If this was true, it was likely that the Sacred Dew was still stored somewhere in a monastery.

Although she read the book from beginning to end again, she found no other clues.

Nelia set the book back on the Duke’s desk.

‘It’s disappointing, but I should be satisfied that I’ve learned more about the Sacred Dew.’

Just as she was about to leave,

Thump[Dash].

A bag that had been on the desk fell, its contents scattering untidily across the floor.

‘Ah…’

Nelia hurriedly crouched down and began collecting the scattered papers.

Among them was one that caught her eye. At the top of the paper, it read:

‘Charlotte.’

Her heart raced uncomfortably at the familiar name.

Nelia slowly picked up the paper. It had information about a person.

Name, age, place of residence, place of origin.

And all the details matched those of the Charlotte Nelia knew.

A faint tremor coursed through Nelia’s eyes.

‘Why would the Duke investigate Charlotte…?’

Something felt off.

A sense of nausea overcame her, as if her mood had plunged to rock bottom.

Although the Duke seemed to have no interest in Charlotte, Nelia started to think otherwise.

Suddenly, a scene flashed through her mind.

Even in the original story, the Duke had investigated Charlotte.

He couldn’t forget Charlotte whom he had briefly met, and wanted to meet her again.

‘That’s right…’

As she gripped the paper, it slightly crumpled.

Nelia stared at it for a long moment before putting it back in the bag. She left it on the desk and exited the library.

She had no energy to do anything else.

Back in her room, Nelia locked the door and curled up on the bed.

Her earlier anxiety felt like it had suddenly exploded.

The impact was greater than she had thought.

She hugged her knees and buried her face in them.

It seemed the Duke was getting attracted to Charlotte just like in the original story.

It would be odd if he weren’t, given how pretty she was, enough to make any woman fall for her.

‘But why am I feeling so down?’

Nelia couldn’t understand why she felt this way.

She couldn’t even comprehend what this unsettling and uncomfortable emotion was.

Soon, her nose started to sting.

As heat welled up at the corners of her eyes, Nelia realized they were moist.

Denying the truth, she shut her eyes tightly.

(This is a time separator.)

Flash.

Thudthud[Dash].

Nelia opened her eyes at the sound.

The room was dark.

Nelia realized she had fallen asleep and that it was now evening.

“Nelia! Are you in there?”
Upon hearing the Duke’s urgent voice, Nelia rose from her bed.

She felt as if the Duke, waiting outside, would break down the door at any moment if she didn’t open it.

Thud.

The moment the door opened, the Duke’s stern face appeared. However, his face relaxed as soon as he saw Nelia.

“Nelia, so you’re here…”

Despite the Duke’s seemingly relieved words, Nelia only stared at him. The Duke sighed with a worried expression.

“I just got back and was shocked to hear that you weren’t here.”

Nelia thought that it was possible, considering she hadn’t encountered anyone while coming up to her room.

Still, why was he so worried? If I’m not in the study, I’d surely be in my room.

Uncharacteristically, Nelia thought irritably.

“…I was quite startled, thinking you had disappeared.”

The Duke’s worried gaze made Nelia’s irritable mood gradually subside. Becoming clearheaded, she briefly wondered if she had overreacted.

But such thoughts vanished quickly.

‘No.’

The one more likely to suddenly disappear one day wasn’t her; it was the Duke.

‘Nelia, I’ve found my true love. Therefore, you’re no longer needed.’

The thought struck her like lightning, and simultaneously filled her with sorrow.

Even though she had been through thick and thin with the Duke, how could he just leave like that?

Nelia’s eyes started to redden again. Seeing this, the Duke lowered his head to match her height.

“Nelia… are you crying?”

His tender voice made her feel like crying even more.

However, when asked why she was crying, she couldn’t explain her absurd imagination and shook her head.

“No, I’m just not feeling well.”

Giving a feeble reply, the Duke touched her forehead. The once familiar cool sensation now felt strange.

“It doesn’t seem like you have a fever…”

Nelia brushed the Duke’s hand away.

“I’m not sick. Just… a bit tired, I guess. Rest will suffice.”

Nevertheless, the Duke’s worried expression didn’t ease.

“I’ll take care of you today.”

If you’re interested in Charlotte, then why be so affectionate?

If he would eventually fall in love with Charlotte like in the original story…

Nelia recalled what the Duke did after investigating Charlotte in the original work.

He eventually found out about Charlotte through investigation and orchestrated a coincidental meeting. Then, he confirmed his feelings.

This made Nelia feel as though her already sunken mood had dug into the ground.

“No… it’s fine.”

A subdued voice flowed from Nelia’s mouth.

And as she tried to close the door, the Duke grabbed it.

“Are you afraid I’ll touch you again…? I’m not a brute to hurt a sick Nelia.”

Despite the Duke’s earnest face, Nelia couldn’t be with him.

If she stayed, she might tearfully ask if he was interested in Charlotte.

“I just want to be alone. So, no need for any care.”

At Nelia’s firm words, the Duke’s hand gripping the door gradually let go.

Although his eyes, seen through the gap of the door, bothered her, she couldn’t afford to care at the moment.

(This is a time separator.)

The next day, Nelia squinted her eyes against the sunlight filtering through the curtains.

She didn’t want to open her eyes.

She had fallen into a gloom yesterday and barely managed to fall asleep late. It wasn’t so much that she was tired, but her mind was clouded.

Nelia glanced at the clock, which was already pointing at 10.

Luckily, today was a holiday. Otherwise, she’d have been forced to spend the day with the Duke at the palace.

The Duke would probably be sipping tea in the garden or reading in the study by now.

‘Should I go out then…’

Once she opened her eyes, sleep wouldn’t come back, and as her mind cleared up, the room felt stifling.

If she went out to the hallway for just a moment, she could avoid encountering the Duke.

Thinking that, Nelia quickly washed up and got dressed.

And as she opened the door,
“Ah……”

Nelia found the Duke standing in the corridor, looking out the window.

‘Why is he standing here……!’

Nelia considered quietly closing the door and going inside. However, the Duke soon turned around and looked at Nelia.

Their eyes met.