TISND Chapter 89

Chapter 89

“What?” Helena asked again.

Chase him out? She thought she must have misheard at first.

“Why are you so surprised? It’s not entirely unexpected, is it?”

“……”

“You said you didn’t want him dead, so the only other option is to send him away. Do you have another idea?”

“……”

“Or are you planning to keep that man by your side forever?”

“Don’t think of it as unfair,” Caligo said coldly. His voice had risen slightly, betraying his irritation.

Helena couldn’t withstand his piercing gaze and hung her head low. Caligo was different today—far from his usual calm and composed demeanor.

She knew she had brought this situation upon herself. But she couldn’t bring herself to cast Aiden out. How could she personally drive her mentor away? She knew all too well what would happen to a doctor expelled from a noble house. He would be left with no place to belong, wandering aimlessly for the rest of his life. The rumors already spreading far and wide would ensure he’d be ridiculed no matter where he went.

She knew exactly what kind of life he would face, which was why she couldn’t bring herself to drive him away.

“If you’re the one who sends him away, of course, I won’t sit idly by.”

“……”

“I’ll refute the rumors on your behalf. I can at least do that much for you.”

Even he doesn’t like these rumors. His icy gaze contrasted sharply with the sweet suggestion in his softened voice.

“I’ll even attend public events with you. I’ll gift you a dress for the occasion. If we do that, the rumors will die down to some extent.”

“Think it over seriously,” Caligo whispered. “This whole mess was partly that doctor’s fault anyway.”

“Everyone believes you and that doctor are lovers. That’s what they’re all saying.”

“But—”

“Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable to endure all the stares whenever you go out? I’m offering to help you, so why are you hesitating?”

“……”

“Why won’t you answer? Surely, you must find the mockery and scorn unbearable. Is it that hard to put an end to something you started?”

Caligo sighed as he studied Helena’s face, torn with hesitation and conflict.

“Fine, then. Let me propose another option. That doctor seems rather ambitious. What if we send him to Gorsaos Island?”

“Gorsaos Island…”

“Yes, I know. It’s the island where plague patients are quarantined.”

“But this time, the imperial palace and many others are stepping up to provide support. Once enough funds are gathered, they’ll be sent to the island. It won’t be as harsh as it once was.”

“If he’s such a devoted doctor who loves his patients, he might consider it. Isn’t he the same man who refuses to leave your side under the pretense of concern for someone who isn’t even that sick?”

“But… that island is full of plague patients.”

“He’d have to take on some risk.”

You have to choose. Helena knew this was the last chance Caligo was giving her.
If she didn’t speak up now, the choice would ultimately fall to him. And if that happened, there would be no guarantee of Aiden’s safety.

But no matter how she looked at it, neither option was one she could easily choose. Casting him out. Sending him to the island. Aiden had pledged to stay by her side for her sake. Despite their recent quarrel, she knew what a good person he was.

How could she drive out someone like him?
She knew all too well what his fate would be if she did.

And sending him to the island wasn’t any easier. She knew the conditions on Gorsaos Island. It was far too dangerous and underdeveloped for a rising doctor to go there. He might even be affected by the plague.

Of course, she’d heard of doctors who risked their lives to stay there and treat patients, but she couldn’t bear the thought of sending Aiden to such a perilous place. A place where he might very well die.

She had to choose. But making a decision was impossibly difficult. Both options were equally horrifying.

How could she bring herself to send him to his death?
She tried to speak, but her lips clamped shut like a shell.

Which choice would be better for him?
Which would pose the least danger?
It wasn’t just her life at stake—it was his entire future.

Making such a decision in this moment felt unbearable.

“Truly, how noble your love is.”

The man sitting across from her had read all the turmoil on her face.
Watching her expression shift moment by moment, Caligo’s gaze grew colder and colder.

“Even in a situation like this, all you care about is that man?”

“I… I can’t decide right now. Please, give me a little more time.”

At least give me time to speak with him… Helena began to say, but he cut her off.

“Why should I?”

“But—”

“I’ve already wasted enough time on that doctor of yours. I have no desire to spend more of my time or thoughts on him.”

“Giving you a choice was the last mercy I could offer.”

“I understand that, but this is a difficult decision to make.”

“The longer you hesitate, the more people will turn against you.”

“That doesn’t matter to me.”

“It doesn’t matter?”

Caligo let out a low, mocking laugh.

“You don’t care what happens to you?”

“…That’s right.”

I’ve been used to this since I was young. And with so little time left to live, I wanted to make the best choice for Aiden. I wasn’t afraid of people’s ridicule.

But Caligo, unaware of this, had his gaze sink into an icy stillness. Helena stiffened under his cold eyes. He was a man once praised as the most beautiful among all living creatures. Yet now, he looked as terrifying and ominous as a vengeful ghost.

“Should I shed a tear for you?”

“…”

“Fine. If you don’t care for yourself, then I won’t care for you either.”

He let out a short, hollow laugh.

“I couldn’t care less what happens to someone like you.”

“…”

“If you refuse to make a choice, then I’ll make it for you.”

The Caligo Helena had known was bold yet always rational, a man who never displayed emotions of joy or sorrow. But not now. She could feel it—he was furious.

His anger was so palpable it pricked her skin. Helena felt her body tremble slightly. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to respond, and was too afraid to speak at all.

“If you can’t bring yourself to kill or drive him away… then you’ll be the one confined.”

“Your Grace—”

“What? Do you not like that either? I’m done indulging you. Why should I tolerate your sordid entanglements any longer? Even now, all you’re thinking about is running away with that doctor of yours.”

“That’s not true.”

“Am I wrong? Don’t bother coming up with excuses now.”

The emotions he exuded were so heavy, it felt suffocating. For the first time, Helena saw him truly enraged, his bloodshot eyes brimming with fury.

“But there’s something you seem to forget—you’re still bound to me.”

“…”

“You may want to leave here immediately, but unfortunately, our contract hasn’t ended.”

“…”

“From now on, you’re not to leave the estate. I won’t allow you to attend any official events or even linger around the grounds.”

“Your Grace!”

“If you so much as meet that doctor during this time… I’ll have his head cut off immediately.”

Caligo’s lips twisted into a cruel sneer.

“Do you think I’m joking, Helena?”

“…”

“Whenever I want, I’ll gladly take his head.”

“…”

“You should be grateful I’m restraining myself right now. I can’t even stand the thought of that man setting foot on my land, in my estate.”

Helena knew his words weren’t mere threats. Caligo was a man who wouldn’t hesitate to swing his blade.
And that sharp blade might one day turn on her, too. Helena trembled pitifully, like prey before a predator. When she looked up at Caligo with her trembling body, he let out a short, derisive laugh, as if mocking her fear.

“Even if you want to leave so desperately you’d rather die, hold it in. Bite your tongue and die here at my side.”

And when you die, that doctor’s head will follow.

No matter how many times she called his name, Caligo seemed not to hear her. He had already shut his eyes and ears, pouring out only what he wanted to say.

“I’ve said all I need to.” With those words, Caligo turned on to leave and disappeared.

She needed to say something—anything to quell his anger. But her body, once frozen with fear, couldn’t move so easily. Her lips trembled uncontrollably. She reached out a hand to stop him, but her fingertips never touched him.

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