The World Mistakes Me for Terminally Ill - Chapter 28

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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 028

…You’re the one making things difficult for me, you know?

I glared at him, but seeing that he seemed genuinely worried, I decided there was no point in getting heated up by myself and chose to change the subject.

“Come to think of it, how did the inspection go? No one got hurt, right?”

I couldn’t directly ask about the information I heard from Kaiseus – ‘You experienced mana rampage, didn’t you?’ – so I asked indirectly.

The area around the train station is currently the most important business site in the Duchy. It would be troublesome if there were any setbacks.

Moreover, if there were casualties caused by the heir to the estate…

‘Just imagining it is horrifying.’

I’d definitely break my back trying to handle the aftermath.

Seeing Shubel acting so leisurely, it seemed like nothing major had happened, but as the person in charge, I still needed to confirm.

For me, since I wasn’t really sick and had a three-year time limit until the family’s destruction, my mindset was ‘What’s the point of playing around? I should work instead.’

“My lady.”

Shubel’s voice dropped low enough to pierce through my core.

He sat down next to me. Due to the weight difference, the hammock tilted and I naturally ended up positioned higher than him.

As I blinked in confusion at the suddenly changed atmosphere, Shubel looked up at me and said,

“No one else was injured.”

“I-Is that so? That’s a relief…”

“Except for you, my lady.”

His face contorted with self-reproach.

“You’re the one who’s sick, so why are you worrying about those who are fine?”

Well, that’s because I’m not actually sick. I was just asking out of concern to confirm…

“Please, take care of your body.”

I couldn’t suddenly explain ‘I’m a transmigrator and that was a side effect of transmigration,’ so I kept my mouth shut awkwardly.

Shubel’s voice became more earnest.

“This is already the second time. That you’ve coughed up blood, my lady.”

So I’m telling you I’m not really sick. I did cough up some blood, but that was just a side effect of gaining future knowledge, and the magic dragon of the White Forest said it’s just the process of twisted mana finding its proper place?

‘…No one would believe that even if they heard it!’

I’d be lucky if they didn’t think I’d gone crazy from being too sick.

“When you first coughed up blood, didn’t the doctor say it was due to overwork? But with a body that should be resting and focusing on recovery, this time you coughed up blood while conducting a duchy inspection.”

“Th-That…”

I felt like I was going crazy with frustration since I couldn’t explain the truth. I organized my situation to think of an excuse.

‘Did I cough up blood this time too?’

I did. Though it didn’t hurt.

‘Did I collapse while working?’

I did collapse while working.

The problem is that I’m someone who works 18 out of 24 hours a day.

Since I’m working most of the time except when sleeping, it’s statistically natural that I’d collapse while working.

While I was mentally tearing my hair out, Shubel’s confession-like words continued.

“And despite your sick body, you even personally caught the criminals.”

I didn’t personally catch them. I just trusted father, who’s an S-rank knight, and the Northern knights called the strongest in the empire, and merely added my spoon to the mix.

“You’ve always said there aren’t enough knights, so you must have overexerted yourself because you couldn’t trust them.”

No. That’s not it. Please put that misunderstanding away. We used a dragon-slaying sword to catch bookworms – what’s there to distrust? I just stretched my legs out after seeing it was safe!

“However, my lady.”

He grasped my hand, his face contorting as if feeling guilty.

“You don’t need to sacrifice yourself this much for Lunein…”

Silence fell over the room.

I felt a bit of awkwardness, embarrassment, and also happiness.

After all, I’m human too, so I couldn’t dislike someone worrying about me. Even if it stemmed from misunderstandings and misconceptions.

In a world where many people think kindness is their natural right when it continues, how could I dislike someone who appreciates what I’ve done and worries about me?

‘Still, this kind of misunderstanding seems too severe.’

I opened my mouth to change this gloomy atmosphere.

“That’s… I’m also part of Lunein now. Lunein has been the guardian of the Northern Region since ancient times. I hope that honor won’t be tarnished because of me alone.”

I explained earnestly, meaning don’t feel burdened.

