IVHMH 23

Episode 23  

“Isn’t that Lady Bec?”

“Hello, Sir Berato. I wasn’t told you would be coming today.”

“I just stopped by briefly while passing through.”

Leticia didn’t want to let this unexpected stroke of luck slip away. Since it wasn’t a scheduled visit, Gustavo likely wasn’t pressed for time either.

“That’s a wonderful thing to say. And you look just as wonderful sitting on your horse.”

“Hmm, hmm… is that so?”

“What does it feel like to ride a horse? I’ve never ridden one before, so I’m really curious!”

“It definitely feels different from riding in a carriage.”

Leticia gently combed through the horse’s mane with her fingers and looked up at Gustavo with a forlorn expression.

“Would you like to try it?”

“If I had the chance, I’d really love to try…”

“Then I’ll let you ride with me.”

Flattered by Leticia’s compliment, Gustavo cheerfully extended his hand.

Leticia, having anticipated the offer, grabbed his hand without hesitation.

My room faced the front garden.

The morning sunlight shining into the room was pleasant, so I opened the window. A refreshing breeze blew in, sweeping away the stale air.

As I walked to the window, feeling good, I saw a couple riding a horse tenderly entering the mansion grounds.

“Already making progress, are they?”

I couldn’t tell how close the two had really become, but from the window, they looked like the perfect lovers.

Leaving them behind, I waited in my room until someone came to inform me of his visit.

About half an hour later, a maid came to notify me that Gustavo had arrived, and I rose to meet him.

When I went out into the garden, Leticia was already sitting face-to-face with Gustavo.

How lightly must they think of me, to not even bother hiding their relationship?

Or perhaps they were just careless, thinking I wouldn’t notice anything.

“Elysia, I heard you were very sick yesterday. Are you feeling better now?”

Even before I sat down, Gustavo asked, as if trying to show that I had been the topic of their conversation.

“Yes. I rested all day yesterday, so I’m feeling better today.”

“You shouldn’t be getting sick with the wedding so close.”

Leticia, who had been beaming at Gustavo, suddenly froze when the word “wedding” was mentioned.

“So, Sir Berato is only worried about the wedding and not about me personally?”

“Of course not. I’m saying it out of concern for you, Elysia.”

“Really? What do you think, Leticia?”

“When I told him you were sick, Sir Berato was very worried.”

Leticia glanced nervously at Gustavo and carefully defended him.

At this point, Leticia seemed incapable of doing anything to help break off my marriage.

‘You’re probably only good for having an affair after I’m married.’

But this time, she wouldn’t even have the chance to show off that kind of skill.

Last night, I brewed the tea a little weaker than usual.

When I woke up in the morning, I didn’t feel as drained as I did the first time I drank it. It was definitely because of the tea Roenna gave me.

Though my body was still weak, I wasn’t anxious or worried.

I did feel bad for not being able to tell Mervelle the truth, even though I knew she was upset.

“I’ll be fine soon. Don’t worry, Mervelle.”

“Yes, of course you will be.”

At first, Mervelle was the only one who cared that I was sick.

Everyone else probably thought I’d be fine in a day or two. But after five days of no change, rumors started to spread within the mansion.

Mervelle acted as if it would be a disaster if I found out what people were saying.

“Don’t just be upset—tell me what they’re saying.”

“…Everyone’s worried because you’re sick.”

“Give me specifics.”

I was genuinely curious.

While lying in bed, I had a lot of time to think.

Eventually, I realized what Tirzen was trying to do.

If I were said to have an incurable disease, the marriage with Gustavo would most likely be called off.

He said he didn’t want to get involved in romantic drama, and this was the method he came up with.

“The doctor said it’s a mental illness that can’t be treated with medicine.”

“Couldn’t it be a misdiagnosis? Maybe he’s using that as an excuse because he’s not good enough.”

I said it lightly, hoping to ease Mervelle’s worry.

This wasn’t a mental illness, and the family physician had clearly misdiagnosed me.

“Some of the maids are saying you might die. They’re afraid something will happen before the wedding even takes place.”

“I see. No man wants to marry a woman with an incurable illness, right?”

“Please don’t say such things. You’ll recover soon.”

Mervelle swallowed her tears and tried to comfort me.

If Gustavo said he didn’t want to marry me, I could get up right now.

But for now… I still had to be a little more “sick.”

Rumors were spreading inside the Duke Mares household.

Elysia had fallen ill right after being struck by Ada.

Some of the maids and servants, who knew about Ada’s violent tendencies, suspected that her illness was a result of the aftereffects.

“She wasn’t sick before that.”

