Chapter 32

Amelia's love life suddenly emerged.

Was it to the extent that her parents had to personally hide it?

Let's consider a few hypotheses.

First, Amelia sold the ducal residence's secrets after being seduced by a commoner lover she loved.

Second, Amelia loved Yurik who was disguised as a commoner... Ugh. No. Let's pass on this one.

Third, Amelia harbored resentment against the Duke and sold the ducal residence's secrets. But in this case, there's a condition that the previous Duke and Amelia would have had to commit adultery.

Among these, the most realistic was undoubtedly the first.

An external force deliberately infiltrating and shaking up the family.

It was plausible. Logical too.

If so, the mastermind behind that external force would naturally be Yurik.

"Leandros, did you hear anything more about that rumor?"

"It was a strongly speculative story even among the maids. The Baron and his wife seem to be very strictly keeping it confidential. However."

"However?"

"Though this isn't certain either, the butler is said to be discreetly inquiring about famous apothecaries or physicians in the capital."

Hearing this, Arndt suddenly made a clicking sound and snapped his fingers.

"Lady Arnold is said to be in poor health. But among the maids, there was a love issue, the Baron and his wife are ashamed, and now physicians or apothecaries are needed..."

Wait a moment.

"Lady Arnold is now in the territory, they say."

"It takes more than three days from the capital to the Baron's territory. Your Grace, we cannot go. Even if we did, we wouldn't be able to enter."

Time wasn't an issue, but the statement about not being able to enter was concerning.

Wasn't there any way?

There was also the option of bribing an apothecary or physician, but that was risky.

And it was uncertain if they could gather the information they wanted.

In that case.

"The Baron and his wife would have seen the face of the late Duchess and Duke."

"That's right."

"What about my face?"

He, or more precisely Arenheit, had never made his debut in society.

Besides having red hair that closely resembled the Duchess's, he was quite unremarkable.

He said to Arndt.

"Arndt, get me some beer. As much as possible."

* * *

A few days later.

A letter arrived at Baron Arnold's townhouse.

The source of the letter was the Duke's attendant.

[Greetings, Butler.

I am writing a few words to thank you for your hospitality the other day and to reciprocate the kindness shown by the baronial family...]

It contained a wish for Lady Arnold's speedy recovery and an introduction to an apothecary he knew well, hoping it would help the ailing Lady.

Reading this, the head butler snorted.

It seemed the fallen ducal family was trying to ingratiate themselves even with a baronial family far beneath them.

But if it was an apothecary known by the former ducal family.

It might be a highly skilled apothecary.

With the letter in hand, the head butler called a maid and gave several instructions.

And late that night,

A shabby carriage arrived at the back door of Baron Arnold's townhouse.

"Is it you?"

The butler keenly observed the small-statured man visible through his monocle.

The man was wearing a worn-out cloak with the hood pulled down low.

His bowed face was not clearly visible as the lamp's light didn't reach it.

The butler instinctively reached out his hand but then withdrew it.

It was because of what the ducal attendant had cautioned.

[That apothecary severely injured his face in a fire as a child, so he has a seizure if his face isn't covered as much as possible. However, when that doesn't happen, I can certainly guarantee his skills.]

If the apothecary had a seizure now, they would be delayed for hours,

And if that happened, he would be the one to receive a reprimand.

The butler spoke stiffly.

"Where you're going now is where Lady Arnold of the baronial family is staying. The Baron and his wife have great affection for the Lady, and they have bestowed upon you the great honor of ordering your transportation by carriage."

"......"

"Refrain from unnecessary talk, and from the moment you board the carriage, you must keep everything confidential. Understand?"

The small apothecary bowed deeply at the waist.

Is this dim-witted one unable to speak?

The butler inwardly clicked his tongue and signaled to the two servants standing behind him.

"He doesn't seem to have a clear identity either. Sending him because the ducal family vouched for him, but..."

"The carriage is all prepared, Butler. Shall we depart right away?"

A servant exclaimed as the butler was about to continue.

Behind them was a carriage with four horses tied to it.

Given that the carriage was small compared to the number of horses, it was clearly a carriage that prioritized speed alone.

"Hmm. Don't forget what I instructed."

The apothecary bowed deeply at the waist once more and climbed into the carriage, dragging his cloak.

After the door closed, the coachman, who had finished preparations, climbed onto the driver's seat and wielded the whip.

"Hya!"

-Neigh!

With the unified cry of the horses, the carriage instantly vanished from sight.

The butler, watching the carriage disappear down the road, had a bitter taste in his mouth.

Despite calling in all kinds of renowned physicians from the capital, it had been of no use.

Now they had to send even such a fool.

He sincerely wished for Amelia Arnold's recovery.

And at that moment.

Inside the violently shaking carriage was Arenheit, who had removed his hooded cloak and was shaking out his hair.

* * *

"What's he talking about, so annoying."

He hadn't even seen the butler's face, but he didn't like the sound of his babbling.

The class system, really hard to adapt to.

Only then did he comfortably look around the interior of the carriage.

The carriage was much narrower than he had thought.

