Chapter 2
Olivier first guided me to the room where I would be staying in the mansion.
“This is Madam’s bedroom.”
The room was nicer than I expected. It was larger and more splendid than the room I had in the Duke of Tristan mansion. I had heard stories of his wealth, but it didn’t quite hit me until I saw my current bedroom.
“There are maids always available here, so if you need anything, just ring the bell.”
I nodded as Olivier explained. Considering I had married without a dowry, the treatment wasn’t bad at all.
Then suddenly, I realized something odd in what Olivier had said and turned to her.
“But wait, you said ‘my bedroom’…?”
“Oh.”
Olivier quickly caught on to my intention and smiled knowingly.
“The Master’s bedroom is right across from here. In our mansion, even married couples use separate bedrooms unless necessary.”
“I see.”
Luckily, or perhaps unluckily.
Considering I had married a stranger without love, it was fortunate that I wouldn’t have to spend nights with someone I didn’t want to be with.
But drawing such a line like this wasn’t ideal either.
“So, where is the Count? I think I should meet him at least once, even though we haven’t had the wedding ceremony yet.”
“I believe he is in his study right now. Shall I guide you there?”
“Yes, please.”
Even though I needed to greet him, I had no expectations. After all, Count Theodore wouldn’t have any interest in me.
“Will you come this way?”
I followed Olivier to the study.
Knock, knock.
I lightly tapped on the door with my hand, and a low voice from inside responded, “Come in.”
Olivier, who had opened the door for me, gave me a slight smile. It was a signal to go in.
I swallowed dryly and stepped into the study.
The musty smell of paper and the sharp scent of thick ink greeted me first. As I looked around, I saw a desk near the window directly in front of the door.
Stacks of paper were piled up on the desk, and among them, a man with hair as black as night was reading through documents.
That must be, no, it undoubtedly was, my husband-to-be, Richard Theodore.
Whether it was because he was described as handsome like the male protagonist in the novel or because he was given the buff of being the novel’s villainous secondary male lead, his face was dazzlingly good-looking.
So much so that I couldn’t take my eyes off him, even as he was absorbed in his work.
“Are you Diarna Tristan?”
He asked me without even looking up from his documents.
Instead of answering immediately, I stared at Count Theodore, his arrogant attitude was uncomfortable.
“Is there no invitation to sit?”
Only then did Count Theodore lift his head to look at me, his icy blue eyes met mine.
As I met his gaze without flinching, he ran a hand through his hair.
He seemed slightly annoyed.
“Sit there.”
Count Theodore pointed to a sofa nearby as he stood up.
I sat in the spot he indicated, holding my head high and looking straight ahead.
Count Theodore confirmed I was seated and took the seat of honor.
“As you may know, I am Richard Theodore.”
He greeted me, crossing his legs.
His behavior was somewhat impolite, but it wasn’t something I could criticize him for.
“I am Diarna Tristan. From today, I suppose I will be Diarna Theodore.”
“Welcome to my wife.”
Welcome?
Count Theodore’s blatant lie was amusing.
I barely managed to suppress my laughter and nodded.
“I’m glad to be welcomed.”
“I’d love to have tea with you, but… unfortunately, I don’t have the time for that.”
“…I understand. We even skipped the wedding ceremony, so missing out on tea is no big deal.”
At my barbed comment, Count Theodore’s eyebrow twitched.
“Considering the Duke of Tristan broke his promise, I don’t see why I should marry you and hold a ceremony.”
“That is…”
He was right.
Count Theodore had initially demanded my father’s legitimate daughter, Cecilia. Instead, it was me who had come as the bride, so it was only natural for him to be displeased.
“I have no excuse for that.”
Should I be grateful that he accepted an unwanted bride?
I felt pathetic.
I was an outcast in the Tristan household, and here in the Theodore household as well.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry it’s me and not Cecilia.”
That was all I could say to him.
“I came to greet you, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Count Theodore at least escorted me to the door.
“Then I’ll see you at dinner. For now, get some rest.”
