I Refuse This Life, Your Highness! - Chapter 26

“…Gasp.”

When I woke up, my entire body was drenched in cold sweat. It hadn’t even been the kind of dream that would warrant such a reaction.

‘The name is Leia Ayle. The second son of the Baron Seles family.’

The voice that said those words still rang vividly in my ears. That was the beginning of my tragedy. No, perhaps the tragedy had begun the moment I married the Grand Duke.

As I sluggishly sat up and looked to my side, I realized I was the only one in bed. The Grand Duke’s side was neatly arranged. The blanket slipped off my shoulders, and the cold air wrapped around me. It seemed like it was time to light the fireplace in the room and under the bed.

“Your Grace, did you cough?”

“Yes.”

The voice I used to answer Bohen cracked. It seemed the alcohol I drank last night was stronger than I had thought. No wonder my dreams were so restless.

Bohen soon arrived with a glass of water and fully pulled back the bed curtains. The cold air rushed in, and my skin, covered only by a thin nightgown, prickled with goosebumps.

I sipped the lukewarm tea Bohen handed me and returned the cup.

“I’ll prepare water for washing.”

I nodded, and soon, the servant responsible for the washbasin arrived, pushing a cart loaded with a large bowl of warm water, a waste bucket, two large pitchers, soap, salt, a wet towel, and two dry towels.

Still feeling fatigued, I glanced at the servant and spoke absentmindedly.

“You’re always the one who brings the washing water. Thank you.”

Perhaps it was because of the dream from my past. Unconsciously, I reverted to my old demeanor. The servant, who was mixing a bit of cold water into the bowl, looked at me in surprise.

“N-not at all, Your Grace.”

The servant quickly bowed deeply, almost to the point of touching her belly, and stepped aside. I rinsed my face, mouth, hands, and feet about three times before sending the wash water away. Soon, another servant entered, draped a robe over me, slipped slippers onto my feet, and guided me to the dressing table.

After applying countless layers of things like rosewater and chamomile-infused water, I was finally free from the morning routine. Fortunately, makeup wasn’t necessary unless there was a banquet or special occasion.

I had breakfast in my room, changed clothes, and spent most of the day moving between the library and the office, immersed in work. By evening, the unsettling dream had quietly faded amidst the usual routine.

For dinner, I opted for something light and headed to the bathroom, but the servant who had brought the washing water earlier quickly approached me.

Assuming she was replacing Bohen or Resilly to attend me, I simply observed. However, she nervously glanced around before hurriedly speaking.

“Y-Your Grace, I-I-I have something to tell you.”

I hadn’t noticed before, but she was trembling immensely.

“…Hmm?”

“Well, I… the truth is… the truth is…”

“Is it something no one else should hear?”

“Yes…”

I nodded and replied.

“Then wait for me to finish my bath, and I’ll grant you a private audience.”

“Yes…!”

Her eyes were so desperate that I couldn’t refuse. After finishing my bath, I dismissed not only the other servants but even Resilly and Bohen, then met her in my robe.

“So, what is it you wanted to tell me? As far as I know, you were selected to serve me when I came to the Grand Duchy and have worked for me ever since.”

She had, in fact, helped me once or twice in my past life.

“Well… actually…”

Suddenly, the servant dropped to her knees and bowed her head deeply. What’s this? What kind of mistake had she made to act this way? Furrowing my brow, I waited for her to speak.

“The truth is, I… I was planning to steal.”

“Planning to steal?”

So, not that she already had? My brow furrowed even further, and tears began to stream down her face.

“Yes… I planned to take an item from Your Grace’s list of jewelry and sell it. I intended to make it seem as though Your Grace had done it.”

“…”

I couldn’t hide my astonishment at her words. As my mouth slightly fell open, she pressed her forehead to the ground even harder, as if she could sense my expression even without seeing it.

“You… well. First, what’s your name? I realize I haven’t even asked for it yet.”

“My name is Miria, Your Grace.”

“All right, Miria.”

I didn’t feel betrayed. Unlike my attendants, I didn’t place much trust in maids. However, it was certain she had done the same thing in my past life. It would have been easier for her back then. Miria, as I recalled, had secretly brought me food or freed me from the storage room when Erma locked me in.

Thinking that her actions stemmed from guilt rather than kindness left a slightly bitter taste in my mouth.

However… to steal something valuable enough to be listed among the Grand Duchess’s jewels and sell it while framing me for it? Could a single servant plan such a thing? Especially one as guilt-ridden and timid as this?

“Did you plan this on your own?”

Miria flinched as she lay flat on the ground.

“…N-no.”

“If not, who ordered you to do it?”

“…The steward.”

Her voice trembled so much that it was barely audible. The answer was exactly as I had expected. It was Erma behind this.

I had suspected she would scheme in some way, given that I wouldn’t bend to her will. And I was right.

Looking down at Miria, who seemed ready to meld with the floor, I finally spoke.

“Stand up. I don’t like seeing anyone kneeling before me.”

“Your Grace…”

As she shakily rose to her feet, her forehead was red, and her eyes brimmed with tears. I crossed my arms and fell into thought. If Erma found out Miria had confessed to me, she wouldn’t leave her alone.

“Did you have a reason?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you have a reason for following Erma’s orders?”

