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Chapter 32.
“Lady!”
I could have avoided falling, but doing this would make the Crown Prince back off faster.
I had been sitting on the edge of the bed, and as soon as I fell to the floor — as if she had been waiting for the chance — Cassie burst into the room.
“My lady!”
Cassie screamed my name.
“My lady, I think your forehead is bleeding!”
Yes, Cassie.
I made sure to fall at just the right angle so the wound would be somewhere clearly visible.
“A doctor! We must call a doctor!”
“Marie, go call Doctor Herb at once. Quickly! I’ll look after Roa. Cassie, fetch some warm water. And bring a dry towel too.”
Mother must have been waiting outside, because she came flying in like lightning.
Well, she must have heard how the Crown Prince has insulted me repeatedly.
My mouth felt bitter, but my chest grew tight with emotion at the thought of these people — my family — who always loved me unconditionally, no matter what lifetime it was.
“Oh, Roa!”
When Mother saw me, her eyes crumpled in pain.
“A wound on such a pretty face.”
“Madam, I’ve brought the water!”
Cassie, are you secretly a sword master or something? You’re fast!
Mother dipped the towel in the warm water herself and began wiping my forehead.
“M-Madam, blood—blood is running from my lady’s nose!”
“See? I told you it wasn’t the right time to be seeing anyone! But someone insisted!”
That “someone” was probably the blond man standing awkwardly behind us.
The nosebleed was likely my body’s involuntary reaction to seeing the Crown Prince.
Even when the Crown Prince personally sentenced me to death or ordered my public execution, my body had reacted the same way.
In the original novel, it was described that the “male leads” brought the villainess, Rosia, to her tragic end — but in truth, he alone was the one who ended me.
“Mother, I’ll do it. I’m fine— cough.”
My stomach churned, and I couldn’t stop myself from coughing. Cassie quickly pressed a dry towel to my lips.
“Madam, allow me to take care of her.”
Mother stepped back slightly, her gaze settling on the scarf in the Crown Prince’s hand.
“The scarf my daughter was wearing — why is His Highness holding it?”
“Ah, that— well, Lady…”
“Your Highness, I’ve long known you hold no fondness for my daughter.”
“That’s not true. I do not dislike Lady Levian…”
He fell silent, probably realizing what he had actually done to me.
“When Roa was humiliated in front of others, I said nothing — thinking it was a personal matter. I’m sure Your Highness knows that well enough.”
That was her way of saying: Our family has refrained from reporting your behavior to the Emperor.
“But don’t you think your behavior today was far too cruel toward someone who’s unwell?”
Mother’s voice was calm — far too calm. And that calm meant she was furious.
When Mother was angry, she was far more terrifying than Father.
“Doctor Herb has arrived.”
Just then, the family physician entered, and the Crown Prince sighed in relief.
I coughed hoarsely, occasionally gagging.
“Cough, cough.”
“The patient seems overly agitated — it may worsen her condition. Everyone should leave the room.”
Mother’s eyes glinted — she had been waiting for this perfect opportunity.
“In my humble opinion, Your Highness is a very busy man. It would be difficult for you to wait until Roa recovers, wouldn’t it?”
Her words sounded polite — but the meaning was crystal clear: Get out.
The Crown Prince glanced at me, face twisting, and finally muttered,
“I’ll… come again later.”
For just a moment, Mother’s expression read, Don’t you dare come back, you wretched man, but she quickly masked it.
“I’ll see Your Highness out.”
The Crown Prince couldn’t refuse and all but fled the room.
“Kyu-uu! Kyuuuuu!”
The silver fox by the door ran after him, barking furiously — as if saying don’t ever come back!
Cassie sniffled, moved by the sight.
“That little thing is so cute — even its temper is adorable.”
The silver fox, after barking for a while, scampered back to the bed, jumped up, and rubbed its head against my hand.
“Oh my, my lady! Look at that — it’s being affectionate!”
