# 43
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Fenris handed the gift he had brought to Merlin as a token of gratitude and left. The gift was a large golden ball. Given her position as a maid, he seemed to have prepared a practical gift that could easily be converted into cash.
After Fenris left, Rykal, who was waiting outside, approached.
“The conversation took longer than I expected. Is there anything wrong?”
“No, nothing at all. He just came to apologize... I couldn't just send him after discussing the main topic, so we ended up talking about different things.”
“You did well. Since he is such an unpredictable person, it is best to treat him impeccably.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Today, Devrin will go home early.”
“Oh… really?”
For some reason, I felt uncomfortable seeing Differin today. Before, it was because of the kiss they shared under the influence of alcohol, but now it was because of her illness.
"Yes. Even if he pretends not to, he's probably very worried about your meeting with Fenris today."
'Of course… considering it's Fenris.'
After all, he is the person with whom Defren most disagrees politically.
“Not only that… Anyway, he might be a little nervous today, so it would be better for you to understand.”
“...I will.”
Evelyn felt frustrated. On a gloomy day like this, having to go along with his mood as well felt like a dark cloud hovering just above her head.
* * *
After Fenris and Rykal left, Evelin felt weak, and lay down on the bed.
“What if Kendaline is really sick…?”
She knew it was too early to worry, but the thought suddenly crossed her mind.
If the original Evelyn died not from depression but from this disease… it would mean that she was terminally ill from the beginning, regardless of Differin.
“Did Evelin’s biological mother also die from the same disease? If this was an incurable disease, why would ordinary medicines have an effect?”
Her thoughts kept running in circles.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
Evelin slowly got out of bed and opened the door. Defrin was standing there without taking off his jacket. It seemed as if he came directly to her room without changing his outer clothes.
“Are you back, Dyffrin?”
Defrin entered the room without asking permission.
It was unusual for him, but she took it as a sign that he was very worried about Fenris and didn't point it out. She didn't have the strength to do that anyway.
“Was everything okay with the prince today?”
“I've already heard from Rikal. Nothing happened.”
“This is strange.”
"What's so strange? He came to apologize for what happened at the party and left after a clean apology."
At Evelin’s response, Devrin muttered, “I see…” Then he asked her, relaxing his stern expression.
“Are you feeling unwell again?”
Evelin reflexively touched her face at the sudden question.
“...No. Why do you ask?”
“You look pale.”
“I fell asleep before you arrived, maybe that's why...”
“Well, that's a relief then.”
Dyffrin's voice sounded unexpectedly gentle.
Seeing him like this, a faint hope arose in a corner of Evelin’s heart.
Compared to their wedding day, their relationship has changed a lot. So even if he found out about her illness one day, maybe… he might really worry about her.
Evelin stared at Devrin unconsciously.
“Do you have something to say?”
Defrin noticed her look, so he asked her. Evelin had a brief moment of hesitation and finally spoke.
“I have something I want to ask you.”
"What is it?"
“If… if you get seriously ill, what will you do?”
Devrin's face immediately hardened. His blue eyes, meeting hers, seemed to ripple like angry waves.
“Why do you ask such a question?”
His cold voice and low temperature made Evelin regret it immediately.
“…Just because you never know what could happen to people.”
"Don't say things like that again. Words have power."
At his stern words, Evelin lowered her head.
“You shouldn't look so scared.”
Evelyn expressed the sadness she felt for a moment. Dyffryn shuddered almost imperceptibly at her words.
He sighed quietly and said,
“You know, my mother who gave birth to me died of illness. I remember that moment clearly, even though I was young. Watching a sick person suffer is not easy.”
Defrin looked really tired as he reminisced, as if he had returned to that time.
Defren recalled memories of the past, and looked truly tired, as if he had returned to that time.
"That's why I acted sensitively. It reminded me of the old days."
As he talked about his painful past, Evelyn was no longer able to show her hurt feelings.
“I understand.”
Evelin responded sadly, deliberately changing the subject.
“By the way, the brown liquid found in the equestrian competition that the father requested to be analyzed turned out to be a sedative, causing a huge uproar in the capital.”
"I read about it in today's newspaper. It seems they were planning something dirty."
