#53

Despite Zerakiel’s lack of response, Victor maintained his easygoing smile. It was widely expected that Victor would become the next chief physician of the Jabis family, given his exceptional talent in medicine. Duke had marked him as his successor long ago, particularly since Victor had been personally responsible for Zerakiel’s care from a young age. It was practically a foregone conclusion.

Victor was also well accustomed to Zerakiel’s cold demeanor. Zerakiel had always been distant, particularly toward the Orban family, so the fact that he wasn’t outright ignoring him was, in itself, a small victory. But then Zerakiel spoke, as if drawing a clear line between them.

“No need to visit. I don’t need you yet.”

“Ah, haha. I see.”

Victor laughed awkwardly. Zerakiel’s words implied that his madness had not yet surfaced, so there was no reason to interact with the Orban family. The Orban family, being a branch of the Jabis family, specialized in dealing with the madness that plagued their lineage. Frequent visits from them often meant that the direct lineage was on the brink of death, hence Zerakiel’s dismissive remark.

At that moment, Zakari muttered with a displeased expression, his gaze fixed on the direction Zerakiel had come from.

“So, you went to Cersia’s room again, even at this late hour.”

“All thanks to you, Father. It’s because of your considerate arrangement.”

“Anyone would think you’re already losing your mind, with how obsessed you are. If you keep it up, she’ll grow tired and run away.”

“Thank you for sharing your personal experience, Father.”

“…”

Zakari was momentarily at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing as if searching for a response. The exchange was a typical father-son banter for the Jabis family, sharp-tongued yet oddly intimate.

Zakari cleared his throat and said.

“I was actually on my way to find you.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes. Victor has finally discovered a way to cultivate the antidote herb that can suppress the madness.”

Zerakiel’s eyes widened at the mention of the antidote herb. The very reason Victor had been sent to the border was to find this herb, which could suppress the pheromones that drove the Jabis family mad. The herb had once been easy to obtain, but it had become increasingly scarce over time. Victor’s discovery was a glimmer of hope.

“If we succeed in cultivating it, when you become the head of the family, we’ll be able to safely produce the medication needed to keep the madness at bay. Perhaps, we might even develop a cure.”

Zakari’s words were filled with optimism, as if he were discussing someone else’s illness.

Zerakiel, irritated by his father’s detachment, retorted sharply, “It could succeed during your time, too.”

“I’m already too late.”

Zakari cut him off decisively, drawing a clear line. He had already resigned himself to his fate.

“I’ve already reached the third stage. The life-sustaining treatment is only effective up to the second stage.”

Zakari was right. Once the symptoms of forgetfulness had set in, it was too late for treatment to be effective. The treatment only worked up to the second stage, when the symptoms could still be somewhat controlled.

Zakari’s predecessor had also extended his life using the antidote herb, but it came with the side effect of intensifying his obsession. The former head of the Jabis family grew increasingly obsessed, which took a toll on Zakari’s mother, who eventually succumbed to a mysterious illness. Grieving over the loss of his wife, the previous head took his own life, even though he still had many years left to live—a tragic and miserable death, much like that of all the Jabis heads before him.

“I will do everything I can to find a solution before I step down.”

“It’s a waste of time. If it were so easily solved, we wouldn’t have reached this point.”

“Zerakiel.”

“I’m saying don’t waste your efforts.”

With that, Zerakiel bowed briefly and left. He was resentful of his father for speaking as if his own death was already a foregone conclusion.

Zakari watched his son walk away and let out a deep sigh. He knew his harsh words hurt his son, yet he felt compelled to say them anyway.

“We must hurry. We need to find a solution before he reaches full maturity.”

“Yes, Lord Zakari,”

Victor responded with heavy heart, accepting the orders.

* * *

The next day, as Zakari returned from his external duties, he abruptly stopped in his tracks, hearing cheerful voices coming from somewhere nearby. He paused, listening intently to the direction of the sound, and Herman, standing beside him, spoke up.

“It seems Lady Rachel and Lady Cersia are enjoying some tea. I’ve heard they’ve been spending quite a bit of time together lately, preparing for the wedding.”

“Hmm.”

“They seem to be in high spirits. Perhaps you should join them?”

“Do I need to?”

“Your external duties are done for the day, aren’t they? You have time for a cup of tea.”

Zakari nodded begrudgingly, as if reluctantly agreeing to Herman’s suggestion, though he had been hoping for the invitation all along. As they drew closer to the source of the voices, the conversation became clearer.

“So, Mother, is there anyone here that catches your eye?”

“Hmm, I prefer a sleek male. Maybe someone with a bit of size, like this one?”

The content of the conversation seemed oddly strange. There was a seriousness in their hushed tones that piqued Zakari’s curiosity.

“If that’s the case, how about the Black Mamba clan?”

“Do you think I’d marry a natural predator? I’d be too tempted to eat him if he was around.”

“Then how about the Hyena clan? They’re from a branch family, but they’d make a perfect husband, don’t you think?”

“Oh no, not them. I nearly wiped out their line before; the son has a fit every time he sees me. Even if I did remarry, he’d throw a tantrum and refuse to be a husband.”

“What kind of life have you led, Mother?”

Zakari’s face hardened as he finally understood the nature of their conversation. What on earth were they talking about?

Who was remarrying?

Zakari couldn’t believe his ears, his lips moving soundlessly in shock. Herman, too, was left with his mouth agape, watching Zakari’s reaction with trepidation.

They stood there, frozen like statues, until Cersia finally noticed them.

“Oh, Mr. Zakari? When did you get here?”

Cersia greeted him, all smiles as she referred to Rachel as “Mother,” but her tone was markedly colder when addressing him. Zakari, however, was too preoccupied to care about the formalities. His eyes were fixed on Rachel, who had her back to him.

Rachel reluctantly turned around, her expression sullen as she met Zakari’s gaze.

“Why are you eavesdropping on other people’s conversations?”

“It was hardly eavesdropping when it was so loud.”

Zakari instinctively retorted, then pressed his lips together tightly. Rachel showed no sign of embarrassment, despite having been caught discussing her remarriage in front of her ex-husband. Her calm demeanor only grated on Zakari’s nerves further.

But Rachel seemed completely unconcerned about his feelings.

“Well, since you’re here, why don’t you help me choose? Which one do you think is best?”

She casually gestured for Zakari to sit down. As he took a seat, somewhat dazed, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“What is all this?”

The table was covered with portraits of various men, the tea and snacks pushed aside to make room.

Seeing the evidence with his own eyes, Zakari felt a surge of frustration. His gaze hardened.

“Isn’t it obvious? These are the men I’m considering for matchmaking.”

“Matchmaking…?”

Zakari’s eyes narrowed further, becoming dangerously sharp. The more agitated he became, the broader Rachel’s smile grew.

“I’m in a hurry to remarry by the end of the year.”

“What…?”

“You had a conversation with Father, didn’t you? Why are you pretending you don’t know?”

Rachel scoffed, and Zakari hesitated. He suddenly recalled his conversation with Wilhelm, where he had emphasized—three times—that he had no intention of taking his daughter back.

He had expected Wilhelm to take some sort of action afterward, but he never imagined it would involve Rachel’s remarriage.

Zakari, his face stiff, asked again.

“Are you really asking me to choose your new husband?”

He looked as if he had just heard something completely outrageous, utterly shaken. He had no idea that this was exactly the reaction Rachel had been hoping for.