~Chapter 15~
Camilla couldn’t believe her ears.
But Sonia whispered the unbelievable news.
“Miss Nina called for the Young Duke.”
“How could she do that?”
There was no way little Nina had any way to contact the Young Duke herself.
“Well…”
Sonia started to explain with an awkward look.
Earlier, from Nina’s POV
Nina just couldn’t understand.
That night at dinner, she heard a loud noise from the little door in the dining room.
When she opened it, she saw her sister with blood dripping from her nose and mouth.
Their mother was holding Camilla and forcing her to eat something.
And as soon as Camilla saw Nina, she collapsed like a hurt bird.
“Sister!”
Their father hadn’t returned yet, and her sister just fell to the floor.
After that, the servants gossiped non-stop.
Nina hid in a corner and listened.
‘Camilla made the Madam so angry, the Madam tried to kill her!’
Nina’s heart sank.
She was no fool. She knew her mistake at the Duke’s mansion almost got her sister hurt, and she saw how Camilla became the Young Duke’s companion.
And my mother got angry at my sister…
Nina thought,
It’s my fault.
Knock, knock.
Nina went to her mother’s room.
“…Mother, I need to talk to you.”
Her sister had told her not to say anything, but Nina decided it was better to tell her mother about what happened at the Duke’s estate.
But her mother was calmly picking jewelry in front of the mirror.
“Yes, it’s about time to get ready.”
“…Huh?”
“Aren’t we going to the opera tonight? I need to dress up.”
Nina remembered her mother mentioning this a few days ago, but now wasn’t the time for that.
Her mother seemed cheerful, which made Nina uneasy.
“Hm, I should have Sir Dylan escort me.”
“Mother…?”
Nina clutched her hands tightly, confused.
“Sis… is sick. Shouldn’t we at least call a doctor…?”
“I know.”
Nina knew her mother was always much stricter with her sister than with her.
But—
“What does that have to do with me? She won’t die anyway.”
After that, her mother dragged her off to get dressed and go to the opera.
“Miss, stop crying! You can’t act like this in front of the Madam!”
Her nanny scolded her for crying, but Nina couldn’t stop.
At the opera house, chandeliers sparkled and her dress felt too tight.
Nina suddenly hated being there.
I don’t want to be here.
While her mother chatted, Nina slipped away, crossed the hall, and hid on a balcony behind a curtain.
What if my sister dies?
Camilla was really sick. If something happened while she and her mother were gone, Nina would never forgive herself.
If only Father was here…
But he was away on business.
Nina felt alone.
Suddenly, the curtain moved.
A shadow approached—a boy servant with dark hair, carrying a sword at his waist, neatly dressed. He was Sir Dylan’s attendant.
Black hair.
Nina was reminded of her sister’s hair. Tears filled her eyes and started to fall.
“Hic… I’m not okay…”
“M-Miss?!”
Nina began to sob.
“What if my sister dies? I… I…”
She remembered all the times Camilla had taken the blame for her.
Now she remembered her sister kneeling in front of the Young Duke.
The last memory was Camilla, pale and lying down.
“I always make my sister suffer…!”
“…Miss…”
Nina grabbed the boy’s sleeve and cried loudly.
“My sick sister needs to live! But I can’t call a doctor! What should I do? Hic, I’m sorry, sis…”
The boy stared at her quietly for a moment.
“Forgive my rudeness, Miss, but may I say something?”
Even while sniffling, Nina looked up at his voice.
His face was stiff, but his tone was kind.
“If your sister is in serious danger, and there’s no one close you can trust, you should find someone far away who can help quickly.”
“Someone… who can help?”
“…You girls have been visiting him often lately, right?”
Ah!
Nina’s face brightened.
That’s right. The Young Duke!
If she asked the Young Duke, who promised to be Camilla’s companion, surely he would help.
He was always watching my sister, not me!
If she told him the situation, he would do something.
“The Duke’s messenger comes every morning at seven.”
“I see!”
She remembered seeing the Young Duke’s messenger coming early in the morning before too.
Nina felt a little hope.
He’ll probably send one tomorrow too.
She’d just have to sneak a letter out with the messenger when he came.
“…Also, the Madam is looking for you. You should go back soon.”
Nina nodded quickly.
Mother must not find out about my plan!
She hurried back, but looked over her shoulder at the boy.
“Um… what’s your name?”
The boy answered stiffly,
“…You can call me Dicky.”
Nina smiled at him.
“Thank you, Dicky! I’ll never forget this!”
That night, as soon as Nina got back to her room, she took out a small piece of parchment.
With shaking hands, she wrote carefully:
[My sister is sick, but my mother won’t get her any help. Please help us.]
Nina stayed up all night, tapping her cheeks to stay awake, then snuck out of her room before dawn.
Soon, horse hooves echoed in the cold morning.
Nina hid in the bushes, then ran out bravely.
“Excuse me, are you the Duke’s messenger?”
The surprised messenger looked at her.
“Uh, yes… little miss?”
He had just received a letter from the Baroness saying Camilla was too sick to visit the Duke’s house that day.
But Nina handed him her note with trembling hands.
“You have to give this to the Young Duke. Promise! Or something terrible will happen!”
The messenger thought it might be a child’s prank, but her face was so serious he took the note.
He gave every letter, including Nina’s, to the Young Duke.
That afternoon, the Young Duke, Dane Escalus, personally came to the Baron’s mansion to see his companion.
And the one who greeted Dane as he stepped out of his golden carriage was none other than the Baron, who had just returned from his trip.
“The Young Duke? What brings you to our estate?”
The Baron sounded both honored and confused.
“I heard my companion was sick,” Dane said calmly, looking at the Baron.
“Companion…!” The Baron’s face lit up. He almost called for Nina, but Dane’s cold answer cut him off.
“Camilla. I came to see her.”
Dane raised his chin, his eyes shining.
“She saved my life, so I made her my companion.”
The Baron’s face stiffened. He twitched his mustache, paused, then forced a smile.
“…Yes, she is my proud daughter.”
“Really?” Dane gave a quiet, mocking laugh.
“I heard your proud daughter is sick, but nobody here is helping her?”
“…What?”
“That’s right. I need to check if my companion is being treated properly.”
“There must be some mistake…”
Camilla was important to the Baron’s business and as a food tester.
She’s sick? My wife should have at least taken care of her, right?
But when he checked, Camilla really had been neglected.
The Baron’s face twisted in shock.
Jajja