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CHAPTER 77…………………
‘…?’
Etisha was puzzled. Why was Kaien holding her hand? There was no need for him to escort her, and no reason for them to be holding hands.
Is the Duke troubled?
She glanced down at their clasped hands.
As always, his warmth felt pleasant.
No… perhaps he’s worried about me. Because I fainted.
Quietly, Etisha remained holding Kaien’s hand.
In the silence, their gazes locked. The longer they looked at each other, the stranger the feeling grew.
For a moment, a deep longing flashed in Kaien’s dark eyes.
Lately, every time he looked at her, he felt an urge to kiss her.
“Duke.”
Etisha spoke, calling to him.
Kaien restrained the desire that threatened to show, answering carefully:
“Yes. Speak.”
“Actually… I’ve been practicing what we did before…”
She spoke shyly, trailing off. Kaien furrowed his brow in thought.
What does “what we did before” mean?
“Could you close your eyes for a moment?”
Kaien obediently lowered his eyelids.
Had someone else asked this, he would have refused, but this was Etisha.
“Eyes closed. Is this alright?”
All sight was gone; only darkness remained.
Now Kaien could focus entirely on the sensation of her hand in his and the sound of her voice.
“Yes… then…”
Etisha paused, taking deep breaths as if summoning courage.
Then, she did it.
“…Ka.”
“…”
“Kaien.”
She called his name.
In that instant, Kaien’s world flipped.
He felt an overwhelming, irresistible fate. Etisha was the first and last truth of his life.
Bang.
The office door burst open. Kaien entered with terrifying intensity, like a storm breaking through.
“Duke, the pelts from today’s hunting of the alpha wolves have all been disposed of—”
Valdefram, who had arrived earlier, trailed off mid-sentence, noticing Kaien’s fierce expression.
Why is the Duke like this again?
Was it because of Rayen Wintel? Or because Lady Etisha had fainted today?
Kaien sat at his desk and exhaled heavily.
“…Hoo.”
The sigh was so cold it seemed to chill the office.
Valdefram gripped the stack of documents in his hands, sweating nervously.
The Duke has changed…
Previously stoic, now every emotion was clear—so obvious that Valdefram could notice immediately.
“Valdefram.”
“Yes, my Duke.”
“Something urgent has arisen. Extremely important.”
Kaien’s voice left no room for doubt.
Valdefram swallowed dryly.
Please tell me it’s not about Lady Etisha’s lover again…
Even the most capable aide couldn’t research a lover who didn’t exist.
No, he must have just lost his judgment temporarily last time. He won’t issue such a ridiculous order again.
Valdefram waited confidently for Kaien’s command—but Kaien shattered that confidence.
“Find a way to cure the wasting disease.”
“…Excuse me?”
“A method to save a patient with wasting disease. Use any means necessary, regardless of cost.”
Valdefram was speechless.
Wasting disease was incurable. Centuries had yielded no cure.
And now he was being asked to find one?
It would be easier to invent a nonexistent lover for Etisha.
“My Duke…”
Valdefram could not hide his concern. But Kaien remained deadly serious.
“All planned events are suspended until a cure is found. Only essential work proceeds; everything else focuses on discovering a treatment.”
“…”
“Investigate historical cases, all records, even rumors. Recruit doctors nationwide and all wasting disease patients. Establish a medical center and system. We will cover all expenses—provide whatever is required.”
“…”
Valdefram could not even say it was impossible.
There was a strange, urgent determination in Kaien’s gaze.
And after all, anything could happen. Even if incurable, Wintel could discover a treatment with total effort.
“…Understood, my Duke.”
Valdefram bowed. He had always faithfully obeyed Kaien’s orders.
“I will carry out your command immediately.”
He placed the documents on the desk and left. Kaien stared at the neat stacks for a moment, then opened a drawer.
Inside was a black box—his personal safe, accessible only to him.
Inside lay a small round bead and an embroidered ribbon.
Kaien tapped the bead, activating a video projection. Etisha’s face and voice appeared:
[Happy Birthday, Duke Kaien. I hope you have a wonderful year. Thank you as always.]
Kaien stared at the image, touching the ribbon carefully.
It was the ribbon Etisha had tied to his scabbard before today’s wolf hunt.
“…Haa.”
He swallowed bitterly.
Once Etisha died, these would be her relics, memories of her.
With an irritable hand, Kaien closed the box.
Her death had been expected from the start—but now, he could not let her die.
Everything had changed.
Kaien had to save Etisha.
Without her, his world—and the truths he believed in—would collapse.
Later, news of Etisha’s “pregnancy” spread throughout the North.
It was inevitable. If she bore a child, it would one day inherit Wintel.
Rumors even added speculation that the Duke was illegitimate, and the question of Wintel’s succession spread across the North.
Had Etisha truly conceived the Duke’s heir—or the child of a non-qualifying illegitimate son?
Much was said.
But in truth, it didn’t matter.
Etisha had never been pregnant. She only used pregnancy as a cover for wasting disease.
Whatever was said about a nonexistent child was irrelevant—it would all quiet down eventually.
Eventually, I will die anyway.
Standing by the window, Etisha drew back the curtains.
Morning sunlight streamed brilliantly through the glass. She gazed out and smiled faintly.
Her body still felt heavy, her chest tight, but her spirit was fresh and clear.
“Lady, I’ve brought your washing water.”
Marin knocked, her voice unusually cheerful.
“Yes, come in.”
She wheeled in a cart covered with a tablecloth. Etisha blinked, surprised at its contents.
“What’s all this, Marin?”
Normally, she brought only wash water and oils. Today, it was as if she’d brought the entire bathroom.
Warm water with floating petals, three types of oils, four kinds of candles, and freshly laundered towels arranged neatly.
“I heard you’re pregnant, my lady! I can’t believe I didn’t know—it’s inexcusable.”
“…Huh?”
“From today, I will take care of you more diligently than ever. Prepare yourself.”
Etisha blinked, bewildered.
Marin had already rolled up her sleeves, mixing oils into the tub. Her eyes sparkled—clearly sincere about caring for the “pregnant” lady.
“Marin, wait a moment.”
Etisha hurriedly stopped her. She had to tell the truth.
“I’m not pregnant.”
Marin froze. Like a squirrel whose acorn had been snatched away.
“…W-what? My lady, what kind of joke is that?”
“No, I’m serious. You know the truth.”
There was no way to deceive Marin—blood came once a month, and she would notice.
“It was mentioned at the picnic, but for now, I couldn’t reveal the truth. It will come out eventually. For now, only you know.”
“Oh… I see.”
“Yes. So you don’t have to go to all this trouble. Of course, I appreciate your care…”
Marin pouted briefly, then brightened, her eyes sparkling with determination.
“Understood, my lady. Don’t worry. Even if I die, I will protect your secret!”
“Huh?”
“Even if the Duke questions me, I won’t say a word!”
Etisha laughed, shaking her head.
“No need to hide it from the Duke. He already knows everything.”
The person who knew Etisha’s wasting disease best was Kaien himself. He also knew she was not pregnant.
Marin’s reaction, however, was different.
“Eh? The Duke knows everything?”
“Of course.”
“That you’re not pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“How strange… then why did he call me and give me that warning…?”
