TQV 26

Chapter 26

Ever since they returned from Duke Sadi’s estate, things between the two had been strangely awkward. That was the conclusion drawn by Butler Alvin, maids Sezanne, Roxy, Chili, and even Ivan.

“Something must’ve happened.”

“What should we do about it?”

The three maids surrounded Alvin, pressing him to come up with a solution.

“But Ivan, why are you even here?”

Alvin looked at Ivan with clear irritation.

“You haven’t forgotten that I’m the unofficial number one contributor to bringing those two closer together, have you?”

Ivan puffed out his chest proudly. As much as it annoyed Alvin, it was true.

“So what?”

“As the top contributor, I can’t just sit back and watch this unfold!”

“Oh, please.”

Ivan slammed his fist on the desk and shouted.

“You need to come up with a plan!”

“Alright. That’s all you wanted to say?”

Ivan nodded confidently.

“Get out.”

Already stressed from going back and forth between headquarters and the mansion, Alvin had no choice but to turn to Giovanni for help.

“So you want me to poke Lord Killian in the side a few times?”

“Yes. I thought maybe the two of them doing something together would be good.”

At Alvin’s suggestion, Giovanni also began thinking hard.

“Oh! That’s it!”

His face lit up as if a great idea had struck him.

“You’ve thought of something?”

“How about horseback riding? The boss could teach the lady himself.”

“Oho, perfect for some physical contact.”

Clapping together in excitement, Alvin suddenly looked worried.

“Why the long face all of a sudden?”

“Well… how are we going to get them to go horseback riding together?”

It was a fair point. Giovanni’s brows furrowed in thought.

“I didn’t think that far ahead.”

“So what now…”

“That part is for you to figure out, Alvin.”

“…What?”

“As you know, I’m busy with all sorts of matters.”

With a pat on the shoulder meant to be encouraging, Giovanni left. Honestly, none of them were any help.

Left with no choice, Alvin spent the following nights racking his brain. Finally, on the third day, he came up with a plan.

“My lady.”

Alvin carefully approached Emily.

“What is it?”

“Since you’ve gotten married, you haven’t had a full check-up. I’d like you to undergo one.”

It was a sudden suggestion, but there was no harm in it, so Emily readily agreed.

“I don’t feel unwell, but sure.”

“Thank you. I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”

Things moved quickly. The Star Family had a doctor dedicated to examining its members, and he was quite skilled.

A flashy young man entered, looking anything but like a doctor.

“My name is Painless. Please call me Dr. Pain.”

“Four syllables for four syllables, got it.”

“Then, let’s begin the examination.”

Using his house-call tools, Dr. Pain checked Emily’s pupils, mouth, breathing, and pulse.

“Is the lady alright?”

Alvin asked, and Dr. Pain’s expression turned grave. Emily began to feel anxious too.

“What is it? Is something wrong with my body?”

Dr. Pain stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“My lady, how often do you exercise?”

“I keep up a steady routine like most people.”

“Is that so? Strange. Do you suffer from constipation?”

At that, Emily’s face turned red.

“How do you…?”

“What kind of exercise do you do?”

“I… mostly running.”

“Then how about trying horseback riding?”

“Huh? Horseback riding? Just like that?”

Dr. Pain nodded solemnly.

“At this point, the best solution for your constipation is horseback riding.”

Alvin dramatically chimed in at that exact moment.

“My lady! Isn’t the master an expert equestrian?”

“Oh, is that so? Then you can learn from the marquis!”

Perfectly in sync, the two began pushing Emily toward the idea. But she absolutely did not want to learn horseback riding from Killian.

“He’s too busy. I’ll find another instructor.”

No way was she going to admit her constipation to Killian.

Seeing her firm refusal, Alvin scratched his head.

‘Looks like we’ll have to go with Plan B.’

Left with no choice, Alvin decided to target Killian directly.

“Alvin? What brings you here?”

Running to the headquarters to find Killian, Alvin’s mood soured the moment he saw Nox.

