# 42
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Fenris, who was staring elsewhere, spoke in a way that revealed nothing of his thoughts.
"I didn't realize you cared so much about your husband. It's not common for a wife to interfere in her husband's affairs, let alone negotiate with me."
“…My husband is destined to become the Head of the Duchy of Leonok. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
Evelyn said hesitantly. Fenris smiled secretly.
“You are an absolutely faithful wife. I envy Duke Dyffryn.”
Evelyn smiled inwardly. I suspected Differin felt the same way. She couldn't understand why she would do something she couldn't even claim credit for.
“You are truly an interesting person, Lady Evelyn. You always surprise me with your unexpected actions.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
Evelyn responded appropriately to Fenris' strange tone.
"It's a compliment. It's been a long time since I've been this interested in someone."
Fenris' eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke. A red alarm flashed in Evelin's mind.
Thinking about it, she had forgotten for a moment that in the original story, this man was going to kidnap her and imprison her.
“…I am not an interesting person nor do I deserve Your Highness’s attention.”
“Well, that's up to me to decide.”
His handsome face, adorned with a smile, looked a little scary. Fenris took a sip of the now lukewarm tea and set the cup down. The sound of the teacup hitting the saucer rang out clearly.
“I want to get to know you better, Lady Evelyn. In fact, that’s why I came here today.”
Fenris's direct remark almost made Evelyn cough, but she managed to calm herf before responding.
“Oh my God… I appreciate your feelings, but it’s a little hard for me to accept.”
"I don't mean any offense. I just want to get to know you on a personal level."
"...others may not see it that way. You know, I attract a lot of attention."
Fenris shrugged.
“It's a pity, but if you insist, I won't press the matter.”
Evelyn was both relieved and surprised by Fenris' easy withdrawal. Unlike the original story, he responded quite reasonably when boundaries were clearly set.
“But if there is another interesting deal, I hope you will come to me. Even if it is just a favor.”
Evelin wondered if there was a reason to ask him for a favor as she looked at his empty cup.
She asked Merlin to bring fresh hot water and poured the steaming water into the teapot. Once the tea was sufficiently brewed, Evelin lifted the teapot to pour the tea into the cups.
However, the texture of her new gloves was too slippery, causing the teapot to fall.
Fortunately, the teapot didn't break, but all the tea inside spilled out.
Evelyn apologized, confused.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you spill any tea, Your Highness?"
"It's okay. Are you sure you didn't burn yourf?"
“Yes... I'm fine.”
Fortunately, the tea was only slightly hot, and her gloves were only damp. Evelyn asked Merlin to clean up the messy table and took off her wet gloves.
“I'm not used to serving guests much, so I'm a bit clumsy when pouring tea. I apologize for showing such an embarrassing side.”
Evelin felt embarrassed, so she cleared her throat and poured new tea. When there was no response, she looked at Fenris, who was staring intently at his fingers.
“Your nails are dark underneath.”
“Ah…”
Fenris had a keen eye. It was something that no one would notice unless they looked cloy, yet he noticed it immediately after she took off her gloves.
“It seems unlikely that a gentlewoman would cut her fingers while doing hard work. The bruise is too big to be from a needle prick while embroidering… Are you ill perhaps?”
Evelin opened and closed her mouth as she struggled to respond to his sharp remark. When she didn't answer immediately, Fenris continued.
"If I think about it, I suddenly collapsed at the royal party as well. I should have asked about that first."
“Oh... I'm fine. I collapsed the other day because my mind was busy at the time, and the bruise under my fingernail was from closing the window.”
Fenris muttered deeply.
"I see. It's a relief. I once saw a disease in a foreign country that caused nails to turn black, so I was worried."
“…Is there such a disease?”
“I first encountered it during a diplomatic visit to the Kingdom of Yedburg. I heard that the princess of the kingdom was suffering from it. In addition to blackening of the fingertips, it also caused severe coughing and weakness.”
Evelyn blinked. The symptoms seemed similar to what she experienced before taking her medication. Although not as severe as the Princess of Yedburg, she was eerily familiar.
