“Episode 21”
Clang!
At that moment, a noise of someone knocking over a vase near the door was heard. Thanks to that, the beautiful checkered carpet was stained.
The carpet was already troublesome to wash, and it was a big problem now that Anna had caused a mess herself by knocking over the vase.
Anna, who had created the mess, approached with hesitant steps.
“Lady Marchioness!”
“Anna?”
Yuliana, still struggling to move, leaned against the pillow and looked surprised at Anna.
With a face covered in tears and snot, Anna was not just sniffling but almost sobbing uncontrollably.
“Why, why are you crying like that?”
“Lady Marchioness, I’m stupid, foolish, a jellyfish, an idiot.”
“Enough with the self-deprecation. What’s the matter?”
Anna, covering her face with her hands, barely lifted her eyes.
Yuliana chuckled at the sight, finding it cute, but soon had to bend over due to a stomachache.
“Ugh!”
“Lady Marchioness! I’ll call for the healer!”
Yuliana managed to laugh as she spoke.
“It’s okay. I laughed a lot because of you. Anyway, will you tell me why you were crying?”
“Sob… Lady Marchioness. It’s been a month since you fell ill…”
“What? A month?!”
Yuliana’s head snapped up in astonishment, seeing Anna’s pale face filled with shock, Anna wiped her tears with her apron.
Despite being barely in her teens, Anna, who had experienced all sorts of hardships, blew her nose loudly. Seeing this, Yuliana finally managed to calm down and speak.
“What are you talking about? I saw Evan yesterday and fell asleep right after…”
“Your body and magic were greatly injured, and you haven’t woken up since then.”
“Me?!”
“Yes, the marquisate has turned upside down. Even the quiet followers of the Marchioness went wild, daring to come to the marquisate’s main gate—”
“What?!”
“Oh, don’t worry. The Marquis took care of them all. Should’ve done that earlier, instead of tiptoeing around the Marchioness… Oh, it’s not that the Marchioness did anything wrong.”
“No, it’s my fault.”
To change the subject and soothe Anna, Yuliana quickly agreed.
“And, and was I really that sick? But I don’t remember.”
“You were running a high fever and kept saying strange things. The healers said it was because you were already frail, and you overexerted yourself. They thought you’d get up the first day… but… it’s my fault. I kept hiding things from you…”
Yuliana hurriedly spoke to comfort Anna.
“Oh, no. I needed your help to bring the Empress Mama’s words. As you know, magic works best when it’s quiet.”
Yuliana said with a wink. Anna blushed, perhaps remembering the day when she acted like a spy.
Yes, it was fun.
When the marchioness finally sneaked into the Empress Mama’s homeland to protect the Marquis, even teleporting letters and horses, how much she struggled.
It was easier during the magical tournament when the Marquis didn’t come home for four days under the pretext of being with the palace knights. As long as she didn’t disturb the Marchioness’s concentration while memorizing formulas in the library.
But there were so many servants in the marquisate. Among the many servants, one who disturbed the marchioness’s magic could have ruined everything.
So Anna caused a ruckus to keep anyone from entering the library.
She broke various items to catch the housekeeper’s and butler’s attention, sent far-off errands to the servants hovering around the Marchioness, claiming it was the Marchioness’s order.
Back then, Anna didn’t know what to do with the joy of being in cahoots with the Marchioness. She was being treated as “a foot” by someone as special and beautiful as her.
Of course, at first, becoming the Marchioness’s “foot” was very embarrassing. But now, it was different. It wasn’t just an ordinary servant-master relationship with the Marchioness…
Tears welled up in Anna’s teary eyes.
“It wasn’t right. I should have stopped the Marchioness. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would never have let it happen.”
“Ah… Anna, don’t be too sad. It’s surprising that I was bedridden for about a month… but look at this! Now I can get up in a snap—!”
Yuliana babbled and tried to get up from her seat.
No, she believed she could get up. But as soon as she took a step outside the bed, her knees gave out, and she stumbled forward.
“Ugh!”
Fortunately, Anna quickly rushed over and supported her.
“Marchioness!”
That was the moment.
