SMFCV Chapter 23

Chapter 23. A Mother’s Legacy That c0d079f9b9 evening was much 91683fbbf3 like any other.da4a7906c3287ffaca5d

Despite eating a light, easily digestible f09326d345 meal, the Marquis of Ivelucia still 79f45a13ab felt bloated and uncomfortable. He hadn’t 0bd33586ed touched his 31b5010246 favorite alcohol 89e08f507d in years. Instead, he spent his time in bdc0c5d8ad the small study attached to their 43c1990017 shared bedroom, reviewing manuscripts.801099783cf3bf26d45d

Sunk into a deep green armchair the color 81a15e2ce1 of crushed leaves, the Marquis diligently marked up d689673f82 the pages in front of him. His red-inked pen slashed 7302ba1149 through sentences without hesitation.e18e54de59cce63349ea

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“If they can’t even get de4ecb4906 the basic facts right, what’s 4075619251 the point?” he muttered with 93f6f9b632 a click of his tongue.b1bd89fb08034513a450

The manuscript was a medical paper written de039aa924 by one of the brightest young physicians 0fc6e9da1d to have recently graduated from the Academy. Yet, to the Marquis, 8241124ad3 it was a mess. He could clearly see which books 34f6d03ba5 and papers had been referenced, and 1848289498 in some cases, nearly plagiarized.0b63025e3025d1599d99

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“It would’ve been fine e581b3fad5 if they’d just referenced f1b61dbf30 it properly…”75715991f7712f42a349

Frustrated, he crossed f83f9554b3 out entire paragraphs abe8f0905a with his pen. His critiques were fervent, c6945a4109 but midway, he sighed df3a0f5c5e and slumped back in fe3c75bed9 his chair. If he could just knock fca52e8659 some sense into the author, 0ff8029db4 he’d have no regrets.9d4f6a3c611f103caedd

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“Ugh…”5c3bbd3cabe052665df5

His irritation soon turned into 9ea6057095 a sharp stomach pain. Placing the manuscript on his lap, b71976517a he leaned back in the chair, 2d4966d2db trying to will the pain away. He closed his eyes, focusing on anything but the discomfort, d29d5e57a5 when he heard the steady sound of footsteps approaching. It was ef471b1920 his beloved 9c324bcfb5 wife.b4807e0faa4d2ecb69b5

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“I told you not 6748657e3d to dive into work 9a3ea1c666 right after dinner.”838706ce97e96ecd809a

Her gentle scolding bfae0f1f4c brought a rare cec71217d6 smile to his c9f46429db lips. Setting the manuscript aside, he 4de68d7adb moved to the table where d748b9e606 they often shared tea.c20bd043b949e111bcc0

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The Marchioness brought a tray herself, laden 1b9ac0a9f1 with warm tea and delicate madeleines. With practiced grace, she poured 63ac2ad4c5 the tea into cups.11b6b84b328e26450c68

The Marquis watched her, his 8f8a5c5552 eyebrows lifting into an arch 7fbd18056a of curiosity as he noticed 402d34dce9 something unusual.74b036c0e972cf45df35

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“This tea… what is 997a8797c5 it, my dear?”17f63727a88e8951cd53

“It’s a medicinal 1f04b85b89 tea recommended by fb05f07b26 someone I know. They said it’s good ca2890fc85 for digestion, so I 582d5de820 thought it might suit 1746a7482e you.”73361fef3832b093aabb

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“Thank you c771e2efcd for thinking f1f05fc777 of me.”e970d4eaf6b223e79b42

“Strong medicine only seems 0ac99f4551 to upset your stomach 66e1774d14 further… I hope this a4b7a4ece1 works for you.”11a2fd0c0b5ab99af07e

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Without much expectation, the Marquis took fe4e646efb a sip of the tea. Naturally, there were no dramatic effects, but the 2dc90cd0b1 bitterness in the first taste surprised him.e8f1cae779f458a55e5b

