Iren sought ways to heal Rian with a readiness to face death. Having braved death once made it somewhat easier the second time. And if Rian were to leave her side, she would have no reason to live anyway.

Contrary to the doctor’s words that he wouldn’t live long, Rian stubbornly survived.

He coughed up blood, wandered through the brink of death without opening his eyes for days, and his limbs stiffened like those of a corpse, but he didn’t leave Iren’s side.

With each episode, Iren despaired and was saved by the strong life force in his tiny body.

Rian was much stronger than Iren thought. At some point, Iren stopped doubting him.

Instead of doubt and despair, she harbored hope that he would definitely get better. Because Rian was strong enough to grow in her poisoned body.

It wasn’t me who chose Rian. It was Rian who chose me, and life. He’s a blessing sent down for me on the edge of a cliff. So, Rian won’t give up. Neither can I.

Four years passed. As the three years mentioned by some doctors passed, Rian’s health noticeably improved. The frequency of seizures decreased, and even when they occurred, he didn’t lose consciousness.

It might have been a critical period up to three years, or maybe the medicine Iren recently researched was effective. Either way, it was good for Iren and Rian.

But still, misfortune seemed to wait for the moment of relief.

It had been a long time since such bleeding occurred, so Iren couldn’t calm down easily.

“Please… not this child. Leave me this one. Let him stay by my side…”

Iren prayed to an unnamed god. Like most people, she didn’t believe in gods. Or rather, she hadn’t believed.

But while raising Rian alone, she needed something to rely on, especially after learning that Rian had a congenital disease.

Anything is fine. Any being doesn’t matter. It doesn’t have to be the compassionate and divine god people talk about; even an ugly demon is fine.

If only I can protect Rian, if only I can save him, I’m willing to offer even my soul.

“…Mom…”

Rian called Iren. Tears welled up at his unusually powerless voice.

“You can sleep more. Did you wake up because it hurts?”

“It doesn’t hurt… Mom.”

Rian struggled to smile with his pale, bloodless lips.

“Mom makes it not hurt. Today too, Mom made Rian not hurt. I love you, Mom…”

After finishing what he wanted to say, Rian fell asleep again. Iren finally burst into tears she had been holding back.

* * *

‘This can’t go on. There must be a way… for Rian to fully recover.’

Iren’s steps slowed down more and more. It was a visit she didn’t want to make, and her mind was cluttered with thoughts about Rian.

Two days after Rian collapsed, a message came from the Count’s estate. The Countess requested her to visit as soon as possible.

When she asked the servant what it was about, the only response she got was that she’ll hear the details from the Countess herself.

‘Did Lucia say something to the Countess? I might have to leave this place.’

Iren thought as she entered the Count’s estate. Even though she should prepare for the worst, she wasn’t troubled at all.

Such matters were only bothersome and couldn’t bring her any distress. Her priority was always Rian’s well-being.

Thanks to her steady progress, she arrived at Lucia’s bedroom. Iren tidied up her appearance and knocked on the door.

“It’s Rel.”

“Come in.”

When she opened the door, she saw the Countess and Lucia sitting at a table, drinking tea. Lucia’s complexion seemed fine, indicating that this call wasn’t for medical reasons.

So, it was the argument that caused the problem. Iren steeled her heart and stood near the door.

“I heard there was an urgent matter.”

“I heard from my daughter. It would have been better if you had told us sooner. Why did you hide it?”

“I’m sorry, but what do you mean…?”

“That you once worked as a maid in a count’s family?”

Iren glanced at Lucia. Lucia smirked as their eyes met.

“I don’t think my past is necessary information for examining the young miss.”

“Oh my. Don’t get me wrong, Rel. I didn’t bring it up to upset you.”

The Countess waved her hand dismissively. Her calm demeanor didn’t match someone who had heard of their argument. As Iren remained silent to grasp the situation, the Countess continued.

“Actually, I’m thinking of sending Lucia to the capital for a while. For about a month.”

“She’s not yet in a good condition to travel.”

“I know. But we must go this time.”

Iren suddenly remembered her conversation with the Count. The Count also asked when Lucia might fully recover.

It was clear why the Countess wanted to send her to the capital.

“Are you really so clueless? Don’t you know about the celebration party in the capital?”

“A celebration… party?”

“Yes! This celebration party is not just any party. Duke Cardius is going to attend.”

Iren’s eyes widened. Seeing Iren’s surprise, Lucia laughed excitedly.

“It’s a party where Duke Cardius will choose his remarriage partner!”

Tea splashed from the cup Lucia was holding as she made a fuss. The Countess tapped Lucia’s wrist with a fan.

