Episode 7
“Yes, that should be enough. But why do I feel so uneasy…? Ugh!”
I blew my nose thoroughly, hoping my spirit wouldn’t leave this body, and then flopped down onto the bed.
‘Could it be… the thought of facing Duke Basilia that’s making me tense?’
Yesterday, I was ready to confront him immediately, but now that the meeting was imminent, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.
‘Anyway, I have to meet him. There are things I need to say…’
And there are things I need to confirm.
Just as I slapped my cheeks with both hands to snap out of it, I heard a voice shrieking nearby.
“Ah! My lady!”
Startled, I turned to see Anne dashing over and grabbing my hands.
“Anne, when did you—”
“Are you doing it again?”
“What?”
“Sob… even though you’re not well! What could you possibly have done wrong, my lady, to keep punishing yourself like this?”
Punishment? Confused, I blinked as Anne, teary-eyed, realized she’d overreacted and stepped back, sniffling. She looked as though she was bracing herself to be scolded.
Seeing how much she cared for me, despite her fear, made it impossible for me to scold her.
“More importantly, why are you here already? I told you to tell the Duke that I wished to see him.”
I shifted the topic naturally.
Of course, I didn’t expect him to call for me right away, considering he’d just returned and probably had a lot of work piled up…
Anne, surprised that she wasn’t reprimanded, widened her eyes before speaking with a delighted expression.
“The Duke has summoned you, my lady. He wishes to see you immediately.”
…What?
***
No matter how unwell I felt, I couldn’t go to meet the Duke dressed as I was, lying on the bed.
As I slipped into a fresh dress, Anne meticulously draped a shawl over my shoulders, chattering away.
“A person like the Duke wouldn’t remember someone like me, a mere maid. He probably inquired because he’s always concerned about you, my lady.”
According to Anne, as the Duke entered the main residence, he recognized her and immediately asked about my health. This allowed her to convey my desire to meet him.
“It seems the Duke truly worries about you, my lady.”
There was a subtle tone in Anne’s words that seemed to defend the Duke.
Last time, I had made a passing remark blaming the Duke to cover up my slip of the tongue, and it seemed she took it to heart.
For some reason, her tone irritated me, so I retorted.
“If someone collapsed into a wall right in front of you, even if they were your worst enemy, you’d be concerned.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing.”
Seeing her wide-eyed look, I quickly tried to take back my words, but my loyal maid had already heard every word.
Anne, who seemed as if she wanted to defend the Duke further, stopped herself, sensing that I didn’t wish to discuss it.
After a pause, she looked at me with concern and spoke cautiously.
“But, my lady, your fever hasn’t subsided much yet. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
In truth, I wasn’t entirely fine.
Perhaps it was because I had taken some cold medicine not long ago, but my head felt a bit fuzzy.
“My lady, you’re all set.”
“…Alright.”
Blinking absentmindedly, I nodded.
Although it was surprising that the Duke had called for me sooner than expected, it felt better to get it over with while I was still somewhat dazed. My pale complexion might even work to my advantage.
“Then, let’s go.”
When I opened the door, a knight who had become my reluctant accomplice flinched, looking at me nervously.
Already uneasy around Evgenia, the knight now seemed as though he’d have a fit just from meeting my gaze.
‘He probably won’t betray me… but it’s best to be sure.’
“What’s your name?”
“Are… Are you speaking to me?”
The knight, clearly unprepared for me to address him, asked in a flustered voice.
Feeling a bit sorry for how frightened he looked, I tilted my head slightly and asked softly.
“Who else would I be asking if not you?”
But maybe that only scared him more.
“Gr… Gressel Fyoun!”
“Gressel Fyoun?”
“Y-yes, Lady…!”
Why does he look like his world just ended after only giving his name?
I gave him a bewildered look and tilted my head slightly.
‘Gressel Fyoun? That name sounds… familiar somehow.’
The memory seemed just out of reach.
My fever-clouded mind was barely functioning, so I let it go for now.
“If my father asks, I’ll say you were very diligent in carrying out your duty.”
Of course, that would never happen.
The Duke of Basilia wouldn’t care about such a trivial matter, nor would Evgenia go out of her way to praise the knight standing guard outside her door.
My words were only meant to reaffirm our mutual arrangement and solidify our cooperative relationship.
The knight, who had a grim expression, nodded, seemingly understanding my point.
I brushed past him, holding my chin up proudly as I began descending the stairs.
That was when Anne, trailing behind me, cautiously asked.
“My lady, do you have an interest in that knight?”
What? Just as I was about to look confused at such an absurd question, Anne continued.
“Well, you did ask his name, so of course you must! Besides, you do need someone suitable. Silly of me not to notice. Shall I handle it, then?”
…Huh? Handle what exactly?
Watching Anne whisper to herself, I blinked in bewilderment.
‘She must have discussed this with Evgenia beforehand.’
Although she was aware of my condition, I thought it best not to keep showing how much I couldn’t remember.
Feigning indifference, I gave her a nod to proceed as she wished.
Meanwhile, we reached the second floor.
As expected of the affluent Basilia household, the long, spacious hallway had numerous rooms, but I immediately recognized the location of the duke’s study.
“Alexis?”
At the end of the corridor, in front of an unusually large and ornate door, Alexis stood with a brooding expression.
***
Hearing Evgenia’s voice, Alexis’s already tense shoulders stiffened further.
After tossing and turning all night, he had barely convinced himself that yesterday’s encounter with Evgenia was just a dream.
Evgenia narrowed her eyes in curiosity and asked.
“What are you doing here?”
‘…Something is definitely different.’
To others, her expression might seem as cold as ever, but Alexis noticed the subtle change.
Because of her sharp, piercing gaze—typical of the direct line of the Basilia family—Evgenia only looked severe, not angry.
He knew this well, as he himself often faced misunderstandings due to his fierce appearance.
And Evgenia, whose glare was even more intimidating than the rest of the family, appeared to scorn others simply by looking at them.
‘Although she truly does hate our family.’
Yes, Evgenia despised her family.
So why did she seem less resentful yesterday and today?
It struck Alexis as so odd that he took the risk of scrutinizing her expression.
‘Did she not get enough sleep? Why does her complexion look so pale? And her eyes… are they red? Could she have cried all night?’
Only then did he realize that what he saw yesterday wasn’t a dream or an illusion, and his gaze filled with bewilderment.
“What’s with that look? Are you glaring at me?”
Though she sounded snippy as usual, her voice lacked its usual sharpness.
“Are you ignoring me? I asked why you’re here.”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Alexis reflexively responded.
“Do I need a reason not to be here?”
“What’s with the attitude? I only asked because you’re loitering instead of going to work. Are you feeling guilty for slacking off?”
“What? Slacking? I just returned from a week of training and was hoping to enjoy my first day of leave!”
Alexis looked aggrieved, almost as if he were about to explode.
To his surprise, Evgenia seemed momentarily taken aback.
“Training?”
A week ago… that would have been before I took over this body.
And the real Evgenia wouldn’t have cared whether Alexis went for training or took leave.
Knowing this, Alexis would undoubtedly bring up what she’d said yesterday, making her already feel weary at the thought of dealing with his barbed comments.
“…I mean, I only found out last night. About… you collapsing.”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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