ILTDAMH | CHAPTER 09

Chapter 09

 I’m glad you’re healthy

“Master, are you feeling dizzy again?”

Seeing Edward approaching, Ruan quickly went to him and said,
“A little. It’s not terrible. Madam, this is Edward, the butler who manages all the household affairs of the duke’s mansion.”

It’s a privilege to meet you at last, Madam. Because of my hectic schedule, I apologise for not being able to welcome you when you arrived early this morning. If you need anything while you are at the duke’s mansion, do let me know.

Ah, this doesn’t seem like the right time for formal greetings.

With a worried glance at Ruan, who appeared paler than before, Mercian said, “Edward, nice to meet you too.” Let’s save the greetings for later and first help the duke to his room since he seems dizzy.”

“Yes, understood. Clea?”

“Oh, Madam, what are you doing here? Wasn’t Charles waiting for you? And where did this girl go?”

At Edward’s words, Clea approached Mercian and straightened her dress while looking around.

“Mistress, I’m here. Sorry, Madam.”

“No, Charles.”

“Please escort Madam now.”

“Madam, please follow me.”

“Thank you, Charles.”

Ruan helped Edward support Mercian as she followed Charles.

“Well then, Madam, see you at the reception.”

“Yes, Ruan. Please rest soon.”

Ruan went back to his room with Edward’s support, and Mercian was guided by Charles to a different room than the first one she stayed in.

“This is?”

“This is the duchess’s room, where you will stay from today on, Madam.”

This is my room?

Mercian had come from a poor viscount family, and Penelope didn’t pay much attention to her, so her old room had only a basic bed, dressing table, and small wardrobe.

Sometimes she envied Luciane’s room because it was more luxurious than most noble ladies’ rooms in the empire, but compared to this room, Luciane’s was nothing.

This room was three times bigger than her old one, with a large bed that could fit three or four people, a dressing table made of fine wood, a full-length mirror, and a small table by the window for tea.

Mercian looked around the room as Charles spoke.

“Do you like it? The housekeeper decorated it over the past few days. If you don’t like it, you can change it.”

“No, it’s fine. Anyway…”

She was only going to stay for six months, so there was no need to bother anyone else.

“Pardon?”

“No, I mean I like it.”

Mercian swallowed the rest of her words and smiled. 

Charles nodded, relieved, and said,
“That’s a relief. Since your wedding dress might be uncomfortable, please take it off first. Ah, please wait a moment.”

Charles hurriedly opened a small door next to the room and brought out three or four dresses.

“That’s?”

“Oh, that’s the dressing room. It’s not fully stocked yet, but there are plenty of dresses, so if you need more, you can get them tailored again.”

Plenty?

Mesmerized by Charles’s words, Mercian got up and opened the small door. 

The dressing room was about the size of her old room, and already one-third of it was filled.

“All these dresses…?”

“When we ordered the wedding dress last time, the dressmaker sent these dresses to the mansion. They said they only sent the ones that would suit you well.”

“Ah…” Mercian recalled the madam saying that besides the wedding dress, they would send a few more dresses that fit her.

But this isn’t a few—it’s dozens!

Charles noticed Mercian staring blankly at the many dresses in the dressing room and said,
“It’s already this late. You should change into your reception dress and get ready to attend the party.”

Re-reception?

Oh, right, there’s a reception after the wedding. 

Hopefully, I won’t have to wear the cloak there, too.

It’s going to be hard to avoid people’s attention all day.

Today is going to be tough.

Ignoring Mercian’s tangled thoughts, Charles held dresses up to her and said,
“You look quite good in purple or green. Maybe it’s because your skin is so fair.”

“Oh?”

“I think light green would suit you better.”

At that moment, a strange voice came from behind.

“Great Lady!”

Charles, who was holding up the dresses for Mercian, bowed and greeted Olivia as she entered the room.

Great Lady?

Mercian looked at the middle-aged woman entering. 

This must be the previous duke’s sister and Ruan’s aunt, the only woman in the mansion addressed as “Lady.”

“It’s okay,” Olivia said, waving her down as though to tell Mercian that she didn’t need to stand when he stood up to greet her. Since we will be seeing each other frequently anyhow, formal greetings are not necessary. Your name is Mercian, right?”

“Yes…”

Olivia, noticing Mercian’s nervous and uncomfortable expression, thought she looked like a fluffy, cute little white dog trembling in front of a lion and smiled unconsciously.

“I’m Olivia Canoluf, Ruan’s aunt.”

Mercian stood up straight and bowed.

“Aunt, it’s an honour to meet you.”

“Enough with the formalities. Now that you’re my nephew’s wife, just call me Olivia. Is that okay?”

“Yes, Aunt. I will.”

“Mercian, to be honest, I was worried when Ruan told me he would marry you. I don’t mean to disrespect your family, but I wanted him to marry a noble lady from a better family.”

Though Ruan only has six months left to live, the Canoluf family is prestigious, so many noble ladies probably wanted to marry him.

Mercian thought Olivia was right but still felt a bit bitter inside.

“But now, seeing you, I think I was wrong.”

“Yes… What?”

“I like that you look healthy.”

Healthy? So it’s not that she dislikes me for being heavier than other ladies?

Mercian looked at Olivia with a puzzled expression.

