The reason I couldn’t go to Blake right away—even after being told I had only one year left to live—was because the habit of considering him, ingrained over three and a half years, still remained.

Since ours was an engagement in name only, I knew very little about his schedule.

On top of that, neither the butler nor the servants were particularly fond of me.

The illustrious House of Reynard.

It was one of the two founding families that had existed since the very birth of the Bestia Empire. The Reynard Duchy governed the southern lands of the empire.

With its warm climate all year round, it was ideal for sustaining fertile granaries, and through that, the Reynard family had amassed great wealth.

In contrast, the baronial House of Edenber, where I was born, was nothing remarkable among its peers.

While my late father had served as an aide to the former Duke of Reynard, our household had not been in poor condition during his lifetime.

But after he died in a riding accident, our family’s fortune quickly declined under my stepmother’s excessive indulgence.

Neither my stepmother nor my stepsister had any interest in a household that was falling apart. My stepmother—still young and beautiful—soon found herself another man.

My life had been unfortunate, but even then, there had been a moment that felt like a gift.

The day I first saw Blake as a child—I fell in love with him at first sight.

Every time I saw him, it felt as though time stopped. I couldn’t move, my heart pounding uncontrollably, leaving me at a loss.

Jet-black hair, rich and lustrous, and eyes as blue as sapphires—he was the masterpiece of the House of Reynard.

Carrying those feelings into adulthood, I never once thought about marriage.

I only watched from afar, telling myself that perhaps, when Blake eventually married someone else, I would finally be able to let him go. So I waited… and waited.

But even before my father passed, every time I saw him, all I could realize was that I still loved him—I had never once let him go.

It was impulsive.

Confessing to Blake, at a time when my family was on the brink of ruin.

Even if I were to be sold off as a concubine to an elderly count, I wanted to tell him how I felt. Because I believed it would be the last time.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I love you, Duke Reynard.”

That day, too, had been a bright and beautiful summer.

The garden was in full bloom with red roses, and the sky was clear. Blake, with eyes as bright as that blue sky, smiled at my confession and replied—

“Then shall we get engaged?”

The idea that someone I loved might love me in return, that was something that belonged only in fairy tales.

Back then, I foolishly wondered if perhaps Blake felt the same way I did… and that was why he accepted me.

Blake, who didn’t even properly know my name.

I never imagined that he had only proposed to me to avoid the noble ladies who constantly pestered him.

If Blake had truly loved me, we would never have remained engaged for three and a half years. It was more than enough time to have married.

The thought made me laugh at myself in bitterness.

Even facing my own death, I still had to measure my actions around someone who didn’t love me.

“Is Blake inside?”

“Yes.”

“And about my request to meet him today…”

“I’ve already relayed it. His Grace is currently handling urgent matters, so it may be difficult for him to see you.”

His aide, who so naturally blocked my way, might very well dislike me.

No—aside from Becky, there was no one in this estate who looked kindly upon me.

“I need to speak with him today. It’s important.”

“…I will ask him once more.”

Assistant Velocien let out a troubled sigh and knocked on the door.

“Please excuse me.”

There was no reply. And yet, unlike me, he was allowed to enter even without one.

As soon as he stepped inside, I heard voices. I couldn’t make out every word, but I recognized that calm, low tone all too well.

It was the same voice that still made a fool of me.

“She insists she must see you today.”
“Did she say what it was about?”
“No, sir.”
“Then it can’t be urgent. Tell her to leave.”

At that, I couldn’t wait any longer. I pushed the door open.

“I came because I have something to say.”

Blake hated it more than anything when someone entered without permission. Why was I only remembering that now?

“…Ha.”

The deep crease in his brow made me shrink, but this was too important.

“I’m serious. It’s important, Blake.”

“Elaine, do you have a habit of eavesdropping?”

“I wasn’t listening on purpose…”

He pressed a hand to his forehead and leaned back in his chair. His eyes were hidden behind his hand.

“What is it this time?”

“Have you heard that a doctor visited the estate?”

“There’s already a physician assigned here. Why bring in an outsider?”

Because the physician here would never treat me properly. No one in this house considers me your fiancée.

“I collapsed while I was out…”

“Get to the point.”

His words struck like a thorn lodged in my throat. My eyes burned, my breath hitched, and my chin trembled.

“Please… take this.”

I tried to hand him the medical report the doctor had given me.

The hand covering his eyes dropped. Still leaning back stiffly in his chair, he stared at me.

Those cold blue eyes made my chest ache.

“This says…”

When I first heard it from someone else, it hadn’t felt real. But trying to say it myself—why did it feel so terrifying, so painful?

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the tears back. When I opened them again, my vision was blurred.

It took a moment to steady myself. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice from breaking.

“Did the House of Edenber run out of money again?”

“N-No!”

Startled, I shook my head. But all I received in return was his icy gaze.

“Velocien.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Escort the young lady out.”

“Blake! Wait—at least this, please… ah…!”

They said that when the shock was too great, your legs would give out.

I collapsed onto the floor, looking up at Blake, telling him it wasn’t like that.

But it didn’t matter.

He only looked down at me with an even colder expression.

On the verge of fainting, I was dragged out of his office—still clutching the medical report I hadn’t been able to give him.

“Miss Edenber.”

Assistant Velocien called out to me at the door. I could barely walk; standing was all I could manage.

“My lady!”

Becky quickly caught me and helped me stay upright.

“If you need money, you can tell me. Or has the House of Edenber once again borrowed funds using the duke’s name?”

“It’s something important—!”

Biting down hard on my lip, I threw the neatly folded report the doctor had given me at him. It was meant for Blake.

“Make sure Blake receives that.”

I watched as Velocien sighed and picked it up.

Yes… once he saw it, even Blake would have no choice but to believe me.

“My lady…”

At some point, my hair had come loose, spilling over my shoulders. My once-prized golden hair had turned dry and lifeless.

The sight of it sent a surge of fear through me.

One year.

In a year, I might no longer exist.

No… don’t think like that. No matter how much he disliked me, Blake wouldn’t let his fiancée die.

If the House of Reynard allowed its fiancée to die, it would bring shame upon the family.

So don’t be afraid.

But I couldn’t calm myself as easily as I told myself to.

To steady my breathing, I clenched my fists and covered my ears, forcing myself to inhale and exhale slowly.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The walk down from his office felt unbearably long. I had to rely on Becky’s support just to return to my room. My chest ached so much that even breathing was difficult.

“My lady… p-please don’t worry too much.”

“Becky…”

“The r-report… once the duke sees it, he’ll believe that you’re ill.”

Even as she cried, Becky held me up with all her strength, though I knew I was a burden.

“Becky.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Didn’t you tell Blake to stop supporting the House of Edenber?”

“I did! I told him several times. But you know how persistent the madam is…”

A sigh slipped from my lips. The thought that my stepmother had pressured Blake behind my back to obtain money made my chest ache even more.

“Then… could you tell him again? And check whether Assistant Velocien has delivered the report.”

“Yes. I’ll do it right after I take you to your room.”

Even while crying, Becky forced a smile to reassure me.

I felt sorry for her.

If she had served someone better than me, she wouldn’t have been looked down on by the other servants, despite being a lady’s maid.

She must have gone through so much because of me.

Guilt and gratitude welled up at the same time. I placed my hand over hers as she supported me.

“Thank you, Becky.”

“My lady…”

“I’m counting on you.”

Back then, I foolishly believed I could trust people.

Pathetic, wasn’t it?