Chapter 54

Seeing the faint cloud of dust rise, she felt as though her heart was coated in grime, leaving her with a strange, unsettled sensation. Then, recalling her purpose, she turned her head and found that the Allnight butler had approached. He looked pretty apologetic, perhaps even embarrassed.

“Apologies for arriving unannounced once again.”

“Not at all, my lady. However, the young master is currently out.“

“Would it be alright if I waited in the drawing room again, with your permission?“

“I’ll try to contact the young master, though he’s likely to be very late. Are you certain you’re alright with that?”

Her unyielding insistence left the butler with no choice but to guide her inside.

Today, the master of the mansion was present. Bleria greeted the Duchess of Allnight, who looked faintly uneasy—perhaps because she had arrived in Mixel Luke’s carriage or due to recent rumors. Thankfully, she didn’t dismiss her.

“I have business at the palace and will be absent, but stay as long as you please.“

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Grace.”

The butler escorted Bleria to the drawing room. As she sat down on the sofa, she braced herself. Until now, she had always managed to sneak out with feeble excuses, but this time would be different. She had to meet Gopher today, no matter what.

“Put out the fire in the hearth—it feels stifling.“

“Yes, my lady.”

The servant complied without question, as this was not the first time she had made such a request. Soon, he returned with a blanket and tea. Bleria did not touch the tea; instead, she fidged with the letter Mixel Luke had given her.

Though she doubted Gopher would arrive soon, she couldn’t read the letter here.

Looking back, she hadn’t mentioned the letter to him. A mix of indifference and coincidence had kept her silent, but now that the sender’s identity was clear, things would get complicated if it were discovered.

Thus, she needed to bring it up herself after sorting through the tangled mess in her head.

As much as it felt like she was whining for comfort, just as Gopher had once accused her of, she couldn’t help it this time. With each family member in Heaven turning their back on her, Bleria was finding it increasingly unbearable.

Just one more time—hold on to me just once more. And if not, at least let me see your usual smiling face. Then, I might find the strength to endure another long wait.

“…”

The sound of the clock’s moving filled the room, the tea grew cold, and she rubbed the teacup handle so persistently that her fingertips grew red. Occasionally, she fidgeted with the pendant around her neck. Every so often, the servants checked in on her.

“Are you sure you’re alright to keep waiting?”

Each time, her answer was the same.

“It’s fine—I’ll wait a little longer.”

She had gone over what she wanted to say to Gopher so many times that she felt she could deliver it as smoothly as water flowing. But no opportunity to speak came.

How much time had passed? Her spirit now felt utterly drained, and her mind was overwhelmed by the echoes of others’ words.

“They say the person who collapsed at the banquet has a scar on her abdomen. Blasphemously, some people are using that to fuel their suspicions.”

“Wouldn’t it be more realistic to assume the fake narrative will be discarded as soon as it becomes inconvenient?”

“Gopher Allnight will abandon you.”

Startled by a sudden knock, she raised her head. Oddly, she felt no expectation that Gopher would be behind the door. And as expected, it was the butler who appeared again.

“I apologize, my lady. It seems the young master won’t be able to return today.“

“I see…“

“I’ll have a carriage prepared for your return.”

At those words, Bleria turned her gaze to the window. Outside, inky darkness pressed heavily, reminiscent of the pitch-black room where her parents had abandoned her.

As she boarded the carriage, winter rain began to fall. The cautious tapping sounds grew into aggressive drumming as if pounding against her head.

Watching raindrops streak across the window, Bleria remembered something she had forgotten. She’d been to the Allnight estate. She hadn’t met Gopher. So, there was no reason not to read the letter Mixel Luke had given her.

She opened it. There were no flowery greetings—only a brief, stark message. The words, so intense they seemed to burn into her mind, confirmed what she had vaguely suspected but hadn’t dared to verify.

“…”

Bleria cracked open the carriage window. Extending her hand outside, she let the rain obliterate the ink until the letter was unreadable, then released it. Without a glance back, she closed the window.

Sitting upright like someone was watching, she waited for the carriage to reach its destination. She clung to her composure as if falling apart, even for a moment, would mean she could never piece herself back together.

