Chapter 10
After a long silence, Sally spoke hesitantly.
“…Are you alright with me not remembering the exact dates or minor incidents about when and how they went wrong?”
“Yes. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me everything you remember, without holding anything back.”
“…Yes. Understood. Please, go ahead.”
“Then, Sally, when did the ladies start acting strangely after marrying or becoming engaged to the Duke?”
Grace paused, wondering where to begin. She asked the first thing that came to mind, and Sally seemed to search her memory before answering.
“The timing varied for those who passed away, so it’s hard to say, but for those who survived, it usually started anywhere from a week to a month after marriage… they began acting… strangely.”
“I see… Can you tell me how they started acting strangely?”
“…Well, each lady showed different symptoms, so it’s hard to say there was any common pattern. Lady Electra claimed she saw hallucinations in her bedroom starting two weeks after marriage. Lady Bianca became irritable, saying everything she ate or drank tasted foul. And Lady Reina constantly scratched herself, claiming her body was covered in sores.”
“Even though there was nothing there?”
“Yes. From what I saw, Electra was alone in her bedroom, and there were no issues with the food or water. No signs of mites or anything like that.”
“So they were seeing, tasting, and feeling things that weren’t real.”
Not all symptoms were shared among them. Grace nodded thoughtfully at Sally’s explanation. The only commonality seemed to be abnormal sensory experiences. Could it really be the “curse” attached to Duke Arthur Felix that caused these symptoms?
Grace frowned slightly and asked again.
“What about the people they met?”
“The people they met?”
“Yes. Maybe their strange symptoms weren’t caused by the Duke’s curse but by someone else—an enemy of the Duke intentionally harming them. Was there anyone all these ladies knew, or someone they all met?”
“…Hmm. Lady Electra grew up in the Duchy of Royenne and hardly knew anyone in this empire. Lady Bianca was irritable and sensitive, avoiding contact with people. Lady Reina and Lady Karen were sociable, but they had ended their personal relationships before marriage.”
“Ended their relationships?”
“Yes. So the only people they all met after marriage were the Emperor and the royal family at the wedding celebrations, the nobles allied with the royal family, and your father, Duke Fitzgerald Albaton, who is my lady’s father.”
“…My father?”
Grace was surprised to hear the name of Duke Albaton from Sally. Sally tilted her head, puzzled by Grace’s reaction.
“Yes. Didn’t you know? The Albaton family has always attended royal wedding celebrations to bless the marriage with magic.”
“…I didn’t know. I’ve hardly been involved in family matters. As you know, I lack magical abilities, so I’ve always been excluded from important family events.”
“…Ah. I see. I’m sorry. I misspoke again…”
“No, it’s fine. …I see.”
Grace accepted Sally’s apology lightly, then lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
Summarizing Sally’s explanation: The ladies went mad within a week to a month after marriage or engagement. Before going mad, the only people they all met were the Emperor, the royal family, nobles, and Grace’s father, the head of the Albaton family. Their symptoms weren’t common, and no one they met seemed suspicious—except possibly her father.
‘…Could it be my father?’ Grace’s expression hardened.
‘No. Father, who eagerly pursues power, wouldn’t dare curse a royal’s wife or fiancée.’
Then the cause must indeed be the curse of Duke Arthur Felix.
But one thing didn’t add up—Leon. Grace asked Sally again.
“…Sally, one more question. The previous Duchess, Arthur’s and Leon’s mother, didn’t simply die from postpartum fever, right? So why is Leon said to be cursed too?”
“Ah… that?”
Sally gave a wry smile and replied with a complicated expression.
“…Do you know that the late Duchess nearly died giving birth to the current Duke?”
“Really?”
“Yes. She lost so much blood that the doctors prepared a shroud, saying resuscitation would be nearly impossible. The previous Duke, Arthur’s father, was devastated.”
“…Good heavens.”
“But miraculously, three days later, she regained consciousness and recovered. Her once lively personality changed—she became sensitive and irritable. Years later, she became pregnant with Leon.”
“…I see.”
“As you know, she eventually died in childbirth again. The nobles and royals whispered behind their backs: ‘She died giving birth again after so much suffering,’ ‘Such a healthy woman dying twice in childbirth must be cursed,’ ‘Who cast this curse?’ ‘It must be because of those children with heterochromatic eyes…’”
“How can that be the child’s fault? They were just born.”
“…When people see great misfortune, they seek someone to blame. And since both children had heterochromatic eyes, the gossiping nobles had the perfect scapegoat.”
“…Really, people are cruel.”
Grace let out a deep sigh, expressing her resentment at those who gossiped recklessly. Sally, still wearing a bitter expression, quickly tried to lighten the mood.
“Well, it’s fine now that a kind lady like you has entered as the mistress. As long as you remain safe, no one will speak of curses again.”
“…I suppose so.”
Grace awkwardly smiled at Sally’s words, feeling a twinge of guilt for the questions she had asked. But Sally, unaware of her inner thoughts, smiled kindly and asked:
“Have your questions been answered enough for now?”
Grace paused, contemplating. Should she continue asking? No. She shook her head.
‘No. I’ve gotten the most important answers for now. I’ll stop asking today.’
Though still curious, asking more might overwhelm Sally or make her suspicious. Deciding to wait for another opportunity, Grace said:
“Yes, somewhat… But Sally, what time is it? I’m a bit hungry.”
“…Oh my. I didn’t realize the time had passed! Let’s get your hair pinned up and help you with breakfast!”
“I’m not that hungry, so take your time.”
Sally hurriedly adjusted Grace’s hair at her words, but Grace smiled softly, thinking she’d record what she learned later once alone.
