Chapter 16
[“You said it was a curse that gradually consumes one with heat and soon leads to death.”]
“Consumed by heat, leading to death…”
That was exactly the symptom of the hereditary illness Benedict had known about.
But if this wasn’t a disease, but a curse—then why had no one been able to break it until now?
The Winfield ducal family, though not particularly powerful due to their short lifespans, was still a noble house cherished by the royal family like a sibling.
If this fact had been reported to the royal court, they would have surely taken active steps to help. In that case, shouldn’t the curse have been lifted already?
If not, then by the brutal logic of the world where the weak are weeded out, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the Winfield line had already gone extinct.
Benedict set the letter aside and leaned against the door with his whole body.
His mind was blank.
Even without touching his forehead, he could tell—the wretched fever had returned.
Lucien, having also returned to her room, walked to the window and thought back on what had happened during the day.
The woman she had met again at the grave had gently caressed the former Duke’s tomb with such loving hands.
It didn’t feel like a stranger’s touch at all.
She also recalled what Benedict had said when he returned:
“Oh, she said she went out, but I bet that was a lie!”
If what he said was true—then…
Lucien shook her head, scolding herself for rushing to conclusions.
What would June have done at a time like this?
After a moment’s thought, she suddenly remembered something. Quickly climbing down from the window frame, she slipped into the hallway. Just then, Alfie was coming up the stairs.
“Is something wrong, Miss?”
“Mr. Butler, may I see the portrait? Oh, and also the botanical encyclopedia, please.”
“I found the marriage contract documents.”
The next morning, Benedict, looking slightly weary, tapped a document lying beside him.
“Contract documents?”
Lucien asked as she popped a piece of banana into her mouth. Benedict nodded slowly.
“Yes. It outlines the terms of cooperation for my grandparents’ marriage. I dug through all the old document boxes to find it.”
“You use contracts to get married?”
To Lucien, marriage was a promise of forever between two people who loved each other—not something formalized with terms and signatures.
“It happens often among nobles. There are complex responsibilities and assets involved.”
“I see…”
She nodded slowly and dipped the next slice of banana in chocolate.
“Then you’ll have to use a contract when you get married too, Benedict.”
That statement made her suddenly feel how different their social statuses were.
“Of course not. Never!”
He exclaimed in horror, then cleared his throat and corrected himself.
“I mean—I don’t intend to marry, ever.”
“Oh, really?”
Lucien just nodded casually, as though she’d learned something new.
Then Benedict began studying her expression closely.
“What is it?”
“Oh, nothing. Anyway, we’re fine now that we have this. It includes a clause saying that my grandmother must remain loyal to the Winfield family.”
He smirked, slightly wickedly.
“If she betrays the duke’s house, the responsibility falls on her birth family—the Rockridge family.”
“And by responsibility, he means money. Honestly, that’s so petty, Master.”
Alfie added this while pouring him another cup of warm tea. Benedict didn’t deny the pettiness.
“I know. It’s a low and dirty tactic.”
“…Benedict.”
He sipped the tea slowly and then looked across at Lucien with determined eyes.
“But even so, I must make her my guardian, no matter what.”
“…”
“Why do you look so uncomfortable?”
“I’m worried someone will get hurt.”
“Well, of course. According to the letter I read yesterday, she doesn’t get along with the Rockridge relatives. So she’ll hate getting involved with them. She’ll have no choice but to accept my offer.”
“That’s not the only reason I’m worried!”
Lucien set down her utensils.
“The lady will be hurt too—but so will you, Benedict, if you talk like that. Let’s find another way…”
“There’s no time.”
Benedict cut her off firmly.
They didn’t speak again for the rest of the meal.
After breakfast, Lucien returned to her room. It was supposed to be study time, but she couldn’t focus.
In the end, I didn’t get to see the lady’s portrait yesterday.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single painting of her anywhere.
But…
She had learned something about the seed packet she accidentally took with her when she was rushed out of the storage room yesterday.
It said “Firefly Rose.”
The Firefly Rose had a very romantic meaning and was considered quite rare in the Shevon Kingdom.
(The encyclopedia was full of difficult words, so she had to decipher it mostly through pictures and charts.)
“I wish I had brought the other packets too.”
Lucien rested her head on the desk, trying to recall the other seed packets she had seen.
“What were they… ugh, I really should have taken them all!”
If she could identify the other plants, she might find some connection that would lead to answers.
“Ugh… still can’t remember.”
Frustrated, Lucien stood up.
Then—what was this? The very same packets she had seen yesterday tumbled out from beneath her skirt onto the floor.
It was as if they’d magically appeared.
“Did I… really take this many?”
No. Definitely not.
It’s like… they showed up because I really wanted them to…
She shook her head. That couldn’t be possible.
Maybe Alfie had seen her looking at the botanical encyclopedia and quietly brought her the remaining packets. Perhaps to help Benedict.
Lucien quickly opened the encyclopedia and began matching the packets to their plant entries.
Just as she was deep in concentration, there was a knock at the door. Alfie must have come to teach.
Lucien opened the door quickly.
“You’re such a kind person, Mr. Butler!”
“…Huh?”
He played dumb, but Lucien believed he had a very thoughtful heart. She held out the seed packets to him.
“You’re worried about Benedict too, aren’t you?”
“Uh, well… of course I am. But more importantly—these packets are amazing.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Merchants use these when carrying seeds on ships. They’re made from enchanted paper, crafted by wizards. Very rare and expensive.”
“How do you know that?”
“Ahem! I’ve helped move cargo on trade ships before, you know?”
Apparently, a duke’s butler needed quite the diverse experience.
Lucien looked at him in admiration, then asked carefully:
“Mr. Butler… could you tell Benedict something for me?”
She clutched the seed packets close to her chest and looked up at him earnestly.
“When he goes to see his grandmother today, tell him he has to take me with him.”
“Why did you want to come with me?”
Riding side-by-side in the carriage, Benedict asked with a sulky expression.
“Sorry. I know it’s not really my place.”
Lucien fiddled with her small purse and apologized.
“That’s not what I meant. It’s cold today.”
Just then, the carriage window rattled in the wind. A chill crept into the small carriage like a whisper.
They both reached for the warm water bottles Alfie had packed for them.
Soon, the carriage exited the city and entered a quiet countryside road. Forests flanked both sides. As they passed a clearing, a transparent glass building came into view in the distance.
“Wow…”
Lucien scooted closer to the window. She had never seen anything so amazing.
“It’s a glass greenhouse.”
Benedict lifted the water bottle she had left on the seat and placed it back on her lap.
“I’ve never seen one in real life.”
“My grandfather built it for my grandmother—so she could enjoy all kinds of flowers.”
“That explains it.”
Lucien nodded slightly and mumbled. Benedict turned and asked, “What did you say?”
“Oh, nothing.”
She turned and smiled, shaking her head.
