Chapter 2
Cecilia narrowed her eyes. After her father’s last words, a heavy silence settled in the room. Then, as if something had clicked, she crossed her arms.
“So what you’re saying is… six months from now, the current me will die and a new me will be born. That’s your grand message, right?”
“……”
“I’m not a kid, so stop with the weird jokes.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Oh, so is this a bet? You told someone you’re terminally ill just to see how I’d react? Who is it this time—another one of your brothers?”
Cecilia shrugged with a knowing look, as if she saw right through him. That had to be it—otherwise, his words made no sense.
Her father, Niberius, was so healthy that even at his age he had energy to spare. He’d often go down to the training grounds and spar with the mercenaries.
Nobles would sneer, asking what kind of head of a house mingled so casually with the help. But that strength—used so kindly and generously to help others—was exactly why Cecilia loved her father.
And now that same father was telling her he had only six months to live?
Even a stray dog walking by would laugh at that.
Cecilia proudly shrugged again, as if daring him to tell her she was wrong.
Facing his daughter, who clearly had no intention of taking him seriously, Niberius let out a deep sigh.
Then he called out to the physician standing silently beside him.
“Sasabe.”
As if he had been waiting, Sasabe stepped forward and spoke up.
“My lady, the Lord is currently suffering from an unknown condition that is causing his internal organs to age prematurely. Their function is declining, and even basic activities like eating or walking are becoming dangerous.”
“Did you say his organs are aging?”
Just last night, didn’t he devour lamb like it was his last meal? Cecilia recalled it vividly.
She blinked in disbelief, as if her brain was rejecting the information. Sasabe, undeterred, continued.
“We’ve consulted the top physicians in the capital for several months now, but none have seen any improvement.”
“……”
“To be honest… six months is the optimistic estimate.”
Cough, cough.
Her father let out a dramatic cough, almost like he wanted to prove the point.
Cecilia wanted to snap and tell them to stop this unfunny charade, but the look on both their faces was far too serious.
And now that she really looked at him… maybe his face did seem a bit gaunter than before.
As Cecilia struggled to respond, Niberius looked at her with concern and spoke in a quiet voice.
“Cecilia, of course you’re shocked. I’m sorry. I never meant to leave you alone this early.”
“W-Wait. Don’t talk like we’re saying goodbye for real.”
Now that she thought about it, her father hadn’t visited the training grounds in a while. He had been constantly going back and forth to the capital, and barely spent any time at home. If that was really because he’d been seeking medical help…
“……”
Cecilia’s face went pale.
Her dad was going to die. No matter how much they bickered, he was still her only family.
No matter how wild or reckless she was, Niberius was her precious father.
Without realizing it, her lower lip started to tremble. Looking at Sasabe with pleading eyes, she asked:
“Sasabe, just because the capital doctors couldn’t cure him doesn’t mean he’s going to die, right?”
“My lady…”
“There must be someone better—what about the best physician in the Empire? We can’t just give up this easily. You’re our doctor, Sasabe. You’ve healed me before when I was injured.”
With every word, her throat tightened and her nose began to sting. It felt like she might burst into tears at any second.
Niberius looked at his desperate daughter with a softened gaze, and spoke gently.
“My daughter… Cecilia.”
She perked up at the sound of his voice—quieter and weaker than usual.
She had never thought much about being a ‘dutiful daughter.’ But after hearing that he was dying… there was no way she could keep acting like a brat.
“Yes, Dad.”
Niberius smiled tenderly at her uncharacteristically obedient response. Covering his mouth with a handkerchief, he looked fragile despite his broad shoulders, and continued:
“This father has one final wish before he goes.”
“A final wish?”
Cecilia blinked. A terminal illness and a last wish? It was almost too much.
“Shouldn’t we focus on finding a way to cure you first—”
“No, Cecilia. I don’t think I can rest peacefully unless you grant this one wish.”
Cecilia felt like the tears building in her eyes just froze. A wish more important than his life?