“She used to get hit a lot when she was younger… Maybe it’s all catching up to her now.”

“How could something like this happen to sweet Lady Elysia? The heavens must be cruel.”

“Could Ada have done it on purpose, knowing this would happen?”

Their murmurs stopped the moment Head Maid Beada appeared.

“What are you all doing standing around instead of working?”

At her stern command, the gathered maids quickly scattered.

Beada, like the butler Orte, was a neutral party.

Both had worked in the household since the previous Duke’s time and knew Elysia’s circumstances better than anyone.

“If only she could get married, she could escape this house. Why must she fall ill now of all times? Tsk, tsk.”

Even if she felt sorry for Elysia, there was nothing a servant could do.

Since Tirzen remained unmoved, Emperor Tabio was beyond frustrated.

The Emperor had no children, so the palace was always silent—never filled with a child’s laughter.

His lifelong wish was to hold a grandchild.

He invited Tirzen for tea and even called the Empress in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“It’s about time you started thinking about marriage, Duke.”

“I believe I’ve made it clear I’ll handle that matter myself.”

“I’m only saying this because I don’t see any progress. I told you to spend more time with Lady Shiton.”

“If you like her so much, why don’t you marry her yourself?”

– Clang!

The loud sound of a teacup hitting the saucer made the Emperor kick Tirzen’s leg under the table.

But Tirzen swiftly dodged, causing the Emperor to miss.

The Emperor glared at him.

“You seem to be very fond of Lady Shiton, Your Majesty.”

The Empress, ever graceful and composed, made a gentle remark.

The Emperor gulped nervously.

When her tone softened and her eyes lowered halfway, pretending to be kind, that was when one had to be truly cautious.

The Emperor forced a smile and stole glances at the Empress.

Despite her soft voice, her eyes were sharply narrowed.

“Don’t misunderstand, my Empress! I only say this because I care about the Duke’s future.”

“The Duke is still young. If there’s no suitable match, it’s worth waiting a little longer.”

“You’re right, Empress. I was too hasty.”

The Emperor pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brow.

When the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, Countess Kiret, entered, the Emperor let out a breath of relief.

“Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Grace the Duke.”

“Hello, Countess Kiret.”

Tirzen offered a light bow in return to the Emperor’s greeting.

“Any news?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Mares is still very ill.”

“What illness could keep her bedridden for a whole month?”

“They say it’s a mental illness. She was overcome with grief after losing her brother, and since there’s no cure, even the doctors have given up.”

“Oh, dear!”

The Empress sighed deeply with concern.

Tirzen, hiding a smirk behind his teacup, watched quietly.

‘So she’s hanging on better than I expected.’

It seemed it was time for him to act.

The red liquid in the crystal glass swirled in Tirzen’s hand.

Watching it spin with each flick of his wrist, Tirzen suddenly lifted the glass and downed it in one gulp.

“Too slow. I need to do something about this.”

“…?”

“Too ambitious for someone with so little ability.”

“You’re not talking about me, are you?”

Kaise, annoyed by Tirzen’s muttering, spoke up.

Though not as capable as Tirzen, Kaise was confident in his ability to get things done and didn’t think he deserved such a jab.

If that was aimed at him, it would be incredibly unfair.

– Clink.

Tirzen set down the now-empty glass.

Only a red stain remained inside.

“If someone’s incompetent, you have to intervene—what else can you do?”

“Are you insulting me? Do you know how well I’ve handled everything so far?”

“Not you.”

Kaise, who had been fuming with rage, deflated instantly at those two words.

He had been gearing up for a fight, but now just clutched his chest and exhaled.

“Then who’s the pathetic one?”

“A bit of everyone.”

That included Gustavo and Zetio. People with more greed than ability.

“So how are you going to handle it?”

“I’ll help them make up their minds faster.”

“You want me to go pressure them? Or… rough them up a bit?”

Tirzen chuckled.

With Kaise, pressure and threats were essentially the same.

“No. Just spread a rumor.”

“A rumor?”

“That Elysia Mares has an incurable illness and is going to die soon.”

Kaise stared in disbelief at Tirzen’s request.

It had already been nearly a month since Elysia drank the Creati.

Even without seeing her, it was obvious she was in terrible condition—now he wanted to seal the deal with a rumor?

“Hey, Tirzen. You’re not serious, are you?”

“If she keeps drinking Creati, she might really die. Shouldn’t we step in before that happens?”

“Ah! If that’s the case, of course we should.”

Kaise winked and stood up. If it meant saving someone, there was no reason to hesitate. He had to go spread that rumor immediately.

With his wide network, Kaise was determined to plaster the entire capital with the rumor in just two days.