Volume 3 - CH 11

It’s the first time Valhail reached out his hand to me.

All this time, I had been wondering what he thought about me.

I’ve been touching him several times, stroking his head, even groping his body for treatment, but Valhail had never touched me before.

Was it because he’s not interested in me?

Or maybe did he only think of me as his benefactor who treated his body?

Or, if that wasn’t because of those, maybe he didn’t even think of me as his benefactor since it was an unwanted treatment?

And today, I finally got the reason.

With his sad eyes, which I’ve never seen before, he told me.

That he never dared to touch me.

“You’re not real for me.”

As he struggled to pull my hand away, he looked like smoke which was about to disappear any moment.

* * * * *

Valhail was the one who turned aside and walked away, but his stare remained fixed on me.

We stared at one other until we were both almost nothing from a distance.

Just like the day I left him in the quarantine room by himself.

It wasn’t because he was scared I’d be in danger on the road at night.

Since I’m accompanied by William.

“What makes you think Valhail wants to return to that dangerous battleground?”

Because he was from Toono, I was concerned that he would be bullied by the other outer guard.

‘If that’s the case, William’s intervention would be helpful.’

I inquired with that objective in mind, but the response I received was surprising.

“I believe he desires to get promoted.”

“Promoted?”

“Yes. The more battle experience a knight has, the faster he will be promoted.”

Is that the true reason?

‘If such was the case, why did he leave the Holy Knights?’

If the Holy Knights were the world’s most prestigious public officials, the White Eagle Knights were the world’s most prestigious corporation.

‘I heard that the White Eagle Knights are the best of the best.’

Valhail used to declare that if he could work for this family, he would do anything, even if it meant being a servant. So, why is Valhail now yearning for a promotion?

“He would be awarded and conferred his knighthood if he survived and won a major battle. Then he’d be eligible to join the White Eagle Knights officially.”

I couldn’t forget Valhail’s desperate eyes when he said I wasn’t his reality.

When he uttered those words, his eyes were filled with rage, despair, and even unfathomable longing.

“William, I need your help.”

“Yes, My Lady. Please say it.”

Although William will not be participating in the war, he will have access to the necessary military informations.

“Could you obtain me a document of the Kingdom of Castaques’ Royal Family Tree?”

William was perplexed but immediately nodded.

“Yes, My Lady. It might take some time.”

“It’s alright. It’s not urgent.”

Because, there’s no way Valhail would disappear from my side in the meantime.

Perhaps I’ll be there at the end of his greed.

* * * * *

The Old Count Grandson paid a visit to the Countdom early in the morning.

It was Camilla’s plan to take advantage of Cedric’s absence to promote my marriage.

“I-I-I-I greet C-C-Count G-G-Grandson……”

I trembled much more than before, and my words became more jumbled.

Shannon, who had discreetly lowered herself, was gazing at me from my side.

“It’s great to meet you. My name is Count Grandson.”

“I-I-I-I am S-S-Selina C-C-Crowford.”

Camilla, who was standing in front of me, gestured for me to keep my mouth quiet.

“You’ve got a lovely daughter here.”

“Hoho, this girl must be nervous since she’s so thrilled to see you, Count Grandson.”

Camilla had given me instructions the night before to show the Old Count the garden.

“I-I-I-I will t-t-take you t-t-to the g-g-garde……”

“Selina, I’ll accompany the Count to the Garden.”

Camilla rushed out to the garden, supporting the Old Count’s arm with a beautiful smile.

‘Just glancing at his face is enough.’

The Old Count, with his cane, was led by Camilla into the garden.

In his eyes staring at me, I could feel Jenna’s kind eyes.

‘His eyes certainly didn’t look like someone who chose a wife to remarry.’

Rather, he kept his gaze fixed on Camilla.

My mouth curved into a grin.

I could tell what was going to happen in the garden even if I wasn’t there.

* * * * *

Camilla lost her dignity when she was alone with the Old Count, leaving the servants behind.

“She usually doesn’t stutter like that.”

Camilla’s attention was fixed on the Old Count Grandson as they strolled across the garden.

“Seeing the dignified Count in front of her must make her anxious.”

“What’s the big deal? We’ll live near each other regardless once we’re a family.”

Because Selina’s health was far worse than normal, Camilla had no alternative but to give up her dignity.

Camilla had been wondering whether Selina was unwell because she stuttered more like a fool this morning.

Selina looked stunning, but……

‘It would be ideal if she would just shut up.’

Camilla kept her irritation hidden by opening her lips softly.

“How do you think, Count? Did you like it?”

The Old Count, looking at the garden, answered her.

“Of course. It is very lovely.”

Camilla attempted to keep her mouth shut in the face of the Count’s unabashed appreciation.

“First and foremost, Camilla, thank you for your bravery. Is it alright if I call you by your first name?”

“Of course.”

In fact, the Old Count was unsure whether Camilla’s purpose was to remarry or not when they exchanged letters.

“When would you like to get married? The sooner the better for me.”

In a gentle tone, the Old Count remarked. Camilla observed this and concluded that the Old Count had made up his mind after meeting Selina.

“I’m truly concerned that it’s being hurried. I’d want to find a marriage partner who is the same age as my daughter as a mother.”

