Chapter 31

31

It seemed like I had met someone in my dream. But I couldn't remember who it was.

I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids, which felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds, and a strange ceiling came into view.

“……”

I blinked blankly. Just as I was about to think about where I was, a voice filled with urgency reached my ears.

“Lily! Lily, are you awake?”

“……”

The loud noise pierced my eardrums, making my head throb. I frowned and raised my hand, a reflexive action. But Theodore grabbed my hand and looked at me with a desperate expression.

“Lily… how are you feeling? If you're in pain or discomfort, please tell me.”

I wanted to say, "Just let go of my hand and stay away from me," but my voice wouldn't come out, as if my throat was constricted. After a few groans, I managed to utter a single word.

“Water….”

Theodore flinched and finally let go of my hand, getting up from his seat. I felt relieved, thinking he was finally leaving, but he reappeared with a glass of water in his hand. …He had gone to get the water himself, not leaving me.

“Here, I brought you some water.”

“……”

I gaped in disbelief. Getting water was a task for a servant, wasn't it?

Then, where was Charlotte? I looked around, and just then, Charlotte approached the bed and helped me sit up.

“…Thank you.”

“It’s my duty.”

Charlotte placed a soft cushion behind me so I could lean back comfortably, then stood back with her hands neatly folded. Theodore was still holding the glass, waiting patiently.

I suppressed the overwhelming feeling of burden and annoyance, or the urge to reject him, and took the glass.

“Ha….”

The cool water made me feel a bit better. After a long sigh, I handed the glass to Charlotte.

Charlotte glanced at Theodore for a moment before taking the glass. After a brief moment of closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I asked Theodore.

“How long was I unconscious? Are the others… safe?”

“You were unconscious for six hours. The others are safe.”

“…There must have been injured and dead among the knights.”

At that, Theodore hesitated for a moment before answering with a sigh.

“…Yes.”

Then I heard more details from him. There were casualties among the knights from various families, and one knight from the Valentina family had also lost his life.

The Royal Knights suffered the most, with the highest number of casualties and injuries. It was expected, given that they were in the lead…

‘…There will be a memorial service. I have to attend it.’

With an unexpected accident causing injuries and deaths, the planned grand banquet was out of the question.

Originally, a grand banquet was to follow the hunt, but it would be replaced by a memorial service.

As I tried to get out of bed and pull back the covers, Theodore grabbed my shoulder. I could feel the strength in his grip. Narrowing my brows, I looked up, and he said in a low, serious voice.

“You need to rest more. Lie down.”

“…I’m fine, really.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I said I’m fine.”

I wasted about ten minutes arguing with Theodore, who insisted I stay in bed. In the end, I pushed him away and headed to the bathroom with Charlotte.

After washing my body and changing into a neat, dark-colored outfit, I braided my hair. Looking in the mirror, I saw that although my complexion was pale, I was presentable enough for the memorial service.

Just as I was about to head for the door, Theodore blocked my way. He looked worried and slightly annoyed as he said,

“I’ve asked for food to be brought. Have something to eat before you go. You also need to take your medicine after eating.”

“……”

Since I lost my memory, he has become incredibly annoying. His motherly care was something I couldn’t get used to no matter how many times I saw it.

This time, as usual, the urge to push him away rose, but I bit my lip and held back my anger. Charlotte, who had been fidgeting nearby, approached me and said softly,

“Madam, I think it’s best to eat first. The doctor will bring your medicine soon, and it’s better to take it….”

“……”

Reluctantly, I sat down. A few moments later, two maids brought in the food. I looked at the dishes being set on the table without much interest.

“Even if you don’t have an appetite, try to eat something, Madam. You need to regain your strength.”

Charlotte gently urged me, pointing at the dishes. I wasn’t particularly hungry or craving anything, but I sighed and picked up a spoon.

I ate a little of the warm soup and cut a small piece of the round white bread. Then I took a few bites of the salad and fruit.

Charlotte and Theodore watched me eat with serious expressions. …I never thought I’d see them with the same look on their faces.

The meal was over quickly. After rinsing my mouth with water infused with mint leaves and wiping my lips with a napkin, Theodore couldn’t hold back any longer and asked,

“Aren’t you going to eat more? Are you really done with just that?”

“I’ll get indigestion if I eat more.”

“……”

Theodore let out a loud sigh and muttered, “You eat like a bird….” I ignored his comment and got up from my seat.

At that moment, a knock came from outside the door.

Knock knock—

“Madam, it’s your doctor, Jane Soper. I’ve brought your medicine.”

