Ken rested his elbow on his hand and twisted his hair like a snake with the other. 

“To cure his sick daughter, he searched for doctors and brought them to the Arcel estate.” 

Ciela’s eyes darkened. She knew instinctively that the ‘sick daughter’ was Lilia. The light, buoyant voice continued without pause. 

Seventeen years ago, the Marquis of Arcel brought in renowned doctors from the capital to treat a child who was wasting away and suffering from unexplained pains. Among them were palace physicians, but none of them could identify the cause of the child’s illness. Gradually, the search, initially focused on the capital, spread across the country. 

“Doctors who claimed to be able to cure her came to the mansion day after day, but it seemed that none could. Then…” 

Ken paused for a moment before continuing. 

“Eventually they stopped accepting doctors altogether.” 

“…That may have been when they discovered how to transfer the curse.”

“The probability is high. So I concentrated on investigating the last doctor who visited, and fortunately I found him.” 

Ken had managed to secretly meet with a maid who had once worked at the Arcel estate, and who was ushering guests into the reception room. 

He had been lucky. Ken muttered to himself as he gently untangled the hair he had been anxiously twirling. 

“The name of the last doctor she accompanied was Theodoro.” 

Ciela’s eyes widened more than usual. 

“Doesn’t that name ring a bell?” 

Theodoro. It was the name of the doctor who, even before the memories of the original story began, had made house calls every six months to check on her condition. 

“I’ve had my suspicions about him before.” 

It was impossible not to have at least a passing suspicion about someone who regularly monitored her condition. But he had a reputation for curing what were thought to be incurable diseases, which made him quite famous in the south.

Even when she remembered the times he had visited her at home, he had only carried out routine tests. The medicines he had prescribed had turned out to be ordinary herbal remedies, which had led her to dismiss any suspicions she had about him. 

‘But… if Theodoro really was the last doctor, that changes everything.’ 

Ciela clenched her hand into a fist. 

“Given your personality, you wouldn’t have left him unattended. Was there anything suspicious about him?” 

With a seemingly careless manner, Ken handed her a paper envelope from the desk. 

“He’s clean.” 

Ciela’s brow furrowed at the unexpected answer, prompting Ken to emphasise further. 

“So clean that even a fanatic couldn’t be cleaner. What do you think it means when someone comes out of an investigation without a speck of dust on them?” 

“That there’s no reason to suspect them?”

“No. On the contrary, it means he’s extremely suspicious.” 

“……” 

“When someone goes to such lengths to hide things, they tend to hide even the smallest speck of dust, as if they’re obsessed with covering everything up.” 

Ciela immediately opened the envelope Ken had given her. Inside were records of Theodoro’s investigation and surveillance. His routine was meticulously detailed – getting up at the same time every day, treating patients, going to bed at the same time, making the occasional house call. On the surface, it was a monotonous and uneventful life. 

“It’s really quite ordinary.”

It was just as Ken had described it. Ciela, her eyes half closed, made no further movement or comment, seemingly lost in thought. Ken watched her in silence as she seemed to struggle with her thoughts. 

“If he’s gone to such lengths to deliberately hide the dust, then fine – we’ll just uncover it.”

In the past, she had always looked like she was looking for a place to die, exhausted and tired. But now her face showed signs of vitality, a spark of life returning. Seeing the soft curve of her lips, Ken couldn’t help but deepen his own grin as he responded.

“It could be dangerous if things go wrong.” 

“That’s a risk I’ll have to take.” 

Ciela rose and prepared to return to the Marquis’ estate. 

“I’m going back now.” 

“Ciela.” 

Suddenly Ken called her name, his expression uncharacteristically serious. He walked towards her, grabbed both her arms and began to speak. 

“The Duke is a madman. Don’t let any part of your heart get involved with him until the day the dirt covers my eyes. Keep it strictly a business relationship, understood?” 

Thinking it was an important matter, Ciela had listened intently, only to narrow her eyes in suspicion. 

‘What on earth is he talking about out of nowhere?’

Of course, it was Ken’s advice to his precious partner, whom he saw as a younger sibling, but his words didn’t quite reach her. 

“A man knows men best. I’m telling you, if he gets married, he’s going to have some serious jealousy problems…” 

“Goodbye.” 

If she stayed, she’d have to put up with at least two more hours of his incessant nagging. Without even acknowledging his words, Ciela bowed her head in farewell and walked out. 

—

Dianys Duke’s Estate 

The young ladies had arrived in the reception room, perfectly timed for the meeting. With Hailey not yet back, they gathered around Lilia as the centre of attention. 

“Your complexion seems to be getting worse lately. Are you getting enough sleep?”

“Heh, I’m trying my best.”

The young ladies, noticing how fragile and pale her skin looked, as if it might collapse at any moment, looked at her with pity, their eyes reddening with emotion. 

“But more than that, I never imagined your sister would attend Countess Lemond’s tea party. She looked healthier than before, but there is something strange about it.” 

Lilia trembled slightly and lowered her head, as if even feeling betrayed by her sister was something she should apologise for. 

“Maybe it’s just me being weird?” 

At this, the young ladies became collectively indignant, as if the matter were their own. 

“How can you be strange, my lady?” 

“It’s the Arcel lady, pretending to be ill when she’s perfectly well, who’s being strange! Hmph! It’s so obvious that she’s trying to make things difficult for Lady Lilia – it’s infuriating!”

Lilia smiled softly as she watched the young ladies huff and puff in indignation. The attention she received with a single tear helped to calm her recently frayed nerves. 

