[I love you, Eve.]

The letter jumped out at her. The shock delivered by that short sentence was tremendous. The bl＊＊d in her body turned cold, and a chill ran down her spine. Even her hands trembled pathetically.

“My lady?”

“Huh… What?”

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Flutter. The letter slipped from Olivia’s hand and fell. Ann, the maid who had been organizing the bookshelf nearby, approached Olivia with a puzzled expression.

“Should I finish organizing His Grace’s desk?”

“N-no. It’s fine. I’m fine… Just continue what you were doing.”

Olivia adamantly stopped Ann from approaching and hurriedly picked up the fallen letter. The contents were something no one else should ever see.

She neatly placed the letter back where it belonged and firmly closed the drawer.

“You don’t look well. Even if it is His Grace’s study, you don’t need to clean it yourself every time, my lady. Why don’t you rest for today?”

“Yes. His Grace’s desk is clean today too, so I suppose I can leave now.”

Olivia forced her uncooperative lips into a smile. The path to her room felt unusually long.

Since she first set foot in the ducal residence, cleaning the Duke’s study had been something she insisted on doing. It seemed to have been pointless enthusiasm. 

No, rather than that, should she blame her curiosity for opening someone else’s unsealed letter?

The fact that it was her husband’s letter offered no absolution. He was merely a strategic partner connected to her through a contract marriage.

And one new fact she learned today.

Her contract husband had a hidden lover.

* * *

After seeing the letter, Olivia’s mood remained low throughout. Even lying in bed wrapped in blankets, her hands and feet were cold, her head felt dazed like she’d been struck, and her heart pounded wildly.

What kind of emotion was this? A sense of betrayal toward the contract husband she had trusted? If only it were such an emotion.

Olivia curled her body into a ball and sniffled quietly. This wasn’t mere betrayal. This deep sorrow that felt like her heart was being torn apart—this was the grief of heartbreak.

Though the marriage was nominally a union for business contracts, Olivia’s true feelings were different. Olivia had liked Edmund for a long time.

She had harbored feelings for Edmund for two years now. She had taken the place beside him as his wife six months ago, and during that time, Edmund had faithfully fulfilled his role as a husband.

Watching the affectionate Edmund, she had even begun to harbor hopeful expectations. The reality of those expectations shattering completely was far too cruel.

“Who on earth is Eve…”

The name “Eve” was extremely familiar to Olivia. But the Eve that Edmund mentioned couldn’t possibly be that “Eve.” Olivia mentally went through prominent figures in high society. No one in particular came to mind.

Knock knock.

How long had she been immersed in sorrow? 

Dusk was gradually settling outside the window that had been bright before. At Olivia’s weak response, Ann carefully opened the bedroom door and entered.

“My lady. His Grace’s carriage has just passed through the gate. Won’t you go greet His Grace today?”

It was a greeting she hadn’t missed once in six months. But right now, she couldn’t muster the courage to face him. Instead of getting up, Olivia buried herself deeper into the bed.

“I’m not feeling well. I’ll skip dinner tonight, so could you attend to His Grace in my place?”

“I knew you weren’t feeling well! I should have called for a physician earlier. I’ll call one now.”

“There’s no need. I’m just lacking energy. I’ll feel better after resting well. Go attend to His Grace now, Ann.”

“Then if you feel uncomfortable even late at night, you must call for me.”

Ann kept looking back worriedly until the last moment before leaving the room. Olivia let out a deep sigh under the covers. 

After making the excuse that she wasn’t feeling well, it really did seem that way. Her gloomy mood made her body feel heavy like waterlogged cotton.

Soon it became noisy outside. Edmund must have arrived. She quietly held her breath and listened to the commotion outside.

It was a late return. Edmund would probably go straight to the dining room for dinner, then work in his study before entering the bedroom late at night.

Olivia planned to pretend to be asleep and somehow avoid Edmund until tomorrow. She didn’t know if seeing his face would get any easier with time, but right now she didn’t want to see his face.

Knock knock.

In the silent room, another knock sounded. It was probably Ann, who had been too worried to leave easily earlier.

“Come in.”

Olivia sat up. Perhaps grateful for Ann’s kind heart, her gloomy mood seemed to improve a little.

However, the silhouette visible through the open door was much larger than Ann’s. Even in the dark room without any lights on, she couldn’t mistake that large frame that stepped boldly into the room.

“I heard you’re not feeling well.”

“Ah…”

It was Edmund. Whether he had come straight to the bedroom after returning home, the cool scent of outside air wafted strongly from him as he approached.

Olivia shrank back in dismay. She had planned to avoid him by pretending to sleep, but his unexpected appearance had turned her plan to nothing.

“Oh my.”

Suddenly, Edmund stopped his quick approach toward the bed.

He frowned faintly, then immediately turned and left the bedroom. It was an exit as sudden as his unannounced entrance. Olivia stared at the door where he had disappeared in bewilderment.

He was definitely someone she didn’t want to see, yet watching his retreating figure made her want to chase after him. Even knowing of Edmund’s infidelity, her feelings for him hadn’t changed one bit. It was truly a foolish heart.

Just as the letter’s contents resurfaced and gloom began to consume Olivia, Edmund returned.

“It should be fine now.”

Edmund, who smiled gently, was dressed differently than before. He had changed from his outdoor clothes to indoor attire, and instead of coldness, a warm heat emanated from him.

Edmund lit the room’s lamp, then carefully sat on the edge of the bed. Then, naturally, he took Olivia’s hand in his.

“Have you seen a physician?”

Edmund caressed Olivia’s hand, seemingly wanting to share his body heat with her. At that affectionate touch, Olivia lowered her head deeply. She answered with a nod instead of words.

When her face became hidden from view, Edmund’s straight eyebrows furrowed. He stood up without delay.

“I’ll bring a physician right now.”

“Please don’t.”

Olivia firmly grasped his hand to stop Edmund. Edmund paused and stared down at the small hands clutching his own.

Olivia, startled by her own action, tried to quickly pull her hands away, but Edmund covered the back of her hand with his other hand, preventing her from doing so. He obediently sat back down, acting like Olivia’s small strength was an irresistible force.

“Alright. If that’s what you wish. But you can’t skip meals.”

“…”

“I’ve told the chef to prepare easily digestible food, so please eat at least a little.”

Was it her imagination? Edmund’s words, which were always affectionate, felt particularly piercing today. Edmund’s voice seemed to contain a magical power that made it impossible for the listener to refuse his wishes.

When Olivia nodded like someone under a spell, Edmund lightly patted the back of her hand in praise.

Soon Ann brought soup on a silver tray. Olivia reached out to receive the tray. However, Edmund’s hand was one step faster.

“I’ll do it.”

“…Pardon?”

She didn’t understand for a moment what he meant to do. Edmund personally resolved Olivia’s question right away.

“Ah, please.”

He brought a spoonful of soup to her lips. Olivia flailed her hands in the air, flustered by his completely unexpected service.

“It’s, it’s fine. I can eat by myself.”

“But you’re not feeling well.”

Still, she had the strength to hold a spoon. No, in the first place, there was nothing wrong with her body. Only her heart was aching.

But she couldn’t possibly explain that situation. Olivia had no choice but to open her mouth, her face burning bright red.