Mother, who had returned from seeing the Crown Prince out, smiled warmly at the fox’s behavior.
That cunning silver fox had managed to win over everyone in the house in just half a day.
“Kyu!”
Its little face looked up at me, as if pleading, Don’t throw me out, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Once the Crown Prince left, my body calmed down at last.
Mother, who had just come back from sending him off, looked at me with pity.
“Roa, you never said anything, but I have ears. I know how the Crown Prince has treated you.”
She took my hand.
“I stayed quiet because you didn’t seem to want to make a fuss, but I can’t stand by any longer.”
“I’m fine, Mother.”
And I meant it.
My body might react poorly whenever I saw the Crown Prince, but I held no resentment toward him.
When you expect nothing from someone, there’s no room for disappointment.
“Roa, I know you worry about our family. But many people were outraged by what happened at the Duchy’s embassy.”
“I see.”
“Even the Duke’s envoy mentioned it.”
So they had seen it? Or maybe Stella told her fiancé, and it reached his ears that way.
“Even foreign dignitaries know of His Highness’s… temperament. The Emperor won’t be able to ignore it much longer. And we refuse to tolerate his tyranny any further.”
Her gaze moved to the bruised, darkened skin around my neck.
“Your father works tirelessly — not just to uphold our family’s name. Of course, honoring our ancestors’ legacy is important…”
She began gently stroking my hand.
“But the real reason he works so hard is for everyone living in this household now.”
Our family was known for its loyal retainers — not only because of fair pay and good benefits, but because Father always insisted that no one mistreat a servant.
“That ‘everyone’ naturally includes you, my dear.”
Mother’s eyes softened with boundless affection.
“So don’t worry about the family, Roa.”
I wasn’t angry at the Crown Prince — but I was deeply touched by her kindness.
Mother smiled as she cupped my cheek.
“Stella and Pony are here. They said they’d leave if you’re too tired — do you want to see them?”
“Please tell them to come in. I’ve missed them so much.”
“Alright, dear.”
After Mother left the room, familiar faces peeked in through the door.
“Roa.”
“We’re here!”
“Welcome.”
The maids brought in chairs for the two of them.
Soon, Cassie arrived with tea and sweets — far more lavish than what had been served to the Crown Prince.
“When we heard the Crown Prince was here, we hid,” Stella said.
“We were already at your mansion when his carriage arrived — thank goodness we didn’t run into him,” Pony added, shaking her head.
“The Crown Prince, ugh. Please tell me he didn’t say something like, ‘You stole the glory that was meant for Merina!’ or something equally absurd?”
“Thankfully, no.”
Pony let out a relieved sigh.
“Anyway, for the rest of this week, I won’t be receiving visitors. So if anyone asks, tell them I’ve been asleep the whole time.”
“Got it.”
“But Roa, are you really alright? An assassin, of all things! I was so worried I couldn’t sleep.”
Stella’s eyes were dark with fatigue. And come to think of it, she wasn’t even touching the grapes.
“That’s true — she came to my house in tears, you know?” Pony said.
“Hmph, and you were bawling too,” Stella shot back.
“At the hunting tournament, did I look unwell?” I asked.
Stella raised her eyebrows, and Pony’s eyes went wide.
“What! You’re so careless about yourself, honestly. Pony, remember how pale she was?”
“Yeah, yeah — you looked like you could collapse any second. And your neck was so bruised, I thought you’d been cursed or something!”
The two of them passionately described just how awful I had looked.
I didn’t think I’d looked that bad, though.
“In the East, they say there are hidden warriors — what were they called, shadow knights or something? Maybe we should hire one to protect her,” Stella said.
“Good idea. I’ll ask Gades about it. The Duchy trades often with the East, he’ll know.”
Before long, they were deep in discussion about assigning me a secret bodyguard.
Given their determination and resources, it wasn’t impossible — but since finding one would be next to impossible, I let them be.
As their debate grew more heated, the door suddenly burst open.
