Chapter 61
Already on the fifth day of the relentless monsoon, the day of the crown prince's birthday banquet arrived. The sun had vanished by midday, and only the dark clouds covering the sky spewed rain. As night fell, the world grew even more somber under the clouds' shadow. The fierce downpour, intent on flooding the land, battered the windows as if trying to break in.
Kinder Toten checked that the windows were firmly shut and drew the curtains. The Toten Marquisate, usually filled with the scent of sunlight, reeked of damp mold today.
Kinder's eyes were shadowed black from sleepless nights for days. Her eyelids were red from endless tears. Sitting by the bed all day had left her back aching terribly. But Kinder forgot her pain at the faint voice that soon followed.
"M-Mother…."
"Rider! Yes, Mother's here."
Rushing to the bed in one stride, Kinder stroked her sweat-soaked son's head and kept speaking to him. His body felt unusually hot to the touch.
Five days ago, around when the monsoon began, Rider's condition had worsened dramatically. Yesterday, he hadn't opened his eyes all day, wracked by high fever, and only now, after a night had passed, had he barely regained consciousness.
Rider had always been sickly since birth, but this was by far the worst. The servants in the marquisate had secretly prepared black mourning clothes without the marchioness's knowledge. Only one person in the mansion refused to accept the child's death.
"Mother. Loving Mother."
"Don't speak anymore. You're in so much pain, aren't you? How could our baby…? Don't worry. Mother will surely cure you."
Rider fully savored the love and concern enveloping his body. The feeling that one person's existence filled the entire world. But time was short now, so rather than acting spoiled, he needed to convey his message to his mother first.
"If this is my end, let me leave a will at least."
"No, it's not! Rider. Why must you die? Why you…."
Unlike the unusually calm child, Kinder wailed, clawing at her chest. The rain outside swallowed her cries, intensifying. It was as if adult and child had swapped roles in accepting death.
"Mother. Listen."
A will. Perhaps because of those words, despite the raging fever, he spoke clearly without coughing, like an elderly person burning their final spark before death.
Kinder didn't want to believe it, but instinctively realized this was the last moment. Swallowing her tears, she clung close to the child. A consideration so he could speak softly. Hot breath exhaled into her ear.
"Even without me, protect the marquisate for yourself, Mother."
"Rider?"
"Though I couldn't inherit the marquis's title, you must protect it."
Rider spoke of the time after his death. The child's will wasn't about his own desires but for his mother, who might lose everything alone after he died.
With father and Rider gone, only the marquisate would remain for his mother. She couldn't lose even that.
"Don't trust the butler. Or the nursemaid."
Kinder nodded as if listening intently. Satisfied by the sight, Rider coughed violently.
"Forgive me for leaving you alone, Mother."
Rider fulfilled his duty as the sensible young viscount. Having said his piece, tears burst forth. Only then did the child sob and act spoiled. Kinder wiped his tears with trembling hands. It felt like someone had torn out her heart.
"I… really wanted to be like Father."
"Rider."
The child wanted to grow like his father, a faint memory at best. Like the father everyone in the marquisate missed and loved.
"I wanted to be worthy of the viscountcy."
"No, Rider. You've done better than anyone. There's no child as admirable as you in the world."
Rider, wise beyond his years, knew only one person saw him that way.
"I hate this curse too. It's not what I wanted."
"It's not a curse. Don't say that. Who dared say such a thing? Mother will scold them."
"You love me, right, Mother?"
"Of course. More than anything in the world."
More than anything. My son. Beloved Rider. Kinder kept speaking until no reply came. Even the sound of tears faded. Had the rain stolen her sobs?
"Rider? My baby?"
Even the ragged breathing stopped. Kinder stared blankly at Rider. Her vision flickered black. The child had fallen into deep sleep, silent. His pupils dilated. Kinder stroked his eyelids shut. His body felt unusually cold. The fever must have broken. Kinder wiped his tear stains and tucked a thick blanket around him meticulously to keep the temperature from dropping.
"Just asleep…?"
Her fingertips trembled. Seeing the motionless child made her head spin. Kinder wanted to scream and wail, but strangely, she felt detached from reality, unable to even cry.
No. Reality? This was just a vile nightmare.
Slap!
Kinder struck her own cheek. So hard that blood filled her mouth.
"Why does it hurt?"
Truly strange. Clearly a dream. Rider was just asleep and would wake soon. Standing dazed, thunder crashed behind Kinder.
In the end, the end had arrived. Rider breathed his last in the monsoon where the sun had hidden away.
