Duke, Please Stop Because it Hurts

“Thanks to you, I got the official permission this time.”

Arjan looked just like her age when she smiled like that. Furthermore, her eyes seemed to gleam with curiosity as she took a look around.

“I’ve heard stories about the Duke of Linerio’s household, but thanks to you, it’s great that I could finally see it on my own.”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s not like I’ll be living here anyway, so what more can I do even if I like it? But still…”

Arjan’s expression had somehow turned strange as she looked around the drawing room. In contrast to the rumors about his—the Duke’s—dirty blood, the beautifully adorned parlor was definitely of Arjan’s ideal style. And that was, the proper combination between the classics and the trendy.

And it was absolutely ridiculous how she saw that her sister, who was just sitting there, fit right in as the owner in itself.

“It’s just gorgeous.”

Arjan tried to conceal her twisted thoughts. She had always wondered how her sister had been living after being married into a good family. No, actually, her mouth was just itchy in vexation.

The Duchess had become an enigma, which was enough for people to talk about. Plus, her newly acquired status of being the Duchess’s sister was even better, but then, it wasn’t truly like what she had thought of before.

‘I was just going to laugh at you if you appear to be looking down.’

Arjan then glanced at the teacup that was right in front of her. It was much more delicate than the one she had used back at home and that irritated her eyes—terribly.

“Oh, and this.”

Arjan then straight away decided to discourage her rather than beating around the bush. She took out the brown bottle from the bag that she had brought with her.

“Father informed me that my sister would be in need of this.”

“…thank you for bringing it here.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

Arjan smiled when she saw how Molitia’s face stiffened as soon as she had shown her the bottle.

Of course. Even if she had left the Count, Molitia Linerio was still Molitia Clemence. It was a fact that could never be changed.

“Sister, I have a question.”

“Huh?”

“Do you still lie around in bed these days?”

The question that was sung in her innocent voice wasn’t in fact, innocent at all. Arjan was just sheathing her stinging question with a very fine line of innocence.

“I don’t think that seems to be the case, though. So—do you think the medicinal herbs from the duchy are much better than those of the county itself?”

Arjan chirped even more excitedly, seeing how Molitia couldn’t give an immediate answer.

“Or—sister, haven’t you told the Duke in regards to your symptoms?”

“…Arjan.”

“I’m worried about you—really. As soon as I heard that you will be married to the Duke, I was worried thinking about the time when you will be kicked out. It must be hard for a wife, who spends most of her time in bed, to be truly loved by her husband.”

The vain woman was smiling—broadly. If one were to take a look upon that blond hair of hers, complemented with her bright smile, it would only be fair to describe her as an angel who had fallen from the heaven above.

However, the words that she spewed were definitely those from an exceptional slithering snake; that bit and spit poison. Arjan was trying to pin her down slowly.

Molitia immediately placed down the teacup that she was drinking from.

“Arjan.”

“Huh?”

“You talk too much.”

“Oh, did I really? I apologize, sister. I was too worried about you that I stopped…”

“If you truly are worried, then don’t say it with a smile on your face.”

Arjan, who was still smiling at Molitia’s words, immediately ceased to smile. What the hell did she just say?

“Oh, no—it was just great for me to see you…”

“Arjan, it’s true that I have a weak body, just like what you’ve said. But then, this fact can’t be used as a weakness for you to hold and shake. Plus, I’m not even a Lady of the County anymore.”

“What do you mean, sister? I was really worried about you.”

Arjan exclaimed as if she was being unfairly treated, which had made Molitia looked like someone who was vile and heartless.