Chapter : 124
“Alexian…”
“You’ve lost quite a bit of weight. In just a few weeks.”
Alexian frowned as he spoke.
He paused for a moment, as if holding back the emotions rising within him, then turned toward Daina.
“My apology is late. About that day… I am truly sorry.”
“No, Alexian, it’s not something you need to apologize for.”
“I foolishly didn’t even realize that my father had been following me. Lady Viviwood… it was because of me that it happened to you. I sincerely apologize once again.”
Alexian bowed his head toward Daina.
Daina, flustered, waved both hands at him.
“No, it’s really fine…!”
“I heard she hasn’t woken up yet. If you need, I can have our family physician come.”
“No need for a personal physician.”
At Alexian’s words, Knox, who had been standing a step behind, stepped forward and spoke firmly.
“The Betelgeuse family’s physician will be more than sufficient.”
“Oh… Duke Betelgeuse.”
Alexian slowly turned his gaze toward him.
Noticing the awkward tension between the two men, Daina quickly spoke up.
“So, does that mean Alexian will become the next head of the Feinstain family?”
“No.”
At her question, Alexian shook his head immediately.
“The son of someone who committed crimes serious enough to tarnish the family’s reputation cannot become the next head. Besides, I am in many ways unqualified.”
“What’s wrong with Alexian…”
At Daina’s trailing words, Alexian let out a faint smile.
“The next head will be decided through discussion and a vote by the family elders. There isn’t a significant new candidate among the direct line, so perhaps someone from a collateral branch will take the position.”
“Alexian… are you okay?”
At Daina’s question, Alexian looked briefly into the empty space before shaking his head slightly.
“To say I’m okay would be a lie. I’m not okay, but it’s the outcome I’ve been hoping for, so I can be satisfied with that.”
Though his expression was complex and pained, his heart seemed at peace.
Daina watched him quietly, then spoke.
“What do you plan to do from now on?”
“Huh?”
“What are you planning to do, Alexian?”
Alexian blinked slowly, pondering her question.
After hesitating for a long moment, he finally spoke.
“Well… I don’t know. After finally driving out my father and restoring everything to its place, I don’t know what I should do next. With the principle of collective responsibility still in effect, my position in the family has become ambiguous as well.”
“Hmmm… I have a recommendation for someone like you. Would you like to hear it?”
“What is it?”
Daina lifted the corners of her mouth at Alexian and said briefly,
“A journey!”
“A journey?”
“A journey to find yourself! How does that sound?”
“To find… myself?”
Daina nodded quickly.
Alexian, still looking completely bewildered, asked,
“And… how do you do that?”
“It’s not hard. Don’t worry about what others think. Just write your own story! Seek out your own happiness!”
“My own story? Does that… really have meaning?”
“Of course!”
Daina spoke confidently.
“The power of a journey to find yourself is tremendous. It’s helped the most hopeless treasures become the strongest, most admirable adults in the world.”
“Strong… and admirable…”
“So, if you don’t know what to do next, I hope that through a journey, Alexian can find the answer that belongs only to him.”
Clenching her small fists toward him, Daina then opened her palms in a gesture of farewell.
“Take care, Alexian. I will never forget how you went against your own family to help me and Miss Stella in pursuit of what was right.”
“Lady Daina…”
“I sincerely hope you find happiness from now on.”
Daina spoke softly.
Alexian stared at her for a moment, then took her outstretched hand. Bowing his head, he pressed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
Oh…
Taken aback by the unexpected, polite gesture, Daina shrank her shoulders.
Even so, a nobleman… giving me such a greeting…?
Alexian lifted his head to meet Daina’s gaze. His deep blue eyes softened warmly.
“Thank you. I also hope that you are always happy, my lady.”
Carefully releasing her hand, Alexian slowly turned and walked away.
Daina stood still, staring blankly at his retreating figure.
The warmth from where his lips had touched seemed to linger, gently tingling.
The carriage carrying Daina and Knox arrived at the Betelgeuse mansion.
“I didn’t think we’d be gone for so long.”
Looking around at the now dim surroundings, Daina stepped down from the carriage.
“You haven’t had proper rest all this time. Lady Viviwood will understand this much.”
“Will she?”
She let out a small laugh and began walking toward the mansion. At that moment, the gate suddenly swung open, and Cleon ran out in a panic.
“My lord! Lady Daina!”
Seeing his ashen face, Daina felt all her calm emotions shatter, as if the ground beneath her had collapsed.
Feeling deep unease, she hurried toward him.
“Sir Hertus, what’s the matter?”
“Lady Viviwood is having a sudden, severe seizure! Her fever spiked suddenly, and it’s dangerous! I was just on my way to fetch the physician!”
“A… seizure?”
Daina felt her legs weaken and swayed.
Knox quickly caught her to steady her.
“I’ll bring the doctor immediately! Please wait a moment!”
After saying this, Cleon ran toward the stables on the other side. Daina had no time to think and rushed inside the mansion.
“Daina, be careful!”
She climbed the stairs, barely aware of how she reached Stella’s room. Anxiety gnawed at her chest, her heart pounding wildly.
Finally reaching the door to Stella’s room, Daina turned the handle with trembling hands.
“Hurry!”
“Bring more water…!”
“Cloths too! Ice would be even better!”
Stella lay on the bed while the maids hurriedly tended to her.
Knox quickly took control of the servants to issue proper instructions.
Daina ran to Amelia, who sat on a chair beside the bed with her face buried in her palms.
“Amelia! What’s happening?”
At Daina’s voice, Amelia lifted her tear-streaked face.
Her entire face was soaked with tears, as if she had been crying continuously.
“Daina…!”
“Miss, what’s going on? Since when has this been happening?”
Sniffling, Amelia shook her head.
“I-I don’t know. She was sleeping calmly, then suddenly started breathing rapidly and foaming at the mouth… I touched her body and she was burning hot, then suddenly began trembling violently.”
Daina quickly turned her gaze to Stella on the bed.
As Amelia said, Stella’s body was flushed red from the high fever, foaming at the mouth and shivering uncontrollably.
Daina turned to a basin of cold water with a towel and began quickly wiping Stella’s body.
“D-Daina, is this… okay?”
Amelia, having finally regained some composure, helped Daina at her side.
The maids also soaked cloths in cold water, wiping Stella’s body or placing ice packs on various parts of her.
As she frantically rubbed Stella’s burning-hot body, Daina muttered,
“Stella, please… just hold on a little longer.”
She could not let this go.
At the very least… she had to witness Feinstain being punished.
At the very least… she had to see the Viviwood family’s fabric spread throughout the capital’s market…!
“Ugh… her fever isn’t coming down…”
Nearby, Amelia’s terrified sobs broke out.
Daina did not cry. She bit her lower lip tightly, lifted the now lukewarm towel back into the basin, and squeezed it dry silently.
“….”
She could think of nothing.
All she could do was continue rubbing Stella’s fevered body, over and over.
