Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 36: Remembering Cerios’ Memories

Chapter 36: Remembering Cerios’ Memories

《Cerios’ Side》

When I heard that Liese had collapsed, it felt like a sharp pain tightened deep in my chest.

Rushing through the hallways, all I could think about was her.

She was the most diligent person I knew. Since enrolling in the academy, she had pushed herself to excel at everything—studying, swordsmanship, and carrying herself with grace. She aimed for perfection in all of it.

Her dedication made me proud, yet it also worried me. She always seemed to be walking a fine line, pushing herself too hard.

But if I’m honest, I hadn’t even noticed how much strain she was under until Clarice pointed it out. After talking to her, I realized just how much her trust in me had become my greatest source of strength.

When I arrived at her room, Faina was standing by the door. She was usually so calm and composed, but now her face showed clear signs of worry.

“Lord Cerios, Liese’s fever is very high. I believe she’s overworked herself.”

I nodded silently at Faina’s words and entered the room.

Liese lay on the bed, her face pale and beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. Gone was the strong, determined young woman I always admired. In her place was a fragile girl who looked so vulnerable.

A sixteen-year-old girl separated from her mother.

“Liese…”

Her name slipped from my lips, and her eyelids fluttered slightly in response. But she didn’t open her eyes. Instead, she let out a faint groan, still unconscious.

I quietly sat beside her and gently touched her forehead. The intense heat radiating from her skin told me how hard she had been pushing herself.

“You… you’re always like this.”

As I spoke softly, frustration bubbled up inside me. But it wasn’t directed at her for overworking herself—it was anger at myself for failing to support her properly.

Looking at her, old memories from my past as Cerios began to resurface.

Though I held the title of Margrave, it was never something I was born into.

I was originally born into the royal family. But after losing my mother at a young age and being abandoned emotionally by my father, I lived alone in the cold, unfeeling court, without any protection or backing.

To my father, I was just a useless son, someone irrelevant to the royal succession—a disposable existence.

When I threw a tantrum as a child and ended up hurting my siblings, my disinheritance was decided.

“A person who cannot cherish their family cannot cherish their country. Someone like that has no right to be king or even remain a member of the royal family.”

No one dared to oppose the king’s decision.

I was completely alone.

I was sent to the Margrave’s household as an adopted son. Without any political value as a pawn, I was taken in by the elderly Margrave couple out of charity.

The Margrave and his wife had lost both their sons on the battlefield. For a troubled, temperamental child like me, I must have been a handful for them.

“Cerios, this is your home now.”

Those words, spoken by my adoptive father, remain vividly etched in my memory even now.

They didn’t treat me as a “tool” or a burden but accepted me as their “son.”

Even though they knew I was just a troublesome castaway pushed onto them by the royal family.

For the first time, I experienced the warmth of a family.

My adoptive mother’s kind smile, my adoptive father’s stern yet caring gaze—those memories left a deep mark on my heart.

But that happiness didn’t last long.

The Margrave and his wife were taken from me in a sudden accident.

I was still a child, yet I was forced to take on the responsibilities of managing the territory. The loss of the loving parents who had embraced me, combined with the crushing weight of being a lord, left me utterly lost.

I shut myself away. As a spoiled, short-tempered brat with no real knowledge or maturity, I imposed heavy taxes on my people.

I never looked at the faces of my suffering subjects. I retreated into my own world, taking out my frustrations on my attendants and cursing everything around me.

Then, amidst my descent into despair, I met Liese.

She had come seeking money to buy medicine for her mother. Driven by a selfish desire to escape my own misery, I bought her with gold, declaring, “I’ll buy everything of you.”

I still don’t understand why she chose to trust me and follow me back then. But when I looked into her pure, untainted eyes, I was overwhelmed and captivated.

I knew I had to change.

Now, lying in front of me, Liese is the most hardworking and strong-hearted person I’ve ever known.

As I wrung out the towel and gently placed it back on her forehead, I called her name again.

“Liese…”

She stirred slightly, letting out a faint sound. It wasn’t coherent, but to me, it sounded like she was saying “Lord Cerios.”

That soft voice warmed my heart. Even in her condition, she still trusted me.

At that moment, I finally realized it.

“I’ve fallen in love with you.”

I hadn’t meant to say it for her to hear—it was more like I was admitting it to myself.

But just then, her eyelids twitched faintly. Her consciousness hadn’t returned, yet it felt as if she had heard me.

“…Without you, I don’t know where I would be right now.”

I said only that and gently held her hand. Her skin was warm with fever, but the touch was comforting.

Once she recovers, I’ll tell her everything—about my past mistakes, my feelings for her, and how much her presence means to me. She made me realize just how important she is to me.

“…Rest well, Liese.”

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, I quietly murmured those words.

It wasn’t just for her—it was a promise to myself.

Leaving Liese’s room, I headed to a place where many people were gathered.

“Well, if it isn’t Cerios von Egrid.”

Standing at the center was Edward von Luclair.

Two men bearing the name “von” now stood face-to-face.