CHAPTER 267: DOMESTIC CRISIS (01)

--This Chapter is written in Claire’s POV--

There was a period in my previous life when I was the sole heir to the Ashbrodd dukedom.

Among the many responsibilities that came with the role were the frequent diplomatic visits I had to make to neighboring countries as the family’s representative.

My father, like his father before him, and for generations before them, believed the heir had to give as much as they took from the family.

That meant forging my own connections and building my own reputation.

And if the family name was what provided me with the opportunity to do so, it was my duty to repay it, increasing and spreading its renown, taking care never to bring it any shame.

Since our family had a long history, by my time, expectations on the Ashbrodd name were as high as an insurmountable mountain.

Yet, I never felt discouraged by this.

I met each situation that came my way head-on, with all my might.

Even though I never asked to be the heir and envied the other noble ladies my age who didn’t have to handle foreign crises and would instead spend their days drinking tea and their afternoons enjoying romantic ballads, I had an immense drive inside me to prove myself.

So instead of questioning and complaining, I trained hard to become the rightful heir, not because I was the only option, but because I was worthy of the name.

That was my own pride, as the daughter of the most respected family in the Lunaria Kingdom.

So as not to fail my father and my family... So as not to bring them shame...

Those, alongside my pride, were my reasons.

And thanks to my training, my talent, and Gift, before the events that led to my death, I didn’t meet the expectations.

I exceeded them.

Although...

If I’m to be honest...

The type of problems our family was tasked with were often of the same kind due to my family’s reputation and unique way of dealing with what came our way.

Or, in other words...

There was only one kind of situation we were called to solve.

Those in which there was nothing salvageable, when it was better to burn everything to the ground and look forward to what comes after the ashes.

A clear target, a simple solution, and an unprecedented amount of power are required.

If a problem met these requirements, it was a job for an Ashbrodd.

Having lived under the heaviest expectations my family had ever known, I believe I proved myself an incredibly dependable woman

Yet, as good a crisis handler as I am...

The crisis that befell the Kingdom this time was not something I was prepared for.

Claire: "...You’re crazy."

Licia: "I can’t... It’s up to you..."

Miwen: "She’s right... This is code red."

During the night, an enemy invaded the Kingdom.

Even Miwen’s trickery, foresight, and resourcefulness, paired with Licia’s awareness and improvisational skills, weren’t enough to put up a fight.

Silently, without notice or trace, before the sun had risen, the two pillars that supported the whole kingdom fell simultaneously.

All the while, I had yet to so much as open one of my eyes.

And today, thanks to Agatha, I left the bed earlier than ever.

Claire: "Seems like you’re well enough to joke around?"

Miwen: "No... I think today I breathe my last..."

Licia: "Nyoo~"

These two were already hugging each other, but I could see in Miwen’s expression that Licia used all of her strength to hold him even tighter after he said those words.

I thought he deserved to be squeezed to death by her after being so dramatic, but Mia did her best to separate them, as per Agatha’s instructions.

Unfortunately, as much as Miwen was being dramatic, Licia was being needy, and we couldn’t keep them from each other for a minute before she crawled back to him.

It was also hard to get mad at them this time.

Sure, they were acting like the worst versions of themselves, but that was all because of the condition they were in.

If anything, I found it amusing.

They are normally so responsible, so for them to get this bad just because of a common cold was hilarious to watch.

Mia: "Well, I give up."

Licia: "Yay... Cough..."

Agatha: "Hah... How many times did I tell you to do it in moderation? I get that being young is nice and all, but you could at least follow my recommendations..."

Claire: "But we did! Kinda..."

Every night, to avoid sleeping drenched in sweat or on wet mattresses, we changed them and took baths after our nightly activities, just like Agatha told us to.

Although it’s also true that we usually get excited in the bath and then resume what we were doing before...

And we also get in the mood in the middle of the night sometimes...

There’s Cassandra’s visits, too...

Uh...

Agatha: "That explains it then."

Claire: "...Sorry."

After thinking about it just a little more, I thought it was better to lower my head and apologize.

Miwen normally throws Agatha off balance with a quip, but he wasn’t in the best condition to do so, and I had no excuses for failing to do what she told us to.

Mia: "I thought it was harder to get diseases at a higher level? It’s a little suspicious that they both fell ill at the same time."

Then, Mia came to rescue us from Agatha’s scolding.

Claire: "That’s true. I don’t even remember the last time I got sick in my previous life."

After a certain level, it’s just so rare...

Well, sure, I didn’t live that long either, so maybe I was lucky.

But in the decades I lived, I never saw my father get sick either, so that should count for something.

Agatha: "You’re not wrong there. Higher levels do make you less susceptible to diseases. However, if there’s a strong enough infection, or if your habits weaken your immune system..."

We get sick all the same...

It makes sense, but there was one thing bothering me.

Claire: "Then... Why am I fine?"

Sure, I don’t really go at it as much as Licia since I get tired more easily, but I do sleep in the same bed as they do every night.

If an infection managed to get through, I should also be affected.

Agatha: "Oh, that... Well, it’s because of a somewhat unique condition in your body."

Claire: "E-Eh!? What do you mean? Am I-"

Agatha: "Calm down.. It’s just that your body has a higher heat resistance than normal, and a higher natural temperature, always at fever-high levels. This helps prevent infections, especially the viral kind."

Oh...

She was a bit nonchalant about this, which bothered me a little, considering how much more interested she seemed in Licia’s blue blood, running test after test on her.

Still, I couldn’t blame her too much.

There were only three possible explanations: My high affinity for fire magic, my bloodline, and my Gift.

It could also just be a combination of the three, I guess, but whatever the case, it wasn’t anything to worry about.

At least not as much as Licia’s, which we still had no idea about.

Licia: "You’re saying... She’s hot?"

Agatha: "No, I... Well, yes, but-"

Licia: "Miwen... Agatha’s trying to steal Claire from me..."

Miwen: "Stop being mean to her..."

Agatha looked like she was about to snap.

I’d expect a doctor to be a little more patient, but to be fair, she insists she’s not one, so maybe that’s the reason.

In any case, as delusional as Miwen and Licia were being, this was still mild compared to what they did to me.

Out of all the people in the Kingdom that they could’ve chosen to take charge while they recover, they picked Mia and me.

And all of my protests fell on deaf ears.

Still, a job’s a job.

And it’s like I’m ever busy anyway, so as the second wife, I suppose it makes sense that I take charge every now and then.

Claire: "Just one thing before we go... You said it was better not to bring too many people into the room to prevent the disease from spreading, but can I suggest someone?"

Agatha: "Yes?"

Miwen and Licia were having a little too much fun taking advantage of their situation, so I decided to leave them with a little payback in the form of Raella.

Since she’s a doll, there’s no risk of her catching and spreading anything.

And now, for the rest of the day, they had no choice but to listen to Agatha’s scolding and the children’s fables I asked Raella to bring.

As for Mia and me, we headed out in search of Lily, for the first task in Miwen’s list was to give her a big hug.

Mia: "You can’t be serious..."

Claire: "Wanna see?"

It was hilarious to see her realize what was on his list.

Mia: "Hug Lily... Play with Lana... TEASE ME?"

Claire: "I’m looking forward to that one."

Mia: "I’m sure you do. We’re doing Licia’s list."

Unfortunately, I also valued hugging Lily, so that was a no for me.

And so, after giving Lily a hug and Lana a snack, we began our first time in charge of the Kingdom.