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“I’ll be going now.”
“Yes. Take care.”
After finishing his preparations for work, Lucius leaned down to kiss me, still lying motionless in bed. When I opened my eyes that morning, my body had felt so heavy that I couldn’t even get up, so all I could do was send him off while still under the covers.
Perhaps because he knew my condition was his fault, Lucius stopped me when I tried to follow him to the door. He tucked the blanket snugly around me, stroked my hair several times, pressed kisses all over my face, and only then reluctantly tore himself away and left the room.
I stared at the door he had gone through for a long moment before shifting my gaze up to the ceiling in a daze.
“Strange… he’s even more affectionate than before.”
I recalled everything Lucius had done from the moment I woke up until he left the room. After being tormented all night until dawn, I had finally dozed off, only to wake with great effort to find his eyes right before mine—eyes so sweet they looked as though honey might drip from them at any moment.
“My heart nearly stopped first thing in the morning. Honestly, those eyes of his are lethal.”
He always looked at me with kindness, but today it was tenfold. I had no idea how long he had been watching me, but when I opened my eyes, he smiled so brightly and asked, “Did you sleep well?” that I couldn’t help but fall for him all over again.
“I thought I had no more heart left to give… but it seems no matter how much I give, it’s never enough.”
It was only after meeting Lucius that I realized you could see the same person every day and still feel something new each time. Truly, he was a man of irresistible charm.
“Come to think of it, I’ve been a bit lazy lately.”
Today I hadn’t been able to get up because of Lucius, but normally I would already be up and getting ready by now. Just the other day I had been bedridden with a cold, and now here I was again.
“I won’t be able to face the servants at this rate…”
Of course, it wasn’t intentional, but using my poor condition as an excuse, I had ended up lazing about. As the lady of the house, shouldn’t I be setting an example? What would the staff think of me?
“Well, there’s been so much going on that I haven’t really had time to recover properly.”
I had barely shaken off my illness when more troubles arose, keeping me running about without pause—from Marquis Even’s situation, to Rael and Angelica, to Lucius’s issues.
My mind and body had been completely worn out. There were still unresolved matters, but just for today, I wanted to rest.
Knock, knock—
“My lady, it’s Jane.”
At that moment, Jane’s voice came from outside the door. What could it be? I had just been about to drift off to sleep, so I considered not answering—but since Jane herself had come instead of another maid, it must be something important.
“…Come in.”
I reluctantly propped myself up against the headboard and answered. Soon Jane carefully opened the door and stepped into the room.
“Forgive me for disturbing your rest, my lady.”
“It’s fine. What is it?”
“Well… a message has arrived from your family through a communication stone. The head butler is handling it at the moment, but…”
“My family?”
My family—did she mean the Celeste ducal house? A sudden message from them? And not a letter, but a communication stone?
Surprised, I clutched the blanket that had slipped down to my lap and looked at Jane, who was watching me nervously.
“What kind of message? Was it from Father? Is something urgent?”
“Um, actually…”
Sensing something odd, I pressed her, and after hesitating, she finally spoke.
“The call came from the young master.”
“From Lennox? What’s going on?”
“My lady, please stay calm. The Duke of Celeste… has collapsed.”
“What?”
Edwin—Father—collapsed? The news hit me like a bolt of lightning.
I scrambled to get out of bed, but my legs gave way, and I stumbled. Jane rushed forward to catch me, her face etched with worry.
“My lady, are you all right? You mustn’t overexert yourself.”
“Father… he collapsed? Why? What did Lennox say?”
“The head butler is getting the details now. I thought I should tell you right away…”
“…I see. Jane, bring me my shawl. I need to speak with Lennox myself.”
“But my lady, in your condition—”
“Please. Right now, knowing Father’s state is more important than my own.”
He might not have been my true father, but as long as I was living in Tiana’s body, Edwin was my father—and more than that, as someone who had never known parental love, I cherished him as though he were my real father. How could I stay still after hearing he had collapsed?
I thought he’d been eating well lately…
I had even asked the head chef to make sure he was properly nourished. If he collapsed, could there be something else?
My fingers trembled with anxiety. Seeing me like that, Jane hesitated, then finally nodded.
“…Very well. Please wait here for a moment. I’ll fetch it right away.”
“Thank you, Jane.”
Relieved, I managed a small smile. Jane gave me a helpless look, helped me sit back down, and left the room. She soon returned with a thicker shawl than usual.
“My lady still has a fever, so you must wrap up properly.”
She wound the long shawl around me twice, making sure it was snug, like a mother fussing over her daughter. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.
“This is enough. Let’s go downstairs.”
“Yes, my lady. Please don’t rush.”
“I’ll try.”
But though I said so, my heart was pounding too hard to move slowly. I hurried downstairs to Warren’s office.
As I approached, I heard voices through the slightly open door—Warren’s and Lennox’s. The moment I recognized my brother’s voice, I couldn’t wait any longer and pushed the door open.
“Warren. Let me speak to Lennox.”
“My lady…! In your state, why did you come down?”
He was startled but quickly regained his composure, as expected of Warren. I noticed the glowing communication stone in his hand and walked over.
“Jane told me. How could I stay put after hearing that?”
“…I was just about to come to you. I was too late.”
“Yes, you were. This time, it’s your fault, Warren. Why did Jane have to be the one to tell me? You should have informed me immediately.”
“My apologies, my lady. His Grace ordered me to keep you calm at all costs. That’s why I took the call first. I see now that I erred. Forgive me.”
