SMR | Chapter 140

Chapter 140

The misdeeds Lauren committed reached Pellon Manor two days later.

“I received a message from the Imperial Nobility… when Lady Pellon had not regained consciousness, Lady Marshall and her son went to request approval for the position of acting head of the family,” Andre reported.

“I knew this would happen,” Trisha responded nonchalantly as she sat against the pillows. Although her face was pale, her mind was clear, and she was very much “alive” as Trisha Pellon.

While Trisha seemed unfazed by Lauren’s actions, Roxana and Harriet, who had been on edge for the past two days, could not remain calm.

“The doctor must have been sent by Lady Marshall. Otherwise, there’s no way she would have known about Grandma’s condition so quickly,” Harriet said with firm suspicion.

Andre’s confirmation gave her certainty. “It seems Miss Harriet is right. The doctor brought a diagnosis from Lady Pellon’s personal physician. It stated that she was in a coma and, even if she woke up, she would be unable to fulfill her duties as head of the family.”

Harriet, grinding her teeth, cried out, “This means the doctor knew the medicine he gave Grandma was dangerous! He intended to kill her!”

Trisha weakly waved her hand at Harriet’s outburst. “Calm down, Harriet. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“Aren’t you angry, Grandma? I still feel a fire in my chest!” Harriet fumed.

“Lauren is probably angrier than you. Just imagining that makes me feel a little better,” Trisha said with a small laugh.

“I won’t forgive her. Not ever,” Harriet said, still fuming.

Meanwhile, Roxana handed Trisha a glass of water with some medicine on a small tray.

“If Lord Cedric and Miss Harriet hadn’t found the new medicine, my first task as acting head of the Pellon family would have been to dismantle the Marshall family.”

“Thanks to Harriet, you avoided losing control. Who would have guessed I’d owe my life to her? Ha-ha!”

Trisha laughed and swallowed the medicine with the water. The day she couldn’t wake up from her nap was nothing short of a series of fortunate events.

Coincidentally, Benjamin had informed Cedric about the danger of the medicine, and with Benjamin, Cedric came to the manor. While Benjamin checked on Trisha’s condition and took emergency action, Cedric and Harriet went to the Imperial Health Office to find a new treatment for Hicks Legato Syndrome.

Without Cedric’s position as Duke, they couldn’t have gotten off the unapproved medicine so easily.

“Lord Nelson has been a huge help, too. The Duke’s physician’s skills are truly exceptional,” Harriet said, trying to calm herself, thinking of their luck.

Cedric had been offering much more than she expected.

Especially the fact that Benjamin Nelson, the Duke’s personal physician, had been sent so frequently was a surprise.

‘I can’t even imagine how I’ll repay this debt,’ Harriet thought.

She didn’t mind needing this help. She had already decided to follow whatever Cedric asked without question.

Whether it was sweeping leaves in front of the Duke’s manor or mopping the stairs, Harriet would happily do her best.

Although Trisha’s condition had improved thanks to overcoming the critical situation, there was still no time to relax.

Roxana brought up something she had been thinking about for a while.

“Madam. I mean, Mother.”

“Hmm, Roxy, the way you call me ‘Mother,’ it seems like you’re asking for something.”

“You’re right. Mother, since you’re doing so much for me, I’d like to ask one more thing. After you rest a bit, would you come with me to Ainsfora?”

Ainsfora was a hot spring region recommended by Jasper before his death.

It was close to Genoa, making it a great spot for nobles to stay long-term for health treatments.

“It’s a lot to travel back and forth from Genoa to handle the family matters. Wouldn’t it be too tiring for you?”

“It’s nothing. But if you get worse again, I won’t be able to endure it.”

“Well… if I suddenly pass away, it would be hard for you. Legally, there would be no issue, but Lauren won’t leave it alone.”

Trisha had already prepared for this.

If something were to happen to her, she had ensured Roxana would inherit the title. But if Roxana, who hadn’t yet made a name for herself in society, was left alone, she could be in serious danger.

Lauren, and others who had no respect for her, would make life difficult for Roxana.

“Yes, I can’t just die like this. I’ll hang on until you’re ready to take over. Let’s go to Ainsfora or wherever you need.”

“Thank you, Mother!”

Trisha smiled warmly as she held Roxana’s hand, her smile gentle and filled with care.

Their bond felt as natural as that of any mother and daughter. But Trisha knew that it was only because of Roxana’s immense sacrifice and love that they had come this far.

‘It’s my fault I made her suffer. I’ll keep pushing through for her,’ Trisha thought.

She had no doubts that Roxana would be able to lead the family well.

The only regret was that Roxana was still unmarried.

Despite Trisha’s constant urging, Roxana had firmly resisted marriage, likely because she believed that getting married would mean leaving Pellon Manor.

Trisha sighed briefly but then focused on the task ahead.

“Before we go to Ainsfora, there’s something we must take care of.”

She gave Roxana a concerned look.

“The biggest thing is the Duke’s party. This time, you’ll have to go in my place. It might even be your debut in high society.”

Roxana nodded as if she had already expected this.

“I’ll contact my friends in advance. Harriet, please help Roxy out while she prepares.”

“Of course! I never imagined I’d get the chance to help my teacher. Life sure is full of surprises, isn’t it, teacher?”

“Indeed. I never imagined I’d be asking Miss Harriet for help.”

Roxana shook her head, and Harriet laughed.

No matter the changes in their status or relationships, things had remained the same. Even though Trisha had adopted her and she wasn’t technically her biological daughter, it didn’t matter. Their bond was real.

Roxana would always be Harriet’s ‘teacher,’ and if helping her meant becoming her servant, Harriet would gladly do it.

“Since we’re on the topic, I’ll need to inform the Duke’s household as well. If I explain things to the Duchess, she’ll protect you as best as she can.”

Trisha asked for stationery and quickly wrote a letter saying that Roxana would attend the Duke’s party as the ‘acting head’ of Pellon. She added that Roxana had been adopted and was the rightful heir to Pellon.

“…A clever child, but without the connections to back her up. I hope the Duchess will consider this,” the letter read.

Trisha, usually proud, wrote a difficult request in the letter, folded it, and sealed it in an envelope.

She handed it to Harriet and said, “Take this to the Duke’s household. Tell them that I sent you for the Duchess’s response.”

“Understood.”

Harriet knew the response she would get from Jeremiah—she had expected this all along. There was no way she would say ‘no’ to Trisha’s request.

What Trisha wanted was for Jeremiah to read the letter and feel at least some responsibility. When Roxana showed up at the party, she hoped Jeremiah would remember her request.

With the letter in hand, Harriet got into the carriage heading to the Duke’s household, thinking she should also properly thank Cedric.

***

The reaction from Jeremiah was as expected.

“I heard about it, but it seems like you really almost had a major disaster. Please tell Lady Pellon that I’ll make sure the new head of Pellon doesn’t have any issues.”

“Thank you deeply for all the consideration the Duke’s household has shown.”

“Not at all. It’s our duty to repay the loyalty Lady Pellon has shown the Imperial family.”

She wrote a quick note wishing Trisha a speedy recovery and handed it to Harriet.

After meeting with Jeremiah, Harriet didn’t return immediately. Instead, she asked the Duke’s butler, Herbert, to arrange a meeting with Cedric.

Since they saw each other frequently, Herbert didn’t hesitate and quickly relayed the message to Cedric, who accepted the meeting. Harriet was a little surprised at how fast things were moving but assumed Cedric was just in a good mood today.