The Duke arrived in front of the annex.

Just by looking at the chaos inside, he could guess how chaotic it must be.

He opened the door to the annex.

“What’s going on?!”

The Duke of Brighton was upset when he saw Roselina’s back facing Elizabeth. It was evident that Elizabeth was trying to protect Leodor.

‘She’s seriously…’

As the Duke was consumed by uncontrollable anger, Roselina turned around.

“You–-!”

“You’re a little late.”

Despite the chaotic situation, Roselina remained calm. Her unexpected presence made Duke Brighton pause, and Elizabeth hurriedly shouted.

“Leodor is in danger!”

The words triggered the Duke of Brighton’s instincts.

He quickly stood in front of Leodor’s bed, attempting to stop Roselina.

Duke Brighton felt a sense of frustration.

Lost in thought, he didn’t know what Roselina might do. If, by any chance, her actions went against his wishes…

“It’s okay. I won’t do anything without your permission.”

However, Roselina remained calm. In fact, she seemed to reassure the surprised Duke.

“Roselina was trying to give something strange to Leodor.”

Just as the Duke of Brighton was about to feel relieved, Elizabeth intervened. She had always been a devoted guardian to Leodor and almost always resided in the annex.

It was not unusual for Elizabeth to be sensitive to anything concerning Leodor.

‘Something strange?’

The Duke of Brighton felt uneasy.

He didn’t want to admit it, but Roselina was so cunning and meticulous that no one could match her when it came to carrying out evil deeds. Duke Brighton knew this better than anyone, as he had observed Roselina since her childhood.

Roselina had a natural talent for bullying others…

‘With so many people watching, would she really try to harm Leodor?’

Furthermore, Roselina was currently in a situation where she wanted permission to divorce. There was no reason for her to harm Leodor, as that could lead to her own banishment. In many ways, it seemed sloppy and inconsistent to view it as part of her plan.

Duke Brighton calmed his racing heart and looked at his daughter.

“What were you planning to do?”

“I have prepared a gift for Leodor.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. Today is Leodor’s birthday, and I found something special.”

Roselina meekly retrieved an object from her arms and showed it. Instantly, a cool energy filled the annex, and a mysterious glow emanated from it.

“Wow.” 

It was such a peculiar sight that even the young maid couldn’t help but gasp and cover her mouth.

“What is this?”

“It’s called the Tears of the Wind. I thought it would bring a change of atmosphere for Leodor, who always lives in isolation, by offering him the essence of the wind that travels across the world.”

Ah.

Duke Brighton was in awe.

It was a gift that targeted areas he couldn’t pay attention to because he had been solely focused on Leodor’s treatment.

“…It’s been a while since you felt like a family member.”

“Leodor has been suffering from a high fever for several days, and I couldn’t give him something from an uncertain source.”

However, Leodor’s devoted guardian, Elizabeth, interjected. Since she claimed to be Leodor’s mother and became the Duchess of Brighton, she tended to be overprotective.

“I understand your concerns.”

“….”

“But this is something that will help Leodor. I’m sure of it.”

Roselina calmly insisted, as if she had foreseen the need to convince the Duke and Duchess of Brighton.

“How can we believe you?”

“That’s harsh!”

” Nevertheless, Leodor is more important to me than anything else. We can’t just ignore this!”

Even in the face of Elizabeth’s mistrust, Roselina remained calm and continued to speak, as if she understood the reactions.

“Throughout my nearly three years of marriage, I’ve been alone.”

“Palesdon is an amazing family. They have a secret library that only the Duke can access, and it contains a lot of fascinating books.”

“Fascinating books…”

“There were also records of people with symptoms similar to Leodor’s.”

“Wait a minute. You said a place only the Duke can enter?”

At that moment, Elizabeth interrupted.

“How did Roselina find out about that place and read a book? I’m not doubting you, but it doesn’t make sense.”

“If it’s Roselina, then it’s possible.”

“…”

The Duke calmly responded to Elizabeth’s counterargument.

Roselina was not a child who adhered to rules. She was the type who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

‘I’m sure she found a way.’

Despite the oddities, the Duke, who had unwavering faith in his daughter, nodded at her words.

Palesdon was a historic family that had existed since the empire’s inception. Therefore, there might have been records of people with symptoms similar to Leodor’s.

“But if you’re still worried, although it may be slightly less effective, I can take a portion of this and consume it first. Then, will you believe it’s safe?”

“Yes. I allow it as the owner of Brighton.”

There were no parents who wouldn’t allow their daughter to say such words. Perhaps Roselina had truly changed. The Duke suddenly reflected on what his daughter had said a while ago.

‘I was alone throughout my marriage.’

He already knew.

Their wedding had taken place while the Duke of Palesdon was on the battlefield.

But he hadn’t cared. In fact, when his troublesome daughter disappeared before his eyes, he may have felt a sense of relief.

‘But why now…’

Suddenly, an unsettling feeling gripped his heart.

His daughter might have started reading, something she had despised so much because the time she spent alone had been incredibly lonely and difficult. Perhaps she had found a way to help Leodor during those three years.

Duke Brighton managed to shake off the strange tingling sensation that had enveloped him.

“Thank you.”

However, when he looked at Roselina’s beaming face, he averted his gaze.

While everyone watched nervously, Roselina took a portion of the Tears of the Wind and swallowed it.

“…”

Nothing happened, as she had argued.

Roselina sought the Duke of Brighton’s permission with a fresh face.

“Then I’ll feed Leodor now.”

“Okay.”

It was the moment she brought the Tears of the Wind to Leodor’s lips.

The Tears of the Wind emitted a radiant glow as they were absorbed by him.

“This is…”

Everyone hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

“Leodor!”

Elizabeth was the first to react.

Leodor’s long-unconscious eyelashes fluttered.

“Leodor, it’s me, your mother. Can you hear my voice?”

Elizabeth hastily grasped Leodor’s hand and repeated his name in a whisper. The Duke of Brighton also clenched his fist at his son’s transformation.

“….Ah.”

And finally.

Leodor opened his eyes. His light green eyes, reminiscent of his father’s, fixed on Roselina without hesitation.

“Ro…z.”

“Huh?”

“Yes, your voice… I heard it.”

Leodor, with his weak voice, soon closed his eyes as if he had exhausted all his energy.

“Oh my god… I can’t believe I heard your voice. It’s been so long!”

Elizabeth covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

“Roselina, you are amazing. Thank you… Thank you so much.”

The Duke of Brighton, his voice trembling, expressed his gratitude to his daughter. At that moment alone, he understood everything she had done during her childhood.

“I just did what I had to do.”

However, Roselina left the annex, rejecting excessive praise.

The Duke felt a sense of suffocation.

Above all, Roselina’s smile resembled that of Beatrice, the wife he had loved so dearly.