Miria didn’t seem like someone who would commit a crime. Of course, you can’t judge someone entirely by their appearance, but she appeared timid and struggled with overcoming guilt. She didn’t seem capable of conceiving such a significant scheme on her own. As expected, Miria dropped her gaze at my question.

“Well… I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but my younger brother is very ill. The steward said he would cover the cost of my brother’s medicine for life.”

“Your brother, huh… What’s his name? Where is he now?”

“His name is Hazel. He’s at Penbril Hospital.”

Penbril was a charitable hospital funded by the Grand Duchy.

I looked at Miria again. What she had just said didn’t feel like a lie. She didn’t seem cunning enough to fabricate such a story and orchestrate this situation so thoroughly.

After some thought, I made a decision.

“Very well. For now… pack your things and leave the Grand Duchy. I’ll take responsibility for your brother.”

“Pardon?”

“Run away immediately. I can’t fully protect you from Erma’s schemes.”

Miria’s head shot up. Her eyes, which had been darting around wildly, gradually shifted as she seemed to understand my words.

“Y-Your Grace, are you serious? Are you forgiving me?”

“You haven’t done anything yet.”

“Th-thank you. Thank you, Your Grace!”

“Don’t worry about your brother. Just focus on getting far away.”

“Yes!”

That evening, just before the gates of the Grand Duchy closed completely, a young girl slipped out of the fortress, clutching a small bundle of belongings, unnoticed by anyone.

I wasn’t sure if this was the right decision. Still, I helped Miria escape and decided to assist her brother. Officially, the record would state that I dismissed a maid for unsatisfactory behavior. I doubted Erma would let this slide, especially since she had likely been receiving regular reports from Miria.

As expected, Erma didn’t remain idle. The next morning, after I had started my work, he came to see me.

“Your Grace, it’s an honor to see you.”

“What brings the steward here?”

I feigned ignorance and asked.

“I heard you dismissed a maid for personal reasons.”

“So?”

“Your Grace,” Erma said, bowing his head with the air of a dutiful steward. “Such actions might not set the best example for the lower staff.”

“Not set the best example, you say?”

“Erma.”

He lowered his head even further, placing his hand over his chest. I slowly tapped the ink bottle with my quill, creating a soft, rhythmic sound.

“Do I need to consider the opinions of the lower staff?”

“…Pardon?”

“Am I in a position where I should care about the opinions of the lower staff, especially yours?”

I stopped the quill and gazed at Erma. He seemed momentarily flustered, not expecting me to confront him so directly.

I resumed working on the documents as if nothing had happened.

“Anyway, it’s good that you’re here. You’ve been managing Penbril Hospital, haven’t you?”

“Yes… I have.”

“I’ll be taking over the hospital’s administration.”

“Pardon?”

“Why are you surprised? It’s a charitable hospital, isn’t it? It seems like the kind of work I should be handling.”

Erma’s face turned even more flustered. Now that I had brought up the name of Penbril Hospital, he likely realized why Miria had been dismissed. Internally, I couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

“Bring all related documents to me by this afternoon.”

“Your Grace, you’re already managing things wonderfully. Taking on additional tasks could overburden you and tarnish your reputation.”

At that, I finally set the quill down with a sharp clack.

“Erma.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“You sometimes imply that I’m incompetent.”

“…!”

Erma visibly flinched, genuinely startled. He likely hadn’t expected me to call him out so bluntly.

“Th-that’s absolutely not the case. I would never dare—”

“Even now, you’re suggesting that taking over one charitable hospital would overburden me and lead to rumors that I can’t handle my duties. Isn’t that what you’re implying?”

“N-not at all, Your Grace! I would never say such a thing.”

Satisfied, I picked up my quill again.

“If you understand, then you may leave.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Without another word, Erma withdrew. Once the door closed, I wanted to cheer. Who would have thought a day would come when I could talk to Erma like this? It became easier to speak my mind when he showed signs of backing down. That must have been why he had found it so easy to manipulate me in my past life.

Just a few days ago, I had seen the whip in Erma’s hands and dared to pull that reckless stunt. Ah, oh. The exhilaration I felt was indescribable. Erma…

I barely managed to suppress the faint smile creeping onto my lips and tried to refocus on my work. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“What is it?”

“It’s Resilly, Your Grace.”

“Come in.”

Soon, Resilly entered the room and bowed her head.

“His Grace the Grand Duke has suggested that, if you’re not too busy, you join him for a cup of tea in the rose garden.”

“…”

Tea time?

“His Grace suggested this?”

“Yes. He also mentioned that it’s fine to decline if you’re occupied… but, Your Grace, you’ve been overworking yourself lately. A short break might do you good.”

I checked the time. It was almost 10 a.m. It was indeed a suitable time to pause for a moment and enjoy some tea.

“Very well.”

“You should be fine going as you are now.”

I nodded. If there were guests, I’d need to change, but since it was my husband—a family member by official status—my current formal attire would suffice. Following Resilly, I made my way to the rose garden the Grand Duke had chosen.

When we arrived, the Grand Duke was already there, waiting.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting, Your Grace.”

“No need. I just arrived myself.”

Seeing the Grand Duke’s face stirred a peculiar feeling within me. The events of yesterday, everything from his kindness to the dream I had last night—all of it mingled together, casting both shadows and light over his expression.

“I… I called you here because…”

There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.

The words from last night’s dream. I froze stiff on the spot.

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