The door, which had been slightly ajar, suddenly swung open, and Evan walked in.
“Yuliana!”
Refusing Anna’s support, Yuliana, who had been standing awkwardly, turned her head at Evan’s voice.
Perhaps due to the mental strain she had endured, Evan’s facial features seemed sharper. Yuliana smiled with relief at his presence in the room.
“Evan, have you been injured since then?”
“…You’re saying foolish things.”
For the first time, Evan cut her off.
With a forced smile that betrayed her relief, Yuliana, seeing his reaction, quickly walked towards her.
Yuliana pursed her lips at his reaction.
“No. It’s funny that I ended up getting more hurt while trying to protect you. I’m just glad you’re not hurt.”
Approaching her with large strides, Evan, without warning, embraced Yuliana, who was barely standing, clinging weakly to the bedpost.
“Eek!”
In his embrace, Yuliana, unable to move, let out a startled scream. Ignoring her desperate cry, Evan smiled slyly and said,
“I’ll lay you down on the bed.”
Yuliana protested, kicking her feet.
“It’s… it’s too heavy.”
“What nonsense. That’s a silly thing to say.”
Evan chuckled softly.
However, Yuliana, fearing that her body might be sweating or emitting a nauseating smell, tightly clenched the fabric of her clothes around her chest.
She must not have been able to bathe properly after being ill for a month. She didn’t want to cuddle up to her husband in this condition.
“Let go of me!”
“Here.”
Evan helped roll up the blanket around her body like a caterpillar, and he smiled warmly. Then, he gently stroked Yuliana’s still warm cheek.
“It’s fortunate that you’re up. If, by any chance, you couldn’t get up…”
“W-what would have happened?”
“Well… hm… I might have killed an unlucky emperor.”
Leaning against the headboard of the bed, Evan chuckled contentedly. But the words that came out of his mouth were utterly ruthless.
‘What terrifying things is he saying!’
Yuliana covered her ears.
“I-I didn’t hear that!”
“After that, I might have hurt you, even killed myself.”
Ignoring Yuliana’s reaction, Evan continued to speak frighteningly.
Truly, his words were so sincere that they were terrifying. Yuliana screamed in shock.
“Why do you have to be so extreme!”
“If you were in such a situation, wouldn’t it be natural to consider extreme examples? Normally, I wouldn’t bring up such scary scenarios, wouldn’t I?”
Evan smirked, seeming somewhat disappointed.
Juliana closed her eyes tightly, relieved. “Thank goodness… I’m glad to be alive… I almost became a villainess to be remembered in imperial records…”
Evan, who had been smiling as if lost in thought, suddenly looked at Ana, who was standing awkwardly, with a cold gaze.
“Did you say your name was Ana?”
“Yes, yes!”
Taken aback by the sudden address, Ana nodded desperately.
Juliana, who had been lost in thought, suddenly opened her eyes at the tense atmosphere.
“Why is this man acting like this? So frightening… Well, he’s naturally scary, but…”
“As your wish, now that my lady has awakened, it’s time for you to pack up and leave.”
“Yes, sir…”
Ana sniffled. Then, after awkwardly bowing, she began to leave in a hurry.
“Just a moment!”
Feeling that something was off, Juliana tried to get up from under the covers.
Of course, that was just wishful thinking. In reality, she soon grew tired after struggling to get out from under the covers.
Although she looked undignified, Juliana shouted loudly from under the covers.
“Where is Ana going? Ana? Where are you going?!”
“I’m going home.”
Evan, who said it casually, whispered affectionately, brushing his hair over Juliana’s ear.
“Go to sleep, Juliana. The healers will come again. Do you want to hear how much the castle’s healers hurt me again?”
“Um… I want to hear that… No, that’s not it! Ana just followed my orders. If you want to vent your anger, do it to me!”
“Me?”
Evan seemed about to say, “You’re being foolish for the third time,” but he held back. If he said it three times, his wife would never forgive him. Even if she was weakened.
Evan tried to divert her attention in a gentle way. Instead, he started speaking in a tone that suggested she shouldn’t worry about such trivial matters.
