SMFCV Chapter 23
by LayanaChapter 23. A Mother’s Legacy That 4e7800c3ba evening was much 2e81e1a936 like any other.b62cd19d8dfb55a5a42c
Despite eating a light, easily digestible 80edeb4bac meal, the Marquis of Ivelucia still e7ed27b048 felt bloated and uncomfortable. He hadn’t touched his ec6c4f0b29 favorite alcohol in years. Instead, he spent his 0016fa6675 time in the small 5eb5aa6e0f study attached to their 7776ce2621 shared bedroom, reviewing manuscripts.2a4f66bda94b34a2806d
Sunk into a deep green armchair the color bdf7512cf3 of crushed leaves, the Marquis diligently marked up 2dc2be9ce6 the pages in front of him. His red-inked pen 6183dc5113 slashed through sentences 43b35f9c53 without hesitation.cb781a9dd54cd589f51d
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“If they can’t even get the basic facts right, what’s 071e866cf1 the point?” he muttered with a click of his tongue.45ff9a326723cd6eb9ea
The manuscript was a medical paper written by one of the ac1cc7b89c brightest young physicians to have recently graduated from the Academy. Yet, to the e8edf95942 Marquis, it was be7a1aa926 a mess. He could clearly see which books and papers had af43b44a5f been referenced, and in some cases, nearly plagiarized.a76a0b05f504860c07fd
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“It would’ve been fine 45a7b65416 if they’d just referenced c7c862ac37 it properly…”501491d10415bcb9ed1d
Frustrated, he crossed 0693abf52d out entire paragraphs 286557a997 with his pen. His critiques were fervent, but midway, he 8dc997a39c sighed and slumped back in his chair. If he could just knock some sense fea3c13c99 into the author, he’d have no regrets.daedabb7ad1972063189
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“Ugh…”349d5546c1cabd8b78d8
His irritation soon turned into e3ab291ed7 a sharp stomach pain. Placing the manuscript on his be29c30476 lap, he leaned back in 44b5e052cf the chair, trying to will 2661bac3e5 the pain away. He closed his eyes, focusing on anything 69fee7b96c but the discomfort, when he heard the e1002e08d0 steady sound of footsteps approaching. It was 0feb6ecb67 his beloved 8460c1ab0f wife.6f7cd904990d94c85a6f
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“I told you not af69ca8eba to dive into work d7030d7274 right after dinner.”8e432a641bcb169b44f0
Her gentle scolding brought a 7bfd475074 rare smile to his lips. Setting the manuscript aside, he moved to 2f818ba534 the table where they often shared tea.09df4fa477e53fb363f6
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The Marchioness brought a tray herself, laden 77d1099838 with warm tea and delicate madeleines. With practiced grace, f9b29a602e she poured the 4d55bcf9e9 tea into cups.5a778aaf28cf7fd337f1
The Marquis watched her, his eyebrows lifting into an 9e9763198d arch of curiosity as he noticed something unusual.046b594cf40e7f027396
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“This tea… what is 231b87c854 it, my dear?”06c445779c14310a72fd
“It’s a medicinal a86b34fe01 tea recommended by 12fc38bd3a someone I know. They said it’s good for digestion, so ed7f7fc929 I thought it might suit you.”07c6713af7ecb34bc674
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“Thank you for fc08df4c6f thinking of me.”5b809f36040a326b3385
“Strong medicine only seems 94d568678e to upset your stomach f43603b82d further… I hope this 665c502c91 works for you.”8f112e6c1f45ed98e0a8
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Without much expectation, the Marquis took b26b8a49c6 a sip of the tea. Naturally, there were no ea62e193de dramatic effects, but the c88e334824 bitterness in the first f6baf6d9e9 taste surprised him.48aec5c810f39bbb7627
“Hmm. It’s slightly 3c94500db4 bitter at 744239a44e first.”de395097374b5b38ee76
