DYBAR - Chapter 23 < The Moment You Approach The Truth >

DYBAR - Chapter 23 < The Moment You Approach The Truth >

Do Your Best And Regret It

Bright sunlight shone through the window. I, lying on the bed, looked at the faces next to the bed with slightly blank eyes. The Grand Duke with a serious expression, Hannah looked like she was about to cry, the butler Sobel was expressionless as usual, and even the sharp-looking councilman I'd never seen before.

"How serious is it?"

The Grand Duke spoke heavily. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to cover my face. I just felt dizzy for a moment and wasn't sick. It's probably because she cried until late last night. I just couldn't wake up as early as usual, but Hannah was surprised and called the Grand Duke and the doctors. 

As soon as the Grand Duke entered, he stopped me from speaking. The congressman looked at me as if examining me and spoke clearly.

"She have some severe body aches"

"That can't be right."

I immediately tried to deny it but then coughed. The pain felt like the inside of my throat was being scratched. I said today that my head was pounding and my body was limp, but my body ached. 

From a young age, I was told that I was healthy and lived. Even when I was with my mom, I had never been sick, but now that I'm grown up like this? I held back the soreness in my throat as she spoke.

"I heard I'm quite healthy."

The Grand Duke frowned at the cracked voice. The congressman raised his glasses and answered.

"It is true that the Princess, or rather, the Young Lady, is in good health. Your was healthy, so your body aches to this extent."

"What is the fastest way to get better?"

"You just need to get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, and take medicine at the right time."

"Enough rest and a balanced diet."

The Grand Duke spoke quietly and looked at me.  I said as if making excuses.

"I was getting enough rest."

"In my opinion as a member of the National Assembly, I don't think that is a good idea, Miss."

The lawmaker chimed in. The Grand Duke's eyes became somewhat gloomy.

"...I need to take better care of your rest and meals in the future."

They still take good care of me, but what more? How can I get better care here? I was embarrassed. 

I unconsciously pretended to be sick and covered myself with the blanket. The Grand Duke's voice could be heard clearly beyond the blanket.

"...Sobel. Speak to Chef Martha and prepare a more nutritious meal." 

"Yes,"

"Hannah put away everything that bothers her so that she can get enough rest."

"Yes..."

Unlike Sobel, who gave short answers, Hannah's voice was tearful. I wanted to tell her not to cry, but I couldn't bring myself to take down the blanket. 

"I prepared the soup and medicine first. Should I bring it right away?"

It was Sobel's voice. I peered out from under the covers even as I felt dizzy. There was no answer from the Grand Duke, but the sound of the door opening and closing was heard. 

Did she run out? 

It was already hot inside the blanket due to my hot breath. I carefully lowered the blanket. I came face to face with the Grand Duke, his squinty face right in front of me. 

OMG.

I caught my breath. The Grand Duke looked dissatisfied.

"Why do you look so surprised? Don't say anything because your throat will hurt." 

I nodded in surprise and then frowned. My head rang.

"My head hurts."

 "Don't speak or nod your head." 

"Then what do I do?"

"I told you not to say anything."

"I can't hear anything."

The Grand Duke shook his head at my deeply subdued voice. And he gave a request with a stern face. 

"Enough rest and a balanced diet. I'll make it hard for you to do just two of these."

The Grand Duke's voice was somehow grumpy. Just as I had a bad feeling about something, the door opened again before I could ask.

"I brought you soup and medicine."

It was Sobel. I sighed...

"Oh, I do."

I looked at the Grand Duke with dissatisfied eyes as he held a spoon close to my mouth. The Grand Duke, who had just fixed my pillow so I could lean against the head of the bed, tilted his head.

"Is it too hot?"

This shameless man! But the soup smelled wonderful. I obviously didn't have an appetite, but when he smelled it, he became hungry.

"I think the temperature is okay now. Would you like to try it?

"Please, I can eat it."

"I told you not to say anything. Your neck hurts."

I pursed my lips in displeasure. It would have been a little more comfortable if Hannah had come. Hannah, who continued to cry with her swollen eyes, was eventually kicked out for disturbing the patient's peace of mind. 

But that didn't mean I could get the Grand Duke to eat the soup. That was so embarrassing. 

As I continued to hold on, the Grand Duke sighed softly. He felt a little sorry, but he couldn't back down. I held the hem of the blanket tightly as if to express my determination.

"If you don't keep eating like that."

"..."

"Even if you go forward, I will feed you."

