Ains’s face showed clear dissatisfaction, but he couldn’t argue against my words.

How many times had this happened today? Ains, who had never even glanced my way before, kept interfering whenever Cadia was mentioned.

I understood his concerns well.

A million gold in alimony to revive a modest Viscountess family must weigh heavily on him. He would feel uneasy about me holding that money, even if it left his hands.

But I was acutely aware of the amount I possessed.

And I knew it was all I had.

“I won’t foolishly give my property to Cadia. I won’t love anyone again.”

I was tired of love.

After ten years of focusing solely on Ains, it was time to move on. Holding onto one person for so long had drained me.

I doubted I could love anyone else like that, nor did I have the strength to accept someone else’s affection.

“Yes, Ains. It’s not right for you to interfere in matters concerning Cecil, especially since you’ve been indifferent until now. Even if you don’t realize it, Cecil is a smart girl, and what you’re worried about won’t happen.”

Fortunately, I had Grandfather’s support.

In the end, Ains remained silent and continued eating.

“By the way, I have a request for the Duke.”

“You said you didn’t need my concern because you’re smart?”

“It’s not about me. It’s a request regarding Grandfather. Please allow me to see him at least once a week.”

Ains glanced at Grandfather briefly, then looked back at me and nodded.

“Do as you please.”

“…Thank you.”

I felt relieved and smiled at the permission I had feared would be denied. Grandfather smiled back, pleased by the news.

Only Ains looked on with a sullen expression.

Dinner, which I had expected to be uncomfortable, turned out to be more manageable than I thought.

Ains didn’t pick fights with me, and the conversation flowed mainly between Grandfather and me, which eased the tension.

Sometimes Ains would glance at me, but since he had nothing to say, I could easily ignore it.

However, as the meal progressed, I began to feel a tightness in my chest.

It wasn’t serious, just a slight discomfort in breathing.

“Cecil? You don’t look well. Are you sick?”

Grandfather noticed my change in demeanor first. I shook my head, trying to downplay it.

“No, I think the meal didn’t sit well. I have some medicine; I’ll be fine after I take it.”

As I spoke, I hurriedly searched my pocket.

Breathing was becoming difficult, and my hands felt uncooperative. In my struggle, I dropped the bottle of medicine.

Just as I bent down to pick it up, a surge of something rose within me.

Before I could cover my mouth, a cough escaped.

“Cecil!”

“Cecilia!”

A metallic, foul taste filled my mouth.

I blinked, unable to comprehend the situation as I struggled to catch my breath.

When I finally looked at my hand, it was smeared with blood.

A wave of nausea hit me again, followed by a cough that splattered more blood.

My ears felt muffled, and the voices around me sounded distant, echoing like they were underwater.

As I glanced around, everything appeared strange. People moved in slow motion, as if time had been deliberately stretched.

Then, suddenly, it felt like something snapped, and time resumed its normal pace.

“Madam!”

Rivet, who had been closest to me, shouted almost in a panic and rushed over.

She supported my upper body and began searching her bosom.

I quickly realized she was looking for the painkiller made from the Tieria flower.

As if confirming my thoughts, Rivet pulled out a pill from a bottle and placed it in my mouth, then offered me water.

The mixture of blood made it nauseating, but I had to swallow the medicine to survive.

Unlike regular medicine, the painkiller worked differently.

As soon as I took it, the pressure in my chest began to ease, and my ragged breathing started to normalize.

I had feared that the pain would be as intense as when I underwent treatment, but the painkiller lived up to its name and alleviated my suffering.

I felt incredibly fortunate. If the pain had persisted like last time, I might have fainted on the spot.

“M-Madam…”

Rachel, who approached a moment later, looked at me with a pale face.

She was so shocked that she momentarily forgot I had divorced Ains and called me Madam.

Rachel wasn’t alone in her surprise. Grandfather and Ains also stood up, their faces filled with shock, staring at me, but they couldn’t find the words to speak.

“Madam, here.”

In the midst of the chaos, Rivet remained composed. She handed me a damp handkerchief.

I took it and wiped the blood from my hands and around my mouth.

“Cecil, my dear, are you unwell?”

Grandfather’s gaze wavered with concern. I felt uncomfortable, realizing I had shown him a vulnerable side during what was supposed to be a pleasant dinner.

“It’s nothing serious. Just a bit…”

I hesitated, unsure how to explain.

Only a few maids and servants, including Rachel, knew about my Trintz disease. I hadn’t told Grandfather to spare him worry, especially since he was already unwell.

And Ains…

He already harbored resentment towards me. Every time we met, he brought up the divorce, wishing for me to leave the mansion, and his words always stung. I couldn’t bring myself to share my illness with him.

I feared that my condition might be seen as a welcome burden for Ains.

I thought I had escaped his shadow through the divorce, but it seemed I was still tied to him.

Even now, my heart raced at the thought of Ains discovering my illness.

In the end, I couldn’t voice my concerns. I chose to deflect the situation instead.

“I’m sorry, Grandfather. I’ll explain everything next time. I just need to rest because I’m not feeling well.”

I bowed my head toward Grandfather.

“Alright, go and rest. If necessary, I’ll send Dr. Watt,” Grandfather said with concern, choosing not to pry further. I appreciated his thoughtfulness and managed a bitter smile.

“No, I’ll call Dr. Watt myself. Thank you for your concern.”

“Then I’ll send Rachel with you. If you need anything, let her know.”

“Thank you, Grandfather. I apologize, but I’ll take my leave now.”

After speaking, I glanced at Ains. He was watching me with his cold blue eyes.

I couldn’t just ignore him, so I bowed slightly before turning away.

Rivet stayed close in case of another emergency, with Rachel following behind.

Rachel had been pale ever since she witnessed my coughing up blood.

“…Viscountess Marves, has your illness worsened?” Rachel asked in a small, trembling voice, as if she might cry if I said yes.

Seeing her distress, I offered a faint smile and shook my head.

“No, it’s actually the opposite.”

“The opposite?”

“Yes. I obtained the Tieria flower and made the treatment, but there are side effects…”

The Tieria flower could activate mana, but it induced an artificial power that misaligned the mana flow in my body, causing discomfort and side effects.

“Then, are you really getting better?”

Rachel’s face brightened as she recalled the details about the Trintz disease, the Tieria flower, and the treatment’s side effects.

“Yes. There are side effects, but I won’t die.”

Upon hearing this, Rachel covered her face with her hands, and I could hear her faint sobs.

“I really thought your illness had worsened…”

Her voice, laced with tears, was filled with relief.

“I’m so glad. Really.”

“Thank you for being happy for me.”

As Rachel wiped her tears, I started walking again. Then I suddenly remembered the painkiller I had dropped on the dining room floor.

I considered going back for it but decided against it. Instead, I looked at Rachel beside me.

“Rachel, I’m sorry, but could I ask you for a favor?”

“Yes, just tell me.”

“There should be a bottle of medicine on the dining room floor. It’s a painkiller for the side effects that I dropped while coughing up blood. Could you find it and bring it back to me?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Rachel called over a passing maid and instructed her to do what I asked. It was a simple task of going to the dining room to retrieve the bottle.

“I’ve instructed her, so she’ll find it soon. Is it alright if she brings it to you tomorrow morning?”

While it would have been ideal for her to find it right now, I understood it wouldn’t be easy for the maid to enter the dining room with Grandfather and Ains present, so I nodded.

“Yes, that works. Rivet has spare medicine, so it’s fine.”