Chapter 69
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70.
Rebecca lifted a teacup from the trolley, moistened her lips briefly, and continued speaking.
"How dare he lose his memories so carelessly—how infuriating. I'll put on such an impressive show that Zeppelin will remember me again."
"So our objective is to completely ruin the autumn ball, then."
"No, that's your task. While you hold everyone's attention, I'll infiltrate the Study myself."
"You'll go yourself...?"
"Yes. It turns out I have an ability—I never forget anything I've seen once. I didn't even realize that wasn't normal until Kanna told me. So it's safest and most certain if I'm the one who enters the Study."
"I understand that, but do you have a good plan? If it's dangerous, that would be rather troublesome. You're my fiancée now, after all."
Julian smiled with easy charm.
Rebecca had to make a conscious effort not to let her gaze be captured by the way his lips curved upward so effortlessly.
Rebecca toyed with the petal pattern on her teacup as she spoke.
"It's fine. I have someone who owes me a debt. They'll help me."
"You trust that person?"
"I don't trust that person. But I trust their desires."
Julian gazed intently at Rebecca's fingers as they moved slowly across the smooth teacup.
Each time her well-manicured nails brushed the firm surface of the porcelain, a clear, crystalline sound captivated him.
He found such joy in merely watching a single gesture from Rebecca.
He felt like a boy who had once played with nothing but small pebbles and had suddenly grasped a wondrous toy.
Julian was utterly entranced by Rebecca.
After watching her movements for some time, Julian suddenly lifted his head.
A brilliant idea had struck him.
"Rebecca. You said you'd put on an impressive show, didn't you?"
"Hmm?"
"There's something that would beautifully complement that show. Would you like to see it?"
Julian suddenly took Rebecca's hand and led her forward.
Rebecca hastily donned her veil and followed him.
The servants who spotted the Duke leading an unidentified woman through the castle by the wrist widened their eyes in astonishment.
Countless rumors that would soon spread throughout the entire Empire began to form.
Regardless, Julian guided Rebecca into a secluded room.
He drew back the black cloth that had been covering the wall.
Rebecca's eyes sparkled with amazement as she beheld the four paintings displayed on the wall.
"Julian! This is...."
"I kept Zeppelin detained back then because of this. I'd only completed one work at the time, but Barinika finished more paintings overseas and sent them to me. He's quite a loyal mentor."
Rebecca examined the paintings with an expression of admiration.
They were masterpieces worthy of the ages. Their content was equally shocking.
Now I could dimly grasp Julian's plan.
Rebecca looked at Julian with an approving expression.
"His Majesty the Emperor will be absolutely delighted. Well done, Julian. This will make for a truly perfect show."
"Perfect for making him eat his heart out, too."
Rebecca's mind began to work rapidly as she surveyed the paintings.
All that remained was to wait for the Ballroom to open its doors.
* * *
The oppressive heat broke, and a cool breeze swept across the land.
The sky grew ever higher, and I was steadily gaining weight as well.
"A specialty seafood pasta. Fresh octopus in abundance, as you can see."
Champ, the chef from the Duke's Castle whom Julian had sent, proudly set the plate before me.
I frowned at the sight of the octopus tentacles arranged on the dish.
No matter how many times I saw them, I could never grow accustomed to such an ingredient.
Gourmands apparently relished these sea creatures, but their very appearance was shocking—I had no desire to bring them to my lips.
"Rebecca, eat up."
"Miss Rebecca. You must finish everything."
Yet faced with the cool, insistent gazes of Julian and Kanna, I reluctantly picked up my fork.
Despite its appearance, the taste was exquisite.
Only after I had scraped the plate clean of sauce did Julian and Kanna finally relent.
Ever since learning of my health condition, Julian had visited the Obelia Mansion daily.
This time, Leo accompanied him as well. While Helena and Livia were delighted by the frequent visits of our guests, I was utterly miserable.
Kanna had even joined forces with Julian's relentless campaign, constantly pressing food upon me.
"Please, stop! At this rate, I'll be rolling about!"
Julian arrived with an entire cake, declaring it was now time for dessert after finishing the main course, and I cried out in protest.
"I assure you, by the time you're rolling about, everyone in the world will have become spheres themselves. You must recover before autumn arrives. The weather is growing pleasant now, so stop your complaints and eat quickly."
Kanna seconded his words as well.
"I would prefer not to agree with him, but his words are not without merit. Please, do eat."
Kanna personally cut a slice of cake and brought it to my lips.
I gazed at the enormous cream cake with an expression of exasperation before reluctantly accepting it.
Their words were not without truth.
Whether it was truly a matter of nutrition or not, eating three proper meals a day plus snacks, and taking walks through the meadow whenever time permitted, my condition steadily improved.
The pustules diminished at a rapid pace.
With the consistent application of the special salve that Eustaf had created, my face had returned to its original state without a single blemish.
