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chapter 46
“What do you mean by that? You think it’s better if the bill passes?”
Aiden stopped Jace from speaking further. A deep furrow formed on Aiden’s brow as he seemed lost in thought.
Sarah wasn’t surprised by the reactions of the two men—she had expected them—but her words had been sincere. She couldn’t continue to live as Aiden indefinitely, abandoning her own body.
Having even announced an engagement to a woman she didn’t care for, she couldn’t stand by idly, even if she were in Leo’s position.
That day, watching the two men in the garden looking so affectionate, Sarah made a quiet vow—not exactly spoken aloud—to help him regain his body.
For now, it might seem like a crisis if the Riera building fell into the hands of Duke Winston, but if the two men returned to their original bodies…
“The situation will change.”
“Of course, the odds are slim. We haven’t figured out how to switch bodies yet.”
She couldn’t even be sure whether such a method existed.
Yet, just as the two men’s bodies had changed suddenly one day, it wasn’t impossible that one might regain their original body overnight. It might just take some time.
“If that’s the case…”
Jace’s eyes suddenly glimmered with interest.
Sarah had a point. If the bill passed, the Riera building would truly fall into Aiden’s hands. But if the body switch occurred first, it would belong to Leo.
If one did not intend to cling to Aiden—meaning, Spencer’s body—for life, passing the bill might actually be the better option.
“Then… shouldn’t we find that method immediately? Shall I step in now?”
Jace sprang up excitedly, but Aiden immediately stopped him with a nod.
“Why rush, Your Grace?”
“We don’t even know if such a method exists, and how long it might take is uncertain.”
His words cooled the room like a splash of cold water. Even though they had to find a way to return to their original bodies…
For a moment, Sarah mistakenly thought he might want to remain in this body.
“But why?”
He wasn’t in a higher position than Duke Winston, nor was he wealthy, and he even had a wife merely as a façade.
“It’s worth the risk! Are you serious? The Countess came up with an incredible idea. If we wait, you’ll really lose your body!”
“It’s already as good as lost.”
“I’m not joking!”
Aiden shook his head, then patted Jace on the shoulder to calm him.
“Let’s end today’s meeting here.”
He added quietly to Sarah:
“I’m sorry… let’s think over this part a little more.”
Confused by his cryptic reply, Sarah watched as their three-way meeting concluded.
Aiden first helped Sarah into the carriage, then quietly called Jace over.
“Did you find the source of the herbs I asked about last time?”
Avoiding prying eyes, Jace handed Aiden a note with the addresses discreetly.
“Yes. Here’s a list of merchants in the area who sell the herbs. There weren’t many, so it was easy to compile. Will Your Grace be checking personally from here?”
“Yes.”
“By the way, did you know? I found that these herbs are rarely used because of severe side effects.”
“Side effects?”
Suddenly, an image flashed in Aiden’s mind: a gaunt body, pale and dry face, lifeless hair, dull eyes, cracked lips, rough hands.
“This is your wife,” he remembered.
It had been Sarah’s appearance when he first woke from the accident. If Olga hadn’t nudged him to introduce her, he would never have thought of her as his wife. Even seeing his own well-fed hands, he could hardly believe they shared the same meals or home.
So Sarah’s gaunt body wasn’t caused by the state of the Countess’s household.
Through the stories of the servants, he had guessed that the husband—a reckless, controlling man—had caused her suffering. He blamed himself for her cracked lips and rough hands.
Before he knew about the body swap, he felt ugly for not remembering his past wrongs.
Even when Olga’s behavior sometimes crossed the line, he never thought anyone would actually threaten someone’s life.
“I underestimated it.”
He hadn’t expected someone more dangerous than his husband to be lurking. Aiden’s face darkened.
“Tell me everything.”
“Apparently, it’s an herb infertile women sometimes seek. Medically, its effects aren’t proven, but it’s quietly known. It dries the mouth and causes gradual wasting.”
Olga had hoped for a child to continue the Spencer line. But whether the couple had a good relationship wasn’t her concern. She might have given the herbs without realizing how poorly Sarah was treated, pretending she was helping her.
“If severe, it can even cause rashes and insomnia.”
Aiden frowned and clenched his jaw at Jace’s words.
“Is this really important? Is there anything more urgent than regaining your body?”
“Yes. More important than that.”
Jace didn’t ask further. He understood why Aiden himself was investigating rather than sending someone else. Aiden’s next goal was clear: find those merchants and apprehend anyone involved. Finding a method to switch bodies would come afterward.
“It’s still dangerous.”
Being next to Sarah as her husband felt natural. That was probably why he hadn’t agreed to her suggestion earlier.
Meanwhile, Sarah, watching from the carriage, looked away. She couldn’t hear what the men were saying, but seeing Aiden’s serious expression, she thought it was because of what she had said.
“Perhaps that’s for the best.”
“Of course, the odds are slim. We haven’t figured out how to switch bodies yet.”
‘Did I say too much?’
She nervously fidgeted with her cold fingertips. She knew he wasn’t the type to think like her husband—but his warm hand in hers had felt so comforting.
Soon, Aiden climbed into the carriage with a heavy expression.
“Did… the meeting go well?”
He couldn’t look at her directly and asked in a trembling voice.
“…Are you still taking the medicine these days?”
Sarah thought for a moment, assuming he meant the herbs Olga had given her.
“No, I haven’t been taking them lately. They actually ran out.”
“…Hmm.”
“Strange… before, they checked if I took them every three days.”
Even hearing she wasn’t taking them, Aiden wasn’t reassured. Seeing Sarah unaware, his anger quietly simmered.
“Then previously, you never skipped a dose like this.”
“Yes.”
If the herbs hadn’t run out, she would have taken them, believing they were good for her. Without suspicion of Olga, she would have taken them obediently. Imagining what might have happened had he not intercepted the herbs, Aiden clenched his fists.
He asked, partially in frustration:
“Do you know what kind of medicine it is?”
“Um…”
Sarah’s lips moved slightly. Aiden pressed his forehead. Her lips were no longer dry.
Even before, he disliked Olga forcing Sarah to get pregnant without her consent.
What was Olga thinking, feeding her herbs with side effects for so long?
“Do… you know what kind of medicine it is?”
“…No.”
“I was curious too.”
Aiden shook his head, recalling the note he had kept. He couldn’t tell her recklessly.
“…From now on, don’t take that medicine under any circumstances. Its source is unclear.”
Sarah wasn’t the one at fault. The real culprits were Olga and any merchants who knowingly provided herbs with severe side effects.
Aiden felt a surge of guilt.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scold you.”
Sarah smiled faintly, as if it didn’t matter.
“It’s okay. I was a bit surprised, but you were worried about me.”
Her slightly flushed cheek and the curve of her lips caught Aiden’s gaze. Heat rose at the back of his neck.
Suddenly, a deep resolve to protect her surfaced from within.
He would personally confront those involved to understand why Olga had acquired the herbs, gathering solid evidence and witnesses in case of denial.
“….”
Lost in these thoughts, Aiden didn’t notice his heart beating faster than usual. Nor did he realize that he no longer dwelled on past memories as he had in his youth—ever since he had stayed by Sarah’s side.
