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“Money Envelope, I’ll Take It Once – Chapter : 07”
“Uh, how do you know my name….”
“You probably have an idea how I would know. Ah, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come here on anyone’s request. I just suspected that you might be abusing Airi.”
“Abusing her? I swear to the heavens, I have never done such a thing!”
“From what I’ve investigated, it does seem like that. In your opinion, did it look normal for Airi to be working like that?”
“…….”
Having nothing to say about that, Margaret bit her lip hard beneath her veil.
Soon, she spoke again.
“What do you want from me, Your Excellency?”
“Go to the capital.”
At the immediate answer, Margaret clenched her fists tightly.
“Do you dislike me staying in Pennington that much?”
“I dislike that sick body of yours that’s already on its way to death. Go to the capital and receive treatment. That’s what Airi wants.”
Margaret fell silent for a moment, as if she hadn’t expected to hear something like that.
“……Your Excellency, I don’t understand what you’re thinking. What do you intend to do with Airi…?”
“Didn’t I say it?”
Margaret recalled Elkius’s words—and finally remembered.
‘She’ll be treated like someone very precious by my side.’
“Do you truly… intend to love Airi?”
“That reaction makes it sound like I’m incapable of such a thing.”
“You’re saying your feelings won’t last anyway.”
“That’s a bit unpleasant. You’re free to resent that useless man, but don’t drag it onto me.”
Margaret fell silent.
Seeing her struck exactly where it hurt, Elkius let out a faint, mocking smile.
“Stop poisoning my Airi’s mind and quietly go to the capital for treatment. Whether you return to Pennington or not can be decided after you’re fully healed.”
“What if I refuse treatment?”
“Then I’ll make you want to leave Pennington yourself. You know I have very easy methods.”
“…Surely you don’t mean….”
Elkius simply smiled. It was a smile that stretched the other’s imagination to its darkest limits.
After a long silence, Margaret asked him in a trembling voice.
“Do you really… mean it about Airi?”
At that question, Elkius only smiled.
It was a crooked smile that showed open displeasure at even being doubted—very much like his personality.
* * *
The door to the grandmother’s bedroom opened about thirty minutes later.
“All right, we’re done talking.”
The Duke said this while personally opening the door, wearing a pleasant smile.
From his expression alone, it seemed the conversation had gone well—but for some reason, I felt uneasy.
Glancing at my grandmother lying in bed, I carefully asked,
“What did you two talk about after you sent me out?”
“I explained how deeply I’m infatuated with Airi.”
Ah—no. That’s not something that would convince her…?
“Yes, that’s right.”
Huh? It worked?
“Uh? Uh… so, what happened?”
“Your grandmother has decided to gratefully accept the favor of her prospective grandson-in-law, correct?”
The grandmother’s veil fluttered slightly. It was a long sigh.
“……Airi, dear.”
“Yes?”
I tensed up and waited for her to continue.
“Since when have you been meeting the Duke?”
“Eh? Well….”
Confused, I blinked at her. The Duke subtly motioned with his chin.
It looked like he was telling me I could answer however I wanted, so I gave up and spoke.
“Well, actually… back then… when I first met the Duke, it was love at first sight. I kept liking him on my own, and then I just happened to run into him again on the street….”
The Duke nodded with a satisfied smile, as if very pleased with my answer.
My grandmother didn’t question it either. Instead, she asked only one thing.
“So you like the Duke too, is that it?”
I didn’t dare look in his direction and only nodded while looking at my grandmother.
“……Yes.”
“Good. That’s enough.”
She gestured for me to come closer. I shuffled over to the bedside, and she firmly took my hand.
“But remember this one thing. The most important person you must cherish in this world is yourself. Do you understand?”
“Of course.”
I nodded hard.
“To remember how hard you worked raising me, Grandma, I’ll definitely do that.”
“Good, good… my child, when did you grow up like this?”
At her soft murmur, tears suddenly welled up in my eyes.
