I May Be A Villainess, But I Won't Live My Life That Way - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

“When can I be discharged?”

After the wound was disinfected, I threw the question at the doctor.

It had already been four days since I woke up. According to Ricardo’s guess, I might still have to stay in the hospital for about two more days, but I was anxious.

“Well, I think you should be able to be discharged in about a week.”

“A week?”

When the doctor mentioned a week, surprising me, who had hoped to advance the remaining two days, I found myself echoing his words unintentionally.

“Is the wound in such serious condition?”

“It’s not a minor wound. There has been damage to your organs… Although the outer skin seems to have healed, the inside, like muscles, hasn’t healed completely yet.”

As he mentioned organs, he glanced at me for a moment.

“Isn’t it possible to receive care at home after discharge?”

“Not exactly. There should be enough caregivers available, and undoubtedly, you’ll have your attending physician, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then, if you pay more attention to disinfection and manage not to develop a fever, you can be discharged earlier.”

“How soon?”

“Hmm… About three to four days?”

“How about two days?”

I attempted to negotiate with the doctor.

“It might have been okay by then if the wound hadn’t reopened, but considering the current situation, we need to observe a bit more. At least you should be in a state where riding a carriage isn’t too taxing, right?”

“Check on me again tomorrow. I’ll make sure to recover a bit more.”

“Huh? But wounds don’t heal just by willpower…”

The doctor chuckled, but I was very serious.

Ricardo and I confirmed our feelings for each other and even shared a kiss. Ricardo even said he would give up his position as the Duke of Winkaiser for me.

I couldn’t bear to die alone with him like that.

The “me from before” didn’t want to die and tried to end the relationship with Ricardo. But the “me now” couldn’t bear to make Ricardo the unfortunate protagonist who lost his fiancée.

Though the reasons and circumstances have changed, one thing is clear: I cannot die.

I needed the book to prevent my death, and it was in my house, in my room, on my bookshelf.

And maybe it had changed while I was here. I had to find out, and fast.

Moreover, I had to find out who attacked me and see the imported goods that I hadn’t seen yet. I wasn’t in a position to just relax and recuperate here.

“For now, then, I’ll come back for rounds tomorrow.” the doctor said, smiling vaguely as he left the room.

Alone in the hospital room, I gazed at the ceiling, lost in thought once again. Being trapped in the hospital, that was all I could do.

“That book…”

Where did it come from? Who made it? That book was the beginning of everything.

“Should I show it to Ricardo?”

If I show him the book and tell him what has been happening, will Ricardo believe me? I pondered for a moment, but the answer came quickly. He would believe me.

However, I couldn’t predict how things would change once he knew about the book’s existence. More precisely, I couldn’t predict how the book itself would change.

For now, it seemed best to postpone telling Ricardo about the book.

***

“All right. You can be discharged today.”

Finally, the doctor allowed me to leave. It was much sooner than the week he had originally mentioned.

“Thank goodness, Bianca.”

Now, my mother, who no longer wept over me as her “poor daughter,” cried again when she heard about my discharge.

After hearing that Ricardo and I would marry as planned, my mother had been relieved but also worried. She was afraid that although her daughter would marry safely, she might not be treated the same afterward.

And Ricardo swore to her that he would protect me no matter what.

His vow moved not only me and my mother but also my father.

“Wouldn’t it be better to stay in the hospital a little longer?”

My father looked at me with a worried expression.

“No, I prefer being at home.”

With tasks piling up, I lowered my head and glanced at the maid standing behind me, as if urging her to prepare for discharge quickly.

Seeming to understand my gaze, she nodded and promptly began packing up the belongings in the hospital room.

“Oh, there’s a place I want to stop by on the way back…”

“Where are you planning to stop by?”

“Isn’t it too much for a sick child to go somewhere?”

“Isn’t that a bit too much, considering the patient’s condition?”

Before I could finish my sentence, my mother, father, and even the doctor spoke at the same time.

“Ah…”

I rolled my eyes and looked at the three of them.

“I was thinking of buying a tea on the way.”

“Don’t we already have tea at home?”

“Do you need a specific tea? We can send a servant to fetch one.”

