My head was throbbing. The pain, like an earthquake, would pass in a big wave and then aftershocks would continue to torment my body. Today, even the aftershocks felt like strong earthquakes shaking my mind.

From the start, it wasn’t an illness that could be cured by medicine, so even if a doctor came, all they could do was prescribe painkillers and sleeping pills.

The painkillers had no effect at all, and when the pain was severe, even sleeping pills were useless.

“The symptoms are getting worse. The black spots have grown larger than last time.”

“Then what should we…”

“At present, I have nothing to… I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t hear clearly what they were saying. It was as if my ears had broken down too, and the world’s sounds were muffled as if I was submerged in water.

But even without hearing, I could guess what they were saying. They were probably having a frustrating conversation without any clear answers. Ilion closed his eyes.

He had almost no memories of his childhood, but the only thing he vaguely remembered was killing a white-haired witch as white as snow.

The terrible pain he got in return for that visited him relentlessly, tormenting him at all hours.

Would this heart be a little more at ease if I could just let go of everything and sink into it? If only I could, I would let go of everything.

“Ilion…! No, D-Duke, are you alright?”

The sound of clumsy footsteps came from afar, and then the door burst open without a knock. There was only one person in this mansion who would open the door so noisily.

Why did it suddenly make me want to smile…

Thanks to that, Ilion broke free from his long reverie and opened his eyes to find the source of the commotion.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

Until just a moment ago, all the sounds of the world had been faint, but strangely, only Ravenne’s voice rang clearly in his ears.

Soft green eyes and light beige hair came into view, and Ravenne’s face gradually became clearer.

Eyebrows furrowed with worry, teary eyes, tightly closed lips. Even her fingers placed uncertainly on the bed.

The uninvited guest who always barged into his study at will didn’t seem so unwelcome today.

Ilion, who had only been breathing shallowly, looked at the fingers that seemed like they would touch him if he just reached out a little. And slowly, he extended his hand.

The hand that was small enough to be completely enveloped in his own flinched but didn’t push him away.

Feeling as if his airways were clearing, Ilion let out a small breath.

The fear that had been swallowing him up to his chin gradually subsided, and at the same time, the pain that had been stabbing his entire body began to ease little by little.

Ilion’s breathing started to become more regular. As if the sleeping pills were starting to take effect, his eyelids grew heavier.

Ilion slowly drifted off to sleep, taking in Ravenne’s clear face a few more times.

***

“……”

I stared blankly at Ilion, who had fallen asleep holding my hand.

“Ahem, then we’ll take our leave now.”

Sebastian whispered softly and bowed his head.

W-wait. You’re leaving me like this? Sebastian, wait a moment! Don’t you feel sorry for me?

Unable to shout with a patient beside me, I looked at Sebastian with pleading eyes, moving only my lips, but he was utterly merciless.

After sending Baron Sergio away, I had rushed here in a hurry when a maid told me that Ilion had collapsed.

Although I knew the cause of his pain and that there was nothing I could do, even if he was someone I disliked, hearing that he was in pain, I couldn’t remain so indifferent.

I knew he suffered from curse-induced attacks, but seeing with my own eyes how that strong, tall tree could sway so helplessly was a different feeling altogether.

I would have preferred to see him glaring at me with an irritated face.

In that brief moment of looking at the sleeping Ilion, emotions like pity, sympathy, worry, and helplessness swept through me in succession.

If I had been possessed by the saintess instead… what would it have been like then?

I know that hypothesizing about things that have already happened is as useless as the painkillers rolling around on the table.

I’m well aware of how powerless I am. Just like back then.

However, once again, the thought that had raised its head kept scrambling my mind.

***

Several days had passed since Ilion collapsed.

He appeared looking so pristine that it was hard to believe he had been ill, and once again put me to work. I had to endure days of crying while suffering through labor disguised as punishment.

In the meantime, the Emperor finally set out on an expedition to conquer the country where the saintess lived, and Ilion’s knights also joined that ranks.

The development of the land where magic stones were buried was also gradually taking shape with more concrete plans. According to Ilion, for the time being, they would start by opening up routes for the movement of goods.

Since it was such a remote place, they had to take a roundabout route, so they planned to dig tunnels in various places to reduce that time.

