This was already the second time since coming to Regbell that she felt like she was going to die. The wounds in her bones were one thing, but because it was an exceptionally cold winter, it felt like the chill had penetrated deep into her bones.
"...Ugh."
Etienne woke up clutching his splitting head and felt his body was much lighter than before he fell asleep. It felt more unexpected than welcome.
"I don't know if I'm incredibly lucky or just unlucky.'
He alone escaped the death that none of his brothers could avoid, and he was alive like this.
He thought he was going to just groan in pain and die this time, but he opened his eyes like this. As he gradually regained his senses, he sensed a familiar scent. When he rubbed his eyes with his hand, a scene different from usual came into view.
"...This is."
Soft cloth and a cloak to the touch, rolling medicine bottles.
Shioana had definitely come. Startled, he tried to stand up, but felt dizzy, perhaps because it was still too much.
"...Wasn’t that a dream?"
Etienne's face flushed red at the scattered memories of the night. He held her in his arms, dressed in a thin chemise, and kissed her all night long. And he confessed his love endlessly.
"That's impossible."
No matter how much he thought about it, it seemed unrealistic, so he quietly shook his head. She might have come, but holding Shioana would be nothing more than a delusion.
"It looks like the fever hasn't gone down yet."
Long brown hair was tangled between Etienne's fingers as he stroked her cheek with both hands.
***
Overnight, Shioana fell ill with a terrible fever. As this happened just as they had finished all preparations to leave for Highbell, Martha could not help but be flustered.
"Just when I thought you were fully recovered, what on earth has happened?"
Her forehead was burning with fever, and she trembled with chills.
"Did the window open overnight? Or did you go for a swim in the lake? I'm so upset I really can't stand it. I heard there's an epidemic going around; I wonder if that's the case."
Shioana made a creeping sound.
"...Where is Count Noah?"
"He said he left for Highbell first because he had urgent business. He said he would send a carriage whenever the young lady recovers."
"...Yes."
As Shioana coughed and sneezed, Martha came over and wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief.
"What am I going to do when it keeps hurting like this?"
"It's okay, I'll be fine soon. By the way, Martha, be careful too. It could be a contagious disease."
"I nursed you when you had measles, Miss. Do you think this would be scary? Even if the Grim Reaper came, the house wouldn't be empty."
Shioana burst out laughing at the sight of Martha puffing out her chest as if to prevent someone from taking Shioana away.
Even though she acted so brave, Martha was a coward who blindly believed in all sorts of superstitions. You could tell just by looking at how she kept her distance from Etienne, saying that red eyes were ominous.
"...Oh my goodness, your voice is completely hoarse. Please rest quickly. Sleep is the best thing to do when you are sick."
"Marth, thank you for granting my request."
Even while suffering from a high fever, Shioana did not forget Etienne in the barn.
"Don't worry. If it's your request, Miss, what wouldn't I do?"
The bedroom, left behind by Martha, was stiflingly hot from the heavily burning firewood. Although Shioana lay in the warm bedroom, her heart was longing for the place where the moonlight could be seen through the broken roof.
"...Etienne."
She was suffering terribly, yet her mind actually became clearer. For the first time, she felt like she knew what she wanted.
'I don't want to marry Count Noah.'
The person she wanted to spend her life with was Etienne. Even though he was a slave and had nothing, as she recalled the time they had spent together the night before, her mind went blank again. She couldn't tell if it was because of the high fever or the kissing dance with him.
Even while calling her by a strange name, Etienne did not let go of Shioana's body. She caressed her lips where his had touched.
“It was hot and sweet.”
If he had been healthy yesterday, the night between the two might never have ended with just a kiss. Her heart pounded so hard against Etienne's body that it was painful, and she wanted Etienne so much that Martha would scream it was shameful if she knew.
"...Ha."
Her steps were heavy as she slipped out of the barn at dawn, afraid someone might see her. She wanted to stay right by Etienne's side forever. Shioana, who had been lying with her head on his arm, reached out and stroked Etienne's forehead.
