Chapter 21

Chapter 21: I Stole Yeuju's First Love

When I opened my eyes, a blurry ceiling came into view.

After blinking a few times, my vision cleared.

‘Oh, my room?’

I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t muster the strength.

“What, what is this?”

My voice was hoarse and barely came out.

I raised my hand and waved it in the air.

Fortunately, it seemed that only my strength was gone, and there was no problem with my body's movement.

“Ah... my throat hurts.”

I wanted to drink water, but I couldn’t sit up. I wondered if I should wait for someone to come in. Then, I heard the door click open.

“Lily?”

“Oh my, Miss!”

There was a loud thud and the sound of something falling.

When I turned my head, I saw Lily staring at me in shock, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Lily, I’m fine. My throat is a bit dry, could you get me some water?”

“Huh! Yes, yes. I’ll bring it right away.”

With a clatter, Lily rushed to my side.

She propped me up with a cushion behind my back. Finally, the familiar scenery of my room came into view.

“Here’s your water. If you can’t drink any more, just raise your hand.”

Lily slowly tilted the cup for me.

After finishing the cup, I felt a bit better.

“Phew. Lily, what day is it today?”

“Today? It’s the third day of the first month of summer.”

I had been unconscious for five days already.

I started to worry about what my father would say.

“I, I shouldn’t have. I’ll go and call the Duke!”

“Wait, wait. Lily!”

You should give me some time to prepare!

Before I could stop her, Lily ran out of the room, shouting.

“Madam! Duke! Miss has woken up.”

Cheers could be heard from all around. It was as if the quiet mansion had suddenly come to life.

My father almost tumbled in, pushing the half-open door.

“Karin! Are you really okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine except that I feel a bit weak.”

Hearing me speak normally, my father hugged me tightly.

“I thought something had happened to you. Why do you always cause such trouble!”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“If you know you were wrong, you should tell us before doing something like this. This is just ridiculous.”

In his warm embrace, I breathed a sigh of relief.

At least I wouldn’t be punished, I thought.

“Since you’re worried about being scolded, it seems you’re feeling better.”

“Mother!”

Mother was standing at the door, having returned from the tower, looking down at me.

Her sharp gaze made me involuntarily shrink back.

Mother walked in and stroked my head.

“Nivea told me what happened. Thank you for helping my friend.”

I felt a bit dazed but happy at Mother’s praise.

I was glad that someone like me, who is so ordinary, could help someone.

“Is Nivea okay? Has she woken up?”

I was worried about Nivea. She had been exposed to fire and smoke for much longer than I had, so there might be other issues.

“Nivea is fine. She woke up before you and is now in the hospital.”

“I’m relieved.”

I felt at ease knowing she was safe.

Mother patted my back, telling me not to worry. After confirming Nivea’s safety, I became curious about whether the arsonist had been caught.

“By the way, was the arsonist caught?”

“No.”

Mother shook her head. I couldn’t understand why the arsonist hadn’t been caught yet.

“Raymond was seen at the scene by Nivea and me!”

“Unfortunately, no one with the same magical power as the fire was found. So, Raymond didn’t start the fire.”

If the arsonist was a registered mage at the tower, they would have been identified.

Then, could it be that someone Tatiana had hired personally started the fire, and Raymond had threatened Nivea?

Why would they go to such lengths to torment Nivea?

“Stop thinking about it. We’ve almost finished our investigation, and fortunately, Nivea had insurance, so there shouldn’t be much trouble rebuilding the building.”

Father patted my shoulder to lighten the mood.

“First, you need to get better.”

Mother said the same, and I couldn’t think about Tatiana anymore.

As I leaned back, Father instructed someone to bring food.

“You’re weak because you haven’t eaten anything for days. The doctor said to start with thin soup, so you should eat a little at a time.”

“Yes, I’ll eat well.”

It felt a bit awkward eating in bed, and the situation with my parents, Lily, and the butler all watching me was very uncomfortable.

But since they were worried because of what I had done...

I diligently tried to finish the bowl.

“By the way, what’s that?”

After finishing the soup and drinking the after-meal tea, I noticed a large bouquet and some unfamiliar potted plants.

Father and Mother looked at each other and were silent for a moment.

“Those are from Daniel.”

Mother pointed to the floral arrangement made of exotic flowers.

A tacky ribbon was attached, and beneath it, a small, pathetic piece of paper read “Wishing for your recovery.”

Next to it was a tree sent by the Duke of Hunt.

I knew it was from them because the pot had the Duke of Hunt’s signature in elegant handwriting.

“And this is...”

“Could it be from the Grand Duke of Gloucester?”

I asked Father in shock.

Father nodded with a grim expression.

“Sent in the name of the couple.”

“They must be a pair of crazy people.”

The bouquet from the Grand Duke of Gloucester was made entirely of gold and jewels.

Seeing such a precious item carelessly placed in a corner made me laugh.

‘Raymond probably didn’t send anything out of conscience.’

And Aster...

I couldn’t help but look around, wondering if I had missed something.

“Are you looking for what His Majesty sent?”

“Huh? No, not at all. I was just wondering if anyone else sent something.”

Father chuckled and suddenly picked me up.

“Ah!”

“Hold on tight.”

Father walked to the window, slightly bending down to show me outside.

“Ah...”

In the garden visible from my room, several trees were blooming with white flowers.

“He watched over you for a long time before leaving. He planted these trees and used magic to make them grow. He said he would make them bloom again if you didn’t wake up before the flowers withered.”

My heart ached at Father’s words.

“Aster is the best among the men you’ve met.”

Mother, who had approached the window, opened it and said.

A gentle floral scent and breeze filled the room.

“I need to write a letter to Aster.”

I wanted to see him right away.

* * *

After sending the letter, Aster informed me of his visit the next day.

He wrote that he wanted to come immediately but couldn’t because the national defense budget meeting hadn’t ended yet, and he was sorry.

After that, letters arrived every day.

It didn’t matter to me since I was a patient and could only lie in bed, but he must have been very busy. I wasn’t annoyed that he was paying so much attention to me.

“His Majesty will finally come tomorrow.”

I glanced at Lily.

“What, like I’m waiting for him?”

“Isn’t that so?”

“No, not exactly.”

“Come on, let’s take a walk before it gets too late.”

Lily and I put on light clothes and went for a walk.

Thanks to eating diligently, moving wasn’t difficult.

As we slowly walked around the garden, the butler informed us of Nivea’s visit.

“Oh, please have her come this way.”

Soon, Nivea appeared in the garden.

She looked much more resolute than when we first met.

‘Well, given what she’s been through.’

Anyone would be consumed by a desire for revenge if they weren’t a saint.

She walked quickly and bowed as soon as she saw me.

“Thank you for saving my life, Lady.”

“No, it was just my duty.”

Nivea clenched her fists and moved her lips.

I didn’t rush her and waited calmly.

This must be her first time being involved in such a situation.

She must be worried about her daughter too.

I sipped my tea and waited for Nivea to speak.

Finally, she straightened her back as if making a decision.

“I’m sorry, but I have to decline your offer.”

“Nivea, can’t you reconsider? We both know who did this. It’s a chance for us to take revenge together.”

Nivea bit her lip in frustration at my words.

“I can no longer handle the scent.”