I Proposed Because You Were Terminally Ill - Chapter 50

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 50

 

“Miss, a letter has arrived from the Soro Viscount’s Household.”

 

A few days later, Damia paused as she was reaching for a cookie.

 

“From the Soro Viscount’s Household?”

 

Damia hurriedly took the letter.

 

The envelope was a subtle pink color. A sweet perfume scent stung her nose.

 

‘Drury must have sent it herself.’

 

Since the accident on the boat outing two years ago, there had been no contact between them.

 

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t think of any reason to receive a letter.

 

“Miss, what does it say?”

 

As she was opening the envelope with a knife, Romi asked in an anxious voice.

 

Her brown eyes were wide open as if frightened.

 

“Hmm… she’s invited me to a party.”

 

“What? Miss Drury has?”

 

“She says it’s her coming-of-age ceremony soon?”

 

As if something had just occurred to her, Romi clapped her hands together.

 

“Come to think of it, it would be this year! I was helping with preparations when I was at the Viscount’s Mansion.”

 

“Huh? But that was two years ago.”

 

“Oh my, she kept us so busy from back then, saying it was a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony.”

 

“You must have had a hard time, Romi.”

 

She had vaguely thought Drury was the same age as Cassian, but it seemed Drury was a year older.

 

“Anyway, I didn’t expect her to invite me too. I wonder what she’s up to?”

 

“I wonder. Miss, are you going to go?”

 

Romi glanced at Damia cautiously. Her face looked a bit anxious.

 

“I can’t not go when I’ve been invited. Hmm, what should I get as a gift…”

 

“What about the Young Duke? You’ll go together, right?”

 

“I don’t think that’ll be possible.”

 

“What? Why not?”

 

“He’s gone away for a while. He has urgent business.”

 

Since she couldn’t spread word of the Emperor’s orders everywhere, Damia spoke indirectly.

 

“Of all times…”

 

She could hear Romi muttering quietly.

 

“Maybe… couldn’t you not go? Now that I hear the Young Duke won’t be there, I’m getting worried for no reason.”

 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

“It’s a bit strange that she’s having a coming-of-age party right now. And suddenly inviting you too.”

 

“Hmm… it is odd that she sent the invitation so late when it’s supposed to be this week.”

 

If it was a coming-of-age ceremony prepared for years, she would have sent out invitations at least a few months ago.

 

Of course, Damia wouldn’t have been an honored guest to Drury, so maybe that’s why it was sent late.

 

“That’s not all though… Miss Drury was born in the dead of winter.”

 

“What?”

 

“No matter how nice the weather is, isn’t it strange to move the party up by half a year?”

 

“You’re right. It is too early.”

 

It might be excessive speculation, but it seemed like she was targeting the time when Cassian was away.

 

* * *

 

The Soro Viscount’s Household was already famous for its usual extravagance, but today it was even more excessive.

 

‘They’ve decorated it almost to the level of a coronation.’

 

The spacious hall was already packed with guests.

 

Several large and elaborate crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and dozens of candles poured light that brilliantly illuminated the entire hall.

 

The highlight was the red camellias decorating various parts of the hall.

 

‘I heard those are flowers that only bloom in winter.’

 

By whatever means they used, the camellias were bursting with life as if they had just bloomed.

 

In many ways, it was a party that showed the power of the Soro Viscount Family.

 

“Thank you all for coming.”

 

Then, the star of today appeared on the central staircase.

 

Drury was literally sparkling and shining.

 

Her pure white dress was densely studded with diamonds, sparkling like scattered stardust with every movement.

 

After her bright blue eyes caught attention, her honey-bright golden hair decorated with white camellias came into view.

 

Drury seemed to have matured even more, perhaps because she had lost her baby fat. Thanks to her more defined facial features, her characteristic sharp beauty had reached its peak.

 

She truly looked ominously beautiful.

 

However, rather than a girl celebrating her coming-of-age, she looked like a bride about to walk into a wedding ceremony.

 

“I see a welcome face.”

 

Drury’s gaze cut straight across the numerous guests to land directly on Damia.

 

She looked like someone who had been searching for Damia from the beginning.

 

“Gasp.”

 

Damia was startled, thinking she had made that sound herself.

 

But it was Romi, who had followed to attend to her. Romi was trembling pitifully.

 

“I’m sorry, Miss. I thought she was looking this way.”

