~Chapter 72~
“Ah.”
Being called my dear, being asked whether she had been afraid—she had never heard words like that even once in her life. Without realizing it, Camilla felt her eyes sting.
“…No, I—I…”
She was supposed to say she was fine. And yet, the words wouldn’t come.
This isn’t why I came here.
The woman before her was someone she was meant to examine as a patient—a Grand Duchess with immense power. And yet, all Camilla could feel was heat rising behind her eyes.
“…I…”
She wanted to say she had been afraid. That she believed the moment her illegitimate birth was exposed, she would lose her place here forever. That was why she hadn’t been able to speak. She wanted to make excuses—but she swallowed the words back down.
The Grand Duchess gently pulled Camilla closer, lowering her until Camilla’s face rested against her lap. She stroked Camilla’s hair tenderly, her own eyes reddening.
“You must have been so frightened that you couldn’t even bring yourself to speak.”
Tears fell.
Yet the Grand Duchess didn’t care that her skirts were being stained, didn’t care that they were soaking with tears. She simply kept stroking Camilla’s hair.
“Long ago, the doctor I respected most was also a noble born out of wedlock. Before meeting them, I didn’t even know nobles could become physicians.”
In a world ruled by rigid hierarchy, those were words only Lunellia could say. She smiled faintly.
“Stella Everett. The former head of the Everett family. She was cast out, of course.”
At the unexpected name, Camilla’s eyes widened.
“After she was driven out, I volunteered in medical service with a thought in mind. If both commoners and nobles bleed the same red blood, then perhaps what’s wrong is a world that insists on dividing people by rank.”
“…Your Grace?”
“Of course, if I said such things openly, even I would be arrested. Hehe.”
The Grand Duchess’s clear blue eyes—so very much like Dane’s—looked at Camilla with warmth.
“Back then, I kept writing to you because I hoped you would stay by Dane’s side.”
She shook her head softly.
“That, too, must have been my own selfishness. Do as you wish. Follow your heart.”
She patted Camilla’s arm.
“You must be honest with yourself.”
So many reasons came to mind—reasons she hadn’t been able to do that. And yet, for some reason, she no longer wanted to hide behind them.
“My time left is not long…”
“Please don’t say that, Your Grace!”
“No. I should say it. Please, cherish the time you have left. Just don’t forget whose student you are.”
That day, Camilla and the Grand Duchess spoke for a long time.
Just before Camilla left, the Grand Duchess said quietly,
“If time still allows it… I would like to help you.”
Then she asked,
“My dear. What is it you want most?”
If Camilla dared to say she wished to stand beside Dane, the Grand Duchess would surely support her as much as she could.
Camilla’s gaze settled, calm and steady.
What I truly want.
To see the trial through to the end.
To utterly destroy Glamis and the Mowin family.
To stand beside Dane with the Grand Duchess’s support.
There were many things she could ask for. More than that, she should have been focusing on recovery and preparing for the trial.
And yet, in the end, Camilla whispered,
“I want to treat you, Your Grace. Please tell me everything about your condition.”
At those words, the Grand Duchess’s eyes widened.
Her first response was that there was nothing special about her illness. Besides, she had heard Camilla herself was a patient—how could she allow a patient to examine her?
“I already know. My body has simply grown weak, and my condition isn’t something that can be cured.”
But to Camilla, the symptoms felt strange.
Her mind grows clouded, but with stimulation, she snaps back quickly.
It didn’t quite match dementia. After some persuasion, Camilla finally convinced the Grand Duchess to allow Ain to provide a medical report.
“…Really, I can never win against you. You haven’t changed at all.”
The Grand Duchess glanced at Camilla, then placed something in her hand and told her to hold out her palm.
“You don’t seem to want anything, so at least take this.”
“What is it?”
It was a rough iron ring, plainly made, not something that looked valuable at a glance.
“It’s something I once received from someone precious to me, and treasured dearly. Please, take it.”
She had never received something like this even from her own mother. Camilla smiled softly.
“I will treasure it deeply. Thank you, Your Grace.”
Not long after Camilla returned to her room, Ain burst in, horrified.
“My lady! How can you not be resting?!”
“I know my own body. I can work even while resting.”
Clicking his tongue, Ain handed over the Grand Duchess’s medical report.
“Here you are. Her Grace’s health declined further after giving birth to Lady Lucy. There’s no particular illness.”
“…Has it been long since she began losing track of dates, or failing to recognize people?”
“That symptom appeared only a few days ago. She went several nights without sleep, and then it started.”
Ain replied gravely, adding that the sleeping herbs had helped her rest.
“…So the herbal scent she keeps burning must be for sleep.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I’d like to examine its ingredients.”
Camilla moved quickly.
No matter how much Dane favored her, she didn’t know how long she could stay here. With the trial approaching, there was much to do—and she herself might be punished for her crimes.
So I need to do what I can, now.
After obtaining the ingredient list from Ain, she headed toward the greenhouse where Carrie would be.
“Ah! Mother’s student!!”
A bright voice rang out as Lucy came running toward Camilla, tossing aside the wooden practice sword she’d been holding.
“Lady Lucy.”
“Hm! Did you meet my mom?!”
Camilla hugged Lucy tightly as she threw herself into her arms, smiling.
“Yes. I saw her after a long time.”
“Then—then she can get better?!”
Camilla was just about to answer that she was on her way to prepare for that when—
“Lady Lucy!!”
A sharp, familiar voice pierced the air.
“If you’ve started twenty swings, you need to finish them before leaving—!”
The person who emerged from the bushes froze the moment she saw Camilla.
Gone was the old bun hairstyle. Her crimson hair was tied tightly back.
Wearing a knight commander’s uniform and a white cloak, Eugenia stood there exactly as she had in the original story—the captain of the Leonid Knight Order.
“Hik…! I-I’m gonna go back and finish…!”
Lucy buried her face in Camilla’s skirts, as if hiding would make her invisible.
“…Hello, Eugenia.”
In the awkward silence, Camilla spoke first.
As if things could really be fine.
“…Good day, Lady Mowin.”
Eugenia answered stiffly, instantly shifting from an exasperated older sister chasing after a troublesome child into a solemn knight commander.
She’s different from five years ago.
The sharp tone was gone, replaced by formal speech—probably because of her position.
Even after how badly our last meeting ended, she isn’t ignoring me.
As the awkward air lingered, Lucy looked between them, eyes sparkling.
“You two know each other?!”
“…Yes. And how do you know Lady Mowin, Lady Lucy?”
A bad feeling crept over Camilla.
Wait. The last thing Lucy and I talked about was…
“Lady Mowin promised to give me my big brother!”
“What?!”
Eugenia gasped, and Camilla screamed internally.
“You—are you targeting the Grand Duke’s son again—?!”
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
Camilla hurriedly waved her hands at the flaring Eugenia.
“Lady Lucy and I only promised that I would examine the Grand Duchess’s condition.”
“If she gets better, you’ll give me my brother—”
“No. That’s not it.”
Camilla gently patted Lucy’s head. Lucy puffed out her lips, clearly upset.
“…Mommy can get better?”
“I’m still examining her.”
“You’ll make her better… right?”
Unable to answer, Camilla simply stroked Lucy’s hair as tears welled in the child’s eyes.
With a sigh, Eugenia said,
“Go finish your practice, Lady Lucy. I’ll talk for a moment and then come.”
“Mm!”
Lucy ran off, clutching her wooden sword. Once she was gone, Eugenia turned back and glared at Camilla.
“You’re not planning to use Lady Lucy, are you?”
