Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 84

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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 84

I spoke bluntly.
“I’ve been suspicious from the start.”
It was from the moment he entered—or rather, from the instant the door opened—that I felt it.
A strange déjà vu that words couldn’t quite capture.
“I know. It showed.”
He smiled broadly again.
His joy was so genuine, so overwhelming, that I couldn’t begin to follow the current of his emotions.
I glanced away, disliking the sight of that face.
His gaze fell at a point higher than I remembered. I’d grown, certainly, but in the more than half a year since we’d last met, he’d shot up with startling speed.
Perhaps it was the way his frame had become lean and sharp that made the difference more pronounced.
Even when I’d seen him last, “boy” was hardly the right word anymore.
But now—
‘He looks like a man.’
He’d come of age, so technically he was one.
I looked down at my own form, fresh from my Debutante presentation.
Something about it unsettled me.

* * *

‘See you again.’
That’s what Kiel always said before disappearing.
I ignored it and went straight home, undressing without the help of servants and falling into bed.
The whole thing still felt unreal.
But the Black Dress and Mask scattered across the floor didn’t disappear.
After staring at them one last time, I closed my eyes.
That night, I had a strange dream.
I sat alone in an empty void when suddenly gold and silver treasures came pouring down like madness.
What bliss.
I was laughing freely as I bathed in a rain of money with my whole body.
‘This is the price of your laughter.’
And someone suddenly stole my money away.
What? Give that back.
The moment I frowned, another handful of precious coins vanished.
‘This is the price of your irritation.’
After that, they kept stealing whenever I blinked or breathed.
Stop! That’s enough!
I flailed desperately to protect what little remained, and heard soft chuckling.
‘I’ll give you myself instead.’
Hmm… could I accept that?
It seemed like I could.
Madness. Why would I trade money for someone I don’t even know?
But when that person—whose face I couldn’t quite see—smiled, I wanted to give them everything in my hands.
I really have lost my mind. Wake up.
‘Will you end up like your mother?’
I jolted awake cursing, and it was bright morning sun pouring through.
What a ridiculous dream.
I must be losing my grip on reality.
‘It’s been so long since I saw that face.’
I’ve been enchanted again.
The fact that he was the First Prince didn’t matter much.
I was curious about his double life, yes, but I needed to focus on keeping my wits about me first.
I made my decision: I’d keep physical distance between us.
The Imperial Palace’s Coming-of-Age celebration would last about a month.
It was a festival of national significance, but not for me.
Fine. I’d confine myself to my rooms. I’d only show my face on the first and last days at the Imperial Palace.
“Why? That’s such a waste.”
Tru’s protest fell on deaf ears.
My mental exhaustion mattered more. I didn’t want to go. The dream’s content nagged at me; I’d be manipulated by Kiel all over again.
And more than anything, I was to become Ambrose’s Heir.
So I deliberately kept myself busy for days.
I took over the miscellaneous tasks Orka had been handling, carved time from nowhere to observe my siblings’ lessons, and received visitors.
Visitors like Clara.
“What’s your relationship with the First Prince?”
I regretted letting her in the moment she spoke.
The instant Clara saw me, she blurted it out.
Well, there was no way she wouldn’t ask.
I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t answer honestly.
The truth was that the First Prince was the sort of genuine lunatic everyone at the Magician’s Manor knew about, and I called him a madman.
“We’re not in any relationship.”
I gave the safe answer.
Clara looked unconvinced, but I was firm enough that she didn’t press further.
A few days later.
“…Bring whom back, exactly?”
Heaven seemed to be on my side—an unexpected summons came.
The grandfather who’d called me said it again:
“The Medical Facility director. Since you drove him away, you’ll bring him back.”
“But… you mean bringing Scott back?”
He wasn’t fit to function as a person right now.
The last I’d seen him, he was half-mad, begging someone to send him home and swearing he’d never set foot outside again.
That was all Alec’s doing. I don’t know the details myself.
“Not a substitute. The person who should have been there originally.”
A substitute.
Grandfather did call Scott that.
So there was someone else who was supposed to be the Medical Facility director?
“Mary had a personal physician she’d brought with her from her family home.”
Mary—that was my grandmother’s name.
She’d been delicate since childhood, and because of that, she’d taken special interest in the Medical Facility.
“Bring that person here. It’s Mary’s wish.”
Grandfather only said that much, but there was weight in it—more than a simple hiring.
I nodded.
My grandmother’s legacy, and my first duty as a proper Heir.
I would see it through.
And to do that—
“Ah, the esteemed young lady of the Ambrose Duke household honors this humble servant—”
I called on Philip, who was diligently working as always.
He was still far better at finding people than Orka.
When I explained the task, Philip hesitated.
“That person…?”
Hmm? He looked tired.
Not imagination—he even sighed in a way that didn’t suit him.
“They’re difficult to track. There are no records of them staying anywhere for long.”
“Is that so?”
A wanderer, perhaps?
I never expected someone even Philip’s information network would struggle to locate.
“What’s their most recent whereabouts?”
When I asked, Philip pulled out a small Map and pointed to a location.
Eton in the Western Region.
It wasn’t terribly far from the capital.
My expression brightened for a moment before Philip continued:
“That person follows their patients.”
He moved his finger as if to illustrate the point.
“An Epidemic is currently spreading through Eton in the Western Region, and also through Siearth and Karyn fiefs. They’re likely moving between those areas.”
I traced the path of his finger with my gaze.
Eton, Siearth, and Karyn—all neighboring fiefs in the Western Region.
After sharing a few more details, Philip added before leaving:
“Even if you find them, it won’t be easy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Bringing them back, I mean.”
The reason was clear without asking.
I looked down at the Map again.
Asking someone who travels the whole country chasing patients to settle in one place—that was no simple task.
“Still, it has to be done.”
Whether it was easy or hard didn’t matter now.
I simply had to do what was necessary.
I quickly prepared for the journey.
The final celebration I had to attend was in three weeks. I’d have to be back by then.
I finished the preparations hurriedly, kissed my siblings’ cheeks one last time, and set out.
First, to Eton in the Western Region.
The traveling party was largely the same as usual.
Myself, Orka, Tru, and the knights led by Alec and Pepper.
But there was one unfamiliar face among them.
“To think I’d meet them alive… the world… how could this be… I’d die happy…”
It was Morgan.
Essentially abducted by me, Morgan trembled with emotion upon hearing the purpose of the journey.
Then, suddenly, they asked me:
“But… is it really all right for me to come along? Won’t I be in the way…?”
“In the way? Your role is the most important this time.”
Morgan looked confused.
I flipped through the documents as I continued:
“What kind of task would the Ambrose Duke household undertake so directly? Searching out and fetching someone personally?”
“Well, that is…”
“It means money and prestige won’t work on them. I have to persuade her.”
That was the heart of this mission.
Surely Gustaf wouldn’t give me such a straightforward task.
I snorted and continued reading the remaining documents.
The personal file Orka had compiled on this person.
The most striking detail was, predictably:
‘Eastern Continent Hybrid….’

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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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