My eyes widened at the words that sounded like an ultimatum. My flushed face was pitiful and cute because of the fever. However, the Grand Duke hid his smile and had a solemn expression. 

After hesitating for a while, I closed her eyes tightly and ate the soup, as if I had made up my mind. Once, again. The moderately cooled soup was delicious. The Grand Duke held a spoon in front of my mouth to make it easier to eat. It was awkward and embarrassing at first, but when the Grand Duke said nothing, it felt like it was no big deal.

"I'm full."

I said softly. The Grand Duke looked back and forth at the amount of soup remaining and at me. Are you trying to tell me to eat more? But I who usually eats only small portions, was really full. The new Grand Duke, pondering what to add, pushed the bowl of soup aside. 

"Then I guess we've eaten. Should I take some medicine?"

The Grand Duke smiled brightly and brought the plate with medicine on it towards me.

The medicine Eshela took when she was sick was a liquid medicine with a bitter smell, but the medicine on the plate was in the form of a round pill.

"It's okay to eat it without water."

At the Grand Duke's words, I carefully took the pill and ate it. I thought it would be bitter, but the bitter taste was followed by a strong sweetness.

"How is it? Does it fit your mouth?"

"Yes. It's sweet."

"I told him to mix in some honey. Thank God."

The Grand Duke laughed a little. It's honey.

Now that I think about it, it's been a long time since I ate something sweet. After Leopold said I seemed to have gained weight. I muttered slowly as a thought suddenly occurred to me.

"Sweet things make you fat."

The Grand Duke's face hardened. It was then that I, who had been blinking slowly, smiled faintly.

Still, I'm glad I don't use it.

"Really..."

"But I feel a little sleepy."

I blinked. My abundant eyelashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly every time I blinked my eyes. The Grand Duke adjusted the blanket again as he watched my face becoming increasingly hazy.

"It's probably because of the medication. Take a nap."

My posture became more comfortable. The Grand Duke was visible beyond the blurred vision. Strangely, I felt at ease. This is what It feels like to have someone next to you when you're sick. I didn't know because it didn't hurt. It was reassuring, warm, and friendly enough to bring tears to my eyes.

Sleep came to me in an instant. Before closing her eyes completely, I muttered something that had just occurred under my breath. Oh, by the way, I only got sick once. 

Is it because I think before going to sleep? 

That day came out of my dream. One winter more than ten years ago, I was eight years old. When I think back, I feel like I wasn't feeling well that morning. But right after Jade started hating me, the atmosphere in the house was dangerous and scary. In that situation, all I could do was study. I was sobbing that I ended up getting sick at night while studying. I was covered in a blanket, in a room without even firewood. My breath was hot against my face as I was trapped under the blanket. I think I heard something like a door opening when I was excited.

 I think someone came in. Is this the imagination of my dream? Or was it real? I think I probably had the same concerns when I woke up. I gently opened her eyes.

There was a blurry vision of someone in front of me. It was the Grand Duke. His soft smile seemed to be telling me to grow up.

Well then. I laughed a little. I thought I was worrying for nothing. Because it was obvious that no one would have come in at that time anyway. Because I wasn't interested at all... 

Only after I was fast asleep did the Grand Duke leave the room.

***

"Miss, how is she feeling now?" 

"Lack of sleep, lack of nutrition, everything in general. Oh, it looks like she's lacking in moisture."

Brandon clicked his tongue as he remembered her face. Even though she wiped it off well, her eyes were red and swollen, which was clearly her crying face. Olivia Madeleine, who is known to be fierce in social circles, can't believe she has such a soft-spoken and gentle face. Brandon, who had been lost in his thoughts, was startled. A dark, murderous spirit rose from around the Grand Duke. Oops. I remembered the advice given by my close knight, Winster.

"If it's not really bad, I'll tell you in a reasonable way. Otherwise, you will see the end of darkness."

I didn't know it when I heard it, but I know it for sure now. How much the Grand Duke cares for the girl in that room. Let's speak clearly and not vaguely! Brandon spoke hurriedly, sweat dripping down his back. 

"Well, as she said, she is in good health, so as long as she gets enough rest and eats well, I think she will get better soon without any problems. She was fine when she came to the mansion, but why did she suddenly feel sick? Her body was a little stiff. Unless there is a special reason, it seems like it hurts because of what she has endured. Or maybe the tension was relieved."

In response to Brandon's answer, the Grand Duke let out a low growl. And then he looked at the door with even deeper eyes. Whether the tension has been released or the pain that has been endured is extremely upsetting for both. 