“Yes.”
We parted ways with polite smiles, and I headed straight to my bedroom and collapsed on the bed.
I was already exhausted from the long carriage ride.
* * *
“Madam? May I come in?”
In my hazy state of mind, I heard Olivier’s voice.
My thoughts, sinking endlessly like a heavy weight in water, began to clear and return to normal.
“Madam?”
Suddenly, I felt a surge of emotion and sat up, bending over and pressing my face to the floor.
I coughed repeatedly, almost dry heaving, as an unbearable sensation gripped me.
Each cough felt like my lungs were tearing apart with intense pain.
I clutched at my chest, near my heart, and the wheezing from my lungs was horrifying.
But the coughing wouldn’t stop, and the violent spasms seemed to tear my eardrums apart.
There was a loud banging on the door, or at least it seemed like there was.
After what felt like an eternity of painful coughing, my blurred vision began to clear.
The smell of blood tickled my nose.
Through tear-filled eyes, I saw red blood.I had coughed up blood.
I leaned back against the bed, gasping for breath.
Each breath made a rasping sound, and the pain in my lungs was overwhelming.
My ragged breathing betrayed my condition, with trembling hands, I pressed my aching head.
The icy coldness of my fingertips against my burning forehead seemed to slightly alleviate the headache.
“Madam? Excuse me, but I’m coming in!”
Olivier’s urgent voice was followed by the sound of the door opening.
I wanted to tell her not to come in, but I was too breathless to speak properly.
“Madam!”
Olivier, who saw me, ran to me in a panic.
“Are you alright?”
I raised a hand to Olivier.
On the first day, I had already revealed my illness.
If Count Theodore found out about this, I knew exactly how I would be treated.
The man I knew was merciless to those he deemed unnecessary.
Finally, my breathing eased.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
I whispered, hoping my words would become true.
I’m fine.
I will be fine.
It had already been five years since I was diagnosed with an incurable disease.
This happened occasionally, especially on tiring days, I’d cough up blood at night.
It meant my body couldn’t bear the fatigue from within.
Considering how tiring today had been, it made sense.
“Do you have a handkerchief?”
“Yes, here.”
Olivier handed me a handkerchief.
I wiped the blood from my lips with the handkerchief and took a deep breath.
There was still a taste of blood in my breath.
“Could you help me sit up?”
“Yes, Madam.”
With Olivier’s support, I sat on the edge of the bed.
I still felt nauseous.
I clenched my fists and tapped my chest a few times to ease the discomfort.
Olivier stood by, unsure of what to do, just watching me.
“Does this… happen often?”
Olivier asked me with concern.
“…Yes.”
I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t ill, not after what she had seen.
Then, a thought struck me, and I looked up at Olivier.
“Don’t tell Count Theodore about what you saw.”
“But Madam…”
“I’ll tell him when the time is right.”
“…Alright.”
She nodded reluctantly.
Olivier seemed to want to ask more but kept silent.
“Shall I call a doctor?”
“No, don’t call one today.”
I was worried about Count Theodore finding out that I had called a doctor on the first day.
“So, why did you come to see me?”
I asked Olivier to change the subject, and she hesitated before speaking.
“Dinner is ready, and I came to inform you.”
“…I don’t feel like eating right now.”
“I’ll inform them. You don’t need to force yourself.”
Her response was refreshing, different from the people at the Duke’s mansion who always responded out of obligation. Olivier seemed genuinely concerned about me. It didn’t feel bad.
I stared at Olivier for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“No, I’ll go. I can’t miss the first dinner.”
“Madam…”
“I’m fine. But could you prepare some water for me to wash up with?”
“Yes, please wait a moment.”
It didn’t take long for Olivier to bring a basin of warm water.
As I dipped my hands in the water and began to wash my face, my heavy head felt a bit lighter.
I smiled at Olivier, who had thoughtfully prepared a towel, and stood up.
“Now, will you show me where the dining room is?”
Thanks for the chapter