TCBCVF 103

~Chapter 103~

The next morning.

“Brother sleeping in late? That’s unusual.”

Lady Eva tilted her head at the breakfast table, which was already set with a full spread.

I was a little surprised too. The Duke was usually punctual.

‘Even yesterday, he came down to the dining room before anyone else.’

Just then, Lady Eva called to a maid.

“Mina, could you check my brother’s room?”

“Um, Eva.”

I shook my head to stop her.

“Let’s not.”

“Why not?”

“He might still be sleeping because he’s tired from yesterday.”

“Hm, him?”

She looked doubtful, then shrugged.

“That man is tougher than anyone. That’s not like him.”

“Still, he’s been pushing himself lately.”

I remembered that even yesterday, he had gone to bed right after dinner.

Eva pouted.

“Well, fine. Should we start without him then?”

“Are you sure we don’t have to wait?”

She waved her hand.

“Come on, do you think my brother would tell us to starve until he shows up?”

That was true enough.

I nodded awkwardly, and we began eating.

Partway through the meal, hurried footsteps approached.

“Sorry, I’m a bit late.”

It was the Duke—hair neat, wearing a crisp shirt and black trousers.

“As polished as ever,” I thought.

“Oh, brother,” Eva said, chewing a large bite of soufflé pancake and waving carelessly.

“We started without you. That’s fine, right?”

“Of course. I never expected you to wait for me anyway.”

“What?!”

Eva glared, but he ignored her and greeted me politely.

“Good morning, Lady Ansie.”

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, well enough.”

He gave a small smile and sat down, signaling to the servant behind him.

“A hot peppermint tea, please.”

I blinked.

‘Huh?’

The Duke usually preferred coffee—black, without sugar or cream.

Not that peppermint tea was strange, but…

‘Don’t people usually drink that when they have a sore throat or a cold?’

Then I noticed something else—he kept sipping hot tea but wasn’t touching his food.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked.

“I don’t have much of an appetite.”

He smiled smoothly, but I frowned slightly.

When breakfast ended, he stood.

“Then, I’ll head upstairs first.”

“So soon?” Eva asked, eyes wide.

“You’re not staying a bit longer?”

“No, I think I’ll get some rest.”

Rest? In the middle of the day? That was unlike him.

‘And he went to bed early yesterday…’

Suspicious, I called out.

“Your Grace.”

He stopped abruptly, still facing away—like a wind-up doll that had suddenly broken.

Then, turning slightly, he smiled faintly.

“Did you need something?”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I don’t know what you mean. Of course I’m—”

He broke off and pressed a hand to his forehead.

My eyes widened.

“Your Grace?!”

“Brother!”

Eva dropped her tart and rushed over.

The Duke waved his hand dismissively.

“I’m fine. I just need—”

But his hand stayed on his forehead, his body swaying.

Then, he lost his balance.

“Oh my—Your Grace?”

I grabbed his wrist—and froze.

“You’re burning up…!”

“What? He has a fever?!” Eva cried, hurrying to us.

Still holding his forehead, the Duke tried to speak.

“There’s no need to make a fuss. If I just rest—”

But before he could finish, he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

“Overwork has caused a fever,” the doctor, summoned urgently from the ducal estate, declared.

“Really? Just that? It’s not something serious, right?!”

Eva clutched the doctor’s shoulders, shaking him.

“It’s truly just a fever from overwork, my lady,” he reassured.

“But what if he doesn’t wake up?!”

“That won’t happen.”

“Can you promise?”

“Of course.”

Only after questioning him several more times did Eva sigh deeply and sink into a chair, glaring at her brother.

“Why did you have to get sick? You scared us!”

When he had been brought to his room, Eva had been nearly in a panic.

“Lari, what do we do? He’s not waking up!”

“Please calm down, Eva. The doctor will be here soon, alright?”

“He’s all I have. I…”

She had even cried, though now she seemed embarrassed about it.

The doctor added, “He’s normally healthy. With proper nutrition, medicine, and rest, he’ll recover quickly.”

After the doctor left, Eva stared silently at the sleeping Duke.

“You should rest too,” I suggested.

“No, I’ll stay until he wakes up.”

“But you were so shocked earlier.”

I truly thought she might faint too.

“I’ll call you right away when he wakes. Okay?”

“…Fine. But promise you will.”

“Of course.”

Eva finally left, and I pulled a chair to the bedside.

‘Honestly, what is this…’

Despite his earlier words, his face was pale.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, his lips were dry and cracked, his breathing hot and uneven.

I picked up a cool, wet cloth and gently wiped away the sweat.

When I laid it on his forehead,

his expression eased slightly.

‘Thank goodness.’

I looked at him with mixed feelings.

“Really, how could you get this sick…”

Of course, he couldn’t hear me.

“Eva cried because she was worried.”

“…”

“You said you wanted to be good to her.”

I took a deep breath, trying to sound calm.

“…Making people worry like this.”

But my voice trembled hopelessly.