She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 126

At the sudden, out-of-context suggestion, Idel’s eyes widened for a moment.

“Pardon?”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt; it’s just that….”

As Idel watched her, Cordelia’s eyes wavered noticeably. She was clearly tense.

‘What is this? She doesn’t seem like the type to butt in without a reason. The suggestion is strange, too.’

Unable to make sense of the situation, Idel arched an eyebrow. Seeing this, Cordelia spoke up cautiously.

“It’s nothing else, but it seems like your ladyship’s complexion has worsened compared to a moment ago.”

“My complexion?”

“I…I thought perhaps you were overexerting yourself….”

Hearing Cordelia’s words, Idel raised a hand and brushed her cheek. Touching her face wouldn’t show her her own complexion, but it was a habitual gesture.

‘Uh… there’s nothing wrong?’

The funeral hall had been chaotic, so she was slightly tired, but she didn’t recall overexerting herself enough for her complexion to fail.

When Idel blinked as if she didn’t understand, Cordelia’s lips parted in a flustered expression.

“Oh? Are you… are you really alright?”

“Pardon? Yes. I’m not particularly tired.”

“Ah…. Well, you don’t feel dizzy or nauseous?”

“Not at all. Did I look that unwell when I heard the news about His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Hmm….”

Even though Idel had mixed a bit of a joke into her answer, Cordelia continued to look at her with a doubtful expression.

“That’s strange…. I clearly saw your face turn pale and then go blue.”

Hearing Cordelia’s small mutter to herself, Dante turned to face Idel again with a serious expression. His green eyes, which felt as if they could pierce right through a person, scanned her thoroughly.

“Hmm.”

“There’s nothing particularly strange, right?”

“You do look a bit thin, though.”

“I might have lost some weight because I was on edge at Port Bay. Ah, maybe it’s because of the cold I caught back then. I had a bit of a cough from the sea breeze, and it still acts up occasionally.”

“You’re still coughing?”

“Yes. Only once in a while, though.”

At Idel’s calm reply, Cordelia pressed her lips shut. She hadn’t received a perfect answer, but she couldn’t find any other reason to push the matter herself.

Exhaling a soft sigh, she offered Idel an apologetic smile.

“I’m glad you’re alright, My Lady. I’m sorry for interrupting a serious conversation with my misunderstanding….”

“It’s fine. You were just looking out for me.”

Idel gave a light shrug and posed another question to Cordelia, who looked somewhat dejected.

“Diagnosing based on complexion and the nature of your questions—they aren’t ordinary. Have you studied medicine?”

“Ah, that is….”

Cordelia’s cheeks flushed pink, as if with a hint of embarrassment. She lightly scratched the bridge of her nose with a fingertip and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before speaking.

“I wasn’t able to enter the Academy to study medicine formally. I, well, I couldn’t afford the tuition.”

“Ah.”

“Oh, but I didn’t just say those things without knowing anything! Ever since my parents passed away, I’ve worked at a local clinic in my village. The doctor took a liking to me and taught me herbalism whenever there was a spare moment. He said that while teaching me full medicine would be difficult, I could at least learn about herbs this way.”

Idel understood what she meant. As the saying goes, ‘A dog that lives in a schoolhouse for three years can recite a poem.’ She must have developed an intuition by experiencing things firsthand on the job.

‘So that’s why she felt something was wrong without knowing exactly what the problem was.’

Seeing Idel nod, Cordelia’s expression softened. Only then did she let out a quiet breath; she hesitated for a moment before opening the bag she had brought with her.

“Um, my lady, just a moment!”

“Yes?”

“It’s in here somewhere…. Ah, found it.”

Cordelia fumbled inside the bag for a moment before pulling out a small bottle filled with liquid.

“It’s not much, but it’s a restorative tonic. You said you aren’t tired, but sometimes the body’s condition is different from what we perceive.”

“I see….”

“It’s—it’s not some strange, unverified medicine! Of course, I can make restoratives with my eyes closed by now, but the doctor even performed a quality check on this one. It’s the same one we use at our clinic!”

