Chapter 3

Three months had passed since then.

Grace had finally been freed from the fever that refused to subside. Now able to think productively, Grace carefully assessed her situation.

‘So… I’ve become someone named Denisia Blanchette.’

It was an unbelievable story, but it was true.

Flaxen hair and pink eyes. There was no trace of Ackellard’s features. The reflection in the mirror was no longer Grace.

‘And five years have passed since I died.’

Her head was a mess.

The man she saw just before dying wasn’t an illusion. And neither were his words.

It seemed like it didn’t matter if there was no connection, as long as the wavelengths matched. The Blanchette family was one Grace had never heard of in her life.

“Blanchette. Blanchette…”

Grace, now Denisia, tapped her knees thoughtfully.

Living in Denisia’s body for three months, she realized this family didn’t have money.

She recalled receiving inadequate treatment, likely memories of Denisia’s own experiences. Everyone thought Denisia was on the brink of death. And indeed, she would have been, if not for ‘Grace’ occupying her body now.

Denisia Blanchette, a Baron’s daughter.

The body of this pitiful girl, sentenced to a limited life, was unbelievably frail. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say she lived with colds, body aches, and slight fevers the entire time she was alive.

It was rare enough to count on one hand the memories of being completely healthy. Even now, a faint warmth was felt every time she breathed out.

“Haah.”

Her sigh echoed off the floor.

Moreover, she couldn’t speak a word about her previous life as Grace. Whenever she tried, her tongue froze, making it impossible to even make a sound.

She had completely become Denisia.

The situation was completely unrealistic. And yet, Grace couldn’t hide the joy spreading across her face.

I’ve been revived. I’m alive, truly.

She felt sorry for those who rejoiced at Denisia’s revival, but she was happy. She could finally repay the kindness she had failed to in her previous life.

Whether it took time to come back to life or not, waking up to find that five years had passed didn’t matter.

How is he doing now?

Is my child growing up well?

What about the people in the castle? The attendants, the maids who were loyal to me, how are they all doing?

Excitement about being alive again thudded in her heart.

First and foremost, it was crucial to find out how Dietrich was doing. Denisia turned her head towards the maid brushing her hair and asked.

“How are things in the Haberfeld territory these days?”

Thup. The wooden comb stopped abruptly.

“…Why do you ask about that place?” the maid asked.

“Huh?”

Denisia stammered, surprised by the maid’s visibly wary demeanor.

“Just… I’ve been bedridden for so long. I was curious about how the war ended.”

Her hasty excuse seemed to relax the maid’s guard, but the cloud of concern on her face did not lift.

“That place… People are hushing it up these days, even hesitating to mention it.”

“What?”

Denisia exclaimed, taken aback.

“Why?”

‘Could it be? Has another war broken out?’

It was inconceivable that Dietrich would have lost in a battle that was on the verge of victory.

That left only one possibility: a new war.

Noticing Denisia’s anxiousness, the maid lowered her voice particularly.

“There are various reasons, but… the most credible rumor is that Margrave Haberfeld went mad after losing his wife. He refused to accept her death, delaying the funeral and clinging to her.”

“What does that even…”

Words failed her in astonishment. Denisia opened her mouth in shock.

We didn’t have that close of a relationship, did we?

It was clear that some absurd rumor had been distorted by gossip. Otherwise, it was impossible to believe that Dietrich, who prioritized efficiency and time, would have wasted five long years over her.

“It’s true! I heard he didn’t eat or sleep, just kept vigil beside the coffin. Who would steal a dead body, anyway?”

“Is that really true…?”

“It’s not even the worst part. Even after the coffin was buried, he caused a scandal— No, well, not a scandal, but he kept insisting that his wife would return someday, making the people of his territory suffer.”