CH 38.1

It wasn’t an illusion… That cold look in his eyes, the icy tone in his voice that spoke so pointedly.

I had no doubt about it. It’s the old ‘him’. Before he lost his memories of me.

“……”

“Lily? What’s wrong?”

As he tried to reach out to me, I slapped away his hand and covered my mouth in my confusion. With his hand still outstretched in the air, Theodore stared at it for a moment, but then he immediately apologized.

“…I forgot for a moment that you were uncomfortable with me. I’m sorry.”

“……”

At this moment, it wasn’t for that reason. But I didn’t know how to explain it. It felt as if he was back to his old self for that brief time…

If I were to say that, how would Theodore react?

“How are you feeling? Your temperature was so high all night… I was very worried about you.”

Theodore asked cautiously. As he studied my complexion, seeing if I was doing better now, his gaze was ever so kind and gentle.

Perhaps that’s why I’d been feeling this distinct sense of dissonance.

Turning away from his gaze, I answered.

“…I’m fine.”

At first, I was going to wake him up to say thank you for nursing me all night.

No matter how uncomfortable I was with him, it’s only right to thank him for doing this for me.

But right now, after that just happened, I couldn’t say anything. I lowered my gaze and held back a sigh, however, I soon heard a rustling sound from my side.

Glancing sideways, I saw that Theodore stood up from his seat and was organizing the basin and wet towel.

As he carried the basin with both hands, he smiled awkwardly at me and spoke with a voice that was seemingly forced to stay calm.

“With me here, you won’t be able to relax… I’ll put these in the bathroom and call Charlotte.”

“……”

“…Then, please rest more. I hope you get well soon.”

And shortly afterwards, Theodore left the room. Charlotte came in through the same door.

The moment Charlotte saw me, she gauged my temperature and asked a few questions. She looked a little relieved.

It seemed like Charlotte was as exhausted as Theodore, so I felt terribly sorry.

“Charlotte… Didn’t you get any sleep? I think I’m better now, so you should go and rest.”

“I took a nap earlier, so I’m quite alright! More importantly, Madam, do you feel like eating right now?”

…I knew that Charlotte would feel despondent if I honestly said that I didn’t have an appetite right now, so I instead nodded with a smile on my lips.

In return, Charlotte smiled back with such joy on her features, then she began to move busily right away.

“You must feel uncomfortable right now, so I’ll help you take a bath first, Madam! And then, food that’s easily digestible…”

…And so, with Charlotte’s help, I bathed and ate a simple meal.

I was worried about how I might not be able to eat much again this time, but unexpectedly, I could eat more than usual. I also didn’t feel nauseous.

Charlotte was very happy to see me eating well.

* * *

Jane Thorpe, the dedicated doctor of Duchess Valentino, went out as early as dawn to fetch the necessary medicinal herbs herself. Then, she returned to the ducal residence at around eight in the morning.

She was very pleased that she was able to get a lot of good ingredients that weren’t usually available. She just hoped that all these would be helpful in the recovery of the duchess’ health…

‘Is Her Grace still asleep? We have a scheduled check-up later at around eleven o’clock…’

While holding an envelope full of medicinal herbs in one arm, Jane used her free hand to open the clinic’s door.

And immediately, she was surprised by the sight that welcomed her.

‘W-What is…’

The clinic was a mess—as if a thief had ransacked the place.

Envelopes of medicinal herbs, glass bottles and various documents were randomly strewn all over the floor.

Jane was paralyzed at the threshold, her mouth gaping open. However, she soon came to her senses.

As she took a closer look at the traces left behind, it seemed like someone had searched through the room.

Not only the drawers and cupboards were open, but even the secret storage space on the floor had been searched.

Even Jane’s personal bag was opened.

‘No, but, I mean… For that person to be so heinous…’

Jane could do nothing but smile in her incredulity. To the side, she carefully set down the envelope containing fresh medicinal herbs. Then, she started taking note of which items were missing.

Who on earth did this?

A theft of this degree in this place was unheard of. After all, this was not just any place, but the Valentino residence.

Could a thief just randomly come in? It’s only natural for her to think that this was the work of someone who was already working inside the mansion.

‘…But it’s weird. My money and valuables are still here.’

While Jane was cleaning up the clinic to some degree, she halted where she was, her brows knitting together.

If her money and valuables were still here, then this meant that the thief was here to steal something else…

‘Just what was stolen then?’

Jane approached her desk and checked the wide-open drawer. Minor documents like lists of medical materials remained, as well as books.

But…

The most important documents here were nowhere to be seen.

‘…Her Grace’s medical records.’

The health record of the duchess herself, which Jane had been meticulously organizing since the first day she entered this residence.

It’s gone.