Her frail body made me cry without realizing it, and she gently patted my back as I sobbed.
Only after crying for a long while did I realize I had left the Duke standing there like a forgotten sack of grain—but he never once reproached me before leaving.
“If I have time later, I’ll come again. I’ve already arranged a carriage for your grandmother to go to the capital, so don’t worry about that.”
“I don’t know how I can ever repay this kindness….”
“You don’t need to worry. Just follow the contract.”
No boasting, no pressure.
The Duke was truly too kind.
‘He must have convinced Grandma too, showing her he’s a good person.’
Before she could change her mind, I needed to pack quickly.
I hurriedly got to work.
* * *
That evening, the Duke sent word that a carriage had been arranged. Departure would be in two days.
Not three days, not four—just two days. It was very sudden, but considering my grandmother’s condition, leaving as soon as possible was the right choice.
That night, I invited Daisy and Dr. O’Neill, who had taken care of my grandmother all this time, and treated them to a simple dinner.
“Doctor, I don’t even know how to thank you.”
“I just did what I was paid to do. But who is this sponsor of yours?”
“Ah, I don’t really know either. They remained anonymous.”
“Anonymous…? Hmm.”
Dr. O’Neill tilted his head as if he had seen everything, but didn’t seem to suspect I was lying.
Fortunately, Daisy—who was also going to the capital with my grandmother—didn’t question the sponsor either.
“Thanks for agreeing to help. I’ll definitely repay you for this next time.”
“I should be the one repaying you. You took me in, fed me, and gave me a place to stay.”
“What are you talking about? We’re already family.”
“Then don’t talk about repayment either, sister. Isn’t it natural for family to take care of each other?”
“……Daisy!”
Even though I was clearly seven years older, Daisy comforted me maturely as I sniffled.
I made a promise to Daisy and Dr. O’Neill.
“When Grandma is fully healed, let’s have another meal together like this.”
“Sounds good. Next time, I’ll treat you.”
“Really? I’ll look forward to it!”
A little tears, lots of smiles, and excitement for a hopeful future.
And so our small private farewell party ended.
The next day at noon, I waved goodbye until the carriage carrying Grandma and Daisy passed through Pennington’s gates and disappeared from sight.
By the time even the dust from the carriage wheels could no longer be seen, I finally turned around.
Walking back to the now-empty house alone made my chest feel strangely hollow.
‘Grandma is just going to get treatment… I shouldn’t feel lonely.’
As I tried to comfort myself, a shadow suddenly fell beside me.
“Did you send your grandmother off safely?”
“Ah! Your Grace!”
How did he know I was here?
My widened eyes must have given me away. The Duke smiled softly and brushed the corner of my eye with his thumb.
“Did you forget I was the one who arranged the carriage? Of course I know the departure time.”
“Oh… I see….”
I nodded while lowering my gaze.
His hand, which had wiped my eyes as if I had been crying, quickly withdrew—but the warmth lingered.
‘My face isn’t red, right?’
The autumn air was getting cooler, but I pretended I was hot and fanned myself with the envelope in my hand as the Duke matched my pace.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this? Grandma gave it to me.”
Before boarding the carriage, she had handed me a thick envelope.
‘Child. If at any point… you ever have to leave Pennington without your own will, open this then.’
I was curious about what was inside, but she had insisted repeatedly that I should only open it after deciding to leave Pennington.
“It seems like it contains some kind of advice… I think she felt bad about leaving me behind.”
“Of course she would. She’s leaving her only granddaughter behind.”
The Duke nodded, then asked,
“Have you packed everything?”
“Eh? Packed what?”
“The things you’ll bring to the ducal estate.”
“…Huh?”
Before I could understand, I just stared at him blankly. He said casually with an “ah” as if it was nothing.
“I didn’t explain it, did I? I told my mother I would introduce you as my fiancée. That means you’ll be moving into the ducal estate and receiving bridal training.”
…That was absolutely not “nothing at all” information!