“Indeed. Since even the stable head confessed, the head of the Competition Association will not escape the rule of law.”
“The same goes for Earl Harold Connor. He tried to cut off the tail, but his servant confessed in exchange for a reduced sentence. However, he can no longer act as the face of the racetrack after the fall incident.”
Devrin crossed his arms and sneered.
"Well, it's a good thing, though. I have to break this news to my father quickly. He should arrive at the property soon, right?"
Evelyn expected Dunswell's arrival not only because she wanted to share this news of the triumph of good over evil.
She was curious as to how Amelia would explain the crab soup incident. It was unfortunate that she couldn't see it for herf.
This incident is likely to cause a small rift in the strong relationship between Denswell and Amelia.
Thinking of this, Evelin hoped that Dunswell would arrive safely at the ducal palace.
* * *
A few days later, Dunswell arrived in the duchy.
Amelia hurried to the carriage to greet Dunswell, but his behavior was a little different from usual.
Moreover, if her plan had succeeded, there would have been red marks on Dunswell's face from his allergic response, but he looked exceedingly fine.
Dunswell went to wash up, so Amelia quickly called Harry over.
“Did anything happen while he was in DC?”
“Well…that.”
Harry hesitated. As Amelia's expression grew colder, Harry finally responded.
“Not only did the Duke eat the crab soup, something went wrong.”
After hearing the full story, Amelia clenched her teeth and stared at Harry. However, there was no time to punish the incompetent servant immediately.
Amelia went at once to Dunswell's bedroom. She knelt in front of him as he went out after washing.
Muffled voice
Her knees hit the ground with a soft thud. Dunswell's eyes widened.
“My wife...what on earth are you doing?”
“I heard from Harry about what happened in the capital. It was almost a disaster through my fault, how could I, as your wife, remain silent…!”
As Amelia choked, an agitated Dunswell tried to pull her by the hands.
"Please don't do this. If it's a mistake, there's no need to apologize so much."
But Amelia didn't budge.
"A mistake is still a mistake. I was so distracted by recent household expenses that I thoughtlessly wrote down a dish recommended by a maid working in the capital and handed it to Harry. I didn't realize what such a trivial act could lead to…!"
“I understand. Everyone makes mistakes. Now, please get up.”
At his affectionate tone, Amelia raised her head in pity.
“Would you forgive your incompetent wife...?”
“What am I even going to forgive you for? Thanks to the young daughter-in-law who gave me the menu beforehand, I didn’t even touch the crab soup.”
With that, Dunswell helped Amelia to her feet. As soon as she stood up, Amelia asked in a bitter voice.
“…Young daughter-in-law?”
"Oh, I mean Evelyn. We've become a family, so I felt very stiff when addressing her formally, so I decided to call her by a nicer name."
Amelia forced herf to put on a gentle expression, and wiped her eyes that wanted to narrow.
“…This is good news.”
"I wanted to talk to you about it anyway. I think we misunderstood her. While Baron Plévrier's status does not match that of the Duke of Leonnok, marriage is about character, isn't it?"
“Indeed...”
“As a family member, she is perfect. She is so smart that she reorganized the palace within the current budget, and thanks to her, I won the last equestrian competition. So please, do not think badly of her and try to see her with a generous heart.”
Amelia nearly failed to maintain her composure for the first time in a long time.
Not only did Evelin counterattack with her crab soup, she completely charmed her husband as well. She felt like her insides were boiling.
“My wife, there is dust on your knees. Use this to clean it.”
Dunswell offered her a handkerchief. It was embroidered with laurel, something she had never seen before.
Amelia's eyes were fixed on the handkerchief. He usually used the handkerchief she gave him...
Perhaps Dunswell noticed the meaning of her look, so he laughed and explained.
“Evelin gave me the handkerchief as a gift to wish me victory in the equestrian competition. It is very commendable. Since I received it as a gift, it would not be polite for me not to use it. I will use it for a while and will keep the handkerchief you gave me well.”
“…Yes, the handkerchief I gave you is very old.”
Amelia smiled forcedly and pretended not to care, but deep down, she wanted to tear that handkerchief to shreds.