TVTIW Chapter 75

Chapter 75

“Are you going to Marchioness Mariel’s salon?”

Richard asked me as we arrived at the dining hall for dinner. I took a sip of water to moisten my dry mouth and nodded.

“Yes. I sent a letter this morning just in case, and I received a reply along with the invitation. It’s in three days—does your schedule allow for it?”

It would be troublesome if Richard had a prior engagement, but I figured that unless it was something very important, he would likely rearrange his schedule to attend the salon with me. Even though I hadn’t attended a social party in a while, I knew that Marquis Mariel had significant influence among the central nobility. Richard couldn’t possibly be unaware of that. Building connections with central nobility would be much easier if he had ties with Marquis Mariel.

As I expected, Richard smiled lightly and nodded.

“I don’t think there’s any issue with my schedule. As you know, while we’re in the capital, there aren’t any major events planned.”

“Then let’s go together. It will be helpful for you as well.”

Richard smiled in agreement. Seeing that, I felt a little lighter in my heart.

Up until now, I had always been relying on Richard. Without his help, I wouldn’t have been able to reclaim everything I had lost. So, I had constantly felt indebted to him. I had only been receiving from him, and never given anything back.

That’s why, after returning to the Tristan Duke’s estate, I had been eager to handle things quickly, so as not to interfere with Richard’s work.

But now, I had made contact with Marchioness Mariel and received an invitation to the salon. The reason Richard had originally entered into the political marriage with the Tristan family was to build connections, so in a way, I was finally doing what he had hoped for.

For the first time, I felt that I was repaying Richard, and that made me feel a bit elated.

“How’s your health these days?”

During our meal, Richard suddenly asked. I smiled softly and replied.

“So far, I’m doing fine.”

According to the original story, I had about 10 months left to live. I was able to carry on with my work because Darnnella’s disease hadn’t worsened yet.

Suddenly, Sylvia came to mind. The thought of a ten-year-old child enduring more pain than I was made me feel uncomfortable. And I saw my own future reflected in her. If the Rosier flower didn’t bloom, I would soon live a life of pain, just like Sylvia.

“If you’re feeling unwell, please tell me right away. It’s fine to call a doctor if needed.”

“I will. Thank you for your concern.”

Though I still had about 10 months of life left, and there was a possibility that the Rosier flower could bloom during that time, it would be best not to overexert myself. If my condition worsened before the flower fully bloomed, it would all be in vain.

I certainly didn’t wish for death, so it would be wise to be cautious and take care of myself.

After finishing the meal, we left the dining hall. I considered returning to my office, but then changed my mind.

After all, I had just promised myself not to overwork. It wouldn’t be right to work late into the night on the very first day after making such a promise.

At least, I had managed to sort out the luxury items for disposal and had them ready for auction. I had also reviewed the financial reports that had been brought to the office. If I hadn’t been able to finish that much, I would have spent the rest of the day working on it, but today, I wanted to relax and take it easy.

Besides, I had already agreed to attend Marchioness Mariel’s salon. I didn’t want to overexert myself and end up collapsing on the day of the salon. Of course, Richard could go alone if I couldn’t make it, but the invitation was for me, not him. If Richard went alone, it would look like I was rejecting her goodwill.

I couldn’t afford to let such an opportunity slip away, not after having reconnected with someone so important.

Since I decided it wasn’t the right time to work, I thought I would take a short walk in the garden before going inside to rest.

The evening air was still a bit chilly. I hesitated for a moment, wearing light clothes, when Olivier, seemingly prepared, draped a shawl over my shoulders.

The cold air was blocked by the shawl, and the chill subsided. I smiled at Olivier in thanks and began to stroll through the garden.

The brightly colored flowers and well-maintained trees were beautiful. When Baron Hazel had been Duke of Tristan, I hadn’t been able to appreciate the beauty of the garden. It wasn’t because it wasn’t beautiful, but because my heart hadn’t had the space to appreciate it.

As I slowly walked, the scent of the flowers filled the air. And then, faintly, I noticed a burning smell mixing in.

Since there was no kitchen nearby, I was puzzled and looked around to find the source of the scent. However, nothing seemed amiss in the garden. Then, in the distance, at the far end of the garden, I saw a flicker of red light. The flames, red and yellow, were burning the firewood piled up at one corner of the garden. Black smoke billowed into the air. I widened my eyes in shock.

“Fire…”

I murmured in disbelief, and Olivier and Julia, who had belatedly noticed the fire, also saw the burning flames.

“It’s a fire!”

Olivier and Julia both shouted at the same time, without any hesitation. At their cry, people began to poke their heads out one by one, startled.

Since the fire had started in the place where dry firewood was stored, the flames quickly spread to the surroundings. There was also a nearby storage shed where bundles of straw and hay were kept, so if the fire wasn’t put out quickly, it could get out of control.

“Lady! It’s dangerous, come this way!” Olivier urgently grabbed me as I was trying to find a bucket to carry water.

“But—”

“The others will take care of the fire. If you get hurt, it will be a big problem. Please come this way! People are already coming because they know about the fire.”

Listening to Olivier’s words, I looked around and saw the estate’s servants, soldiers, and knights rushing to put out the fire. They had buckets or bowls filled with water in their hands.

Reluctantly, I stopped trying to pull away from Olivier and stepped back.

As people began throwing water, the flames, which had initially flared up again, started to subside little by little. However, it still required several rounds of water being carried and thrown to fully suppress it.

I stood a little further away, nervously stamping my feet as I watched the fire being put out. While looking around, I noticed a person at a distance, watching the flames rise.

The figure seemed familiar.

Could it be… no, it couldn’t be…

I hesitated, slowly approaching to confirm if it was the person I thought it was. But before I could confirm it, the person seemed to notice I was getting closer and hurriedly turned to flee.

“Diarna!”

Just as I was about to chase after them, someone called my name loudly. It was Richard’s voice.

I turned to see Richard running toward me, his expression concerned.

“Are you okay? I heard there was a fire.”

Richard, who had noticed the still-burning fire, approached me and asked. I nodded dazedly and pointed to the spot where the person had been.

“That’s where Cecilia was.”

Though no one was there now, I was sure it had been Cecilia. I’d lived with my stepsister for over ten years, so there was no way I wouldn’t recognize her.

“Cecilia? The daughter of Baron Hazel?”

Richard raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Yes, that’s right.”

I began to think slowly about why she had appeared here. She had a lot of resentment toward me. If anyone hated me more than anyone, it would be her. And the fire around her… It didn’t take long to figure it out. She must have started the fire.

Even though she had been questioned and let go during the previous investigation, it seemed she had come back to take revenge in the worst possible way.

“Cecilia started the fire. We need to catch her quickly!”

If we let Cecilia escape now, there was no telling what she might do next. She had already committed such a bold act today by setting a fire—who knew what kind of shameless thing she would do next?

As I was about to chase after the direction where Cecilia had run, Richard grabbed me and stopped me, then turned me around to face him.

“If she really set the fire, it’s too dangerous for you to chase after her. Others will handle the pursuit, so you should stay away. Jason, go check it out.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Richard’s command, Knight Jason ran in the direction I had pointed. Once he disappeared to track her, I finally relaxed my tensed shoulders.

“Go inside and rest for now. I’ll stay here and handle things.”

“…Okay.”

At first, I had planned to stay here, but I gave up on that. It seemed like I wouldn’t be of any help here, so I reluctantly agreed.

As I turned to leave, I glanced one last time at the area where the fire was being put out. My heart was still racing, and my chest hadn’t calmed down yet.