Camilla then attempted to use the conversation to try to reach an agreement on the money.

However, the Old Count’s countenance altered in an instant, prompting her to adjust her remarks.

“However, that child is very tenacious. She stated that she wishes to marry an older man. So, how could I possibly stop her?”

“Eum? Countess Crawford, what are you……”

“If you’re going to remarry then it’s better to remarry to a pretty young lady. She is the most virtuous lady in the western territories.”

The Old Count stood motionless and looked around, as if he was scared someone else might hear it.

“Are you claiming that my remarried partner is your daughter, Countess Crowford?”

“Can you tell me whether there’s anything wrong with it?”

“What kind of nonsense is that?  “How can I marry a young woman who is the same age as my granddaughter…… Cough.”

“However, I was certain that in the letter we exchanged, I brought up the subject of the Crawford Family member’s marriage……”

“Of course with someone at my age, right?”

“If it’s someone at your age, Count, who do you mean?”

With a sly grin, the Old Count inquired.

“Is there anyone else beside you, Countess?”

“…….!”

Camilla covered her lips with her hands, as if she had been soaked in freezing water.

“You…… you come with the intention of remarrying me……?”

How dare you?

A man with aged skin, white hair, and a blackened face with dark spots. Camilla was taken aback by such an appearance.

“Wait, isn’t that your intention?”

Camilla, who was startled, was unable to hear anything.

She had no intention of marrying a man who was seventy years old.

She would never do that, even if she was threatened with a sword in her throat. Never!

Remarrying such a man at the age of thirty-five!? Bullshit!!

“Then why would you give me an invitation like this?” “When you claimed you discovered a suitable candidate for my remarriage, what did you mean?”

‘This guy has got to be insane!’

Camilla’s lips quiver and her cheeks flushed.

‘How dare he look at me when he looks like a dotard?!’

The Old Count’s touch sickened Camilla, so she shrugged it off like a leech.

“Ouch!”

The Old Count Grandson then collapsed, pointing at Camilla, who flushed.

“H-Hey! Countess Crawford!”

Camilla, outraged, stormed out of the garden, ignorant to the consequences.

* * * * *

Camilla had been absolutely taken aback by the impact.

The Grandson family’s marriage was immediately declared null and invalid.

The Old Count, who was furious, unilaterally canceled the agricultural contract with the Crawford Family, which had been in place for a century.

‘What would she do, then?’

Of course, it would be a huge blow if anybody revealed that she was the Count’s remarriage partner.

Rumors have to have spread far and wide in the social realm.

‘Whether she tried to sell her stepdaughter or almost remarried to the Old Count, she will be mocked.’

That was something the arrogant Camilla could never accept.

‘I understand that. But, how could she be indifferent with the territory’s management?’

The Farm Contract was one of Crowford’s principal sources of income.

Crawford’s territory doesn’t have enough manpower to work on a farm. The majority of Crawford residents died in the war or were conscripted as Knights.

That’s why the Crawfords rented our fertile land to the Grandson in exchange for half of the crops they harvested.

While securing tax revenue and harvests from rented land, the Crawford family killed two birds with one stone.

‘However, we’ve already lost that contract.’

Even for the sake of his dignity, the Old Count stated that he would not renew the contract.

‘I’m hoping Cedric returns soon and repairs everything……’

However, as the day of Cedric’s homecoming drew near, Camilla abruptly departed the castle, fearful of being held responsible.

“Did my Mother bring the butler along with her?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Penny returned after attentively scrutinizing Camilla’s and the Butler’s actions at my instruction.

“After the Madam had gone, the butler announced that he would return to his homeland for a few days since his father had an emergency.”

“So he used his father as his excuse?”

Penny stated cynically as I murmured in disbelief.

“Father’s excuse is usually effective.”

Indeed, unlike before, my uncle had stayed in the countdom for quite some time, keeping an eye on them.

Imagine how irritated they must have been.

Camilla must be struggling because she had to remain in the annex as well.

‘You’ll never get this room back so just keep dreaming about it.’

I was internally mocking her as I wrapped a bouquet of flowers I had picked from the garden.

“Would you give this to someone?”

“To the high priest.”

“Ah, that person?”

“Yeah.”

Franz became a hot topic in the Countdom all of a sudden.

Shannon, who had a faith as small as a speck of dust on a rice grain before entering the temple, had suddenly become a desperate believer.

“I was brought to God by the high priest. He reassured me by hugging me with his heart.”

Shannon’s prayer voice was so loud that Charles was sick of hearing it every time he walked through Shannon’s room.

“Are you going to ask Charles for this again, My Lady? Then I’ll bring him here.”

Penny dashed out the door, dragging Charles after her.

“Please inform him that I will be paying him a visit shortly.”

I said as I gave the bouquet to Charles.

“Yes, My Lady.”

At my words, Charles nodded and went out of the room.

I was well aware of Camilla’s nefarious nature as a villain.

Even if I hadn’t heard the cause, I could understand Camilla’s behavior in leaving the Countdom as Cedric’s return date drew near.

‘She’s planning to kill Cedric shortly.’

Case of Cedric poisoning.

There isn’t much time left.