Chapter 10
“…Really?”
“Yeah. And then I saw this bright light before I fainted. It hurt so much.”
I only had a small hope that maybe Daniel would understand what I meant. I couldn’t stand watching an innocent person get blamed and cast aside.
Hearing my words, Daniel’s small face was filled with worry, as if he was thinking hard about something.
“Tell Father to come. Say I have something to report.”
The frightened maids, who had been trembling, scrambled over each other to leave first, making a noisy scene.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. It was unbearable. I wanted to say something, but even swallowing was difficult. In the end, I gave up and let my body relax, staring up at the ceiling.
‘Actually, this is for the best. At least now, I can reveal the real cause of the illness. Aria might blame herself, but it’s a necessary step.’
I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay firm even if I saw Aria sad and suffering.
Not long after the maids left, the door opened and the Duke of Maynard appeared.
“You’ve finally woken up. Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”
I shook my head. When his large, rough yet gentle hand touched my forehead, my eyes closed automatically.
“So what is it, Danny?”
The duke asked while still stroking my forehead.
Daniel, who was still holding my hand tightly, looked uneasy. I squeezed his hand a little in return.
“It might be Aria’s holy power that caused it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Riela said so. She said it hurt when Aria held her hand. That it stung and made her feel sick inside.”
The duke’s face showed surprise at Daniel’s words.
“…I understand what you’re saying. But that alone doesn’t prove it’s the cause.”
“Then we can research it!”
“Danny.”
At his father’s low call, Daniel bit his lip shut, looking frustrated. The duke patted the back of his head.
“Be careful, son. If you speak carelessly, it could sound like you’re insulting the gods. Wouldn’t that make Riela uncomfortable?”
Not uncomfortable at all, though…
I realized things weren’t going the way I wanted, so I swallowed and spoke up.
“Um…”
Both Daniel and the duke turned their heads toward me at once.
Hmm. Looking at them like this, they really do look alike. So this is how Daniel will look when he grows up?
The sight was so mesmerizing I almost forgot myself, but I pulled it together and said,
“Daniel’s right. When Aria held my hand, it hurt. A white light entered my body. It was really painful.”
I emphasized “really,” and Daniel immediately looked up at the duke as if to say, See? I told you so.
The duke’s lips moved like he wanted to say something, but instead he let out a heavy sigh, looking troubled.
“…How likely is this to be true?”
“Ah, well, we’d have to check, but as far as I know, there are no records of allergic reactions to holy power.”
The physician, startled by the sudden question, quickly bent low and rattled off his answer.
“No records…”
The duke muttered quietly, making the poor physician shrink back in fear.
“I’ll provide whatever support you need. Start researching holy power immediately. I want results as soon as possible.”
“I—I’ll do my best, my lord!”
His voice shook, a mix of relief at being spared and terror at the burden placed on him.
When the physician left, the duke ran a hand through his hair, looking irritated.
As expected of a good father—no wonder his son turned out well.
I was busy admiring the pair’s stunning looks when the duke asked me,
“Did it really hurt when Aria touched you?”
“Yes. I had just taken medicine then, so I remember it clearly.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me honestly. Don’t worry—I’ll find a way to cure you.”
Even as he was called away by his butler, he kept reassuring me that everything would turn out fine.
Once he left, only Daniel and I were left in the room.
“Daniel, aren’t you going?”
“…Do you want me to?”
“Well, I mean, you’ve got a lot to do. Classes, homework… And I’m tired, so I want to sleep.”
I sounded defensive, and Daniel looked a little hurt.
“…Alright. I’ll go. But if you need anything, don’t move—just ask the maids.”
I nodded quickly, trying to look trustworthy, but he still seemed reluctant to leave. Only when I urged him again did he finally head toward the door.
With his hand on the knob, he spoke without looking back.
“And don’t hate Aria. She didn’t mean it. She must be upset too.”
The door shut with a thud.
It was one-sided advice, but it didn’t really hurt me.
Now free, I closed my eyes to get some proper sleep.
“…Can’t sleep.”
Even with the blanket pulled over my head, I couldn’t fall asleep. Daniel’s worried face kept flashing in my mind.
***
“Come to think of it, I forgot to ask. Daniel was around before, so I couldn’t. But today I have to.”
It was finally time to dig into the truth I’d read in Aria’s book about “Riela Maynard.”
After resting for a few days, I felt much better. No one would stop me from moving now.
“Young miss, you’re not wearing your necklace.”
One maid hurried over, holding out a necklace with a blue magic stone.
It was only that one time I hadn’t worn it, but Daniel had made such a fuss that I had no choice but to always keep it on from then on.
Only after the necklace was securely fastened—so tightly it wouldn’t fall off no matter what—was I allowed to leave my room.
“Ah, fresh air.”
I took a deep breath, stretching out my chest, and the maid laughed softly at my relief.
But I wasn’t exaggerating. The air in the hallway was completely different from the stuffy bedroom.
Grinning, I walked down the corridor. If only there weren’t a line of maids following me everywhere…
But the duke himself had ordered them to stay by my side at all times, so I had no choice.
‘Even the duchess doesn’t get this many maids.’
As I walked, I suddenly heard Aria’s voice nearby.
I perked my ears and looked around. One maid bent down and whispered,
“Are you searching for something, my lady?”
“I think I heard Aria. Is she in class?”
“Yes. She’s training with Priest Russell right now.”
“I see. That’ll take a while, huh?”
“Most likely. I’ll inform her maids of your interest.”
“No need. For now—let’s go see the duke!”
I pointed boldly forward like a knight charging into battle. The maids all chuckled behind me.
***
“So, you have a question for me?”
A cup of tea was placed in front of me. The duke watched me blow on the steaming tea before sipping his own.
When I flinched at the hot taste, he cooled mine down with water until it was mild enough to drink in one go.
“I came because I wanted to ask you something. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course. Tell me—what are you curious about?”
I hesitated, then took a breath.
“I heard rumors that I might be entering the Maynard family. Is that true?”
“…Where did you hear that?”
He looked genuinely shocked. The ease of his reaction reassured me.
“Aria told me. But it wasn’t her fault, so please don’t scold her.”
“How could it be Aria’s fault? If anything, it was my mistake for talking carelessly without knowing she was listening.”
He rubbed his face with both hands, looking troubled.
“So it’s true then? That I’ll become part of the Maynard family?”
“…Yes. I was preparing to bring you into our house.”
“Did something happen to my parents?”
He looked pained, as if even speaking about it was difficult.
“Please, just tell me everything. I can handle it.”
I only meant I could understand even complicated explanations. But he seemed to think I was saying I could handle any tragic truth without breaking down. His expression grew heavy with worry.
“Your father, Count Hound, entrusted you to me because of your poor health. Always surrounded by danger, I was the only one he could truly trust.”
The duke sighed deeply, brows furrowed, as if even recalling it hurt.
Compared to his grief, I felt nothing. Maybe because I wasn’t the real Riela Hound.
“Riela.”
He called my name. I nodded to show I was okay.
“Count Hound—your father—told me that if anything ever happened to him, he wanted me to take you as my daughter. And I intend to honor that.”
Which could only mean something had happened to Riela’s father. Most likely dead—or close to it.
“What about my mother?”
After all, a noble house could also be run by its lady. If both parents were gone, the family usually passed to relatives.
But the duke was skipping over that possibility and speaking only of adopting me himself. Something didn’t add up.
“…I don’t know if I should tell you this, but…”
He trailed off, avoiding my eyes. I glared at him, refusing to leave until he spoke. With a helpless sigh, he finally said:
“She ran away.”
…Huh?!
