Chapter 14: Decided to Disappear (Part 7)

“Thanks to the quick discovery, the worst was avoided.”

The physician wiped his cold sweat as he delivered the results of his examination to Kiern, who was glaring at him as if he wanted to kill him. The Duke stood tall and silent like an ancient tree, exuding an overwhelming aura.

‘What should I do?’

The physician glanced back and forth between Elizabeth and Kiern, his lips twitching. There was something peculiar about her pulse. It felt like the pulse of a pregnant woman. Of course, since he wasn’t a specialist in that field, he couldn’t be sure. It was also possible that he had misdiagnosed it briefly due to the poison.

Just in case, the physician had prescribed medicine that wouldn’t harm a child. However, a more experienced obstetrician would need to be called for an accurate diagnosis, though he dared not speak up recklessly.

From what he had heard, the woman lying there was the Duke’s friend and unmarried. Suggesting a detailed diagnosis could itself be seen as rude. Thus, the physician could only speak in a roundabout way.

“Her pulse is a bit faint. Once she regains consciousness, a proper—”

But he couldn’t finish his sentence. The Duke had issued a dismissal.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes.”

The physician, feeling it was unnecessary meddling, hurriedly left the room. Kiern, unaware of the physician’s hesitant demeanor, took a step closer to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had fallen asleep due to the antidote she had been forced to take. It was fortunate. The physician had said that had she not been discovered immediately, she might have suffered severe internal damage.

To think that she had tried to die in the same way as the Duke.

Kiern was deeply unsettled by the fact that Elizabeth had attempted to end her life. At the same time, he was angry. Despite his efforts to stop tormenting her and offer her comfort, she remained desperate to escape from him. As if that was the only answer.

Now, she was even willing to throw away her own life to run away. This realization left Kiern feeling utterly wretched. Impulsively, he reached out to her closed eyes. Her eyes, which had always been full of life, were now shut tight, and for some reason, it felt as though they might never open again.

In the end, Kiern withdrew his hand without touching her. He slumped into the chair by the bedside. It was miserable. The entire situation was. And even amidst all this, the fact that he couldn’t bear to let her go made him feel like a monster.

“Did you hate being by my side so much?”

His low voice quietly echoed in the bedroom. Though the sleeping woman couldn’t answer, it felt as if he already knew the response.

Elizabeth hated being by Kiern Agaphel’s side. Perhaps she no longer loved him. No, she might even despise him. As much as he had hated her, perhaps even more so, she might hate him.

He was the one who had made her this way, the one who had ruined her life. And yet, seeing the broken Elizabeth now caused him such unbearable pain.

Even so, his obsessive desire clung to her. The result of his misplaced vengeance had left her more broken than him. Unfortunately, the peace in death that she sought would not come to pass. Kiern gripped Elizabeth’s frail hand tightly and growled.

“But no. Not you. You can’t.”

Whether it was a resolution or a vow, Kiern’s murky gaze was filled with emotion. It was the same gloomy color as cloudy weather. It resembled the day of Sophia’s funeral—a color of sorrow that neither others nor he himself could fully recognize.

***

Elizabeth opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. There was no one in the bedroom. The hand that had seemed to hold a warm presence was now cold. Elizabeth let out a hollow laugh without even thinking of getting up.

She had failed. Despite thinking it was the most certain method, her life continued.

Of all times, Eddie had to come in then.

It seemed the world had no intention of letting her die easily. As she resigned herself and tried to get up, the door opened. Aena entered, eyes wide, and approached like an angry bull.

“Why on earth did you do that!”

“Aena…”

“What could be so hard about life that you’d do such a thing?”

Elizabeth looked at Aena, who was rebuking her with tear-filled eyes, with a bitter gaze. It made her think that there was still someone left who would be saddened by her death.

“What happened?”

She remembered being forced to vomit the poison by Eddie, but everything after that was blank. Aena slowly explained the situation. Eddie had found her and performed emergency treatment. Fortunately, her life was not in danger.

Elizabeth felt despair at the words that her life was not in danger. The fact that her attempt had caused no harm to herself was disheartening. At that moment, Aena spoke cautiously.

“The Duke was very worried about you.”

“He must have been shocked to see someone collapse.”

“It’s not that…”

“I’m tired.”