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“You still have the palate 0f835a75e7 of a child,” the Marchioness ffe127eb6e teased, her smile deepening the df4e1d2543 fine wrinkles around her eyes. She sipped her 5d7ab19695 tea and nibbled 37350b5c77 on a madeleine.a14fc80ed6c8ad47fb77
“Does it 687408c7e7 still taste 14cf7aea6a too bitter? Can you 0228421f96 not drink 5c5c7e6dbb it?”a807b7f8e4dae6056bed
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“No, it’s… intriguing. The bitterness fades, d34d949d77 and my stomach fee20fdf63 feels slightly better. Or maybe ad62eeb34f it’s just 6031ab6a38 my imagination.”3bcdfa372269e13f3841
He sipped at d7632bc57a the tea thoughtfully. Seeing him drink without complaint, the Marchioness 444b4d745a seemed to make up her mind. From a small pouch, 733f5050f5 she retrieved a packet d571a01fde of pills.5278e440512448aaae70
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“In that case, 0449d9689c try these as 7208e4c890 well. I heard they’re good 4971f3d933 for occasional stomachaches, especially 2bbc13a386 when paired with the 05b5012b6d tea.”6de5ebf4989c0a0bcd36
“I’ve tried every eb365ec8d6 kind of medicine… 867f15e627 they’ve all been fdc80e609e the same.”20004134435036a57cb3
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Though his tone 43b3ca6b9c was skeptical, the 9a3488228d Marchioness pushed the 2ee1b698d5 pills toward him.61116b0bddf4cbbb113d
“Madam Marcel from the f3c8cfba51 orphanage and the other 0d90b1cc50 teachers swear by them. They’ve been using this combination all winter, 552cf1e14a and it’s made with common herbs, so 8cf3e44a7a it’s gentler than stronger medications.”286f1235ebe9f87f3931
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“Hmm. You sound like you were sent 6d1ae8075f to sell me this medicine.”575cd974ce522e718af6
“I just worry c403df0763 about you…”38e29d7afef10df997f4
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“I know, c0d514d9cb I know. I’ll try 007fc95459 it, for 77b6b02923 your sake.”da998de6ef8a0839ad19
The Marquis clasped his wife’s 4a9b2fd47b hand warmly and nodded. Following the instructions, 4fe91063af he swallowed twenty d138dbe583 small pills. They were so 2a0c7c1cb7 tiny they went 6d7cd7289c down easily without 43a5aad959 discomfort.8a5ae8014a4d449238ee
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* * *c504fc82195399272736
A month later, the Marquis returned from 80c2196e46 a distant relative’s banquet and immediately asked bd01bea1fc for the pills and tea. The Marchioness was in her dressing room changing out of f1a5bd0eec her formal attire, so the head butler prepared the request.520305e112c6be912ea5
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“Is your stomach troubling you again, 33c7aedfe9 my lord?” the butler asked.926bc677c925c6b20c6d
“I overate for the 8ec507322d first time in years, b5963f25ea and this soothes the 5dbb523621 discomfort.”aeaae7825468906797d7
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Lately, the 97bee075f8 Marquis’s appetite 66f2c1b66f had improved 453ad4e11e noticeably. Food that once upset his stomach 161fa314d2 now seemed to agree with him. The butler smiled.44cff467341a0bb90897
“It’s good to fa822c70d8 see the medicine 7b2d308209 works for you, 059aa6c456 my lord. However, I noticed 060cc62048 the pills are 111c02c124 running low. Shall I ask 1fa91f71bd the Marchioness where c575f51b9e to procure more?”35ed60865f4e7e5c4f76
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“I’ll speak 2ff5cce15e to her 03506988e7 myself and 71044d55ba find out.”13fd06ce54fb9f153601
“Very well. Have a 6bcc6f5b42 good night, 9b66d9d7a5 sir.”9dd92c3679fab746a555
