The Villain's Terminally Ill Wife

Chapter 11

“That’s quite unfortunate then,” Richard replied calmly to my father’s words.

“What do you mean?” My father scoffed at Richard’s nonchalant reaction.

Richard let go of my hand and deliberately placed it on my shoulder.

His large, rough hand rested on my shoulder. Even I was surprised by his unexpected action and turned to look at him. Richard held me close without changing his expression.

“If Diarna is not part of the duke’s family, then I won’t feel guilty about whatever I do from now on.”

Richard smiled as he spoke these cryptic words.

In his embrace, I could only look up at him in a daze.

Even though I had urged him to use me, his sudden shift in behavior felt unfamiliar and awkward.

“Guilt? Count Theodore, what are you planning?”

“You’ll find out soon enough, as I’ll follow the proper procedures.”

Richard’s voice was confident. It didn’t waver, and he was self-assured. As if he was certain he could defeat the Duke of Tristan at any time.

Although it was my suggestion, it seemed that everything had been calculated in his mind during that short span of time.

And he must have reached some conclusion.

I could guess roughly. He intended to take back everything I was supposed to inherit from my father, the current Duke of Tristan.

Since I was my mother’s legitimate successor, it would be possible to reclaim everything with enough time, money, and effort.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

Richard concluded with a brief farewell and led me away from the scene.

In a secluded corner where no one was around, he finally let me go.

I stepped out of his embrace and looked up at him.

Richard was smirking, as if he was contemplating something.

“This is interesting.”

“What is?” I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and asked about his cryptic words.

Richard glanced once more in the direction of my father before fixing his gaze on me.

“It’s just as I expected.”

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you angry, though? He deceived you. Doesn’t it make you mad?”

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t angry.”

Richard paused. I didn’t rush him and waited for his response.

“But actions have consequences. If he deceived me, he must pay for that deception. It’s amusing to see him so arrogant, oblivious to the price he’ll have to pay.”

His reaction was almost dismissive, and I lowered my head.

“I’m sorry.”

After all, it was true that my father and I had deceived him into marrying me, so I apologized.

Though Richard had also married me to use me, he had ended up with nothing but losses.

Retrieving the Duke of Tristan’s title and the inheritance that should have been mine would also require Richard’s direct involvement.

Richard seemed displeased, raising an eyebrow as he looked at me.

“Diarna, what you need to do is not apologize.”

I didn’t quite understand what he meant, so I bit my lip. Richard sighed softly.

“Perhaps I didn’t mention it before. I never engage in anything that results in a loss for me.”

I knew that well.

The reason the original Diarna was abandoned was because she had caused him a significant loss.

A considerable loss of 30,000 gold without giving anything in return.

Thus, Richard treated the original Diarna coldly.

“When we return to the mansion, you have some tasks to complete.”

Even before Richard clearly explained, I knew what he wanted me to do.

“Yes, I understand. You want me to identify everything that should have been mine, right?”

“Exactly.”

Richard nodded in agreement.

To reclaim what was rightfully mine from my father, it was crucial to first understand what those things were—titles, estates, treasures, and even the smallest of items.

“But it’s strange. If all those things were supposed to be yours, why didn’t you try to claim them, Diarna?”

Richard asked, seemingly puzzled.

He was right.

I should have reclaimed everything once I became an adult.

But I didn’t have the stamina, money, or even the necessary connections to engage in a legal battle with my father.

“That’s because…”

I struggled to get the words out, but no answer came easily.

Should I reveal to Richard that I’m ill?

I hesitated for a moment but then gave up. After all, Richard and I were in a business relationship.

Besides, if I reclaimed everything and then died, he would end up with all of it.

That would be a considerable reward for deceiving him about my illness.

“I didn’t want to fight my father,” I replied, hiding my true feelings.

Richard merely laughed at my words.

“You wanted to be a good child despite losing everything?”

“……”

“Ridiculous.”

* * *

The carriage rattled uncomfortably.

Through the window, I could see the sun slowly setting over the horizon.

Exhausted from the series of events at the ball, I leaned back against the carriage seat.

Already weakened by my illness, attending the ball, which required standing for a long time, had been a great ordeal.

My labored breathing was evidence of that.

With every breath, I felt a constriction in my chest, making me worry that my coughing might worsen.

A mere cough would be better than the alternative.

If I ended up coughing up blood again, as I had after riding the carriage for a long time last time, my illness would be exposed to Richard.

I desperately wanted to avoid that, at least for as long as possible.

Richard said something from the front, but I couldn’t make out what it was.

“Diarna?”

“Sorry, but I’m so nauseous that I can’t hear anything.”

“Stop the carriage.”

Seeing me struggling to breathe like a sick hen, Richard ordered the coachman to halt the carriage.

“Let’s take a break.”

“Could you call Olivier for me?”

Richard got out of the carriage and called for Olivier.

Olivier approached the carriage and, seeing my condition, hurriedly climbed in.

“Are you alright, Madam?”

“Olivier, could you give me the palliative?”

“Ah, yes. Just a moment.”

Olivier quickly exited the carriage and returned with a flask and the palliative prepared by Dr. Norman.

I swallowed two small palliative pills and drank some water.

The lukewarm water soothed my dry throat, making it a bit easier to breathe.

Still, the pain in my chest was overwhelming, making it hard to gather my thoughts.

I wished, as I had told Richard, that this was merely motion sickness.

“Is she very ill?”

I opened my blurry eyes and looked in the direction of the voice.

Richard was asking Olivier about my condition.

“She says it’s motion sickness, but she’s struggling quite a bit.”

“Yes, she wasn’t in good health after a long carriage ride when she first arrived at the estate.”

Fortunately, Olivier matched his response to my lie.

“Yes, I recall she didn’t eat then either.”

“Yes……”

“Then continue attending to her.”

“Understood.”

Olivier climbed back into the carriage and dampened a handkerchief to wipe my forehead.

“This is troublesome. How much further do we need to go?”

“It will take at least another half day.”

“And to the nearest village?”

“We need to travel for another three or four hours.”

“But Diarna is not in a condition to continue riding in the carriage.”

I heard the conversation outside, indicating the delay was due to me.

It seemed they had not prepared for such an extended delay.

“Richard.”

I called out to Richard with a trembling voice.

Sadly, my voice was too faint to reach him.

“Olivier, could you call Richard for me?”

“Yes, Madam.”

I instructed Olivier, who was closest, to fetch Richard.

Soon, Richard climbed into the carriage.

Olivier stepped aside to give us some privacy.

“Are you feeling very unwell?”

“I’m fine. Let’s just continue.”

Since I had taken the palliative, I expected to feel better as we traveled.

But Richard extended his hand.

His large hand covered my forehead.

I flinched slightly at the rough touch.

Richard kept his hand on my forehead for a moment before removing it.

“For someone who claims to be fine, you have quite a fever.”

“But we can’t camp out here. The sun is setting.”

Even now, the sun was dipping behind the mountains, casting a twilight glow.

If we delayed any longer, we would be forced into an imprompt camp.

“If camping is necessary, so be it. Focus on recovering. It would be a great loss if you were to die.”

“But—”

“I won’t hear anything other than your agreement.”

“…Alright.”

I wanted to argue, but Richard’s firm stance left me no choice.

As a result, we were delayed even further.

Richard untethered one of the horses from the carriage and gave instructions to the knights accompanying us.

That was my memory as the sun set.