He had wondered how big it would be since it was from a noble family.

It seemed like his knees might bump into the seat opposite if he wasn't careful.

'Come to think of it, there wasn't a baronial emblem on the carriage door either.'

They were definitely acting secretively.

A severely jolting carriage.

The small window in the door was covered with a curtain.

A space where one couldn't even communicate with the coachman.

A food bundle placed in the corner, as if suggesting to have meals inside.

Should he be grateful for this much?

He leaned back against the hard seat and rested his head.

According to Arndt, it was a journey of more than three days.

If he had known it would be such a prison-like place, he would have brought something.

But contrary to his expectations,

He passed through the gate of Baron Arnold's territory after just two and a half days.

Considering what Arndt had said, it was an incredible speed.

Of course, the coachman had driven day and night without a single moment of rest.

By the time he got out of the carriage, both the coachman and the horses were exhausted.

Baron Arnold's territory.

The baronial territory was closer to the capital compared to other noble territories.

Of course, this was possible because they were lower nobility.

The higher the nobility, the more their territories stretched to the edge of the kingdom's territory to maintain independent authority and prevent central interference.

Baron Arnold's mansion, though not as grand as Hartmann's, was quite magnificent.

Unlike the fashionable townhouse in the capital, it had an antique flavor.

Ivy climbing up the walls.

Lush trees covering the winding path to the mansion.

However, it didn't seem useful for military purposes.

A servant waiting in front of the mansion's door greeted him.

At first, he thought he would go to the reception room, but the servant took him deep inside the house.

Passing through a corridor, climbing stairs, going through another hallway.

As they proceeded, light gradually disappeared.

The frequency of covered large windows in the corridor increased.

The frames and artworks hanging on the walls also disappeared.

And so the place he arrived at was in front of a certain door.

The Baron and his wife were standing there.

At this strange welcoming method, he paused briefly, and the Baron spoke first.

"So you're that apothecary. I hear you've cured the Duke's chronic illness at the Hartmann ducal residence."

That Arndt.

What have you made me out to be?

He bowed as deeply as possible and groveled.

The Baron looked at him and sighed.

"This is the room of my daughter, Amelia. Do your best. Do your very best to make her normal again. Understand?"

Normal again?

He blankly watched the Baron and his wife leaving after finishing those words.

No caution for a strange man entering a noble lady's room?

Wouldn't it be normal to at least assign a servant, even if they don't enter directly?

With an inexplicable tension, he slowly knocked on the door.

There was no answer from inside.

As he slowly pushed the door open, the door creaked.

The room was dimly lit.

There was no lamp, and at most, a corner of the curtain covering the window had been pulled back.

A strange smell emanated from the room.

A peculiar, fishy, and simultaneously sour smell.

And Amelia Arnold.

She was sitting by the window in a form vastly different from what he had imagined.

She was wearing just a piece of muslin nightgown.

But it wasn't clean; it was stained.

Her sagging shoulders were so gaunt that it was frightening to look at.

Her disheveled hair was lifeless and brittle.

Bones jutted out prominently over the back of her hands,

And her emaciated cheekbones stood out.

Pale lips.

Sallow skin.

But what was most severe were her eyes.

Eyes that appeared hollow with deeply sunken eye sockets.

Eyes with not a hint of light in them.

That which spoke of existing merely because of breathing, without any meaning.

Unconsciously holding his breath, he took a step forward.

After all, he had to examine her.

At that moment, something crumbled under his foot.

Looking down, it was a long-dead insect that had dried up completely.

He felt a chill.

"...Dederik?"

A frail, raspy voice.

When he raised his head, she was observing him with those frightening eyes.

But Amelia soon lost interest in him and turned her head away.

After staring out the window for a long time, she mumbled like an old cassette tape.

It was a sound that couldn't be heard from where he was standing.

He forced himself to speak.

"Greetings, Lady Arnold. I am the one sent by the Baron and Baroness..."

"Leave."

"Lady."

"They sent you because I'm sick. I know. I said it clearly. I told them I would be alright if that one thing was returned to me."

"Lady, please listen to me for a moment."

"I said leave!"

Amelia suddenly exploded.

It was a voice so loud that it was hard to believe it came from a body with nothing but bones left.

"Leave! Leave! I told you to leave, didn't I? I said I just need that one thing! Why won't you listen? I've said many times that I just need that one thing! Why won't you give it to me? I've never asked for anything else!!"

The shouting transformed into hysterical screams.

She screamed while scratching her trembling shoulders.

Eventually, overwhelmed by her own emotions, she frantically pounded the window with her fists.

In the end, she threw things around, stomped in place, and walked around scratching her face.

"Leave! Leave! Leeeeeave!!"

She banged her forehead against the wall, broke decorations attached to the wall, and threw books and flowerpots.

She scratched her body until it bled.

And finally, collapsed on the dirty floor, making crying sounds as if all her strength had been exhausted.

Looking at her struggling on the floor, only one thought came to his mind.

Amelia Arnold didn't have an illegitimate child as the floating rumors suggested.

She was addicted to something.