If not, why the hell are you doing this?
I couldn't pull my hand back. He then gives our joined fingers a tighter squeeze.
Are you crazy?
I have a bad feeling about this because I don't think it's possible for people to change their character overnight. I lift my head, narrowing my forehead in confusion.
"What?"
"Your hand feels like it will crack or break if I keep going like this."
The more he continues to say, the less I could control my less than excited expression. Naturally he must see how I'm reacting yet he doesn't show any discomfort at all.
"You're too weak."
What is he saying now? And are you just going to ignore my face?
"Therefore, you should at least eat well like Lejan reccomended."
It's not like this is something you care about—
"Did Dr. Lejan say that walking for a long time is still impossible?"
I lift my head.
If you drag me around like this, of course I might feel pain in my joints, around the hip area.
"I told you. Also—"
"I didn't think this is a long walk. It's just here and there."
"... ... ."
I usually walked from the main entrance to the end of the garden, so for him, yes, I can see why he'd say so. A thousand miles for me is nothing for him.
This is probably the way he uses to see the Wicking ships so he's used to it.
"It might be a short walk for you, but it's a long way for me to walk while being in pain."
"Is that so? "
As soon as I confirm his words—
"Yeah—ahh!"
He puts his hand behind my knee and picks me up lightly.
At that moment, my heart goes thump-thump-thump—
It's just right before the explosion of my nerves.
"What is this?!"
"If I do this, then there will not be problem."
There's definitely a problem!
I have a problem!
Lots of problems!!
.
.
"Eonnie."
Evangeline calls out to Marissa, whose eyes follow Abella and Charles as they make their way out.
"... ... ."
She looks at Evangeline without saying a word, and instead, proceeds to peel off her gloves.
"Marissa Eonnie."
Evangeline purses her lips.
"Catherine."
"Yes, Lady Marissa."
"About the contents from the telegram that you sent to my mother..."
Catherine clutches her hands at the front of her skirt.
"Explain."
"That—"
"I asked Catherine."
"Yes."
Evangeline cringes at Marissa's words while Catherine nervously takes in a deep, drawn out breath.
"You'll have to be clear as to why you needed me here, and you're not."
Marissa then smiles without explaining further.
Catherine raises her head and with a parched throat, pulls her lips into a tight smile.
"It is said that the duchess has asked the duke for a divorce."
"Are you sure?"
"... Yes, I am sure."
"... ... ."
Without answering Catherine, Marissa folds her arms and directs her sight toward the direction where Abella and Charles has already disappeared.
"So you mean—"
"... ... ."
"You mean the duchess wants a divorce, but Charles doesn't."
"From what I figured out, yes."
"What I can't understand is that it's only been a year."
"Evangeline Ricalen Diago."
Marissa speaks her full name to block Evangeline letting out any further vulgarity.
"She took away my fiancé! These words are—"
"No man in the world is worth it."
"But!"
"You're too noisy."
Evangeline, who raised her voice in anger, chews her lips at Marissa's words and turns away. Nonetheless, she couldn't say anything else because Marissa is too scary if she's provoked.
"But it's strange."
"What—?"
"Why is Charles doing this?"
Marissa puts her hand on the tip of her chin, asking herself for the reason why Charles is refusing the divorce.
"Maybe he's come to really like—"
"Eonnie!"
Evangeline shakes her head as if it's an absurd statement.
"You know that doesn't make any sense, right?"
"I've never seen Charles like that. Have you seen it?"
"... ... ."
"He's not that sweet to any woman—"
"He's acting like that to avoid a divorce. He's trying to trick her!"
"But, why?"
"... ... ."
Evangeline's forced to remain silent at the question because she couldn't understand it either.
It's a marriage to deceive the emperor. One that's not grounded in love.
The word "Romance of the Century" is a false rumor to fool the public, and no one on the Diago Family believes it.
However—
"Looking at them, it doesn't seem like an empty rumor."
"... ... ."
"If not, why wouldn't he divorce?"
"Isn't that what you want?"
When Evangeline spits out the words in a rebellious manner, Marissa turns her head slightly and stares at her.
"... ... ."
With her red-painted lips curve up, her eyes staring at Evangeline—
"Just because he hates troublesome things, he decides to stay like this."
In a pathetic effort to mask her emotions, Evangeline turns away and bites her lips.
"Well, I gues so."
Marissa shrugs with a laugh.
"It makes sense with Charles' personality."
Because he likes to keep things the same.
You weak bastard.
Marissa once again casts a glance at the side where the two disappeared.
"The duchess wants a divorce, but Charles won't let go."
"... ... ."
"That will be another good rumor."
"No way, eonnie. Are you going to spread the word?"
"Well, you'll see."
"It's a disgrade to the Diago's name!"
Evangeline clenches her fist.
But, Marissa has already made up her mind, so she does not even hear Evangeline's words.
"It'll be fun."
"Eonnie."
"Catherine."
"Yes, Lady Marissa."
"I'll stay here for a while, so please put your things back in the castle."
.
.
"You can stop taking the medication after today."
Dr. Lejan grins as he closes his magical medicine bag. An unlit cigarette is still left on the corner of his lips
"Will it hurt?"
"It's going to hurt."
"What?"
Then, I want to take the medicine again.
Though I was a bit reluctant to take the medicine in the long run, I hate being sick.
"Then—"
"But it won't be as painful as before, just a little stiff. It's good not to take the medicine in the long term."
I watch him wave his index finger while smiling.
"Ah."
I laugh awkwardly. Then, it's more that I'll be stiff, not hurt. It's completely different than being sick and stiff.
"Have you been taking walks?"
"Yes."
"Food is the most important. You have to eat well so you can gain a little weight more than anything else."
I never thought that I'd be told to gain weight in my entire life.
Well, it's been a long life, or rather, it's a 2nd chance at another life.
"What about milk?"
"I drink it every day."
"Since you have weak bones, I'm sure you don't want to suffer later, right?"
"Yes."
I chuckle. As expected, the nagging of doctors is common regardless of places.
"The nagging is over."
Lejan then stands up. It seems like he has read my thoughts.
"Thank you."
I give him a shy, embarrassed smile as I get up after him.
"Is the duke not coming these days?"
Lejan asks as he puts on his jacket in his arm. He has an insidious expression that tells me he knows something.
"It's because he's been too busy."
It's actually me. I've been refusing him because I'm too busy being sick.
"No matter how busy he is, you're sick by yourself—"
"Let's drop the topic."
"Ah."
Either he didn't expect such answer or he saw my expression, but he gives a sheepish smile.
I'm not sure why he hugged the bag suddenly.
"Don't tell that busy person what I've said."
"Hmm? "
"I'm telling you that you don't need to tell anyone who asks about my condition."
"Ah."
"Everything's good now."
"Yes."
"So, you don't have to talk about my condition."
"Ah..."
"Why don't you just go back to your residence today?"
I subtly hint that he shouldn't tell Charles about what I ate or what I didn't eat.
"Ah yes."
Holding onto the bag a little tighter, Lejan nods.
"Thank you so much for understanding my feelings."
Then I grin at Lejan.
"I look forward to your kind cooperation again."
He returns my smile.
I'm glad to know that he won't be confiding in Charles in regard to my condition.
.
.
.
.
T/N: I look forward to the havoc wreak by Charles' sister because it'll 100% blow up in their face for sure.
Also, Abella stole Kyle away first???!
This makes sense more and more why Charles ask about Kyle throughout the story when he talks about Abella....my dumbass son...
P.S. This makes me like Kyle a hell lot more because he is one messy bish and I kind of live for it (if what Evangeline says is true)