Chapter 5 (Part 3)

After eating until she was full and taking a short break, Cardin put some tomatoes on her plate.

“Just eat this too.”

“I’m full.”

Despite Cardin continually adding more to her plate, she barely managed to eat. Feeling she couldn’t eat anymore, she stood up.

“I really can’t eat anymore.”

Cardin laughed and said,

“Brienne, just eat this, and I won’t ask you to eat more.”

He didn’t take his eyes off her.

“Hmm?”

Seeing his pleading gaze, she reluctantly sat back down and put the tomato in her mouth. With a stiff face, she swallowed it, and Cardin lifted the corners of his mouth.

“I didn’t know you could make a face like that.”

“What face?”

“Never mind, it reminds me of the face you made when I messed up the chickpea soup.”

She awkwardly laughed. Cardin leaned forward and whispered,

“Why aren’t you being honest now?”

“Hmm?”

As she slightly pulled back, Cardin’s eyes curved sweetly.

“It’s all over your face.”

She sighed and said,

“It’s because I’m full. You keep feeding me.”

Cardin laughed. The sound of his laughter tickled her ears. The look in his eyes was as gentle and endlessly bright as it was in the cabin.

“Next time, I’ll make sure you don’t overeat.”

When she nodded, Cardin ate the food she left and said,

“I was worried about you.”

“……”

“I wondered if you didn’t eat much in that place and if it affected your health.”

“Is it because of the infertility?”

Cardin lifted his gaze. Unlike before, there was no laughter, giving him a slightly cold impression. Thinking she might have said something unnecessary, she avoided his eyes, but a low voice reached her.

“Do you want to try getting treatment?”

“Treatment?”

“For the infertility. I know a renowned doctor.”

Infertility was unlikely to be cured, and she was someone who would maintain the marriage only until his feelings cooled.

“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about it.”

Cardin’s gaze hardened slightly. Feeling she might have disappointed him, she felt uneasy.

“I thought the infertility might be bad for you. After all, it’s an abnormality in your body.”

“They said it wouldn’t affect my life.”

Cardin looked at her for a moment before speaking.

“It might be that the doctor in Romseed Village didn’t diagnose you properly.”

Brienne hadn’t shown any signs of poor health until now. While she was lost in thought, she felt his persistent gaze. There was a strange obsession, even though he said it was okay if the infertility wasn’t cured. It felt as if he wanted a child with her.

‘Maybe it’s natural.’

His gaze, words, and attitude all seemed sincere.

‘Even if I get treatment, it probably won’t be cured.’

Still, since Cardin spoke so earnestly, it was hard to refuse outright. At that moment, Cardin said,

“This time, while getting a proper examination…”

“I’ll get treatment.”

Brienne didn’t have any expectations of curing the infertility. Even in Peroy, she had taken the infertility medicine Kelle had given her consistently. Despite that, there was no change in her body, and every time she got checked, they said she couldn’t have children.

No matter how renowned the doctor, her infertility wouldn’t be cured. Cardin’s face brightened for a moment. He smiled and kissed her cheek. His eyes seemed more joyous than before, as if he was genuinely happy.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Even if I get examined by the doctor, the infertility might not be cured.”

“……”

“Even if we do our best, the results might not be good.”

She didn’t mind, but she didn’t want to disappoint Cardin.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Cardin smiled and kissed her lips. She asked out of curiosity,

“Does it really not matter?”

“Yes.”

Seeing his bright smile, she thought maybe he was genuinely concerned about her health.

At that moment, Cardin kissed her cheek. As she slightly lifted her gaze, he kissed her lips as if he was determined. With soft breaths, his body pressed against hers.

With his solid presence, his breath was rough. As if he had been waiting for this moment, his hands wrapped around her waist without hesitation.

Cardin seemed like he would go all the way. She barely exhaled and said,

“Can we just sleep tonight?”

Cardin frowned slightly and looked at her.

“Why? Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I just want to sleep comfortably tonight.”

Cardin laughed as if he found it absurd.

“Is it uncomfortable being with me?”

“That’s not what I mean…”

“Alright. Let’s just sleep tonight.”

He smiled and pulled the bell cord. Several servants came up and cleared the food.

Then, belatedly, an aide came in. As soon as he met Cardin’s eyes, he approached closely.

“Regarding the investment in Lorend…”

“I’ve already checked that earlier.”

His voice was lower than when he was with her. As if his mood was disturbed. The aide spoke cautiously.