Elizabeth cut off what Aena was about to say and lay back in bed. She didn’t want to hear it, knowing that Aena, being Kiern’s person, would naturally defend him. She didn’t want to listen and risk having hope again. Aena hesitated, then let out a deep sigh.

“Then rest.”

***

Days of unnecessary calm and comfort continued. Elizabeth found this calm unsettling. Kiern did not question or threaten her about that day. Instead, he tried to protect her in every possible way.

What was the point of all this now?

Kiern’s actions were like pouring water into a bottomless pot. No matter how much was poured, it wouldn’t fill unless the broken parts were mended or a new pot was brought in.

“The Duke sent this.”

Aena presented a rare jewel. Elizabeth turned her gaze away without any interest. It had been quite some time since this barrage of gifts began. The amusing part was that the one sending the gifts never showed up.

“His Grace must be very busy, but he always makes sure to check on you after work.”

Aena spoke unsolicited words, eagerly defending her master. Elizabeth thought it was all just sugar-coated lies. She had never seen Kiern, despite claims that he visited.

Of course, there were traces of his visits. That only confused Elizabeth more. At the same time, she felt relieved. Whatever his whims, he was avoiding her. She hoped he would leave her alone like this.

Elizabeth was taking a walk to relieve her frustration. As she passed the stone steps, a knight blocked her path.

“I’ll go ahead to check first.”

He was the escort knight assigned by Kiern. He fussed over every stone Elizabeth stepped on, as if his head would roll if she got even a scratch.

Perhaps because she had attempted to die, Kiern had given special instructions to be cautious. Elizabeth felt disheartened, thinking she couldn’t die easily this way.

After crossing the stone steps, she reached the fountain in the central garden. The little angel’s pitcher was still pouring out cool water. Elizabeth suddenly spoke out of her frustration.

“I’d like to be alone for a moment.”

“Then I’ll step back three paces.”

That wasn’t what she meant, but the escort knight distanced himself slightly, pretending not to notice. He had no intention of leaving her alone.

Elizabeth had no choice but to sit by the fountain under the knight’s watch and put her hand in the water. The cool water numbed her senses.

If only she could submerge herself and stop breathing.

As she sat there with such terrible thoughts, a shadow fell over her as someone approached.

“Seems you have time to wallow here.”

“Ah.”

Elizabeth recognized Abigail belatedly and stood up. As she bowed, Abigail spoke.

“You’ll have to come with me.”

“Pardon? Where to…”

Elizabeth’s question went unanswered as Abigail turned abruptly and quickened her pace.

With no choice but to follow, Elizabeth found herself in an unexpected place—facing Lady Anna. Lady Anna stood up upon seeing Elizabeth. Elizabeth was taken aback by the visit of Lady Anna, who had refused to meet her until now. For a moment, she feared Lady Anna might have learned of her drastic decision.

“Ellie.”

Anna grasped her hand with a gentle face. Abigail, unable to bear the harmonious atmosphere, bid farewell.

“Then, I’ll excuse myself as the intruder.”

“Thank you, Lady Abigail.”

Anna politely responded to Abigail and led Elizabeth to the sofa. As she was reluctantly pulled along, Elizabeth fiddled with the hand that held hers. Having just been in the water, Anna’s hand felt twice as warm as usual. Anna spoke, her eyebrows drooping.

“Your hands are cold.”

“I just washed them.”

“That’s because your insides are worn out, and your blood isn’t circulating properly.”

Anna touched Elizabeth’s hand as if she understood all her pain. Elizabeth was bewildered by Anna’s sudden change in attitude. She couldn’t help but ask.

“Weren’t you angry with me?”

“I was angry. But being angry wouldn’t change anything, so I had to change my mind.”

“I’m sorry…”

Elizabeth hung her head. Seeing her dejected demeanor, Anna shook her head slightly and said cheerfully.

“I heard you came to see me every day. Weren’t you upset that I didn’t meet you?”

“I thought you had every reason not to meet me. After all, my current situation is far from normal.”

In the eyes of others, Elizabeth was nothing but a filthy temptress—a woman who seduced honorable men in secret and adorned herself with precious jewels. Ah, now she understood. The gifts Kiern sent her were nothing more than a mark branding her as a mistress—a woman dressed up to please the Duke in his bedchamber.