CHAPTER 20

The Marquisate of Reuther was located in the south-central part of the kingdom. It was spring in the capital, but here it was early summer.

While Yan’s birthday party was in full swing, she was sitting under a tent in the rose garden, enjoying some vanilla ice cream.

“Even people I’ve never spoken to are sending me gifts, but my only sister shows up empty-handed.”

Yan muttered sadly. He must be so mad.

“Oh, I’m sorry, just tell me what you want.”

“I’d take it if I wanted something right away, but there’s nothing I really want at the moment.”

“……Then what do you want me to do…….”

“I just wanted to receive my sister’s heart and sincerity.”

A lump rose in her throat.

“I’m really sorry. With graduation and so many weddings, I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot to prepare. Just tell me if you want something.”

“Birthdays that go by never come back…….”

“Yan. Don’t tease Rienn.”

Their father stepped in.

“I’m not teasing her.”

Looking at the grinning Yan, Rienn wanted to challenge him to a duel right then and there. 

“Once again, it seems like Dian’s gift is the one I like the most.” 

“…….”

Dian’s gift arrived right on time for his birthday. A dagger made by master craftsman Garolo Biator. Even if she had the money, she couldn’t buy it right away, and she was told it would take at least half a year from order to production. It’s not even her birthday but she’s gotten herself an identical one, too.

Inside the green box was a letter.

He asked how she was doing, saying he was healthy himself… His father, the Duke, had arrived and he would be coming down after the noble assembly. A very Dian-like postscript asking her to convey his regards to her father.

There was no mention of healing rituals or the last day.

“Is Dian doing well?”

“Yeah, he’s doing well.”

The Duke arrived earlier than expected. He had set out from Terne, so he should have taken at least a month, but it seemed he had rushed over. He must have been relieved to see Dian looking healthy.

‘I also told Father that I drink horse’s blood. Don’t worry about it.’

Perhaps for her dignity, he didn’t tell the Duke either. Except for Angela, Herta, and Philip, who knew that he drank her milk for a fortnight, there was no need to worry about anyone else spilling the beans as they were tight-lipped.

Dian will also be attending the noble assembly that he missed last time……. That would put to rest the various rumors that had been brewing about why he wasn’t out and about.

“Oh, Dad. Dian says to give his regards to you.”

“I see. Tell him I’m doing well.”

“Sure.”

“He’s quite a decent person, you know.” 

Take a lesson from him… 

Yan stares at her curiously.

“What’s wrong with you again?”

“Your friends are getting married, why aren’t you not?” 

“I have more friends who aren’t.”

“Well, why aren’t you getting married?”

Be thankful it’s your birthday that I’m holding my tongue.

“I haven’t thought about it.”

“Surely you’re not thinking of marrying a sword like you used to?”

“Oh, when did I ever say that?” 

Their father chuckled as if remembering, making the awkwardness grow. 

When she was young, she was so obsessed with swords that she used to say she’d marry one when she grew up. 

Darn it, someone should have stopped me.

“That was just something I said when I was young.”

“You weren’t that young back then.”

“…….”

“Well, I’m glad you don’t say that anymore. You sounded like a real dork.”

“I have no intention of getting married.”

For a moment, Dian’s face flashed in her mind.

“You don’t have to get married. You can live your life however you want.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

Their father was always on her side. She looked confidently at Yan who seemed a bit flustered. 

“But your perfume really isn’t great. The scent is so strong.”

“It’s my taste.”

“You have very unique tastes.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll go dancing for a while.”

“Go ahead.”

The band’s music was lively. Amidst the crowd, exchanging greetings, dancing in the hall for a while… taking advantage of the opportunity, she entered the mansion. She found her way through the various rooms and hallways to the bathroom.

“Ha, sh*t…….”

She felt like she was acting like she was some kind of actor in a play.

All because of the milk.

“This is ridiculous. Something’s wrong.”

When she pulled out the gauze from the underwear, it was soaked with milk.

Certainly, Herta said if she stopped taking the magic potion, the milk would stop within 3 or 4 days.

‘This is the last potion. You don’t need to take it from tomorrow, and in 3 or 4 days the milk will stop flowing.’

She clearly remembered the words she heard while taking the last potion on the last day.

So, she thought the milk would stop on the way from the capital to their estate. She thought it would dry up during the ten-day carriage journey.

But even after 3 or 4 days, the milk kept coming out. Although the milk flow was definitely less than when she was taking the magic potion, what she expected was that the milk would ‘completely’ stop.

At first, she thought it might be because she had so much milk to begin with, so she thought she’d wait a day or two longer. She had already traveled a considerable distance and turned the horse’s head halfway.

However, the milk didn’t dry up even until she arrived at their estate; it was still flowing.

“…… It’s crazy, really.”

It was no less embarrassing now than it had been on the road. She still had to wear gauze constantly and periodically replace it with fresh ones. Her br*asts would stiffen with the coldness of the milk, and she had to squeeze them intermittently to drain it out.

She was also worried that her family or other people would notice.

‘Rienn, I feel like something’s changed in you.’

‘Yeah, I felt that too! Rienn, your vibe has changed.’

She used to worry about Greta and Renee’s reactions. She had to watch her body scent and her clothes because her family members who have known her for a lifetime are more likely to notice changes, so she wore strong perfume that made her dizzy, and she wore less revealing dresses.

She tried to go about her daily routine as if nothing was wrong, but without Dian, naturally leaving the room to change the gauze and squeeze out the milk was exhausting…

The thing that bothered her the most was, why her milk kept coming. Herta couldn’t be wrong, there must be something wrong with her body.

What’s wrong with me……. could it be…

“I mean, it can’t be a lifelong thing with the milk, right?”

A chill ran down her spine.

If I have to live like this for the rest of my life…….

“No, let’s not worry ahead of time.” 

She had to talk to Herta first.