🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 6
Aslan’s report ended there.
The conclusion was that my wife’s physical health showed no abnormalities.
The lingering discomfort was Kahinel’s problem to deal with.
“Alright. You can go.”
After Aslan left, Kahinel was alone again. He crossed his arms and leaned back deeply into his chair.
My pulse becomes unstable because of me?
The most common cause of an unstable pulse is psychological change.
Stress or anger.
These two emotions were the primary triggers.
Let’s assume her reaction when thinking about him was stress.
Why would she be so tense that her pulse became unstable?
It can’t be because she’s trying to hide some mental issue.
Kahinel trusted Aslan’s abilities, so he believed the diagnosis.
Did she change overnight, and now stays constantly on edge so her reason for changing won’t be discovered?
It was a plausible theory.
The only problem was that it didn’t give him any answers.
Alternatively, what if it was anger?
Did she realize what I’m doing to bring down Deil?
His wife was the Marquis Deil’s blood.
Whether she was a legitimate child or not didn’t matter.
If the Marquis had learned that Kahinel was targeting Deil, he might have secretly informed her.
And if she was truly aligned with Deil, she could be angry about it.
“Haa…”
But it was still just speculation.
Nothing was certain.
Kahinel thought back to his wife smiling and saying she wanted to get along with him, and his lips twisted slightly.
Things were easier when she hid away for two years.
Back then, he didn’t need to think about her at all.
But now she was everywhere—wandering around the manor and constantly hovering near him.
Since her intentions were still unclear, he would have to remain cautious.
In other words… this was exhausting.
It had been three weeks since I became Rishua.
Those three weeks had been chaotic and passed in a blur.
There had been no major progress in my relationship with Kahinel.
Ever since I performed the curse ritual against Marquis Deil, Kahinel probably thought I was completely insane.
Even though Aslan confirmed my mental health was fine, Kahinel’s suspicion was still ongoing.
Still, there was one good thing.
Eating meals together was no longer awkward.
At least my persistence had paid off.
And there was one more change…
“What about firing everyone who badmouthed the lady? Ah—was that too bold? Please forgive me, my lady.”
Yes. Somehow, I ended up gaining authority over the Hyrent household staff.
Normally, managing the household would be the lady of the house’s duty, but I hadn’t done it for the past two years.
I had assumed I didn’t have to, since Taylor and Albert were handling everything.
And I didn’t even want to do it.
Escaping the curse had been my priority—I didn’t think I needed to actually live as Rishua.
But I was Rishua now, and her role wasn’t something I could just refuse.
“I’m not firing anyone.”
“But some of them spoke badly about you…”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t exactly living properly either.”
In this vast manor, Anna was the only one on my side.
Everyone else avoided me, and I understood why, so I tried not to be hurt by it.
I don’t intend to fire anyone. I just wish they’d treat me a bit more normally.
That was how I truly felt.
“But my lady… did you really sleep outside the Duke’s room again yesterday?”
“…You saw?”
“Are you really sure you don’t need to see Sir Aslan again?”
What even is this conversation?
Ever since I first experienced the curse, I had been in pain at least once a day.
Each time, I went to see Kahinel, but I couldn’t always reach him.
So I started waiting outside his office or bedroom.
It wasn’t a perfect cure, but even his presence leaking through the door helped ease the pain.
The problem was that sometimes I would fall asleep there.
When that happened, I would wake up outside his room, half-asleep.
Everyone probably thought I had sleepwalking disorder.
It’s fine. I can live with misunderstandings like that.
I was more focused on surviving than on what others thought.
“Then the Duke is at the training grounds right now?”
“Yes. Today is the knights’ sparring day.”
House Hyrent ruled the northern region of the Idalos Empire, protected by the Knights of the Northern Wall.
Kahinel’s swordsmanship was renowned throughout the empire.
No one dared act recklessly in front of him.
He was also the captain of the Northern Wall Knights and personally trained them.
“Anna, you’re bored, aren’t you?”
“I could never be bored when I’m with you, my lady.”
“Then I guess we won’t go watch the sparring.”
“My lady, it’s very windy today. Please wear a warm coat.”
Wow, that was fast.
Training Grounds
“So cold…”
It was already December. I wondered how much colder the end of the year would be.
“I didn’t realize you were this sensitive to cold, my lady.”
“I didn’t either.”
I had never really gone outside in winter before.
In my past life, I had been told I would get sick easily, so I rarely even breathed cold air.
“Should we go back inside?”
“No. I have to see Kahinel.”
I needed to keep showing up in front of him.
I had discovered by accident that physical contact with him worked like a powerful painkiller.
That day when I brought him breakfast and pushed him—my mind had cleared instantly when I touched his chest.
Maybe physical contact is the key to breaking the curse.
I had originally tried to approach him normally.
But after three weeks, I realized something.
If I kept trying normal methods, I wouldn’t survive until my birthday.
So I changed my plan.
No—there wasn’t even a plan anymore.
I would just… go for it.
“I wish I could hold his hand…”
“I heard men nowadays prefer bold women. Confident and honest women.”
“Oh? Really?”
“So my lady should just go for it.”
“Go for who?”
“Obviously the Duke!”
“Why would I—?”
The conversation was going in a strange direction again.
When I questioned her, Anna looked genuinely disappointed.
“You clearly want His Grace’s embrace.”
“Y-You—!”
I quickly looked around and leaned in to whisper.
“How did you know?”
“You think about him all day. Of course I know.”
Was I that obvious?
But the real problem was—why didn’t Kahinel notice that?
I sighed.
“I need to get closer to Kahinel quickly.”
Today was the last day of November.
Rishua’s birthday was the end of February.
I only had three months left.
“Just how much did you want his embrace that you even sleep outside his room…”
“That’s just instinct.”
Like going to a hospital when you’re sick.
“Exactly! Being drawn to someone you love is human instinct.”
This conversation is getting weird again.
“Now that you’ve decided, don’t hesitate. Just go for it! The Duke will fall for you!”
“Wait.”
“He’ll definitely fall for you soon!”
“Anna, listen to me—”
“I’ll support your love!”
No. This was a misunderstanding that had spiraled too far.
“Not like that! That’s not it!”
“Be confident, my lady!”
“I am confident! I’m not in love with Kahinel!”
“Don’t be shy!”
Sigh.
There was no winning against fixed beliefs.
Anna was completely convinced I was in love with Kahinel.
Why did this misunderstanding even start…?
I had no idea anymore.
In the end, I failed to correct her again.
Training Grounds (continued)
“Anna… am I the only one hot right now?”
“I already took off my coat.”
Of course she did.
I removed my thick robe too.
A cold wind blew, but my body felt strangely warm.
Why?
“Why are all these people so well-built?”
“Did you see that? His abs!”
Muscular bodies were everywhere, completely distracting me.
The knights were all shirtless during sparring.
Black pants and bare torsos.
That outfit should absolutely become a trend.
There was nothing more beautiful than this combination.
“It’s the Duke!”
Anna pointed.
“There!”
“Where?”
“There—the man with black hair!”
Following her finger, I saw Kahinel walking into the center of the training grounds with his sword in hand.
I’m going to lose my mind.
Why am I… drooling?