Once the Duchy stabilizes, I’ll need to extend my reach to the entire Northern Region too.

I appreciate the concern, but it would be troublesome if that interfered with my work.

‘I can’t waste time being confined by the emperor like last time.’

Time is money.

For this purpose, I emphasized the justification ‘we’re on the same side now’ so that others couldn’t say anything even if I worked a bit too hard for Lunein.

“But, my lady-“

“Shubel. I’m proud of the work I do.”

“…!”

“How could I not be? What I have is an opportunity that some people want but can’t have. Because you showed goodwill toward Seton, I can do this for Lunein too.”

This was sincere.

Like someone who once dominated the capital’s social circles, I smiled with the wistful expression that could move people’s hearts most effectively.

“This is work I do because I want to.”

So please don’t interfere.

“A sense of achievement has long been my driving force.”

I want to quickly destroy the original story and do business with the backing of my in-laws who became the strongest.

“Aren’t you curious? About how this place will look when it’s developed in the distant future. When I was young, listening to Lunein’s legends as my mother’s lullabies, I used to imagine what kind of place this would be.”

“…How is it now that you’ve seen it directly?”

“It was more wonderful than I imagined. That’s why I want to make this place even better.”

I even sold my memories to emphasize ‘let me work in peace.’

‘Surely after going this far, he won’t tell me not to work because I’m sick.’

I said I don’t want to be criticized because of me, that I’m proud of this work, and that it’s a dream stemming from childhood memories.

As expected, Shubel’s eyes wavered.

“My lady…”

I didn’t miss this opportunity and displayed even more dramatic acting skills to correct the misunderstanding.

“And I didn’t overexert myself trying to catch those criminals. It wasn’t because I distrusted the knights either. They’re the guardians of the Northern Region – why would I think that way? However.”

I deliberately paused to add authenticity to my reason.

“I’m originally the type who needs to see everything directly to be satisfied, and it was the first official schedule after father and the knights returned. It would be awkward for me to interfere with other important matters, so I wanted to participate at least this once.”

Yes, I added my spoon to the mix.

-which I expressed in elegant social circle rhetoric.

Good. I thought this much should have corrected things and was feeling proud inside when.

Click.

The door to the couple’s bedroom opened. Jerkhal entered with a deeply sunken expression.

“…So that’s what you were thinking.”

Oh.

I experienced an eye earthquake seeing my father-in-law who suddenly appeared.

Bella appeared from behind Jerkhal too.

“Sorry, dear. The soundproofing device hasn’t been installed yet…”

Soundproof magical devices are monopolized by the Magic Tower, and since this is the Northern Region where distribution is inconvenient, they hadn’t been installed yet.

“It seemed like a conversation between spouses, so I said we should go back, but this one was so stubborn.”

“She was unconscious for three whole days. I need to check if she’s okay.”

I was asleep for three whole days?!

“Shubel would handle things well on his own.”

“That guy?”

“That’s… true.”

At Jerkhal’s distrustful words, Bella couldn’t defend her own child no matter how much she loved him, and ended up agreeing.

Honey, you should have built some trust with your parents. How little trust must there be for them not to trust their son and come all the way to the room?

And they’re the Duke and Duchess at that.

“Please come in first, Father, Mother. I’ll bring out some tea.”

“No. Don’t get up, just stay still.”

Realizing belatedly that I wasn’t dressed to receive guests, I spoke hastily, but Bella waved her hand dismissively.

Shubel was also banished to a chair by Bella’s command not to bother the child and to stay away.

The servants approached and set down tea and refreshments.

I could only watch the scene while buried alone under my blanket.

“Um, well.”

With all three Lunein family members staring only at me, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“By any chance… how long have you been listening?”

“Since you were worrying about the inspection.”

Jerkhal answered bluntly.

“I didn’t know you were thinking such things.”

“I told you. She’s a thoughtful child.”

“Her heart for Lunein runs deep too.”

You heard everything?!

Somehow I had become ‘a daughter-in-law who truly cares for her husband’s family.’

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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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