Chapter 68
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I possessed the body of a villainess locked away in a desolate tower.
Chapter 68
When I opened my eyes again, my mind was a complete blank.
As I blinked to adjust to the intense sunlight streaming through my hazy vision, the familiar surroundings gradually came into focus.
Bedding that carried the faint scent of sunlight, a bookshelf lined with comic books.
...It was my chamber at the Grand Duke's Residence.
'When did I come back, anyway?'
As I tried to piece together my fragmented memories, a throbbing headache pounded at the back of my skull.
"Ugh...."
Moreover, my body wouldn't move properly, as if someone had tied weights to me. Like I'd been pinned down by an invisible force.
In any case, once my senses finally returned, the first person I saw was an elderly man with a grave expression—the Grand Duke's Residence physician, whom I'd passed a few times before.
But why was he in my chamber?
"Ah, hello...?"
My voice came out confused, still unable to grasp the situation.
The grandfather, who usually wore a cheerful smile, replied with a stern face.
"Young lady. You nearly worked yourself to death."
"...Pardon?"
Only then did fragments of yesterday's memory return to me.
On the way back from Fabron Manor, I'd used a Teleportation Circle and lost consciousness due to severe dizziness.
But worked to death? It wasn't just severe dizziness that made me faint?
Seeing my confusion, Physician Grandfather shook his head and continued.
"Your body had weakened from accumulated fatigue. Using a Teleportation Circle in such a condition places far greater strain on the body."
"So...."
"It wasn't dizziness—your body's equilibrium collapsed."
Ah, I see.
No wonder it felt so severe.
"You must rest thoroughly for the time being. You need to maintain a proper sleep schedule. Regular meals and exercise are essential."
"...Excuse me?"
Exercise, you say?
I've lived my entire life as a sheltered lady, keeping my distance from such things.
But what was strange was that Physician Grandfather's gaze wasn't directed at me, but somewhere else.
"...Very well."
The reply naturally came from that direction.
"Oh."
Only then did the Grand Duke, standing in my blind spot, come into view.
"Well then, I shall take my leave."
"Wait, where are you going?"
I reflexively grabbed the hem of the grandfather's garment as he turned to leave.
"All that remains is for you to rest well. There is nothing more for me to do."
"You're really leaving me like this?"
Leave me alone with the Grand Duke when he's wearing such an ominous expression?
Despite my desperate plea, Physician Grandfather rose with unwavering resolve and walked past the Grand Duke, leaving the chamber.
With him gone, a heavy silence descended upon the room where only the two of us remained.
It was some time later when the Grand Duke finally spoke.
"Your Teleportation Circle sickness has been worsening recently?"
"How did you... know that?"
I tilted my head at the unexpected question, and his next words came.
"The Princess's handmaiden mentioned it."
"Ah, yes. That's right. I first noticed it at the Magic Tower, but it was particularly severe this time."
I was still more convinced that my collapse stemmed from sickness rather than exhaustion.
But he countered my thoughts with sharp precision.
"When one's physical balance deteriorates from excessive fatigue or labor, using a Teleportation Circle induces severe sickness. As your Physician Grandfather explained."
"Yes, I see..."
"And typically, people die from it."
"I... what?"
Why was he suddenly jumping to such an extreme conclusion?
I couldn't hide my bewildered expression.
"I don't think it's quite that serious..."
Apart from my body feeling heavy and tired, I felt perfectly fine—nothing alarming about my condition.
Yet the Grand Duke's stern expression didn't soften.
"Are you naturally insensitive to fatigue?"
"No, quite the opposite."
If anything, I felt it too acutely.
But... when I became absorbed in something, the dopamine it released made me forget everything else easily.
Isn't that how most people are?
Breaking from my thoughts, I mumbled something like an excuse toward the Grand Duke, who appeared genuinely displeased.
"I-it's just that there have been many urgent matters lately. And if I rest, others have to work that much harder, and there are situations where people are waiting for me... ha, haha."
My voice, stripped of confidence, grew smaller and smaller until it dissolved entirely into an awkward laugh.
'This is maddening.'
I glanced sideways at the Grand Duke standing in silence.
Come to think of it, I couldn't quite understand why he was even here.
I knew better than anyone that he was busy with duties during the day.
'Surely not...'
He hadn't waited for me to wake up, had he?
I shook my head inwardly at the implausible speculation.
That man, indifferent to others' affairs and perpetually consumed by work—there was no way.
If he had, though...
'It would seem like he was worried about me.'
Of course, I already knew his current demeanor stemmed from concern.
But the kind of concern he showed went beyond a master fretting over a diligent servant falling ill—it was something deeper.
I let out another awkward laugh, shrugging my shoulders.
"From now on, I'll take things easy, of course. Still, I mustn't fall behind on my room and board payments..."
"Room and board payments? Are you seriously worried about how to pay them right now?"
"Well, shouldn't we keep public and private matters separate...?"
"In a situation like this?"
Perhaps it was the unusual coldness in the Grand Duke's voice.
I fell silent, unable to continue.
"Sigh..."
He exhaled deeply, as though something were churning inside him, then walked straight toward me with his arms crossed.
"First."
"Yes."
"Stop involving yourself in everything for a while."
"What? But...!"
Wasn't this far too abrupt an announcement?
"Others will fill in the gaps, so don't worry about it."
"Still..."
He spoke as though he couldn't hear my objections, saying only what he wished to say.
"And once your body improves somewhat, I think it would be good for you to take an hour each day for walks and exercise. If necessary, I'll assign a specialist to oversee it."
"Excuse me, Your Grace?"
At the mention of exercise, I winced visibly, and he responded with an even colder tone.
"Build up your stamina."
"..."
In truth, I had countless objections to voice.
And I knew well that his words weren't wrong. But...
When he demanded I work like a dog to pay those absurd room and board fees, why was his attitude now flipping like a coin?
While I stood there with an aggrieved expression, my lips moving soundlessly, the Grand Duke turned away without hesitation.
"We'll discuss other matters another time."
Clearly radiating that he was "sulking."
* * *
A week passed.
My daily life underwent many changes in that week.
Whether it was the Grand Duke's consideration or something else, I was able to rest thoroughly without stepping foot outside my chamber.
Not that I wanted it that way... it's just how circumstances unfolded.
It started with Bonita.
"Oh, Miss, please stay right here. I'll take care of everything you need."
Bonita, who had spent nearly every day with me until then, was truly... a capable maid.
Not only did she bring me three delicious meals and desserts without fail, but whenever I seemed even slightly bored, she would somehow produce romance novels and the like.
In any case!
Though she would fetch things I hadn't even mentioned, as if she could read my mind, there was one thing she refused to allow.
"Bonita, please... just once."
"I cannot allow that, Miss."
"Just this once, I promise. I won't even look for long. I'll just take a quick peek."
"No, absolutely not! If you keep insisting, I'll have to tell the Grand Duke!"
It was, quite simply, work.
"How is it fair that I can't even look at the manga I created myself?"
I poured out my grievances as the weight of longing pressed down upon me, but Bonita didn't so much as blink.
"No, you cannot."
*Click.*
She shook her head with unwavering resolve and left the chamber, abandoning me alone inside.
"...Ah."
I reached toward the closed door, desperately suppressing the creeping anxiety that threatened to consume me.
'I'm going mad thinking about work.'
Thus began the first symptoms of labor withdrawal.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org