Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 35: Burning with Fever

Chapter 35: Burning with Fever

《Liese’s Side》

A sense of floating, as if consumed by heat, lingered within me.

My body felt unbearably heavy, even opening my eyes was a struggle. The intricate patterns on the ceiling above blurred into a haze, barely distinguishable.

Between my studies, swordsmanship training, my conduct at the academy, and—most of all—my feelings for Lord Cerios, I had pushed myself too hard. The result? I had collapsed like this.

“Liese, please hang in there…”

A familiar, gentle voice reached my ears. It was Faina. The cool sensation of a damp towel pressed against my forehead, and her warm hand softly touching my cheek, were the only things tethering me to reality.

“You’re overworking yourself, Liese. You always try to shoulder everything alone.”

Her voice remained calm and kind as always, but I could sense a trace of reproach woven into her words. I felt guilty, yet even responding was beyond me in this state.

I had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly, the room fell quiet. In the distance, I heard the faint sound of approaching footsteps.

“Lord Cerios…”

It was Faina’s voice. Instinctively, I tried to open my eyes, but my body refused to obey. The fever burning through me had left my thoughts hazy and my consciousness barely holding on.

Then, a low, steady voice reached my ears.

“Faina, I brought some medicine. Could you leave us for a moment?”

“…Understood. But please, Lord Cerios, don’t push yourself too hard either.”

Faina’s footsteps gradually faded, leaving the room silent. I heard the sound of a chair being pulled, and someone sat down beside me.

“…Liese, are you alright?”

It was Lord Cerios. Just hearing his voice made my heart feel a little lighter. Yet my body remained as heavy as before.

I tried to respond, but my throat was too dry, and no sound came out. All I could manage was a faint movement of my lips.

“You can’t even sit up, can you? I’ve pushed you too far… I’m sorry. And don’t force yourself anymore. Just rest.”

After saying that, Lord Cerios fell silent. The soft ticking of the clock filled the quiet room.

Eventually, his voice broke the stillness again. But in my hazy state, I could only catch fragments of his words.

“…Liese, there’s something I need to tell you. No… maybe I can only say it now, when I’m unsure if you can even hear me. I’m so pathetic…”

His voice sounded strained, carrying a weight of anguish. Though my consciousness wavered, I could sense the deep emotion behind his words.

“I was… once a prince. But I was disinherited and became a noble of a remote region. The land where you live now, I’m its lord. And even in that territory, where I should have been protecting the people, I committed countless mistakes.”

His words carried a tone of self-reproach, heavy and raw.

“When I became lord, I imposed heavy taxes. The people suffered, but I did nothing. Instead of fulfilling my duties, all I cared about was accumulating wealth.”

Lord Cerios’s voice trembled slightly. I could feel how deeply this confession weighed on him, even through my fevered haze.

“…And when you came to me seeking help, I saved you with money. It wasn’t an act of selflessness. I helped you for my own selfish reasons.”

Those words struck me like a sharp pain in my chest. Yet my body wouldn’t move. All I could do was listen to his voice.

I wanted nothing more than to rise and embrace him, to show him that his actions weren’t in vain.

The Lord Cerios I knew wasn’t a cruel man. Even if his reasons were selfish, he had saved my mother and me.

“But… despite all that, you thanked me. Your smile… it saved me in ways I can’t even put into words.”

His voice softened slightly, carrying a gentler tone.

“I thought I was the one saving you. But in truth… it was you who saved me.”

Hearing those words, I felt tears welling up. Knowing that Lord Cerios had been struggling so much, all while looking out for me, filled my heart with warmth.

“…And though I don’t know if someone like me even has the right to say this…”

His voice grew lower but resonated clearly, carrying a weight of sincerity.

“…I’ve fallen in love with you.”

At that moment, even in my hazy state, I felt my heart skip a beat.

Lord Cerios… loves me?

My fever-clouded mind couldn’t fully grasp the meaning of his words. Yet, my entire being was overwhelmed with happiness from hearing them.

“Because of my sins, I may never be able to truly confess these feelings to you.”

His voice carried a hint of fear and uncertainty.

I wanted to respond. I wanted to tell him something—anything—but my body wouldn’t move, and my voice wouldn’t come out.

Still, I tried. I moved ever so slightly, hoping it would be enough to convey my feelings.

Whether Lord Cerios noticed or not, I couldn’t tell. But in the next moment, he spoke softly.

“Thank you… Liese.”

With those words, I slipped back into a deep sleep.

When I awoke, Faina was by my side, but Lord Cerios was gone. Even so, his warm, heartfelt words lingered in my heart.

I couldn’t tell if his confession had been a dream or reality. But either way, I was simply grateful to be by his side.