I sat back down and said,

“…Come in.”

Jane immediately opened the door and entered. In her hand was a silver tray with a covered bowl on it.

Jane bowed to me and Theodore, then quickly approached and placed the tray on the table.

When she opened the bowl, a bitter smell wafted up. I frowned reflexively and watched her lift the bowl and hand it to me with a look of displeasure.

“Madam….”

“……”

Since I couldn’t throw a tantrum like a ten-year-old who doesn’t want to take medicine, I had no choice but to take the bowl.

The silver bowl with handles on both sides was filled with a deep golden liquid. I stared at my reflection in it for a moment before drinking it all in one go.

After struggling to swallow the bitter medicine, I put the bowl down. Suddenly, something was put into my mouth.

A sweet taste spread on my tongue. It was a candy. I looked at the person who had given me the candy with a bewildered expression. Of course, the only person who could do such a rude thing was Theodore Valentina.

“It’s a lemon candy. I heard you like the taste.”

“……”

Despite my incredulous stare, the candy was melting in my mouth. Theodore smiled at me with a shameless expression.

Then Jane took my pulse and examined me in various ways, her expression becoming increasingly serious.

She moistened her lips and said with a troubled look,

“…It seems you need a stronger medicine. And… Madam, you need to eat more. You’re in a state of severe malnutrition and your energy is very low… You need to actively manage your health.”

In other words, I was in a very weak condition. Moreover, since I had stopped taking sleeping pills, I had been having trouble sleeping, which certainly wasn’t helping my condition.

I nodded silently. I thought that managing my health was probably a futile effort, but I didn’t say anything.

“Madam, don’t overexert yourself today. If you feel unwell, take a rest immediately….”

Jane gave me various instructions before leaving the room.

In the silent room, the two of them watched me with troubled expressions. I got up and smiled at Charlotte.

“I’m fine, don’t worry. Can you help me get ready to go out? I need to redo my makeup.”

“…Yes, yes! Madam!”

Charlotte nodded with a restrained expression, as if trying to hide her concern, and quickly approached me.

While she was fixing my hair and makeup, Theodore’s heavy gaze never left me. His worried eyes only made me feel more burdened.

* * *

The largest hall in this villa was originally for banquets, but today it was the venue for a memorial service for the fallen knights.

The ceremony to mourn those who had lost their lives to monsters was important, whether in the civilian world or among the nobility. It was believed that if the souls of those killed by monsters were not properly mourned, they would turn into evil spirits.

But regardless of the truth, it was a serious matter to honor the knights who had sacrificed their lives to protect people.

I offered flowers at the altar and prayed. After a moment, I finished my turn and turned around, only to meet Owen’s gaze from the other side of the hall.

Pretending not to see him, I turned away and headed toward Theodore. At that moment, I thought I heard Owen’s low laugh, which sent a shiver down my spine.

Noticing my pale face, Theodore took my hand and asked,

“Lily, are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

I replied curtly and stood beside him with proper posture. Despite the fact that it was unnecessary, Theodore wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Feeling almost embraced by him, I felt uncomfortable. As I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress the urge to run away, I saw Owen approaching slowly.

When he finally reached me, he smiled and said,

“I’m glad you’re safe, Lily. How are you feeling?”

“…I’m fine, thank you for your concern, brother.”

I responded as if reciting a script and glanced around him. The suspicious mage was nowhere to be seen. Had he not attended the memorial service?

At that moment, Owen spoke to Theodore in a calm tone.

“I’d like to have a word with Lily alone.”

Theodore’s eyebrows twitched. The hand on my shoulder tightened. He refused with a seemingly kind smile.

“That’s not possible. If you want to talk, do it here.”

“Why? We’re just siblings having a chat.”

“Ah, what do you want to talk about? Is it something I, Lily’s husband, shouldn’t hear?”

The atmosphere between the two of them turned as cold as winter. Thinking it was disgraceful at a memorial service, I quickly pushed Theodore’s hand away and stood between them.

“Lily…!”

“I’ll be right back, don’t worry.”

I reassured him, preventing him from grabbing me again. Owen laughed as if amused and extended his hand. I took it mechanically and followed him as he led the way.

I could feel Theodore’s gaze on my back, but I didn’t turn around.

Owen led me to a deserted corridor and looked at me with a blank expression. His eyes seemed to be assessing whether I was still useful or if I was beyond repair.

Owen, gripping my hand painfully tight, said in a soft tone,

“It’s time to start preparing for a divorce, Lily Everett.”