The World Mistakes Me for Terminally Ill - Chapter 19

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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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The World Thinks I’m Terminally Ill Episode 019

The grand gates of the Grand Duke’s Castle opened.

Through them, an elaborately decorated hall and ornaments came into view.

As the gates opened completely, a formally dressed butler came out and greeted us.

“Welcome home, Master.”

“Welcome.”

The servants spoke in unison.

Perhaps because they were all wearing the same attire, it felt even more stable.

The knights behind the Duke unconsciously gasped in admiration at the completely transformed appearance of the castle from when they had left.

At the end of the path thus created stood the Duke’s family.

“Welcome back, you’ve worked hard.”

“Welcome home, Father.”

His wife and son.

And…

“…Hello, Father-in-law.”

An unfamiliar daughter-in-law smiling somewhat shyly as if being bashful.

Of course, that was me.

I acted as if I found my father-in-law intimidating after meeting him for the first time in a while, slightly lifting my eyes to look up at Jerkhal, then startling when our gazes met and acting flustered, not knowing what to do.

Why was I doing this?

‘Obviously for image management.’

Jerkhal was different from Bella.

Unlike Bella, who had little information about me, Jerkhal would have received some reports about my activities while coming here.

It was natural for him to feel wary of a strange daughter-in-law who had come to his territory and was making her presence known.

So I thought I’d put on a bit of an act.

‘I’m harmless, I just happen to have some money-‘ like that.

My goal was to be a daughter-in-law who starts out shy but gradually becomes more lively as she gets closer to people—which is my original personality anyway.

However.

“Honey, straighten your expression. You’re scaring the new daughter. This child is such a sweet girl, but she’s so intimidated like this.”

I had forgotten one thing. The fact that I had become too close with Bella.

Bella scolded Jerkhal. Jerkhal, who had been approaching his family with a stern face, hesitated and looked at me.

“Oh, no. Father-in-law.”

I panicked and lightly grabbed Shubel’s sleeve.

It was meant to signal him to come out quickly and explain on my behalf.

“Are you alright, my lady?”

This unhelpful man made it even worse.

Shubel looked at me with a worried expression, then quietly took my arm. And he hid me behind himself.

Instead of welcoming the head of the household who had worked hard outside, he was treating him like a villain.

I stared blankly at his broad back, dumbfounded by such an absurd and ridiculous behavior.

‘Wow, I really can’t see anything at all.’

Looking at his back that was wider than a chessboard, I wanted to give him a smack.

“Father-in-law, you must be tired. It would be good for you to rest well, but I thought you might be hungry, so I prepared a banquet.”

In the end, I abandoned my plan to stay quiet and well-behaved until Jerkhal got used to me.

I pushed Shubel aside and spoke with a bright smile.

I didn’t forget to include the knights behind the Duke either.

“It’s an honor to meet the guardians of the Northern Region. Won’t you join the banquet and grace us with your presence?”

Of course, if I had known that people would think—

‘Even though she was so scared, she still stepped forward. Our new daughter found her courage. How admirable, how admirable.’

‘My lady, you’re wonderful.’

‘Even though it’s her first time, she spoke without trembling before her lord. The young lady is remarkable.’

—I wouldn’t have done it. But it was already spilled milk.

“Now, please come this way. Bikal, please guide the lords so they can relax in the hot springs before coming to the banquet hall.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

I threw away my act and led the people with a somewhat relieved expression.

And Jerkhal, who had silently watched the entire scene, asked his wife.

“Am I that scary?”

“Do you call that a question?”

Bella said.

“The child is really patient. She works hard at everything. Think about it. Excluding Shubel, have you seen a child who looks you straight in the eye like that?”

“…I don’t think there have been any.”

“Exactly.”

Not only young ladies of that age, but even among old nobles, there were countless who couldn’t meet his gaze.

Such was the atmosphere of one who had lived his entire life on brutal battlefields.

‘At first I thought she was scared.’

But immediately she overcame it and faced him with those vivid ruby-colored eyes. Brilliant youth and confidence resided there.

He too had possessed such things in the past, but unable to overcome the walls of a declining family and unchanging reality, he had ultimately lost them.

“My lady, when you go up the stairs, let me support—”

“What support! I told you not to make a fuss!”

The young couple ahead were bickering.

Jerkhal watched them while recalling the changed appearance of the capital city and the atmosphere of the Grand Duke’s Castle.

He murmured quietly.

