Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 112
Today, visitors had come to the manor to see her for the first time.
‘Normally, I would have found an excuse to decline, but… I can’t do that to these people.’
How could she turn away the family who had helped her?
As soon as Freesia appeared, Marchioness Deneb and Albireo, who had been waiting in the drawing room, could not hide their astonishment. They had heard she was up and about, but she still looked noticeably gaunt compared to the banquet.
The Marchioness was the first to speak.
“Oh dear, Madam. If you’re not fully recovered, we should have visited another time. It was rude of us.”
“I’m just embarrassed to have worried you. But it’s no inconvenience at all. I’m truly grateful that you came.”
“Even so… dear almighty Adamant. How could you be in such a state…”
After a short sigh, the Marchioness glanced sideways at her second son, who was tightly clenching his lips.
It was said that there had almost been an ‘unfortunate accident’ at the Antares estate, but thanks to her second son’s help, they managed to avoid a scandal…
The Deneb family would certainly benefit from his actions, but she was left wondering. Why was her son acting so strangely?
‘This child wouldn’t harbor any strange feelings, would he?’
She hoped that at least they understood this much.
And the Marchioness looked over the tense attendants behind the Duchess with dry eyes.
When they had visited Deneb Castle, they had brought only maids without any attendants from their own house.
‘Hmm… Back then, we just assumed they were traveling light.’
Most likely, because she was an illegitimate daughter, no one had stepped forward to serve her.
‘The atmosphere has finally changed.’
It was clear that some now saw this as an opportunity to gain favor and be considered a valued servant.
The Marchioness nodded meaningfully at Freesia, who looked utterly exhausted.
“The Duke seems to be very concerned about your health.”
“……”
Freesia paused before responding to the cautious compliment.
“I am grateful.”
She had been injured and humiliated. Should she be happy as a wife if more people were assigned to her because of that?
Noticing Freesia’s visible lack of energy, the Marchioness gently suggested,
“If you are feeling up to it, how about visiting the temple together?”
“Oh…….”
“We could offer a prayer of thanks for your recovery. Getting some fresh air when the weather is at its best might help you recover more quickly.”
It was a sudden suggestion for an outing, but…
Why not? Freesia nodded with shadowed eyes.
‘Surely, I don’t need to get Izar’s permission for something like this.’
Since their confrontation where she had accused him of not wanting her to act like his wife, she hadn’t seen him.
‘I want to stop thinking about Izar for a while.’
…However, she tensed up involuntarily when Albireo approached to prepare carriage of the ducal household’s for their departure.
‘Ah, the memory is too vivid.’
Hadn’t she wept and wailed at the person who helped her, asking why he had come?
But Albireo greeted her with a cheerful smile, as if nothing had happened.
“I’m glad to see you looking better.”
“Thank you for saying that. And, um… thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. I didn’t really do much to help.”
Albireo smiled with a mix of worry and relief, but when he handed Freesia a small box, he seemed somewhat shy.
Freesia tilted her head as she looked at the palm-sized box he offered.
“What is this……?”
“It’s nothing special, but I hope you’ll accept it as a get-well-soon gift.”
“May I open it now?”
“Of course.”
The small box wrapped in thin calf leather even had a clasp decoration.
‘It’s small but quite elaborate. What could it be?’
Inside, lined with dark red velvet, was a long glass bottle about the size of an index finger, containing a clear liquid.
Even with the cap tightly sealed, a familiar fresh scent wafted out.
‘Is this scented oil…? But why does the scent seem familiar?’
However, Albireo’s explanation made Freesia freeze.
“It’s a simple healing potion that can be applied directly to wounds.”
“What?”
‘Simple’… that description was completely absurd. Freesia was so shocked that she stammered.
“I-I can’t accept something like this. I should be the one thanking you!”
“It’s alright. Despite what I look like, I am quite capable.”
Albireo smiled nonchalantly but was inwardly breaking into a cold sweat.
‘If she finds out what this potion is made of, my family will likely come after me with stones.’
In truth, the liquid was drawn from the Fountain of Healing.
