I Became The Younger Sister Of A Dying Woman - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: It’s My Turn to Step Forward

“Enough. Your task is to write a letter to the Duke of Sevilla,” Hernan commanded.

“To the Duke of Sevilla?”

“Yes. It’s a letter to the duke, so pay special attention to it.”

Hernan, who wasn’t good with words, often used Gatt to write important letters.

“What do you want me to write about?” Gatt asked.

“Start by writing about the incident where Linzel saved the young master Leal at the banquet hall. Also include the injuries she sustained because of it.”

“And at the end, write that we wish to enter the Royal Archives, and that we need the Duke of Sevilla’s recognition of our marriage.”

“I will follow your instructions.”

“Write it in a tone that demands permission rather than seeking it. After all, Linzel even shed blood because of the duke.”

In the noble society, justifications were important. Hernan planned to emphasize the legitimacy derived from Linzel’s achievements.

“Yes.”

Gatt began writing the letter in elegant handwriting.

It wasn’t until he reached the end of the letter that he voiced his doubts.

“Um…… But, Your Highness, why is Her Highness suddenly wanting to go into the Royal Archives?”

“She said there’s something she wants to find out by being there.”

Gatt’s hand, which had been folding the letter neatly, paused for a moment.

‘It’s because of Her Highness again.’

Hernan had become uncharacteristically interested in fashion because of Linzel. And now she was asking him to enter the Royal Archives as soon as they were married.

A cold glint crossed Gatt’s eyes.

“Your Highness, Hernan.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry to say that…….”

“Tell me.”

“Your Highness. I’m concerned that in order to get into the Royal Archives, she has decided to marry your highness.”

Hernan showed signs of displeasure.

“Do you still doubt her sincerity?”

“……,.However, it’s questionable that she brought up the topic of the archives immediately after getting married.”

“I’m sure she had her reasons for wanting to get into the archive. But she said she fell in love with me.”

“…….”

“Falling in love with me was probably a bigger reason for her to marry me than getting into the archive.”

Hernan added one more thing.

“Think about it. If she just wanted to enter the archive, wouldn’t she have preferred marrying Izekiel instead of me?”

As much as he hated to admit it, most unmarried young women dreamed of marrying Izekiel.

A bitter smile formed on Hernan’s lips.

“If your Highness believes so, then I will not add any more words.”

“Gatt.”

Hernan’s voice calling Gatt was low and subdued.

Gatt’s shoulders slumped involuntarily.

“I have a lot of trust in you,” Hernan continued. “I don’t want to have to throw you out like that. Do you understand me?”

It was a warning. Gatt understood as he nodded deeply.

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

Hernan remained silent, lost in thought.

‘It’s natural for Linzel to be interested in the archives.’ 

She hadn’t been in good health since birth until now. According to Gatt’s investigation, Linzel was born weak and had many illnesses.

Hernan also hoped for her recovery and had hoped for a solution in the archive. Just as much as she did.

Linzel had to get better so that they could do various things as a couple. Of course, it didn’t mean only indulging in erotic activities.

A picnic, for example, or a honeymoon that was canceled due to concerns about her health.

To spend happy days with Linzel, they had to enter the archive as soon as possible.

Luckily, Linzel’s work seems to have earned her the recognition of the Duke of Sevilla.

Now it was just a matter of time.

Hernan’s next target was the Duke of Cardis.

The Duke of Cardis, though, could be settled with a hunting tournament in a few days.

‘It’s my turn to step forward.’

Hernan made a mental note.

* * *

The next morning, when Linzel woke up, Hernan was nowhere to be seen. Instead, unfamiliar palace maids attended to her, helping her get ready.

She bathed and changed into a dress that she thought perhaps Hernan had prepared. As hunger started to creep up on her, a familiar voice came to find her.

“Lady! No, Miss Linzel! No, Your Highness! Are you feeling well?”

‘It’s my Mini.’

Perhaps because she had been meeting unfamiliar people, seeing Mini genuinely made Linzel happy.

“Mini. Just call me ‘Lady Linzel’.”

“Yes!”

“And although my forehead stings and there’s a big bruise on my knee, and it feels like there’s a heavy lump on my shoulders, I’m really fine.”

Too much detail. Mini’s face turned pale with shock.

“S-should I call a physician?”

Linzel shook her head.

“No, no. It’s just the usual pain one experiences on an ordinary day. But I think I’ll feel better if Mini holds my hand.”

Linzel reached out her hand and opened both palms. 

Mini hesitantly took it.

“It’s just a hand, Mini. Just accept it.”

Ah, the softness of Mini’s hand brought her such peace of mind.

“Mini,” Linzel said serenely.

“Yes, Lady Linzel.”

“You seem like a treasure.”

“What? I’m suddenly a treasure? Is there something wrong with you today?”

