This was the first time David had heard about Saul and Catherine’s first meeting or the proposal. 

All David knew about the couple was the news of his brother’s marriage, which he had received in writing. Even that was limited to a few lines in a newspaper article.

David knew well what the newspapers had said about their marriage at the time. The papers claimed that the dying Count of Cavendish was hastening his own death.

In public opinion, Catherine was no different from a cursed jewel—strange and beautiful, but ultimately driving whoever possessed her to death.

Yet everyone surely knew this was wrong. People must have known that the downfall of the Linton family stemmed from the viscount’s excessive greed. What other reason could there be for the viscount deliberately introducing his beautiful adopted daughter to the capital’s social circles?

What did his bee-like hovering until just before his death indicate? Everyone knew what it meant.

Nevertheless, blame always falls on those left behind, and mourners who came to Cavendish to pay respects to Saul whispered throughout the estate that the rumors had been true.

Even David, who hadn’t attended the reception that day, had heard these whispers, so Catherine must have heard them too.

That’s why David was surprised that Catherine still loved Saul after everything she had endured. He couldn’t believe she could still speak of loving him even after Saul had drawn his last breath. 

Since the accident in his childhood, watching Saul gradually change due to the misfortunes that befell him, David had thought it would take a miracle for someone to love him.

But now, Catherine’s voice was soft as she spoke about the moment she first met Saul, colored with affection deep enough for David to feel.

Throughout that short walk, David was seized for the first time by the impulse to take something that belonged to Saul.

Miracles only held meaning for those who desperately wanted something. But what about Saul? For someone who didn’t love anyone and never could, Catherine’s existence likely held no meaning.

So David wished for Catherine to become his miracle, and he felt guilty for having such thoughts. It was probably the first time in his life that he betrayed the devotion he had sworn before God.

“By the way, did you receive your coat?”

[Do not covet what belongs to others.]

David recalled the false message that had come as a letter from Saul. He still didn’t know who wrote it, but perhaps it had anticipated this situation.

“I sent it back a little while ago. We must have missed each other.”

[You are sin.]

Perhaps the declaration written on the back was also… God, that too might be right. At the end of his gradually slowing steps, David stopped, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.

In front of Saul’s bedroom, Catherine withdrew her hand from David. Despite wearing a thick winter coat that would have prevented any warmth from reaching him, the empty space left by her hand felt cool.

David unconsciously rubbed his arm, then turned to look at Catherine as she bid him farewell before entering Saul’s room. Suddenly, he wanted to ask her something.

“Catherine, may I ask you a strange question?”

“Go ahead.”

David stared into Catherine’s eyes, attempting to peer into their depths, his lips moving. His tongue seemed to have stiffened, refusing to move in his dry mouth, so his lips moved for quite some time.

“Would it be alright if my brother didn’t love you?”

At this question, Catherine looked puzzled. Her expression suggested she wondered why he was making such a difficult inquiry about something so obvious and unchangeable.

“He doesn’t love anyone else either.”

That’s enough for me. Catherine answered without even blinking. There was no sadness or resignation in her manner. With a face more serene than ever, she whispered those words. David silently gazed at Catherine as she whispered.

“Catherine, could you do me a favor?”

Suddenly, unable to shake off a thought that emerged somewhere between impulse and reason, he spoke. You’re particularly strange today. Though Catherine found David’s behavior puzzling, she readily nodded, saying go ahead. David said:

“Please don’t listen to Saul’s words.”

Finding David’s request seemingly out of nowhere, Catherine blinked quickly in surprise, then broke into a small laugh. She touched her lips to hide her smile. Then, with a voice still tinged with laughter, she responded like she’d heard something absurd.

“He hasn’t spoken a word since he woke up.”

Catherine smiled brightly, signaling the end of the conversation. She gave David, who was staring at her blankly, a light nod, then turned and disappeared into Saul’s bedroom.

You were awake. Standing before the not-quite-closed door, David quietly listened to Catherine’s voice coming through the narrow gap.