"God, did You not even pity my child?"
So You hid behind the dark clouds until the day he died. In the end, Rider was forsaken by the sun god until death.
Kinder refused reality, stroking the child, bursting into tears at his lifeless form, then laughing hollowly. Yes. Instead of railing at a deaf god, find someone else. Forsaken by God, she had no choice but to seek another being. She knew exactly whom.
"I must go to Lady Rohanson."
Evangeline Rohanson. Yes, that pure white devil had said she could revive the child if wished. But in exchange for a living human life…. Would her own life suffice as that price?
'I could give my life gladly, but what if it demands someone else's?'
But the time for hesitation was short. Hadn't Kinder already chosen wrongly once and regretted it bitterly? When the pure white devil proposed, she should have grasped her hand without pause.
Kinder erased her twisted expression and donned a serene mask.
Yes. Perfect timing—the banquet was at the imperial palace today. She'd agreed to chaperone Lady Rohanson, hadn't she? So visiting her now wasn't strange. There was ample time before the crown prince's banquet began. Meet Lady Evangeline early and beg for help. As her chaperone, she'd spare a little, just a bit of time, right?
"Is anyone outside?"
"Yes, Madam."
Her cracked voice called. The door opened quietly, and a maid entered. She held a basin of water and towel—likely wrung out a wet cloth. Her clothes bore rain stains, not yet dry, as if she'd gone out in the downpour.
"Rider's fever has finally broken."
Lying was easy. Rider would revive, so no rumors of death could spread. Her reputation, already poor, would plummet further. She'd be treated like a monster like Lady Rohanson.
"Really? Thank goodness."
The maid glanced at the young master—indeed, his flushed face had cooled, deep in sleep. Despite the foul weather, repeatedly changing wet cloths had meaning—truly fortunate.
"Where's the nursemaid? Why you? And you're a new face?"
"Ah, I'm Weather. It's been four years since I started, but still in the laundry, so naturally you wouldn't know me, Madam."
"Sorry. I mistook you for a new hire."
Weather waved off Kinder's apology. What noble apologizes to a mere laundress?
"No! The nursemaid stepped out briefly to tidy the young master's room, saying he'd arrive soon."
"Young master? The one arriving soon…? Does the nursemaid call him that? Dies, not young master?"
"Pardon? Yes."
Suddenly enraged despite exhaustion, Kinder glared sharply, making Weather tremble, wondering if she'd said something wrong.
The 'young master' just mentioned was Dies, the marquis's younger brother, not Rider. But the nursemaid had raised the marquis brothers since childhood, right? Natural to still call him that.
"I see. While my child lies dying, she's tending to Dies."
Weather finally realized the issue.
'Oh no. I've reported the nursemaid's actions.'
"Weather."
"Yes, yes!"
"I must go meet Lady Rohanson briefly. I'm her chaperone, so I have no choice."
Kinder gripped the maid's shoulder hard. Weather winced in pain but couldn't speak, fidgeting.
"While I'm gone, guard this room. He's in deep sleep, so don't wake him or approach. If anyone enters or makes noise, tell them I'll punish them upon return. Even the nursemaid or Dies—let no one in."
"Me?"
"Succeed, and I'll grant any wish. Please. You're the only one I can entrust this to."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
Weather clenched the wet cloth tightly, vowing firmly. Water droplets beaded from the force.
Kinder left her beloved son with a maid she'd met today and exited the room. Just two hours before the banquet began. She wanted to rush to Rohanson Mansion immediately, but to appear normal, she called maids for hasty primping.
"Just pin up the hair simply. Powder thick enough not to wash off in rain. Jewelry… fetch my wedding gift."
The maids bustled at her orders. Usually taking half a day to prepare for outings, today's minimal instructions left Kinder looking plainer than usual.
One maid, recalling the perfect marchioness, asked.
"Madam, it's a palace banquet—won't this be too plain?"
"Exhausted from nursing Rider, so simple is best. Or do you wish me to doll up while my son's ill?"
Today's gentle marchioness was sharp. Blame the sick Rider. The maid unfairly dumped fault on the young master. The others, mouths shut sensing the mood, glared at the offender.
Kinder took a deep breath and continued resolutely, as if making a great decision.
"It's fine. I'm not the protagonist."
As long as she could stand by Evangeline Rohanson, garish finery or beggar rags mattered not.
Finishing preparations swiftly, Kinder hurried down the stairs. The butler had readied a carriage at the entrance.
"Madam."
