CHAPTER 13
Laura, whom he had seen a few times in passing, was standing there with a strange smile.
“You are…”
“I’m the Duchess Kalrad’s family doctor. I think I can help you with your troubles. Want to hear me out?”
“How do you know what my troubles are?”
“Oh, please. Because of that worthless woman sitting there pretending to be the lady of the house, I was humiliated in front of my superiors too.”
Feeling a sense of camaraderie, Paul looked at Laura with a softer expression.
Then, he nodded slowly.
Laura, who had watched the commotion over the missing necklace and overheard the conversation earlier, lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“Actually, I have a good idea…”
After explaining her plan in detail, she met Paul’s eyes and suggested,
“So? Shall we do it together?”
“Fine. Let’s cooperate.”
Paul accepted immediately, his eyes gleaming with excitement at the thought of giving Jena a proper blow.
And so, the two—different in motive but united in purpose—joined hands.
***
Whether Daniel had handled things thoroughly or not, Paul hadn’t been seen since the necklace incident.
Thanks to that, I could finally focus on other things in peace.
After breakfast, I stayed in the kitchen for a while before heading to Mother’s room with a tray in hand.
Greta knocked and opened the door for me.
“Mother, it’s me!”
“What is it?”
Her face, cold and beautiful like a winter rose, greeted me once again.
Laura, unusually quiet, bowed politely and stepped back against the wall.
I giggled as I set the tray in front of Mother.
“I made some ginger tea for you. Please try it!”
Steam rose softly from the teapot and cups as I carefully set them on the table.
Mother glanced at me and frowned slightly.
“I don’t care much for ginger. Take it back.”
“Oh? Even with honey?”
“Yes.”
“What if I add more honey?”
“Must I say it ten times before you understand that I don’t want any?”
I hung my head sadly as I began to gather the tray again, muttering to myself.
“They say ginger tea helps with cold hands and feet, so I looked up recipes for days…”
“…”
“I even cut the ginger myself and got a little cut on my hand…”
“…”
“If you just drank one or two cups a day, it’d help so much…”
It would really make me happy too…
Maybe she heard my tiny whisper, because Mother rubbed her forehead with a sigh.
“That’s enough.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, then gestured to me as I trudged toward the door.
“Fine… bring it here.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
I hurried back and set the teapot and cups on the table.
Pouring the tea into her cup, I held it out eagerly.
“How is it? Does it suit your taste? Should I add more honey? Or maybe bring a dessert—”
“One sentence at a time.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mother’s frown wasn’t as deep as before.
I could tell from her expression that the tea was tolerable at least.
Resting my chin on my hand, I smiled.
“I’m so happy that you’re drinking the tea I made, Mother.”
“Such a fuss over nothing. It’s only cold hands and feet.”
Mother set the cup down with a curt tone.
I smiled sheepishly but gently took her hand.
“Even if it’s something small, it’s natural to worry about family. Family means sharing pain and helping each other, doesn’t it?”
Like my dad, who panicked even when I scraped my knee on the playground.
Mother’s stiff hand twitched slightly. Her violet eyes glimmered with something faint.
“That’s why we can rely on and trust each other, right? If there’s anything else bothering you, please tell me anytime.”
“Instead of worrying about me, focus on making medicine to cure Aizen’s illness.”
Her curt reply made sense, so I nodded obediently.
But a sudden curiosity popped into my head.
“Can I ask something? What did you do when you were the lady of the Kreutz barony?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I want to fulfill my duties as the lady of the house properly too.”
That way, I’ll seem more like a real noblewoman, right?
Mother looked at my sparkling eyes for a moment.
“It won’t do you any good, so don’t waste your energy on useless things.”
Before I could respond, she turned her face away and waved her hand.
“You may go now.”
“Yes.”
After saying goodbye and stepping outside, I found Greta waiting for me.
Walking back to my room together, I whispered,
“You know, Greta, I think Mother is starting to like me.”
“…Why do you think that, my lady?”
“She gave me strict advice not to tire myself out. People who care about me usually do that.”
Like the orphanage director and my first boss. They were good people.
Mother had scolded me in the same stern yet gentle way. I was so touched I forgot to thank her properly.
Still, I’d only take the feeling to heart, since I planned to become a proper lady no matter how hard it was.
“…Did the Duchess really say that?”
“Yes!”
Greta murmured under her breath, “That doesn’t sound like her at all.”
Then she suddenly frowned with suspicion.
“But how do you know what people who care about you are like? Have your memories returned?”
“…No?”
