Chapter 17
“The Secret of Ruan’s Curse”
Most noble ladies she knew would, in such a situation, first ask how much their monthly allowance would be or how much wealth they could access.
And since she was a duchess with only six months left to live, most would be trying to grow their fortune in that short time.
But instead, she was asking about house rules?
Clea lowered her head in response to Mercian’s earnest question.
“Milady, as my master has said.”
“Hm?”
“There are no special rules in our duke’s household. My lord has been absent for a long time, and no one has been put in charge of this place because Lady Canoluf has lived apart since he became the duke at the age of 18. Therefore, the master assigns tasks to each maid and servant and then lets them finish them without interfering. All they have to do is make sure the family’s reputation isn’t damaged.
“Oh, I see.”
As long as nothing harms the household’s reputation, right?
Well, unless she was going out to look for a new home to move into within six months, there would be no need to leave.
So it wasn’t her concern.
“But now, since you are the lady of this house, if you wish to establish any rules, you may do so.”
The household was already running smoothly as it was, and since she would only be living here for six months, there was no need to meddle.
Mercian shook her head and replied, “No. I’ll be leaving in six months! So I don’t want to change anything in the dukedom.”
Seeing Mercian, who was unlike the noble ladies she had known until now, Clea felt a pang of sympathy for her short fate.
Even after only two days in the normally cold duke’s house, her mistress, Ruan, had changed.
The servants, who had only seen their master wear an indifferent expression, were now delighted to see him smile and even order food from the cook for his lady.
Clea, who had worried that her mistress was of low rank, came to admire Mercian’s personality and character more than many high-ranking noblewomen.
She silently hoped with all her heart that the poison in Ruan’s body could be undone.
“Then, Clea, as the duchess, is there nothing I need to do? Do I have to throw any balls or banquets?
Having never formally learned noble etiquette, Mercian worried about the possibility of having to host such events.
If she had enough time, it wouldn’t be a problem, but there was no way she could master noble customs perfectly in one or two months.
“No, milady. You don’t have to hold any banquets, but since you are married, perhaps a formal family tea gathering would be appropriate.”
“A family tea gathering?”
“It would be good to have such a gathering in that spirit because your relatives will want to see how you are living.”
Mom and her sister…
She didn’t like the concept.
But if she didn’t hold it, they would nag her about when she would.
Besides, her sister had said something absurd earlier—she hoped they wouldn’t come snooping around the duke’s house during the tea gathering.
Clea noticed Mercian’s expression change briefly at her words and felt a pang of regret.
“Milady, if you do not wish to hold the family tea gathering, you do not have to.”
“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
Mercian fell into deep thought, troubled by the difficult choice Clea had presented her.
“By the way, milady, Edward has something to tell you.”
“Edward? Send him in.”
Clea had left, and Edward entered carrying a stack of documents.
“Ed? What’s all this?”
“These are the annual budget and the monthly expenses for the dukedom.”
“Oh, the operating costs.”
Mercian glanced at the documents Edward handed her—then blinked and checked again, startled.
“Wait, the monthly expenses for the dukedom are 250 gold coins?”
“Yes, since the duke started falling ill, we’ve been spending a lot on medicine. So the costs have gone up quite a bit.”
Even with Edward’s explanation, Mercian’s expression remained stunned.
Then, he recalled what Ruan had told her yesterday.
“You said to set the monthly expenses at 250 gold coins? But right now, the dukedom runs fine on just 100 gold coins a month. Why are you insisting on such a high amount?”
“I want to give it to the lady.”
“Huh? Oh, I see. Well, then I’ll adjust the expenses to match the amount you requested.”
“Thank you.”
Mercian kept his eyes fixed on the documents, continuing.
“This operating cost is excessive, regardless of my point of view. But why the hell does the duchess’s dress cost so much money?
“The majority of noble ladies spend that much.”
“Really?”
Nodding thoughtfully at Edward’s words, Mercian said,
“Edward has managed the dukedom well all this time, so let him continue overseeing the finances.”
“In that case, I’ll report any leftover funds to you at the end of each month.”
“Leftover funds?”
Mercian recalled Ruan’s instructions again and nodded.
“Yes, please do that. Oh, and remove those expenses from the operating budget since I don’t need any dresses.
In response, Edward’s face contorted slightly in discomfort, saying, “That’s not possible, ma’am. This budget has already been approved by the Duke. If you would prefer not to buy dresses, I can pool that money and give it to you in addition to your monthly payment.
Mercian nodded reluctantly so as not to put Edward in an awkward situation because of her.
“Alright, then. I’ll take my leave now.”
After Edward left, Mercian sank back into thoughts about the upcoming tea gathering.
