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Chapter 36
“What?”
At Yuan’s words—that he had the deed to the mansion—Baron Inohater slowly blinked. He tilted his head, as though struggling to understand.
Yuan briefly explained how he had come to possess the deed. As he listened, the Baron’s face darkened in real time.
“Jeremy, that boy…”
The Baron’s face flushed red. It was the expression of someone ashamed that such disgrace had been exposed to his liege.
He had thought his son was quietly studying away at university, but instead the boy had caused a serious scandal.
He had never believed Jeremy was a profit-seeking type, yet here he was—pledging both title and house as collateral to buy a weaving factory without permission.
The Baron was dumbfounded by his son’s unforeseen actions.
Watching him sink in humiliation, Yuan continued speaking.
“Of course, I should return the deed to you immediately. But, if you’ll allow it, I’d like to keep it in my possession a while longer.”
Even then, the Baron could not meet Yuan’s gaze. With a heavy sigh, he finally spoke.
“It is no longer mine. Whatever you do with it, it has nothing to do with me.”
Without asking why, he accepted Yuan’s wish.
Yuan thought that was just like the Baron, and said,
“This house belongs to you, my lord. Think of it as me holding on to it for Serret’s sake.”
In truth, it wasn’t for Serret’s sake—it was for his own. But Yuan could not bring himself to say that aloud.
Through the servants, he had already learned what Serret had discussed with Lawyer Delavine.
From what they’d gathered, Serret intended to divorce after one year of marriage. She planned to take alimony and a share of property to clean up the mess Jeremy had caused.
Yuan’s first reaction to hearing this was disbelief—that she would go to such lengths for a mere 170,000 luffings. He could easily give her that much.
In fact, it didn’t bother him that Serret had decided to marry for money. On the contrary, he was relieved.
It showed she was capable of scheming. He had worried she was too meek, but now he felt reassured.
What displeased him was the “one year.” Just one year? What should he do with this foolish woman who dreamed of divorcing him after only a year?
He did not ponder long. The deed he had secured in order to push through the marriage could just as easily be used to block any divorce.
“How much debt did Jeremy incur?”
The Baron asked, turning to Yuan.
“You don’t need to concern yourself.”
“Tell me. Unless you mean to insult me.”
At his firm tone, Yuan was left with no choice but to answer.
“170,000 luffings.”
The Baron groaned, leaning back against the sofa. That amount was clearly beyond his household’s means.
“I am ashamed.”
Rubbing his face with his hands, he let out a deep sigh.
“There’s no need. …If Serret finds out, she will only worry. Please don’t tell her.”
“I won’t. Thank you.”
The Baron replied with a weary face.
Yuan pitied the old man, but he too needed a weapon. A weapon to fully possess Serret Inohater.
Serret returned to the ducal mansion in the capital after five days. During her stay at the Morsley residence, her father had seemed unwell, which left her worried.
“Young lady, Madam Oxenbury is here.”
“Really?”
Hannah entered Serret’s room with the news. Serret, who had been sitting before the vanity lost in thoughts of her father, stood up.
Madam Oxenbury was Yuan’s aunt, who in her past life had also helped arrange their wedding.
She lived near the ducal estate in the Brick district, and whenever Serret stayed at the mansion, she would often see her.
Gentle by nature, she treated both Serret and Lydia fairly and kindly.
She had once advised Yuan that if a husband treated his wife well, the servants would not dare to look down on her. Of course, Yuan hadn’t listened.
As an elder of House Frectuster, Madam Oxenbury was a stabilizing presence. Thanks to her, when she visited the ducal mansion, even the servants did not openly slight Serret.
Since Serret held no ill feelings toward her, the visit did not feel uncomfortable.
Hurrying down the stairs, she saw Madam Oxenbury being greeted by the butler and the housekeeper, Mrs. Lindsay, in the lobby.
“Aunt.”
Serret approached warmly. Without thinking, she used the term of address from her past life, then awkwardly laughed, rolling her eyes.
“Oh, Serret.”
In fact, the two had already met several times at hunting competitions, so the premature familiarity did not seem to bother Madam Oxenbury.
“I like that you call me so.”
“With the wedding so near, my heart got ahead of me.”
“That’s quite all right. It makes me feel glad.”
“You must be tired from the journey.”
“Not at all. It feels like coming home after a long while.”
As she looked around the ducal residence, her expression grew sentimental. Once, long ago, this had been her own home.
“You should rest well today.”
“Yes, tomorrow will be busy.”
She chuckled and followed the butler upstairs.
After meeting her, Serret felt the reality of the wedding sink in again. To marry the man who had killed her once before—surely, this was madness.
Shaking her head, she climbed the stairs, where she ran into the butler returning.
“Dr. Kane will arrive shortly.”
The butler informed her. Dr. Kane was the Frectuster family’s physician, who came regularly to monitor Yuan’s health.
“I see. When he comes, send him to my room at once.”