“The palace handled it faster than expected, and His Majesty is hosting a banquet tonight.”

Cardin let out a hollow laugh.

“Suddenly?”

“His Majesty is known for his generous nature, and since this investment was led by you, Your Grace, the royal family seems to be paying more attention.”

At that moment, Cardin looked at her. His expression softened considerably.

“It seems I have to go out for work, but I’ll be back soon.”

“You don’t have to come back quickly. Don’t rush just because you’re thinking of me.”

Cardin smiled and kissed her cheek. He immediately left the room. She stood by the window and looked outside.

Shortly after, the carriage carrying Cardin and the aide left the estate. Just watching the carriage run made it seem busy. Brienne felt sorry, wondering if she was hindering his time.

She looked at the empty garden for a while, then washed in the bathroom and lay down on the bed.

Without Cardin, it felt strangely cold and lonely. She didn’t want to be intimate, just wanted to sleep together.

Oddly, when she slept alone in Peroy, she didn’t feel this lonely. She blamed the weather and pulled the blanket over her.

‘It must be because it’s cold.’

Then she tossed and turned for a long time.

* * *

The next morning, the weather was dark as if it wasn’t good. Then there was a knock on the door. Melin, seeing she was awake, was startled and bowed her head.

“Madam, are you awake?”

“Has Cardin not returned yet?”

“He came back briefly at dawn and then left.”

She was a little surprised. She didn’t even know Cardin had returned. At that moment, Melin offered a silver tray. The red tea in the white teacup stood out. It was chillingly similar to blood.

“Is it the tea the Duke’s mother gave as a gift?”

“Yes.”

Brienne wasn’t in the mood and didn’t feel like drinking it, but she picked up the teacup. Taking a sip, it was as bitter as before. Unpleasantly so.

Still, she finished it and set the cup down.

The breakfast on the table was smaller than before. She was relieved that Cardin seemed to listen to her, yet she missed him.

“When will Cardin return?”

“He’ll probably be back around evening.”

She slowly nodded. At that moment, Melin offered a box decorated with a black ribbon.

“This is a gift from Lady Hernes. It’s in pill form, easy to eat, and she said to take it with the tea.”

Opening the box, she saw black pills. They looked easy to eat and smelled like chocolate. She ate one without thinking, and the sweet taste tickled her tongue.

Seeing her expression brighten, Melin cautiously asked,

“Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s better than the tea. Please thank the Duke’s for me.”

Melin nodded. Then she seemed to remember something and hurriedly said,

“A doctor will be coming soon.”

It wasn’t surprising since Cardin had told her before.

Twenty minutes after Melin left the room, a doctor knocked on the door. The doctor was a woman wearing glasses. She asked about her health and carefully examined her eyes and wrist.

Then she handed her a small red potion, the size of a thumbnail.

“Drink this.”

Brienne drank it as instructed. It tasted bitter. Just like the tea Hernes had given her. After thinking for a moment, she asked,

“Is there a tea with this color?”

“Well, I’m not sure about tea, but usually, if it has this color, it tastes very bitter and has a very strong effect.”

“Does it have a strong effect?”

“Of course, my words might not be the answer, but liquids with a deep red color tend to be like that.”

Strong effect. It felt strange. Since it tasted very bitter too.

At that moment, the doctor offered a white paper.

“Please open your mouth for a moment.”

When she opened her mouth, the doctor lightly touched her tongue with the paper and removed it. She waited while the doctor dipped it in a blue solution. It reminded her of the hospital she visited in Romseed Village.

Waiting nervously, the doctor turned to her.

“It’s infertility.”

Brienne didn’t have any expectations. Infertility clung to her body persistently and wouldn’t heal. The doctor kindly continued.

“I’ll prescribe you medicine that’s good for infertility, so you’ll need to take it consistently.”

When she nodded absentmindedly, the doctor spoke softly.

“If you take the medicine consistently, you might be cured.”

The doctor kindly explained the medicine and left the room. She was staring blankly at the daisy on the table when there was a knock on the door, and Melin approached busily.

“Madam, the wedding dress and flowers have arrived. Would you like to see them?”

Wedding preparations already. 

Brienne was surprised for a moment, but Melin quickly explained.

“This time, a famous boutique sent a special selection of wedding dresses!”

The bustling energy slightly alleviated the emptiness she felt earlier. Since she didn’t particularly refuse, Melin hurriedly brought people in. Looking at the wedding dresses, they were incredibly diverse and beautiful.