Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 115

“Your Highness, Your Royal Highness.”

Edit hastily stood up and greeted her with a bow. She had let her guard down because it wasn’t him returning so early. What if she had made a slip of the tongue?

Suppressing a nervous laugh at the dreadful thought, Edit held it in.

“Are you really hiding something?”

“It’s natural to have symptoms that can’t be cured by a doctor, and I think she’ll probably be fine within three weeks.”

“How do you know that when you’re not a doctor?”

“Because I’m a woman who has lived in this world. Women usually learn from their mothers. But Canilia has never had anyone to teach her. Since Madam is concerned, please don’t worry too much.”

Claude, who had been staring at Edit and advising me without changing her expression, simply pointed to the door without further response. She maintained her politeness until the end and left the room.

That day, Claude couldn’t leave Canilia’s side for a moment. She woke up briefly from her nap, took a walk absentmindedly, and fell asleep again at the usual time. She barely ate anything for dinner, just sipped on a bit of soup.

“What could it be?”

Claude was serious. Even though everyone said it was nothing to worry about, he couldn’t simply pass Canilia’s condition off as insignificant. She suddenly lost her appetite and spent half the day sleeping, which meant there was a problem somewhere in her body.

That night, Claude wiped his gaunt face as he looked at Canilia, whose weight had visibly dropped. Perhaps visible wounds would be better. Then he could at least confirm her progress with his own eyes. He wouldn’t have felt so powerless and helpless.

But what was most agonizing was Canilia herself. She must be feeling frustrated and anxious. Claude, who had resolved to make sure she would undergo an examination with the physician tomorrow, suddenly recalled Edit’s peculiar behavior.

Canilia’s face showed a clear expression of joy whenever she was in pain. To the point where it was almost overwhelming. Claude briefly wondered if it was out of sympathy, but doubting Edit, someone from Jasmine’s people, felt like doubting his own mother.

“What on earth could it be?”

He had a perplexed expression on his face, as if facing the most complicated problem in the world.

“Will I be able to eat properly like this?”

He lightly touched her cheek, which had a numb expression, as if she didn’t feel any pain when she was asleep.

Tomorrow, she will definitely receive a consultation from the doctor. Even if his mother and Edit tried to dissuade him, he wouldn’t back down this time.

Claude took off his robe and slipped into the covers. Then he embraced her warm and soft body. She liked his soap scent. Even in her sleep, the first thing she would do was take a deep breath, pressing her nose against his chest.

The lavender this year was more abundant than last year. Claude thought he should instruct her to move the lavender plants to her window soon. Even in his absence, she could find solace in smelling her favorite scent.

****

The city suffered from a feverish atmosphere due to the countless carriages and people coming into Del Casa. The servants of the Ducal House were busier than ever preparing for the wedding. They decorated the chapel and created shade in various places in the garden. Taking care of the people gathering from all over, the food was served in various categories, and the kitchen had been in full swing since two days ago. Juli, the head chef, was startled when she saw Canilia, who appeared at the kitchen entrance where nobles were not supposed to enter.

“You shouldn’t be here. This is the servants’ area. You can’t come to a place meant for important people.”

Upon hearing that, Canilia, with a pale face, pointed to the table of ingredients, her dry lips trembling. More precisely, it was a basket with red apples placed on the table.

“Could you possibly make some apple juice? I’m hungry, and there’s nothing for me to eat. The maids are too busy, so I came here myself.”

“Well, of course, of course. I’ll make it right away, so please go back. It won’t be good for you to smell the food. I felt the same way, and Melissa too. We wanted to get rid of this work back then.”

Canilia tilted her head at Juli’s words, her warm smile. Juli, realizing that Canilia still couldn’t understand her words, was surprised and gave instructions to the kitchen maids. Upon hearing the request to make a lot of apple juice, a particularly dexterous maid peeled the apples, put them in a mortar, and started crushing them. Then she squeezed it tightly into a cloth, and the tangy-sweet juice filled the glass.

Lia couldn’t take her eyes off the process. While it was difficult for her to even think about other foods, apples were different. It gave her a comforting feeling, as if her disordered and restless mind was settling down.

As she received the glass of apple juice, sparkling with precious ice cubes, she drank it all in one go, leaving not a single drop. Seeing Lia drink it cleanly without leaving a trace, Juli decided to turn the meat-filled pie into an apple pie. Adding desserts made with apples and steamed dishes with apples would surely captivate the new host’s taste buds.

“I’ll pour you another glass, so please go back. I’ll fill it to the brim and send it to you.”

Disappointed with the taste that didn’t satisfy her, Canilia nodded her head and turned away. Still, she felt like she would gain some strength by eating something. She absolutely couldn’t make any mistakes today. According to Edit, everyone had to gather at the banquet hall to welcome the Emperor and the nobles of the capital late at night.

So it would be better to rest deeply. Lia emerged from the narrow servant passage and walked out of the building. Clear air and sleep were the best remedies for calming her unsettled mind.

