The unexpected news of death was shocking, but he wasn't sad. He just thought it was easier to understand his grandmother than his mother. When was the last time he felt sad?
How did he feel when the Countess sent the assassin? Was he sad? Betrayed, angry, and annoyed that he would have to fight the Counts of Rhineland from now on? That's what he felt.
His mother, who had carried him for ten months, wanted him dead, but a Countess is no different, and his father had no expectations.
How did he feel when the Countess sent the assassin? Was he sad? Betrayed, angry, and annoyed that he would have to fight the Counts of Rhineland from now on? That's what he felt.
His mother, who had carried him for ten months, wanted him dead, but a Countess is no different, and his father had no expectations.
Erne let out a self-deprecating laugh, glancing at Judith's fingers wriggling at his waist.
Even the wife he had unintentionally was troubled by his own return to life. And yet, he somehow managed to come back from the dead, how funny.
“Can I tell you my story too?”
"...Suddenly?"
The conversation is going off in a strange direction again.
Erne couldn't even lament for long. If he let his guard down even a little, he would be swayed by Judith and become out of his element.
“Since you’ve revealed your family history, wouldn’t it be fair for me to reveal it too?”
Is that how you judge fairness?
“I feel uncomfortable just listening to other people’s family stories.”
Could it be that you were feeling uneasy earlier because you heard about my family history? Or because you felt sorry for my past?
Erne was furious. He didn't want to be pitied, but he also felt strange seeing Judith not feeling sorry at all.
Did he want to be pitied? Erne was just getting confused.
“If you look at it as an unfortunate family matter, I’m not the only one who’s not at a disadvantage.”
Don't confront misfortune.
It was the first time that a human being had tried to confront his unfortunate family history. And he said it with such confidence.
“Listen.”
“I refuse.”
“No, why?”
Judith couldn't understand. Isn't it true that humans originally find comfort in seeing other people's misfortune? How could he refuse to become 'that person' when he said, 'I'm better than that person'? Anyway, his personality is really strange.
“Are you thinking of removing the bug?”
“I’m already planning a plan.”
Arriving at the mansion and dismounting from his horse, Judith read the note Camilla had given her.
The sentences all end with '-is said', '-is possible', and '-is probably', so the credibility is somewhat lacking, but there is nothing they can do about it since this is the only information they have.
“There’s a reason why the Count’s residence was so clean. It’s said that the bugs kept dirty things from coming into the surrounding area.”
Judith was amazed as she read the manual. It was a bug that liked clean things while eating people.
“And they will keep the owner alive for a year.”
“But isn’t it closer to a host than an owner?”
Erne read the note behind Judith and spat on her, but Judith let it go in one ear and out the other.
“They say that during the year that you are together, it will somehow increase wealth.”
“Sure enough, after I picked up that bug, I got a reward and I made money just by betting.”
Well, this is something worth listening to, Judith said, nodding.
“So, what I’m saying is that the reason my business has been going smoothly so far is all thanks to this bug.”
"So?"
“Then, I have to live with it for at least one year at most!”
Erne was speechless. Had she forgotten that time when she collapsed in tears of blood? He touched his forehead and read the last sentence written on the paper himself.
“They get eaten by bugs every minute of the year. Don’t you see this sentence? Do you want to be eaten by bugs all year long?”
“That’s not it, but...”
“Then stop talking nonsense and get it done right now.”
Erne came on strong, and Judith eventually nodded. Still, Erne was not unkind.
He lay in bed, wondering how he could get the bugs off Judith.
Before going to Camilla, he had been worried that the bug would not leave Judith, but now he was worried that Judith would really not throw the bug away.
One thing that was consistent was her attitude of running towards something with her eyes wide open as soon as it became money. Has she suffered a lot in the past because of money?
Judging from the fact that she didn't even blink after hearing about his past, she must have suffered a lot because of money. After all, she was dragged in by her brother and even married a man who was on the verge of death.
Erne fell asleep while pondering a way to force the bug out of Judith.
Thanks to that, Erne didn't realize it until the moment he fell asleep. The past that came back to him today and the truth that had been hidden didn't confuse him.
***
Three days passed.
Judith still hasn't dealt with the bug.
“This clever and disgusting thing.”
Somehow she felt like business was going too well.
Although the colored candles were a groundbreaking item, they sold so well that customers often added extra money, and word of mouth took care of it.