Feeling uneasy, she frowned and asked:
“…What is it?”
Seeing her give in, Niberius smiled slyly. Then he confidently placed his hand on the desk and declared:
“Get married.”
“…Sorry, you’re getting married?”
“No, you are.”
“Me? To who?”
“To a man, obviously. One with all his limbs intact.”
A bizarre silence settled between father and daughter.
Cecilia had thought nothing could surprise her more than the news of his illness. But it turned out she was wrong—this was worse.
She blinked again and turned to Sasabe.
“Sasabe, you never said anything about brain damage, right?”
“The Lord’s mind is completely intact.”
“See? Then why is a sane person suddenly spouting nonsense?”
“Cecilia. My hearing still works fine, you know.”
She scrunched her face and glared at him.
“What do you mean marriage? I don’t even have anyone like that!”
“Don’t worry. I’m well aware of that.”
“Are you mocking me now?”
Cecilia let out a dry laugh. Niberius, however, remained stern.
“I refuse to leave this world without giving my daughter at least this one gift.”
Then, as if revealing a hidden weapon, he pulled out a massive stack of papers from under the desk.
They spilled everywhere.
Each sheet had a portrait, name, family background—all belonging to various men.
Cecilia stared at him in disbelief.
“These,” Niberius said proudly, “are your suitors.”
* * *
In the Empire, every noble lady was expected to make her debut into society the year she came of age.
That included Cecilia—who, despite traipsing through the mountains shooting arrows, was still a noblewoman and had completed her debut.
Her debut became legendary in high society… for all the wrong reasons.
Given how rarely their family mingled with other nobles, she hadn’t planned on doing anything extravagant. The original plan was something small and symbolic with family and a few retainers.
But her father, for some reason, suddenly declared she deserved a proper debut like any noble lady—and somehow managed to get her invited to one hosted by the central capital’s elite.
And that’s where she caused an incident of epic proportions.
Now, Cecilia stepped down from the carriage in a frilly dress covered in lace.
Her expression, however, was sour enough to curdle milk.
“Didn’t think I’d ever wear something like this again.”
She had worn something similar at her debut. Back then, her uncles and the staff had marveled at her appearance, saying, “If she just kept her mouth shut, she’d easily rank top three in the Empire for beauty.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration.
Cecilia had soft beige-blonde hair and mysterious violet eyes—an ethereal beauty that turned heads wherever she went.
As proof, the man seated at the table inside widened his eyes in shock the moment she entered. Clearly, he hadn’t expected someone this stunning.
He quickly stood up and politely pulled out her chair.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Niberius.”
“Yeah.”
Cecilia replied flatly and plopped down into the seat. Her casual demeanor didn’t faze the man, who sat across from her again.
She looked him up and down, quite openly.
This was already her sixth suitor.
He was part of a delegation from the western kingdoms. Judging by his bright smile, he probably hadn’t heard about the disasters that were her previous meetings.
“You truly are as beautiful as they say.”
“Even I think so.”
“Haha, your honesty is quite charming.”
“Oh, there’s more to me than just that.”
Despite her arrogant tone, the man just adjusted his glasses and kept nodding enthusiastically.
Cecilia thought back to her father’s stubborn insistence.
When she tried to refuse the arranged meetings, he acted like a child about to throw a tantrum—and when that didn’t work, he’d cough dramatically into his handkerchief again.
What a cheater.
Still, since this was her dying father’s last wish, Cecilia agreed to attend the meetings.
She had made it clear, though: all she had to do was show up. If the suitors rejected her, that was just part of the plan.
No matter how much her father begged, she wasn’t going to be forced into marriage.
Cecilia had no intention of tying herself down to anyone in this life.
Just then, the suitor finished rambling about some hobby and asked:
“What about you, Lady Niberius? Do you have any hobbies?”
Cecilia gave him a sweet smile and replied,
“My hobby is archery.”
“A-Archery?”
“Yes. Especially hitting loud, yappy targets square in the head—regardless of gender.”
