Lireania and I finished checking the dresses late at night.
“You’ve lost too much weight,” Lireania said worriedly as we rode back to the marquisate in the carriage.
“It must be because of the fever I had.”
“Not because you’ve been losing weight preparing for the wedding?”
“Well, in that case, it should be you who’s losing more weight, Lady Lireania.”
Unlike me, a leisurely noblewoman with nothing to do but prepare for the wedding, Lireania was busy running her own shop. Even though the artisans made the clothes, the tasks of designing and dealing with people were exhausting.
“Come to think of it, Lady Lireania, you’ve also lost a lot of weight.”
“I usually get like this when I’m busy with big events or gatherings,” Lireania said with a bright smile, her tone casual.
Her nonchalance bothered me a little, so I unconsciously crossed my arms, adding a slightly stern look. “When we get home, make sure to eat something delicious and rest. The chef at the Mellin estate is just as talented as the one at the duchy.”
“That sounds like it would be too much trouble. I’m sure the servants would be uncomfortable with an unexpected guest like me.”
Because of the tussle with the princess, we were delayed too much. It was too late to send Lireania home alone. Besides, the marquisate was closer. So even though it was an impromptu decision…
“What are you talking about? Why should Lady Lireania care about the servants’ opinions? You’re going to be the hostess of the marquisate soon.”
“But still, I…”
Lireania looked slightly troubled. Perhaps she was thinking about her status. This was all because of the princess who had just visited Veloire. She had stirred up unnecessary worries.
“Listen carefully. Lady Lireania, you’re the hostess of the marquisate, recognized by both my brother and I. Therefore, it’s their duty to serve you wholeheartedly.”
Even with the memories of my past life, the social hierarchy was something I struggled to adapt to. I might have been a kind master to the servants or perhaps just a bit too lenient. That’s why back then…
As I recalled those times, my heart suddenly throbbed with pain. My breathing became labored, and though my blood seemed to rush through my veins, my body felt weak.
“Huff…”
The sound of the carriage wheels echoed loudly in my ears, making the world seem to spin around me.
“What’s wrong, Lady Ariel?”
“Huu, ah, it’s nothing. Anyway, Lady Lireania, just feel free to visit the marquisate.”
I tried to change the subject, but it didn’t work. She wasn’t focused on my last sentence at all. Instead, she took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from my forehead.
“It’s not nothing; you’re sweating so much…”
Strangely, the moment her hand touched me, my heart, which had been on the verge of a seizure, calmed down. My heavy breathing also slowed in time with Lireania’s comforting touch, like a child soothed in their mother’s arms.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” Lireania asked, her voice gentle, as I blinked at her.
“…”
“Is it difficult to talk about?”
“It’s not that…”
It wasn’t that it was difficult to talk about; it was that I couldn’t. Unfortunately, every time I tried to recall those events, I ended up in a situation like this. It was something I knew, but my body refused to acknowledge it, making it hard to explain.
What if she thinks I’m mentally ill…?
It wasn’t just that I couldn’t remember. In the past, I’d sometimes have seizures and collapse because of it. The doctors couldn’t find anything physically wrong and suggested it might be a mental issue, saying that if I was anxious, I could visit a temple. Since this condition didn’t bother anyone else, I didn’t feel the need to mention it… But it was hard to ignore the concerned look Lireania was giving me.
At that moment, I was saved by a flash of light outside the carriage.
“It’s, because, I’m afraid of thunder and lightning!”
No sooner had I said this than a loud rumble of thunder shook the ground.
“T-That’s why…” My face turned red after saying it. I regretted speaking up, thinking it was a clumsy excuse that would make her see me as strange.
“Oh gosh…”
“I must seem so childish, right?”
“No, it’s actually adorable and endearing. I feel like I want to protect you.” Lireania moved over to sit beside me and then wrapped me in her warm embrace. “Since Lord Serhen isn’t here today, I’ll protect you.”
The person I wanted to protect had become my sturdy tree.
* * *
Before I knew it, the carriage arrived at the estate. Feeling slightly awkward, I got out of the carriage first, leaving Lireania behind, my face still flushed.
“Milady, you have arrived.”
“Yes, did you hear from my brother?”
“Yes, he said he finished his business at the duchy and will return in the morning.”
The butler opened an umbrella over my head. The sky, which had been flashing with lightning, had begun to pour rain.
