The Terminally-Ill Duke Clings to Me Every Night (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 11

“My Lord, I’ve brought your meal.”

It was the same as any other day. Eight o’clock in the morning. Right on the hour, a maid would wheel in a trolley laden with breakfast into the Duke’s room.

Warm mushroom soup and freshly baked bread that seemed ready to release white steam the moment it was torn apart. To the eye, it was a meal befitting a duke—lacking nothing.

The problem was that Akia didn’t think so.

It had happened shortly after leaving the palace and arriving at Duke Haideorn’s estate. Akia had been poisoned by the toxin in his soup and had been ill for several days.

Fortunately, it hadn’t been life-threatening—just severe enough to confine him to bed for a few days. After all, even dripping water can wear through stone.

Even a tiny amount of poison could become dangerous if exposure was continuous. And that was likely exactly what they had intended.

‘To wither away and die, frail and alone, in this small territory where no one is on your side.’

Indeed, in the duchy, he had no allies at all.

Thus, Akia remained wary of everyone, suspicious of all, waiting for the day he could escape this unbearable, transparent prison.

But then—

[If I catch a cold from you, it’ll be troublesome. Just drink it already.]

To make such a ridiculous excuse and act so childishly—Akia frowned, recalling last night’s events.

It had been an utterly impulsive move—ordering medicine prepared for the apothecary who’d caught a cold.

For some reason, that day in particular had gotten under his skin.

Everything about her—the pale cheeks now flushed with fever, the usually clear voice now hoarse and punctuated by soft coughs.

‘Because of her red hair…’

Perhaps it was because such a color was rare in the Empire. She stood out like a single drop of blood on untouched, pristine snow.

Maybe it was simply because she was the first woman to leave such an impression on him.

Or perhaps it was sympathy for the apothecary who’d braved the rain and gone into the mountains just to gather herbs at his word.

[You mentioned poison had been mixed into your meals before. You might already be ingesting it regularly, so I made an antidote.]

Could those words truly have been spoken out of genuine concern for him?

“No way.”

He dismissed the thought. How could someone who’d only known him for a few days truly worry about him? They were probably just acting out of self-interest—if he died or got hurt, they’d lose a lot.

It couldn’t possibly be real concern. Everyone who had ever cared for him that deeply was already gone.

For a fleeting moment, the scent of blood—that same cloying, all-consuming aroma from the past—brushed against his nostrils. Nauseated, Akia kicked the trolley away.

Just then, accompanied by a knock, Leah entered.

“My Lord, I’m sorry—I’m a bit late.”

She’d overslept again, it seemed, and came rushing in with a cup of sanjoein tea. Leah placed the teacup on the table where the Duke sat.

“I’m glad—you haven’t started eating yet. I was worried about what I’d do if you’d already begun.”

He stared intently at Leah, who was panting from her run. Her cheeks were flushed pink, suggesting her cold hadn’t fully cleared yet.

‘Here I go again, thinking useless thoughts.’

He let out a quiet, self-mocking chuckle, then watched as Leah busied herself.

Leah tasted a bit of the soup and bread from the trolley, then turned over the hourglass. Her movements were natural, as if performing the most ordinary task in the world.

‘What if there really is poison?’

As an apothecary, she should understand the dangers of poison better than anyone. Was she fearless—or just thoughtless?

Just as he was eyeing her like an unsolvable riddle—

“My Lord, the meal seems perfectly fine. Please drink your tea first—sanjoein works best on an empty stomach.”

Leah offered the teacup with a bright, cheerful smile. Despite having just eaten food that might be poisoned, she remained so carefree.

That kind of woman was beginning to get under Akia’s skin.

[This is the timeline separator]

After finishing lunch, Leah stepped into the backyard for a walk. Perhaps because of the severe cold she’d had a few days prior, her body occasionally felt heavy.

“Oh! I need to take this.”

Leah pulled a small vial glowing with a yellow hue from her pocket. It was a blend of vitamin- and mineral-rich berries and herbs—in other words, a vitamin supplement!

Originally, she’d been researching it to boost the Duke’s vitality.

Just then, she’d needed a human test subject, so she’d decided to try it herself.

“Ugh, it’s sour.”

‘If only the tartness were a bit milder—should I add some flavoring?’

Perhaps because the vitamin concentrate was so potent, after a week of consistent use, she’d clearly noticed reduced fatigue—and her complexion seemed noticeably brighter, too.

Lost in thought as she stared at the empty vial, Leah was approached by a group of passing maids.

“Apothecary, what are you drinking?”

“Oh, this is a vitamin supplement.”

“A supplement? What’s that?”

“Does it give you nutrition?”

The maids tilted their heads, puzzled by the unfamiliar term “supplement.”

