Chapter 140
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 140
News of Lauren’s outrageous conduct reached the Fellon estate two days later.
"The Imperial Aristocracy Bureau has been in contact," Andre reported. "It appears that while you were still unconscious, Baroness Marshall brought her son forward and petitioned for approval to appoint an acting Family Head."
"I expected as much."
Trisha, propped up against a mountain of pillows and cushions, offered a faint smile. Her complexion remained deathly pale, but this was Trisha Fellon—alive, alert, and with her sharp mind fully intact.
She seemed unfazed by the news of Lauren’s betrayal, but Roxana and Harriet, who had spent the last forty-eight hours in a state of suffocating tension, could not share her composure.
"That doctor was definitely sent by Lady Marshall," Harriet said, her voice tight. "Otherwise, there’s no way he could have known Grandmother’s condition so quickly."
Andre confirmed her suspicions. "According to the details in this letter, your ladyship’s intuition is correct. He apparently presented a medical certificate signed by the attending physician. It stated that the Lady was in a coma and that even if she were to wake, she would be unfit to perform her duties as Family Head."
"He didn't even come to see her! He just fled and drafted that certificate," Harriet hissed, grinding her teeth. "He knew the medicine he prescribed would be fatal. It was nothing short of attempted murder!"
Trisha gave a weak wave of her hand, signaling Harriet to settle down. "Calm yourself, Harriet. You’ll collapse at this rate."
"Aren't you angry, Grandmother? Even now, I feel like a fire is roaring inside me!"
"Lauren must be even angrier than you are right now," Trisha replied. "Just imagining her face is satisfaction enough for me."
"I’m not that generous," Harriet muttered. "I will never forgive her."
While Harriet fumed, Roxana placed a glass of water and a dose of medicine on a small tray, offering them to Trisha.
"If Duke Kailas and Miss Harriet hadn't found the new medicine," Roxana said quietly, "my first act as the acting Family Head of the Fellon Family would have been to utterly dismantle the House of Marshall."
Trisha chuckled as she took the glass. "Thanks to Harriet, we prevented even you from exploding. Who would have thought I’d owe my life to her? Hahaha!"
She swallowed the medicine and chased it with water.
The day she had failed to wake from her nap had been a sequence of miraculous strokes of luck.
By chance, Benjamin had informed Cedric of the medicine’s dangers that very day. Cedric had rushed to the estate accompanied by Benjamin, who performed emergency measures while Cedric and Harriet raced to the Imperial Health Bureau. There, they secured the new treatment for Higgs Legato Syndrome.
In truth, without the overwhelming influence of the Ducal House of Kailas, they never could have walked away with a new medicine that hadn't even hit the market yet. It was practically a heist sanctioned by status.
"Sir Nelson’s continued care has also been a godsend," Harriet added, trying to suppress her lingering agitation. "The skill of a Ducal House physician truly is on another level."
Cedric was providing far more than anyone could have reasonably expected. Most surprising was his insistence on sending Benjamin Nelson for daily check-ups, despite the physician’s astronomical house-call fees.
'I can't even fathom how I'll ever repay this debt.'
Harriet didn't resent the favor; she simply resolved herself to follow whatever orders Cedric might give without a word of complaint. Even if he ordered her to sweep the fallen leaves in front of the Kailas mansion or mop the grand staircase, she would do it with a joyful heart.
Though the crisis had passed and Trisha’s condition was stabilizing, it was not yet time to relax. Roxana voiced the thought she had been nursing for some time.
"Lady. No... Mother."
"Hmm. Since you’re calling me Mother, Roxy, I assume you have a request."
"You know me too well. Mother, since you’re being so kind to me, I have one more favor to ask. Once you’ve recovered a bit more, let’s go to Einspora together. Please?"
Einspora was a hot spring region that Jasper had recommended as a place for recuperation before he passed. Its proximity to Genoa meant the infrastructure was well-developed, making it an ideal retreat for nobles requiring long-term care.
"But if you have to handle family matters, you’ll be traveling back and forth to Genoa constantly," Trisha noted. "Won't that be too difficult for you?"
"That’s no trouble at all. But if your condition worsens again, I won't be able to bear it."
