ITVDWBE 69

~Chapter 69~

“Bianca is my maid. She’s the duchess’s personal maid—are you seriously saying no?”

“I’m sorry, but I must. No matter how cherished she may be by the duchess, she’s not a noble. If we use healing stones so freely, even the seemingly abundant supply at the ducal estate will run dry.”

“You said it’s for nobles—so I should have my own share, right? Use mine, then. That solves it.”

Faced with Ancia’s firm tone, the doctor hesitated, then let out a sigh and reluctantly picked up the healing stone.

Just placing it over Bianca’s wound caused the stone to emit a soft glow. The effect was slow, but before long, some color returned to Bianca’s face.

“I don’t want her body to be left with any scars.”

The dagger Bianca had dropped bore the crest reserved for the ducal bloodline. Ancia had suspected it, and the truth was confirmed when the shocked head butler scrambled to cover it up.

Rishar had hurt Bianca.

With so much already diverging from the original story, Ancia began to question whether there was any point in sticking to it.

Was she just clinging to the plot out of fear of losing her way?

Her resolve to suppress her feelings for Rishar began to fade.

“Just thirty more minutes, and she’ll be fully healed.”

Even after the doctor left, Ancia stayed by Bianca’s side. Watching her wounds heal and her color return, she couldn’t help but think of the man who caused them.

Maybe it’s time to stop forcing the story and start following my own heart.

*

The smell of fresh bread and soup floated through the air. The clatter of dishes stirred Ancia from her sleep.

“Are you out of your mind? Touching the lady’s meal?”

“But she never eats breakfast anyway. She always shares it.”

“But look at this fluffy, warm bread! It’d be a waste if it cooled.”

“You’re right. Freshly baked bread should be eaten warm.”

“Ah! My lady!”

Bianca excitedly popped the bread into her mouth.

“Even if the bread cools, you must follow the rules.”

“I’ve let you get away with things so far, but if we’re going to live together, you’ll have to follow the rules here. So, Bianca, I’m giving you a punishment.”

“No dessert today.”

Bianca’s face fell immediately.

“I won’t do it again!”

“Please scold me more, my lady. It makes me feel good when you do.”

Ancia blinked in disbelief.

“I’ve only ever been praised my whole life. I thought that was love and care.”

Bianca leaned in closer, her bright green eyes gleaming.

“This is the first time someone’s gone this far for me.”

Why does it feel like the heroine is trying to seduce me?

“Does it hurt?”

“Not at all! Want me to show you?”

“No, that’s okay.”

Bianca instead grasped Ancia’s hand.

“I heard you gave up a noble-only healing stone for me, a mere commoner.”

“I also heard you didn’t eat or sleep while I was missing. That you cried a lot.”

Ancia stayed silent. Bianca hesitated, then spoke softly:

“My lady cared for me that much, yet I misunderstood and caused trouble.”

“Huh? Trouble?”

“Actually… I got stabbed because I made a huge mistake.”

“I’ve gathered that the duke is the one who hurt you.”

“Yes, that’s right. I thought he liked me, so I tried to seduce him. I must’ve crossed a line.”

She really just admitted that with a smile?

“You shouldn’t say things like that in front of others. What if people start hating you?”

“It’s all in the past now. You’re the only one who matters to me, my lady.”

“May I ask you one thing?”

“Only one.”

“Do you want me to have the duke’s child too?”

Ancia’s smile faltered. She hadn’t considered the consequences of pushing them together.

If they had a child… that would happen after I left. So why does this shake me?

She held her aching chest and asked gently:

“Bianca. You said ‘too.’ Does that mean someone else told you this?”

“The head maid said so. She told me you were too weak to bear a child, and that you’d be anxious about it. That the duke must be dissatisfied with you… I’m sorry.”

Ancia had known Rosa disliked her—but she hadn’t expected this.

She’s been pushing Bianca toward Rishar with lies.

“I really thought that’s what you wanted too. They said nobles must have children, even if their marriage is just for appearances. I misunderstood and made a mistake.”

“If I’d known how much you and the duke cared for each other, I never would’ve interfered.”

Bianca hung her head like a guilty puppy.

I can’t say I never resented her. But I did push her in this direction.

“You don’t need to apologize. I truly did want the two of you to grow close.”

Still, what bothered Ancia most was Rosa’s deep involvement.

Rosa urged Bianca to seduce Rishar? With lies?

In the original story, Rishar and Bianca fell in love at first sight. But now I wonder—was that even true?

Rosa, who always hated me for my low status, told Bianca—a commoner—to bear the duke’s child?

It doesn’t add up. This can’t be Rosa acting alone.