CH 37.1

What kind of person was Anabella Seymour?

It’s not so much of a difficult question.

She was the second daughter of the Seymour Viscounty, and she entered the Valentino residence with her older sister, Renée.

For the next 20 years or so, she devoted herself entirely to House Valentino.

It’s said that her dedication was due to her love for Renée, who was the former duchess and Theodore’s mother.

To the extent that she cherished Theodore as though he was her own child.

But was that really all there was to her?

People had layers to them. It’s not so simple to just love or hate someone. There were times when two dichotomies existed within one person.

Anabella Seymour clearly cared for and loved her sister Renée, but at the same time, she was filled with such jealousy.

Then if that’s the case, why did she continue to think of Theodore as if he was her own son?

“There are two ways in which someone copes with the fact that there’s something they cannot possess. First, they rationalize that they don’t need it anyway. Second, they resolve their desires in a twisted manner.”

Carmen had no idea what Theodore was talking about.

Obviously, they had been talking about Missus Seymour until now, but why did he suddenly bring up the matter of human desires?

However, Theodore Valentino was originally like this, after all.

Carmen had been serving him for more than seven years now, but she still couldn’t guess just what was going on in his mind.

Theodore’s aide, Calvin, was Theodore’s childhood friend and the person who could be considered as the closest to the duke. However, Calvin would also sometimes grumble and say, ‘I just don’t know what His Grace is thinking.’

Then what else could Carmen say here?

“Think it over, Carmen. If you were someone who wants to be the Duchess, but the position is already owned by another woman—what would you do?”

“…I am not sure because I don’t wish to become the Duchess.”

“Of course, but I’m asking hypothetically, so try to imagine. What would you do if you were her?”

“……”

Imagine… How could she try to understand a life that she didn’t know at all? Carmen fidgeted her fingers with a troubled expression.

Seeing her reaction, Theodore laughed and waved at the vice commander.

“Fine, you’re dismissed. It’s late, so go back and get some rest.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

After being excused, Carmen bowed towards him silently. But as she reflected on Theodore’s story, she realized it belatedly.

In what he said just now, who was the woman who wanted to become the duchess?

* * *

I didn’t know that I’d be so sick the next day after getting rained on. Even after all that, it’s still summer, so why.

Thanks to my condition, I was constantly being scolded by both Charlotte and my exclusive doctor, Jane Thorpe. Anyhow, it seemed like it’s going to be difficult for me to go out after a while.

Once my fever goes down, I might be able to go out and do what I want, but…

“Madam, you should start being more careful because even a simple cold can lead to pneumonia if your condition gets worse. Especially since you’re very weak…”

With a cloudy gaze, I glanced up at Jane, who had already told me the same thing 10 times.

It’s good that she’s taking care of her patient so diligently, but it felt to me like she was being too overzealous.

Her constant worries and concerns were enough to give me a headache.

“And your meals…”

“……”

Jane glanced sideways at the soup bowl, which was about half empty now.

…I wanted to eat more, too, but I couldn’t help it. If I ate even one spoonful more, it felt like I was on the verge of throwing up.

“The Madam has been sick lately, so it’s only natural that she can eat only a little.”

Then, Charlotte spoke up to Jane. At those words, Jane looked back at Charlotte, but eventually nodded and sighed.

“There’s nothing we can do then… But I’ll try to make a recipe to nourish you more as a replacement, so please try some of that… And it could get better if you can take a digestive medicine along with that, Madam.”

In response, I calmly agreed to her. After which, Jane asked me a few more requests, then she left the room.

Thus, Charlotte and I were left alone in the room.

Charlotte made sure that the door was closed properly, then she walked back to the bed and spoke.

“Madam, please lie back down now. I’ll change the wet towel for you.”

“…Alright, thank you.”

I thought that it was very fortunate to have someone with me while I was sick. Without holding back my expression of gratitude, I said,

“Charlotte, I’m so glad you’re here.”

She was in the middle of moving the basin, but as she heard what I said, Charlotte paused.

Then, with a smile, she replied. She looked a bit dejected.

“Why are you being like this again, Madam? Of course I’ll always be here for you.”

The sheer kindness contained in her words somehow made me tear up.

I was Lily Everett, and I was always alone, and yet now someone was staying by my side while I lay bedridden. It felt unrealistic.