~CHAPTER 41~
“What is that?”
“The medicine smells like feet.”
“……Excuse me?”
“The taste is similar too.”
“…….”
“Just close your eyes and drink it, ah. I’ll give you candy afterward.”
Eizen reluctantly opened the cap and drank the medicine.
I quickly popped a sweet strawberry candy into his mouth.
Even so, I patted his shoulders, noticing his displeased expression.
“I mixed the improved Blau Ginger with a variant of Anemone, so this side effect occurred.”
In trying to strengthen its effects, I couldn’t pay attention to taste or smell.
“But we might need to take it consistently for a few days to see the true effect……”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask him to take the unpleasant medicine.
Eizen frowned and asked,
“Are there any other side effects?”
“No!”
“Then that’s fine. Give me the medicine.”
Before his mind changed, I hurriedly grabbed the bottle and handed it to him.
“You know, three times a day, thirty minutes after meals.”
“Yes.”
“Ah! I’ll give you this as a bonus too. It’s delicious, my favorite.”
I placed a small package of candy on the medicine box.
Eizen silently took them.
After he left, I had an appointment and went out.
My destination was Marquis Wagner’s residence.
His wife had invited me, saying she had something to discuss.
Upon arrival, she greeted me with a bright smile.
“Thank you for coming, Mrs. Kreutz.”
She held my hands and guided me to the sofa.
Her makeup was lighter than usual, yet she looked unusually lively and radiant.
“No problem. But is something the matter? You seem so cheerful.”
“Oh my, everyone says that. I guess it shows a lot.”
Covering her cheeks shyly, the Marquise whispered,
“Actually… I’m pregnant.”
“What?! Really?! Congratulations!”
I widened my eyes and grabbed her hands, shaking them in joy.
She also smiled warmly, chattering happily.
“It’s been about a month. At first, I couldn’t believe it and didn’t tell my husband immediately. I spent three days in a daze, and only when he asked why did I finally confess.”
“Wow, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!”
“Thank you. The doctor says my body is stable even though it’s early. My husband is already fussing over baby names.”
She moved closer and gently met my gaze.
“The medicine you made worked perfectly. I’m truly grateful. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have this child.”
The Marquise placed her hand on her still-flat belly.
Thinking that a new life came because of my medicine, my palm itched with excitement.
“Mrs. Kreutz, if it’s not too burdensome… would you call me by my name?”
“Your name?”
“Ah, of course, if it’s awkward for you-.”
“Nelle!”
She immediately called my name with a bright smile.
I didn’t miss the opportunity.
I knew this was allowed only when two people in noble society were truly close personally.
Though we had become closer recently, this unexpected moment was both surprising and delightful.
“Please call me by my name too.”
“Ah, yes, Jena! This feels a little embarrassing……”
Blushing slightly, Nelle sipped her tea.
After a brief, comfortable silence, she put down her cup and said,
“Now I can hold my ground in front of Father. He has been scolding me quite a bit for not having a child.”
“That must have been hard. Did you share the pregnancy news?”
“Yes, he was delighted and took care of many things.”
Nelle smiled faintly.
Hearing her words reminded me of my father.
‘Maybe Father disapproves of me because he doesn’t have a child?’
But that was mostly because Eizen was sick and they hadn’t consummated the marriage.
I pursed my lips and decided to share this worry with Nelle.
“Actually, my father-in-law dislikes me. How can I get along better with him?”
“Uh… Jena?”
Nelle looked flustered, suddenly asked for personal advice.
“Do we really need to improve the relationship with your father-in-law? Your husband doesn’t complain, right?”
“No.”
“Then leave it be. As long as your husband protects you, it’s fine.”
“But we are family. I want to get along with them, but I don’t understand why Father pushes me away.”
I slumped my shoulders, looking dejected.
Nelle patted me sympathetically.
“If your husband refuses, you should give up-.”
“I guess the important thing here is communication?!”
I thought for a moment and realized that guessing alone wouldn’t tell me why Father disapproves or how to become closer.
I needed the answer directly from him.
“We lack communication. I must have a serious talk to understand Father’s feelings!”
I clenched my fists, burning with determination.