Kinder stared silently at the butler who'd served the Toten Marquisate loyally her whole life. Even after her husband's death, he treated her with respect. She'd been grateful, trusted him deeply.
Regrettable to learn late his loyalty didn't extend to her child. Without Lady Rohanson's pointing it out and her son's warning, she'd never have noticed.
Evangeline's words echoed in Kinder's mind. Revived by a demon. It felt like a ray of hope. Even if Rider truly died, hope he could live again.
"When does Dies arrive?"
"Tonight, we heard. Possibly sooner."
The butler seemed oddly pleased saying it.
Yes. Quite pleased. Kinder ground her teeth. Perfect timing for the rarely visiting man. The butler must have tipped him off secretly. Think Rider's dying this time? Far sharper grasp than Kinder. Or just good instincts.
If Rider's death spread, Dies, husband's blood kin, would inherit the marquis title. Kinder, bearing Toten name but no blood tie, lacked claim. That would break Rider's will. Absolutely not.
"You'll go straight to the palace, Madam? I'll inform the coachman."
Staring at the carriage, Kinder ordered a horse instead.
"I'm going to Rohanson Mansion first—just prepare one horse."
"Madam, with this rain, not taking the carriage?"
"Butler. Since when do you interfere? I'll borrow a carriage at Rohanson Mansion—it's fine."
Knowing the truth made words sharp unwittingly. Instead of apologizing, Kinder mounted the horse the servant hastily brought.
She needed time alone with Evangeline. Too many ears at the palace—Rohanson carriage ideal. Of course, they might have left already or refuse to take her.
"Oh dear."
The butler sighed. No time to stop her. Kinder pulled her robe hood low and spurred the horse.
"Could you abandon beloved Rahel for a devil? Even if it demands not the marquisate, but human lives?"
Lady Rohanson's voice lingered vividly. Devil. Devil…. Now Kinder could answer her.
Regrets over past hesitation. Kinder whipped the horse faster. It nearly slipped in the rain, but she ignored it. Wet cheeks from tears or rain? Kinder sped up. Hurry, to the devil.
After Kinder rode off, servants whispered about her unusual actions.
"Why'd Madam leave in such haste?"
"Agreed to chaperone Lady Rohanson."
"With young master ill, she goes chaperoning? Even riding a horse she rarely mounts?"
"Is Lady Rohanson that fearsome?"
The butler, instead of scolding subordinates, pondered words for the arriving VIP. More profitable.
Soon, another carriage arrived at the marquisate.
"Ha, my beloved home. Been too long! Feels great!"
The man descending inhaled deeply, chest puffed. Dies, the late marquis's brother. Rain-scented? Even the damp, rotten fishy smells of Toten Marquisate felt fresh.
"What? All out waiting for me? Geez, no need for such prep."
Actually out to see off the marchioness, but the butler didn't correct. He bowed deeply.
"Welcome, young master. Early arrival."
"Yeah, well. Wanted to see sister-in-law sooner. She's in that carriage? Why no greeting?"
Dies tilted his head at the carriage before the mansion.
"No. She rode off on horseback."
"What! So confusing!"
Dies kicked the carriage; the hastily fitted wheel rattled.
"What's this? So shabby?"
"Who knows."
Dies coughed awkwardly, changing subject.
"Sister-in-law better enjoy. Might be her last banquet? Once I'm Marquis Toten, no reason for her to attend. Not remarrying me for pretext, right? Eugh."
Watching Dies act marquis already, Rak reconsidered his choice. But dice thrown—pray for high roll.
"Rain's pouring—come inside. Nursemaid tidied your room."
"Nursemaid too—long time."
Rak led Dies in. Dies halted abruptly, strutting like homecoming king.
"Right. Where's the kid? Sister-in-law take him?"
Dies meant Rider.
"No. Young master Rider's ill in bed. Madam attending banquet suggests recovery soon."
Ignorant of death, butler speculated reasonably. Loving mother left improving child.
"Tch, die already if dying—tenacious life."
Dies sneered. Rak agreed. Rider outlived five-year prognosis. Fragile thread of life persisted.
Even precedent of curse-breaking appeared. Rak grew urgent—not leisurely wait. Blame sudden Evangeline. Feared she'd truly heal Rider. No—can't seat cursed child as marquis.
Unknown figure aided pondering Rak. Not fool Dies.
"Yeah? Uncle's here, no greeting. Well, ill—I'll forgive. See his face after ages?"
Dies smirked, ascending stairs. Utterly amused. To butler, like child about to stone frog.
