VDBO 27

Chapter 27

“……”

“My mother loves me very much.”

His expression grew even more vicious, as if asking what nonsense I was spouting.

“If I disappear, everything you’re preparing right now will be exposed.”

“What did you say?”

“That silver mine you own. You’re not actually mining silver there, are you?”

For a brief moment, Duke Ludwig’s face stiffened—then it quickly relaxed.

“So now you’re even babbling nonsense.”

“The best way to make up assets donated to the imperial family is military supplies, isn’t it? It seems the smuggling business is going quite smoothly. The mine looks full, after all. I didn’t expect Marquis Guladu to join hands with you again.”

“……”

Marquis Guladu of the borderlands was a man just as secretive and sinister as Mr. Schwalt. In truth, I had never seen him in person either.

I knew that when Lucellai Ludwig was infamous for his tyranny, the Ludwig family had briefly allied with him—then quickly cut ties.

In reality, they only cut ties on the surface. Their relationship had continued all along.

This was something even my mother didn’t know. Only I—who knew the original story—was aware of it.

If anything went seriously wrong, or if my mother were touched, this was my escape route. Preparations I had already set in motion from the northern regions.

This was why having many enemies was exhausting.

“I’m curious myself—what will happen if I don’t get out of this carriage tonight?”

Duke Ludwig ground his teeth, as if he might stab me on the spot.

“You filthy little rat.”

The Ludwig ducal carriage departed.

With a threat to be careful not to let filth splash onto the Ludwig name.

I climbed into the carriage heading back to Ian. Without even being able to greet Delkian or Elabriche.

One side of my face began swelling badly, like I had mumps, making it impossible to step into a brightly lit place.

“Let’s go back, Ian.”

Judging from Ian’s expression and his disheveled appearance, there must have been many obstacles preventing him from coming to me.

I only ended up like this—but Ian might have been killed outright. Considering that, he held out well.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I have no excuse.”

“At least you’re alive. That’s something.”

Ian bowed his head deeply.

The carriage headed home. But for some reason, I didn’t want to go straight back.

“I want some fresh air.”

“Understood.”

At my words, Ian pulled the cord inside the carriage.

Soon, the carriage changed direction. It wandered along the outskirts for quite some time—until the swelling in my cheek subsided.

We didn’t arrive home until dawn.

It seemed it had rained while we were hiding somewhere, because the alley floor was slightly damp. Or perhaps it was just morning dew.

Drunk on the quiet, cold atmosphere, I stared vacantly at the end of the alley before finally going inside. My body felt heavy, as if someone were pulling my feet downward, utterly drained.

The moment I entered the foyer, I roughly shrugged off the jacket I was wearing and kicked off my shoes—heels worn down and stained with dirt from running. I wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed and fall asleep without thinking.

I truly didn’t want to think about anything.

As I stepped barefoot onto the carpet, I stopped.

There was someone in the living room—someone other than the servants. I forgot how exhausted I had been just moments ago.

“You’re late.”

A familiar voice. And an unexpected visitor.

“……Mother?”

This wasn’t scheduled. I thought she would contact me before coming. There was no way news of today’s events had already reached her.

I approached her cautiously.

Ian followed behind, quietly tidying up the traces I had left behind.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now. On my way back from a banquet.”

I nodded and sat down on the sofa opposite her.

“Yes. Um… I took some air on the way back.”

But the capital was still dangerous. Why would she take such a risk to come here? Even if I asked, my mother would never answer such a question.

As I turned my head, my gaze landed on her neck. The flashy necklace she usually wore—one that suited her perfectly—was gone. Instead, a necklace familiar to me hung there.

I hadn’t felt like smiling at all due to exhaustion, but before I knew it, a smile tugged at my lips. It seemed Mr. Schwalt had delivered it properly.

Pretending not to notice, I glanced toward the kitchen.

“Shall I have some tea prepared?”

“I already drank. I only came to see your face.”

She was really leaving just like that?

Looking at the table belatedly, I saw that the cup was indeed empty. It looked like she had waited longer than she claimed.

“Oh. Where will you be staying?”

I had assumed she would stay with me, but that didn’t seem to be the case. Thinking about it, staying together in the capital would be risky. It might be better to stay apart and keep in contact.

“For now, Bay. I’ll tell you once it’s settled.”

Bay was within Mr. Schwalt’s territory. One of his main residences—unknown to anyone except those involved. A place both the most dangerous and the safest.

That was Bay.

Mr. Schwalt had always wanted to protect my mother and me there, but she disliked it.

Since I never did things she disliked, I had never gone either. But seeing her go there now, she must have come in a hurry.

At times, it felt as though my mother and Mr. Schwalt were bound by an unbreakable connection—yet always maintained a fixed distance that never closed.

Mr. Schwalt constantly thirsted for that closeness he couldn’t achieve. I didn’t know how my mother felt watching him like that.

I neither found romance particularly pleasant nor understood it well. Perhaps someday I would.

My mother stood up. It seemed she would be leaving soon. She turned toward the door, then glanced back at me.

“Shall you come with me?”

I hesitated briefly, then shook my head.

“No. I’ll stay here a little longer. That’s better.”

As if she had expected that answer, my mother nodded once and picked up her coat.

“Very well. Schwalt stepped away for a bit.”

“I see. I’ll avoid going out as much as possible. Ian, see her off properly.”

“Yes.”

My mother stopped again at the entrance. Thinking she had something more to say, I took a few steps toward her.

“Don’t get sick. It’ll be a headache.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

She had come all this way just to tell me to take care of myself.

I had sent word to Mr. Schwalt several times that I was doing well, but this moment showed just how little trust my mother had left in him.

“Don’t worry.”

I stared at the place she had left for a long while.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t told her anything about what happened today.

There was a time when I told her everything—how many times I went to the bathroom, even what I ate. I used to speak without reservation. Maybe I had developed the habit of sorting out only what was necessary.

The next day, I came down with a vicious fever—something that hadn’t happened in a long time. Perhaps my mother had foresight after all.

I hadn’t been cold or overexerted myself. It was strange.

The moment I opened my eyes, my labored breathing and hot breath dragged my mood straight down. A throbbing headache and muscle pain tormented me relentlessly. My hair was a mess from the cold sweat that had soaked through me overnight.

“Ah…”

I forced myself upright, only to let out a groan. My stomach was empty—I hadn’t eaten anything except drinks and alcohol yesterday—yet nausea rose violently. It felt like motion sickness. Unable to endure it, I lay back down.

Perhaps sensing my movement, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

My half-hoarse voice made me frown automatically. Ian entered, and noticing my condition wasn’t normal, he approached and sat beside the bed.

“Please excuse me for a moment, my lady.”

Ian’s cool hand lightly touched my forehead. He then stood up again.

Since sitting upright was difficult, I propped myself up with my arm. Ian brought over a large cushion and placed it behind my back. Leaning against it felt much better.

Normally, I would have scolded him for touching my forehead without permission or stuffing a cushion behind me—but I had no energy for that now.

“I’ll contact a physician.”

“…Don’t make a fuss. It’s just a fever. Just give me some water.”

Ian handed me the cup from the bedside table. The moment the water touched my lips, I tasted bitterness. Even my sense of taste seemed broken after the night.

“Managing your condition is also my duty. I’ll be back shortly.”

I glared at him, but Ian’s expression remained calm.

That one… he’s getting more stubborn. He used to listen to everything I said. Now, unless it’s something minor, he insists like this.