Chapter 11

One ancestor sought pure knowledge, another craved great power, and yet another coveted wealth. The Weiss Ducal family was the fortress built upon such desires. At one point, the Imperial Family viewed the Ducal family with hostility, but that was long ago. The Ducal family, having vastly expanded its influence, became indispensable to the Imperial Palace.

They were now inseparable and could be called a cooperative relationship of sorts. Even with the Weiss Ducal family’s strong independent streak, they had never once betrayed the Imperial Family throughout that long period of time.

“Very well, I shall watch from the sidelines to see if you can claim her.”

Evan’s eyebrows twitched at Teorus’s words.

Teorus had known for some time that Evan was interested in Lepina. The one who had previously shown no interest in anyone, looking at people as if they were pebbles, had finally found someone who captured his attention.

There had even been a minor commotion in the Ducal manor when it first happened. Thinking back to Evan’s behavior then, Teorus was bewildered. He’d felt a bit of curiosity, but it quickly faded. However, the sight of Lepina today was enough to rekindle that interest.

He highly valued her thoughtful consideration, unbefitting her age, and her ability to arrive at the truth with limited information. And the Duke’s intuition whispered to him: having her around would lead to interesting developments and new achievements.

Of course, that was only if everything she said turned out to be true.

“This means I am not opposing you.”

“Even if you opposed me, I would not back down.”

Evan quietly recited. Teorus lightly flicked Evan’s forehead. Evan rubbed his forehead gently, feeling the sting.

“Still, causing worry is not good. The Young Lady identified it as Alosi Poison, apparently. It’s annoying since there is no antidote. It’s fortunate that you have poison resistance. That was a dangerous decision.”

“It’s fine. I only ingested a small amount, and there’s no way I would die from this, is there?”

Evan knew he was feigning strength. But he couldn’t help it. His body had instinctively swallowed the poison. The thought that, even if it caused her guilt, this incident might lead Lepina to continue meeting him had swirled in his mind for those few seconds.

He could never reveal this fact, not even if he died. She might recoil and leave him. He was even surprised at himself for having such a thought.

When reason returned, he tried to vomit the poison, but at that moment, Lepina drank the tea. Seeing the poison go down her throat, he immediately shoved his fingers down her throat without hesitation.

He and Lepina were different. She could have died. Even if he went back in time, he would do the same thing. Lepina took priority over spitting out his own poison. His body just moved that way. He was desperate to remove the poison Lepina had consumed.

This was the result. But it wasn’t bad. In fact, it provided a stepping stone to obtain what he desired. Evan wore a satisfied smile.

Teorus twitched his eyebrows as he watched Evan’s demeanor.

“I told Young Lady Clies that she is welcome to visit anytime. The next part is up to you.”

“I do not require Father’s help.”

He patted Evan’s head, telling him to do his best, and left. Teorus set out to deal with the factions targeting the Imperial Family.

Evan let out a heavy sigh as Teorus departed. But a smile blossomed on his lips.

“Just a little more, just a little closer…”

From the very first moment he saw her, his reason had blurred, and instinct had consumed logic. And there was a deep sense of fulfillment bubbling up in his chest. She was someone he had finally found.

“She wasn’t intimidated by my father… Well, she was the same back then, too.”

He recalled an old memory.

The sight of a small girl, her sweet pink hair fluttering, boldly interceding among much bigger people and saving him, came to mind.

***

I opened my eyes wide and immediately got out of bed.

After telling the Duke of Weiss everything, I regained my stability. I knew Evan’s condition and had given the Duke the information about Alosi Poison, so I trusted the Duke would handle things well.

So, I diligently listened to the doctor, staying strictly in bed, taking my medicine, and continuing a lazy existence. I focused all my energy on recovering.

I pictured Evan in my mind and, for his sake, absolutely did not leave my bed. That way, I could get healthy sooner and go visit Evan.

“How is it? Can I move now?”

“Yes. You are fine now.”

My face brightened instantly upon hearing the doctor’s words. I could go see him now! I felt like shouting for joy.

I roughly tossed off the blanket that had tightly covered me. And I lightly jogged in place. My head wasn’t dizzy, and my legs weren’t shaky.

‘Perfect.’

I clenched my fists. And I called Mary.

“Mary!”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

“I’m going to the Weiss mansion immediately. Help me get ready.”

Mary shook her head as if resigned, then immediately helped me get dressed. I had repeated countless times that I needed to go see Evan and asked if I was okay to move, so her ears must have been tired of hearing it.