He then handed me a thick stack of documents. Something about a business plan.

No matter how much I said I didn’t want it, that I wanted him to keep that land, that stubborn mule wouldn’t even consider listening.

At this point, it was clear he was trying to torment me.

You, this is useless. You’ll die before you can profit from this!

I couldn’t even tell him that! I could only beat my frustrated chest alone.

As days were passing peacefully like that, one morning, Ilion finally noticed that the painting in the reception room had been changed.

“I noticed today that the painting in the reception room has changed… Did you do that?”

Is he dull or just uninterested? He really noticed quickly. I clicked my tongue involuntarily at his indifference.

“Oh, did you see? Isn’t it a beautiful painting? It was recommended by a friend of mine, and I thought it would suit the reception room better than the sunflower, so I decided to change it.”

“The porcelain too?”

“Yes! I exchanged it for that rose painting.”

“Who said you could do that as you please?”

“As I please? I’m going to be the mistress of this ducal household in the future, and decorating the house is naturally my job. I’m thinking of changing your study and bedroom next time.”

Hearing that, Ilion put down his utensils and looked at me.

“Rischefeld, do you know what that rose painting is?”

“Of course. I heard it’s the third work in Rempito’s Rose Garden series. They say the third work is the most famous, right?”

“Did that bastard only tell you that?”

“Bastard? That’s harsh.”

When I replied deliberately sulkily, Ilion’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Didn’t he tell you that all three works are owned by His Majesty?”

For a painting that was only briefly mentioned in the novel, it seems to be quite famous in this world. If even Ilion, who doesn’t seem to have much interest in paintings, knows about it.

Moreover, from the way he’s talking, it seems Ilion has noticed that the work is a forgery.

But why is his attitude so calm?

“Are you saying that the work my friend gave me is fake?”

“It must be. Since His Majesty has the originals.”

“That can’t be. It’s a work given by my dear friend!”

Ilion looked straight into my eyes and said,

“When did you meet this friend that you trust so much?”

“T-the length of time you’ve known a friend and trust are different matters. Surely, you’re not suspecting that they deliberately sold me a forgery?”

I looked at Ilion, deliberately stuttering.

“When my friend is being slandered like this, it’s an insult to my honor as well. Please call an appraiser to evaluate the painting directly. Then you’ll believe that I’m right.”

Perfectly acting the role of a lady too pure-minded to accept reality, I glared at Ilion with a pretend angry expression.

I deserve an acting award. If I had known I had such talent for acting, I should have become an actress in my past life.

Ilion, who had been quietly observing me as I ranted and raved, said he would call an appraiser instead of arguing with me further.

But contrary to my expectation that he would get very angry, his reaction was so calm that I felt somewhat uneasy.

No matter how rich he is, why is he so nonchalant when his fiancée has been scammed and sold a cherished painting?

Or is he just holding back until the appraisal?

I racked my brain trying to understand Ilion’s thoughts, but it felt like I could only hear the sound of metal rolling around.

The appraiser visited that afternoon. The appraiser, wearing a monocle on one eye, entered the reception room, leisurely stroking his mustache.

Having received word that he would arrive soon, I had been waiting in the reception room and greeted him warmly.

“Welcome, Viscount Albert.”

“Hello, Lady Rischefeld.”

Ilion hadn’t arrived yet, but a maid had gone to call him, so he should be here soon. While waiting, I offered the viscount a cup of tea.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

“It’s the Duke’s request, I had to come even if I had to put everything else aside.”

“The painting we’d like you to appraise today is that one over there.”

“Ah… Rempito’s Rose Garden. I’m very sorry to say this to you, Lady, but do you know that all three original Rose Garden paintings are owned by His Majesty the Emperor?”

Of course I do.

“This painting was sold to me by my friend. I don’t think it could possibly be a forgery. That’s why I asked for an appraisal.”

Viscount Albert looked at me with an expression of disbelief.

It was an expression that didn’t know how to convey the pity of someone who didn’t understand the ways of the world and the sympathy for someone who had been deceived by a con artist.

However, instead of expressing it in words, he chose silence.

It seemed he couldn’t bring himself to say harsh words to someone who was about to become the mistress of the Duke’s household.

After drinking some tea, he approached the painting to appraise it. His face already showed the certainty that it was a forgery.