“Crown Prince Ankrum, her brother, asked me if I could research the disease, so I searched the Colclaw Empire and sent a doctor. Fortunately, there was a famous doctor for this disease.”
Evelin felt a little dizzy.
“Can I ask the name of this disease?”
“It's called Kendaline.”
Although Fenris's response was monotonous, it sounded like an earthquake in Evelin's mind.
The doctor at the medical center mentioned the same disease. Fenris' guess may be correct.
Perhaps the original Evelyn also died from this disease and not from depression.
Symptoms, such as lethargy, can easily be confused with depression. Since it is a rare disease, ordinary doctors may not recognize it and simply diagnose it as a psychosomatic illness.
“Do you know about the princess’s diagnosis with Kendaline disease?”
“This, I don’t know. My role was just to send the doctor from our empire.”
The doctor, the sole authority on Kendaline's illness, seemed to have disappeared.
Evelyn couldn't maintain her composure even in front of Fenris. Her mind felt tangled with confusion.
“You seem to have some connection to the disease.”
As expected, he was quick-witted.
“…Yes. The symptoms I experienced a few days ago were similar. The Capital Medical Center mentioned something similar as well.”
“You must have been in great distress. But since there is no news of the princess’s death, try not to worry too much now.”
Very comforting words. To find solace in the fact that the princess is not dead yet.
Evelin rubbed her forehead.
"I'd like to see that doctor. I can't confirm I have the disease just because some symptoms overlap."
“The doctor is likely still in the Yedburgh Kingdom, so I will send a message. But it will take some time.”
“It's okay. It can't be helped.”
It will take at least two weeks for the letter to arrive across the sea.
Evelin could barely suppress a sigh. As she lowered her head and held it in her hands, she felt his eyes on her.
'Of all people, why should Fenris be the one to notice my condition.'
No... maybe it was for the best.
He could have ignored it, considering it a nuisance, but he willingly agreed to help.
Evelyn raised her head and spoke to Fenris.
“...Thank you. I never imagined that I would make such a request of you, Your Highness.”
“Fate is something that humans cannot predict, right? Just like you saved my life one day.”
While Evelyn was thinking inwardly, “What would have happened if I had not saved Fenris that day,” he added,
“In return, since I granted your request this time, you should do me one favor next time.”
'Fuck'
The feelings of gratitude I felt quickly dissipated.
“…Okay. I owe you a big debt this time, so I can’t ignore it.”
Fenris smiled gently.
“This gives me an excuse to meet you again.”
Evelyn wasn't too happy about this, but there was no stopping her. Fenris finished the last cup of tea and asked,
“Does Duke Dyffryn know about your condition?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“He thinks it's just nervous exhaustion.”
“If you tell Duke Dyffryn about your condition in detail, he may find another way to help.”
“…I don’t want to tell him now. Nothing is certain now.”
Even if it became certain that she was suffering from the rare Kendaline disease, Evelin had no intention of telling Dyffrin about it.
If her symptoms get so bad that she can't hide them, then...
'Should I rush into the divorce, or should I be honest with him?'
In the past, she would have chosen the former without hesitation. But now, for some reason… she didn't want to rush the divorce.
She also didn't want to be honest with him.
He was a responsible man, if he knew about her illness, he would try to find a cure, but that was all.
He wasn't the type to console her gently.
Having a sick person by his side would be a great burden, and he would likely view a wife who could not manage the household and could not bear the heirs with cold indifference.
Just imagining him looking at her like a burden made her heart ache.
Recently, their relationship wasn't bad, so the thought hurt her even more.
Her mood immediately dropped.
Evelyn didn't understand why she was so worried about Dyffryn's reaction, but she knew she had to hide these feelings in front of Fenris.
Evelyn said to Fenris, trying to appear unaffected.
“That is why, Your Highness, I need you to keep this matter a secret.”
Fenris' smile faded, and he showed a slightly unfamiliar expression. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, but he quickly nodded.
“Understood. The conversation we had today will remain known only to me.”