‘But even if Mary doesn’t look thrilled, I’m happy!’

I was excited that I could finally go see Evan, but a strange tightness also constricted my chest.

Just as I was fully prepared and about to head energetically to the Weiss mansion, Piote burst through the door.

“Lep!”

“Yes?”

“You’re going to the Weiss mansion!”

“Since it happened because of me, of course I have to go visit him.”

“It’s already been proven that it wasn’t our fault.”

Piote was right. I had recited the game information to the Duke of Weiss, and the Duke had cleanly resolved the incident. He thoroughly investigated the details and found the poison. My words were true.

In the end, the Blanc family was utterly ruined. The Empress feigned ignorance, saying she knew nothing.

‘But those in the know are aware. The Blanc family was a faction aligned with the Empress’s family.’

Since there was no evidence that the Empress herself was directly involved, people only whispered and said nothing more. Besides, she was the Empress. She was too important a figure to be accused without evidence.

However, the Duke of Weiss’s contribution in learning a secret no one else knew and preventing the poisoning of the Imperial Consort and the Second Prince was immense.

As compensation, the Emperor handed over the merchant group run by the Blanc family entirely to the Duke of Weiss, further enhancing the prestige of the Weiss Ducal family.

‘I gave the hint, but I didn’t think he’d catch them this quickly…’

In the original game, the Blanc family appeared as the villains who hindered the heroine, but they were eliminated early. However, the final boss still remained.

‘The original story went off the rails the moment I didn’t become terminally ill, and the male lead candidate did.’

As I nodded to myself, Piote, frustrated, shook my shoulders roughly.

“It’s dangerous to go alone! Your brother will go with you. I can already see the hardship you’ll face there!”

Piote’s worry was valid. But that was a burden I had to bear. Piote insisted on coming, but I kept refusing.

“Brother, I’m going alone. Lord Evan saved me. I have to endure whatever harsh words I receive.”

I muttered bitterly.

“Anyway, I’m going to visit Lord Evan, so stay put at home. And Brother.”

“Hmm…?”

“If you follow me, I won’t see you for a month.”

Piote slumped down as if struck by lightning from above, and I left him behind. One word was enough.

‘He’s obviously going to follow.’

When Mary asked if I wasn’t too harsh, I snapped at her.

Would a person who came to apologize like it if they brought along someone who glared fiercely at everyone around them? Piote was the kind of person who would do just that. I had to say this much for him to wait quietly at home.

“This is something I have to take responsibility for. Mary, you can’t come inside with me either.”

I couldn’t subject Mary to the same scrutiny as myself. Mary desperately insisted on accompanying me, but she couldn’t overcome my stubbornness. In the end, Mary nodded, acknowledging that she couldn’t win.

“Let’s go to the Weiss Dukedom immediately!”

I hurried the coachman. I wanted to see his face quickly. I had bitten my nails many times, repeating to myself that it was my fault.

When I drank the poison for a very brief moment, it felt like lava was boiling in my chest, and even after I was told all the poison was gone, the aftershock was enormous, and my chest ached for a while. I was weak and groaned until I could finally move. From what I heard, Evan suffered from high fever on the first day.

But unlike me, Evan couldn’t take proper measures, and it was unknown how much poison he consumed, nor did he vomit it out as I did. Even with resistance, human lives are unpredictable.

The carriage sped toward the Weiss Ducal family. And we arrived at the grand mansion standing majestically. It was a residence belonging to one who had reigned as Duke for ages, and it was flawless.

“This is the Weiss Dukedom…”

I stared blankly at the mansion. It was incomparably larger than the Clies Count’s residence. Exaggeratingly, it was about five times bigger than our house.

I was naturally overwhelmed by the immense size. I soothed my shrinking feelings, put strength into my waist, and straightened up. I had to walk in proudly.

Nevertheless, I fiddled with my dress because of the sweat seeping from my hands. I wiped the sweat and clasped my hands together as if praying.

‘I am a sinner here…’

Would any servant like the person who caused the young master they cherished to receive a terminal diagnosis? I told myself not to be discouraged even if I received fierce glares.

‘Don’t get depressed even if they hate me. Evan must be having such a hard time. And I must apologize to him. Tell him I’m sorry.’

I gently opened my eyes. I was determined, prepared to kneel if necessary, as I stared at the mansion.

I took a slow breath at the mansion gate. Overwhelmed by the mansion’s size, I didn’t even notice the look the knights were giving me. It seemed the knight had informed the butler of my arrival while I was busy steeling myself.