Fortunately, the intense heat from last night seemed to have subsided a little.
"I think I brought his fever."
She was so glad to be able to share his pain, even if it was just like this. She had always felt sorry that she hadn't been able to do anything for him.
Shioana's eyes, flushed red, slowly closed.
***
Highbell's Little House.
As Eli entered the room on the second floor, Elizabeth rushed over as if she were about to collapse and clung to him. It had been a full two months since she had seen his face.
Elizabeth’s face turned gaunt as every day of waiting felt like hell. Her health deteriorated day by day, and the doctor suggested a trip, saying it seemed to be a mental illness.
'Elizabeth, you may travel wherever you want.'
The Marquis, watching his only daughter wither away, arranged for Elizabeth's trip. And before she could even recover, she rushed here and sent a message to Eli.
"...you."
"...Eli, you.”
Holding hands tightly, the two gazed into each other's faces for a long time. Elizabeth's once-abundant silver hair had grown brittle, and a deep, sickly look etched on her face, where her blue eyes stood out. Eli, too, had dark circles under his eyes and appeared even thinner.
"Why are you so thin? Huh?"
Elizabeth worried about Eli first, forgetting her own condition. At her question, Eli sighed while forcing a smile.
"Why did you come here, Lord Marquis, if you angered him?"
"What does that matter? I want to meet you."
"Elizabeth, we are not a good match. I told you. We can be good, but I cannot be your husband."
"What on earth do you mean by that?"
Elizabeth, gasping for breath as if she were about to faint, fell into his arms. She felt like she was going to go crazy with anxiety because of Eli, who somehow seemed to be bidding farewell.
"My beloved. We cannot be together. For the Marquis must be searching for a fine young man worthy of you. I will pray for your happiness from afar."
"Oh! Please! Eli, don't say that. If you really love me, you couldn't do that."
He just said he was busy because of his younger sister's debutante ball. He hadn't said anything about breaking up. Although the love letters he had sent almost every day stopped abruptly after that day, Elizabeth never once doubted Eli's affection for her.
"You don't mean it, do you? Right?"
Eli gave a sad smile to Elizabeth, who was screaming while being held in his arms.
"I am already causing you so much pain; how can we possibly be together? Elizabeth, my love..."
Eli's face, as he pressed his trembling lips against the back of her hand, was as solemn as a saint depicted in a temple window.
"Eli, please tell me. If there is a way for us to be together, whatever it may be, I will follow."
The fever of first love was so intense that it burned Elizabeth's soul. It was enough to make her completely forget her true self, having grown up upright her entire life following the Marquis's teachings.
Eli, looking down at the shirt soaked with her tears, gently stroked Elizabeth's hair.
"The Marquis wouldn't cast his grandson aside, would he?"
It was a whisper that was almost a monologue.
Upon hearing his words, Elizabeth's shoulders stiffened instantly. She wasn't foolish enough not to understand the meaning.
"..."
Observing Elizabeth's reaction, Eli shook his head in despair.
"But I don't want to. Because you must become a blessed bride."
As if he had said something he shouldn't have, Eli shook his head and moved away from her. Then, he spoke very sadly.
"Elizabeth, please return to where you belong."
"...Eli! My place is right beside you. Why won't you believe my heart?"
"Don't you realize I'm doing this because I love you?"
Eli approached the window and covered his face with both arms. Elizabeth, watching his retreating figure, took a heavy step, looking as if she might collapse.
Eli had been like this from the beginning. He was a man who wouldn't even hold her hand for fear she might get hurt, and who hadn't even shared a simple kiss.
But how painful it must have been for him when the word 'grandson' came out of the mouth of such an upright man. She walked slowly over and put her arms around Eli's waist.
"I already think of you as my husband."
Elizabeth's voice, unable to hide her shyness, cracked. Eli, holding her small hand, gazed out the window with a wry smile.
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