Oops. My slip-up.
I forced a laugh to hide my nerves.
“I read it in a book. It said that people often act strict when they care deeply about someone. I must’ve gotten too into it.”
“I see.”
“Yes, haha… Oh! Let’s go out to the main street after lunch.”
I rolled my eyes and changed the subject quickly.
Thankfully, Greta didn’t press further.
“Do you have some errands to run?”
“Hehe, it’s a secret.”
I put my finger to my lips and winked, patting my chest in relief.
I had to remember—I was supposed to be an amnesiac noblewoman.
***
From behind the closed door, Jena’s footsteps and voice faded away.
Renée stared silently at the steaming ginger tea.
‘Why does she keep doing things I never asked for…’
If she were her real daughter-in-law, such actions would be touching and sweet, but coming from an impostor, the kindness felt bitter.
Frowning, Renée gestured for Laura to clean up.
As Laura quickly cleared the table, Renée rubbed her temples and recalled yesterday’s events.
When Miriam had come to report the stolen necklace incident, Renée’s first words had been:
‘That foolish girl must have bullied the maids. You didn’t punish them too harshly, did you? If you did, I’ll—’
Given Jena’s usual behavior, it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had tormented the servants, especially if she’d believed Paul’s lies.
But once again, Jena had defied her expectations.
‘No, on the contrary, she trusted the maids and exposed Lord Koeller as the culprit.’
‘…That’s unexpected. She handled it wisely. If she’d interrogated the maids blindly, she would’ve caused backlash.’
‘Yes, but it didn’t seem like she acted with calculation either.’
Hearing that, and then seeing Jena today—her bright blue eyes full of innocence—Renée had felt oddly conflicted.
For a moment, she’d hesitated to treat her coldly.
“Duchess, are you all right? You don’t look well.”
Laura cautiously approached and touched Renée’s arm.
“I’m fine.”
“You should still get some fresh air. A short walk might clear your head.”
“Hmm… perhaps you’re right. Let’s go.”
The two walked around the garden for half an hour.
Unlike the ducal estate, this place was bare and empty, so the stroll ended quickly.
After lunching with Wilhelm, Renée took her medicine and rested in her room.
Later that afternoon, Jena returned from her outing.
“Mother!”
Her cheerful voice rang through the door.
Renée frowned.
Soon Jena appeared, holding a glass jar filled with a brownish liquid.
“Mother! I found a new tea that’s supposed to help with cold hands and feet!”
Again. Doing things no one asked her to do.
Renée stifled a sigh and rose from the sofa.
She planned to scold Jena properly this time for being a nuisance.
But the moment she saw Jena’s flushed face from running, a familiar tingling spread through her right hand.
A feeling she recognized all too well, though she wished she didn’t.
Renée froze mid-step.
Unaware, Jena continued brightly.
“It’s called yulpi tea, made with chestnut shells, and it’s great for—”
“Khuk!”
Suddenly, Renée’s eyes rolled back.
She collapsed, her whole body convulsing as foam gathered at her lips.
“Mother!”
Jena screamed and rushed to her side.
Panicking, she lifted Renée’s head onto her lap and turned her on her side so she wouldn’t choke.
Greta, who had been waiting outside, and Wilhelm, who happened to be approaching, both rushed in at the sound.
“What’s going on?!”
“Renée! Renée, are you all right?! What happened—”
Seeing his wife’s condition, Wilhelm’s face twisted in horror as he pointed at Jena.
“You! What have you done to her?!”
“I—I don’t know! She suddenly started convulsing and fell over…”
“Call the doctor! Now!”
Wilhelm pushed Jena aside and held Renée in his arms.
Greta hurried off, and Laura soon arrived with her medical kit.
“She’s having a seizure. I’ll administer treatment right away.”
Calmly, Laura took out a syringe and medicine from her bag.
After the injection, Renée’s convulsions began to ease.
“Oh, Renée…”
Jena watched anxiously as Renée slowly stabilized.
Then Laura opened a drawer on the dressing table and gasped.
“Oh no, this isn’t the Duchess’s medicine!”
“What? What are you talking about?” Wilhelm demanded, frowning.
He had been waiting for an explanation.
“The truth is… the Duchess has been suffering from epilepsy since last year. I’m sorry—I couldn’t tell you because she made me swear to keep it secret.”
“Renée has epilepsy…?”
Wilhelm was stunned.
How could he just be finding this out now?
To have lived with her every day and not known she was ill filled him with guilt.
But Laura’s next words left him no time to dwell on that.
