“Kuhkuh.”

Her body trembled as a small cough escaped her lips.

Fortunately, no blood came out, but it reminded her once again that her condition wasn’t good.

Atia immediately closed the window and lay back down on the bed.

“Ah, this damn body.”

How many more days as unpredictable as today would there be?

Atia calculated her remaining days.

‘I can at least survive until the festival…’

Even so, she would only live for a few more months according to the original story.

‘Well, I did exercise, so maybe it increased a bit.’

There wasn’t much noticeable difference on the outside, but it seemed certain that her stamina had improved.

Was it good or bad to be aware that she was going to die soon?

Or would it be better not to know at all?

Either way, her lifespan was limited now.

Atia had decided to make the most of her remaining time.

‘Should I make a bucket list?’

She tried not to get anxious, but the thought of her limited time made her anxious anyway.

Despite her efforts, that feeling kept recurring, so Atia decided to think of something else instead.

‘I wonder if Father will go to war again.’

Atia had already seen the end of Hideger.

If he went to the battlefield, she would feel even more anxious.

‘After I die…’

She had already become attached to many people.

She couldn’t say she wasn’t worried about the people who would be left behind.

Atia’s goal hadn’t changed much from what she had decided upon when she first transferred into this body.

With the short life she had left, she would help as much as possible.

Had Casus been sincere when he said it was fine for her to come to the training ground?

Beneath his thick brows were steadfast blue eyes.

It didn’t seem like a lie.

‘Come to think of it, I promised to check on the knights.’

She had ignored the knights’ complaints, so a nagging feeling always remained in a corner of Atia’s heart.

Atia picked up a pen and started to write her bucket list.

She imagined creating a gym that was neither too big nor too small and exercising with those who wanted to.

Finally,
[5] Make Father the oldest living person in the Duke of Wellington’s realm

Taking care of Hideger so that he wouldn’t die.

Though the original story changed because he didn’t go to war, there might still be other dangers.

Atia’s heart tightened at the thought of Hideger going somewhere.

So she had shown him her skill.

It seemed that the tactic had worked. Hideger continued to stay in the Duke’s realm.

Perhaps taming the black sphere had also contributed.

She hadn’t intended it, but it had aroused his great interest.

“Ah, to do all this, I’d have to live long…”

Atia sighed deeply as she looked down at her bucket list.

(This is a time separator.)

Entering the room, Casus narrowed his eyes and took off his tunic.

Thump.

The clothes he had taken off were laid on the bed.

His broad shoulders and wellmuscled upper body were fully exposed.

Thud!

Casus lay down on the white bed as he was.

Why was he feeling this messed up when he had left in a good mood?

Their first meal with Atia.

And their first date.

A gathering they had for the first time in a year after their marriage.

Initially, there was neither a need nor reason to do so.

Because it was before he knew the woman called Atia.

Even after marriage, she had been nothing more than a stranger.

They had never had a proper conversation, never even touched faces or hands.

Thinking about it, he had seen her face.

On the day of their wedding.

Even that was vague because he hadn’t looked at her properly.

He didn’t even know the color of her eyes or her hair.

Quickly proceeding with the wedding, he didn’t even know how she had been living afterwards.

He had only heard that she was quietly living somewhere in the mansion.

And he hadn’t cared.

He had too much on his plate to bother about that.
He hadn’t paid any mind to it.

With a mountain of tasks already on his plate, he hadn’t had the energy to spare for such matters.

But now, things were markedly different.

Somehow, Atia had entered some part of Casus’s life.

Without even granting her permission, she had done so on her own accord.

Casus lay in bed, propping up his forehead with one hand.

To think she’d dash recklessly into an unfamiliar alley in the night market after seeing a thief.

Even if it was a part of the territory he ruled, he couldn’t predict what sudden dangers might arise.

‘Should I call her foolish or reckless?’

Her imprudent behavior, even when it wasn’t her business to meddle, was incomprehensible.

Perhaps, she was attempting to play the role of an inept duchess as a ploy.

As a mere spectacle.

But what sort of woman would risk her life to chase after strange, burly men?

She appeared like someone who had nothing to lose.

Casus found it fascinating that Atia, who was of duchess status, could behave in such a way.

It was even surprising to Casus himself, who always considered his subjects.