TISND Chapter 165

Chapter 165

While Helena was still contemplating whether to undergo treatment, the deeds she had carried out under the name “Forget-Me-Not” became known to the world. During the trial, people were extremely curious about the whistleblower. The Count of Eskel’s decades-long misdeeds had been difficult to investigate—even the knights couldn’t find sufficient evidence. But Forget-Me-Not revealed his sordid secrets all at once and willingly handed over the related documents for the trial.

As a result, all sorts of rumors began to circulate. Some said Viscount Forzi was Forget-Me-Not, while others claimed a brave servant from the mansion was behind it. Newspapers even published special features dedicated to Forget-Me-Not, which stirred public sentiment. The general consensus was that Forget-Me-Not deserved a proper reward.

In the end, the identity of Forget-Me-Not was revealed anticlimactically—by a witness whom Helena had rescued from Bacchus. A woman who had escaped from prison testified that Helena had helped her flee. The revelation that the Count Eskel’s daughter had brought down her own family was hard to believe. To confirm it, a journalist with personal ties to the Duke asked someone if they knew who Forget-Me-Not really was. Perhaps it was Helena Eskel? Since they knew the location of Bacchus, they figured Forget-Me-Not might have been in contact.

Caligo only left a brief remark: “I know exactly who it is.”

That was essentially a confirmation. It created yet another wave of public reaction. Speculative articles flooded in—where was Helena Eskel now, and why had she done it?

While Helena spent time alone, often fidgeting with the letter her mother had left behind, she finally came across the article. As usual, she glanced at it absentmindedly and nearly spilled her drink. No wonder Jane had handed her the paper with such a meaningful smile.

“This… How can this be…?”

The front page was practically plastered with her name. The one small relief was that the public’s opinion of her wasn’t entirely negative. While not wholly supportive either, the reaction was far different from what she’d expected—and that surprised her.

Quick-footed journalists traveled to the North to investigate her whereabouts. They visited clothing factories and interviewed locals.

> “It’s not really surprising that the Duchess was Forget-Me-Not. In a way, it’s only natural. She might seem timid, but she’s astonishingly brave…”

> “Thanks to the Duchess, we’ll get through this winter just fine. At least no one will freeze to death.”

> “I couldn’t work due to health issues and stayed home all the time. Now I have a job. I can earn money without relying on my family. I even bought my husband a pair of sturdy gloves recently.”

This… How could this be…? Helena, pale as wax, couldn’t let go of the newspaper in her hands.

“Even if Helena wanted to keep it a secret, once she showed her face in Bacchus, it was going to be hard to hide it for long,” said Joshua, who came into the bedroom just in time.

When she asked how this had happened, he answered calmly.

“Father couldn’t lie about it either. I don’t know what you were expecting, but the public’s reaction is actually quite positive.”

“That’s what’s so surprising. Very much so.”

Helena gently ran her hand over the paper.

“…I really didn’t expect this.”

“Helena. Jeremy and I heard a bit about that treatment. Jeremy said if it’s going to hurt that much, maybe it’s better not to do it… but actually, I feel a bit differently,” Joshua said.

“At the very least, give people a chance. A chance to love. We misunderstood you for so long—so give us a chance to make up for that and show our love.”

“…”

“Father’s really having a hard time these days too. I’m not necessarily taking his side, but still…”

A chance to love. Helena had always been one of those people who didn’t love themselves. Even when she caught a bad cold, she wouldn’t take medicine or call a doctor. She would just wait two weeks for it to pass. That had become her habit.

She softly brushed the letter her mother had left behind.

But… even so. Just this once, she wanted to love herself.

—

“I’ll get the treatment.”

After leaving the Frantor estate, Helena and Caligo’s relationship had remained awkward. It was mostly Helena avoiding him. She no longer visited his study or sought him out the way she used to.

But today was different. Early in the morning, supported by Jane, Helena visited his room.

Seeing her show up and suddenly announce it clearly startled him. Even though she had decided to undergo treatment the night before, saying it out loud again made her nervous. Maybe she should’ve stayed with Jane longer. She kept thinking of Jane, who had gone off to tend to errands.

Helena sat in a chair and continued, shrinking slightly.

“After thinking about it… doing nothing and dying just doesn’t seem right.”

“…”

“Besides, there’s still work left to do. I should see the trial through.”

“…”

“And if the treatment succeeds, it might help other people, too—”

Before she could finish, Caligo pulled her into a strong embrace. Until then, Helena had barely ever experienced any kind of physical contact with him—not even ordinary gestures like an escort’s touch were common. Startled by the sudden closeness, she was too confused to react.

With Caligo’s large build, it felt less like a hug and more like being wrapped up completely. His hand cupped the back of her head, shielding her from the wall behind. At the same time, it prevented her from pulling away.

“I’m sorry, Helena…”

“…”

“Thank you…”

She could feel his presence clearly—his big hand cradling her head, his cautious arm around her waist, and even the fierce beat of his heart. At first, she thought the loud thumping she heard was her own heartbeat. But no—it was his, pounding hard enough to seem like it might burst from his chest.

Helena was still afraid of him. Still angry. Her wounds wouldn’t heal overnight, and if the treatment failed, she would carry them to her grave. But just for now, she wanted to be held, without thinking. For just one fleeting moment, she wanted to forget this wretched reality and live on her own terms.

—

The day after she chose treatment, an unusual group of people arrived in the remote village of Horion. They had come to assist in Helena’s treatment. Ideally, she would’ve been moved to the research facility, where the process would be smoother. But respecting her wish to remain in Horion, the scholars and physicians agreed to stay in the village.

They secured rooms at a local inn, and were provided buildings for their research and treatment efforts. Caligo covered all costs.

Everything needed for the treatment was arranged.

Finally, the researchers and physicians got to meet the patient they had only heard about in rumors. Until now, all they knew was that there was a patient with Asehimmo—no names, no details. Even when they asked Pedro for a hint, no one would tell them. They only guessed the patient must be from a noble family, since the Duke of Frantor had personally requested help.

They never imagined that the patient would turn out to be the most talked-about figure in the Empire—Helena Eskel herself.

They climbed the hill to the house where she was staying. It stood apart from the clustered homes of the village, with a large tree casting shade over a wide yard.

“This house seems rather modest for someone from a noble family.”

Just as they arrived and were surveying the property, they saw the patient being helped outside by a servant. That must be the one!

“She doesn’t look well—yet she came out to greet us herself?”

“I believe that’s the proper courtesy when you’ve traveled all this way for my sake.”

Her clear, gentle voice lifted their spirits. Smiling at her warmth, the physicians suddenly felt she looked familiar. Then it hit them—she was none other than Helena Eskel, the woman at the center of all the controversy.

Though a whistleblower, she was still the Count of Eskel’s daughter, which continued to make headlines.

“I look forward to working with you,” she said.

Behind her stood two stern-looking young men—Jeremy and Joshua, the Frantor twins, along with Pedro and the maid Jane.

Their sharp gazes held unspoken warnings: ‘Try anything funny, and you’ll regret it.’

A striking contrast to Helena’s gentle demeanor.

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