DSFL | Chapter 20

~Chapter 20~

I quietly opened my mouth to speak to him.

“…I wasn’t the one who put Idette in danger.”

Even if I collapsed right here, I had to make this clear. I couldn’t let this unfair situation pass without a fight.

I glanced sideways at Hestia.

“Your Highness should take better care of your boats. Unless you’re planning to hold a funeral and a boat ride at the same time.”

At that moment, Leon grabbed my wrist. His face said it all—you need treatment first.

“Oh my, is that how Miss Bianca sees me?” Hestia replied sweetly. “I’m sure we checked everything before we boarded.”

“Well, an investigation will reveal the truth.”

I clenched my fists.

“I’m not letting this slide quietly.”

At my words, Hestia flinched slightly.

No, really—this time, I absolutely won’t just let it go.

A cold wind blew just then. Maybe he saw my hands trembling, because Leon lifted me up into his arms.

“Bianca, I understand how you feel, but let’s get you somewhere warm first.”

Not that I was planning to stay out here much longer anyway.

I rested my head against Leon’s chest. Then, unintentionally, my gaze shifted to Ricardo—still frozen in place.

He looked even more stiff than I did, paler and more lifeless.

To be honest, there was something I’d wanted to ask Ricardo for a while now.

…Bianca’s the one who was abandoned by you—so why do you look like you’re the one about to cry?

***

“Cedric, it’s been a while since you’ve asked for a private meeting like this,” said the head of House Roygin.

Bluea Roygin.

Once, he was the sword that commanded the empire.

Cedric responded with silence, lifting his teacup to his lips.

Bluea smiled faintly as he looked at his grandson. Cedric only ever requested private audiences for one reason—when it concerned his little sister.

To outsiders, they might look like a distant pair of siblings. But in truth, they cared for each other far more deeply than they ever admitted.

Even if they themselves refused to say it out loud.

Bluea set his cup down and broke the silence.

“So? What is it? You’re unusually serious today.”

“…I want to cancel the engagement between the Roygin and Hessen households.”

The words that came out of his grandson’s mouth were completely unexpected. Bluea knew Cedric didn’t particularly like Ricardo, but this…

He decided to ask for the reason first.

“I seem to remember you once said Ricardo was a good match for our Bianca.”

“Back then, I was thinking of the long-term benefits of staying in good standing with the Duke of Hessen’s house.”

…So he’s already thinking about what will happen after he’s gone.

Bluea gave a bitter smile. Cedric fidgeted with the handle of his teacup and cautiously asked,

“Grandfather, did you arrange Bianca’s engagement because of a promise to the previous duke?”

Bluea fell into thought.

Publicly, that’s what people said. And his beloved granddaughter probably believed the same.

But that wasn’t the whole reason he pushed for the engagement.

He remembered Cedric and Bianca when they were young—children who had lost their parents, their eyes filled with fear that even he would abandon them.

Bluea made a decision back then, as he watched the two cling to each other.

He would not let them grow up without knowing love. Maybe it wouldn’t be as deep as a parent’s love, but he would raise them with as much love as he could give.

They were once children who spoke with bitterness, who pushed others away, terrified of being hurt again. But over time, they changed.

And that became Bluea’s only source of joy.

Then one day, his beautiful granddaughter—who once seemed incapable of love—fell for someone.

At that moment, she looked more radiant than he’d ever seen her before.

He wanted to protect that love. If he could do that, he felt he could finally rest in peace.

Because if she could be with the one she truly loved, then marriage wouldn’t be such a terrible fate.

It wasn’t as romantic as it seemed.

At least, not in the idealized way people often imagined.

Still, if one must marry, then better to do so with a heart full of love—of that, he had no doubt.

His beautiful granddaughter, soon to become the most noble lady after the Imperial family.

She liked all things beautiful—surely, she would have liked this too.

Bluea slowly opened his mouth.

“…I thought the engagement was what Bianca wanted.”