“Calm down. What kind of behavior are you showing in front of a guest?”

“How can I calm down now, Mother? Duke Cardius, of all people! The Duke who hasn’t shown his face in society, let alone at a party.”

“It’s not certain yet. And even if the Duke attends, whether he chooses a remarriage partner is up to him.”

“Mother really. Then why are you sending me to the capital? You must believe something, that’s why you’re sending me.”

The Countess covered her mouth with a fan and glanced at Lucia. Her look said it was unnecessary to talk nonsense in front of Iren, but an excited Lucia ignored the Countess and propped her chin with both hands.

“They say he’s unbelievably handsome. Even a brief encounter is enough to fall in love. How handsome must he be for them to talk like that?”

“Good looks don’t do much. Look at your father. What he does with his good looks.”

“Don’t say terrible things. How can you compare Father to Duke Cardius? Duke Cardius is a true romantic. It’s been 5 years, and he still hasn’t remarried because he can’t forget his late wife.”

Iren, who had been silently listening, felt a twitch at the corner of her eyes.

It was an innocent remark from a naive young lady. A romantic? Who exactly? Lahart Cardius?

He was the man who appeared at her wedding wearing funeral attire and even recited marriage vows at her funeral in wedding clothes.

It seemed his eccentricities hadn’t reached this southern region yet. That’s why Lucia could dreamily talk such nonsense with starry eyes.

Not being able to forget his late wife couldn’t possibly be the reason he hadn’t remarried.

Perhaps it would be more convincing if he hadn’t remarried because he fell in love with a man.

Any reason could be better than that.

At least Iren, who knew his true nature, couldn’t think otherwise.

“Young ladies seem to gossip about that. The rumors I’ve heard are a bit different.”

“What is it? What do they say?”

“Duke Cardius…”

The Countess, about to speak naturally, noticed Iren and closed her mouth as if realizing something. Lucia puffed her cheeks, urging the Countess to continue.

The Countess clicked her tongue at Lucia and turned to look at Iren.

“I’m sorry. It seems we’ve only talked about ourselves.”

“Not at all. Are you saying that you want Miss Lucia to attend the party?”

“That’s right. There’s a distance to the capital, and we need time to prepare upon arrival, so I’d like us to leave as early as possible.”

“My opinion hasn’t changed from what I mentioned earlier. It’s still too early for her to travel.”

“That’s why I called you here. You’re really oblivious, aren’t you? I wonder if it’s okay to bring such a blockhead.”

“Lucia!”

Lucia got up from her chair and approached Iren. Then, she lifted Iren’s chin with the fan she was holding.

“You will have to go to the capital with me. As my personal pharmacist and maid.”

“I can’t leave my shop for a long period. I’m sorry, but I cannot accept your offer.”

“Does this sound like an offer to you?”

Lucia smiled mischievously. A bad premonition crawled on Iren’s skin like a snake.

“Your son. If you don’t listen to me, whatever happens to that little brat is not my concern.”

* * *

She didn’t know what state of mind she had when she returned from the Count’s estate. When Iren came to her senses, it was the middle of the night, and everything was immersed in darkness.

Rian was soundly asleep beside her. Iren carefully slipped out of the bed.

She checked and double-checked whether the door and windows were properly locked. It was already the fifth time, but her unease did not subside.

“Your son. If you don’t listen to me, whatever happens to that little brat is not my concern.”

She couldn’t just let Lucia insult Rian like that. It was a matter of not letting her belittle both herself and Rian… She had just incurred the wrath of Lucia Lempard.

Though Lucia Lempard was at fault, Iren knew all too well that the world would not take her side.

‘I absolutely must not follow Lucia Lempard to the capital.’

It was none other than the time for Duke Cardius’s commemoration party. Lucia would surely take Iren to the party venue. Her plan was to embarrass her in front of the nobles.

What Iren feared was not Lucia, who knew how to play dirty tricks. It was the man that she might encounter there.

Her chest felt tight. Iren looked up at the moon shining through the windowpane. The silver-white moon that rose high and illuminated the night reminded her of someone.

After leaving Sirencia, she tried not to think about that person as much as possible.

In fact, the medicine Iren recently started feeding Rian was a modified version of the antidote she had developed for that person five years ago.

Since other medicines were hardly effective, she had no choice but to opt for this method, and it allowed Rian to show improvement.

However, with Rian’s seizures starting again, it was time to further advance the medicine. There was just one ingredient she needed for that.

Over four years, she used and combined various herbs and poisons but had never once used this ingredient that remained.

The irelaide flower that blooms only in Sirencia.

Iren calmly took in the sight of Rian sleeping.

Fate is indeed cruel.