Eternity. Humans cannot live forever.
Even knowing this, the Duke of Linchester kept worrying that the sun's rays that day might be heaven's will for Julian's immortality.
The Duke of Linchester was not the only one concerned.
Here and there, rumors spread that the power of the curse that Julian had awakened was so great that he could even overcome death.
There were even people who bribed Lord Langston without the Duke of Linchester's knowledge.
The Duke of Linchester had already lost one of his sources of funding by losing the Count of Kensington.
Even the corruption of nobles related to the Count of Kensington was exposed one after another.
The Duke cut off his tail to survive, and in the process incurred the resentment of those who had trusted him.
It was being torn apart here and there.
Meanwhile, the news that his son-in-law, the Count of Highbury, had sided with Julian was a great blow to the Duke.
"How pathetic. How can you behave like that for someone to say something like that?"
The Count of Highbury was brought before the Duke.
The Count avoided the Duke's gaze.
The Duke was furious.
"The Count of Chancery gave you to me as my son-in-law because he wanted to repay the favor owed to the Linchester family for generations. Don't you know that?"
"I know very well that my father was loyal to the Duke."
"Yes. So he enjoyed many privileges. Many of the things you enjoy came from the Linchesters. And are you insulting me because you are enchanted by the sly tricks of the King's government?"
"My father was a man who knew how to repay kindness and uphold the principles. He taught me that too. So I just did what I was taught."
It was said that he had repaid the favor he had received from Bridget for a good reason.
"I would never have done something so shocking. Even if I had, it would be excessive to surprise my wife, who is not feeling well."
The Count of Highbury stood by, looking at his wife, helpless, and burst into rage.
Then the Duke, his face red with anger, exploded.
"Where is your open mouth!"
He grabbed everything he could get his hands on and threw it.
Unlike the other sons-in-law who would nag the Duke, the Count of Highbury always said things like this.
So the Duke already hated him.
But this time, he couldn't stand it when he bought the auction items put up by the King's government and spoke like that.
"How dare you! You think I'm a joke!"
The Count of Highbury glared as he was hit by the Duke's thrown objects.
"I believe I have fully fulfilled my duty, as my father has repaid the favor he has bestowed upon me with his loyalty over many years. I am here to fulfill my duty as a son, because you are Charlotte's father, not to continue to be your servant!"
"What? A servant? You insolent brat!"
"Father! Stop it! Don't do that to my husband! Father!"
The daughter stopped the Duke.
"Stay out, Charlotte!"
The Count of Highbury covered his wife for fear that she might be hurt by the blind man.
Then suddenly the Countess of Highbury groaned, clutching her stomach.
"Ugh!"
"Charlotte!"
"Stomach, stomach..."
"What's wrong, Charlotte!"
Charlotte's face, tired, looked unusual.
The Count of Highbury glared at the Duke of Linchester, then picked up his wife and ran out the door.
Blood flowed down her legs.
That day, the Countess of Highbury miscarried her child.
The Duke of Linchester sent a message to the desperate Count of Highbury.
"The fortune tellers say that the King's government must have played a wicked trick on Charlotte. What made you believe that woman touched Charlotte's body? How foolish!"
***
After breakfast, I sat in the garden with a blanket draped over my shoulders, eating the sorbet Anna had brought me.
The refreshing sorbet, made from ground fruit that had been frozen all winter, sugar, and then lightly frozen again, made a crunching sound when scooped up with a spoon.
The sweet and sour taste spread in my mouth. It was a luxurious taste.
I looked through the bundle of letters I had placed beside me.
After the banquet, invitations to social gatherings poured in from all over.
Previously, there had been invitations of curiosity and ridicule, intended to spectate me, who had brought my husband's mistress into the house.
Now there were flattering invitations and letters, all aimed at establishing a friendship with .e.
Millea approached me, who was sorting them out.
"I heard the Countess of Highbury had a miscarriage."
My hand, which was taking a sip of sorbet, stopped. A sigh escaped my lips.
"Ahh... So that's how it ended up like that?"
I thought the baby would grow well since I purified the magic.
Of course, this doesn't happen because the legacy is gone.
There must have been another reason. I was not a doctor.
"The Duke of Linchester is getting on my nerves about Bridget doing something to the Countess of Highbury at the banquet. His fortune-tellers are spreading bad rumors about Bridget. He's nit-picking. You helped my daughter. He's such a bad guy."
Julian said they were ungrateful.
But I thought differently.
If you look at them as a group, it may be like that, but if you look at them separately, each person's thoughts are different.
"What about the Count of Highbury? Does he agree?"
"I don't know. It seems like he stays home to take care of his wife."
"I must keep an eye on the Count of Highbury. What is he thinking? Can I find out more about what happened to the Countess of Highbury?"
"I think there's a club he frequents. I think he'll be coming out there soon. I heard he often gets together with his close friends. It's a place where young gentlemen hang out, so let's have Eric contact him."
Eric, who was gentle and polite, seemed like he would fit in well with the Count of Highbury whom he had met at the banquet.
"Thank you, Millea."
"Be careful, Bridget. Once the Duke of Linchester bites, he will bite again and again. Even if Bridget knows the future..."
I blinked at Millea as if to ask what she meant.
Millea whispered softly even though there was no one around.
"Bridget definitely has the power of prophecy, right? That's why the prophets follow you."
Millea narrowed her eyes.
"Don't tell me no. Otherwise, how did you know that the prophecy would come true on that day and at that hour?"
When the sun appeared at the banquet, the most surprised person was Milea.
I either could move the heavens or had precognitive powers.
If the latter, it makes sense that I knew about the Count of Kensington's corruption.
'When we first met, you said that her purifying powers were just a trick. Bridget tends to underestimate herself.'
I kept shaking my head, but Millea didn't believe me
"Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret."
I was in a difficult position.
'Well... I do know a little bit about the future.'
But it is limited.
Not knowing what to say, I changed the subject for now.
"Oh, yes. Millea, tell Sir Eric to stop by. He was in a bad mood during the banquet, so I couldn't cleanse him."
"Yes. Thank you always."
As soon as Millea left to do her work, Anna arrived with a new letter.
"I got a letter from the Winston mansion."
"Give it here."
I put everything else aside and opened it first.
Cedric regularly sent updates on the Winston family through Anna.
Recently, Eleanor came to the Winston mansion with her bags packed.
Former Viscountess Eleanor Winston, mother-in-law.
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