Episode 37: 3 Billion
Rather than feeling uneasy, confessing actually brought me relief.
The awkwardness that had built up until now melted away, and in this moment, it felt as comfortable as before.
“Are you okay?”
He stroked my cheek gently. The warmth of his touch made my head naturally lean into his hand.
“I’m worried. You’ve fainted twice already in the short time you’ve been here.”
“I really am okay… This happens sometimes.”
“It hurts to hear you still lying like this. Please be honest about your health.”
He scolded me like a doctor.
“Okay.”
He came closer and gave me a gentle hug. I could feel his warmth even through my clothes.
“Your body is still cold.”
“Hertian, you’re always warm… like spring.”
“This is no place for a wife to live.”
“But I’ve gotten used to it.”
The cold itself was something I could bear. If it hadn’t been for Serdis interfering, I wouldn’t have collapsed in the first place.
“Still, it’s dangerous to come up here and meet with foreign envoys.”
“If we’re going to pay compensation to Kursia, I thought the money should come from them. The Empire shouldn’t be paying for the lives we took.”
“Is that why you used your precognitive ability?”
“…Yes.”
My answer came with hesitation.
To Hertian, it might seem like I was using my power for convenience.
“But… are you really running this business just to keep the castle running? Don’t you need any jewels or dresses?”
“It may be hard to believe, but yes. The air in the castle is so cold, it feels like an air conditioner is running.”
“Air… what did you say?”
“Oh, nothing.”
His embrace was so comforting that I accidentally let a familiar term slip out. Even after ten years in this world, sometimes I still blurt out words from my past life.
Fortunately, no one ever understands, so it happens less and less these days.
“Anyway, shall we go back to the castle now?”
I pulled myself away from Hertian’s warm embrace and began to pack my things.
I didn’t notice his expression darken.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess!”
When we arrived back at the castle, Violet was standing by the entrance, stamping her feet anxiously.
“I was worried since you hadn’t returned by this late hour.”
“You’re outside in this cold weather?”
“I couldn’t sleep because I was worried.”
I was equally worried she might catch a cold.
I wanted to hold her hand and warm it up, but I couldn’t.
“But Hertian, aren’t you going to put me down?”
He had been holding me in a princess carry the entire time. Even in the carriage, he had kept me tightly in his arms, saying I was cold. Even after we returned to the castle, he still hadn’t let go.
It was sweet that he was warm, but really, it was time to put me down.
“I’ll carry you like this.”
Without concern for Violet or the servants watching, he firmly carried me all the way to my room.
I buried my face in his chest. It wasn’t that I disliked it—it was just embarrassing with Violet looking on.
After washing up in warm water, my fatigue melted away.
As I sat on the bed, half-asleep, Hertian came into the bedroom.
“We’re starting renovations on the castle tomorrow.”
It was unexpected news.
“But we don’t have the budget. The money I make barely covers the rescue operations.”
He sat across from me and looked into my eyes.
“When I got married, I received a portion of the royal family’s budget.”
“But that money was supposed to be for your personal use.”
“There’s no better use than renovating the castle.”
A smile naturally spread across my lips.
“Do you really mean that?”
“Yes. I may have warm clothes, but the servants don’t. The water is so cold, their hands are all cracked and chapped.”
It wasn’t just because I was cold. I was genuinely worried when I saw Bonisa’s swollen hands. And if Bonisa, who had only been here for a short time, was like that, the others must have it worse.
“I should have done it as soon as I became the lord. Now that I finally have a little free time…”
It was something that could have been postponed, but Hertian chose to prioritize it because of me. Even though I was earning money, as the lord, he held the authority, and I was grateful.
I handed him a cup from the table.
“Hertian. Drink this.”
“What is it?”
“It’s an herbal decoction that’s good for heart arrhythmia.”
It was my small way of expressing gratitude.
“When did you even bring this…?”
“Just now.”
His face crumpled the moment he smelled it. He must’ve taken a lot of medicine lately.
“Can I drink it later?”
“Your heart was pounding earlier. Hurry and take it.”
“Ah…”
Hertian slumped his shoulders like a child, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m kidding. Drink it whenever you feel like it. But don’t forget—once a day at least.”
“I promise.”
He set the cup down and continued.
“Someone was following you yesterday.”
“Following me?”
“They saw you heading toward the border. I caught them, but all three of them had no tongues. I couldn’t get any information out of them.”
“…What?”
There was only one person who came to mind.
And it seemed Herthian thought the same. His dark eyes blinked slowly.
“I don’t want to be suspicious, but it’s odd that he came all the way here only to leave without doing anything.”
He was talking about Serdis.
“I think so too.”
I thought getting married would completely deviate from the original storyline, but apparently not.
Based on the timing, he should be regretting everything out of guilt for Violet by now. And yet, he still has lingering feelings for me.
‘Just how much does he plan to regret this?’
Could Violet ever forgive a man who even went after a married woman?
Of course, I wasn’t foolish enough to fall for his sleazy tricks.
Besides, there wasn’t much Serdis could do against a married couple.
At most, he might try to stir up trouble between us or spread strange rumors.
“I thought things would calm down after the wedding. Turns out it’s not that easy. Don’t worry too much about it.”
“Serdis has had strange habits since he was young.”
Herthian spoke with a clearly displeased expression.
