~CHAPTER 34~
“……What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“A typical side effect of Silver Actaea Racemosa is liver damage. When the liver is affected, the symptom that appears is jaundice.”
That meant the Marchioness was now experiencing the drug’s side effects.
Of course, when side effects occur, the medicine must be stopped immediately.
But she refused my words.
“This is ridiculous. You’re not even a physician. What right do you have to say that?”
“Then get an examination from a doctor. I’m sure they’ll tell you the same thing.”
“……”
The Marchioness bit her lip and lowered her eyes.
Even if there were side effects, she didn’t seem able to give up the treatment easily.
After a moment of hesitation, I spoke carefully.
“Um, if I may… would it be alright if I tried making a new medicine for you?”
“…You would?”
“Yes! I’ve made quite a few remedies before! I study pharmacology every day, and I’ve been told I have talent. If you’ll just let me…”
“No, I’ll pass.”
It was a cold and firm rejection—so blunt I didn’t even have time to be embarrassed.
“How could I take medicine from someone I can’t trust? And why are you even meddling in my affairs? If I stop treatment because of you, will you take responsibility?”
“I only wanted to help you, Marchioness…”
“Why, though? Because I can’t have a child—do you find that amusing? Or do you just want to make one of your pitiful little remedies and call yourself my savior like you do with everyone else?”
Her usual calm and grace disappeared, replaced by sharp words said in a strained voice.
I couldn’t say anything back—not because I was hurt, but because she looked more in pain than angry.
For me, not making the medicine was nothing.
But if I did make it and it didn’t work, the Marchioness would fall into despair as deep as her hope had been desperate.
“…Ha, I may have spoken too harshly. I’m sorry. Please go.”
I wanted to comfort her somehow, but instead, I simply left.
She looked like she needed time alone.
* * *
“I’m sorry, Madam. But it’s just as I feared…”
The family physician who came after I left told her the same thing.
She had to stop taking the medicine.
Feeling as though the last thread of hope she had found had been severed, Nelle felt despair wash over her.
Even if her health suffered, she didn’t want to give up yet.
“If you continue taking it, your body will weaken. And even if you conceive, the chance of miscarriage will be high.”
In the end, Nelle decided to stop taking the medicine and shut herself in her room.
Why was she the only one being tested like this?
Others who married earlier, or even later, already had children.
And yet she alone, like an isolated island, remained unable to conceive.
A heavy sadness crept in.
As she sat quietly sobbing, a maid entered with unexpected news.
“Madam, a gift has arrived for you.”
“…A gift? What kind of gift? Who sent it?”
“From the Viscountess Kreutz.”
Nelle’s shoulders flinched.
The maid held out a neatly wrapped box tied with a ribbon.
Inside were a scented candle and a letter.
Nelle unfolded the letter first.
「To Marchioness Wagner,
I think I may have been quite rude in my words and actions, and I wanted to apologize.
I’m sorry.
To be honest, I joined this social circle to build my standing and get closer to you.
But I never intended to take advantage of your pain.
As you said, my skill is small, but if I can help someone, I want to.
The truth is, my husband is ill and not in good health. I began studying medicine to be of help to him.
That’s why I also want to help you.
I know this may be overstepping, but please understand that this is the only way I can express my support for you.
With respect,
Jenna Kreutz
P.S. The candle I sent should help you relax and sleep better. You know how important rest and peace of mind are!」
Every word in Jenna’s letter carried her sincerity, and Nelle’s eyes trembled as she read.
She realized that she had lashed out at Jenna in anger when told to stop taking the medicine.
And yet Jenna hadn’t taken offense—she’d sent an apology and a gift instead.
That night, Nelle lit the candle before bed.
She had spent countless nights awake with worry, but perhaps because of the candle’s scent, she slept deeply for the first time in a while.
The next morning, refreshed and clear-headed, she wrote Jenna a letter.
Asking her to make the medicine.
The door of her heart, once tightly closed, had opened just a little.
Jenna’s reply was swift and simple.
「Got it!」
* * *
After two weeks of practice, I could ride fairly well.
I’d improved faster than expected—even Aizen was surprised.
Now it was time to start obstacle training, but the problem was our home didn’t have enough space for that.
Hmm, what should I do…?
