It was extremely distressing to see her face, swollen and puffy, every morning.

‘If I had known about this paste, I would have bought it no matter how expensive it was.’

The same would likely apply to other upper-class noblewomen.

‘But this paste is lacking. Couldn’t it be made into something more aesthetically pleasing?’

She thought of all the cosmetics she had used throughout her life.

‘If it had a pleasant fragrance added and were made into a thinner paste to be used like a face mask…’

“Miss.”

From outside, Benjamine knocked on the bedroom door.

Before Cecilia could respond, Benjamine opened the door slightly and poked her head in.

Cecilia, lost in deep thought, was annoyed by the sudden interruption.

“Who gave you permission to come in?”

Benjamine hesitated for a moment but then smiled brightly.

“Oh, Miss! The swelling has gone down. You’ve returned to your beautiful self. Am I right? I told you that paste works wonders!”

“Yes, it works well.”

Still grinning, Benjamine approached the bed.

“Miss, it’s already well past noon. You must eat something. I was so worried you might be hungry, so I’ve been waiting for you to come out.”

Benjamine spoke as though looking after Cecilia’s health was the most important task in the world.

“It’s past noon?”

“Yes, Miss.”

‘How did it get so late already?’

“Shall I bring you your meal?”

Benjamine was eager to reclaim her role of serving Cecilia meals, a task she had lost to Helen.

“No, I’ll go down to the dining hall.”

“Pardon? But I can bring it up for you…”

“From now on, I’ll take all my meals in the dining hall. Call in a maid to help me change.”

“…Yes, Miss.”

“And Nanny, you’re still limping, so rest more. Don’t follow me around with that leg. I’m worried about your ankle. You don’t want to limp for the rest of your life, do you?”

As Cecilia changed her clothes, Benjamine stood with a troubled expression.

When Cecilia went into the sitting room, she saw a black vest on the table.

‘Why is that still here?’

She was certain she had given it to him yesterday.

‘He went hunting, didn’t he? Isn’t that supposed to be his armor?’

“Send word to Administrator Taylor immediately that I need to see him urgently.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Soon, Hoffman came rushing in.

He had been secretly anxious since the morning when the physician was summoned to see the Madam.

The physician had mentioned that her symptoms were likely an allergic reaction to alcohol.

In other words, the food provided in Lagos had caused her discomfort. If she took issue with it, it could become troublesome.

“You summoned me, Madam.”

“I have some questions.”

“Please, ask.”

“The Lord left for a hunt, didn’t he? You mentioned before that any outings before winter are usually for hunting.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“What kind of hunt is it? Is it very dangerous?”

‘The Madam is inquiring about the hunt? Why?’

The reality of Lagos was quite different from what people on the continent believed.

A long time ago, when the curse first began, this was likely a land of death.

But centuries had passed since then.

The creatures born and raised in this land had evolved into new species over generations.

Lagos was home to rare plants and animals found nowhere else.

Some were used to create potent medicines, while others became materials for weapons.

The people of Lagos kept these treasures a closely guarded secret.

Until Lagos could fully protect itself, the greedy hands of the continent had to be kept at bay.

This was why the sudden marriage proposal from the Jericho Grand Duchy had caused such a stir in Lagos Castle.

Had the seven grand dukes of the continent noticed something?

Was Grand Duke Jericho acting as the vanguard of an exploratory expedition?

Hoffman had sided with those suspicious of the grand dukes.

He had argued that they should accept the marriage proposal to uncover their true intentions.

Over the past few days, he had been reflecting on whether he had hastily pushed for the lord’s marriage.

When Cecilia suddenly began asking about the hunt, it raised his guard.

“There is no hunt that is easy. However, since I am not a hunter, I don’t know the specifics. Could you clarify what exactly you wish to know, Madam?”

“The Lord lent me this vest. I was told it’s a rare piece of armor made from the hide of a mutated black bear. Yet, he left for the hunt without it. Is there a way to deliver this to him quickly?”