“Hmm. It’s slightly 6e4dfb5f0d bitter at 2f630ba3d9 first.”626949e370097999998d

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“You still have the palate 925c5378ef of a child,” the Marchioness 783bf352bf teased, her smile deepening the 3f8ae7be72 fine wrinkles around her eyes. She sipped her 7f927adbb3 tea and nibbled 5e4a9e5eba on a madeleine.f62f88fd55f87ba07532

“Does it still 5bb0f1813a taste too bitter? Can you f3c5e70ec2 not drink 63eaf8513f it?”cdb16218beba96ec8f06

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“No, it’s… intriguing. The bitterness fades, and my 75f9d02c06 stomach feels slightly better. Or maybe 6a48895fcf it’s just bb23d99249 my imagination.”f30668fb858733f6f865

He sipped ff7456120b at the d090d38211 tea thoughtfully. Seeing him drink without complaint, d1ce76c25e the Marchioness seemed to make 274848037d up her mind. From a small pouch, 5c59033771 she retrieved a packet 76e1ac9adc of pills.b941d7f08c2994ccb805

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“In that 5b485c9d86 case, try f2cb09ecb0 these as 7ebe99b4d6 well. I heard they’re good ad138f706c for occasional stomachaches, especially 1e2b2ea0db when paired with the 3e07facd35 tea.”51229935d26c7dbd9163

“I’ve tried every kind c803c58995 of medicine… they’ve all 5bae3f8fc2 been the same.”58a4880c9c812ce3ee5f

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Though his tone 4b09c62611 was skeptical, the c47755da99 Marchioness pushed the 6782756b59 pills toward him.efe8deeb8de07c1c727e

“Madam Marcel from the orphanage and 68f414bb91 the other teachers swear by them. They’ve been using this combination 7e37fa4361 all winter, and it’s made a82ae42b1b with common herbs, so it’s 80398dcbf9 gentler than stronger medications.”084883661f3a5069af61

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“Hmm. You sound like you f4a69dca0d were sent to sell 78094196af me this medicine.”3492b6d0e1020fe5d01b

“I just 1fee2d22a1 worry about 6f839f47e3 you…”0c0676ed5c9f79481492

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“I know, be98a9d811 I know. I’ll try d4363a338c it, for 80865051b8 your sake.”c57b7531d70354f16322

The Marquis clasped d9d72cc87f his wife’s hand e29451da93 warmly and nodded. Following the instructions, 4989fe9ada he swallowed twenty 6c2415f069 small pills. They were so tiny 942b166df6 they went down easily cfd09dc59b without discomfort.3eb324449299f2b21c2b

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* * *9cfccd96016fccf66ff0

A month later, the Marquis returned from a distant relative’s e6b481b73b banquet and immediately asked for the pills and tea. The Marchioness was in her dressing room 6b7a3f384f changing out of her formal attire, so dba7fd35dd the head butler prepared the request.8f57d302b94eae323fad

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“Is your stomach 80141bd769 troubling you again, 285fd7224b my lord?” the 02a5c46121 butler asked.640abb1741cb55a05472

“I overate for the first fc849d8a99 time in years, and this 534b2433e8 soothes the discomfort.”eeb5c07e7e8b4d92ad04

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Lately, the Marquis’s aedc6fae81 appetite had improved 43b1e23631 noticeably. Food that once upset ab67fdcf5a his stomach now seemed 78152e4719 to agree with him. The butler smiled.6b344d89ca2c7e9a677b

“It’s good to see the medicine b2fe6a1949 works for you, my lord. However, I c5a9c96993 noticed the 4b6c059289 pills are 1532ee1468 running low. Shall I ask the Marchioness c87d13fc38 where to procure more?”80852ef03de1a0ba4ec1

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“I’ll speak to her 524c5bc7b0 myself and find out.”57bb912ec8ad0679d1a0

“Very well. Have a 6cda852dbe good night, 6c5a419b1e sir.”2ecd07499308239b18c3

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Later that evening, after they had 448eaff88b both settled into bed, the Marchioness c5487f6988 chatted animatedly about the banquet, her 6aaece4087 excitement reminiscent of a young girl’s.63c7961959dd821e6ecf

