Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 2.2

“I have a request for Mariadoll.”

“For me? I no longer have the trading company, so I can’t conduct business, but I’ll do anything I can.”

Aiden looked slightly bewildered as he turned his gaze toward Jerf, then quietly asked Mariadoll, who was smiling cheerfully.

“By the way, does Duke Stanley know about Mariadoll’s ‘dream matter’?”

“Yes. It’s known throughout the royal capital now.”

“It’s come to that? Then, is Mariadoll’s body alright?”

As Aiden frowned with genuine concern, Mariadoll was about to talk about Liza when Legacy returned at just the right moment.

Since the conversation would be lengthy, they changed locations and plans, deciding the four of them would go to a nearby restaurant.

While eating the food that was brought out and drinking wine as he listened to Mariadoll’s story, Aiden finally let out a relieved sigh. When he looked at Ben, he noticed Ben was somehow tearing up a little.

“Wh-what’s wrong? Both of you. Your reactions are, well, heavier than I expected.”

“Actually, the rumor that Mariadoll is a femme fatale had even reached Cortaus.”

“No way! It’s just gossip about a female baron, isn’t it?”

Mariadoll widened her eyes and looked at Jerf, who also shook his head slightly as if hearing this for the first time.

“There was a merchant who knew Mariadoll’s father is Gilbert Satherly. He was telling the story in an amusing way. It’s hard to say this in front of Duke Stanley, but, well, since we’re from a defeated country, bad rumors about Dunbargas make perfect drinking talk.”

“I see,” Mariadoll nodded. Apparently, her engagement to Jerf wasn’t known in Cortaus yet, but she never imagined her rumors had spread like that.

(I’m used to being called a femme fatale, but since I’m going to marry Lord Jerf, I want to correct those rumors somehow. The thought of how much the story will grow—that the wife of the hero who led Dunbargas to victory in the war is a femme fatale—already gives me a headache.)

“Now that diplomatic relations with Cortaus have opened, my rumors might cause trouble for Lord Jerf.”

“Don’t worry. Lady Liza will handle that well. If anything, I’m the symbol of the hated war from Cortaus’s perspective. I might be the one dragging Mariadoll into curious eyes. Of course, I promise to protect you, but if anything happens, please tell me.”

When Jerf took her hand under the table and Mariadoll blushed, Aiden and Ben exchanged glances and smiled in relief.

Ahem. Aiden deliberately cleared his throat, called the waiter, and ordered another bottle of wine.

“This is my wedding gift. Please.”

Aiden poured wine into their glasses himself, offered congratulations again, then continued, “So…”

“About the matter I wanted to ask, it’s about Ben.”

Mariadoll, with her glass to her lips, blinked once, then quietly set it back on the table. Placing her hands on her knees, she looked quietly at Ben, her brows furrowing sadly.

“Your wife’s name was Natalia, right? I heard through the grapevine that the marquis’s daughter she served as a wet nurse became the princess consort of Cortaus’s royal brother.”

Even after the war ended three years ago, little news about Cortaus’s situation reached Dunbargas.

Still, rumors about the royal brother’s marriage had spread, and Mariadoll had heard them. She was surprised to learn that the young lady in question was Carla Rojas, whom Ben’s wife had served.

“My wife entered the palace as a maid serving Princess Carla two years ago. But barely over half a year after the marriage, Princess Carla passed away. A year later—so about six months ago now—my wife also died in an epidemic.”

“Is that so? I knew the princess consort had passed away, but Natalia too… My condolences.”

“Thank you. So, though I feel terribly sorry for asking this of you, Lady Mariadoll, who will soon be a duchess… Could you paint a picture of my wife?”

At these words, Mariadoll hesitated slightly. It’s been exactly a month since Liza introduced her last client, so she could show Ben a dream, but it’s also about time to decide on the next client.

Jerf extended a helping hand to Mariadoll, who was troubled over what to do.

“Ben is only here for a week, so we could prioritize him. If we explain the reason to Liza, she’ll manage things well, and if the client isn’t satisfied, I can step in.”

“That’s… We can’t have Lord Jerf acting as a mediator.”

“This concerns the health of the woman who will be my wife. I’d say it’s only natural for me to step in.”

They had considered having Jerf act as mediator instead of Liza, but Jerf has to manage not only the knight order but also his territory. Detailed adjustments would be a burden, so they ultimately concluded that Liza mediating was best.

When they explained to Aiden and Ben—who were watching them anxiously, wondering what was going on—that the next request would be decided soon but adjustments were possible, Ben bowed repeatedly, looking apologetic.

“Going so far for someone like me, I’m truly sorry. Lady Mariadoll, if it’s too much, it’s perfectly fine.”

“No. This is a request from Ben, whom I’ve known since childhood. I’ll talk to Liza tomorrow. Aiden, visiting the grave can wait until after, right?”

“Of course.”

“So, Ben. If Liza says it’s okay, how about seeing Natalia’s dream that very night?”

“Thank you! I’m available anytime. Lady Mariadoll, I’m grateful.”

As Ben bowed, tearing up again, Mariadoll allowed a slight smile.

This is why she could keep doing it—knowing she could make someone this happy made it worth the physical toll afterward.

“Then, I’ll take two days off starting the day after tomorrow. Clemence has painting classes starting, so constant care might be difficult, and the gallery has been busy lately too.”

Even though it’s the peak of new recruit training, Jerf said he could manage a two-day break.

His skills haven’t dulled. He still far surpasses any ordinary knight but due to the lingering effects of his leg injury, he’s stepped back from the front lines.

While Jerf is away, they’ll assign basic training tasks and later check their skills in a tournament; apparently, that should work fine.

“I’m sorry for involving Duke Stanley as well.”

Jerf shook his head at Aiden’s bow.

“We’ve been pushing them pretty hard these past two weeks. The new knights will probably be crying with joy. Well, after that, hellish days will continue.”

He laughed, but Jerf’s eyes weren’t smiling.

Mariadoll inwardly sympathized with the knights while placing a hand on Jerf’s knee and saying, “Thank you.”

Seeing the two smiling at each other, Aiden let out a small sigh.

He’d finally met his faint first love and had even hoped they might become lovers, but seeing her so happily smiling, he knew he had to step back, and he drained the wine in front of him.