What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 1.12

* * *

Caitlyn took a deep breath before opening the door.

‘I hope he’s sleeping.’

Her hope that she might have a little time to prepare her heart was shattered the moment she encountered Edward. Edward, who was leaning against the entrance waiting for Caitlyn while dragging his sickly body, looked unwell even at a glance.

“……Cathy.”

“Edward.”

The siblings’ gazes met for a moment. It was Edward who turned his gaze away first.

“I…… didn’t know you would go around doing things like this, Sister.”

Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed at the voice that was sorrowful rather than contemptuous. Edward was merely showing an extremely natural reaction, but from the perspective of Caitlyn who was receiving it, it felt like a dagger piercing her heart.

That was why. She blurted out words she never would have said if she were in her right mind.

“……It’s for you.”

She realized her mistake, but it was already too late. Edward had begun to scream in a fit of rage.

“Did you ever even ask? Who would want something like this! For me, you…….”

Edward couldn’t finish his sentence. Tears welled up in his crimson eyes, which were nearly identical to Caitlyn’s.

“Sister, do you know this? My only hope was that you might be able to live happily. But…… now…… who is going to take responsibility for you?”

Caitlyn swallowed hard. Her getting married to a good man and living a normal, happy life. She wasn’t ignorant of the fact that it was the dying Edward’s only wish, but it was something that likely wouldn’t have come true even without the relationship with Archduke Akbar. But Caitlyn couldn’t bring herself to point that out.

When she said nothing, Edward began to hurl questions while huffing.

“What did the Archduke say he would give you? Jewels? Money?”

It was an excessive statement. Caitlyn tried to intervene, but Edward didn’t give her a single opening.

“Sure, that might let you live in comfort for a few years. But your entire life is ruined.”

Caitlyn was seized by the urge to cackle loudly like a madwoman. Edward seemed to still think that her purity held some sort of meaning. Whether she was pure or not, her future wouldn’t change.

“Edward, my life was already ruined a long time ago. So shouldn’t you at least live?”

Silence flowed. Edward stared at Caitlyn with a shocked face, then finally squeezed out a single sentence.

“……Do whatever you want.”

Those were the final words Edward left before limping back to his room. Caitlyn covered her face. She had clearly won the argument, but it only felt bitter; she couldn’t feel the sweetness of victory.

‘……Roxias.’

Caitlyn thought of the cause of this mess. He would have to keep his promise. If not, she would risk everything to take her revenge.

* * *

Fortunately, not a single bit of news was heard from Archduke Akbar for over a week. But it was still too early to set her mind at ease. Caitlyn didn’t harbor any vain hope that just one night would have been enough.

Hope is only possible for the ignorant. She must share her body with him until this loathsome foresight disappears. However, what tormented Caitlyn the most wasn’t the fact that she didn’t know when Archduke Akbar would demand a relationship.

“…….”

Clatter. Only the sound of a spoon hitting a bowl could be heard; no one opened their mouth at the dinner table. Caitlyn silently ate only her soup amidst the silence that felt like hell. The soup, which couldn’t be called tasty even as a hollow compliment, had a strong salty taste. It seemed she had added too much salt while cooking in her state of mental confusion. It was Edward who stood up from his seat first.

“Ed……”

Caitlyn opened her mouth, then closed it again. It was because Edward had looked back at her with a cold gaze. Unable to withstand the look full of blame, Caitlyn just sat there blankly until Edward left the room.

Her future self was reflected in her empty pupils. The sight of her sitting lonely in a pitch-black room. It was a future that hadn’t changed even once since she was a child.

Had the bell not rung at that moment, Caitlyn would have sat there without moving until sunset, quietly peering into her fate. When she opened the door with an expressionless face, the person she expected came into view. It was the servant delivering Archduke Akbar’s message.

Now Caitlyn knew his identity. Viscount Ashford. He was a man who wouldn’t have even exchanged words with her if it weren’t for the Archduke’s interest. Caitlyn stared intently at the envelope in his hand.

“What is this?”

“His Grace the Archduke has invited Miss Hardick to a ball being held next week.”

“……What?”

“I told you that you must attend the ball.”

“No.”

Caitlyn curled her fingers into a fist.

“I won’t go.”

Viscount Ashford’s eyes narrowed.

“You must go.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t that what His Grace the Archduke wishes?”

“…….”

Caitlyn bit her lip. She was too powerless compared to the Archduke. Furthermore, as long as her brother’s life was held hostage, the Archduke would know well that she would ultimately have no choice but to follow his intentions.

“Stop by the Sabina Boutique this weekend to have a dress made. All costs for Miss Hardick’s adornment will be paid for by His Grace.”

“I appreciate the favor, but I will refuse. I don’t live so poorly that I don’t even have a single dress to wear to a ball.”

Caitlyn replied immediately, but Viscount Ashford announced in a dry voice.

“This is also His Grace’s will.”

Though he didn’t explicitly say it, Viscount Ashford’s eyes were asking. Do you really intend to defy the Archduke’s will? Both of them knew the answer.