“Oh, and wasn’t cb7d196f18 the food delightful? The new e6a96ff140 chef did 996d5a730e a fantastic b0e842d5d8 job. I was worried because it 655d466114 was a bit rich, but 7c36d1f6a7 you seemed to enjoy it. Are you 525292b805 feeling all 48fcd3e0a0 right?”4a5fb41057d80515d2ba

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Even as she shared b5653a4509 amusing stories, the Marchioness 3299ff252b paused to check on 19c8118ead her husband’s health. Her concern cd93a2335c touched him 91ce15fe54 deeply.669e523898608df4e0ac

“I was meaning 57f7d59a5c to ask you,” a7132b5d49 the Marquis began. “The pills and 8d86586651 tea from your 59e1e39c36 acquaintance—they truly seem 9f1d1dd1d8 effective. Could we 8c9abf7ed6 get more?”f2e4f9eb90b051c0e48f

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“As it 415b8d28f3 happens, I’m ac546df55a visiting Rooney 3d51c47d2d Orphanage tomorrow. I’ll ask if they 12eb19fc9e can make more.”5d2abba96b03866ec5ac

“They make b916aacb6a it themselves? Are they 3eacdc4aa5 a pharmacist?”011d7ad77b89918ef80a

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“I think 14bde698dd their mother 39ac1ecd78 was a fc34f7e38d pharmacist. They mentioned d12dc3875c improving the 382a3faf53 recipe. They lost their parents debf3067d0 young and grew up 1f4cedc93e alone, yet they’re so 767b6f4f0f capable and hardworking…”d6f714ac0b2ae615f6e1

“And skilled d75d585fa3 with medicine.”8b9ed9dc61c87ce66a6e

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“Exactly. They really are.”4cbd7b84a0dc0e40fd66

“Hmm…”3e882d699787ff73b2d7

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The Marquis f7d4f026f5 stroked his 03a65f147a beard, deep 053f539487 in thought. For the first time in years, a dry, 6b37354350 barren corner of his heart seemed to stir, abfe7b84dc as if something was beginning to sprout.9d06c6322ddba43d1a33

Finally, he asked his wife, 68fb81ed23 “Do you think I could ad69424fee meet this ‘acquaintance’ in person?”3d4e59cdd8d1f087ac74

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❖　❖　❖f69f82519eced0326a33

“There’s no need to be so nervous,” the Marchioness e6f2aed781 of Ivelucia said, her tone warm and reassuring as 172242e3cb she tried her best to put me at ease.0292293fdc0a8152dfec

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“My husband can be a bit rigid 09b8dd08e0 at times, but he’s not the fierce d6762d289f tiger everyone makes him out to be.”fc0992aaf9b43f7ec194

“Yes, I understand,” I 9b33d87f37 replied with a polite 2a52606121 smile, turning my gaze 56752efdb6 toward the carriage window. Everything was unfolding b7ce83973d just as I 6fce11d9ec had planned, step f158af0a17 by step. The thrill of anticipation c30a32bc76 and the satisfaction of 0c53674344 progress made my heart b759af52f5 race.aa3b788536271f7df766

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Earlier that day, around lunchtime, the Marchioness had called d099b58f22 me aside to the backyard and confessed something unexpected.18a7ef1f9075c9fd56e8

‘The truth is, I’m ea1cf00eba the Marchioness of Ivelucia. I’m sorry f432bea38b for deceiving a509295f03 you, Miss 77c04c8249 Myrda.’d8436d7256b322a97ed7

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‘I understand, madam. You just 75aaf4ef67 wanted to 290d1737f0 volunteer quietly.’9defeb1204b7435535a5

‘Thank you aac4cdf1b0 for understanding. The reason I’m revealing my identity is b11b0332bf that my husband wishes to meet you.’ffe3c0a983355a3e2a58