 

Romi whispered quietly.

 

“It’s fine. That’s why I told you not to follow me.”

 

“I was too worried to send you alone, Miss.”

 

Damia swallowed a sigh.

 

She could only hope that Drury wouldn’t recognize Romi today.

 

Drury was now coming down the stairs escorted by Viscount Soro.

 

She exchanged greetings with the honored guests standing in front.

 

She wore a perfect smile on her lips. Everyone couldn’t take their eyes off Drury.

 

‘Was making eye contact just my imagination after all?’

 

Just as Damia was about to feel relieved, Drury’s head turned very slowly. And once again, she found Damia precisely.

 

There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in Drury’s steps as she headed this way.

 

Even though Damia was standing in a corner of the banquet hall where the servants gathered, together with Romi.

 

“Sh-she seems to be coming this way?”

 

“…It does seem that way, doesn’t it?”

 

As Drury got closer, the sweet fragrance grew stronger.

 

As if that smell brought back bad memories, Romi dry-heaved quietly.

 

“Are you okay, Romi?”

 

“Oh, Miss. Excuse me for a moment. I think I’m really going to throw up.”

 

Just as Romi was about to turn around urgently.

 

“Ah!”

 

Unfortunately, she came face to face with Drury, who was walking from that very direction.

 

Even though they didn’t collide, Drury raised her voice excessively.

 

The wine glass she was holding swayed dramatically in the air.

 

“…!”

 

The red liquid spilled toward Damia. There wasn’t even time to dodge.

 

The surroundings became quiet in an instant.

 

Romi, who had stopped dry-heaving, now burst into hiccups.

 

“Oh my, I’m sorry.”

 

Drury lowered her eyebrows.

 

She looked genuinely sorry, but strangely, there was no sign of surprise at all.

 

“At least fortunately, this pretty dress didn’t get wet.”

 

It was literally true.

 

Red marks remained on Damia’s neck and face, but the dress was fine.

 

Drury took out a handkerchief and approached closely. A sickeningly sweet fragrance hit her, making her head throb.

 

“I’m really sorry. I was so startled.”

 

She began gently wiping Damia’s cheek. Her touch was quite affectionate.

 

But perhaps because of Drury’s fragrance, her stomach felt queasy. It seemed like she was breaking out in a cold sweat.

 

“There, all done.”

 

A small murmur arose among the guests.

 

Drury was the noble daughter of the Soro Viscountess, one of the most prestigious families in the West.

 

Naturally, she had arrogant aspects, and even such attitudes were considered aristocratic.

 

For such a Drury to personally step forward and show such kindness, even if it was her own mistake, was an unexpected sight.

 

“It’s fine. You didn’t do it on purpose.”

 

“Thank you for understanding so generously, Miss Viscount Ponti.”

 

Drury’s gaze shifted to Romi.

 

“I’m sorry, Miss. I failed to…”

 

“No, it’s fine.”

 

Romi trembled as she apologized, but Drury didn’t seem particularly angry.

 

It was different from the past when she would flash her eyes, trying to pin even non-existent crimes on Romi.

 

“Wait, you…”

 

Drury narrowed her eyes. Romi cowered as if frightened.

 

‘Did she recognize Romi?’

 

Romi had assured her that Drury changed maids so frequently that she wouldn’t even remember her.

 

But Romi was a maid that Damia had taken away before Drury could discard her.

 

The parting process would have been quite memorable, so it wouldn’t be strange at all if Drury hadn’t forgotten and was grinding her teeth.

 

‘Should I make an excuse that we only have one maid because the family doesn’t have much money?’

 

It was when Damia was timing when to hide Romi behind her.

 

“Your face seems strangely familiar. Well, it’s not important.”

 

Drury seemed uninterested in Romi. Damia’s eyes widened at the unexpected reaction.

 

“Oh my, Miss Ponti, you seem quite shaken, wouldn’t it be better to go rest for a bit?”

 

“Pardon? I’m fine though…”

 

“I’ve prepared a separate rest area. Take a moment to catch your breath.”

 

Drury grabbed Damia’s hand and pulled her along. Perhaps due to her grip strength, it felt more like coercion than a suggestion.

 

“But you must return before the first dance begins.”

 

Drury whispered in Damia’s ear.

 

“I’ll let only you know in advance. There will be a major announcement soon.”

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