IVHMH 24

Episode 24

During the afternoon, when the effects of the tea wore off, I could move around a little. But in the mornings, I had to stay glued to the bed.

All I could eat was water and thin soup.

Knowing I could eat a bit in the evening, Merbel would bring me peeled fruit every night.

Today, for some reason, the Duke and Duchess of Mares visited my room.

Rather than a get-well visit, it felt more like they came to snoop around.

“You must really be in poor condition.”

Ada spoke in an overly concerned voice, taking advantage of the fact that the doctor happened to be present.

No matter how generously I tried to interpret her words, I was certain the corners of Ada’s lips were curled in amusement.

“What’s most important right now is the patient’s rest and nutrition.”

The doctor offered a useless remark.

“What I really need is to cancel this wedding!”

Frustrated, I screamed internally.

“Don’t tell me they’re planning to go ahead with the wedding even if I end up in a coffin?”

The two of them exchanged glances and gestures that I couldn’t understand.

Leaving my room, the Duke and Duchess of Mares looked at each other with mixed emotions.

“It looks like everything is finally falling into place.”

“Still, we mustn’t let our guard down until the very end.”

Zetio agreed with his wife’s words but made sure to sprinkle in a bit of caution.

“What about Gustavo Berato?”

“At this rate, the wedding won’t happen anyway. Time will take care of it.”

“It’s a good thing Ellicia got sick before the wedding. Now all we have to pay is funeral expenses.”

Ada was delighted at the idea of avoiding wedding and dowry costs.

Having her die like this rather than getting married and leaving the house made things much cleaner—nothing could be better.

“Watch your mouth. What if someone hears you?”

Still walking through the corridor, Zetio looked around nervously.

Ada, thinking all their problems were solved, was clearly losing her sense of caution.

“We didn’t lay a hand on her, so what’s the worry? If she dies of natural causes, who would blame us?”

“Gustavo seemed eager for the heir position, but now that this is being resolved without any issues, it’s a good thing. All that’s left is to worry about the adoption matter.”

Zetio had been quietly concerned that Shiton might bring up the heir issue for Gustavo after the wedding.

Now that all the problems seemed resolved, he felt a great sense of relief.

Ada chuckled, saying Gustavo must be fuming.

They had no idea that Leticia, who had hidden herself nearby, had heard their entire conversation.

Varus had already removed anything throwable from the living room. Gustavo’s temper had been getting worse by the day.

The number of crystal glasses and dishes Gustavo had smashed recently could easily have bought five horses.

At this rate, the cost of broken tableware would soon surpass the money they were earning.

“At this pace, we’ll be holding a funeral before the wedding.”

Gustavo sneered, emptying another glass of strong liquor.

Ellicia’s illness, which he thought would pass in a few days, was only getting worse.

Rumors had spread throughout the capital—about a coffin being prepared for her and even her gravesite being chosen.

“Shouldn’t you go visit her and help out a little?”

Varus asked cautiously, reading the room.

“Help? You think that’s the issue? I’m about to lose my chance at the heir position!”

“Then just have the wedding before she dies. Get the title, get rid of the annoying woman—two birds with one stone.”

Varus’s words jolted Gustavo.

All he needed were Ellicia’s conditions—not Ellicia herself.

If she died right after the wedding, he wouldn’t even need to go through the hassle of a divorce. That would be perfect.

“Your Grace, you need to come out.”

A servant’s urgent cry rang past Tirzen’s bedroom early in the morning.

Just out of the shower and still dripping, Tirzen walked slowly to the door with only a towel around his waist.

Outside stood a pale-faced servant, fidgeting nervously.

“What is it?”

“The young lady says she’s going out.”

“Roena? Where is she going at this hour?”

“Well…”

“Never mind. I’ll go.”

Sending the servant away, Tirzen shook off the remaining water and pulled on a shirt.

In the front yard, Roena was arguing with the servants.

“Get out of my way right now!”

“We’re sorry, young lady, but we can’t.”

“Anyone who blocks me from now on is fired!”

“What’s with all the noise this morning?”

The servants backed away from Roena in relief when Tirzen’s voice sounded.

Roena rushed up to her brother and stomped her feet.

“This is all your fault! I’ll never listen to you again!”

Tears she had held back rolled down her cheeks.

She had tried to help Ellicia, but now it felt like Ellicia might die because of her.

The guilt made each day feel like hell.

Even knowing how bad Ellicia’s condition was, her brother remained so calm—it infuriated her.

“Going to the Mares estate right now is not a good idea.”

“I said I won’t listen to you anymore!”

“Do you really want Lady Mares to marry Gustavo? She doesn’t even want to.”