After what felt like an agonizing eternity, the carriage stopped. Only one person was waiting for her at the mansion’s entrance—the butler.

“Welcome back, my lady. It’s cold outside. Please, come in quickly.”

The butler shielded her with an umbrella as they walked together. Despite the relentless rain surrounding them, the world felt eerily silent.

No one scolded her for sneaking out under false pretenses. No one fussed over her, saying she felt like a furnace. There was no concern, no affection—only the sharp clarity of water droplets forming on her hands.

At last, Bleria realized she had worried for nothing. No one would get angry, no matter how many lies she told or how often she left the mansion without permission.

Not at a fake.

“Rest well, my lady.”

The butler escorted her to her bedroom and then left. Shortly after, Lucy, a maid her age, rushed in, holding a large towel. Lucy quickly began drying her off.

“Oh my goodness, my lady! You’re freezing—you’ll catch a cold!“

“Hand me my clothes.“

“What? Oh, yes, my lady. Shall I call for Amelia?“

“No, I need to rest. Make sure no one comes in.“

“But—”

Without fully listening to Lucy’s words, Bleria shut the door. She changed into night clothes, leaving her original clothes sprawled across the carpet. Crawling into bed and pulling the blanket over her head, the sensation of her body thawing set in, followed by a belated chill creeping over her.

Cold. Her entire body trembled, and even as she lay still, her vision swirled. Hoping it might help her forget the headache, Bleria closed her eyes. Fortunately, sleep came swiftly.

Is this how it feels to be inside a cauldron?

Bleria awoke to a searing heat as though her insides were being cooked. Her eyelids felt heavy and limp.

Nauseous.

She wasn’t sure of the exact time, but judging by the brightness in the room, dawn had likely broken early. She tried to sit up but felt as though she might vomit and lay back down. Even blinking did little to clear her blurry vision.

Still, there was one certainty: she was alone.

Lucy followed my instructions well.

She had told her not to let anyone in, after all.

It was to be expected, yet her chest felt hollow. Even though she had tried to preempt disappointment, had she still hoped for someone to stay by her side? Tears streamed down Bleria’s face until the skin around her eyes felt raw.

She was grateful she could blame it on the fever.

***

Gopher Allnight didn’t return to the mansion until dawn. Consequently, it wasn’t until after sunrise that he learned of what had transpired the day before.

“She waited until late at night and then left?”

He had already heard that Bleria had arrived at the mansion in Mixel Luke’s carriage. He had assumed she’d stay for a while and then leave.

But waiting for an entire day?

How foolish.

In just a little while, everything would have been resolved. He had planned to finish things quickly and then meet her, but there was no other choice under the circumstances. He instructed the butler:

“Send her a letter asking her to visit.“

“Wouldn’t it be better if you went to her yourself? She didn’t look well when she left.“

“Tell her we’ll meet next time if she can’t come.“

“…Understood, young master.”

The butler gave Gopher a somewhat disapproving glance before turning away.

No matter what the butler thought, this wasn’t a conversation to have at the Heaven mansion. Who could say if the Duke of Heaven had changed his mind after seeing Eos’ scar?

The rumor that the Duke avoided Bleria was already well-known in the capital.

Had she stubbornly insisted on meeting despite her condition, it would have been a problem. Yet, Bleria had been as composed as ever.

I’ll come by today.

***

Bleria entered Gopher’s study.

Her posture was as upright as always. Though her eyes looked slightly dark, considering the emotional toll she must have endured over the past few days, she seemed better than Gopher had expected.

Was she exaggerating about being unwell?

Her makeup obscured her complexion, making it hard to be sure. Gopher asked,

“You said you were sick.“

“I’m fine now.“

“... I’m sorry for the delayed response. I had more urgent matters and couldn’t make time.“

“It’s alright. I know this is a busy time for you.”

They had barely exchanged a few words, yet the conversation felt stilted. Was she upset? Gopher narrowed his eyes and asked,

“Didn’t you have something you wanted to say?“

“Something I want to say.”

Bleria closed her mouth and lowered her gaze. Beneath her round eyelids, her thick eyelashes stood out, as white as freshly fallen snow. As her lashes lifted, revealing her amber eyes, it was as if the sun had risen.