Previously
While riding through the woods, Eleanora encounters Killian Blackwell in physical distress and, despite his rudeness, diagnoses him with acute indigestion and exhaustion. She gives him ginger candy and medical advice, surprising him with her lack of fear compared to other women.
Killian’s stomach violently churned, as though the past were replaying before his eyes.
Ever since that fateful day, “women” had become terror incarnate to him.
The mere scent of cosmetics threw his mind into disarray, and even a woman’s fingertip brushing against him triggered visceral hallucinations of drowning in icy waters.
With trembling hands, Killian uncapped the glass vial Eleanora had left behind. The sweet, pungent scent of ginger rushed out.
As if entranced, he placed a piece of candied ginger into his mouth and bit down.
Crunch—
Along with the sound of sugar shattering between his teeth, a fiery warmth bloomed over his tongue.
“…!”
Almost miraculously, his churning gut settled. The lingering, briny reek from that day and the nightmarish cosmetic perfumes that clung to him vanished entirely. His breathing smoothed out, and his racing heart quieted down.
‘Now that I think about it… that woman didn’t have “that scent.”’
She hadn’t worn any heavy perfume; in fact, there wasn't even the faintest smell of powder on her.
All he had caught from her was the cool, crisp odor of disinfectant, the fragrance of dried herbs, and clean soap.
Even maids who never wore perfume made his stomach turn merely by stepping close, but she was different.
( ‘Was it because of the disinfectant?’ )
Killian tilted his head, perplexed.
At any rate, the remedy undeniably worked. He slipped the empty vial into his pocket and rose to his feet.
Yet for some reason, the lingering image of Eleanora walking away refused to leave his mind.
( ‘Her back… looked familiar.’ )
Where had he seen it before? That small, resolute back.
Killian shook his head to banish the thought.
It was likely only because her surname matched that of “that woman” that he felt this bizarre sensation.
He had dwelled on her enough. Besides, he would never see her again.
There was only one thing left for him to do: quietly pass the time until the train arrived to take him away.
Yet that wish was shattered the following day by an unwelcome visitor.
Owen Hughes. The man who had served as Killian’s second-in-command on the battlefield and later became his chief of staff after the war took off his hat with a broad grin.
Did he honestly expect him to handle all of that tedious nonsense?
Killian’s brow twitched.
Killian growled like a lion. Owen casually shrugged his shoulders.
Killian ran a hand over his face in sheer exhaustion.
Using money to manipulate and control people at her whim was that old woman’s favorite specialty.
In the end, he was trapped in this remote countryside without any way out.
Completely oblivious to Killian's inner turmoil, Owen burst into loud laughter.
Instead of answering, Killian fidgeted with the vial inside his pocket.
Lately, after following that woman’s advice—cutting out caffeine and chewing on candied ginger—his stomach had improved noticeably.
And yet, here it was, souring again in a heartbeat.
( ‘Is there none left?’ )
He tipped the vial upside down and shook it vigorously, but nothing fell out except a few grains of sugar.
He had eaten every single piece once again.
Damn it!
Eleanora was on her way back to the clinic after a house call, deep in thought.
The look on Julian’s face when he heard that the count’s daughter had utterly changed her mind remained vividly etched in her memory.
He had looked as desolate as if the entire country had fallen.
( ‘As for Lord Blackwell, he must have boarded the train yesterday, right?’ )
Indeed. If he was of no help in the first place, it was far better for the Thorne family that he vanished as quickly as possible. His presence did nothing but make everyone walk on eggshells around him.
Eleanora let out a deep sigh. Just then, someone waved a hand while approaching her.
Jim was the town’s mail carrier.
With his customary friendly smile, Jim pulled an envelope from his bag.
In this town, the mansion with the blue door was even grander than Count Ashford’s estate.
Because the price was astronomical, it had sat on the market for years without finding a buyer.
Who could have possibly bought such an enormous residence?
After Jim took his leave, Eleanora checked the letter.
<Percival Stirling>
The moment she saw the name penned on the envelope, her eyes widened in shock.
Professor Percival. Dean of the medical college in Berrington, one of the leading authorities in clinical surgery, and her personal mentor.
<Impudent student. How much longer do you intend to rot away in that backwater village?>
As soon as she unfolded the letter, sharp words poured over her, bringing a bitter smile to Eleanora's lips.
<There are still plenty of people searching for you. Everyone is making a fuss because they want to award you a medal, but since you’ll end up in prison the moment you step forward to receive it, there is no choice but to stay patient.>
<Even so, Eleanora, remaining in Oakbridge is not the right choice. You still have so much more to learn. Are you not the one who knows that those afraid of minor sacrifices never achieve greatness? Come back before it is too late.>
Eleanora’s expression darkened.
It wasn't that she lacked passion for medicine. In truth, she desperately wished to study deeper, learn under renowned masters, and interact with academic elites.
Yet learning required exorbitant sums of money.
She had managed to get through her university years on scholarships, but…
( ‘Of course, the professor would try to help me.’ )
However, she had already burdened him far too much. She could not bring herself to impose on him any further.
‘Besides, this ordinary life isn’t so bad.’
A quiet life spent helping the folk of this countryside town, just as her father had done.
Even if she lived in relative modesty, she had resolved to find contentment in this quiet, comfortable existence.
Eleanora slipped the letter into her pocket and resumed walking.
Before she realized it, she had arrived in front of the house with the blue door. Workmen were busy carrying luggage past the fence.
‘Even if the mansion was furnished beforehand, that’s remarkably little luggage.’
What kind of story lay behind this?
Regardless, she thought she would go and greet her new neighbor later.
Just as she turned around…
Eleanora’s heart lurched at the sound of the voice behind her.
Turning around, she found Killian glaring down at her with a displeased scowl.
Killian crossed his arms with an arrogant posture, looking at her as if she had been tailing him.
How ridiculous. What reason would I ever have to follow you around?
Eleanora pointed toward the red-brick building. Killian turned his head toward the direction of her finger.
‘It’s right next door!’
Killian’s brow furrowed deeply.
Killian let out a heavy sigh as he spoke. Eleanora’s eyes rounded in surprise.
Even though his meeting with Vivian had ended in the worst possible disaster, he was staying? Why?
At any rate…
He gestured with his chin toward the house with the blue door. Eleanora could hardly believe her ears.
It was unthinkable that he would buy an entire mansion for a mere temporary stay. Had he rented it?
“Is there any reason I shouldn't?”
Killian answered with blatant impudence. Eleanora was struck speechless.
Truly, the wealthy lived in another world. To simply buy a mansion outright just to stay for a short while…
Feigning composure, she smiled.
Killian was about to flatly refuse.
Owen’s voice called out to him from inside the estate grounds.
As Killian turned his head, Eleanora seized the moment to make her farewell.
She briskly hurried past him.
Killian watched her retreating figure with a strangely unsettled expression.
In the end, he had been unable to finish declaring that they shouldn't even acknowledge each other if they met.