“This might upset you, but I think this house only needs one weak child who looks like they’ll collapse any moment, and that’s Ruan. If he were healthy, maybe it’d be different. Watching Ruan grow thinner every day, seeing you so healthy is such a relief. Somehow, I feel that if you stay by his side, Ruan might get healthy again. Of course, that’s just my wishful thinking… Oh dear, I’m saying too much to someone I just met. I have just one request: before Ruan leaves us, spend happy times with him. I hope neither of you will regret this marriage. And if you happen to have a child, that’s wonderful, but if not, then it’s God’s will and can’t be helped.”

Despite Olivia’s stern and stern appearance, Mercian could tell by her every word how much she loved and cared for Ruan.

Looking at Olivia, Mercian thought of her mother, Penelope, who only cared about Lucianne.

Luciane must have lived feeling this kind of love from her mother.

Watching Olivia hold her hands and make her earnest request, Mercian thought how lucky Ruan was to have such an aunt, even though his life was short.

Even with little time left, Luan is luckier than me. 

He has a family that truly cares for him.

As opposed to me, whose mother didn’t even realise.

Mercian smiled brightly as she held Olivia’s hand tightly and said,
“Yes, please don’t worry, Aunt. I will do my best to make sure the Duke—or rather, Ruan—is happy.”

“That’s good to hear. And if anyone in this family treats you badly or bothers you, be sure to tell me.”

 “Yes.”

“Well then, this old lady will take her leave. It wouldn’t be polite to keep you too long on your wedding night. Also, you don’t need to attend the reception. I’ll say that Ruan is unwell and can’t come, so you should rest too.”

You don’t need to attend the reception.

Mercian felt so happy hearing this that she wanted to hug Olivia tightly.

“But what about the guests? Especially since I heard the Crown Prince himself is coming…”

“Who would dare complain about a Duke who only has six months left to live? Don’t worry and get some rest.”

“Yes, Aunt.”

After Olivia left, Charles looked at the dresses with regret and said,
“That green dress would have suited you so well. Everyone at the reception would have been staring at you.”

That’s true. 

Standing next to Ruan, I can’t help but attract attention.

“Charles, if I don’t have to go to the reception, I want to rest. And before that, sorry, but could I have something to eat…?”

“Oh, you didn’t eat well earlier either. I’ll prepare something right away.”

After Charles left, someone knocked on the door.

“Yes, come in.”

“Mer, you look beautiful today.”

“Mom?” Could it be that she came to see me?

Mercian happily stood up at Penelope’s unexpected visit.

“My goodness, people were saying you might die soon, but you look quite good. I was worried you’d embarrass yourself by being so fat.”

“Mom!”

“I’m just saying. So this must be your room.”

“Yes…”

As Luciane mentioned, the Canoluf mansion is unique. Such elegant furnishings. This dressing table would be ideal for Luciane. What’s that room?”

Despite Mercian’s resentful smile, Penelope continued to glance around the room and keep bringing up Luciane.

What was I expecting?

“Did you come to see your married daughter? Or are you checking if there’s anything to take to Luciane?”

“Mer, why would you say that? Of course, I came to see you.”

“I wish that were true. Why don’t I believe you?”

Mercian muttered, watching Penelope’s words and actions that never matched.

“But tell me this. Are you planning to leave the Canoluf house after the Duke dies?”

“What?”

“I thought about it. You’re officially married to the Duke, so aren’t you his wife? Even if he dies, you’re still the Duchess.”

So she planned to keep me as the Duchess and already took the settlement money?

Mercian hoped this wasn’t true, even after hearing from Cassel that Penelope wanted the settlement plus dowry.

There will be 1,100 gold coins total—500 up front and 100 every month for six months.

It’s not enough for a lavish noble life, but enough to live comfortably with two or three maids for life.

Do Mom and Luciane have no end to their greed?

Mercian looked at Penelope, whose actions matched her expectations perfectly, and said,
“Mom, that’s already settled. The contract says if the Duke dies without a child, I must leave the Canoluf house. I signed it.”

“What? You signed that contract without telling me?”

“Then why didn’t you tell me I have to sleep with the Duke four times a week to have a child? Also, Mom, I’ve been married for less than an hour, no matter how…”

“But isn’t it too soon to be talking about the Duke’s death right now? Didn’t you come to celebrate my marriage?”

“Have I not told you? Because of you, I’ve been so angry that I keep forgetting things. That must have slipped my mind. In any case, you are aware that the Duke will eventually pass away. What’s the point of holding off on saying it for a week? Do you believe he will live much longer?

“Mom!”

Startled by Mercian’s sharp response, Penelope avoided her gaze and said,

“All right, all right. I won’t say any more. Anyway, I’ve seen the wedding and this wonderful room, so I’ll be going now. Lucianne is waiting at the reception. I’ll add this for your benefit: don’t behave the way you did at the Viscount’s house. Stop throwing tantrums like you used to and stop wasting your time eating and doing nothing. Don’t be expelled from this house before the Duke passes away.

That was strange.

Before, Mercian would have been upset by Penelope’s harsh words.

But now, she doesn’t care at all.

Penelope, who was constantly looking for flaws in her to show Luciane was a better daughter, made her feel sorry for her.

Yes, despite my best efforts to hide it, Mom and my sister still see me as the sluggish, avaricious, and irritable girl. 

So perhaps I’m the only odd one who doesn’t believe it.

“Mer! Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes, Mom. I’ll do as you said. Now, if you’re finished, please go. I’m worn out from worrying all day.

Although Penelope thought it was odd that Mercian didn’t react as she usually did, she left the room, reasoning that perhaps marriage had matured her.