He wonders why that small body has endured so much. Then, she proudly called herself 'Liv Green' and worried about him. As he thought about it, his heart throbbed. If it were Bethany, the butler in the Vikander territory, she would be able to make Olivia healthy and fat in no time. 

The Grand Duke's mind was busy. He had to clarify her marital relationship right away in order to go to the Grand Duke without any trouble.

"... I must meet the Emperor as soon as possible."

The voice that came out as if it were being crushed between teeth was gloomy. Brandon rubbed the creeping goosebumps with his palm as if he were used to it. 

*** 

The Duke of Madeleine resid. Sunlight came into the balcony. Ethella, who could not sleep even a wink, only looked at her pink diamond necklace. The diamond sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

"Every time she thought of Lady Ethella. It's true."

The voice of the maid Sally, crying, lingered in Ethella's ears. Ethella bit her lip. It's already been a few days since she received the clothes from the boutique that her sister had sent her. All the while, Ethella kept thinking of her sister. 

She is the older sister who acts blunt. She is the older sister who avoids her. Her sister doesn't smile. But she was the older sister who always took care of her. Ethella knew best that she meant it. She threw Ethella into confusion at Olivia's images at every moment. Tears welled up again over her lifeless violet eyes.

"Don't go out and at least talk to me."

Ethella's voice trembled as she mumbled. No. Her older sister tried to talk her out of it. She cornered her without her sister even having to say anything. She felt distressed because the things she said kept coming back to herself. She couldn't remember what expression her sister made at the time. Nevertheless, now she felt that all she could do toward Olivia was to hold an ugly grudge against her. 

Thick tears dripped down her cheeks. The tears that fell on the blanket created round, wet marks. All she could think about was the good things her sister had done for her. The further back she remembers, the more affectionate she became to her sister. Hold her hand and play with her. When she was sick, she sneaked in and nursed her.

Why did she suddenly treat me coldly at some point?

Ethella shook her head at the question that suddenly occurred to her. What's the use of it all? 

She heard that her mother died because of her sister. Ethella shook her head to stop thinking about Olivia. But once she started, the idea never left her mind. Will she feel better if she ventilates? 

That was when Ethella approached the balcony and opened her window.

"What? The first Princess?"

At that moment, Ethella's ears perked up. She blushed as if she was startled by a voice she didn't know where it was coming from.

"Shh! Quiet! If Lady Ethella hears, you will be kicked out right away." 

"These days, she doesn't even open the window, let alone visit. Is it true anyway? 

"The first princess received a marriage proposal from His Highness the Grand Duke?"

Ethella unconsciously covered her mouth with her palm. Otherwise, she would be so shocked that she would scream. What's happening?

"That's not it."

Another voice spoke boldly.

"I heard His Highness made a wish to His Majesty the Emperor? He said, Please allow me to marry the first Princess."

"What are you talking about!"

Ethella screamed desperately. A startled gasp was heard from downstairs.

"Come up now!"

It was ridiculous. That had to be a lie. Because her sister truly likes Her Royal Highness the Crown Prince. 

***

"Well, that is. This story is all in the newspaper. Miss, please forgive me."

Ethella crumpled up the newspaper with trembling hands. What the maids said was true. The Grand Duke made a wish to marry her older sister. Even to the emperor. How could a man called a war hero be so cowardly in trying to separate his lover? 

In an instant, rumors about Grand Duke Vikander surfaced. A murderous demon, a monster of the battlefield. There was nothing positive about the rumor. 

Ethella was so angry that she was out of breath. She felt like she was going to cry again because of the unfairness. The Prince and her older sister were very good lovers. Ethella knew best how much her older sister loved the Crown Prince. 

No matter how bad her relationship with her sister was now, this was not the case. She had to quickly find out where her sister was and bring her sister. Ethella left her room, holding her trembling hands.

When the youngest girl, who had been locking the door for several days, came out of the room, the eyes of the occupants widened.

"Miss!"

"Where is my father? What about Brother Conrad?"

"The two are in the restaurant."

The maid hurriedly responded to Esella's urgent voice. Ethella hurriedly ran to the restaurant. Her legs were shaking, but she had to tell her father the news first. Her father would have been able to save her sister from the hands of her Grand Duke. She happened to be entering the dining room as the maid was opening the door. 

She was about to run towards it.

"We can't push Ethella into the position of Princess instead of Olivia, right?"

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