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"Are you just going to leave? Leaving me here, sick?"
Iana was startled by Charles's voice and turned around.
Charles stood at the door, arms crossed, wearing a dressing gown.
"You said you weren't that sick?"
"Yes, I am very sick."
His face was flushed as if he had a fever, but his voice was no different than usual.
"No, I mean... I assumed Your Highness would be lying down."
Iana stammered, flustered.
"Is that why you're standing so far away?"
"Pardon?"
"Afraid I'll pass on my illness to you since I'm so sick."
"That's not it..."
Just as she was about to explain with a serious face, Karen peeked out from inside the bedroom door and said,
"Mage, don't worry. Your Highness doesn't have a contagious disease."
"See? Karen says so too, doesn't she?"
Charles smiled playfully.
"Are you two going to tease me together now?"
Iana glared at them both and walked towards the door.
Charles opened the door, and Iana entered the room.
"Then, while you two are talking, I'll go prepare Your Highness's meal."
Karen left the bedroom as if to give them space.
Once they were alone in the bedroom, Iana felt awkward and quickly spoke.
"Your Highness, how did you know I was coming?"
"Karen told me. She said she saw you at the entrance to the Ducal Palace but you didn't seem to be coming up. But I thought you would come."
"How can you be so sure?"
Iana asked with a suspicious look.
"Aren't you the type of person who always repays a debt? I nursed you, so I thought you would definitely try to repay me."
"Ha..."
She was so impressed that Charles seemed to have seen right through her that she couldn't help but exclaim.
Charles leaned back on the sofa as if he was tired.
"But I could hear your footsteps faintly."
"You know my footsteps?"
Iana looked at him with a surprised expression.
"Yes, you have footsteps like a timid cat. A cat that's timid but also very curious."
Charles chuckled as if he found something amusing. Then, he pressed his hand to his forehead as if his fever was getting worse.
Watching him, Iana said with a worried expression,
"Your Highness, you look tired. Please lie down."
"I'm fine."
At that moment, Iana recalled what Charles had said when he nursed her.
"You need to get better so you can chase away the Krikan if they appear outside the castle."
"Your Highness needs to get better so you can chase away the Krikan if they appear in the Ducal Palace."
Charles noticed her words and glared at her playfully.
"You're copying me again."
Iana gestured towards the bed, and Charles quietly leaned back against the bed.
Iana placed the letter brought by the messenger on the table and soaked the towel on the bedside table in water.
Charles, who was about to lie down, looked at the letter and asked,
"What's that letter?"
"Ah, this is..."
Iana hesitated for a moment.
Hadn't she told Charles that Riel would soon become the Empress?
But if she told him that Riel might have killed someone, it would only worry him while he was sick.
"I wish you would tell me everything honestly."
Encouraged by Charles's sincere words, Iana took courage.
"Marcel has been investigating, and it seems Riel may have killed someone."
Iana handed the letter to Charles.
"What?"
Charles took the letter with a serious expression and began to read it.
"That's why I'm telling you this. I'd like to visit the Rechelles family for a while."
"...The Rechelles family?"
Charles looked slightly surprised, as if he hadn't expected that.
"Yes, if Riel becomes the Empress, she'll attack me and the Rechelles family first. So, I want to finish things decisively when I find a clue."
"..."
"I can't rely on my brother anymore. Would that be difficult?"
Iana carefully watched his expression.
"I'll provide you with escort knights, but I'm worried about sending you alone."
Charles's face was full of concern.
"I can control my magical power now, so I'll be fine. And..."
"…?"
"I have to do what I can on my own. I can't always rely on help."
Iana answered firmly.
She couldn't always move under his protection.
Once his marriage was officially underway, she would have to leave the Ducal Palace and live alone in the village.
Was he very tired? Charles, who had been leaning back, lay down on the bed and said,
"If you take good care of me, I'll send you to the Rechelles family. If not, you can't go."
"What? How can you say that?"
"Have you forgotten that I am the lord of Ervin? Only I can issue travel permits."
Iana grumbled and placed the wet towel on his forehead. His forehead was hotter than she thought, indicating a high fever.
"Your Highness, you have a high fever."
"I told you I was sick."
"Then you should just lie down. Why did you keep talking?"
"Then, from now on, you talk."
Charles's voice was slow.
"What should I say?"
"Anything... Stories about Ru are fine, or stories about bad food."
"There is no bad food."
Charles chuckled softly at Iana's serious reply. He closed his eyes as if he was getting sleepy and said,
"...I see. I thought so."
"Oh, I don't really like carrots. Seeing that, I don't think I'm very compatible with Ru."
Iana chattered on her own for a long time.
She didn't really know what she was talking about or what she was saying.
But she knew well from her past life when she was sick.
The sound of someone's voice.
For someone who is sick, just knowing that someone is next to them is comforting.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, Riel visited Madam Marie's atelier.
As Riel entered, Madam Marie greeted her more warmly than ever.
"Lady Riel, you've arrived?"
"It's been a while. I came early in the morning because I have something to ask."
Riel said as she sat on the sofa.
