My Ruin to You - Chapter 44

“Yes. It’s far better than wasting my days doing transcription work.”

The professor studied Roseline with a complicated expression before finally curving their lips upward.

“Just hang in there a little longer. In a few months, you’ll find your footing.”

It was sincere encouragement. For some reason, guilt prickled at her. Memories surfaced of days when she had privately cursed the professor, wondering if they were just another one of Valen’s lackeys. And all this time, they had been looking out for her.

“I’m sorry, Professor. I’ll work hard so as not to disgrace your recommendation.”

The professor assured her there was no need to rush, but when Roseline set her mind to something, she preferred to act immediately. After packing her belongings, she boarded a carriage a few days later.

On the morning of her departure, Schnitzel arrived early, nitpicking and interfering at every turn. How could Roseline leave without even consulting her? Was she some kind of philanthropist? Schnitzel even boldly offered to double the salary the Brun Marquisate had proposed.

“I’ll be back before summer ends, Young Lady.”

“Oh, please. Who said I’d be waiting for you to return?”

“You would. Because you like me.”

“Ugh— sniff—you’re out of your mind till the very end, I see.”

Schnitzel turned her head away, sniffling. She rubbed her reddened eyes roughly, cleared her throat with a few ahems, and then lifted her chin with an aloof expression. Then, as if she had something crucial left to say, she leaned toward Roseline, covering her mouth with her hand.

“You have to come back. Until then, I’ll make sure to keep my brother firmly restrained. So he stays… unmarried. Sniff. Understood?”

It was nonsense, but the sadness of their sudden parting weighed on Roseline too, so she nodded silently. Right, I’ll write in a letter later telling her to finally let go of her brother.

After dabbing her tears with a handkerchief, Schnitzel pushed Roseline on the back, telling her to leave already before she got any more emotional. Roseline took one last glance at the small house she had stayed in for just over a month before boarding the carriage.

As the carriage set off, Roseline watched the scenery slowly change outside the window. For no reason, Valen came to mind. Schnitzel had never once mentioned him, as if his name were taboo, and Roseline herself had made no effort to seek news of him—so she had no idea where he was or what he was doing. And so, she wondered. Where is he now? Does he know I’m going to the Brun Marquisate’s territory? Things like that.

“Guess I’m the one being emotional now.”

As if cutting off her spiraling thoughts, Roseline thunked her head against the carriage wall. She could admit that she was being sentimental and clinging to the past—but she figured these feelings would fade once she arrived at the territory and busied herself adjusting.

◇◇◇

“Busy adjusting,”

She had never been this idle.

It had already been half a month since her arrival at the Brun Marquisate’s territory. She had expected a flood of patients, given that the clinic charged no fees—but shockingly, Roseline hadn’t treated a single one. Not a single patient had come to the clinic in the past two weeks. The eight unused beds remained pristine and neatly arranged. Not that she minded getting paid for doing nothing, but—what kind of city is this, a utopia of perfect health?

“It’s all thanks to the Marquis’ diligent governance.”

The commoner-born physician, who had worked at this clinic for years, laughed heartily as he praised the Marquis’ achievements. Regardless of how dubious the logic was, the Marquis’ territory was undeniably a vibrant and healthy city.

The outer walls encircling the city’s outskirts, and the inner walls enclosing its key facilities—this double-layered structure might have seemed oppressive, but it was highly defensible. Meanwhile, the Troit River, flowing beyond the outer walls, served as a vital trade route for the city.

“Thank you for coming all this way. I hope you find peace in my territory, and should you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”

The middle-aged Marquis was exactly as his reputation suggested—courteous, without the usual aristocratic airs of superiority. Yet, for some reason, the deep-set green eyes beneath his gently creased eyelids stirred an inexplicable unease. There was something unsettling about him, something that couldn’t just be dismissed as a passing mood.

“There is an entrance to the basement in the storage room. I would ask that you avoid going down there, if possible. That is my only request.”

As she listened to the Marquis’ polite warning, a single thought crossed her mind, The more you emphasize something like that, the more anyone would want to go in, wouldn’t they?

And that day—was today.