“Thank you all for getting angry on my behalf. But I want to believe in my sister to the end.” 

“How anyone could be so cruel to a lady as kind as you is beyond comprehension.” 

“Lady Lilia, you are too kind for your own good – it’s worrying.” 

The warm and lively atmosphere filled the room, creating a comforting sense of camaraderie. Just then, one of the young ladies linked her arm with Lilia’s. 

“But don’t worry. Since the Princess herself attended the tea party hosted by Countess Lemond, I’m sure any misunderstandings will be cleared up!” 

“Thank you. I understand it was you, Lady Melissa, who told the Princess about Countess Lemond’s tea party.” 

“It was only what had to be done! If it can help you in any way, I’m more than happy to do so.”

“May I invite you to my estate next time?” 

“Kyaa! I would be honoured!” 

Lady Melissa, who had linked arms with Lilia, blushed with excitement. Of the group, Lilia, beloved by Princess Hailey, was the second most influential. With the possibility of her becoming the next star of the social scene, the others looked at Melissa with envy. 

“I hope the princess arrives soon.”

Lilia murmured softly, glancing towards the door of the reception room. 

Her throat felt dry from the mixture of nervousness and anticipation as she reached for her teacup. Just then, Hailey entered the reception room, accompanied by Daisy. 

“Sorry for being late.” 

Everyone rose in perfect unison and bowed briefly to greet her. 

“Welcome, Hayley.”

Lilia approached Hailey and gently took her hand. As this was an informal gathering, she addressed her without the honourific “Princess”, a privilege only she could enjoy. 

“I heard you were at Lady Lemond’s tea party. And I know why you went.” 

Her clear eyes, as clear as a cloudless sky, looked up at Hayley. A soft voice trembled from her lips, hesitant and uncertain. 

“Was my sister really at the tea party?” 

“Yes.” 

Unable to continue, Lilia lowered her head as if to hide her bitterness, then slowly raised it again. 

“I see.” 

Soon she looked around, as if searching for someone, before speaking again. 

“I heard from another lady that you were going to bring my sister to this meeting. Where is she?” 

“Lady Arcel wasn’t feeling well, so she couldn’t come.” 

‘Not feeling well?’ Lilia’s eyes widened in surprise. Just then, one of the young ladies who had been quietly listening to their conversation cocked her head in curiosity. 

“But didn’t you say her condition had improved?” 

Startled, Lilia’s fingers trembled for a moment. Her blue eyes darted down. 

“I-I only said that because she’d been walking more lately and her complexion looked better. I was so relieved and thought she was recovering… but to think that wasn’t the case… I had no idea…” 

Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. She trembled as if overwhelmed with concern for her sister, her anxious movements conveying her distress. 

In response, the other young ladies cast disapproving glances at the one who had asked the first question, silencing her. 

“Hayley, was my sister unwell?” 

“Yes, she seemed quite unwell.” 

‘I can’t let this go. I have to go back and check on her myself. I’m sorry for leaving early; I hope you all understand.’ 

Lilia bowed her head in apology to everyone before leaving the Duke’s estate. As soon as she arrived at the residence of the Marquis of Arcel, she went straight to Ciela’s room, tears streaming down her cheeks. 

“Sister…” 

Lilia called softly, her voice shaking as she pushed open the door to Ciela’s room, still shedding delicate tears. 

“What… she’s not here.” 

Seeing the empty room, Lilia’s tears stopped abruptly. Her expression dried up like a desert as she stared at the barren room. 

“She said she wasn’t feeling well – where could she have gone?”

…she was just trying to show some concern. Lilia tossed her hair back and sat down on the edge of her sister’s bed. Nothing seemed to be going her way lately. 

‘Disappointing.’ 

Calix’s cold voice still pierced her heart whenever she thought of it. Lilia’s eyes began to glisten with tears again. 

‘I have to clear up this misunderstanding somehow.’ 

Thinking of Ciela, who avoided her despite her rare moments of usefulness, she clutched at the sheets as if she wanted to tear them apart. She had even asked the Marquise to reach out to her, but to no avail. 

‘I had pinned my hopes on Hayley, and yet…’ 

Why did Ciela’s condition have to deteriorate at such a critical time? Every time Lilia thought of her sister, a strange itch crept up her neck. No, to be precise… 

“Annoying.” 

Ciela seemed to be at the centre of everything that didn’t go Lilia’s way. 

‘Is she really sick?’ 

A fleeting suspicion crossed her mind – could Ciela be acting like this on purpose? But Lilia quickly released her grip and shook her head. 

‘It couldn’t be.’ 

She had known Ciela for over a decade. It was probably her own sensitivity that made her mistake something insignificant, like a bug crawling nearby, for something bigger. Even if it was just a mistake, it didn’t change how irritating it was, like a pest creeping in plain sight. 

A dark shadow passed over Lilia’s lips, and a pearl of crimson appeared between her torn lips as she bit down harder than she realised. 

“Oh.” 

It hurts. 

With an indifferent expression, Lilia licked her lips, tasting the metallic taste of blood. Just as she was about to leave the unoccupied room, she saw Titi curled up on top of the wardrobe, staring down at her. 

‘Like owner, like cat.’ 

How unpleasant. Lilia frowned and lifted her foot from the floor to leave. But a fleeting thought stopped her and she put her foot down again. Turning to the cat, who was watching her intently, Lilia curved her lips softly into a smile. 

“Hello, Titi.” 

Your sister always had you by her side. 

It was a smile as angelic as it was beautiful.