Everyone was at a loss in the face of the ominous warning.
But Ghislain ignored her warning and boldly stepped into the room.
It was a shabby space, unbefitting the daughter of a powerful noble.
'She's been living in a place like this?'
The butler's face hardened, as if embarrassed to show Ghislain and his party such a poor display.
"Young lady, it's the marquis' order. For the next two weeks, Baron Fenris will be treating your skin condition."
"…"
"He is highly knowledgeable in medicine and herbalism. He even makes the popular cosmetics circulating in the capital himself."
"…"
Rozalin remained silent, breathing heavily as the butler continued his explanation.
Although her mask hid her face, her aura alone conveyed her expression.
Seeing this, Ghislain clicked his tongue.
'There's no record of her living like this… But I suppose it wouldn't be widely known. They'd keep this under wraps.'
The records from his previous life mentioned little about Rozalin's life, only that she quietly secluded herself after marriage.
The remaining accounts simply described the kind-hearted deeds she had done, as the butler had mentioned.
'Not that it matters to me. Once I cure her illness, we'll never have to meet again.'
Ghislain cleared his throat and spoke gently.
"I'm Ghislain. I'll be treating your illness…"
Before he could finish, Rozalin interrupted in a chilling tone.
"Leave. I don't need it."
Her tone was icy cold, and even the polite language felt more of an obligation.
Ghislain met her gaze.
Her eyes were filled with resentment and hatred.
'This isn't good.'
Feelings of self-loathing and unresolved issues were consuming her, leaving her spirit pitch black.
Ghislain had seen this look in people's eyes before.
When people like this finally break, they often drag others down with them.
'But she's managing to hold herself back.'
There were no records of Rozalin committing any violence in his previous life.
Perhaps isolating herself like this was her way of preventing an incident.
'Still, her reaction is overly extreme.'
Typically, someone suffering from an illness would cling to any chance of a cure, no matter how slight.
This level of refusal didn't add up.
The butler, noticing Ghislain's puzzled look, spoke in a bitter tone.
"Young lady has suffered much from previous treatments. That's why she's reacting this way."
"Ha…"
Ghislain clicked his tongue, understanding what the butler left unsaid.
'She doesn't trust even me because of those charlatans.'
He could understand her feelings. The idea of living with a botched treatment's consequences could be more terrifying than death.
'There's no helping it. I'll have to gain her trust first. These quacks have really caused a problem.'
Ghislain forced a smile and said,
"Miss Rozalin, you've endured a great deal. But I'm not like those other doctors."
Rozalin tilted her head skeptically.
"How are you any different?"
"I'm staking my life on this treatment."
"Ha."
Though he spoke sincerely, she merely scoffed.
Without even trying to hide her laughter, Rozalin's shoulders shook as she responded in a harsh tone.
"Listen, Baron. Do you really think none of the other doctors who treated me risked their lives?"
"…"
"Those people all said the same thing, 'I'll risk my life to cure your illness, young lady!'"
"…"
"Should I tell you what happened to all of them?"
Unable to contain her anger, she raised her voice.
She jabbed her finger into Ghislain's chest, continuing.
"You think making cosmetics makes you some kind of special, exceptional person? I don't know what delusion you're under, but your life is no more valuable than scraps I'd throw away. Risk it all you want; it's worthless."
"Young lady! That's too much!" The butler interjected, sweating profusely.
But she ignored him and continued to mock Ghislain.
"Oh, there is a difference, I suppose. I haven't had a noble doctor before. You'll be the first noble to lose his head. That'll be amusing."
"…"
"Though really, a noble who just sells cosmetics isn't much. Your death wouldn't be an issue, would it?"
She seemed oblivious to her rank, the situation, or those around her.
Ghislain couldn't even find a moment to interrupt her relentless tirade.
'Is she just venting on me?'
People probably avoided her so much that she had no outlet for her frustrations. It wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
But beside Ghislain stood Belinda, who couldn't tolerate seeing him insulted.
"Miss Rozalin! Don't you think your words are too harsh? What did our young master do to deserve such treatment on the first meeting?"
She raised her voice and stepped forward.
Rozalin turned her gaze to Belinda, remaining silent for a long moment.
Then her breathing grew rough.
Seeing the hate-filled look in Rozalin's eyes, Belinda hesitated and stepped back.
'Did I make a mistake? I should've stayed quiet.'
Ghislain also realized the issue and carefully observed Rozalin's reaction.
Belinda's skin gleamed from the cosmetic care she'd recently applied.
Considering Rozalin's heightened sensitivity about her own skin condition, seeing Belinda's perfect skin would surely rile her.
Ghislain stepped between them, forcing an awkward smile.
"Ha ha, miss, please listen to what I have to say…"
"Leave."