Mulling over her answer that it was enough that Saul didn’t love anyone else, imagining her eyes filled with affection, he stood there. After standing there for a long time… he quietly turned away.

Fastening his thick coat, David walked away. As he walked, he reminded himself that Catherine would not heed his request. His pace gradually quickened.

So he needed to hurry. Before Catherine noticed. He had to finish everything just a little faster.

Time was running out…

* * *

The moment she entered the bedroom, Catherine discovered that Saul was awake and said:

“You were awake.”

Having sensed someone entering, Saul had turned his head toward the door. Catherine quickly crossed the room, looking at him.

Recognizing Catherine’s voice, Saul raised his hand toward her. Before sitting in the chair by the bedside, Catherine grasped Saul’s outstretched hand. His bony hand intertwined with hers.

It was cold. Gripping his hand in return, Catherine slowly surveyed the room. The servant she had left to watch over the room was nowhere to be seen. They wouldn’t have left their post carelessly, so Saul must have dismissed them after waking up.

“How are you feeling?”

Even to this gentle question, there was still no answer. He only slowly opened and closed his eyes. Though he didn’t respond aloud, fortunately his expression wasn’t bad. I’m glad you seem alright. Catherine whispered, not revealing her growing anxiety.

But she couldn’t take her eyes off Saul’s firmly closed lips. It had been several days since Saul had awakened, yet he still hadn’t spoken. Catherine bit her lip, swallowing a breath that threatened to burst out.

As time passed, Catherine’s concern for Saul grew uncontrollably. It was frustrating that there was nothing she could do. Samuel said he just needed time, but… with the waiting extending indefinitely without knowing the reason, she couldn’t help but worry.

She constantly wondered if something was wrong somewhere, if there was something she was failing to notice. He was a man whose breath had once stopped. He had never been healthy to begin with…

Catherine stroked Saul’s cold hand, unable to hide her distress. Though she didn’t want to think negatively, every time she looked at Saul, she feared something might go wrong again before she could do anything.

She hoped it was simply unfounded anxiety. Fortunately, it seemed like it might pass. Although his vision was somewhat impaired and he wasn’t speaking… at least outwardly, Saul’s condition appeared better than before.

Though still gaunt and frail, he no longer had that distinctive shadow of a dying patient. This fact somewhat soothed Catherine’s uneasy heart.

“I wish you would get well soon.”

Catherine wished fervently. You’ll definitely get better. Pressing her lips against his cold knuckles, Catherine whispered once more. It was merely a hope that he could recover, but Catherine couldn’t let go of this groundless optimism.

“Would it be alright if my brother didn’t love you?”

Suddenly, she recalled David’s question from outside the door.

Catherine found the question somewhat amusing. Even before realizing her feelings for Saul, the answer to that question had been predetermined. Catherine was fine with Saul not loving her.

She never expected him to love her in the first place. If she had such expectations, she wouldn’t have been able to stay by his side all this time.

If Catherine wished for anything from Saul, it would be about his life. She simply wanted to see him healthy. She never wanted to experience watching him die or holding his convulsing body again.

Hearing his gradually weakening breath was too painful. Catherine closed her eyes. She didn’t want to lose him again.

If possible, Catherine could do anything.

“Don’t worry.”

Whispering, Catherine kissed Saul’s knuckles once more. Yes, she could do anything. A cold light flashed in Catherine’s eyes.

She would not lose anything more. At least this time, things were different. Catherine had always been unhappy because of what she couldn’t have, but now she possessed it.

Saul had given her what she thought she would never have, even until the moment she chose death.

Catherine thought of the family crest ring that should have been on Saul’s ring finger where her lips had touched. Currently kept in his study, it was identical to the one on Catherine’s right ring finger.

The family rings shared by the two masters of Cavendish… Catherine believed that, at the very least, she would no longer be helplessly unhappy because of it.

The Cavendish ring was Catherine’s power. Unlike before when she had nothing, it was a legitimate weapon she could wield. Even if David or Samuel were plotting something to harm Saul, Catherine had the power to stop it.