ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 107

Posted by Marinette, Released on October 25, 2025

Chapter 107

Kadon, staring at Marican lying there bleeding, recalled what his cousin Susan Théor had said not long ago.

Was this the same woman who had gone from being a noble daughter to a commoner and recently became royalty in the Kingdom of Allomande?

She had apparently charmed the Crown Princess despite being a daughter of a poor, minor marquis family—and now she paraded around as if she were a member of the royal family herself.

Looking at Merican, who was neither a royal nor from a distinguished noble house, Kadon felt a surge of irritation.

So this was the woman the Duke called “his mad wife”? Her face and figure weren’t even remarkable—she looked utterly ordinary.

Kadon slowly withdrew the sword lodged in Mersian’s abdomen and examined the wound.

Sigh. The attendant had been in a panic, claiming the injury was life-threatening—but this? Any mid-level palace physician could handle it.

The sword was poisoned, yes, but not enough to be fatal.

Kadon’s pride flared. And I’m being asked to treat a woman of such convoluted status…? Who does she think I am?

Alone in the room, he began treating her, muttering his dissatisfaction.

It took only about thirty minutes to finish the antidote and stabilize her. Stepping out with a carefully measured expression, Kadon considered the politics: no matter Merican’s rank, Ruan was the second most powerful person in the empire after the royal family.

Despite Kadon’s plan to subtly demonstrate his skill, Ruan approached as if Kadon himself had attacked Merican, shouting in interrogation.

Startled, Kadon gave a trembling voice report to Olivia, who had intervened to calm Ruan.

Yet, contrary to Kadon’s expectation of gratitude, everyone kept fussing over how lucky it was that the wife had been “good” and survived.

I’m a palace physician treating only the royal family, and yet I’m being threatened for doing my job?

Suppressing his anger, Kadon looked at Olivia and said:

“Yes. The stab wound was shallow because the attacker lacked strength. The poison was neutralized, though it took some time.”

“Poison? Poisoned the blade?” Ruan snapped.

“Ruan!”

Kadon hoped to escape this chaotic scene without further confrontation.

“So the antidote worked?” Ruan asked.

Kadon took a step back, steadying himself.

“Yes. Since the cut wasn’t deep, there’s no serious risk. I’ve administered sedatives; once she wakes and rests, she should recover fully in a few days.”

“Thank heavens,” said a worried Petricia, tears glistening in her eyes. Olivia nodded silently, sharing her concern.

Kadon, watching them fuss over the plain Merican, couldn’t understand their panic. I need to ask Susan more about this woman.

As Kadon prepared to leave, Ruan blocked his path again.

“During her recovery, should I leave the wife alone?”

“Duke, she’s asleep. As long as you don’t wake her, it’s fine,” Kadon replied, averting his gaze from the threatening figure.

“Then I’ll just look at her face,” Ruan said, entering the room. Kadon hurriedly slipped out.

***

“Kadon, tomorrow, regarding the Duchess’s treatment…”

A steward approached him in his room.

“No need for tomorrow. Once she regains consciousness, they’ll likely move her to the Duke’s residence. And from now on, verify who needs treatment before responding to palace orders. Do you expect me to treat some unknown Duchess for no serious wound? Who does she think I am?” Kadon snapped.

The steward bowed apologetically.

“Yes, sorry, sir.”

Kadon then busied himself preparing to leave the palace.

***

“I swear I thought she was that girl. I should have pulled all her hair out then—she’d be too embarrassed to show up at the marquis house, and none of this would have happened. She dared touch Mers again… this time I’ll pull every strand!”

Hearing Lucianne was behind today’s incident, Zelda shouted in frustration.

“No, Zelda, last time at the palace ball, when she attacked Merican with a knife and was caught, we shouldn’t have just let her go. I should have broken her wrist. That’s on me,” Petricia said, blaming herself.

“Stop it, both of you. According to the palace physician, the wound wasn’t that serious. No need to punish yourselves,” Merican said, embarrassed.

“No, Mers, don’t say that. You don’t know how scared I was at the wedding. If the Duke hadn’t caught Lucianne, it might’ve been me who killed her,” Zelda said sharply.

“Mers, please don’t say things like that. Even if Lucianne did wrong, I don’t want you to act violently,” Merican replied softly.

“You’re too kind for your own good,” Zelda muttered.

Merican smiled weakly.

“I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt because of me,” she said.

Olivia, trying to shift the topic, said, “It’s a pity the wedding couldn’t proceed. We should set another date, this time at the Duke’s residence.”

Merican frowned. Wedding… again?

She didn’t feel like celebrating.

But seeing Olivia’s disappointment, she replied,

“Alright. Once I’m fully recovered, we’ll think about it. Zelda, will you stay here tonight?”

Zelda hesitated, wanting to watch over Merican, but Ruan’s presence made it impossible. If I stay, Merican might be uncomfortable.

Olivia noticed her thoughts.

“You seem worried. Why don’t you stay at my house tonight?”

“Your house?” Zelda blinked. Olivia held her hand reassuringly.

“I know you don’t like sleeping alone.”

Merican nodded in agreement, and Zelda said,

“Will it be inconvenient for you if I go?”

“Not at all. We’ve grown close enough,” Olivia replied.

“Then I’ll stay tonight at your place,” Zelda said. Olivia smiled and stood.

“Rest well, Mers. Tomorrow we’ll return with Zelda,” Olivia said.

“Thank you, both of you. See you tomorrow,” Marican replied.

As they left, staff of the Duke’s residence entered.

“Are you alright, my lady?” Charles asked anxiously.

Marican forced a smile.

“I’m fine. You all must have been shocked.”

“Shocked is an understatement! Seeing you stabbed in your wedding dress—maidmistress fainted in surprise!” Charles explained.

Cléa handed Merican a warm cup of tea.

“And Charles, didn’t you cry following her?”

“I thought she was in real danger. Not just me, Betty and Jean nearly hurt themselves in the chaos too,” he admitted.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt. Everyone is preparing restorative meals for you now,” Charles reassured.

Marican felt warmth spread through her chest, grateful for such genuine concern.

***

Bang!

“My lady!”

“Ruan, you’re here.”

Ruan entered and immediately embraced Merican.

“R-Ruan? There are others here… wait, where did everyone go?”

The moment Ruan held her, the entire room emptied, leaving only Merican and Ruan. Their movements are unnervingly fast…

“Never do that again. When you fell into my arms, I thought my heart had stopped. I’d rather be stabbed myself than ever experience that again,” Ruan said.

“I’m okay. The physician already checked; it wasn’t deep, and I’ll recover in a few days,” Merican replied.

“I should’ve watched more closely… I’m so sorry, my lady.”

“It’s alright. But what about the former Empress?”

“She’ll likely face execution.”

“But I’m not dead, and she was hypnotized…”

“She had some will of her own, though the real culprit is someone else,” Ruan replied.

“And the young marquis’s daughter?” Merican asked.

“She’s in prison. She confessed to all her crimes,” Ruan said.

Merican’s brow furrowed. She confessed? Lucianne?

“Yes, she admitted she intended to kill me,” Ruan said.

“Why did the former Empress try to kill you?”

“She believed my failure foiled a previous rebellion. Though Lucianne was behind this incident, apparently she was manipulated,” Ruan explained.