Money Envelope, I’ll Take It Once — Episode 036
“Somehow, I thought it was strange that the scoundrel wasn’t acting like one. No matter how kind a person is, how could you accept such a thing as a gift! Go and throw it right in his face immediately!”
“P-Please don’t say that so harshly. Isn’t it adorable? I’ve never seen a caterpillar with such a beautiful color before. I’m sure it will be even more beautiful when it becomes an adult.”
I declared this to the maids, including Alicia, who were clearly taken aback.
“This little one’s name is Plum. I will personally take care of it, so if anyone tries to sneak it away, kill it, or throw it out… well, whatever you do, I won’t forgive you. I’m serious.”
“Oh, my goodness… Please reconsider. That kind of gift is an insult to your fiancée!”
Alicia tried to stop me several times, but I shook my head each time.
Eventually, Alicia gave up trying to change my mind and muttered curses at the duke quietly to herself. Even when I told her to stop, it didn’t seem to get through, so I pretended not to hear.
‘The misunderstanding will clear up once Plum becomes a butterfly.’
…It will, right?
I silently apologized to the duke in my heart.
“Anyway, I warned you. If Plum goes missing, I’ll report it to the duke.”
“You didn’t tell me earlier, so why tell me now?”
Alicia grumbled, but in any case, within this duke’s mansion, the duke’s influence was undeniable.
Even the maids who looked at Plum with disgust showed signs of resignation, as if they couldn’t help it.
Only Alicia refused to give up.
“There are plenty of really cute things like puppies or kittens. Why? Really, why?”
“I like Plum. Right?”
In response to my words, Plum shook its head.
Alicia let out a startled shriek and stepped back.
“Y-You have to choose. Me, or that caterpillar!”
“Huh?”
“Hurry! Choose!”
Alicia really seemed to hate bugs.
I looked at her and Plum with an awkward expression and sighed quietly.
“Sorry, Alicia. But Plum needs my care.”
“Waaah, this is betrayal!”
“Just bear with it for a few months. I promise, this one will become a really pretty butterfly!”
“I don’t like butterflies either, but…”
Alicia pouted, but when I firmly said I would raise Plum, she shrugged as if she had no choice.
“Just know this: even the thought of a bug touching me is horrible, okay? Just make sure it never touches my body.”
“Of course. Our Plum is smart and won’t do what it’s told not to do, right?”
“A caterpillar can’t be that smart…”
Alicia muttered quietly, then went somewhere and brought a large crystal case.
She laid soil and stones inside, then thick branches and leaves, quickly creating a cozy home for Plum.
“You’ll only keep it inside here, okay?”
“Got it. When Alicia is around, I won’t take it outside.”
“It’s a promise. If you break it, you’re a really bad person…”
Luckily, Plum seemed to like its new home.
Plum burrowed softly into the soil, curled up, then came out to rest on the leafy bed, busily wandering around inside the case.
I added a small water container filled with fresh water and finely shredded cabbage.
“Let’s get along well from now on, Plum.”
In response, Plum bit into the cabbage vigorously.
The matron doubted her ears.
“What? What did you just say?”
Her voice trembled pitifully as she repeated the question.
But since the cause wasn’t anger, the attendant spoke again without any hesitation.
“Miss Vanessa has regained her health.”
“Really? Not a mistake?”
It had happened a few times before.
Her pale complexion would regain some color, and she seemed healthy, but then she’d collapse again. She might have enough strength for a walk in the garden, only to have a fever flare up at night.
“I didn’t report it earlier, worried it might happen again, but it’s been ten days since Miss Vanessa regained her strength.”
“Ten days? And no problems during that time?”
“Yes. The attending physician just confirmed it. Miss Vanessa should be able to live like a normal person now.”
“Oh my goodness…!”
The matron covered her mouth with both hands, overwhelmed with emotion.
Vanessa, who had suddenly collapsed and couldn’t get out of bed, had been like one of her precious fingers.
She had cried herself to sleep worrying if Vanessa would remain bedridden until she died, or worse, leave before her like a firstborn.
“This can’t go on. I must go see Vanessa immediately. If she’s healthy, surely she can meet me?”
“Of course.”
The matron hurried to the lavender pavilion. Before even crossing the threshold, she witnessed an unbelievable sight in the lavender garden.
“Ah, Mother. When did you get here?”
She remembered Vanessa’s last appearance clearly.
A face as pale as paper. Dark shadows beneath the eyelids. Cheeks so thin the cheekbones showed clearly, and dry hair.
Vanessa had lived half her life looking like a sick person.
But now…
“My goodness, you…”
“The skies are clear, and the sunlight is wonderful today. Would you like to take a walk in the garden with me?”
“How long have you been out in the garden? How far did you walk?”
“Let me see… about an hour.”
“You walked for an hour… aren’t you tired?”
“No.”
Vanessa smiled brightly at her.
With some flesh on her face and rosy cheeks, the smooth, glowing skin proved she had eaten and slept well. The smile blooming on her face was truly like a flower.
“You see? I’ve gotten much healthier, haven’t I?”
“…H-Huh…”
The matron clutched her chest and collapsed. The startled attendants and Vanessa rushed to support her.
Forgetting all pride, the matron sobbed loudly.
“I… I knew it… I knew you’d get this healthy…”
“Of course, Mother. Thanks to your faith, I could get this healthy.”
Vanessa gestured to the attendants to help the matron.
The matron did not resist. She sobbed and was led to the lounge in the lavender pavilion.
Soon, refreshments and tea were prepared for her.
Having barely stopped crying, she looked at Vanessa across from her and raised a handkerchief to her eyes again.
“To think the day would come when I have tea with you… Even your late father would be moved.”
“That’s right. Then maybe I could have stayed longer at his funeral…”
Vanessa sighed deeply with slightly wet eyes, then smiled brightly to change the mood.
“Better late than never. Now I can do everything I wanted. I’m so excited.”
“Yes, yes. You must do whatever you want. I’ll help you.”
The matron took a sip of tea and said,
“But how did this happen? Did the doctor give you a special medicine? How on earth did you get this healthy?”
Her gaze fell on the attending physician who was standing by Vanessa’s side.
The physician bowed politely.
“I didn’t do anything special. The lady overcame it herself.”
“What do you mean?”
“The lady was not actually sick. She just had such an abnormally rapid loss of strength and stamina, like water leaking from a cracked vessel, that she couldn’t manage daily life.”
“And?”
“But… honestly, I don’t know the cause. To me, it seems she suddenly returned to normal.”
The physician bowed apologetically, clearly feeling uneasy about such a vague explanation.
Vanessa brightened the atmosphere with a cheerful voice.
“I think I know. It’s all thanks to Airi.”
