The Villain's Terminally Ill Wife

Chapter 21

As soon as I returned safely from the night market, I had to undergo another examination by Dr. Norman.

Even though I told him that my condition was not serious, he seemed very concerned.

Dr. Norman was particularly cautious and meticulous in his examination, knowing that I had the Darnnella’s Disease.

Only after a considerable amount of time did the examination conclude.

Fortunately, Dr. Norman’s face brightened. As expected, no issues were found with my condition.

Since I hadn’t exerted myself or done anything particularly strenuous at the market—just casually looking around—I was already aware that my condition wasn’t bad enough to be affected by it.

I knew my own body best.

Darnnella’s disease can worsen with overexertion, but a simple walk like this wasn’t enough to cause problems.

In fact, staying indoors all the time made me feel like my body was getting weaker.

Understanding my feelings, Dr. Norman advised that going outside for occasional walks and exercise would be good for my health.

Despite my confident demeanor, it seemed that his worries didn’t completely disappear.

Among them, Olivier was particularly concerned about whether I was overexerting myself, constantly checking on my condition.

Whenever I coughed, she would become restless and almost call for the doctor. Although my illness was quite severe, it felt strange and awkward to see her so alarmed by even minor symptoms.

No one showed this kind of concern when I was at the Tristan Ducal House.

The people who might have cared about me were all replaced when my father seized the title.

I couldn’t expect any attention from my family. In fact, my father wished for my death so that he wouldn’t have to worry about losing everything to me.

Cecilia was no different. From our first meeting, she was so envious that she wanted to take everything I had. To her, I was more of a rival than a family member.

Having lived that way for over a decade, it was natural that attention and concern from others now felt unfamiliar and strange.

Especially considering that this place was originally the residence of the villain from the original story.

That said, I didn’t dislike this attention.

As a person, I naturally wouldn’t dislike people who cared about and looked after me. But I had some concerns.

Even if I find the Rosier flower, I wouldn’t be able to stay here forever. I worried about whether I would be able to part ways properly when that time came. Even if it wasn’t immediate, Richard would eventually fall in love with Ailen, and I would only be an obstacle to him.

If I manage to survive after finding the flower, I should part with him without regret when the time comes.

Though it’s questionable whether the villain Richard will actually end up with Ailen, it’s better if there are no obstacles to Richard’s intentions of saving me. If Richard were to see me as an obstruction and change his attitude, it wouldn’t be pleasant for me either.

As I thought about this, I glanced at Richard, who was drinking tea in front of me. He was currently visiting my office under the pretense of taking a break and drinking tea. From the look of things, it seemed like Richard had come to check on me out of concern.

It was hard to understand. What exactly had moved his heart? I still didn’t understand why he couldn’t just let me die…

Could it be that he has feelings for me?

‘Oh, no way.’

That couldn’t be it. There was no reason for him to like me.

The person Richard would fall in love with was Ailen, so his preferences would be based on Ailen’s personality and appearance.

I was very different from her.

This world was a world within a book, and it was a world meant for the female protagonist, Ailen. No one in this world could be more beautiful than her. I was no different.

Although I might be considered pretty by general standards, no matter how beautiful I was, I couldn’t surpass Ailen, whom I had seen at the last ball.

So it couldn’t be because of my appearance, and my situation and personality were also unlike Ailen’s.

Unlike her, who empathized with Richard’s childhood pain, I had deceived and used him. Even though I had come to an understanding with him about the noble title and inheritance I was supposed to receive, that didn’t erase the fact that I had deceived him.

Richard, who despised being deceived the most, must have been lenient with me because of the ducal title and inheritance. Or maybe there was some other reason I didn’t know that moved his heart.

“Richard.”

I called out Richard’s name as he sat across from me, sipping tea in an elegant pose.

He set his teacup down on the table and looked at me with sharp eyes. It was strange how his seemingly indifferent gaze didn’t feel awkward when it was focused on me.

Eventually, those eyes would likely be filled with Ailen. What kind of expression would Richard have then? Perhaps a gentler and kinder face? Or maybe he was hiding another side of himself that I hadn’t seen.

I was curious but didn’t particularly want to see it.

“Why did you call me?”

His voice was so nonchalant, as if his presence here was completely natural.

Hesitating slightly, I carefully asked Richard, “Aren’t you busy?”

“Busy.”

“Then why are you here drinking tea? Shouldn’t you be working?”

Richard shrugged his shoulders at my question.

“Didn’t you used to come by whenever you had a chance while I was working?”

Richard suddenly brought up something from the past.

He was right. Just a few days ago, I had shown up at his place whenever I could. I wanted to imprint my presence in his mind as often as possible. That was my way of surviving.

I wanted to be noticed by Richard and use him to obtain the Rosier flower. But when did he start showing me favor?

Thinking back, it seems that it started when I asked him to use me to seize everything from the Tristan Ducal House at the ball.

Since then, he had been a bit kinder during the carriage ride back and even casually suggested that I go horseback riding.

So, did he really become favorable toward me because of the ducal title and inheritance?

It was a bit disheartening to think about, but it still justified why I was okay staying at the Theodore Count’s house. Besides, it might even save my life, so a little disappointment didn’t matter much.

Then I remembered Richard’s words about not letting me die.

“Richard, you know…”

As I cautiously started speaking, Richard looked at me with a relaxed gaze, waiting for the next thing I would say.

I stared into Richard’s eyes and then smiled, pulling up the corners of my mouth.

“Thank you.”

“What for?”

“Just… everything.”

He probably had no idea how comforting it was to know there was someone who wished for me to live. Did he even understand why I was grateful? It didn’t matter if he didn’t.

“You’re being unrealistic. By the way, is it taking a long time to sort out what your father took from you?”

“Oh, that. I haven’t finished yet, but it should be done soon.”

“Let me know when it’s sorted out. I need to check the list and prepare accordingly.”

“Will it go to court?”

“Most likely. He won’t just hand everything over willingly. You can tell just from how he sold you off to me. But then, you probably know better than anyone since you’ve lived with those things.”

I smiled wryly and nodded.

I knew all too well.

Would my father and Cecilia return what originally belonged to me? It was pointless to even ask. It was clear they wouldn’t give up a single thing.

It might turn into a messy legal battle. No, it definitely would.

I felt a bit sorry for Richard, but if I regained the Tristan ducal title, it would eventually go to Richard as my spouse after my death, so he wouldn’t be at a loss.

He had originally planned to expand his connections by becoming a relative of the Tristan Ducal House.

Becoming the duke himself would likely be more beneficial for him.

“Do you think you can manage it?”

“Worried?”

“A little?”

“You’re worrying unnecessarily. It seems you don’t know, but I never engage in losing battles.”

Richard spoke with a certainty that didn’t seem false.

Given that my mother had named me the legitimate heir until her death, and that evidence would be on record, I didn’t think I would lose in court.

What worried me was whether I could hold out until then.

As I gave an awkward smile, Richard furrowed one eyebrow slightly before relaxing it.

It seemed my reaction didn’t please him.

“Well, I need to sort out the documents, so may I leave now?”

I hinted that I might end up staying here until Richard left if I didn’t say something.

Richard nodded and got up from his seat. Then, as if he remembered something, he looked back at me.

“Send the documents through Olivier once they’re sorted. I’ll review them.”

“Got it.”

I also got up and saw Richard to the door as he left the room.