“She’s just someone selected this year. She’s far from being capable enough to assist you, the Duchess.”
“Ana has been doing all sorts of things to help me. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah. She started by helping you, but eventually ended up doing risky things to help me. I don’t keep servants who don’t know their place.”
“Gosh. Why are you so stubborn? Weren’t you pretending to be obedient to me?! Right?”
“…Do you think I’d stay silent in a situation like this?”
“You’re just acting up! You stay silent!”
“Normally, she wouldn’t even be alive.”
Evan growled.
At his words, Juliana, with a fierce glare, opened her eyes wide. How much courage did she have to muster to make her whites sparkle like that?
Still wrapped up tightly in the blanket like a caterpillar, Juliana shouted rather defiantly.
“Ha! Threatening people like that? Threatening such a small girl! It seems even the heroes of the Empire can’t help it.”
“…You almost died.”
Evan’s affectionate expression, like a residual remnant on his face, disappeared completely. He stared coldly, his eyes gleaming, and spoke bluntly.
“The person I want is someone who can restrain you before you do something like this. Someone who won’t provoke you.”
“Even if it’s to help you?”
“…Juliana, I’ve always said. You pursue something more precious than my safety.”
“In our married life, the first favor I showed you, and you destroy it like this.”
Juliana muttered with resentment. Then she turned to Ana.
“Ana! Go to the kitchen and bring some hot water. My throat is burning, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Ana hesitated, neither able to leave nor enter, wringing her hands in front of the door.
Then Evan warned her coldly.
“Juliana. She’s fired.”
To Evan’s response, Juliana retorted even more frigidly. While only her face was visible, she didn’t seem cold at all, but it was the best she could do.
“You might not know, but dismissing and hiring servants is also the Duchess’s duty.”
“Have you ever done that for the past two years?”
“…I, I’ll do it now.”
“Hmm.”
Evan fell into thought.
His brilliant blue eyes darkened.
At that moment, Juliana urged again.
“Ana! What are you doing?!”
“…Y-yes, milady!”
Ana rushed to the kitchen without a word. Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridor as she hurried toward the kitchen on the first floor.
“That’s settled.”
Juliana thought triumphantly to herself. However, as Evan’s silence lingered a bit longer, she became somewhat anxious.
It was too quiet.
Evan, like a clever hunter, stared intently at Juliana, who was as easily caught as prey wrapped up in the blanket. Sensing his gaze, she coughed uncomfortably and spoke.
“W-what is it?”
“…Nothing.”
“Hmph! You realize you made a mistake now, right? Go on, apologize.”
“What for?”
“…You’re not going to apologize to me?”
“Why should I apologize for looking at you because you’re pretty?”
“Hmph!”
Caught!
Juliana deeply regretted her carelessness to the core. Even though she was lying in pain, unable to properly bathe or even change clothes, she couldn’t escape the flirtation of her husband.
“Well, those words don’t seem fitting for the situation, do they?”
“You’re beautiful. So beautiful that I want to keep you all to myself. I don’t share pretty things with anyone else.”
“Tsk.”
Juliana felt hurt instead.
She used to receive compliments pouring down on her in the past, but in reality, she had always considered those praises as something she ‘naturally’ deserved. Because she was indeed beautiful.
But somehow, the compliments from her husband sounded too shameless. Was it because he was Evan Hillen? For some reason, he seemed like the kind of person who could lie without batting an eyelid.
Trembling, Juliana finally managed to say, “L-liar…”
Evan shrugged, saying, “Believe it or not, it’s the truth.”
Then he comfortably slid into the bed. He gently brushed aside her sticky bangs (Juliana prayed silently, ‘Please, let that not be sweat.’) and placed his hand on her forehead. Juliana didn’t resist anymore, as if letting him check her temperature.
But Evan soon lowered his hand and kissed her forehead.
“…”
Juliana was taken aback, her eyes rolling. Her face flushed like a blazing sweet potato, and she was about to ask what he was doing.
“It’s supposed to be good for sick people.”
“Who says?”
Juliana couldn’t believe it, muttering inwardly, ‘Who on earth would say such a thing…?’
