[Land abandoned by the gods. Will spring come to the arid Bellicuscal?]

With noticeable headlines, Lea lowered the daily newspaper she was reading.

[In the past, Bellicuscal enjoyed great prosperity as a salt mine, but it has declined with the emergence of salt farms in the southern salt sea. Now, a new spark of hope has emerged.

This is due to the hot spring discovered by Duke Heidern in the mine.

As a part of the mine collapsed, a hidden hot spring was discovered, and it was announced that Bellicuscal would develop it into a hot spring tourism spot.

Meanwhile, with Magnoia’s involvement in the hot spring tourism business, the public’s attention is focused on…]

Lea, sitting at the table and reading the newspaper, folded the newspaper. Bellicuscal’s hot springs attracted the attention not only of the northerners but also of the imperial citizens.

The newspaper constantly reported on how Bellicuscal would develop into hot spring tourism and the progress of the construction.

It could be burdensome due to excessive attention. However, Akiya seemed relaxed, as if everything was going well.

“Still, it’s fortunate that the project is progressing well.”

A relieved smile appeared on Lea’s face.

It had already been a month since she started staying at the Belarus Mansion. Contrary to concerns, the hot spring development was proceeding smoothly.

With Magnoia’s involvement, many people started visiting the village, and vacant houses in Bellicuscal were converted into accommodation facilities for visitors.

“Besides those who left the village, even young people are gathering here to find jobs…”

She recalled the appearance of miners receiving treatment in poor conditions.

Currently, Bellicuscal was so underdeveloped that there was almost no medical facility.

‘It seems we need medical facilities.’

She had heard that in order for the villagers to receive treatment, they had to cross a large mountain.

However, once they crossed the mountain, there was only a health center with an elderly doctor. The need for medical facilities for Bellicuscal was urgent.

‘When the duke returns to the mansion, I need to mention it.’

It had already been a week since she last saw Akiya’s face. She wanted to be with Akiya, who seemed to be living in Bellicuscal, but he dissuaded her.

“He told me to come after Bellicuscal is a bit more stable. Let’s wait.”

After all, being there now would only be a burden. Moreover, since Belarus Duke wanted to be with him, she stayed at the mansion. However, she looked at the empty seat with a more sunken gaze than before.

[Sorry. It seems that the duke is not feeling well today either, so it seems difficult to have tea time together.]

Although she suggested having tea together in the garden with Belarus Duke today, the response was a refusal.

“Is he still not feeling well…”

The duke, who was correcting his position, had been avoiding her under the excuse of being unwell for some time. Akiya told her not to worry, but she couldn’t help it.

‘I shouldn’t think like this, but he really seemed like a grandfather…’

If she had a grandfather who shared her blood, wouldn’t he be similar to Belarus Duke? That’s what she thought.

It was the first time since the orphanage family. The first time she felt the warmth of family between unrelated individuals.

Lea liked Belarus Duke. The time spent with him was enjoyable. However, it made her naturally feel depressed when she heard that the duke’s health was not good.

“Besides, he says there’s no need for medical treatment…”

Although she offered to have him checked, he was repeatedly refused. Just because his vitality weakened, he told her not to worry.

“Could it be that I did something wrong.”

They avoided walks they used to take together, and there were many times when they had meals alone. The servants in the mansion were still kind to Lea, but the atmosphere had subtly changed.
Akiya had also left for Bellicuscal, leaving me alone in the large mansion.

“Sigh…”

It was when Lea was sighing heavily with frustration at the inexplicable frustration. A voice calling her reached her ears while she was sitting in the garden.

“Miss!”

‘He’s calling me miss again.’

Despite telling Butler Button to call her comfortably by her name or as Lea. For some time now, Butler Button had been calling her miss.

“Butler, just call me by my name…”

As she was about to say it again to the butler, Button, he spoke urgently.

“The duke has collapsed…!”

At Butler Button’s desperate words calling her, Lea quickly stood up from her seat in the garden.

“The duke!?”

“Yes! I’ve called for a doctor, but for now, it seems Miss needs to take a look!”

“Lead the way quickly!”

Hurrying to the duke’s bedroom, Lea approached Dmitry’s side. Dmitry, lying unconscious on the bed, was breathing heavily.

Lea immediately began examining him.

“Since when has the duke been like this?”

“In the past few days, he suddenly lost a lot of energy. He wasn’t like this until this morning…”

Butler Button’s throat tightened.