His face stiffened as he bowed. Realizing I had snapped, I quickly calmed myself.
“No, I was just too shocked and spoke harshly. I’m sorry, Warren.”
“Not at all. It’s only natural that you’d be alarmed. I regret not telling you sooner.”
“Truly, it’s all right. I’m calmer now, so please, don’t bow so deeply.”
I waved my hand, and he reluctantly straightened. Then he held out the stone.
“Here, my lady. It’s still connected to the duke’s household. The young master is waiting.”
“Thank you.”
Taking the green-glowing stone, I heard a familiar voice at once.
[ Sister? ]
“…! Leno? Is that really you?”
It had been so long since I heard his voice. Emotion welled up, but I swallowed it down.
[ Yes, it’s me. Sister, I heard you’re unwell too. Are you all right? ]
“I’m fine. Tell me about Father. They said he collapsed—what happened?”
[ Ah, well… ]
His voice was unusually subdued. My anxiety spiked as I waited. But when he finally spoke, his answer left me speechless.
[ Actually… it was because of overeating. ]
“…What?”
The absurdity of it made me laugh despite myself.
“So, you’re saying Father collapsed because he ate the peaches I sent?”
“That’s right, Sister.”
Lennox nodded as I set my teacup down. I glanced at Edwin, who averted his eyes guiltily.
“How…?”
“Because they were from you, he insisted on having them after every meal—three times a day. And not just one, he ate two huge peaches each time. No wonder his stomach gave out.”
“So he ate six peaches a day?”
“Yes. All by himself.”
“Ah…”
Well, that would do it. Even two a day would be a lot, but six? Of course his body couldn’t take it.
“Father, honestly. Even if they were that delicious, you should have known when to stop.”
“Ahem…”
At Lennox’s scolding, Edwin coughed and looked away, like a child caught sneaking sweets. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Father, six peaches a day is far too much.”
“Tiana, it’s just… since you sent them. And they were truly delicious. I couldn’t stop.”
“Lucius and I picked them ourselves at the orchard. They’re bigger and sweeter than ordinary peaches. I knew you’d enjoy them, but I never imagined you’d eat six a day and end up collapsing.”
I never knew Father had such a silly side… it’s kind of refreshing.
In the novel, I had only ever seen the stern Duke Edwin. But seeing this clumsy, almost endearing side of him—it warmed me. This was the kind of moment only a daughter could witness.
“Well, I’m just glad it wasn’t something serious. You recovered quickly, too. Do you know how frightened I was when I first heard?”
“I’m sorry, my dear. I hear you’ve been unwell yourself, yet I’ve only made you worry.”
“What are you saying? Of course I’ll worry about you, Father.”
“…Thank you.”
He smiled softly, and I smiled back. It was natural for a daughter to worry about her father—but I could tell Edwin still couldn’t quite reconcile it, after two years under a possessor who had never shown him such care.
“Sister, since you’re here after so long, why not stay for dinner?”
Lennox looked at me hopefully, but I had to shake my head.
“I’m sorry. I really should return. I only came because I managed to persuade His Highness and the steward. If I don’t go back soon, His Highness will worry.”
Lucius already knew I had come here, but he had made me promise not to overexert myself. If I delayed too long, Warren might even get a message.
“…I understand. Since you’re still unwell, it’s better to rest.”
“I promise, next time I’ll stay for dinner.”
“All right. I’ll hold you to that.”
Smiling brightly, Lennox let me ruffle his hair. His joy made my heart swell.
Edwin, watching us with gentle eyes, spoke.
“The Grand Duke is still treating you well, I see.”
“Yes. He’s as kind as ever—no, even kinder than before.”
“…I’m relieved.”
I laughed and nodded. Too kind, in fact—so much so that my poor heart was constantly under siege.
Remembering this morning, my cheeks must have betrayed me, because Edwin smiled knowingly.
“Your expression shows just how deeply loved you are.”
“Oh dear, does it? Did I give myself away?”
“Not at all. It makes me glad. As your father, there’s no greater comfort than seeing my daughter cherished.”
“Father…”
His words touched me deeply. Who would have thought Edwin could say such things? If I hadn’t possessed Tiana, I would never have known this tender, love-filled side of him.
With Edwin and Lennox seeing me off, I left the Celeste estate. On the carriage ride back to the Grand Duke’s residence, Jane and I chatted.
“It’s fortunate the Duke is safe.”
“Yes. I’m so relieved it wasn’t serious. The cause was a little ridiculous, though.”
“I think it just shows how much he treasures you, my lady. Honestly, I envy you a little.”
Jane laughed, though her tone held a faint bitterness. Curious, I asked,
“Why is that?”
“My father passed away early. Only my mother remains.”
“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
“Not at all. I brought it up myself. It’s been so long that I’m at peace with it now. I only think of him sometimes.”
“I’m glad to hear that… but still.”
She shook her head with a small smile. Even so, I felt uneasy for bringing up a painful memory. Though she brushed it off, the faint melancholy lingered on her face.
Our conversation faded as the carriage entered a forest path. I was just about to think of a new topic when a familiar crest caught my eye on a passing carriage.
“That crest…”
“Isn’t that the Viscount Huiset family’s carriage?”
“…Yes. It looks like it.”
Jane was right. It was unmistakably the carriage of Viscount Huiset.
But why was it here, when the Huiset family had left the capital?