Madam Marie followed and sat opposite her, asking with a surprised expression,
"Are you officially marrying Count Dietrian? Is what you want to ask me to make a wedding dress?"
Carrion must have kept it a secret, as the incident of Riel threatening Iana didn't seem to be known yet.
"That's not it."
Riel cut off Madam Marie's excited words.
She could subtly agree with the idea of becoming a Countess and try to profit from it. But such small lies could trip her up at a crucial moment.
Madam Marie showed a disappointed expression.
"I thought that Count Dietrian had suddenly told me not to look into any more families for him to remarry..."
"He told you not to look into families for him to remarry?"
Riel's eyes turned sharp.
"Yes, so I thought Lady Riel would become his official wife."
'Why did the Count suddenly change his mind?'
As Riel was lost in thought, Madam Marie said happily,
"He might not have told you yet, so keep an eye on it."
"I understand for now. Oh, an important letter will be coming here. Please keep it safe and give it to me."
"An important letter? What kind of letter?"
Doubt flickered in Madam Marie's eyes.
"It's something Count Dietrian needs for his official duties. In return, I'll compensate you generously."
"..."
"I think I'll need about ten dresses. Please prepare shoes and accessories to match."
Riel intuitively felt that she would need many beautiful dresses in the future.
"Ten dresses?"
Madam Marie's mouth stretched from ear to ear.
Riel spent a long time discussing the dresses to be made with Madam Marie.
"I'll put the clothes you ordered earlier in the carriage."
A little later, Madam Marie and a clerk carried the dresses that Riel had left before going to Ervin out the door.
Riel followed them with a thoughtful expression.
'The Rechelles Marquess's informants will find out soon.'
She had to move as quickly as possible.
Carrion, whose emotions had begun to crack, would not be her shield, and she had to catch the Emperor's eye as soon as possible to stop the Rechelles Marquess.
'Using Franz Havel might backfire. He's a son who's out of favor with his father, Duke Havel.'
That's when it happened.
"Lady Riel, be careful!"
Madam Marie shouted urgently and pulled Riel back from behind.
Riel must have been lost in thought and walked to the center of the road. A carriage was rushing towards her at high speed.
"Ha..."
Riel took a long breath, startled. She then watched the receding back of the carriage.
The gazes of the people around her immediately focused on her.
At that moment, a good idea flashed through Riel's mind.
'A dramatic situation is a way to capture people's attention at once.'
Riel laughed loudly and muttered.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"Are you alright, Lady Riel?"
Madam Marie looked at Riel with slightly strange eyes.
A meaningful smile spread across Riel's face.
'I just have to risk my life and jump in. In front of Duke Havel's carriage.'
Iana was startled by Charles's voice and turned around.
Charles stood at the door, arms crossed, wearing a dressing gown.
"You said you weren't that sick?"
"Yes, I am very sick."
His face was flushed as if he had a fever, but his voice was no different than usual.
"No, I mean... I assumed Your Highness would be lying down."
Iana stammered, flustered.
"Is that why you're standing so far away?"
"Pardon?"
"Afraid I'll pass on my illness to you since I'm so sick."
"That's not it..."
Just as she was about to explain with a serious face, Karen peeked out from inside the bedroom door and said,
"Mage, don't worry. Your Highness doesn't have a contagious disease."
"See? Karen says so too, doesn't she?"
Charles smiled playfully.
"Are you two going to tease me together now?"
Iana glared at them both and walked towards the door.
Charles opened the door, and Iana entered the room.
"Then, while you two are talking, I'll go prepare Your Highness's meal."
Karen left the bedroom as if to give them space.
Once they were alone in the bedroom, Iana felt awkward and quickly spoke.
"Your Highness, how did you know I was coming?"
"Karen told me. She said she saw you at the entrance to the Ducal Palace but you didn't seem to be coming up. But I thought you would come."
"How can you be so sure?"
Iana asked with a suspicious look.
"Aren't you the type of person who always repays a debt? I nursed you, so I thought you would definitely try to repay me."
"Ha..."
She was so impressed that Charles seemed to have seen right through her that she couldn't help but exclaim.
Charles leaned back on the sofa as if he was tired.
"But I could hear your footsteps faintly."
"You know my footsteps?"
Iana looked at him with a surprised expression.
"Yes, you have footsteps like a timid cat. A cat that's timid but also very curious."
Charles chuckled as if he found something amusing. Then, he pressed his hand to his forehead as if his fever was getting worse.
Watching him, Iana said with a worried expression,
"Your Highness, you look tired. Please lie down."
"I'm fine."
At that moment, Iana recalled what Charles had said when he nursed her.
"You need to get better so you can chase away the Krikan if they appear outside the castle."
"Your Highness needs to get better so you can chase away the Krikan if they appear in the Ducal Palace."
Charles noticed her words and glared at her playfully.
"You're copying me again."
Iana gestured towards the bed, and Charles quietly leaned back against the bed.
Iana placed the letter brought by the messenger on the table and soaked the towel on the bedside table in water.
Charles, who was about to lie down, looked at the letter and asked,
"What's that letter?"
"Ah, this is..."
Iana hesitated for a moment.
Hadn't she told Charles that Riel would soon become the Empress?