Cordelia desperately emphasized the safety of the medicine. Idel watched her intently for a moment before breaking into a light laugh and accepting the restorative Cordelia offered.

“Thank you for looking out for me. I hope you get to stay at the Grant Marquisate, Cordelia. That way, I can visit whenever I think of this tonic.”

“Oh my. We would be delighted if you visited often, My Lady. Especially if you’re coming to see Cordelia.”

Idel briefly exchanged glances with the Marchioness, who never missed a small opening, before turning back to the Marquis.

“Marquis Grant, I actually have a favor to ask of you.”

“A favor? Of me, and not my wife?”

“Yes. The situation has grown quite large with the sudden ghost commotion getting mixed in… but the Crown Prince and I were actually pursuing an issue related to the ‘People with Tangled Memories.’”

“Setting the Crown Prince aside, you were pursuing that matter, My Lady…?”

The Marquis’s sharp eyes grew even more intense as he rubbed his beard.

“That means that the group of black mages—though I can’t recall the name well—might be involved in this incident.”

“…That’s correct. I didn’t realize you knew about ‘Nox,’ Marquis.”

“Yes, that was the name. Why, is it strange that I know of that group?”

“Well…”

“I may be getting older, and my news might be slow, but I’m not ignorant of what happened to the Clementine Ducal House. That was a massive incident that shook the entire Empire, was it not? It would be more strange if I didn’t know.”

He was right.

Nox’s plan had been nothing less than devouring the Clementine Ducal House—and all driven by the twisted motivation of “loving” her younger sister. At the long-forgotten thought of Melisa, a cold smile played on Idel’s lips.

“While following the clues, Prince Sigmund and I predicted that the place Nox was targeting would be the Grant Marquisate. Hearing the reports delivered to you, Marquis, it seems incidents have indeed been occurring.”

“I see what you’re getting at. To put it simply, you’re asking for permission to go poking around the Marquisate, aren’t you?”

At the Marquis’s blunt question, Idel gave a slow nod. It was a raw way of putting it, but it was the truth.

The Marquis let out a loud snort and spoke with a commanding air.

“Until recently, it would have been difficult because of those chirping fools claiming it couldn’t be done… but there are no such obstacles now. Very well. I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you for trusting me, Marquis.”

“If you can ease my worries, my lady, there’s no need for thanks. Just check in on Cordelia once in a while if you’re bored later.”

“M-Marquis!”

At the sound of Cordelia’s panicked voice, the Marquis blinked as if wondering what the problem was.

“It’s no trouble at all. I’ll get to pick up some restorative tonics while I’m at it.”

With a light shrug, Idel placed one hand over her heart while looking at the three of them. It was a gesture used as a simple greeting among people who shared a certain level of friendship.

Seeing Idel’s farewell, the Marquis and Marchioness stepped a foot closer toward Idel and Dante. The expressions on the couple’s faces as they met her eyes up close were warm.

“Thank you once again, My Lady. Come visit anytime.”

“Give my regards to His Highness. Oh, and Young Duke Knightley. I expect to see you again next time as well.”

“Thank you. I shall take my leave then.”

After exchanging greetings with the Marquis, Dante naturally escorted Idel. It wasn’t until they had passed the Marquis’s detached building—which had been used as the funeral hall—and reached the spot where the carriage was waiting that they could finally talk.

There were too many eyes on them to discuss trivial personal matters until now.

“Phew….”

“You’ve worked hard, Idel.”

“The same goes for you. Are you returning straight to the Duke’s estate?”

“Yes. I have to inform my father of the Marquis’s situation. Please give my regards to Gianna for me.”

“I will.”

“And….”

After helping Idel into the carriage and exchanging light farewells, Dante looked up at her, his voice trailing off.

Before she could even feel puzzled by this behavior—which was unlike his usual honest and straightforward self—Dante met Idel’s eyes and continued.

“I’m asking because I was thinking about what happened earlier….”

“Yes?”

“Is Sigmund a ‘special’ person to you, Idel? I mean… as a member of the opposite sex.”