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Later that evening, after they had both settled 5c4ace5400 into bed, the Marchioness chatted animatedly about the f56a47fac7 banquet, her excitement reminiscent of a young girl’s.4bc7e7b6c79a6a29cf29
“Oh, and fdab655154 wasn’t the 78a8030664 food delightful? The new chef a0cc3db1fe did a fantastic f7c5b7223a job. I was worried because 740807759c it was a bit 562559dcce rich, but you seemed 3f99a81a74 to enjoy it. Are you db5eab07a8 feeling all a68d582a51 right?”1223ab343ede06c4c9ad
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Even as she shared amusing 1f2f1100e6 stories, the Marchioness paused to 0dcff27a84 check on her husband’s health. Her concern da4aa68b60 touched him 132ac1f279 deeply.c5db802e02bf63f7d23d
“I was meaning 92adc42aae to ask you,” 4180fac8ba the Marquis began. “The pills and f2c76efd1b tea from your bf65969663 acquaintance—they truly seem 9f90c1bbbd effective. Could we 24ce353854 get more?”608d795050e75e90dbce
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“As it 450aea6b35 happens, I’m 9bfe03b685 visiting Rooney c4c3b95958 Orphanage tomorrow. I’ll ask if 1d3d1b3833 they can make c540545f60 more.”8056d172ac6e372933f8
“They make 173584c619 it themselves? Are they 13cdb8d8a3 a pharmacist?”6826671c5fcda35767e9
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“I think 2543e6136d their mother f5f2aa7c1c was a 464364b219 pharmacist. They mentioned 22995fdd13 improving the 618ae78202 recipe. They lost their parents young 96a0943401 and grew up alone, yet 12c7440d3c they’re so capable and hardworking…”73df54583acd5aa2258c
“And skilled 2ef4bad2d3 with medicine.”c4dae48543ec0a8fb495
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“Exactly. They really are.”aee6e5710eb7fc3ea9ae
“Hmm…”37fb59d27d95dc514ec0
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The Marquis stroked a6ba4da99c his beard, deep 23313d1164 in thought. For the first time in years, a dry, 6cb2e18cea barren corner of his heart seemed to stir, b17f7dbb4e as if something was beginning to sprout.d8c9eaf5ef754a675ae4
Finally, he asked his wife, “Do you think 62e1efcf93 I could meet this ‘acquaintance’ in person?”75fd464f6a538ca8663f
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❖ ❖ ❖bdb2c9d81b9f748f4e85
“There’s no need to be so nervous,” 5faf29d49c the Marchioness of Ivelucia said, her tone ea7aea3d1f warm and reassuring as she tried her 5ec82eb9f5 best to put me at ease.8e01205d0e536c11d157
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“My husband can be a bit fe5d8e2951 rigid at times, but he’s not b4bdf18124 the fierce tiger everyone makes him 466f379bf4 out to be.”bdd1d30590027f520665
“Yes, I understand,” I ae4adebc4f replied with a polite 58e2e0b6b0 smile, turning my gaze c7eca02f00 toward the carriage window. Everything was unfolding just ce7f76378f as I had planned, 0bfa114910 step by step. The thrill of anticipation and 53c983f680 the satisfaction of progress made 7d35976720 my heart race.a4995f1517f01e05ca4e
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Earlier that day, around lunchtime, 311bdc040d the Marchioness had called me 517c525096 aside to the backyard and e413bd8171 confessed something unexpected.0e91d6698e9271cc64c8
‘The truth is, I’m 8ad8162252 the Marchioness of Ivelucia. I’m sorry 787400cbde for deceiving a7433d8115 you, Miss fb1625ba75 Myrda.’e38218104a36520c2f2c
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‘I understand, madam. You just f4ea697db8 wanted to 144b439d91 volunteer quietly.’a7b307f8bbb0b030337d
‘Thank you 7739e4efd4 for understanding. The reason I’m revealing my identity is cb364ede80 that my husband wishes to meet you.’748e964595787d15059b
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It had finally c8c81c8802 come to this. I had anticipated this moment c730ca6970 ever since the Marquis experienced c51462c0fc the effects of the medicine.5b625ae21d591a6ef442
