She sat before the vanity, staring into the mirror.
Do I usually look like this?
She remembered a face that always seemed tired and lifeless. But now, thanks to the maids’ skillful work, her reflection actually looked… presentable.
“My lady, you look stunning!”
“Truly! We’re so proud!”
Ines smiled faintly at them.
“Thank you. It’s all because of your effort.”
The maids exchanged shy grins, when suddenly—
The bedroom door burst open.
Kallion strode in, wearing a uniform of the same dark tone as her gown. Without a greeting, he extended something toward the maids.
“Lady Harrington asked me to deliver this.”
It was a necklace, set with a large blue gemstone that matched their attire. Likely, Lady Harrington had been too busy with the flood of orders to send it earlier.
The maids blinked at the necklace, unsure. Then quick-witted Amy spoke up:
“Why don’t you put it on for her yourself, Your Grace?”
A crack appeared immediately across Kallion’s smooth brow.
Watching through the mirror, Ines sighed inwardly.
He won’t do it.
But in front of the household staff, Kallion never openly refused.
He said nothing, so Amy stepped back with a small smile. The other maids quickly followed suit, leaving space for the Duchess.
“This way…”
Now fully visible, Ines waited as Kallion approached with the necklace in hand, irritation on his face.
At first, he glanced at her through the mirror.
His golden eyes lingered on her blue ones, then slid slowly down—past her nose, pausing briefly on her lips, and finally resting on her slender, exposed neck.