Now that she had returned from Morsley, Serret was no longer a guest. She spoke with the authority of the household’s mistress.
“Yes, madam.”
The butler no longer addressed her as “young lady.” She was his mistress now.
“Miss, why the sudden doctor? Are you unwell?”
Hannah asked, hurrying after her.
“Not me—you.”
“Me? But I’m not sick.”
Hannah looked puzzled.
“Just in case.”
In her past life, Hannah had died not long after Serret’s wedding. The exact illness had never been identified.
It had been sudden, and in Morsley at the time, there was no physician skilled enough to determine the cause.
Now that time had been altered, the wedding had come months earlier, which meant Hannah still had time left.
So before then, Serret wanted her examined to prepare for any danger.
“I’m really healthy. I don’t need a checkup.”
Hannah shook her head firmly.
“Hannah, if you care about me, you’ll do it. That’s an order.”
“Missss…”
Pouting, Hannah stuck out her lip at Serret’s firm tone.
“If you ignore me, do you think the ducal servants will obey me?”
“All right, miss.”
She quickly agreed, clenching her fist. I’ll uphold my lady’s dignity.
At that moment, a knock sounded.
“Yes!”
Hannah rushed to open the door. The butler entered with Dr. Kane.
“Welcome, Doctor.”
Serret greeted him warmly. Dr. Kane bowed politely, then asked seriously,
“Where does it hurt?”
Serret shook her head and gestured at Hannah.
“Not me. Please examine my maid.”
“…Understood.”
The new mistress of House Frectuster was an unusual one indeed. Few nobles ever concerned themselves with a maid’s health.
Setting aside his surprise, the doctor pulled a stethoscope from his bag.
When he pressed it to her back, Hannah stiffened, holding her breath. She had been healthy all her life and had never even seen a doctor before.
“Breathe.”
At his command, she exhaled with a “whoosh,” making Serret chuckle.
The doctor checked her temperature, blood pressure, and lung capacity.
Each time, Hannah fidgeted nervously, her eyes darting around.
“There’s nothing abnormal.”
He finally reported.
“Really?”
Serret eyed him skeptically.
If she’s to die from illness, surely there should be some signs already…
“Yes, she’s in good health.”
“I’ve heard you can draw blood to test for hidden problems. That requires a hospital, yes?”
“If you wish, I can draw blood now and take it to the hospital.”
“What?”
At this, Hannah recoiled in terror.
Unmoved, the doctor pulled a syringe from his bag. Hannah, frightened, grabbed Serret’s arm.
“Miss, I’m healthy! The doctor said so!”
“Hannah, we can’t be sure. Roll up your sleeve.”
“Miss…”
She looked at her with teary eyes.
She had never imagined her blood being taken—never thought of it leaving her body. The thought terrified her, and her breathing quickened.
“Quickly, Hannah.”
“Eek.”
Reluctantly, under Serret’s stern gaze, she bared her arm.
The doctor swiftly drew blood. Sniffling, Hannah pressed the spot where the needle had gone in.
“I’ll inform you as soon as the results come back.”
“Thank you.”
Serret patted Hannah’s shoulder as she saw the doctor out.
Once he was gone, she clasped Hannah’s tired hand tightly.
“Hannah, I won’t let you die. No matter what happens.”
“Miss, I’m perfectly healthy! I’m not dying.”
Hannah protested, almost sulking.
Serret only smiled softly.
She vowed to destroy the terrible fate looming over her maid—so that Hannah could keep grumbling like this forever.
The busy days continued. Even though they cut corners where they could, there was still much to prepare for the wedding.
Serret’s dress and Yuan’s formalwear had to be tailored. The floral arrangements for the Grand Cathedral, the food and wine for the wedding banquet, everything had to be decided.
There were so many choices to make, Serret wondered how she had managed it all in her previous life.
Back then, the preparations had been exhausting, yes—but the joy outweighed the burden. She had thrilled with anticipation, savoring every step.
But now she grumbled inwardly countless times, finding it tedious. She would have skipped the wedding entirely if she could, but that wasn’t an option.
“Serret will be the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Yuan, I can’t wait for you to see her in her gown.”
Madam Oxenbury smiled warmly as she sipped her tea.
The three of them had just finalized the design of the wedding cake and were now relaxing in the tea room.
“I’m waiting for that day,” Yuan replied with his gentle smile.
“Tomorrow, we’ll order the wedding rings. Be ready early in the morning.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
He nodded.
“Now, I must go. I forgot to write to Emma.”
“Please send her my regards,” Yuan said as she rose.
“I will.”
“Rest well, Madam.”
Serret also stood and bowed.
“You too, child.”
Smiling kindly, Madam Oxenbury closed the door, leaving Serret and Yuan alone in the tea room.
A subtle silence stretched between them. Yuan’s gaze lingered on Serret’s blue eyes before dropping to her slender fingers.
“Let’s choose sapphire for the wedding rings,” he said.
“To match my eyes?”
The familiarity of his words made Serret laugh softly.