After thinking it over, I decided to ask someone who lived in a big mansion for help.
And that someone was—
“Here, Matthias. Try this one too.”
I smiled as I pushed a sweet tart toward him.
“I told you, I don’t really like sweets.”
Despite his protest, the boy ate it up neatly.
See? He likes it.
For the record, Matthias had contacted me first, saying he was bored.
Originally, I just planned to feed him a good meal and send him off, but then I remembered he lived in the largest ducal estate in the north.
“How is it? Tasty?”
“Hmm, it’s decent.”
“Actually, I have a favor to ask—will you hear me out?”
“What is it?”
I asked if it would be alright to practice horseback riding at his estate.
Behind me, Greta coughed loudly in warning—it was definitely a bold request.
But with the competition coming up, I decided to be shameless about it.
“Sure, come to my house and practice.”
“Really? Thank you! You’re such a sweet kid.”
I pinched his soft cheek affectionately.
Matthias turned red and huffed in embarrassment.
Three days later, I visited the Duke’s estate for my obstacle training.
The butler I’d seen before led me to the training grounds and firmly reminded me not to leave that area.
“The ducal estate rarely allows outsiders. You’ve been given special permission thanks to the young master’s request, but please stay within the training field.”
“Alright, I understand.”
When I arrived, the space was already set up for jumping practice, and Matthias was waiting for me.
“Matthias, are you here to watch?”
“Curious to see me ride, huh? Just in case, stand a bit farther back—it’s safer.”
He stood by the wall as I mounted Bingbing and began my practice.
Obstacle races required not just speed but accuracy.
If you hit a hurdle trying to go faster, you’d lose points and be disqualified.
Clean jumps were everything.
I took a deep breath and urged Bingbing forward.
Of course, our rhythm wasn’t perfect yet.
“Ahh! Bingbing, not that way! Don’t hit the hurdles! Nooo!”
It was much harder than just riding around the garden—clear communication was key.
After knocking down nearly every obstacle, I stopped, exhausted.
As I caught my breath, Matthias walked over, looking concerned.
“Here, it’s a horse treat. Try giving it while you ride.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“If you keep practicing, you’ll get good at it.”
“You think so? Hearing that from you gives me strength.”
When I smiled brightly, he quickly turned his small face away.
What a shy boy.
Though from the side… he kind of reminds me of Aizen.
Maybe it was the way he looked away when embarrassed.
Come to think of it, he resembles my husband more than his uncle, the Duke.
The Duke of Callard had a gentle, plain look, unlike the strikingly handsome Matthias.
Well, they’re uncle and nephew, not father and son—it makes sense.
* * *
Aizen drew back the curtain slightly.
From the window, he could see Jenna and Matthias in the training yard.
With her hair tied high, Jenna was drenched in sweat after hours of practice.
She’d even dropped the reins once trying to jump too aggressively, but quickly regained her balance.
“…!”
Thud!
For a moment, Aizen thought she had fallen and nearly broke the glass as his fist hit the window in alarm.
“Ha…”
He exhaled quietly, brushing a hand over his face.
Whether she’s near or far, that woman never fails to make me anxious.
That was exactly why he’d allowed her to train here.
If he refused, she’d just find somewhere else, so better to keep her within his sight.
The only downside was that he couldn’t focus on work—he kept wandering to the window to check on her.
Why did she have to make such a reckless bet…
Watching her barely avoid a fall, he couldn’t help but feel irritation toward Sylvia, who had provoked the whole thing.
Especially after hearing Jenna’s stories about Sylvia’s behavior at their gatherings, Aizen’s impression of her had only worsened.
“You know, today Lady Hoffman tried to trip me on purpose.”
“…Did you fall? Were you hurt?”
“Nope! I dodged, and she tripped herself instead. I tried to help her up, but she got mad and stormed off.”
“Good. Next time, just step on her foot.”
The one who had tasked Aizen with driving Jenna away was Nelle, yet somehow it was Sylvia who kept bothering her.
Knock, knock.
At the sound of the door, Aizen turned and coldly watched the man entering his office.
“Ha-ha! Good day, Duke!”
The cheerful visitor, smiling broadly, was none other than the Marquis of Hoffman.
Sylvia’s father.
