The villa in Crowd was an inherited property from the Marquis's mother's family.
Fortunately, it was connected to a portal, making access quick.
But I had to take a long carriage ride through a mountain road to get from the gate to the villa.
I looked at the terrifying abyss outside the carriage window, then quickly turned my head.
“I seem to have a fear of heights.”
“What?
Ma’am, what did you say?”
Amy answered, closing her eyes tightly.
'This is exactly what I'm talking about.
There is someone worse than me.'
The palace surrounded by mountains was strangely quiet.
“Ma’am, this is a nobleman’s villa, but it looks like it is haunted.”
Amy asked me, crossing her arms.
When I looked at her, she waved her hands in confusion.
“I'm sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?
I was thinking the same thing and looked at you approvingly.
Stop being afraid every time I look at you.”
I shook my head and my heart.
Sometimes Amy treated me like I was a disturbed person.
“No, it's a misunderstanding.”
“Hmm… well.
But I’m also visiting this place for the first time… Is there no one to greet us?”
I stood at the entrance looking around.
At that moment, the palace door opened with a frightening sound.
I shouted and retreated, and the guard knights moved forward resolutely.
They didn't show it, but Leon definitely knew what happened in the Esta Temple.
The knights seemed to have received strict orders from him, as they were on high alert.
'This may be an exaggeration, but caution never hurts.'
The person who walked out the door was an old woman I had never seen before, even in the Marquis's mansion in the capital.
“Welcome, Your Highness the Duchess.
I am Lewin, the caretaker of this palace.
The Marchioness is waiting for you.
Please come in.”
The palace was dark even during the day.
It seemed they were not using magical lighting, as the candles swung precariously in the dark, windowless corridor.
“Is… my father in very bad shape?”
Lewin didn't answer, as if she didn't hear me.
I felt it was difficult to talk to her, so I stopped asking.
'I'll see for myf.'
“Here.”
Lewin stopped in front of a bedroom and knocked on the door.
“Madam, this is Lewin.
Her Highness the Duchess has arrived.”
“Okay, bring it in.”
I heard the Marchioness's voice from inside.
Lewin opened the door, and a bright light seeped from the room into the dark corridor.
Amy and Mary tried to get in with me, but Lewin stopped them.
“Only family is allowed in.”
I motioned for them to follow her orders.
I entered and greeted the Marchioness, who was talking seriously with a man beside the bed.
“You came?”
"Are you well?"
“I'm going out now.”
The man greeted the Marchioness and me and left the room.
“It's Vincent, the Marquis' family doctor.
Mr.
Owen has retired, and he's the new one.”
"Good."
I did not even look at the bed where the Marquis was lying, and went to sit on a sofa in the large space.
“Oh you…”
The Marchioness clicked her tongue as she looked at me.
She grabbed her dress a little and sat in front of me on the sofa.
“What is he suffering from and how sick is he?”
The Marchioness sighed deeply.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
She gently wiped her tears with a tissue and sniffled.
“Go and greet your father yourf.”
I looked at the bed where the Marquis lay.
There was no movement on his part.
'How on earth is he sick...'
I didn't want to see the person I was talking to over the communication stone a few days ago now lying motionless.
I shook my head at the Marchioness.
“He's almost unconscious.
He regains consciousness sometimes, so salute him when he's conscious.”
“I didn't bring much luggage.
I'll see what the situation is.”
“Walter is here now.
He went out fishing and will be back soon, so let’s have dinner together.”
Walter, the Marchioness's son, was Bella's half-brother.
I haven't met him since I became Bella.
But, to go fishing while his father is lying like this?
He must be deranged.
“Leon, the Duke, is waiting impatiently for me.
I will quickly visit my father if he regains consciousness and then leave.”
“…As you wish.
I have prepared a place for you to stay, so rest.”
“It's okay, I'll stay here.”
“No, I want to be by his side.”
The Marchioness wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
Are you going to cry again?
Even if their relationship is not good, do things get emotional when they are sick?
I involuntarily remembered Leon.
Will Leon save me if I fall into danger from monsters?
'I'm still not sure.'
I left the Marquise wiping her eyes and left the Marquise's bedroom.
Lewin took us to another room.
“I never want to come back here.”
I said to Amy as soon as Lewin left.
Amy nodded in agreement.
“The room looks classic, but it's very old.
The bed, frankly, would kick up dust if it was shaken.”
Amy spoke as she scanned the room.
The floor creaked, and the mattress seemed to bear the marks of time.
“Is it possible that Luen is the only maid here?”
“No, no way,” Amy said as she opened the heavy curtains and the window of the room.
A cold breeze flowed in.
“At least the air is fresh.”
“Come in.”
At my words, Lewin opened the door and poked her head out.
“Did my father regain consciousness?”
Unfortunately, this was not the answer I was waiting for.
Day was turning to dusk, and the setting sun over the mountain colored the room red.
I felt anxious.
"permission?"
“The lady invites you to dine together.
The young master has returned from hunting.”
Do I really have to eat dinner?
I sighed deeply.
I wanted to return to Esther immediately.
“Okay, I'll be down for dinner.”
After Lewin left, I told Amy and Mary that we would probably stay the night here.
Since I showed my clear desire to return quickly, you did not unpack completely.
At the time appointed by Lewin, I went to the dining room on the first floor.
I was hoping Walter was reasonably unhinged.
As I entered the dining room, a man who bore a striking resemblance to the Marchioness rose and opened his arms.
"Bella, you're such a troublemaker!"
He approached with confident steps, but I backed away unconsciously.
He suddenly hugged me.
I stood in shock, then pushed him away.
He laughed louder, without any malice in his laugh.
"You haven't come for a while.
Does the Duke treat you well?
Didn't you say he's the worst person in the world?"
"Hmm?
Did I say that?"
I walked past him and quickly sat down.
“You haven't forgotten that, have you?”
I looked at him.
He laughed cheerfully and sat across from me.
When my eyes met his, he tapped his finger on the head.
Of course, how did I think Bella and Walter got along?
“Bella, I heard that Leon Astaire paid your debts to Elizabeth.”
Why does Elizabeth's name come out of his mouth?
Looks like the good talk is over.
Enough to understand the relationship.
“How did you know that?”
“You?
Did you say ‘you’ to me now?
Is that how you talk to me?
You sound arrogant!”
He spoke, tilting his head, and I felt a madness in his eyes that I had never noticed before.
“Call me Your Highness, you idiot.”