Previously
At the Rodion estate, Euclid Rodion considers a marriage proposal from the Basilian family despite his assistant Delano's vocal protests regarding Evgenia's terrible reputation.
A full week had already passed since I met with the Duke.
My house arrest had been lifted right on that day, but my movements were still restricted.
( ‘Seriously, it was just a mild cold. Why am I being treated like someone on the brink of death?’ )
It was only unfortunate timing that made me collapse from a high fever and stress. Other than that, I was completely fine.
Even on the day I fainted, I had struggled to sleep the night before, and I woke up feeling thoroughly refreshed after getting some proper rest. But the sight that greeted me the moment I opened my eyes was a massive shock.
Trying to steady my unsettled heart, I managed a slight scowl and asked. Only then did the Duke, Sionel, and Alexis, gathered around my bed, clear their throats awkwardly.
I remembered collapsing in the study, but there was no reason for all of them to linger here.
And then…
Out of nowhere, the Duke apologized. It was an apology so completely unexpected and absurd!
Meanwhile, Sionel was looking down with an uncharacteristically guilty expression, and Alexis looked strangely pleased with himself.
Blinking in bewilderment, the truth finally dawned on me.
Even someone utterly oblivious would know that Alexis had run his mouth.
I already had a bad feeling when he apologized for not knowing I was unwell because he had been away for training. And now, look at the ridiculous assumption they were making!
Granted, I had felt a tiny bit hurt by Alexis for a split second.
‘But that was only because I wasn’t feeling well!’
In fact, I had actually considered it a stroke of luck that the Duke hadn't been in the capital.
So I blurted out in a rush,
Yet my words only made the atmosphere turn even stranger.
Not just the Duke and his sons, but even Anne, who was standing by the door, looked at me with an expression of deeper sympathy.
Seeing the Duke—who was usually so cold and composed—speak in such an uncharacteristically gentle tone left me utterly speechless.
I felt like a stubborn child refusing to admit she was hurt out of sheer pride.
And although I tried to clear up the misunderstanding, things only grew worse.
Frustrated to the point of bursting, I never managed to clear the air that day.
And that wasn't the end of it. Throughout the entire week, the ducal family visited constantly, as though I were bedridden. I started thinking it would have been better to remain under house arrest, blissfully unaware of all this.
And every morning and evening…
Yes, herbal decoctions were brewed for me three times a day!
‘Anyone would think I was coughing up blood and knocking on death’s door.’
If that had actually been the case, I wouldn't have felt so aggrieved.
I clicked my tongue, irritated by the exaggeration, but Anne held out the medicine once more, watching me without so much as blinking.
I spoke firmly, even though I felt a bit embarrassed.
A few days ago, I had been caught red-handed trying to pour the medicine out.
She seemed worried, thinking this wasn't typical behavior for Evgenia, though I was secretly relieved to learn that the original Evgenia also hated medicine.
( ‘She often skipped meals too, just like me.’ )
Thanks to that, I could now openly resist taking it.
All of a sudden, I found myself on the receiving end of an unexpected outpouring of affection from my family, alongside devoted care from a maid who seemed far less terrified of me. It felt downright bizarre.
It was awkward, yet I didn't completely dislike it. Unconsciously, I touched my ear, which was beginning to feel warm, as I watched Anne clear away the medicine bowl.
Knock, knock. Someone tapped on the door from the outside.
A quick glance at the clock made it easy to guess who it was.
Right on cue,
A gentle voice called from behind the door.
Sitting across from me was a girl who looked as if she had stepped straight out of a fairy tale: lustrous golden-blonde hair, fresh green eyes, a pure, flawless appearance, and an aura of innocent beauty.
It was none other than Evgenia's cousin and the original heroine of the story, Melissa.
( ‘Isn't she just lovely?’ )
With Melissa sitting here amidst the beautifully landscaped ducal gardens, she was a true feast for the eyes.
Until now, Evgenia had been considered the most beautiful woman in the Empire despite her temper and reputation, but that might change once Melissa debuted in society.
Evgenia was still the epitome of captivating, cold beauty, of course, but I had a soft spot for this sort of gentle charm.
After being surrounded by the sharp-edged Duke and his sons, Melissa's presence felt all the rarer and more precious.
( ‘A face like that couldn't have come from Duke Basilian's bloodline alone.’ )
I had heard that the Duke's sister, Melissa's mother, eloped with a commoner to escape an arranged marriage; that man must have possessed remarkably soft features.
As I found myself wondering if our tastes aligned, Melissa, who had been fidgeting with her teacup, spoke up shyly.
With a soft flush tinting her cheeks as she looked at me, Melissa was so adorable that I felt my heart melting.
A surprisingly sweet voice slipped from my mouth.
And I wasn't lying.
After all, it was Melissa who had rescued me from being cooped up in my room, where I had been confined by the Duke, who had refused to believe the doctor’s assurances that my cold was completely cured.
The only unfortunate part was…
Melissa had come to see me because that mortifying rumor had spread throughout the entire ducal residence.
Having spent so much effort trying to dispel the persistent misunderstanding, my frustration flared before I could stop myself.
Presently, Melissa was still adjusting to the shocking revelation that she belonged to a ducal household.
On top of that, the imperial family had suddenly sent her a marriage proposal, which had driven her cousin into a fit and caused her to collapse. She must have felt that she ought to keep her distance and remain quiet.
And now that she had finally gathered the courage to visit, only to be met with a cold reaction, I could see her wilting under the weight of rejection.
Panicking at finding myself inadvertently playing the villain, I quickly added,
Had it been difficult for her to adapt to living with the Duke’s three icy children in this unfamiliar environment?
In some ways, Evgenia’s face had been the most terrifying of all, yet Melissa looked as overjoyed as a puppy welcoming its owner.
And contrary to his appearance, the Duke—who harbored a hidden weakness when it came to children—couldn't resist his niece's request to stroll in the garden with her cousin.
( ‘Thanks to that, here I am, enjoying tea out in the open air.’ )
As I sipped my tea, surrounded by the garden's opulent grandeur and Melissa's loveliness, I suddenly noticed something odd.