TRST 17

A look of dissatisfaction spread across his face, but even he had nothing to say in rebuttal.

I had already lost count of how many times it had happened today. Ains, who had never so much as spared me a glance before, kept interfering again and again whenever it concerned Kadiya.

I understood well enough what he was worried about.

A million gold in alimony—enough to revive a fallen baronial house. Of course he would worry about that money. Even if it had already left his hands, it must have been unsettling for him knowing it was now in mine.

But I, too, knew exactly how large that sum was.

And I was fully aware that it was everything I had.

“I won’t do something foolish like handing over my fortune to Kadiya. I won’t be loving anyone anymore.”

I was sick of love.

Ten years of living while looking only at Ains. If you’ve carried feelings for one person for ten years, it’s only natural to grow tired eventually.

I didn’t think I could ever love someone else that deeply again, nor did I have the capacity to accept someone else’s feelings.

“Ains, you’ve stood by doing nothing all this time, and now you suddenly want to interfere in Cecil’s affairs? Even if you don’t trust her, Cecil is a capable child. She won’t do anything you’re worried about.”

Fortunately, Grandfather backed me up.

In the end, Ains said nothing more and resumed his meal.

“Oh, right. There’s something I’d like to ask you, Duke.”

“You just said you didn’t need my attention.”

“It’s not about me. It’s a request regarding Grandfather. Please allow me to visit him at least once a week.”

Ains glanced briefly at Grandfather, then looked back at me and nodded.

“Do as you wish.”

“…Thank you.”

I had been worried he might refuse, so hearing his permission made me smile in relief. Grandfather also smiled as if pleased with the outcome.

Only Ains looked at us with a sullen expression.

The dinner I had expected to be uncomfortable passed more peacefully than I thought.

Ains didn’t pick at me, and since most of the conversation was between Grandfather and me, I didn’t feel particularly uneasy.

Occasionally, Ains would glance at me, but it didn’t seem like he had anything to say, so I ignored it.

Then, toward the end of the meal, a tight pain began to grip my chest.

It wasn’t severe enough to call unbearable, but breathing became slightly difficult.

“Cecil? Your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you unwell?”

Grandfather was the first to notice. I shook my head as if it were nothing.

“No, I’m fine. I think the food just didn’t sit well. I have some medicine on me—if I take it, I’ll be alright.”

After speaking, I hurriedly searched my pocket.

My breathing was uncomfortable, and even my hands wouldn’t move as I wanted. As I tried to take out the medicine bottle, it slipped from my grasp and fell to the floor.

Just as I reached down to pick it up, something surged up from within.

Before I could even cover my mouth, a cough burst out—

“Cecil!”

“Cecilia!”

A bitter, metallic taste filled my mouth.

I blinked in confusion, unable to understand what was happening, while struggling to catch my breath.

When I finally looked at my hand, it was covered in blood.

Another surge followed—an awful sensation—and I coughed again, blood splattering out.

My ears rang dully, and voices around me sounded muffled, like I was underwater.

When I lifted my eyes, the scene before me felt strangely distorted.

People’s movements seemed unnaturally slow, as if time itself had been stretched out.

Then suddenly, it snapped back—everything returning to its normal pace.

“Master!”

Rivet, who had been waiting closest by, cried out and rushed over.

She supported my upper body and quickly searched through her belongings.

It didn’t take long to realize what she was looking for.

A relief agent made from Tiria flowers.

As expected, Rivet took out a pill from a small bottle and placed it in my mouth, then helped me drink water.

The taste was foul from the blood, but I had to swallow it to live.

Ordinary medicine would take time to work, but anything made from Tiria flowers was different.

The moment I swallowed it, the pressure in my chest began to ease, and my ragged breathing gradually steadied.

Before taking it, I had expected the same kind of intense pain I experienced with the treatment drug—but the relief agent truly lived up to its name, easing the pain instead.

It was a relief. If I had gone through that same agony again, I might have fainted on the spot.