In fact, my skin, which had previously been rather dry, had even become supple and moisturized.
Once the remaining scars scattered across my body faded, all traces of Demon's Claw would be completely erased.
And as the pustules disappeared, my mind grew clearer and my body felt noticeably lighter than before.
"To think you would care for Becky so attentively. I am truly grateful."
Danae spoke as she entered through the entrance hall.
As Danae removed her hat, a Maid hurried over to take it from her.
With the Salon business preparations now in their final stages, Danae had been frantically busy of late. There were scarcely any days when she remained at home.
Since managing the entire Estate alone would have been too much for Theo, we had hired several trustworthy Maids.
"Mother, what of your work? Why have you returned so early?"
"You mentioned the doctor would be visiting today. I was so curious I simply could not stay away."
Danae smiled warmly and sat beside me.
Then she gently stroked the back of my hand.
I observed Danae for a moment.
Her hair was neatly pinned up, and the custom-tailored dress suited her active nature perfectly.
I caught sight of pearl earrings dangling from Danae's ears and held my breath.
Those pearls, bearing the patina of years, were a keepsake from her grandmother.
Danae wore them always, as though they were an extension of her very being.
The sight of those earrings drew me into reverie.
The final image of Danae from my previous life suddenly surfaced, and my expression darkened considerably.
She had come to the Count's Mansion then, her appearance utterly disheveled.
"Could you... lend me just a little more money?"
Livia had fallen ill from spoiled food, she had said.
Though Danae's face remained relatively composed, her gaunt shoulders trembled frequently, betraying her shame.
When she begged Zeppelin for money, her ears bore nothing.
The elegant pearl earrings she had cherished like life itself had long since been pawned away.
I recalled the helplessness I had felt in that moment.
I swore I would never again witness Danae reduced to such wretchedness.
Danae turned her head, sensing my persistent gaze.
"Why are you staring so intently? Is there something on my face?"
"No, no, there isn't."
I averted my eyes, only to find Julian at the end of my gaze.
When our eyes met, Julian flustered briefly before his eyes curved into crescents.
The sharp, cold demeanor I had witnessed at first had vanished at some point, replaced by a tender smile that now graced his face constantly.
I smiled faintly, unnoticed by others.
"Eustaf Macfin has arrived."
The maid announced our visitor.
I straightened my posture with renewed tension.
Today was the day of the final examination.
"It has been quite some time. You must have been eating well, I trust?"
"Of course. Just look at this. My wrists, which were like grass stalks, are now more like dry branches. Still quite far to go, but this much is progress, wouldn't you say?"
Julian spoke while glancing sidelong at my arm.
Eustaf examined me thoroughly, then smiled brightly and said:
"Your condition has improved remarkably. Exactly as I said—it was a nutritional deficiency."
"So I'm fully recovered now?"
"Before that, there's something I'd like to test. Do you have any chronic conditions? Even allergies would suffice."
"Nothing serious, but my nose would itch every season change—chronic inflammation, I was told. And whenever I ate peaches, I'd break out in hives."
"It's precisely the season change now. How have you been lately?"
"Now that you mention it, I haven't had any trouble at all. I used to carry tissues around this time of year."
Eustaf spoke with excitement rising in his voice.
"Just as I thought! Do you happen to have any peaches here?"
Eustaf asked the maid.
The maid's eyes widened, and she hurried to the kitchen, returning with a freshly washed peach.
Eustaf thrust the peach directly into Rebecca's hands.
"Here, please try it."
"You break out in hives if you eat it. Are you planning to sacrifice Rebecca for the sake of your research ambitions?"
Julian shot Eustaf a piercing glare.
Undeterred, Eustaf pressed the peach into Rebecca's palm.
"It will be fine. Peaches are such a delicious fruit. How much you must have suffered all this time, unable to enjoy them."
Rebecca gazed down at the peach cradled in her hand.
Before, even the slightest touch would have made her itch, but now it felt perfectly fine.
As the fresh, fragrant aroma of the peach wafted toward her, Rebecca cautiously brought it to her lips and took a bite.
"Sister! Are you alright?"
Helena, who had entered covered in dirt, caught sight of the peach in Rebecca's hand and her mouth fell open in astonishment.
At her side, Livia held a completely exhausted Leo draped limply in her arms.
It was clear that Leo could not keep pace with Helena and Livia's boundless energy.
Julian stared blankly at the two girls' peculiar behavior, handling the divine messenger like a plaything.
If Leo had truly disliked it, he would have fled long ago—yet here he remained, which was decidedly strange.
"It's delicious... it's delicious!"
In that moment, Rebecca spoke with a voice trembling with emotion.
The Countess who fled has returned
E-book publication.
January 12, 2022
Author.
Long Night Sky
Publisher.
Desert Fox
Published by.
Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd.
Submission reception.
naver.me/54VzzLSn
Blog.
blog.naver.com/wj_fennecfox
Twitter.
@wjt_fennecfox
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org