DSMBL Chapter 07

Chapter 7

Cassius added in a low voice,

“If you have any ulterior motives and try to use them against Theo in some other way, I will ruin you, even if it costs my life and my family.”

Charlotte nodded firmly.

She had no such intentions in the first place and could understand Cassius’s concerns, so she wasn’t particularly offended.

‘If it were me, I’d feel uneasy too!’

Her unwavering response finally eased Cassius’ expression, even if only slightly.

“You can monitor me! And while I’m treating Theo, others can watch too. Once I’ve finished, you’re welcome to have the family doctor examine Theo’s condition immediately.”

“…Would you really go that far?”

To Charlotte, this was preferable. She didn’t want to leave any room for suspicion.

“Yes, please do that. However—”

Cassius’s face stiffened.

‘Of course.’

There was no way Charlotte would do something like this without some sort of benefit for herself.

With a sigh, Cassius spoke.

“If there’s a dress or jewelry you want, buy it. If there’s anything else you—”

“Could I just have a bit more to eat before treating him… huh?”

Their words overlapped. Charlotte widened her eyes in surprise, and Cassius, caught off guard by her unexpected request, was equally stunned. He stopped mid-sentence and stared at her.

“What does a dress or jewelry have to do with treating Theo?”

Charlotte tilted her head slightly.

“Actually, there is something I need. Please make sure I can eat plenty both before and after treating Theo.”

“…Are your meals insufficient?”

“I feel so drained after using divine power. Even three plates aren’t enough. If you could prepare enough for five plates, that’d be great.”

“…”

“…If five is too much, four plates would be fine.”

“As much as you wish. From now on, you may dine in the dining hall. You’ll find meals more plentiful there, Charlotte.”

“Thank you so much!”

Charlotte beamed brightly, and for a moment, Cassius was left speechless. Charlotte had always eaten like a bird, claiming it was necessary to maintain her perfect figure. The person standing before him now seemed like a completely different person.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

“…Go ahead.”

Cassius’s voice sounded slightly annoyed. After hearing so many unexpected requests, he didn’t even have the energy to feel suspicious anymore.

“It’s a bit difficult to find Theo’s room. It’s like a maze. Could I take a maid with me? I need someone to guide me.”

Cassius stared at Charlotte silently.

In truth, Theo’s room had been deliberately relocated to an obscure area to hide him from Charlotte. Yet seeing her earnest expression now left him with an inexplicable feeling.

“…Do as you wish.”

“Wow! Thank you, Cassius!”

Charlotte’s requests were so trivial that they were almost laughable. Watching her light up like an excited child completely sapped him of any remaining will to argue. What exactly was she thankful for? If Theo was saved, Cassius would be the one indebted to her.

What on earth had happened to Charlotte?

****

Cassius began carefully selecting new servants for Charlotte, ensuring they were people who would never betray her secrets.

The first was Miller.

Miller was deeply indebted to the ducal family. He would never think of betraying them, especially since his mother’s life had been saved thanks to their aid.

The second was Luna.

Luna had been rescued from the brink of despair by him. Her parents, consumed by gambling, had sold her.

As a child, she wandered through an illegal slave market until she was personally saved by Cassius.

Four years had passed since Luna started working here, and she had grown into an exceptionally loyal maid.

“There’s no need for anyone else to know.”

Cassius muttered quietly to himself. The fewer people who knew the secret, the better.

‘And it’s best to keep Theo’s condition under wraps as well.’

On the surface the northern lands appeared peaceful, but beneath the surface, it was no less than a battlefield. There was a reason Cassius had endured Charlotte’s behavior for so long.

Charlotte’s inability to bear children was no accident. It was because she had married Cassius.

Both Cassius and Charlotte were aware that her condition was the result of attacks from numerous rivals vying for the lordship of the northern territories.

Thus, Charlotte’s ruin was partially his responsibility. He had failed to protect her. This made him, in his own way, soft toward her, though he would never admit it outright.

Cassius summoned Luna.

“From now on, your job isn’t to monitor Charlotte but to look after her.”

“Pardon?”

Luna’s eyes widened. When she heard that the Duke was calling for her, she had braced herself for punishment—for failing to properly monitor Charlotte and putting Theo in danger.

But Cassius said something entirely unexpected.

“…Charlotte will be treating Theo from now on.”

“I don’t understand, Your Grace. The Duchess has always hated and cursed Master Theo.”

“People change. Whatever the reason may be.”

Luna frowned deeply. No matter how she thought about it, that woman wasn’t the one who could be

trusted. Betrayal was her specialty.

If they weren’t careful, Theo’s life could be at risk.

Cassius sighed, noticing Luna’s stubborn expression. Then he remembered that he hadn’t properly shared the news about Theo yet.

“Charlotte was the one who woke Theo, Luna. It was possible because she possesses divine power.”

At that, Luna’s eyes widened even further.

“Then the Duchess has… divine power?”

“More accurately, it has awakened. From now on, your job is to take good care of Charlotte while also monitoring her. Discreetly.”

Luna blinked, trying to understand the information.

“The offer to have Charlotte treat Theo was too tempting to refuse.”

Cassius gave a bitter smile. It was a laughable situation, to who everyone hailed as the North’s strongest swordsman was afraid of Theo’s death.

He was terrified of being left alone in this place.

“I’ve decided to trust her for now, but I can’t let my guard down. This will be a difficult task. Can you handle it?”

Finally, Luna nodded.

“Yes, Your Grace. I will serve you wholeheartedly.”

It was also a vow that she would never allow Charlotte to act recklessly.

Watching such a determined Luna,

Cassius smiled.

***

I came to a peaceful agreement with Cassius, and because of that—

“Wow!”

For the first time since I possessed this body, I stepped foot into the dining hall. It was also the first time I had officially received permission to freely wander around the mansion.

They say you only realize the value of something once it’s lost. Now I truly understand how precious freedom was.

I quickly covered my mouth, having unconsciously let out a gasp. Hopefully, no one heard that. I glanced around briefly and then firmly shut my lips.

After all, it’s important to hold onto the right people. By clinging to Theo and securing Cassius, my treatment had clearly improved.

The dining hall looked like something straight out of TV, with its long table and dozens of chairs.

Where should I sit?

Well, surely the head seat, right?

I started to quietly move toward the seat I assumed to be the head, but Luna called out to me in an awkward tone.

“Duchess.”

“Hm?”

“Not that side… I think you should sit over here, shouldn’t you?”

Luna cautiously pointed to the complete opposite direction from where I was heading.

Ahem.

I knew it. My intuition sucks. I should’ve figured since I always get lost in this mansion. I cleared my throat and nodded.

“R-right. I guess it’s been so long that I got confused.”

I quickly sat in the seat Luna had indicated. A mistake, right from the start.

I could feel Luna looking at me strangely. Was she confused because I, who had always been a jerk, was suddenly acting like a human? Well, this is the real me.

I gave Luna a wide smile.

Now, it’s her turn to get used to me. Charlotte has changed, and from now on, I will live as her.

I absolutely won’t live like a mess.

Just wait and see.

The one I have to save isn’t anyone else. It’s my own life.