“M-My lady…”

Rachel, who had approached late, stared at me with a pale face.

She must have been so startled that she forgot I had divorced Ains and called me “my lady” out of habit.

She wasn’t the only one shocked. Both Grandfather and Ains had stood up, staring at me in alarm.

But neither of them could bring themselves to speak.

“Master, here.”

Amid the chaos, Rivet alone remained composed. She handed me a damp handkerchief.

I took it and wiped the blood from my hands and around my mouth.

“Cecil, my dear… are you unwell?”

I could see Grandfather’s gaze trembling.

I felt uneasy, thinking I had only shown him something distressing despite joining him for dinner.

“It’s nothing. Just…”

I hesitated, unsure how to explain.

Only a few maids and servants in the mansion—Rachel among them—knew about my Trintz disease. I hadn’t told Grandfather, who was already unwell himself, because I didn’t want to worry him.

And Ains…

Ains already disliked me—perhaps even hated me.

Every time we met, he brought up divorce, wishing for me to leave this mansion, and his words always dug painfully into my chest.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about my illness.

I was afraid that my sickness might be something he would welcome.

I thought I had escaped his shadow through divorce, but perhaps I was still bound to him.

Even now, just the thought that he might have found out made my heart beat irregularly.

In the end, I said nothing.

Instead, I chose to avoid the situation.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. I’ll explain everything next time. I’m not feeling well, so I think I should head back now.”

I bowed my head.

“Yes, go and get some rest. If needed, I’ll send Doctor Watt.”

Instead of pressing further, Grandfather responded with concern. I gave a faint, grateful smile.

“No, it’s alright. I’ll call Doctor Watt myself. Thank you for your concern.”

“Then at least take Rachel with you. If you feel uncomfortable, tell her.”

“Thank you, Grandfather. Then, please excuse me.”

After speaking, I glanced at Ains.

He simply stared at me, his cold blue eyes wavering.

Still, I couldn’t just ignore him, so I gave him a brief bow before turning away.

Rivet supported me in case something happened, and Rachel followed behind.

Ever since seeing me cough up blood, Rachel had remained pale.

“…My lord, has your illness worsened?”

Rachel asked in a trembling voice, as if she might burst into tears depending on my answer.

I gave her a faint smile and shook my head.

“No. Quite the opposite.”

“…The opposite?”

“Yes. I managed to obtain Tiria flowers. I made a treatment medicine from them… the aftereffects are just—”

Tiria flowers could activate mana, but it was only an artificial stimulation.

The mismatch between the body’s natural mana flow and the forced activation caused strain, leading to these side effects.

“Then… you’re really getting better?”

Finally understanding, Rachel’s face began to regain color.

“Yes. The side effects remain, but at least I won’t die.”

At my words, Rachel covered her face with both hands. A faint sound of sobbing escaped her.

“I-I thought your illness had gotten worse…”

Relief filled her tearful voice.

“That’s such a relief. Truly.”

“Thank you… for being happy for me.”

After watching her wipe away her tears, I started walking again.

Then I suddenly remembered dropping the bottle of relief medicine in the dining hall.

I turned back for a moment, wondering if I should retrieve it, but then shook my head and looked at Rachel instead.

“Rachel, I’m sorry, but could you do me a favor?”

“Of course. Just tell me.”

“There should be a medicine bottle on the dining hall floor. It’s the relief medicine for the aftereffects—I dropped it while coughing up blood. Could you find it and bring it to me?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Rachel stopped a passing maid and instructed her.

It was a simple task—just retrieving the bottle from the dining hall.

“I’ve told her what to do, so she should find it quickly. Would it be alright if she brings it to you tomorrow morning?”

It would be better to retrieve it immediately, but with Grandfather and Ains still in the dining hall, it wouldn’t be easy for a maid to search for something.

So I nodded.

“Yes, that’s fine. Rivet has spare medicine, so it’ll be alright.”