Tirzen knew his sister well.

Though he wasn’t used to this rebellious Roena, he knew exactly how to break through to her.

“Lady Mares will be fine. I promise.”

“They say she’s going to die soon… hic…”

Tirzen smirked and pulled his sister into a hug.

“That rumor was started by Kais.”

“Kais?”

“Yeah. He spread it to help Lady Mares. So you don’t need to worry.”

“Really?”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“No.”

Roena shook her head firmly.

If her brother said so, then it had to be true. Tirzen would never lie to anyone.

Upon hearing that Gustavo would be visiting, Leticia left the mansion early to wait for him.

She assumed the wedding with Ellicia would be called off, but just in case something unexpected happened, she was ready to eliminate any potential obstacles.

She waited outside the Mares estate gates for Gustavo.

“Out for a stroll, Lady Beck?”

Gustavo’s charming smile and greeting made Leticia’s heart race.

He was always kind and handsome. While he showed no emotion toward Ellicia, he was sweet when looking at her. It was obvious where his heart lay.

“Hello, Sir Berato. Here to visit Ellicia, I assume?”

“I’m here to meet with the Duke today about the wedding.”

“Oh! Right. With Ellicia so ill, the wedding must be off.”

“It’s no big deal. As long as we have a priest, we can still say our vows.”

Thump. Thump. Thump! Leticia’s heart pounded. This was the worst unexpected twist.

“I see… That’s good.”

She forced a smile to hide her unease.

“I’ll need to marry quickly and be a proper son to the Duke. He needs an heir, after all.”

Gustavo said proudly, shrugging his shoulders.

Leticia’s mind raced. So he still thought he’d be made the heir.

“Haha, then the Duke would have two sons.”

“Two?”

“Yes. I heard he’s considering adopting someone else.”

“Adoption?”

Gustavo’s voice sharpened in shock.

“Oh, you hadn’t heard? Please forget I said anything. I only overheard, and I’m not sure it’s true.”

Leticia smoothly backed off.

“Go ahead. I have to pick some flowers for Ellicia’s room.”

Leaving the stunned Gustavo behind, Leticia pretended to head deeper into the garden.

It was still morning, and the tea’s effects were strong—I couldn’t lift my body.

It had been almost a month since I started drinking that tea.

I knew Gustavo had visited occasionally, but I couldn’t meet him in this state.

“Sir Berato is downstairs,” said Merbel.

“Okay.”

I didn’t pay much attention. I assumed it was another typical visit.

“But apparently, he had a loud argument with the Duke in the parlor.”

“An argument?”

“Yes. A maid who served them said it was about your marriage. It seems they disagreed.”

Could this be… the news I’ve been waiting for?

Hope began to swell in me.

“Go find out more.”

Time dragged on after I sent Merbel out.

Lying flat, staring at the ceiling, my expectations only grew.

“It’s almost over.”

The fight I had waged alone to escape the trap laid before me was nearing its end.

“Thanks to the tea Roena gave me, maybe it wasn’t a solo fight after all?”

Though I suffered alone, I decided to generously share credit. They wouldn’t care, but still.

Instead of Merbel, Ada entered first.

“Your marriage to Sir Berato has been called off. Since you’re ill, don’t blame us.”

Though I was weak and slumped, I nearly jumped up.

The trap they set had failed. I felt free, and my heavy body suddenly felt light.

I wanted to shower Ada with kisses for delivering the good news with such a sour face.

“Never thought I’d want to kiss the devil. If she knew what she was saying, she’d probably sew her mouth shut.”

Like a beast hiding its claws in a cage, she had no idea what she was releasing. I wanted to applaud her.

Now that I was free, all that remained was to punish those who had taken what was mine.

She told me not to hold a grudge, but I wanted to dance with joy—how ridiculous.

I closed my eyes, pretending to agree, hiding my soaring spirit.

Truthfully, I didn’t have the energy to reply.

As soon as Ada left, Merbel came in.

“Sir Berato said, since you’re ill, he’d go ahead with just the marriage vows—no ceremony.”

Marrying a dying woman… To outsiders, it might sound like a tragic love story.

“How fitting for someone who’d kill for greed.”

But if Gustavo was so willing, why had my adoptive parents annulled the marriage?

Perhaps there was something more I didn’t know. I listened carefully to Merbel.

“He said he’d be the Duke’s heir, so there’s no need for adoption.”

“Adoption?”

“Yes. When he said that, the Duke got angry. He told him it’s a family matter and not his concern.”

In my previous life, I never heard anything about an adoption.

If Belus was telling the truth, then maybe it was possible—and they had never intended to return anything they took from me.

Fresh fury welled up inside me.