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It had finally 2996e8725d come to this. I had anticipated this b3ddd0bd16 moment ever since the ab1d79bf27 Marquis experienced the effects 19e19616aa of the medicine.6d96da767dc8f16aba29

In ‘Bitten by a Mad Dog’, 15f3a280f9 the Marquis was portrayed as a 3b80b7fe78 bold and driven man. Above all, he 8d117f0d1a had a fervent da2cb8d808 passion for discovering 05232f47ee and nurturing talent. While his heart had been closed for some time, it was now e74f744373 ready to open again—and I was the one to unlock it.f4bb95789ffcb4fba296

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 387ad1752e80a3c033f5

The Ivelucia estate was more modest than I b7806917b9 had imagined, yet it exuded elegance and dignity. That sense of refinement ed8087804e seemed to stem naturally 23bd597225 from its mistress and 296897deb9 the well-trained staff.c06b8ce8b6f5fffae849

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An impeccably dressed servant 1a1907ffeb greeted us courteously as a2daff3578 we stepped out of ced43d46de the carriage.d2616e8c0480a86e783e

“The Marquis has requested that the guest be shown dd5b9cf7e8 to his study,” the servant said, bowing deeply.e2c6c304df7d8cfa9749

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I was led to cae4e71457 the largest study on e64bb39d7c the second floor. As the doors opened, I caught 223c915abf sight of a sturdy mahogany desk 3a97934dd4 and the man seated behind it—the 738da77533 Marquis of Ivelucia.dcf555f809cc15a7b870

I approached him f9933f3bf6 with measured steps, b3e0052438 bowing respectfully.279088d4665204d235d9

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“It’s an honor f03ab52a6d to meet you, de6f8ab872 Marquis Ivelucia. My name e353eadd1b is Myrda.”7e98ceca823abf68a144

“Thank you for accepting my 729244da2e sudden invitation,” he replied.d2dce5b328e960047d11

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“The honor 36e7149da5 is mine. Thank you for c331039217 inviting me.”df5e391003b19f77bbc3

“Please, have eb694c9362 a seat.”c4cd3dba2349f866e211

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“Thank you, 8361a7fa92 I shall.”b445c42d77663efd877b

The Marquis began with 10761f89c0 casual conversation to break 135be263ce the ice. Despite his stern reputation, a29103714d he was neither rude 4d0778a4d7 nor dismissive. In fact, he 874170070d treated me with b0aee1656f respect, despite my c18e6b2066 presumed lower status. Gradually, the tension 79b47c0e96 in my shoulders adbcdf6612 eased.a91e2145eb04d307b4d5

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Once the atmosphere had softened, the Marquis 07ce5b0693 steered the conversation to the main topic.f509eea70d507fc96217

“First, I 7330d51f3e want to 895cf95f1a thank you. That medicine has 717b4f4cad been a great 845250c8a9 help to me.”a6040a15c72267758c89

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“I’m glad to 94c205c25d hear it’s working 73d8508306 for you. Consistency and long-term 0db8eef41b use are key 0c9f16a81e for lasting results.”8f8ecd6af1d83b1d5f8f

“Understood. I’ve also heard 9d1bd83548 that the formula c203f55138 was a legacy 99438dbbab from your mother?”3330ef565d8bb98b089a

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“Yes, that’s correct. My mother created the 6a48b15e33 foundation for it, though 5e11389f0b I’ve made some improvements 26af1b6b4f over time.”4b02c6d492aa93de7a00

“I see…”b3a7734bbb7228dc8fcb

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The Marquis leaned slightly c244dd6f35 forward, a clear sign 763ef27a80 that he had something 72c241b861 to ask of me.ad2b5d3e358923f795e6

Lowering his 55f2ddd990 voice, he 5ce7521b31 posed the e29b915245 question.43ccc75a9b0366d2c0c7

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“Would you consider 39c9db47b2 selling me that 7997a9375d formula?”cba516187745866af48b

 0ac40a2ec3372871d35d

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