“I came to see Lord Killian.”

“Why? Did something happen to the lady?”

He didn’t have time to chat with Nox, who was known for turning every sentence into ten.

“That’s none of your business. Where’s the boss?”

Feeling slighted, Nox decided to pick a fight.

“I’ll tell you if you dodge my punch.”

“I told you I don’t have time for this!”

Nox suddenly swung, but Alvin caught his fist and twisted it.

“Ugh! Wait!”

Ignoring the cry, Alvin followed up with a kick to the gut, sending Nox sprawling.

Pinned under Giovanni’s boot, Nox shouted in protest.

“Okay, okay! Just get off me!”

In truth, Alvin was one of the caporegime who led a crew within the Star Family—and his crew was the most powerful.

“Told you not to mess with me.”

Stretching after using his body for the first time in a while, Alvin hurried off to where Killian was likely to be.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long to find him.

“Lord Killian.”

Seeing Alvin rush into the office, Killian’s expression darkened. If Alvin came at this hour, it had to involve Emily.

“What’s wrong?”

“Dr. Pain visited today and…”

Alvin hesitated mid-sentence.

Killian wasn’t alone. The room was filled with men in black sitting around a table. Alvin wasn’t sure if he could mention Emily’s constipation in front of them.

‘No, for her reputation’s sake, I can’t.’

As Alvin mulled over it, Killian’s patience wore thin.

“Alvin.”

“Yes, yes… one of the lady’s internal organs is having some trouble…”

The room erupted in murmurs.

“An internal organ?”

“Isn’t that serious?”

“They say noblewomen are frail.”

Killian grabbed his coat and stormed out.

“Prepare the carriage immediately.”

Alvin cringed as things quickly spiraled out of control.

“Th-this isn’t what I meant…”

But Killian was already striding off into the distance.

Meanwhile, at that very moment, Emily was eating yogurt that was supposed to help with constipation.

She didn’t think her condition was that serious, but Dr. Pain’s face had been grave.

He’d warned that if left untreated, the toxins would rise to her face.

‘So scary. I really should learn horseback riding.’

As she took her final bite, Killian burst in without waiting for a reply to his knock.

Startled, Emily looked up.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“I heard Dr. Pain was here.”

“Oh… yes.”

She shot Alvin a sharp glare from behind Killian.

‘I told him not to tell you!’

“What’s this about a problem with your internal organs?”

A problem with her organs? Emily didn’t understand at first—until she realized he meant her bowels.

‘So Alvin didn’t get to explain in full, I see.’

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Please tell me.”

“Knowing will only hurt you.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I don’t want to talk about it.”

Killian winced. He had never seen Emily so stubborn before.

“Then I’ll call Dr. Pain.”

“What?”

Killian turned to Alvin.

“Bring Painless here immediately.”

“B-but Lord Killian…”

Alvin squirmed, caught between them.

“Why are you still standing there?!”

“Wait a moment.”

Emily sighed and stopped him. She really didn’t want to hear that diagnosis again.

“I’ll just tell you.”

Her lips trembled.

“Please say it.”

“It’s that I… I actually…”

Under the pressure to speak, Emily finally burst out in a miserable voice.

“I have constipation…”

So Killian had rushed out of an important meeting—for his wife’s constipation.

He turned to stare silently at Alvin.

Swallowing hard, Alvin stammered.

“S-so I was wondering if Your Grace might teach the lady horseback riding…”

“Horseback riding?”

Killian’s eyes demanded further explanation, and Alvin answered quickly.

“It’s supposedly the best treatment for her… constipation.”

‘I. Told. You. Not. To. Say. That.’

Alvin clenched his jaw and avoided Emily’s furious, murderous glare.

Killian walked over and sat across from Emily.

“…Then I’ll finish work early tomorrow and return by 4 p.m.”

Learning horseback riding from Killian to cure constipation? And in the most embarrassing way imaginable?

Emily wanted to cry.