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~Chapter 21~
Clang!
The teacup fell to the floor, and Melisa’s body slumped weakly to the side.
“……!”
“Eeeek!”
“Madam!”
It all happened in an instant.
Elin quickly supported her, preventing Melisa from collapsing completely to the ground.
In the process, Elin’s chair tipped over and tumbled behind her.
“Are… are you alright?!”
She shouted, but Melisa, who had already lost consciousness, gave no answer.
“What should we do!”
“The Grand Duchess… she’s dead, I think!”
The Marchioness’s daughter trembled in shock.
Even Sylvia, who usually wasn’t easily startled, seemed so shocked that she couldn’t approach Melisa and stepped back instead.
Elin was the only one holding onto Melisa firmly.
Hearing the screams, the servants rushed out.
They were all pale and flustered, unsure how to react.
“Hurry, call the doctor!”
“Yes, yes, right away!”
Seeing them run to fetch the doctor, Elin calmly laid Melisa on the grass.
‘I’ve seen this before. She’ll be fine.’
Elin murmured to herself, unbuttoning Melisa’s tightly fastened clothing.
The long row of buttons from her neck to chest was constricting her body.
Tiny satin buttons kept slipping from her fingers, but Elin carefully unfastened each one, as if freeing her breath.
The noblewomen watched in horror.
“Marchioness, could you loosen the ribbon around her waist?”
When Elin asked for help, the Marchioness hesitated briefly before quickly approaching and loosening the tight ribbon.
It seemed to help a little, as Melisa let out a faint, shallow breath.
Elin quickly moved the chair cushion under Melisa’s legs.
A healthy pink color slowly returned to Melisa’s pale face.
“What happened here!”
Luckily, the doctor arrived sooner than expected.
Sighing in relief, Elin sank into a chair, exhausted.
“She suddenly fainted while drinking tea.”
“Is the Grand Duchess alright?”
“My heart nearly stopped seeing her like that!”
The women around them, reassured by the doctor’s arrival, spoke up.
“It seems she fainted. Don’t worry too much.”
Hearing the doctor check on her, they all exhaled in relief.
The servants carried Melisa to the doctor’s side.
“My goodness… what happened here?”
“Such a scare! I hope she’s really alright.”
One by one, the women left with somber faces.
The Marchioness’s daughter helped Elin, who had collapsed onto the grass, to stand.
“It’s thanks to you acting so quickly. How can you remain so calm?”
Elin smiled faintly, still shaken in her heart.
“Once the Grand Duchess is stable, we will visit again.”
Sylvia offered a formal goodbye to Elin before walking away. Somehow, she didn’t seem pleased.
Like waking from a deep sleep, Melisa slowly opened her eyes.
She couldn’t recall the events of the previous night and blinked several times.
‘Strange… I can’t remember anything after tea. Did I see everyone off properly?’
Her uncertainty made her anxious.
At that moment, a maid entered.
“Hmm… bring me some water.”
As Melisa held her forehead to rise, the maid startled and dropped the tray onto the carpet.
“Ma-Madam!”
Melisa tried to ask about yesterday, but the maid ran out shouting.
“Butler!”
Melisa stared in confusion at the door the maid had rushed through.
“What is happening…?”
Moments later, a crowd approached down the hallway.
“Grand Duchess!”
“Madam!”
“Mother!”
It was the first time she realized so many different titles were used for her.
Holding her head, she asked,
“What on earth happened? Why does my head feel so fuzzy?”
While the doctor carefully examined her, Jeffrey instructed the maid to bring more water.
Elin watched anxiously from a distance as the doctor assessed Melisa.
“Don’t you remember? The Grand Duchess fainted during yesterday’s gathering.”
Melisa furrowed her brow, understanding at last.
“No wonder… my vision went white at times while talking. I haven’t slept properly for days. That’s why.”
The doctor nodded.
“Insomnia was a contributing factor. Recently, has your appetite decreased or have you felt unusually tired?”
“Yes, that’s true. Sometimes I even felt short of breath. I thought it was stress over the Duke’s marriage.”
“That also affected your condition. For now, get enough rest to recover your health.”
Melisa sighed softly.
“I must have scared everyone… Did I hit my head anywhere when I fell?”
Worried, she lifted a mirror to check her face.
The doctor smiled, glancing briefly at Elin.
“Thanks to the Duchess’s quick thinking, the Grand Duchess was kept safe.”
Melisa looked at Elin with slightly surprised eyes.
“…Really?”
Embarrassed by the praise, Elin gave a small, awkward smile and approached Melisa.
“I’m glad you’re alright. I was really worried yesterday.”
Melisa lifted her hand slightly, and Elin gently held it.
“Thank you.”
Elin nodded, relieved that Melisa was safe.
“You remained calm and acted quickly. That’s why she woke up so soon,” the doctor added.
“Is that so?”
Melisa looked at Elin again, impressed.
“I’ve dealt with similar situations before while caring for my great-aunt. If this were my first time, I would have been very flustered.”
Melisa silently nodded at Elin’s humility.
“I ruined a tea time that was so enjoyable. Everyone must have been shocked.”
Elin reassured her.
“I’ll send everyone a message. The Grand Duchess is awake and resting safely.”
“Thank you.”
Melisa lay back comfortably, and Elin assisted her.
The maid returned with a tray of water but was stopped by Jeffrey at the door.
“Butler…!”
The maid was confused. Earlier, she had been told to hurry.
Jeffrey simply observed silently, his expression consistent as always. Today, though, the corners of his lips seemed to curl slightly.
Meanwhile, in the large office, Dominic spoke with a man of exotic appearance.
“If it weren’t for the Prince, this wouldn’t have worked.”
Dominic extended his hand, and the man firmly shook it.
“What do you mean? The person who helped me most here is you, Duke. I must repay that.”
The man was Prince Sarmant of Nazar, second in line to the throne, who had spent much of his childhood abroad and was a longtime business partner and friend of Duke Linderto.
Their conversation remained cheerful throughout.
“I heard about your marriage. If I had known sooner, I would have returned to Nazar earlier. What a shame.”
Dominic smiled reluctantly.
“It was a hastily arranged wedding, so we couldn’t invite many guests.”
Prince Sarmant stroked his stylish mustache, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
“You rushed your wedding… I wonder what woman captured the Duke’s heart.”
Dominic answered with a perfectly controlled, charming smile.
“To celebrate my return from Nazar, I plan to hold a party. I hope the Duke and Duchess attend to grace the occasion.”
Dominic couldn’t refuse, especially as the party served as a networking opportunity for business leaders.
“Of course, it’s an honor.”
“Many influential people who can assist your new ventures will be there.”
“That sounds promising.”
“Then I will look forward to meeting the Duchess of Linderto.”
After shaking hands, Prince Sarmant left, and Dominic went to the window.
‘Marriage brings more complications than I expected.’
He thought a formal wedding alone would suffice, but now everyone was curious about his new Duchess.
“A couple’s party… pretending to be affectionate in public isn’t exactly pleasant.”
Yet such events were excellent for his business and allowed him to lightly introduce the Duchess to society.
At that moment, Higgins rushed in, knocking urgently.
“Sir, a telegram has arrived!”
Dominic grabbed it, read it immediately, and said with a firm expression:
“I must return home at once.”