“There was a toy I used to play with. It was a gift from my mother, the only one I had. One day, Serdis took a liking to it. I suppose it wouldn’t have hurt to let him play with it once, but growing up watching my step in a corner of the palace gave me a stubborn streak. Even when Mother told me to share, I absolutely refused.”
He let out a hollow laugh.
“The next day, the toy was so broken it was unrecognizable. Completely ruined beyond repair. I never found out who did it, but I knew in my gut.”
Since I had read the original, I knew.
It was Serdis. He’d always been greedy. As the Empress’s only child, he had nothing to fear. No wonder he still acted that way.
“After that, I pretended not to want anything. That way, Serdis wouldn’t come after it. But now, he’s trying to take my wife? That’s not something I can ignore.”
“Herthian.”
“I’m afraid he might destroy you because of me.”
I felt like I finally understood a little why Herthian had been helping me all this time.
I gently placed my hand over his. I held his wavering gaze with my steady eyes.
“That won’t happen.”
Once Anette had fallen asleep again, Herthian went to find Serdis.
He was lounging around like he owned the place, sipping wine from a full glass.
“When are you planning to get lost?”
Serdis handed a glass over to Herthian.
“The wine in the north has a unique taste. Have a drink.”
“I don’t have the leisure to waste time drinking.”
“You’re so stiff.”
Serdis chuckled and took another sip of wine, still looking relaxed. Before long, he stood and walked to the window—his legs perfectly fine. Though he still had bandages, he was standing just fine.
Herthian, as if he’d expected it, spoke with a flat expression.
“How long do you plan to cling to Anette like this? Is being a prince really a position that lets you waste time chasing married women?”
“Why? Are you bothered?”
“More like you disgust me.”
He looked at Serdis like he was something rotten.
“You’re stalking a married woman because you still have feelings for her, and even resorting to dirty tricks? That fake limp act was pathetic. You should’ve practiced more.”
Serdis’s smooth face hardened. Then he let out a hollow laugh, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Dirty tricks? Come on. I came to make peace. Sorry for pretending my leg was hurt. I just wanted to stay longer, but since you and Anette were so eager to kick me out, I faked an injury. Still, seems like you think I have lingering feelings. I’ll leave early tomorrow, so relax.”
Even though Herthian had clearly seen through him, Serdis continued to feign innocence.
Because he still had one card left.
Anette didn’t know Cassian’s true identity.
And Herthian hadn’t revealed it either.
Based on the letters, they were more than just acquaintances. Among everyone Serdis knew in Anette’s life, no one matched Cassian’s presence.
If they were that close, they could have married for real instead of signing a contract. Which meant there was a reason she hadn’t told Serdis.
Serdis sipped his wine and smirked subtly.
It meant he still had a chance.
Though morning had come, the ducal castle was unusually quiet.
“His Highness Serdis left?”
“Yes, my lady. He left at dawn. I was going to wake you, but he asked us not to.”
An uninvited guest had left the castle without even a proper goodbye.
I blankly stared at the now empty space.
“Didn’t he say his leg was hurt? He sure walked off just fine.”
He’d clearly run away after failing to follow me.
Anyway, with Serdis gone, Violet was now alone in the castle.
He clung to her to get in, only to dump her in the end.
Truly the epitome of a trashy male lead.
“My lady, please come outside!”
Bonisa was visibly excited, grabbing my arm gently with a look that said something more important had happened.
“Come to think of it, today’s the last day to visit the village.”
It was the final day of the deal with Kantad. I had already earned 3 billion. Just 4.5 billion more to go.
“No need to go to the village today, my lady!”
My eyes shot open reflexively.
I thought I’d lost my 3 billion for a second.
But the reality was completely different.
“My lady, 3 billion gold has arrived in your name.”
Kantad had sent the gold a day early. Come to think of it, I had fainted in front of him yesterday. Herthian had told me the villagers found me collapsed on the ground, but I remembered fainting right in front of Kantad.
And knowing how strict that man was, there’s no way he’d overlook a missed day.
“Aren’t you happy, my lady?”
“I am. Very happy.”
As I smiled, Bonisa smiled too.
Well, I’m grateful to get it early.
“You’ve finally received the reward for all your hard work.”
“You worked hard following me around too. Here, Bonisa. This is a gift for you.”
I handed her an amber gem necklace that suited her perfectly. I knew how much she had struggled climbing mountains and making herbal remedies with me.
“No, it’s okay. I was just doing what I was supposed to…”
“I’m giving it to you because I want to.”
Though she tried to refuse, her hands eventually accepted the necklace and clutched it dearly. Gilota and Jackson, who had come upon hearing the news, were speechless with surprise.
“My lady… you’re incredible.”
“I heard from Gilota. You really sold 50 million gold’s worth of herbs for 3 billion?”
I winked.
“Told you I could do it.”
Others were also curious about where the money had come from. But I couldn’t reveal that to everyone.
Just like with Lili, the people here held deep resentment against Kurcia.
Those in remote villages might rely on mutual help, but to the average villager, Kurcians were still the enemy.
So the full story behind this deal had to remain a secret.
“Please use it all to rescue the people in Kurcia.”
“All of it?”
“Yes. The longer we wait, the more the prices will rise.”
The Kurcians had realized they were trading for huge sums, so they had started hiking prices. We needed to act fast.
Of course, it was a bit painful to immediately spend the 3 billion I had worked so hard to earn. But oh well.
“My lady… would you reconsider?”
“No.”
Jackson looked more disappointed than I did. I smiled at him as he clutched the money chest tightly.
“Go on.”
