Chapter 4
* * *
From that day on, Emilia was bedridden with illness.
Cough. Cough.
She scolded herself between fits of coughing.
No matter how upset I was… I should’ve at least changed out of those wet clothes.
Even swallowing hurt.
She grimaced as she forced herself to drink a little water.
I should go get some medicine…
She tried to sit up, only to collapse back onto the bed.
In her current condition, even stepping outside for a few minutes was impossible.
I filled Cedric’s house with every medicine and tonic that was supposed to be good for his health…
Yet I don’t even have a single bottle of medicine in my own home.
The thought was almost laughable.
I’ll just sleep a little longer.
She closed her eyes again.
Just then—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Violent pounding echoed through the house.
Emilia’s eyes flew open.
Who could that be?
“Emilia! Open the door!”
That voice…
Struggling to her feet, she slowly made her way to the entrance.
As soon as she opened the door—
Mrs. Anderson stood outside, wearing an expression of barely restrained anger.
“How did you—”
Cough! Cough!
“Oh, heavens!”
Mrs. Anderson stared at Emilia’s pale, exhausted appearance before slapping her own chest in frustration.
“You foolish girl! What am I supposed to do with you?”
Without waiting for permission, she let herself inside, sighing heavily as she gently pushed Emilia farther into the house.
She looked around the room once before pointing toward a chair.
“Sit down over there first.”
“Huh?”
“You haven’t eaten properly in days, have you?”
She was already pulling out cooking utensils.
“Just sit there. I’ll make something.”
“I-I’m really fine—”
“Tsk.”
Mrs. Anderson shot her a sharp glare.
“Sit.”
Knowing there was no winning against her, Emilia quietly obeyed.
Come to think of it…
I never even sent word that I couldn’t come to work…
Watching Mrs. Anderson prepare ingredients, Emilia spoke apologetically.
“I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t even tell you I wouldn’t be coming to the shop.”
“It’s fine.”
Mrs. Anderson didn’t even look back.
“I figured something must’ve happened.”
“But…”
Emilia hesitated.
“How did you know I was here?”
“How?”
Mrs. Anderson set a bowl down with a loud clack.
“The entire village already knows!”
She clicked her tongue in disgust.
“Everyone’s talking about how Cedric came back from the capital with another woman.”
She snorted.
“And apparently she’s some noble lady from a count’s family.”
Emilia slowly lowered her gaze.
“Don’t you dare cry!”
Mrs. Anderson barked.
“If you cry over a man like that, I’ll smack some sense into you myself!”
The fierce scolding somehow forced the tears that had been threatening to fall back inside.
“…I won’t cry.”
“Good.”
Before long, a fragrant bowl of soup was placed in front of her.
“Eat.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
Mrs. Anderson sat across from her, watching closely until Emilia finished every last spoonful.
Only after the empty bowl was pushed aside did she place a heavy pouch onto the table.
Clink.
Coins jingled inside.
Emilia blinked.
“What’s this money for?”
“It’s your severance pay.”
“…What?”
Her heart immediately sank.
Seeing the panic on Emilia’s face, Mrs. Anderson shook her head.
“I’m not firing you.”
She reached across the table and firmly took Emilia’s hand in her weathered one.
“Leave this village.”
“…Leave?”
Emilia stared blankly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean go to the capital.”
Mrs. Anderson gently pushed the money pouch closer.
“If you’re going to start over…”
“You need a new place to do it.”
“And whatever you choose to do…”
“It’ll be better than staying here.”
Emilia hesitated.
Yet…
She understood exactly what Mrs. Anderson meant.
Even if Cedric had been the one at fault…
He was now an Imperial Palace official.
The villagers would naturally take his side.
If she stayed…
All she’d hear would be whispers behind her back.
“Tell me.”
Mrs. Anderson looked straight into her eyes.
“Is there anyone in this village who doesn’t know you’re smarter than Cedric?”
“…”
“If commoners were allowed to take that civil service examination…”
She smiled faintly.
“You would’ve passed it on your very first try.”
“But…”
“But what?”
Mrs. Anderson folded her arms.
“Would you rather stay here and watch those two laugh happily together every day?”
“…What about the shop?”
Emilia asked quietly.
“What are you going to do without me?”
Mrs. Anderson waved a dismissive hand.
“Thanks to you, I’ve already earned enough for the next five years.”
She wasn’t exaggerating.
The shop’s profits had risen dramatically because of Emilia’s ideas.
And Mrs. Anderson had completely mastered bookkeeping under Emilia’s patient guidance.
“I kept saying I was too old to learn…”
Mrs. Anderson chuckled.
“But you taught me anyway.”
That’s why Cedric managed to pass that exam too.
Thinking of Mrs. Romans happily celebrating with her precious son, Mrs. Anderson frowned.
Then she looked back at Emilia.
“If anything…”
“You’ve worked harder than my own runaway son.”
“Runaway son?”
Emilia smiled awkwardly.
Mrs. Anderson’s son, Alex, hadn’t run away.
He had simply become an Imperial Palace official years ago.
Although…
He rarely came home.
Only once every six months or so.
I suppose I’d complain too.
Just then—
Mrs. Anderson placed another pouch on the table.
Seeing Emilia’s questioning look, she proudly declared,
“I borrowed this one from my son’s savings.”
“…That doesn’t look like just one pouch.”
“If I can grab it in one handful…”
Mrs. Anderson answered shamelessly.
“Then it’s one.”
After inventing an entirely new unit of measurement, she awkwardly cleared her throat.
Emilia couldn’t help laughing.
“There.”
Mrs. Anderson smiled with satisfaction.
“That’s better.”
“You finally smiled.”
She gently patted Emilia’s hand.
“You never know what life has in store.”
“So stop worrying…”
“And just take it.”
“…I will.”
“Good.”
Mrs. Anderson nodded firmly.
“And remember this.”
“Your happiness comes before anyone else’s.”
“Never forget that.”
Warmth spread through Emilia’s chest.
She slowly nodded.
* * *
After Mrs. Anderson left…
Emilia sat quietly for a long time.
Eventually, she stood.
Walking into the storage room, she pulled out a large travel suitcase.
She had bought it long ago…
For the trip she had dreamed of taking with Cedric someday.
To be honest…
She wanted to throw it straight into the trash.
The suitcase didn’t do anything wrong.
A suitcase is just a suitcase.
Carrying it into her bedroom, she began packing.
Only then did she realize…
She barely owned any decent clothes.
A wave of anger rose inside her.
Why did I treat myself so poorly?
Everything good had always gone to Cedric.
She had always come second.
Silently, Emilia packed the few belongings worth taking.
One by one, she carefully pressed them into the suitcase.
* * *
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The next morning—
Emilia pounded on Cedric’s front door hard enough to shake the entire house.
“What now…?”
An irritated voice came from inside.
A moment later, Cedric opened the door.
“…Emilia?”
His eyes widened in surprise.
It was obvious he had never expected her to come.
Then…
His gaze shifted to the large suitcase standing beside her.
His expression immediately darkened.
Does he think I’m here to move in?
What an incredible misunderstanding.
Without saying another word…
Emilia simply extended her hand.
“Give it back.”
“…Give back what?”
She looked him straight in the eye.
“The money.”
“Every single coin I spent supporting you.”
“Give it all back.”