“Perhaps, as you say, things might really change.”

Bella looked sadly at how the hot-blooded man had changed into someone serious from carrying burdensome responsibilities over decades.

However, she soon smiled. Because she had already seen hope once.

“Of course. Those children will make it happen.”

“Everyone worked hard coming such a long way. This child is quite stubborn, so you must have had a hard time, right?”

The banquet hall.

The Duchess, Bella Lunein, elegantly raised her glass.

At Bella’s words, the knights who had relieved their fatigue in the hot springs and changed into the dress uniforms prepared in advance smiled more comfortably than before.

They all raised their glasses following Bella.

“Not at all, Your Grace.”

“If His Grace the Duke hadn’t been there, we would have already become monster food.”

“Your answer is too smooth to be credible, but I’ll let it pass. Now, I toast to the eternal glory of all of you who are the guardians of our estate. Cheers.”

Everyone laughed and emptied their glasses. I also followed them and took a sip of wine.

Even while doing so, I was diligently observing Jerkhal’s expression.

‘He’s still as taciturn as ever.’

Jerkhal was like the epitome of a ruggedly handsome man. Taciturn, serious, and yet loving toward his wife.

‘He seemed really surprised earlier, didn’t he?’

If the knights were surprised by the elegant appearance of the banquet hall, Jerkhal seemed more surprised than anyone when he entered and saw Bella.

Well, his wife who was always dressed modestly was now gorgeously adorned.

‘He really can’t take his eyes off her. Even now.’

I covered my lips with my wine glass and laughed quietly.

This couple is entertaining to watch.

“Just how hard did you work the knights?”

“I didn’t work them hard.”

“Is that really true, Sir Luke?”

“Please spare me, Your Grace. I don’t have the confidence to run 50 laps around the training ground tomorrow.”

“See? Even with this, you say no?”

“…Really, no.”

He’s completely helpless.

Actually, was Bella the real power behind Lunein?

I was smiling contentedly while spying on my parents-in-law’s romance when I turned my head to the seat beside me.

I immediately met eyes with Shubel.

“…What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

“No, my lady.”

Thinking my lipstick might have smeared from the wine, I casually wiped the corner of my mouth. A red tint spread across my fingertips.

Shubel’s gaze, which had been staring at me intently, naturally moved to my hand.

For some reason, his gaze bothered me, so I quickly rubbed and wiped my hand clean.

The corner of Shubel’s mouth subtly curved upward.

‘Am I already drunk? I don’t think I drank that much.’

I set down my wine glass.

Strangely, I could hear what seemed like my heart beating rapidly below my throat, so I decided to restrain myself a little.

As time passed, the atmosphere of the banquet ripened.

The prepared alcohol and food disappeared quickly, and servants busily carried in new dishes.

It was a composition that showed the head chef had put his heart and soul into it, having had no opportunity to show off his skills with such a large-scale banquet due to the need to conserve resources.

Even the knights who lived with strict discipline ingrained in their bodies had loosened up with flushed faces, at least for today.

When I thought the atmosphere had been appropriately heightened, I sent a signal to Bella.

‘Now, Mother.’

‘Yes.’

She nodded her head.

“Everyone, please look at me for a moment.”

All eyes in the banquet hall turned to Bella.

“You probably saw it on your return, but Lunein has changed a lot. Even I, who have lived here my whole life, am surprised enough to be startled.”

Everyone nodded as if they agreed with those words.

Now if we talk about the new benefits and salaries, changed quarters and equipment that will be given to the knights, everyone will be happy-

“All of this is thanks to our daughter-in-law Elisia.”

…Huh?

This was a completely different development from the plan. I was a bit flustered by the gazes suddenly pouring onto me.

No, Mother. Why are you bringing up unnecessary topics here?

If this were high society, I would have shamelessly waved my hand, but in this situation it was a bit awkward.

‘We were supposed to announce the new business, but suddenly praising past achievements would naturally be confusing.’

And so directly and publicly at that.

How should I put it. It felt like when I used to see my parents saying ‘Do you know how smart and pretty our daughter is?’ while bragging to people around them.

Because Bella’s nuance was exactly like that, I felt a bit embarrassed and slyly looked away while pretending not to notice.

But the place I happened to look away to was where Shubel was.

“My lady.”

“…Don’t say anything.”

“Yes.”

He laughed quietly and whispered in my ear.

“Your ears have turned red.”

Really annoying. I told you not to say anything.

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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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