"No, please, let me treat…"
"Leave! Get out!"
With a scream, Rozalin began hurling objects in the room again.
The butler urgently pulled on Ghislain's arm, speaking hurriedly.
"Perhaps it's best to leave for now. We can return once she's calmed down a bit."
"Alright, let's do that."
Deflecting the objects flying toward him, Ghislain exited the room.
Thud.
Even after the door closed, the sounds of objects shattering echoed from within.
Ghislain scratched his chin, looking troubled.
"I'll need her to calm down and be open to conversation before I can begin treatment."
"Let's just go. How can you treat someone like that? We can't even get near her. And if she doesn't want treatment, the marquis can't force it."
Claude's comment was met with nods of agreement from the others.
But Ghislain shook his head.
"That's not an option. There's no guarantee we'll be let go that easily."
They had risked much to come here; leaving after a single refusal was not an option.
Claude clicked his tongue in frustration.
"And how are you going to convince someone like that? She's suffered so much that there's nothing left but mistrust. She's unreachable."
"Hmm, well, we'll start by calming her down…"
"Do you think that's possible? Her illness has already rotted her heart."
"…It's worth a try."
"You tried just now, and it didn't work."
Ghislain frowned and glared at Claude, who looked away.
After a moment's thought, Ghislain nodded as if he had a solution.
"We'll just treat her by force."
Everyone stared, unsure if they'd heard him correctly.
Belinda asked, to confirm.
"Did you just say…by force?"
"We'll grab her and start treatment."
"…Can we do that?"
"We have permission, don't we? We'll let the results speak for themselves. Right?"
Ghislain turned to the butler for confirmation. The butler stammered, hesitant.
"Well, but…isn't it better to try persuading her over time?"
"She's too furious to even listen, and we only have two weeks!"
"Ah…uh…"
"We can't waste time. It's not like you'll be responsible if something happens to us, will you?"
"…Understood."
With the butler's reluctant agreement, Ghislain gave instructions.
"Good. First, prepare the ingredients I need. I'll need the highest quality mandrake root in doses for twice daily use."
"Mandrake root?"
Everyone looked at him in shock.
Mandrake root was known as a stamina booster, primarily for men.
Its effects were said to be too strong for women, potentially harmful.
Ghislain guessed their concerns but didn't bother explaining and continued.
"Yes, it's essential for treating the marquis' daughter. We'll need other herbs as well."
The butler, looking uncertain, nodded. With the marquis' permission, there was no use in opposing it.
The ingredients Ghislain requested were rare and costly, but the marquis house acquired them in less than half a day.
Impressed by the Branford family's wealth and influence, Ghislain inspected the medicine carefully.
"Good. Let's go to the young lady now."
Belinda asked cautiously.
"But how will you get inside? If she doesn't open the door, there's nothing you can do."
"If necessary, we'll break it down. But let's give the butler a chance first, alright?"
"Me?"
The butler looked at Ghislain in shock.
"Who else? Or should we tell the marquis we're calling it off? Are you prepared to handle that?"
Sighing, the butler nodded.
The group gathered once more outside Rozalin's room.
Knock, knock.
As soon as the butler knocked, Rozalin's irritated voice came from inside.
"What? I told you not to come!"
The butler replied in a shaky voice.
"I-I've brought some new attendants to serve you, young lady."
"What? Who asked for that?"
"Well…haven't we been a bit short-staffed? So, I hired some new people to assist you, young lady."
There was a pause.
Even though she secluded herself, she couldn't avoid her personal attendants entirely.
They were necessary for preparing her meals, drawing her bath, organizing her clothes, and cleaning her room.
The maids tried to work as quickly as possible, but even the brief time spent near her seemed to wear on her.
At the slightest misstep, she would lash out in anger.
Attendants frequently left, unable to endure her temper any longer.
"…Let them in."
After a long pause, Rozalin gave her terse permission.
The door opened slowly, and two women entered the room.
They were dressed in the Branford family's elegant maid uniforms, dignified yet modest.
They each gave a slight bow to Rozalin.
"Hello. My name is Belinda."
"I'm Wendy. Pleased to meet you."
Rozalin scrutinized their faces and frowned.
She recognized them as the women she'd seen with that so-called doctor.
And now they were suddenly appearing as her attendants? The audacity was staggering.
"Are you playing games with me? Do you both have a death wish?"
Rozalin gritted her teeth and stood. But Belinda maintained her smile.
"From today, we'll be attending to you with utmost devotion. I have extensive experience in this."
"Attend to me? In what way?"
"We're beginning treatment. Please prepare yourself."
"What? Who gave you—"
Before she could finish, Belinda and Wendy moved with lightning speed.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]