Linzel shook her head. Then she gripped Mini’s hand even tighter and said, “You’re like champagne that intoxicates me! The touch of your hand feels so good that it makes me feel intoxicated by you.”

Mini’s reply would normally go something like this: “Lady Linzel! This is too much!”

But instead, Mini just smiled brightly.

“Did you like my compliment?” Linzel inquired.

“Of course. For Lady Linzel, I’d gladly become a real glass of champagne.”

“Don’t say that kind of thing. I like the living Mini.”

Mini nodded vigorously.

“By the way, Mini, where were you before coming here?”

“I’ve been assigned a room right next to Lady Linzel’s, which isn’t a maid’s room, but because Lady Linzel is often unwell and I’m her ‘exclusive’ maid, I get to use it, hehe.”

It seemed like Mini was pleased to be an exclusive maid even after coming to the palace. 

‘What a cute little one,’ Linzel thought affectionately. 

“Yesterday, Letty and Father returned home safely, right?”

“Yes. They were worried about Lady Linzel the whole time, but eventually returned.”

It seemed like it would be a good idea to visit the duke’s residence sooner or later.

Linzel wanted to show her father and Letty that she was perfectly fine. If not, they would endlessly worry about her.

‘But why did Letty have that expression on her face back then?’

The stony expression Linzel had seen in the banquet hall overlapped with Letty’s usual worried face.

The two did not mix well.

It wouldn’t hurt to go to the ducal residence and ask Letty herself.

“By the way, where is Hernan staying?” Linzel asked, pulling herself away from her troubling thoughts. 

The reply came from a palace maid.

“He has asked me to escort the lady to the dining hall when she is ready.”

It was a good suggestion since Linzel was feeling hungry.

“Then please guide me to the dining hall immediately.”

“Yes, understood.”

She dutifully followed the maids. 

Although she couldn’t say that her condition was at its best, she could walk without any difficulty compared to yesterday.

Mini focused on her anxiously, afraid that Linzel was going to fall over if she looked away for a second. 

‘What an adorable little one.’

How long did she walk along the wide and long corridor of the palace?

In the distance, even from afar, she saw a well-built man.

Instead of rushing towards him, Linzel waved her hand in his direction.

With his keen senses, he quickly spotted her.

Then he walked briskly to the spot where she waited.

“Le…… um…….”

Hernan, who was facing his new wife, seemed hesitant, as if unsure of what to say.

“Just a moment! Let me guess what Your Highness is going to say!”

“Fine.”

She awkwardly imitated his voice and said gruffly, “You look beautiful today, as always.”

Hernan shook his head. 

Linzel deduced that guess must be wrong, so she tried again. 

“Aren’t you feeling unwell today?” She mimicked.

Once again, his head turned sideways in negation.

“Um… Ah, I think I know the answer for real,” Linzel stalled and then gave a confident response. “Right! Were you planning to talk about the outfit you’re wearing today?”

This one was a hundred percent certain. It was the right answer.

His smile returned. He slightly raised the corners of his mouth and smiled softly.

At the same time, the maids who were guiding me started whispering among themselves.

“H-His Highness Hernan is smiling…..”

“……Will the sun rise from the west?”

“But his smiling face…… It’s not as bad as I thought.”

They whispered quietly to each other, but the problem was that Linzel’s hearing was sharp enough to catch everything.

Hernan’s smiling face was not just ‘not bad’, it was completely captivating.

While she was pleased that Hernan was acknowledged, it annoyed her that his beauty was now shared with others.

“Linzel. You had a good approach, but you got it all wrong.”

“What?! Then what is the answer?”

“Come closer.”

She took a step closer to him, and Hernan tilted his head towards her ear.

Soon, a warm breath brushed against my ear.

“Good… morning.”

The correct answer was a morning greeting.

The back of Hernan’s neck blushed as Linzel looked up at him. It was as if he had just given a morning greeting to someone for the first time.

“Your Highness! You haven’t given a morning greeting before, have you?”

“……..”

No way …..could that be?

“…….I have done it many times before, to my parents.”

His excuse-like words helped confirm her guess.

This man… It seemed like he really hadn’t done many things before.

“Ahem. I heard that some vassals are coming this morning. If you feel burdened, I can dismiss them all.”

He seemed embarrassed, trying to change the subject.

How cute, oh gosh.

“It’s okay. As long as the food is delicious, it doesn’t matter who I eat with.”

“Good to hear. Let’s go inside then.”

Hernan leads me to a doorway in front of them. It must be the dining room.

The food was already set out. It wasn’t a royal meal, just a variety of delicious-looking food. She almost felt pity for her small stomach.

Hernan pulled out a chair and helped her sit down.

The strange thing was that besides the two of them, there didn’t seem to be anyone else.

“Your Highness, are the vassals not here yet?”