What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 3.18

That must be why she went back to the house where her precious younger brother was, instead of being grateful. Roxias decided. He would go to Caitlyn Hardick and firmly show her who held the upper hand. And he would make sure she clearly understood that there would be no more acting soft.

“I am going to the Hardick house.”

“But, Your Grace…….”

Strangely, Viscount Ashford seemed to hesitate, unlike his usual self.

“Speak.”

“Miss Hardick’s appearance did not look very good.”

“It’s only natural since she suffered a great shock. But there is such a thing as knowing one’s place in this world. I cannot keep watching her act out without knowing her station.”

He felt like he would feel a bit better if he saw her kneeling and begging before him. And if she saw him and her brother together, wouldn’t she fully realize who was actually holding the hilt of the sword? Thinking so, Roxias immediately mounted his horse and headed for the Hardick mansion.

Several dozen minutes later, arriving at the Hardick mansion, Roxias opened the door without hesitation. The doorknob fell off just from him applying a little pressure.

‘Heh.’

Roxias thought. To think there was someone living in a house like this even after thousands of years had passed…… and to think that person was none other than Cathy. It was truly surprising.

‘As expected, she and this house do not suit each other.’

Roxias threw the door wide open and stepped into the house. Voices talking in low tones drifted out.

“Ed, really, nothing happened. So don’t worry too much…….”

“Don’t talk nonsense, Archduke Akbar’s subordinates told me everything! You were dragged away somewhere, and you’re saying I shouldn’t have known……?”

Caitlyn’s stiff response followed.

“You heard something unnecessary. He would have found me anyway, and yet you’re being so petty when you know full well there was nothing you could do.”

“……There was nothing I could do? How can you say that, Cathy? The fact that I ended up like this is all your fault!”

Ha!

Roxias ended up laughing out loud. Yes, Caitlyn might deny it, but a human soul never changes. Even now, he was witnessing such a display of ingratitude and shamelessness.

“Ed…… I am truly sorry about that. But what I meant wasn’t…….”

“Fine.”

The sound of someone standing up abruptly and dragging their feet into a room was heard. Roxias slowly stepped into the living room. Caitlyn looked up at him with a dazed face.

His heart softened for a moment at the foolish face she rarely showed, but his anger flared up again at the sight of her swollen, red cheeks, her face flushed as if her excitement hadn’t subsided, and the scratches visible on her wrists.

“How did you…….”

“You’ll need to put on a new doorknob.”

Roxias spoke stiffly.

“What if a burglar had broken in during that time?”

“Why would a burglar break into our house?”

Caitlyn turned her gaze away from him.

“We don’t have anything valuable. Though several gifts have come in since I entered…… that kind of relationship with Your Grace, they weren’t mine to begin with, so it doesn’t matter if someone takes them.”

“A burglar’s goal might not necessarily be money.”

Caitlyn laughed quietly.

“Yes. That may be so. But I know my future. Even if a burglar breaks in, they won’t cause me much loss. But…….”

Suddenly, her face hardened and her lips trembled. Roxias watched her with an intrigued expression.

“……This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go to my room.”

Roxias’s eyes narrowed.

“Your brother wouldn’t believe it even if he heard it anyway.”

It was an event from thousands of years ago, but it was still as vivid as yesterday. The intense emotion he felt at the very moment he was burning with rage and casting a curse on her had allowed the curse to breathe and live on with the power of foresight even until now.

This was also the reason why his power had ended with Cathy’s death. Because she had taken both sides of the power—creation and destruction. Caitlyn shook her head and stood up.

“No, it’s not that……!”

In an instant, Caitlyn lost her balance and stumbled. Roxias reflexively caught her body. It was a movement closer to a reflex than an intention to help. But the moment his arms wrapped around Caitlyn’s waist and shoulders, Roxias couldn’t help but be surprised. Because her entire body was as hot as a ball of fire.

“You have a fever…….”

“A fever? That can’t be…… I actually feel a bit chilly…….”

Looking at her now, not only was her voice a bit more dazed than usual, but the cold sweat forming on her flushed face was also unusual. Roxias lifted her entire body. He didn’t even need to ask to be shown to her room. Aside from the room Edward had entered a moment ago, there was only one room left.

Roxias kicked the door open. What met his eyes was a surprisingly bleak scene. Just one bed, one vanity, and an old wardrobe. The words that she was bound to get sick living in a place like this rose to the tip of his tongue, but he forced himself to hold them back and laid Caitlyn on the bed. He was not unaware that forcibly transporting a patient could worsen their condition.

Roxias turned to leave to fetch a doctor, but he furrowed his brows when his sleeve got caught on something and looked behind him.

‘……?’

Caitlyn Hardick was gripping his sleeve tightly. As if she wouldn’t let go for anything.

“Don’t…… go yet, Your Grace…….”