For the Lady's Wise Regression - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 48
That Kirierus Parbian suffered from asthma was information known only to the Crown Prince, the Northern Region, and Ruscliff.
A weak constitution wasn’t a major problem—not as long as there was a suitable heir to inherit the title.
The problem was that the Parbian Duchy had no heirs save Kirierus, only his twin sisters Olbia and Bella.
Since both sisters were still young, if his condition became public, succession rights could pass to a distant branch of the family—their firstborn. His health was therefore an unspoken rule not to be broached.
How on earth was she supposed to manage this?
Vanessa’s mind raced.
“Vanessa, did Kirierus perhaps tell you—”
“Just now!”
Vanessa hurried to explain, recalling that earlier tag game between Ian and Kirierus.
“You and the young lord raced, didn’t you? But after a bit, you came over, and when you spoke to me, you seemed slightly short of breath.”
……
“It seemed less like simple lack of exercise and more like a deeper physical issue. I thought it might be asthma.”
Ian’s suspicious gaze gradually softened.
“I see. I thought perhaps Kirierus had said something unnecessary.”
“Come now, this is my first time meeting the young lord. He didn’t even attend the wedding.”
It wasn’t a lie.
In her previous life she’d glimpsed him often in newspaper articles, but seeing him in person was truly the first time in this one.
He’d been a confirmed bachelor, standing as Ian’s equal in that regard.
If one was a willing bachelor, the other was something closer to an unwilling one.
‘The Severed Duke.’
If Ian carried the nickname “Duke with a Flaw,” Kirierus bore rumors of severance—dire ones at that.
What exactly had been severed varied depending on who you asked; popular theories included a pinky finger, his right ear, his left big toe, and—well, best not to continue that list.
Vanessa cleared her throat quietly.
“Besides, the young lord couldn’t possibly have asthma. If he did, mountain climbing wouldn’t be his hobby.”
She felt rather pleased with herself for recalling Kirierus’s well-known hobby—all for show, of course.
Ian’s eyes had returned to normal, after all.
“He lacks exercise.”
“I suppose so.”
That made sense.
If Kirierus had been born a wastrel, she imagined he’d live precisely like this.
Eat, then play. Play, then sleep. That was his life philosophy.
How did she know?
Vanessa didn’t particularly want to know that either.
‘That bastard Kirierus shouldn’t touch that woman’s sister this time.’
Well, it was still a distant concern; no need to warn him now.
Yet that incident would become a butterfly effect so vast that one day Kirierus would fall into an aching, unrequited love so deep he’d stop eating altogether.
And that grotesque nickname attached itself to him—all stemming from his entanglement with that woman.
What sort of ending unfolds when misunderstanding and inconstancy combine?
One need only look at Kirierus Parbian’s life to see.
In one sentence:
Had he only said, ‘It was you I was interested in,’ he might never have become an unwilling bachelor.
To watch someone fumble alone while everyone else knew the answer was truly pitiful.
Though at the time, given her own circumstances, she hadn’t been able to offer help readily.
This time around, she’d need to obtain the Calming Herb, and she meant to be of use to him.
To his asthma, and beyond that, to his unrequited longing.
“But Vanessa, if even your eyes could tell…… it seems he’s neglected physical training altogether.”
Ah?
Vanessa blinked.
Wait. Had she just demolished Kirierus’s wastrel lifestyle head-on?
“The journey may take longer than expected.”
Watching Ian smile dryly, Vanessa silently offered a prayer for Kirierus’s well-being.
Whether in her previous life or this one, Kirierus Parbian was equally pitiful.
But at least getting dragged about like a colt beat wandering aimlessly on his own.
***
“Did you sleep well, Duchess?”
The next morning, Vanessa was startled to see Kirierus shuffling into the dining hall looking haggard.
“Ah…… Yes, thank you. It seems the young lord didn’t sleep.”
At Vanessa’s words, Kirierus collapsed into the seat across from her with dull eyes.
“When are you leaving?”
“I’m… sorry?”
“…….”
“……?”
“Madam, let’s not do this. Let’s make a proper deal.”
After a week in the Northern Region, Kirierus found himself surrendering—he’d spent every night enduring what he could only call Hell Training disguised as sparring with Ian.
He knew perfectly well that a single word to Ian would stop the training in its tracks.
But the three of them had gotten tangled up together, and he hadn’t dared reach for the Calming Herb in his possession.