“We need another umbrella.”
“Who accompanied you?”
Just as the butler finished speaking, Lireania stepped out of the carriage. The butler looked momentarily surprised but quickly instructed the servants to bring another umbrella.
“Welcome, Madam.” The butler smiled broadly as he opened an umbrella for Lireania.
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience of arriving unannounced.”
“What do you mean? It’s only natural for the future hostess of the marquisate to visit. Please visit more often until the wedding.”
I gave Lireania a knowing look with a playful smirk. See, I told you so.
“We didn’t eat much for dinner. Is there anything available to eat?”
“I’ll have the chef prepare something right away.”
This time, I shrugged my shoulders. This is what the Mellin Marquisate was like. It felt rewarding to have trained the servants so hard to ensure that when Lireania visited, they would outshine the duchy. It might seem like a pointless effort now.
I sighed briefly as I reflected on my changed situation. Compared to Lireania, I was in more danger now.
“Where should we prepare the madam’s bedroom? The newlywed room still needs some finishing touches, so it’s not suitable for a stay. And using a guest room doesn’t seem appropriate…”
“Of course, she should stay in my brother’s room, right?”
“Yes? Me? I was thinking…” Lireania looked at me with a very disappointed expression. When I tilted my head in confusion, she smiled softly, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I was planning to chat with you all night, Lady Ariel. I’m curious about Lord Serhen’s childhood…”
“Huh? That sounds great! Really great!”
It seemed like I could finally do the things I wished to do if I had a sister.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the duchy, two handsome men were sitting opposite each other, surrounded by piles of documents. Kasion, looking perfectly healthy as if he had never been ill, and Serhen, who seemed somewhat dissatisfied, continued silently comparing the documents.
“Please have some tea.”
“Thank you,” Serhen responded absentmindedly as he took a sip of the tea the butler had brought.
“Lady Ariel has arrived home safely. She went with the future marchioness,” the butler reported, making Serhen suddenly place the document he was reading onto the table.
“Are you keeping an eye on Ariel?”
“I didn’t know you would call it like that. I just secretly assigned my knights to ensure Ariel’s safe return home.”
“Why are you doing that?”
“Is there a difference between you and me when it comes to Ariel’s safety? My knights are more capable than those of the marquisate.”
“You…”
The butler could see Serhen trembling with anger, as well as Kasion’s calm demeanor. Watching the two, the butler quietly left the room.
Then Kasion made a sharp sound when he placed his documents down on the table. “I heard that Viscount Kainum has returned to the capital.”
“I know. That wretched b*stard has meddled with my family’s business again.”
The recent incident with the moldy wine was also his doing.
“That man might target Ariel again. How can you be so lax with her protection? What if she gets hurt again?”
Serhen frowned slightly at Kasion’s words. Kasion had been a benefactor in that matter. Serhen knew it wasn’t right to antagonize someone who had done him such a favor. But ever since he became aware of his feelings and started to desire Ariel, he couldn’t help but feel antagonistic toward Kasion.
“Thank you. But I don’t want to be a burden to you.” Serhen pointed to a specific part of the document on the table.
“Is there such a thing between us?”
“Aren’t you already busy with your own affairs? I’ll handle my family’s business from now on.”
Kasion also pointed to a section in the document, showing the same person’s signature as Serhen’s. “That won’t work.”
“What?”
“You’re trying to push me away and separate me from Ariel,” Kasion said casually as he pulled out all the documents bearing the same signature from the pile.
“…”
“I see you’re making moves behind the scenes, even though you once said you’d be fine with whoever Ariel liked.”
Serhen’s eyebrow twitched ominously. He didn’t want to lose the battle of wits with Kasion, so he pretended to be unaffected and helped him sort through the documents.
“Are you trying to say that Ariel likes you?”
“Yes. Every time Ariel sees me, her face turns red. How is that different from liking me?”
“That’s just because Ariel is usually pale due to being sickly, so the blush stands out more.” Serhen tried hard to refute Kasion’s words. But Kasion’s words triggered a wave of panic within him.
“Yes, and that’s why I decided to check directly.”
“Check what?”
“I confessed to Ariel.”
The stack of documents spilled from Serhen’s hands.
“So, what did Ariel say?”
The strange smile playing on Kasion’s lips made Serhen’s heart freeze.
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