***
Meanwhile, in the royal palace, in Ruan’s study…
“So you’re saying that the Duke falls asleep peacefully —without any sleeping aids—when the Duchess is by his side?”
“And within five minutes, no less.”
Ruan’s words made Cassel exclaim in disbelief.
“That’s incredible. Even with all the different sleeping pills you take, you wake up after just two hours. Then maybe the duchess is the duke’s sleeping pill?”
Sleeping pill…
Ruan knew that whenever he slept next to Mercian, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he felt calm and in a good mood.
Is it that feeling of calm that helps me fall asleep?
Or something else…?
Without realising it, a smile crept onto Ruan’s face as he imagined Mercian wriggling gently in his arms.
“Is that so? Well, the softness of her body in my arms feels nice. Once I start touching her, I just can’t stop.”
“Huh?”
Cassel blinked, clearly confused, and Luan casually changed the subject as if it were nothing.
“Anyway, what about that viscount’s daughter?”
“Today, there was a secret meeting between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the viscount’s daughter.”
“Is that so? So, what evidence did the viscount’s daughter give to the crown prince? I heard she promised to bring proof of treason within a few days.”
“No, she didn’t say anything like that.”
“What?”
“According to a spy who secretly overheard their conversation, the viscount’s daughter spent the entire meeting with His Royal Highness lamenting how much the duchess looked down on her.”
“So, that means the lady rejected her sister’s offer.”
“Well, I suppose that’s the conclusion.”
Ruan smiled quietly at Cassel’s words.
Did she pick me over her mother’s sister?
Did she prioritise me, the husband, over her blood?
What’s this feeling? Why do that man’s words bring me some strange comfort, and why am I smiling like this?
“Cassel, do I have anything else on the schedule today?”
“No, nothing, sir.”
“Then I suppose I should take my leave from the palace early today.”
“Wait, Duke. I don’t think we’ve discussed something important yet.”
“What important thing? Just spit it out.”
Ruan sighed in disbelief.
Usually, he’d work through the night, as if ready to die in service of the palace, but now he was trying to leave early?
“It’s about your curse, Duke.”
“Oh, that curse… The vein has been creeping closer to my heart. I collapsed once this morning, but thankfully, I came to my senses quickly.”
Ruan remembered Mercian’s worried face, pressing her ear to his chest that morning.
Because of that, I was able to sleep peacefully in her arms.
“You fainted? Gods… And you speak of it like it’s a good morning greeting. That’s no minor thing! The symptoms must be starting to show.”
“After consulting all the magicians and sorcerers in Allomand, here’s what I found…”
Cassel hesitated, and Ruan’s voice grew impatient.
“Are you playing some game with me? Just say it. Why the long pause?”
“The elder was right—the curse is real.”
“You mean that witch’s curse?”
“Yes… According to the elder, the best way to break it is to fall so deeply in love with someone that you would risk your life for them.
“Is that so?”
Ruan’s expression turned indifferent as Cassel continued.
“The elder also said the curse causes your heart to gradually stiffen over time. Are there no other symptoms? Because this morning, without warning, I felt my heart stop—and then I collapsed. Does that happen often?”
“Wait a moment.”
Cassel rolled up Ruan’s sleeve and examined his wrist.
“Fortunately, it’s not serious yet. The elder explained that the thin red line will grow thicker as it approaches the heart, bringing unbearable pain. If you ever feel like your heart is about to stop, use this sachet.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s a temporary remedy. The elder specially made it for you, Duke. It contains dried flowers of a plant called Pomeranian. The scent can ease the sensation of your heart stopping—for a while.”
“A sachet?”
Ruan inhaled the faint, delicate fragrance.
It was surprisingly mild, not overwhelming at all.
“Not bad at all.”
“Always keep it with you. Of course, even if you collapse now, you’ll soon regain consciousness, so it’s not an immediate problem. But once that red line reaches your shoulder and moves toward your heart, this sachet won’t help much. So, before that happens…”
“For a love worth putting my life in danger for?”
“That’s the only way to break the curse.”
Ruan nodded, slipping the sachet into his pocket with a detached air.
“Understood. You can go now.”
After Cassel left, Ruan rolled up his sleeve and stared quietly at the red line.
When I first heard I was going to die, I felt nothing.
I’ve lived through years on the battlefield, never knowing when death might come.
Honestly, knowing the day I’ll die feels like a blessing.
At least I’ll have time to set things right before I leave…
I thought fulfilling Olivia’s last wish would leave me without regrets.
But now, I can’t explain why Mercian keeps coming to mind.
All I know is that I want her so badly it’s driving me crazy.
***
“My lady?”
As Ruan entered the dukedom’s hall, a striking red-haired woman ran toward him and threw herself into his arms.
“Beloved Ruan, I’m home!”