“Are you tired?”

Lia, who was absentmindedly heading towards the stables, was startled and turned around at Jasmine’s voice.

“Madam, good morning.”

“Yes, it’s very nice weather.”

Jasmine walked by her side, wearing a bright-colored dress. Instead of heading to the stables, Lia changed her direction towards the garden that Jasmine liked. Jasmine silently smiled at her thoughtfulness and handed her a small sachet of perfume.

“Whenever my stomach rumbles, it’s nice to smell it. I happened to have the ingredients, so I tried making it.”

It was a sachet of dried lemon, cinnamon, and fragrance-free herbs. Lia’s expression became somewhat serious as she received it with gratitude.

“I’m not really sure if it’s nothing. I keep losing weight, and when I smell food, I unknowingly make a face. It can even make me nauseous if it’s severe. I’m afraid it might be some strange illness… Actually, I’m scared. Am I really okay like this?”

Jasmine felt a slight guilt at Lia’s expression, filled with fear like a child, and continued with her lie.

“I was like that too before I got married. I was prone to stress due to tension, but ultimately my body was weak. I was even thinner than you, Lia. But as I started eating properly and some time passed, I got better.”

“Is it really… because of that?”

“Take care of your body and always keep it warm. It’s your body sending signals. It’s appealing for you to treat it preciously.”

“My body?”

“Part of it belongs to Lia.”

An ambiguous answer, neither true nor false. She nodded, as if understanding and not understanding were happening at the same time. Then Jasmine brought the sachet she had given her and pressed it against her nose. It emitted a refreshing yet prickling herbal scent. Lia smiled satisfactorily. With this, she felt that she wouldn’t have to worry about tonight’s dinner.

That evening, as Edit had said, the imperial carriage arrived. The servants of the Ducal House stood at the entrance without relaxing. The newspaper reporter who had arrived earlier finished preparing for the flash and waited for the Emperor’s carriage door to open. Since she had never seen such a splendid carriage before, Lia forgot about her uneasiness and stood beside Claude, fixing her gaze on the door.

Soon, with a dignified expression, the Emperor turned around and opened the carriage door. As the robust Emperor descended from the carriage, everyone bent their knees.

The Emperor looked at Jasmine, Claude, and Canilia in turn with a tired face, and smiled with satisfaction.

“It’s been a long time. Thank you for inviting me to the beautiful Del Casa, Jasmine.”

Following them, Prince Wade and Princess Regina, as well as Kieran, descended from the carriage. Canilia was eager to greet the familiar faces and was about to rush towards them. However, upon noticing the people who got off the car that arrived afterward, she forgot about exchanging greetings and stared at them instead.

Anastasia, who appeared arm in arm with Marquis Gilliad, and Betty, who joined the servants carrying her master’s luggage.

In addition, many nobles from the capital lined up to descend, but in Lia’s eyes, only their faces were visible.

Claude tightly held Canilia’s trembling hand due to nervousness. Then Anastasia, who had been avoiding eye contact, whispered something to Gilead while pretending not to notice.

Soon, Gilliad approached them.

“Lia, you have grown so much. I’m deeply moved.”

Gilliad, unable to continue his words due to being overwhelmed with emotion, also showed respect to Claude, who was staring at him.

“Your Grace, I greet you. Congratulations.”

“You’ve traveled a long way. Please rest inside. Please tell your wife that she has been enduring household affairs.”

An unmistakably sarcastic attitude.

Lia didn’t avoid Anastasia’s gaze, who was watching her intently from a distance. As a result, Anastasia, on the other hand, averted her gaze first.

“Let’s go, Betty.”

Approaching them, Anastasia said that she would go up first with Gilliad, then called for Betty. Lia stood still, facing Betty in front of her, without moving. Betty did the same.

Eventually, Betty, with tears streaming down her face, chewed on her lips until they turned pale and hastily followed behind Anastasia. But she kept turning back, tilting her head to see Canilia.

Lia felt various emotions pouring into her being after a long time. Sadness and resentment, joy and discomfort. And longing too.

These emotions that couldn’t blend into one clung to her, making her feel tormented.

“Young Miss, if you’re tired, you can go to your bedroom.”

Pepe’s words, as if he were exhausted, made Lia lower her head.

“No, it’s okay. And… Betty is here. Did you see her?”

“Yes, I saw her too, and I was surprised. I didn’t expect the end of the Viscountess’ mourning period.”

“Later, could you call Betty to my room?”

Pepe hesitated, unable to answer her request. Lia reassured him that it was okay and scolded him gently.

At that moment, Claude, who had been exchanging greetings with the nobles one by one, turned to look at Lia, who stood with Pepe. Then he called for Ivan.

“Keep an eye on her so she doesn’t collapse. If anyone approaches from the Viscountess’ side, let me know. Remember, not even a speck of dust should touch her. Got it?”