So he’d changed tactics.
Better to work Kirierus to the bone, make him desperate enough to ask him privately, without Ian knowing.
And it had paid off, more or less.
But if he agreed right now, it would be far too transparent.
“A deal? What do you mean……”
Vanessa tilted her head in genuine bewilderment, and Kirierus glanced about furtively before bowing at the waist with exaggerated formality.
“Madam, you’ve hardly enjoyed a proper honeymoon because of me, have you? Trapped in the mansion all this time……”
His bearing had sharpened considerably.
That smooth, lazy tone from the beginning had crystallized into something disciplined—Ian’s Hell Training had clearly left its mark.
“……Well, yes?”
“And yet your husband attends only to his friend. Surely you must feel neglected.”
“Not particularly?”
“……Think about it more carefully.”
“Hmm…… Actually, still not particularly?”
Why should she feel neglected?
Vanessa blinked, genuinely at a loss.
“That can’t be right……?”
Kirierus muttered in defeat, watching Vanessa contentedly chew her food with absolute calm.
It was the look of two kindred spirits recognizing each other.
“……Fine, never mind whether you feel neglected or not.”
The disciplined bearing had lasted all of five minutes, it seemed.
Kirierus reverted to his natural cadence, his eyes drooping with despair.
“Please, just talk to your husband. I’m dying here. What am I supposed to do? Tell me. Please get that leech off me. We came all the way here for a honeymoon, and I’m stuck with the wrong person? Am I the only one thinking that? I’m even having nightmares about it now. Does that not count for anything? Look at my hands. See these calluses that never used to form? They’ve already set in. They feel rough, and every time I wash up it’s like tiny scratches tearing at me. Do you know what it’s like to feel something strange digging into your palms? I’m going mad every time I touch my face. You wouldn’t know…… how could you? You have no idea how relentless that lunatic is,”
“Pffft……!”
Vanessa burst into laughter, listening silently as Kirierus sprawled his palms open and poured out his grievances.
She’d been trying not to laugh, really……
But those already-drooping eyes sagged even further, and the pitiable sight of him was too much. She couldn’t help it……
“……You find this funny? I didn’t think you were the type, but you’re rather frightening.”
“No, heh, it’s just…… your expression…… pff……”
Vanessa’s shoulders were shaking now as though she might actually cry, and Kirierus stared at her as if she’d lost her mind.
“Why are you crying? If you do that, that lunatic will get the wrong idea again……!”
“Kirierus Parbian.”
At the cold voice, Kirierus’s face drained of all color.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I wasn’t—madam, please say something. His eyes have been off since this morning……!”
“……Your expression…… your expression…… pff……”
“Come here.”
Kirierus’s eye corners quivered as his gaze plummeted, falling without end toward the earth itself.
His eyes had always been dog-like; now, with his hair standing on end, the effect was doubly pitiful.
Vanessa finally managed to stop laughing, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with her index finger.
“Ian.”
“……Vanessa, wait. He still seems to have life in him, so I was just going to—”
“I’m not crying.”
At her words, Ian crossed toward her and settled beside her.
His eyes, full of concern, scanned her face carefully.
“……But there’s still moisture here.”
His thumb reached out carefully to touch the corner of her eye.
His gently trembling hand wiped away the tears she’d missed.
“There’s still wetness.”
“I was laughing at something he said. That’s all.”
Vanessa heard a sigh from ahead—wow, really, wow……—but chose to ignore it.
“Anyway, I want to see the Central District today. Do you have time?”
“……The Central District?”
“Yes. I’ve been cooped up in the mansion all week. I haven’t even properly seen the hot springs.”
“…….”
With Ian’s lips firmly sealed, Vanessa cast a subtle glance toward Kirierus.
Her eyes asked: why wasn’t he jumping in to agree?
“……Right! Now that I think about it, we’ve just begun preparations for the Snow Flower Festival, and I forgot to mention it. When it comes to the Northern Region, sculpture is hardly the only draw. Why not take your time enjoying the hot springs while you’re at it? Oh! What if you stayed the night? I’ll set aside an entire day for you. No, wait—a day? If you wanted to stay several days, that would be fine too.”
Catching the glint in her eyes, Kirierus threw his full weight behind his agreement.
“Vanessa, what do you think?”
“I…….”
Please, please—it felt as though she were hearing voices from somewhere that didn’t exist.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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