Leah realized her mistake—back in Korea, everyone knew what vitamin supplements were, so she’d spoken as if it were common knowledge.

“It’s an energy tonic made by blending herbs and berries rich in vitamins and minerals.”

“Really? What happens if you drink it? Do you get healthier?”

The maids’ eyes sparkled instantly as they looked at Leah, as if they’d just discovered something fascinating.

‘Oh ho?’

Since the maids were more receptive than expected, Leah felt confident. This world had no concept of supplements—if she started making and selling them…

Her heart swelled at the thought of the tidy profit she could make.

‘Yes! This could be a real money-making business!’

Her voice rose with newfound enthusiasm.

“Not only will it improve your health—I’ve been taking it for about a week, and my skin tone has definitely brightened. Can you see how much better my skin texture looks?”

Thanks to the Duke, who kept threatening her life over treatments, she’d been stressed lately, leaving her skin drier than usual.

Perhaps that’s why the supplement’s effects seemed even more pronounced.

Of course, she couldn’t be 100% certain her improved skin was solely due to the supplement—but it clearly had some effect.

“Oh my! You’re right—your skin glows like porcelain!”

“Apothecary, can I buy some too? I’ve been so exhausted lately.”

“Me too! My skin’s been rough because of the seasonal change—I really need this.”

As Leah continued her persuasive pitch, the maids eagerly declared their intent to buy, as if they’d been waiting for this moment.

It seemed that, throughout time and across cultures, skincare was women’s greatest concern. The atmosphere around Leah instantly grew lively.

“What’s going on? Why’s everyone gathered here? What’s this line for?”

Drawn by the commotion in the backyard, a group of servants who’d just finished their meals approached.

“It’s a line to buy supplements.”

“Supplements? What’s that?”

“It’s an energy tonic! Drink it, and your fatigue vanishes—you’ll feel strong and healthy. Plus, it’s great for your skin! Look!”

At first, one servant seemed interested at the mention of an energy tonic, but then snorted dismissively. After taking the yellow-glowing vial from a maid, he muttered,

“Tch. What’s this? It’s just for women.”

“Luca. Of course we have a version for men too.”

Leah approached Luca, who wore a bored expression, and gave him a cheerful smile. In truth, she hadn’t made a separate men’s version yet—but she could start now, couldn’t she?

Luca, however, handed the vial back to her as if to say he didn’t need it.

“Hey, Leah—look at these sturdy arms. Do I really need some ‘supplement’ or whatever?”

Luca flexed his impressive biceps, thick tendons bulging alongside the muscles—a robust build fitting for a servant who handled all the hard labor.

He tilted his chin toward Leah as if inviting her to touch them. Luca wasn’t usually this showy.

‘Must be because of that maid he’s been seeing lately.’

Just then, her eyes met those of a maid passing behind him—the one rumored to be Luca’s sweetheart.

“A guy like me doesn’t need this stuff, right?”

His voice grew even louder, clearly aware his lover was passing by.

‘Ah, male bravado.’

Leah clicked her tongue inwardly—then suddenly had a brilliant idea.

“Setting health aside, this is absolutely essential for you, Luca.”

“For me?”

Leah leaned in close and whispered discreetly,

“It’s really good… for nighttime activities.”

“What?!”

The servant’s face flushed crimson—he hadn’t expected such a blunt remark from Leah.

‘How does she know about that…!’

He’d recently started dating Amy and was working hard to get in shape for their upcoming night together.

Since he’d long harbored a crush on Amy, he’d been so anxious about seeming inadequate that he’d barely slept.

Now, his eyes lit up as if he’d found an oasis in the desert.

“I-Is it really true?”

‘Got him.’

Luca had finally taken Leah’s bait. Seeing him ask cautiously, Leah gave a triumphant smile.

“Of course. Why else would it be called an ‘energy tonic’? That’s obviously included too.”

Convinced by Leah’s confident words, Luca whispered something to the servants who’d come with him.

Immediately, the group surged forward, each eagerly writing their name on the reservation list.

“Leah, I’ll take one too!”

“Me too! This really works, right?”

“Absolutely—it’s a premium-grade supplement.”

She wasn’t sure if it worked as well as a true stimulant, but it was commonly said that a man’s vigor was proportional to his stamina. There had to be some correlation.

Soon, the reservation list—once filled only with maids’ names—was densely packed with the servants’ names as well.

Proudly clutching the list, Leah imagined starting production right away.

Just as she was tidying up to return to the apothecary, a familiar figure caught her eye in the distance, disappearing into the mansion.

‘My Lord?’

Though the silhouette resembled the Duke, Leah quickly shook her head—it couldn’t be him. He never left his room except at dawn.

“I must’ve seen things.”

Already daydreaming about the money she’d earn, Leah turned back with light, excited steps.