It was all thanks to this bug. She was stroking the bug over her silk pouch when Judith suddenly frowned.
“Can’t you make me 200 million gold in one go? What the heck is this? You can’t even do that while eating away at other people’s lives? Are you saying my life isn’t worth 200 million gold?”
Judith took out her pocket, shook the bug, and threatened to demand a large sum of money.
“Aren’t you disgusted?”
Ever since she heard that the yellow silk bag and the bug were a pair, Henry had been reluctant to touch it. But she didn't seem to mind.
“If you give me 200 million gold, I’ll take you to a fatter and tastier prey.”
Henry let out a long sigh as he watched Judith threaten, persuade, and even propose a deal, all while bringing out the bug.
“Erne, take that bug off of her right now. If she keeps doing that, your wife will really lose her mind.”
“She wasn’t in her right mind to begin with.”
"She already had that bug attached to her when we first met. If you just get rid of the bug, she’ll come to her senses.”
Is that so? Erne clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched Judith muttering, “Are you a beneficial insect or a pest, just tell me.” If she asks, an insect will answer well.
“I think she's grown attached to it.”
"At that point, it's just a pet bug," Erne replied indifferently. Henry slapped his arm in disgust.
“Take it off, now! The bug is eating your wife. I’m afraid something big will happen if this continues.”
Judith placed the bug next to her and prayed for a new business opportunity, while Erne let out a short sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
Erne's fears became reality.
Even though she knew she was dying, Judith could not let go of the bug.
He wondered if Cedric Rhineland was like this too.
“Ugh, my ears itch.”
Judith rubbed her ears as if she could hear the crunching sound again.
Of course, Erne could have left and let Judith do what she wanted.
He had already told her how to get rid of the bugs, so he had fulfilled his moral responsibility. But he still couldn't move easily.
Is it because he's the one who got Judith involved with that bug? If he hadn't gone to his mother with that bug, the Count of Rhineland's family would have been fine, and Cliff wouldn't have been able to do something like this.
Judith was purely a victim. Her life was ruined unintentionally. The guilt of a choice made as a child that landed her in the mud.
It held Erne's ankles like shackles.
***
“Twenty silver coins for number one rat.”
“The customer here bet 20 silver coins on mouse number 1. What about this customer?”
“I have 5 rats and 10 fairy tales!”
“Ten fairy tales, yes, ten fairy tales for five mice.”
As soon as he took out the fairy tale and placed it on the table, the host's voice suddenly became quiet.
How can you ignore someone like that just because they don't have money? Judith's brother, Leon Harrington, wanted to say something to the host, but he missed the timing because the game had already started.
“Good job, good job!”
Ten rats with numbered tags on their tails began to run inside a wooden plank arena. Leon's specialty was card games, but with only ten coins, he could not fit on the card game board.
Leon entered the rat race to earn a fortune. No game like this can make you a lot of money in one go.
“Go, number 5!”
Was it luck on his side? Mouse number 5 was in the lead from the start. The moment the finish line was right in front of him, Mouse number 1 rushed into Mouse number 5's side and pushed him out, crossing the finish line in first place.
Those who had bet on the number 1 rat cheered, while the rest sighed. The man who had bet 20 silver coins also sipped his drink happily.
"Uh?"
He didn't notice it because he had his face covered the whole time, but when he saw his face slightly revealed while drinking, it was that guy from back then. That handsome guy from Judith's house.
Are you still living with Judith?
“Here, take it.”
The host gave 50 silver coins back to the handsome guy.
“5x? Sounds good.”
As the handsome man put the silver coins in his pocket, a man who seemed to be one of his companions looked at him with envy.
“You’ve been so lucky since you got married. I envy you.”
What? Marriage? Did Judith and that guy end up living together? I thought he would just take a little bit and run away. What's wrong with such a handsome guy that he's living with Judith?
When that guy left, he was planning to sell it somewhere else at the right time, but it was difficult.
“I heard your wife’s business is going well? She’s saving up money.”
“Just enough to make a living.”
Sweeping up money? Starting a business?
He fiddled with his empty pockets. What good news it was that his beloved younger sister was raking in the money just as he was about to lose it all.
“This time, let’s try rat number 3. That guy was in good spirits earlier.”
“I guess I should follow you and walk this time.”
Leon chuckled even though he lost money. He was happy to be able to reminisce with his younger sister after such a long time.
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