“That’s…”

Originally, I was supposed to go to the imported goods shop. Somehow, every time I tried to go there, I felt like I was being obstructed, as if it might be part of a conspiracy related to the book.

“Alright. I’ll do that. Let’s go straight home today.”

But I had no choice but to bend to their will. My parents and the doctor were worried about me, and I knew it.

Seeing my parents visibly relieved when I agreed to go straight home, I knew my answer was the right one.

Above all, my people were the most important.

“Oh, right. Ricardo said he’ll stop by tonight. He regrets not being able to come when you were discharged due to knight duties.”

“He comes every day anyway. He could skip the last day.”

Though he said that, my father’s expression brightened considerably at Ricardo’s words.

“Bianca.”

My mother cautiously called my name and took my hand. Her once smooth hand now had a few wrinkles, but it felt warmer than before.

“Are you really okay?”

Her voice and words held much meaning.

About my discharge, Ricardo, our marriage, and many other things that would happen afterward.

“Yes, I’m okay.”

Placing my hand gently over hers on my mother’s hand, I smiled softly.

I couldn’t know what the future held for me. Of course, the book claimed my future was just a bleak death, but I refused to accept that.

I will survive.

For the sake of the ones I love.

***

“In the end, you couldn’t find out who was behind it.”

“I apologize.”

“No, no need for apologies. There’s no need for you to blame yourself.”

My father extended his hand towards Ricardo, who had lowered his head.

“Just for saving my daughter, I’m grateful. There’s no need to blame yourself for not finding out who was behind it.”

“Yes. It’s a shame you happened to be in the same carriage as Bianca at the time, and I shudder to think what might have happened if it hadn’t been for Lord Winkaiser.”

My mother shuddered at the thought, then suddenly looked at Ricardo as if something occurred to her.

“But weren’t you also invited to the royal banquet that day? I heard that someone from the Winkiaser family was invited, possibly your younger sibling.”

“…”

Ricardo paused at my mother’s question, then avoided eye contact. It was understandable. After all, why did he go to that royal tea party? That’s what she was trying to inquire about.

“I wasn’t invited.”

Ricardo, who couldn’t lie, finally gave that answer.

“Oh, really?”

My mother, seemingly curious about the backstory, chimed in, glancing at Ricardo. As their eyes met, Ricardo’s dark pupils flickered slightly.

“Is that so…?”

He glanced at me briefly. Was it a plea for help?

“Ah, I see.”

Just as I was about to divert the topic for Ricardo’s sake, my mother spoke brightly. Then she alternated her gaze between me and Ricardo with a slightly excited expression.

“So it was a date.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

My mother seemed pleased with herself for guessing correctly, while both Ricardo and I exclaimed in surprise.

“Young people like you, of course, would go on dates. Your father and I aren’t that old-fashioned. It’s good for you two to get to know each other before becoming a couple. So, where do you usually go together?”

“…”

“…”

Although my mother asked out of curiosity, neither of us could answer. You need to have been on a date to answer.

“Just ordinary places.”

I, who was better at maneuvering the situation than Ricardo, spoke up. I didn’t want to lie to my mother, but it was hard to say we didn’t go on dates.

“We drink tea together, have pastries…”

It wasn’t a complete lie. We often had monthly gatherings with tea and pastries.

“We attend gatherings together.”

That was true too. We often attended various dinners, receptions, and balls together. They were almost obligatory occasions, though.

“We participate in volunteer activities together.”

That was also true. We frequently encountered each other at the Sprendo orphanage. Of course, we went there to attend to our own business, but we happened to meet there. It was a fact that we shared the same space.

“Oh, aren’t you too exemplary? Sometimes, it’s nice to have some enjoyable time together… Such moments are precious.”

My mother looked a little surprised, but then she smiled happily as she looked at the man with whom she had shared “quality time” in the past. He, too, smiled happily, as if remembering a good time.

It was a couple-like smile, formed after falling for a beautiful woman and marrying her after fervent courtship. But Ricardo wasn’t that type…

“We’ll make sure to do that from now on.”

His large hand suddenly clasped mine.

I widened my eyes at Ricardo’s sudden action in front of my parents and hastily turned to look at him.

“We’ll make sure to spend enjoyable time together more often.”

Ricardo said, looking directly into my eyes as if making a declaration.

“Smile Love”