Chapter 6
Rainier Ignacio Siegmund.
He was the hidden prince of the Siegmund Empire. The Emperor kept him a secret because he was the only legitimate son of the late Empress.
The previous Empress died under false accusations. When she died, it was also announced that her son had died with her.
After her death, the truth was revealed—that all the accusations against her had been lies—but no one was properly punished.
The current Empress, who had once been a concubine, wrapped up the whole affair by sacrificing a few of her pawns.
Her power was that overwhelming.
So even though the Emperor knew his son was alive, he did not reveal him to the world—not until he was fully grown.
Because of this, Rainier had lived in the capital under a concealed identity. In the original novel, it was the same—he also lived in hiding.
However, when the original story mentioned him, he was already residing in the Imperial Palace, his legitimacy proven, and soon after, he ascended to Crown Prince.
By the time I couldn’t get out of bed, the Emperor had already died, and Rainier had taken the throne. He even eliminated the Empress, his mortal enemy.
That man.
Why is he here?
“Everyone else, please leave. I need to perform an examination.”
“I can’t allow you to be alone with the lady.”
At Catherine’s words, the man who introduced himself as Rein—but was clearly Rainier—looked at her.
“And why not? I’m a doctor.”
Catherine glanced at me briefly. She frowned, as if scrambling for an excuse, then spoke.
“Because the lady is a woman. We can’t leave her alone with a man like you.”
“Why? Other doctors were left alone with her before.”
That was true. Ella had never cared which doctor came into my room. She knew they were useless, taking their fees without performing proper examinations.
Ella had played a far more important role than any doctor—she was the one who secretly fed me Mermaid’s Tears.
“But, my lady—”
“Don’t worry, Catherine. He’s a doctor.”
This man was definitely Rainier. If he weren’t, the red eyes would be strange even with the hair color.
Red eyes were extremely rare. Across my past life and this one, I’d seen only one person with such eyes.
“And it’s just an examination, so you don’t have to stay.”
“…Yes, my lady.”
Catherine glanced at the doctor once more before leaving.
I needed to confirm if this man was truly Rainier.
If he was—
Then he was someone I needed to win over. Even better if I could keep him close.
Click.
The door closed as Catherine left with the other maids. Silence filled the room, just the two of us remaining.
Everything was so unclear.
Sonnet wanting to marry me for some reason. Rainier being here for another unknown reason.
And in the original novel, there had never been any mention of him disguising himself as a doctor.
Or maybe I just didn’t know because I skimmed the early parts and jumped to the ending. I’d experienced most of the mid-story, but there were gaps—I died early in that timeline, after all.
Perhaps he had disguised himself as a doctor during that period.
And in my past life, my memory of Rainier was blurry—I was half-blind from poison at the time.
Still, if I could befriend this man and obtain his blood, I could regain my lost health and have a perfect body without a single scar from surgery.
“Please, give me your hand.”
He was wearing a doctor’s gown, which made him look convincingly like one.
This novel was strange in that way—set in a medieval-like world, yet doctors wore modern coats. Beneath it, he was dressed neatly.
If this were truly medieval, I’d expect those bizarre bird-beak masks. Maybe it wasn’t a pure medieval setting after all.
“You’re checking my pulse?”
“Yes.”
Most doctors I’d seen used stethoscopes, but he seemed to prefer taking it by hand.
“What about the stethoscope?”
“I’ll use that after this.”
He smiled as he spoke.
That smile confirmed it—he was absolutely the male lead. I’d never seen anyone so handsome, and his smile was flawless.
And the more I looked, the stranger it felt—like I instinctively sensed that I shouldn’t defy him, as if he was inherently superior to me.
“Your hands are so small.”
“Are you here to examine me or make comments?”
“Yes, of course.”
He gently took my outstretched hand, flipped it over, and placed his fingers on my wrist, waiting. I knew enough to recognize this method of measuring pulse.
Then he released my hand and moved closer, sitting at the edge of the bed.
“What now?”
“I’d like to check the pulse in your neck as well.”
“Alright.”
When he stood, I noticed how tall he was—probably the tallest man I’d seen since coming here.
And his hands were huge.