Seeing me, Nelle muttered weakly,
“You must stay strong…….”
* * *
Kreutz residence.
Wilhelm, who often massaged Renée’s shoulders, spoke heavily.
“Marquis Hoffman resents Eizen greatly because of his daughter.”
“Really? Ignoring what Miss Hoffman did, how shameless.”
Renée snorted and tapped her left arm.
Wilhelm lowered his hand and rubbed her arm, frowning.
“……Renée, because of that vile spy, our Eizen is suffering again.”
“It’s not his fault. Miss Hoffman made a big mistake.”
Renée’s reaction differed from what Wilhelm expected, and his expression hardened.
He had spoken to his son first, but Eizen had a similar reaction.
Protecting Jena while blaming Hoffman.
While he could overlook the latter, he couldn’t accept the former.
“Eizen and even you are siding with that spy. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t get close?”
“Well… we don’t need to fight about it. Is our attitude upsetting to you?”
Wilhelm silently nodded in response.
He knew that Jena made medicine for Renée and helped Matthias.
But thinking of her true identity, gratitude was mixed with caution.
Because of the curse running in our bloodline, the eldest son died, the younger nearly died, and even the grandchild’s future was uncertain.
Jena used this to approach Eizen and even attempted poisoning him.
“If it weren’t for our family’s curse, that insignificant spy wouldn’t dare target Eizen.”
Renée stared at her husband’s distorted face and finally spoke,
“Wilhelm, you-.”
Knock knock knock!
A light, lively knock echoed.
They immediately knew who it was.
“Mother, Father! You’re together today too?”
Jena peeked through the door with a bright smile.
Wilhelm’s face immediately turned cold, and he stood abruptly.
“Father, where are you going?”
Jena blocked his path without greeting.
Wilhelm glared down at her.
“……What are you trying to do? Go see Renée quietly.”
“No! I came to see Father today!”
Wilhelm and Renée were surprised.
It was Jena’s first time seeking the fake father.
Trying to gauge her intentions, Wilhelm snapped sharply.
But Jena was not intimidated.
Like a restaurant waiter guiding direction, she extended her hand outward and smiled.
“Shall we walk together and talk? I won’t take much time.”
“Huh……”
Wilhelm made a frustrated expression and turned to go outside.
Jena hurriedly followed.
“Father! Let’s go together!”
She walked briskly, chattering continuously.
“Father, what did you do today? You and Mother always seem so close. I want to be close to you too. If you wish, I can make tea leaves or candles for you-.”
Unable to endure her persistent voice, Wilhelm snapped,
“Stop calling me Father!”
Only his eldest son’s wife, Jocelyn, had permission to call him that.
Jena’s eyes widened.
“Then what should I call you? Mister?”
“……”
“Just kidding. You are Father. What else would I call you?”
Jena grinned, and Wilhelm felt his blood pressure rise.
Breathing heavily, he glared and asked authoritatively,
“Why are you suddenly acting like this? Tell me your intentions clearly.”
Looking up at serious Wilhelm, Jena’s expression grew solemn.
She slowly moved her lips and said,
“Why do you hate me, Father? Did I do something wrong to you?”
Her blue eyes were clear and focused.
Though she seemed innocent, she wasn’t completely oblivious.
Normally, he might have dismissed her questions, but seeing Eizen and Renée’s softened attitude, he felt urgency.
Determined to raise his defenses, Wilhelm retorted aggressively,
“It’s ridiculous that you don’t know. How much is Eizen suffering because of you? You bring harm to others yet want to be loved?”
The thorny words rained like arrows.
Jena’s eyes shook slightly, but she calmly replied,
“I live diligently for Eizen and Kreutz. Please tell me specifically what harm I caused.”
“Huh, why should I? You must realize it yourself!”
“Otherwise, I can only regard your words as unjust criticism. Is that acceptable?”
“You dare threaten me-!”
At that moment, Daniel, the butler, ran over urgently.
“It’s terrible! Lord- Master!”
“What? The Lady?”
“Ah, no! Master! The master has collapsed!”
Eizen collapsed?
Wilhelm and Jena’s expressions stiffened simultaneously.
