IRTHP 37🔐

Chapter 37…

I Made You Uneasy

Aylin entered the study, walking slowly as if on a leisurely stroll. In a sense, the study was like a garden inside the house, with books and desks crafted from wood. Taking in the distinctive scent of the books, Aylin felt the power of the Grand Ducal family once again in this room.

“Can I go through the whole study?”

She still remembered her surprise when she first entered. Seeing the walls lined with bookshelves and the densely packed volumes, she had wondered if she had actually come to a library. Now, scanning the vast collection, worry spread across Aylin’s face.

“Where should I even start?”

Aylin intended to find the cause of her headache. She couldn’t stay with Lloyd forever. Moreover, he would soon leave for the battlefield, so it would be ideal to resolve things beforehand.

After having dinner and tea with Lloyd yesterday, her head was clear, and she had come to find answers. Despite her worries about when she would have the chance, Aylin boldly approached one of the bookshelves.

Running her index finger over the titles, she finally found one that caught her attention and pulled it out. As she opened its thick cover, a phrase from the author greeted her:

“Medicine and poison are the divergent results of a single root’s choice.”

Aylin nodded, as if in agreement. She, too, had tried to make a stabilizer for the cycle but had ended up developing a stimulant instead.

Soon, she was absorbed in the book’s contents.

While Aylin read, someone watched her. Lloyd stood in the corner of the second floor, observing her expression. She seemed determined to find the cause of her illness through these books, and his gaze lingered on her proactive effort.

“What is Ma doing?”

“She seems to be trying to find the cause of her illness herself.”

“Usually, people call a doctor when sick, but Ma is… different.”

It was Lord Jerami whispering. Indeed, it was unusual for someone to try to find their own cause of illness. Seeing Lloyd continue to watch Aylin, Jerami cautiously spoke.

“Does it trouble you?”

“It would be a lie to say it doesn’t. But it’s not because I have deep feelings for Aylin.”

Lloyd answered before Jerami could. He had moved a chair nearby and observed everything Aylin did. Aside from Chloe, Aylin was the first person he had seen who truly loved books.

“She is someone who can perform the role of a wife excellently. That’s why I care.”

Aylin didn’t know it, but thanks to her, Lloyd had shaken the council significantly. By taking her as his wife, he had erected a barrier for other noble daughters and embarrassed them with the Beta trait. Now, expecting heirs, Aylin’s value had only grown.

“And the elders?”

“They’re quiet.”

Lloyd scoffed at Jerami’s reply. They had hurt Aylin yet pretended to know nothing. In truth, they were trying not to get caught.

“In that case, I’ll give them a reason to act.”

Lloyd wasn’t going to continue letting things slide—especially after they had laid a hand on Aylin. His eyes gleamed as he thought of a way to shake them.

“Call a council meeting. Let them know Aylin will attend as well.”

“Understood.”

As Jerami left, Lloyd crossed his arms and flicked his fingers. Those who had harmed Aylin would pay dearly. He also planned to set a strong safeguard to ensure she could not be touched again.

By evening, Chloe came to visit Aylin.

“You’ve been in the study all day?”

“Yes. I wasn’t familiar with it, so I spent the time examining how the books were organized.”

“Impressive.”

“This is just the beginning.”

Aylin held the book lightly as if it were nothing.

“But who is that person behind you?”

“Oh… I’ll introduce him.”

Chloe stepped aside, revealing a man who had been subtly present all along. He bowed politely to Aylin.

“This is my bodyguard, Sir Lutz.”

“It’s an honor to meet Your Grace.”

Aylin greeted Sir Lutz, glancing at his face. It seemed familiar. When she tilted her head, Chloe sat down beside her.

“You’ve seen him before. He was next to me at the wedding.”

Only then did Aylin realize why his face seemed familiar. She looked back at Chloe.

“Are you feeling well?”

“Yes.”

Though Aylin appeared fine, Chloe’s expression remained heavy. It seemed as if Aylin had suffered an illness she shouldn’t have had, simply because she had married Chloe’s brother.

“It’s frustrating. I wish it were something pheromone-related; then I could understand better.”

Chloe sounded even more exasperated. Since her research focused on pheromones, she couldn’t help Aylin with any shallow knowledge.

“It would be wonderful if my new sister-in-law were an Omega. Ah, I only mean it regarding your illness. I have no other intentions.”

“I’m fine.”

Aylin, who had manifested as an Omega, had never welcomed the trait. Knowing Chloe meant well, she waved her hand dismissively.

“It’s only natural for traited and non-traited individuals to use different medicines, so…”

Aylin’s voice trailed off. She wanted to say that it wasn’t necessary to mention it, but no words came out.

She reflected on her situation for a moment, then returned her attention to Chloe and wrote down a few thoughts in her log.

“What is it?”

“Oh, nothing. Just a fleeting thought…”

Aylin replied casually.

“You’re really okay, right?”

“Yes.”

Aylin shook her head, indicating it was nothing. Chloe, sensing she wasn’t lying, let it pass.

“I forgot something, so I’ll get going first.”

“Where are you going?”

“To my office.”

Aylin returned the book to the shelf and quickly left the study. Chloe, watching, asked Sir Lutz with concern.

“Nothing serious happened, right?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Well, even I don’t know, so how could Lutz?”

With Aylin gone, Chloe had no more reason to stay and got up to leave. At that moment, Lloyd arrived.

“Aylin?”

“She said she’s going to the office.”

Lloyd, who had gone out briefly on another matter, had intended to ask Aylin to have dinner with him. But seeing Chloe instead, he turned away without hesitation.

“I hope this goes well… I’m worried.”

Watching Lloyd’s back, Chloe sighed. Meanwhile, Sir Lutz examined the book Aylin had left behind carefully.

Lloyd’s gaze toward Aylin’s office was deep and complicated. He recalled her actions.

Her attempt to find the cause of her illness herself had been unexpected. She had moved more proactively than he had anticipated, ultimately affecting his own heart.

Once he made up his mind, action came easily.

Instead of going to Aylin’s office, he entered his own, a space dominated by a large desk, similar in grandeur to hers. Lloyd took a small box from a drawer and stepped out onto the balcony. Opening the doors wide, he was met with the garden view, and in that picturesque setting, he locked eyes with Aylin, who was standing on a balcony beside his.

“Why are you coming out there, Your Grace? No, why are you… attached?”

Aylin muttered, surprised to see him emerge from the balcony connected to hers. Originally, he had planned to surprise her, but now there was no time.

“When we’re alone, I told you to call me by my name.”

“Yes. Grand Duke… I mean, Lloyd.”

“Have you eaten dinner?”

“I haven’t thought about it.”

“And anything else?”

Aylin smiled awkwardly.

“Aylin.”

Lloyd’s voice dropped, and Aylin stopped moving to look at him. His gaze traced her fingers resting on the railing, noticing the red stain left on her middle finger from holding the pen even in the office.

He lifted his hand to brush his lips with his own, as if he wanted to say something but stopped mid-motion. Aylin couldn’t help but stare at his lips, wondering what he was trying to say.

Feeling her gaze, Lloyd lowered his hand and spoke.

“Shall I arrest everyone who serves you?”

Shocked by the statement, Aylin opened her mouth to call him but stopped, realizing she had almost addressed him as “Your Grace.” Calmly, she finally spoke.

“Lloyd.”

“You’ve dared to make me uneasy.”

Huh? Go ahead—say more.