Chapter 31: 31

Isaac rushed over to help Ciel. She collapsed into Isaac’s arms as she fell unconscious.

Meanwhile, Theo comforted Clara, who was trembling and as white as a ghost.

“Clara, are you okay?”

“Brother[1], Ciel, Ciel is in danger.”

For the time being, the fallen sibling took priority. Theo scattered his mana to swiftly teleport them back to the Valentine’s Duchy.

The three brothers who hurried Ciel into the bedroom began to figure out what was going on right away.

“So, is that the guy Clara likes?”

“Sister Clara, I didn’t expect that, but you have a very peculiar taste.”

Clara mentioned to Ciel that she liked someone, so Issac and Louis assumed Heinz was the one. Theo, on the other hand, had a different idea.

“Last time, she said she was about to sign a contract. I think it was this.”

“A contract?”

“She said the association wanted her to work with them, and it didn’t seem especially worrisome, so I let it pass, but now I suspect something’s wrong.”

Last time, after Ciel left, Theo reviewed Clara’s contract.

The amount was ridiculously small, but it was a big deal for a new pharmacist to be in charge of managing the drug ingredients, so he told her to do well, but the overall situation was odd.

“Brother, I need to look into something, so I’ll be right back.”

Isaac and Louis left the mansion to seek clues about the flowers Ciel had brought. Meanwhile, Clara, who had barely gained stability, cried and blamed herself.

“Because of me… Our Ciel, what do we do now?”

“It’s okay. Everything’s gonna be okay.”

‘What happens if Ciel doesn’t regain consciousness?’ Theo hugged Clara, who was in tears.

“Young Duke, Theo, what’s going on?”

Alex, who had been waiting for a while, dashed in after hearing the news late. Fortunately, he didn’t run into the younger siblings.

Ciel’s breathing had calmed down considerably by the time the three arrived at her room. Clara examined Ciel, who was fast asleep.

“I think she ate the wrong trana flower. Our poor Ciel, it must have hurt a lot.”

“Clara, she seems to have stabilized, so rest today.”

“I’ll take care of Ciel.”

Theo tried to persuade Clara to rest and Alex stepped up. Still, Theo tried to decline because it was a family matter, but Clara agreed immediately and left Ciel in Alex’s care.

“I can trust you, Your Highness. Just looking at the symptoms earlier, the dehydration phenomenon was quite severe, so I’ll prepare some medicine for her as soon as she wakes up.”

Clara seemed to already know about the relationship between Ciel and Alex.

“I need to change my clothes for now, so please leave for a moment, Your Highness.”

“Oh, yeah.”

What the hell is going on? Theo sighed heavily as he gazed at Ciel’s sleeping face.

*    *    *

My head hurt so bad it seemed like it was about to explode.

Due to the dizziness and vomiting, my stomach, which hurt like hell, was turned upside down.

‘Louis, how the hell did this crazy guy eat this kind of  stuff?’ I frowned and managed to open my eyes.

“Ugh.”

“Are you awake?”

The first thing I saw as soon as I opened my eyes was Clara. I needed to say something to her first. No matter how you think about it, it can’t be.

“Sister, Heinz, he’s not the one. You can’t like him.”

“What? What do you mean? I like Mr. Heinz?”

Clara’s straightforward reply left me wide-awake. When I tried to get up, a large hand reached in and lifted me up.

“Good thing you’re awake.”

“Thank you, but why are you here?”

Alex was sitting across from Clara. He held me so naturally that it startled me.

I looked terrible. I was all sweaty and my hair was a mess. The maids had changed me into my pajamas, so I wasn’t in a good enough shape to welcome a guest.

“Take your medicine first. How did you end up eating trana flowers?”

“I think Louis put it in a candy.”

I’m sorry, my brat brother. You’re the only one I’m gonna sell out. I slipped the blame onto Louis.

“Louis? This can’t be. I think I should talk to Theo about this properly.”

We argued more than ten times a day, so she should have just let it go, but Clara looked particularly irritated this time, so I did my hardest to calm her down.

“It’s because I sprayed ketchup on Louis’ shoes first.”

“I told you both to get along.”

“We will. Louis is reflecting on himself; so please don’t be angry.”

I took the medication Clara had given me and soothed her, and because I had already awoken, she eventually calmed down.

I managed to take medicine and feel better. I have to get better quickly before dinner when my parents come back. Alex, who had been watching without a word, opened his mouth, talking to Clara. 

“Could you excuse us for a moment?” At Alex’s words, Clara moved aside.

“Ciel, let me talk to Theo for a second. I’ll be right back, so please wait. Alright?

Seeing that her eyes were swollen, she seemed to be blaming herself. I should ask about how the situation with Heinz is, but it may be better to leave it to Theo for now. 

When my sister went out, I was left alone with Alex. There was an awkward air surrounding us but I didn’t notice since I was too focused on trying to figure out why he was here.

“Your Highness, what brings you to…”

“Did young master Louis really hurt you like this?”