"Indeed... If I were to suddenly pass, you would be in a precarious position. Legally, the succession is secure, but Lauren wouldn't sit idly by."
Trisha had already considered this. She had made every preparation for Roxana to inherit the title, but if Roxana—who had yet to make a name for herself in High Society—were left alone, she would be in grave danger. Lauren was the immediate threat, but there were countless others who would jump at the chance to tear apart a Countess of commoner origin.
"Yes, I mustn't die just yet. I must hold on until you’ve laid your groundwork. Very well, let us go. To Einspora or anywhere else you wish."
"Thank you, Mother!"
Trisha offered a benevolent smile as Roxana took her hand, closing her eyes in relief. Their bond was as natural as if they had been mother and daughter from the start, but Trisha knew this was only possible because of Roxana’s immense sacrifice and love.
'I am the one who put this child, who lacks all greed, on this difficult path. I must persevere for her sake.'
She had no doubt Roxana could lead the family well. Her only regret was that the girl remained unmarried. Trisha had nagged her about it before, but Roxana had remained firm in her lack of interest. Trisha suspected Roxana feared that marriage would force her to leave the Fellon Family behind.
Trisha sighed softly, then shifted her focus to the immediate future.
"Before we leave for Einspora, there are matters that must be settled." She looked at Roxana with a maternal, worried gaze. "The most pressing is the Kailas Ducal House’s party. This time, Roxana, you must go as my proxy. It will serve as your formal debut into High Society."
Roxana nodded, having expected as much.
"I’ll contact my friends beforehand," Trisha continued. "Harriet, you will stay by Roxy’s side and help her."
"Of course. To think I’d have the chance to help you, Teacher... I’ve certainly lived long enough to see everything. Isn't that right?"
"You can say that again," Roxana replied, shaking her head with a small smile. "To think the day would come when I’d impose such a burden on Miss Harriet."
Harriet burst into laughter. Regardless of the shifts in their status or titles, some things never changed. Though she called Roxana 'older sister' in public to keep the adoption a secret, in her heart, Roxana was her eternal 'Teacher.' If she could help her, Harriet would gladly serve as her lady-in-waiting.
"Since we’ve broached the subject, I should inform the Ducal House," Trisha said. "If I explain the situation to the Grand Duchess of Kailas, she will do her best to protect you."
Trisha called for stationery and a pen. She drafted a letter stating that Roxana would attend the party as 'Acting Countess Fellon' in her stead. She also formally noted that she had adopted Roxana and named her the heir to the Fellon Family.
“…She is a brilliant child, yet she lacks the connections to sustain her. I humbly request that Your Grace take her under your wing.”
Trisha, a woman who rarely bowed her head to anyone, penned the difficult request with a heavy heart. She folded the letter and sealed the envelope.
"Take this to the Ducal House, Harriet. And tell them I requested that you bring back the Grand Duchess’s reply."
"Yes, I understand."
In truth, Jeremia’s answer was a foregone conclusion. There was no way she would refuse a request from Trisha. What Trisha truly wanted was for Jeremia to read the letter and feel a sense of personal obligation—so that when Roxana appeared at the party, the Grand Duchess would remember her promise.
Clutching the letter that carried the weight of Trisha’s concern, Harriet boarded the carriage for the Kailas mansion. She decided that while she was there, she would properly thank Cedric as well.
*
Jeremia’s reaction was exactly as anticipated.
"I had heard the rumors, but it truly was nearly a disaster," the Grand Duchess said. "Please convey to Lady Fellon that I will personally ensure no harm comes to the new Fellon heir."
"I am deeply grateful for the consideration shown by the Ducal House," Harriet replied.
"Not at all. Repaying the deep loyalty Lady Fellon has shown the Imperial Family is a duty of our house."
Jeremia quickly penned a card wishing Trisha a swift recovery and handed it to Harriet.
Having finished her audience with the Grand Duchess, Harriet did not leave immediately. Instead, she requested a meeting with Cedric through Herbert, the butler.
Perhaps because they had seen each other so frequently of late, Herbert didn't hesitate. He conveyed the message immediately, and Cedric accepted the audience. Harriet was slightly surprised by how quickly she was admitted, but she brushed the thought aside, assuming the Duke simply had a lighter schedule than usual today.