“Did you ask her?”

“You know Bianca’s personality, don’t you?”

At that, Cedric replied with difficulty.

“If you truly want her to be happy, then breaking off the engagement is the only way.”

“…Ricardo may not be warm, but he wouldn’t go so far as to disrespect his fiancée.”

“Respect, you say?”

Cedric’s face darkened. Clearly, the Marquis hadn’t heard the rumor about the duke being completely obsessed with some country girl.

…Now it made sense why Bianca had been hesitating.

As Cedric was choosing his words, an urgent voice rang out from outside.

“My lord! The young lady has returned—you should come right away!”

At the mention of Bianca, Bluea’s face lit up—but the look on the attendant’s face made him freeze instantly.

Cedric also rose from his seat.

“Hey! What took you so long to get down here!”

Cedric didn’t even have time to yell back at Leon, who was shouting outside his mansion.

His eyes were locked on Bianca, pale as a ghost.

“Young lady!”

Bluea rushed over to Bianca in a panic.

“My dear girl, please open your eyes. Grandpa’s right here, okay?”

But Bianca didn’t open her eyes.

“Call the physician, now!”

“…Explain what happened.”

Leon found himself face-to-face with Cedric.

It had been a long time since Cedric had looked this furious.

Feeling a chill down his spine, Leon adjusted his hold on Bianca.

***

As expected, I was struck with a fever.

The bruises from falling off the second-floor terrace had turned into full-body muscle aches.

And when I struggled to breathe from the fever, my grandfather was always by my side.

He held my hand tightly and muttered something, but I couldn’t hear his voice properly—maybe because water was still stuck in my ears.

Ah, seriously… this isn’t something worth getting that worried over.

It was embarrassing. It was just the flu or something.

I wanted to say I was fine, but all that came from my cracked lips was a wheezy breath.

Sometimes Cedric would sit next to me, his expression far too serious.

And whenever I barely opened my eyes, he’d gently cover them with his large hand.

“…Sleep.”

His tone was curt, but the warmth of his palm lingered for a long time.

***

“Young lady, how are you feeling?”

Emily asked gently as she replaced the cold cloth on my forehead.

“…I’m fine.”

“Shall I bring you something to eat? The chef’s baking your favorite tart! And he’s also come up with a brand-new chocolate cake recipe!”

Emily gripped my hand tightly.

They baked the tart for me? Now I had no choice but to eat it…

I nodded reluctantly, and Emily’s face instantly lit up.

“Just wait a little! I’ll be back soon!”

Pumping her fists with determination, she added that she’d bring warm tea as well.

I gave a small smile and carefully laid back down.

Sleep felt like it was right there, but it wouldn’t come.

My mind was too full.

God, this is so frustrating…

I buried my face in the pillow.

Two people had fallen into the lake. But the one Ricardo saved—was Idette.

Fine. I had already known he would save Idette.

And it wouldn’t have been easy to save both of us.

But still…

He could’ve at least tried.

To Ricardo, I wasn’t even worth that.

What if I had died there?

Would he have come to my funeral?

It was a pointless thought.

I knew he would. He was a man of propriety, after all. Of course he would attend his fiancée’s funeral.

…That’s all we were.

Even though I already knew it, the thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Then, I heard the door open.

I thought it was Emily and opened my eyes a little—

Only to freeze when I saw my grandfather walk in.

I didn’t want to see him right now.

I was afraid I might resent him and say something I’d regret.

I quickly closed my eyes again.

He came closer and gently stroked my cheek with the back of his hand.

Then, he changed the cloth on my forehead.

His hand was cold—maybe he wasn’t feeling well either.

…I should just say I’m fine now.

I didn’t want to make anyone worry anymore.

“My dear girl…”

Grandfather gripped my hand tightly.

Strangely, just hearing his voice made me want to cry.

“I…”

But he didn’t finish his sentence.

Worried, I opened my eyes.

He was wearing a pained expression.