But if she told him that Riel might have killed someone, it would only worry him while he was sick.
"I wish you would tell me everything honestly."
Encouraged by Charles's sincere words, Iana took courage.
"Marcel has been investigating, and it seems Riel may have killed someone."
Iana handed the letter to Charles.
"What?"
Charles took the letter with a serious expression and began to read it.
"That's why I'm telling you this. I'd like to visit the Rechelles family for a while."
"...The Rechelles family?"
Charles looked slightly surprised, as if he hadn't expected that.
"Yes, if Riel becomes the Empress, she'll attack me and the Rechelles family first. So, I want to finish things decisively when I find a clue."
"..."
"I can't rely on my brother anymore. Would that be difficult?"
Iana carefully watched his expression.
"I'll provide you with escort knights, but I'm worried about sending you alone."
Charles's face was full of concern.
"I can control my magical power now, so I'll be fine. And..."
"…?"
"I have to do what I can on my own. I can't always rely on help."
Iana answered firmly.
She couldn't always move under his protection.
Once his marriage was officially underway, she would have to leave the Ducal Palace and live alone in the village.
Was he very tired? Charles, who had been leaning back, lay down on the bed and said,
"If you take good care of me, I'll send you to the Rechelles family. If not, you can't go."
"What? How can you say that?"
"Have you forgotten that I am the lord of Ervin? Only I can issue travel permits."
Iana grumbled and placed the wet towel on his forehead. His forehead was hotter than she thought, indicating a high fever.
"Your Highness, you have a high fever."
"I told you I was sick."
"Then you should just lie down. Why did you keep talking?"
"Then, from now on, you talk."
Charles's voice was slow.
"What should I say?"
"Anything... Stories about Ru are fine, or stories about bad food."
"There is no bad food."
Charles chuckled softly at Iana's serious reply. He closed his eyes as if he was getting sleepy and said,
"...I see. I thought so."
"Oh, I don't really like carrots. Seeing that, I don't think I'm very compatible with Ru."
Iana chattered on her own for a long time.
She didn't really know what she was talking about or what she was saying.
But she knew well from her past life when she was sick.
The sound of someone's voice.
For someone who is sick, just knowing that someone is next to them is comforting.
✦ ✦ ✦
The next morning, Riel visited Madam Marie's atelier.
As Riel entered, Madam Marie greeted her more warmly than ever.
"Lady Riel, you've arrived?"
"It's been a while. I came early in the morning because I have something to ask."
Riel said as she sat on the sofa.
Madam Marie followed and sat opposite her, asking with a surprised expression,
"Are you officially marrying Count Dietrian? Is what you want to ask me to make a wedding dress?"
Carrion must have kept it a secret, as the incident of Riel threatening Iana didn't seem to be known yet.
"That's not it."
Riel cut off Madam Marie's excited words.
She could subtly agree with the idea of becoming a Countess and try to profit from it. But such small lies could trip her up at a crucial moment.
Madam Marie showed a disappointed expression.
"I thought that Count Dietrian had suddenly told me not to look into any more families for him to remarry..."
"He told you not to look into families for him to remarry?"
Riel's eyes turned sharp.
"Yes, so I thought Lady Riel would become his official wife."
'Why did the Count suddenly change his mind?'
As Riel was lost in thought, Madam Marie said happily,
"He might not have told you yet, so keep an eye on it."
"I understand for now. Oh, an important letter will be coming here. Please keep it safe and give it to me."
"An important letter? What kind of letter?"
Doubt flickered in Madam Marie's eyes.
"It's something Count Dietrian needs for his official duties. In return, I'll compensate you generously."
"..."
"I think I'll need about ten dresses. Please prepare shoes and accessories to match."
Riel intuitively felt that she would need many beautiful dresses in the future.
"Ten dresses?"
Madam Marie's mouth stretched from ear to ear.
Riel spent a long time discussing the dresses to be made with Madam Marie.
"I'll put the clothes you ordered earlier in the carriage."
A little later, Madam Marie and a clerk carried the dresses that Riel had left before going to Ervin out the door.
Riel followed them with a thoughtful expression.
'The Rechelles Marquess's informants will find out soon.'
She had to move as quickly as possible.
Carrion, whose emotions had begun to crack, would not be her shield, and she had to catch the Emperor's eye as soon as possible to stop the Rechelles Marquess.
'Using Franz Havel might backfire. He's a son who's out of favor with his father, Duke Havel.'
That's when it happened.
"Lady Riel, be careful!"
Madam Marie shouted urgently and pulled Riel back from behind.
Riel must have been lost in thought and walked to the center of the road. A carriage was rushing towards her at high speed.
"Ha..."
Riel took a long breath, startled. She then watched the receding back of the carriage.
The gazes of the people around her immediately focused on her.
At that moment, a good idea flashed through Riel's mind.
'A dramatic situation is a way to capture people's attention at once.'
Riel laughed loudly and muttered.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"Are you alright, Lady Riel?"
Madam Marie looked at Riel with slightly strange eyes.
A meaningful smile spread across Riel's face.
'I just have to risk my life and jump in. In front of Duke Havel's carriage.'
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