“Ah…”
“Does this make you uncomfortable?”
“No, I was just surprised by how warm your hands are.”
His hand touched my neck, radiating an unusual warmth.
Now I was certain. Higher-than-average body temperature, those red eyes, and that towering height—
Exactly as the original described.
If I could confirm the burn scar on his back, it would be undeniable.
“Rein, what brings you to the Avierre estate?”
“I have… important matters.”
“Pardon?”
“Very important matters.”
He removed his hand from my neck after saying that.
Then he finally hung the stethoscope around his neck and approached me again.
As he came closer, I instinctively began removing my outerwear to help him.
“What are you doing?”
“Doesn’t thick clothing interfere?”
“Oh… yes. That’s true.”
I stared at him as I removed the garment. His awkward reaction only deepened my suspicions. A real doctor would be unfazed by a patient in thin clothes.
“How long will you be staying at the Avierre estate?”
“About half a year.”
“I see.”
I loosened the corset ties and removed it all at once. Sitting back on the bed in only my negligée, I noticed he was gripping the stethoscope tightly.
“Your hands are shaking.”
“I had a little to drink earlier.”
Blaming alcohol? Definitely the male lead—saying anything when nervous.
“Please hold your breath.”
I obeyed.
“Now exhale slowly.”
I repeated the process a few times as instructed. He seemed to ponder something, then finally removed the stethoscope.
“You’re healthy.”
Quack.
“Right.”
But if I could just obtain Rainier’s blood, I really would be healthy.
“You’ll come every day from now on, right?”
“Yes.”
He smiled faintly as he packed up his things. He didn’t speak again until he finished.
As he was about to leave, his eyes locked with mine.
“Are things completely over with Hugo Ronald, the Count’s heir?”
“What?”
“Are you truly done with him?”
“Ah… yes.”
He continued staring, as if urging me to elaborate.
“Yes, it’s completely over.”
“You don’t wish to take him back?”
“Not at all.”
“I see. Good.”
He smiled once more and paused at the door.
“I’m glad I got to see you alive.”
Then he left.
I was left with a lingering suspicion—had he already been bought off by my stepmother or sister?
Rainier exited the room and headed toward the person who had hired him.
Layla’s room, Sieber’s room, and the Count couple’s bedroom were all on the third floor.
He entered the study next to the Countess’s bedroom, located at the far end of the L-shaped building.
As soon as he stepped inside, the Countess looked up from her tea as if she’d been waiting.
“How did it go?”
Rainier approached her and said,
“From now on, I’ll handle everything you ordered.”
“Why?”
“That maid, Catherine, seems too soft-hearted.”
The Countess considered it. Catherine was loyal but unsuited for such tasks. After all, she had once lost a daughter—she might develop sympathy for Layla.
Still, she was useful as the Countess’s eyes and ears, so she’d kept her close to Layla.
It didn’t matter. Layla would die soon anyway. She had been taking Mermaid’s Tears for over five years, foolishly believing it was medicine for her illness.
The idea that the tonic was slowly killing her never crossed her mind. And whenever the anxiety of her uncertain lifespan overwhelmed her, she sought comfort in men—a pathetic creature.
Even when all of her mother’s belongings were confiscated and burned before her eyes, she had only cried and begged:
“If I’ve done wrong, punish me instead. Please, don’t burn my mother’s things… please.”
It had been amusing, watching that once-proud noblewoman grovel at her feet.
“Then you’ll administer the medicine yourself from now on.”
“Yes. I’ll make sure she takes it once a day—personally.”
The Countess trusted Rainier greatly. After all, he was the man who had saved her when a rockslide crashed onto her carriage.
“May I ask why you want Lady Layla dead?”
It was a presumptuous question, but the Countess was lenient with Rainier. And there was something about his eyes—looking into them made her speak thoughts she hadn’t intended to voice.
“If she disappears, Sieber will inherit the entire estate.”
The Countess set down her teacup.
“I understand.”
“Make sure it’s done.”
Rainier exchanged a few more words before leaving the room.
Once the door shut behind him, he glanced back at the Countess’s study and muttered softly,
“That will never happen.”
✅ Would you like me to continue
Thanks for the chapter 🥰