Chapter 115 …
“Y-You mean the traveling troupe?”
The village doctor, startled by Benedict’s request, clumsily dropped to his knees on the floor.
Seeing someone of advanced age react so suddenly, Benedict was surprised and moved to help him up.
“Please… forgive me, Your Grace.”
But the old doctor bowed even lower and spoke earnestly.
“I cannot fully comprehend the wishes of someone so noble, but if it became known that I examined the troupe… this clinic would have to close.”
“Please.”
When the man didn’t rise, Benedict went down to his knees opposite him, pleading.
“Someone is dying.”
“I… I beg you as well, Your Grace.”
The doctor bowed again.
“It may seem humble to such distinguished people… but this clinic has been preserved since my great-grandfather’s time.”
“…”
Benedict couldn’t bring himself to crush the man’s earnestness.
Leaving the clinic empty-handed, he found Alfi waiting for him, looking serious as if he had received news from the coachman.
“Did the doctor agree to examine her?”
“No, for now, it’s better to return to the troupe’s camp.”
Benedict and Alfi got into the carriage.
“We need to go straight back to Winfield Manor. Any hospital would be the same. I’ll have my doctor examine her.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if I ran to your dukedom to bring him here? I’ve heard her condition isn’t good.”
“That might be better… but…”
Benedict shook his head, recalling the woman’s pale, ghostly face.
Time was their greatest enemy. They couldn’t wait for Alfi to make a round trip. It would be better to place her in Benedict’s relatively stable carriage and rush back.
By laying out all the blankets to make her comfortable, it would also reduce strain on her body.
“By any means… I’ll save her, no matter what.”
Benedict clenched his hands together, anxiety gripping him.
Simone had to survive. It wasn’t just because he worried about Lucien being saddened.
Benedict had shared many experiences with the troupe and naturally cherished his connection with them.
Perhaps the troupe felt the same. They had treated him with ease, valuing Benedict himself more than his status.
The carriage left the village, picking up speed, and soon arrived at the troupe’s camp.
Before the carriage even stopped, Benedict leapt out and commanded Alfi.
“Make a place in the carriage for the patient, got it?”
Then he ran straight to the bed carriage where Simone lay, throwing open the door without knocking.
“Immediately, to the dukedom—!”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence.
“Oh no, no! Simone!”
A cry mixed with grief and anger cut him off.
“…Ah.”
Benedict stepped forward, staggering. Through the crowded troupe members, he saw Simone slumped between Liliana and Elsie.
Even the faint life that had remained in her face had completely vanished.
He hadn’t been able to save her.
Perhaps he should have demanded treatment from the baronial household instead of forcibly bringing her out.
Or if he had arrived here just a little earlier…
He reached out a trembling hand, contemplating futile “what ifs.” The woman he failed to protect still hadn’t closed her eyes.
“Rest in eternal peace…”
He prayed for the soul departing to a distant place, trying to help Simone close her eyes.
But before his hand could even touch her, Liliana swept Simone into her arms and turned a sharp glare on Benedict.
“Don’t touch her!”
“I—I…”
Benedict couldn’t retract his hand. He was too shocked by Liliana’s sudden hostility.
“…Leave.”
Liliana spoke while clutching Simone, who kept sliding down.
But Benedict shook his head.
Simone mattered to him too. They hadn’t been very close, but he believed their bond was enough to mourn her passing.
“I’ll… witness her funeral.”
“F-Funeral?”
“Sis.”
Jun lightly touched Liliana’s shoulder, noticing the sharpness in her words.
“I didn’t realize that such grand things are even allowed for these… lowly people, Your Grace.”
“Sis, stop.”
Jun tried again, but it only poured more fuel on her anger.
“Why? Why should I stop?!”
Liliana, who had entrusted Simone to Elsie, stood and scolded Jun.
“Simone died because of nobles! And now you expect me to bow to them?!”
“It’s the duke’s fault…”
“Of course it’s the duke’s fault!”
Liliana glared at Benedict, her eyes full of rage. Benedict felt his chest tighten and couldn’t respond.
“They’re all the same! They only protect each other’s power!”
“….”
“And Simone… was trampled by power and died without a word. Meaningless….”
Her tears flowed endlessly as Liliana approached Benedict and gripped his coat tightly.
“You killed her! You…”
With her slender arms, she shook the black fabric repeatedly before slowly collapsing to the ground.
Benedict stood frozen, unsure how to comfort her.
Then he noticed the eyes on him. He looked up and saw every troupe member in the carriage staring at him.
The same glare Liliana had given him just moments ago.
Benedict had to face the harsh truth: to them, he could only be the source of anger.
Liliana’s words about “protecting each other’s power” rang true.
It was Winfield dukedom’s financial support that restored the crumbling baronial household. If the barons had gone bankrupt and returned under royal protection…
The reckless Milburn would never have taken the title of “baron,” and Simone would not have ended up like this.
“….”
Benedict couldn’t even bring himself to apologize and quietly turned away. The troupe members nearby quickly cleared a path, as if urging him to leave.
“Please… let her go back.”
He took a hesitant step forward.
Liliana spoke. Just that one line, but Benedict understood it was directed at him.
“…We can’t lose Lucien too. Simone wouldn’t want that either! Don’t you see how much we care for him?”
She lifted her head and looked Benedict straight in the eye.
“Send him back! Don’t let Your Grace’s change of heart hurt him too!”
“….”
“He can’t leave on his own. Not just him…”
Biting her lip in anguish, she glanced at Simone.
“You probably think Simone was foolish, right? That she’s a woman trying to sell herself to a noble to change her status?”
“N-No, that’s not…!”
Absolutely not. Swear.
But… he had doubts.
Benedict knew that Simone took pride in being a notable member of the troupe. But why did she go to the baronial mansion?
“She didn’t go there because it was a noble household. Even if an old woman with no barley asked her to stay, she would have gone. What she wanted…”
Liliana lowered her gaze. Tears fell endlessly to the cracked ground.
“…What we wanted was… a home, after all.”
Benedict recalled what Lucien had said before:
“I… I’ve always wanted my own little box, Benedict.”
“A place anyone would call a ‘home’…”
He looked at Simone again.
Unable to speak, he listened as Liliana continued:
“So… please send them back. Before something happens to Lucien too!”