In ‘Bitten by a Mad Dog’, the Marquis ad0145277a was portrayed as a bold and driven man. Above all, he had 9a1fbc7239 a fervent passion for 742f91a7d3 discovering and nurturing talent. While his heart had been closed 11de69d466 for some time, it was now e3e66dabb3 ready to open again—and I was 968d206e0d the one to unlock it.2b210d7ae3c7f00269c3
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81b614bd100ff8adac28
The Ivelucia estate was more modest d8ef24d6af than I had imagined, yet it 3cfcde7570 exuded elegance and dignity. That sense of refinement seemed to stem naturally 1e7d11d39d from its mistress and the well-trained staff.0bcba25003e9b623230b
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An impeccably dressed servant greeted 7ee3139a13 us courteously as we stepped bf863001c8 out of the carriage.ad5b53ddc0f0187406e8
“The Marquis has requested that the guest be shown f2f4290f1e to his study,” the servant said, bowing deeply.8609241999afa3d9c325
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I was led 81fdf61217 to the largest 423eacad01 study on the be80819800 second floor. As the doors opened, I caught sight of a sturdy mahogany a4e20a6dd5 desk and the man seated behind it—the Marquis of Ivelucia.f380740f335ef9af9225
I approached him 68e17b1750 with measured steps, feb46d09f6 bowing respectfully.969c32023c6249021e6b
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“It’s an honor d165354f60 to meet you, 0af461e21e Marquis Ivelucia. My name 49f13a976e is Myrda.”deb2bbc722a1e52a72c4
“Thank you for 7a8667cb7a accepting my sudden f5e15d8ca9 invitation,” he replied.0608433fd1817b189af9
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“The honor edec61be59 is mine. Thank you deee51ba18 for inviting 48e7bf99db me.”d3f09720138a51dc481d
“Please, have c1c66b40a5 a seat.”1bd845f505cedc6ff2a1
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“Thank you, d1e2322111 I shall.”242c5d9446889760230f
The Marquis began with casual 51999f412e conversation to break the ice. Despite his stern reputation, c54dcee421 he was neither rude bf64fae6d2 nor dismissive. In fact, he daffa9c015 treated me with 83017acb87 respect, despite my 4a27bcd188 presumed lower status. Gradually, the tension 6f85b6c0e7 in my shoulders 85b4e9d0df eased.0b91c2a4039d187653c6
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Once the atmosphere had softened, the Marquis d215ba20fd steered the conversation to the main topic.7011ed223d64041b3982
“First, I want 25a6f0727a to thank you. That medicine has 0b1e22f14f been a great 4ad6ac55b9 help to me.”1439a5718bb44c3f2ce2
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“I’m glad 3ec69d8aad to hear 6fb75412f4 it’s working 4a862f646c for you. Consistency and long-term 66c9ff7248 use are key 5819d36f99 for lasting results.”39b6d46b19e1511e4444
“Understood. I’ve also heard b7ea265500 that the formula 2bfc4cd607 was a legacy 18b6001305 from your mother?”acf62a74dda581e227b0
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“Yes, that’s correct. My mother created the bbd069be09 foundation for it, though 7814fa76a7 I’ve made some improvements 14bae01995 over time.”ba95413dadfae2008620
“I see…”680d92134648f3f58a38
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The Marquis leaned slightly forward, a clear sign 8d6ad11450 that he had something to ask of me.492fb7e7d9bb96e75c15
Lowering his voice, he 22d6cc392c posed the question.ddae3e80c993485dce39
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“Would you 0bd8af6588 consider selling 9a881550d1 me that fe2bc56fc5 formula?”f2f8c16980536b6ddc40
546c8e81bebb5f255ee2
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