With his fists clenched, Alex had a grim expression on his face. I gestured for him to come closer and whispered in his ear. I didn’t want misunderstandings to grow.

“He didn’t do it.”

“I can’t hear you. Can you say that again?”

“Louis didn’t do it.”

Even if there were only the two of us, I whispered as quietly as possible in case anyone would hear it, but Alex kept asking me, saying that he couldn’t hear me well. 

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QC/N: ¬‿¬

Frustrated, I pulled his ear and spoke louder.

“I ate it on purpose because I was in trouble. Louis is just an excuse.”

Alex seemed to understand only when I spoke properly. But his expression seemed unusual.

“You ate it on purpose? Since when did you get into such a bad habit?”

The anger that was focused on Louis was now on me. Of course, I knew it wasn’t a good thing, but there really was no other way back then.

Although, I didn’t know it would hurt this much.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t let this happen again. You have no idea how surprised… no, nothing.”

QC/N: (◍´͈ꈊ`͈◍)

Everyone must have been surprised. I’ve never seen my siblings with such scared faces.

Alex sighed deeply with a dejected expression.

“Yeah, there must have been some reason. I didn’t mean to be mad at you.”

“What are you doing here anyway?”

“Drink some more water for now.”

PR/N: changing the subject smoothly kkk

He didn’t reply to my question about why he came, instead, he kept asking whether I was thirsty or hungry.

Knowing I wouldn’t hear a clear answer, I lay back on the bed, leaning on Alex’s arm.

QC/N: hehe getting quite comfortable there I see ¬‿¬

He diligently wiped my sweaty forehead with a wet towel. His caretaking skills were poor, but his hands smelled of lavender.

“I thought you wouldn’t use it because it was bothersome. You put it on again today.”

This was the scent of the hand cream that I gave him last time. Alex smiled awkwardly at my comment.

“Because you gave it to me.”

QC/N: *me grinning like a creep this whole chapter*

I was seriously ill and my body started to sag. With a blanket over me I secretly glanced at Alex, who was squeezing the towel.

His well-proportioned muscles flexed softly every time he moved. I’m not sure who it will be, but his wife will be pretty fortunate. 

QC/N: *whisper* It’s you

Suddenly, an insidious thought unsuitable for my age crossed my mind, and I tried to maintain my composure.

While holding a wet towel, Alex wiped his hands clean as well. His hand stroking his fingers was clumsy.

He didn’t appear to be used to taking care of others, yet he made me feel much better than before because of his careful attention, as if he were handling glass.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“It’s okay, we’re friends… I can do this much for you.”

Well, friends don’t usually do this.

‘Seeing you acting like this makes me feel like I’m in a dream. I’m in a good mood now.’ 

I gently laid my arm out to him and laid down comfortably. The scent of lavender from Alex’s hand tickled the tip of my nose.

Obviously, he is using the same hand cream as me, but somehow Alex’s has a slightly more refreshing scent.

That’s why I became more and more calm. Unlike me, who had found stability, Alex, who was startled and hesitated for a while, spoke out his words carefully.

“Who’s Heinz, by the way?”

“Heinz? The man Clara likes, or that’s what I supposed.”

Considering that they met every day, it was certainly suspicious, but she said that it was not like that at all.

We need to find out more about the truth, so is he a suspect for now?

Alex asked a few more questions. How I got to know him, what he does. I answered everything I knew.

“From what you said, I think they got to know each other because of work, rather than being in a relationship.”

“Really?”

“Well, Lady Clara could have a crush. Do you… do you like anyone?”

QC/N: trying to be smooth I see

Are you really not interested in my sister at all? Suddenly, a spark splashed towards me.

“Of course, I like my sister.”

“I mean, not her but a guy.”

Among men? I don’t. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I’m a person who’s been blinded by high standards.

“Hmm. Dad and my brothers?”

“Not your family.”

What’s wrong with you? I was irritated because he kept tightening the boundaries.

The only other man I knew was the teacher.

Did he think I liked Stan? How can I like a childhood friend or someone who behaves like that?

I looked at him arrogantly and scolded him.

“I’m not interested in Grand Duke Stan. No matter what they say, it’s not true.”

“Well, if not, that’s fine.”

Because I put on a stern face and talked straightforwardly, Alex chuckled. As expected, he was worried that I might be on Stan’s side.

“I told you I was on your side. No matter what Grand Duke Stan says, I will definitely give you the Crown Prince’s seat.”

People have to stand in line well to live long[2]. That was the reason why I approached the Crown Prince in advance, to escape the death flag.

As I lay on my bed, fawning over and flattering him as much as I could.

“Besides, can he even compare? Appearance aside, your intellect, your intelligence, and even physical strength are superior.”

Notes:

[1] Just in case, the term Clara uses is oppa, which can be used by a female when addressing her brother or other guys that she is close to, like friends, cousins, etc.

[2] Basically, people have to be patient and wait for their chance…I think

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