Stratagem (1)

The next day, Rolf and Muge visited Fiene’s room.

“Fiene, it’s been a while.”

“Well, dear brother, when did you return?”

Fiene was surprised by her brother’s sudden return. Moreover, it had been years since Rolf and Muge had visited her room.

“While you were peacefully resting, many things happened. I returned yesterday.”

“That’s sudden.”

Fiene was puzzled. According to the plan, he had another year until graduation.

“Today, we’re taking Fiene to see the doctor. Hurry up and change.”

“Huh? both my brother and sister?”

Fiene was surprised by Muge’s words. She had been bullied by Rolf and Muge since childhood.

What kind of scheme were they up to? Fiene tilted her head, feeling wary.

Fiene, who had been bedridden due to illness lately, had not received any visits from her family. Her parents had no interest in Fiene, who lacked magical power, and even when she was unwell in bed, they suspected it was a pretense and couldn’t afford to have her see a doctor.

And since the day after the masquerade ball, Fiene’s condition had worsened, and she had finally become unable to get out of bed.

About a month later, with Fiene not helping around the house, paperwork had piled up. It was only then that her father finally lifted his heavy buttocks and told her to go see a doctor.

“I’m busy too. Hurry up, cure your illness, and help with the housework.”

That’s what Fiene was told.

After that, with the support of a maid, Fiene, without the accompaniment of her family, went to the doctor. The doctor instructed her to bring her parents next time because there was an important matter to discuss.

“By the way, Dr. Wymain insisted that both parents should come.”

Feeling uneasy, Fiene conveyed this to the two. She had also told Donovan and Daisy. Despite that, they sent her incompatible brother and sister.

“What are you talking about? I am the next Earl. Since I’m accompanying her, the doctor shouldn’t have any complaints.”

Her brother suddenly frowned. He had a high sense of pride and a difficult personality.

“Yes. I’ll decline today’s tea party hastily and go with you for your sake. What’s the problem?”

Muge also got angry.

These two, with their magical powers and different hair colors in the family, hated Fiene. Although the family had flamingly beautiful red hair, Fiene alone had platinum hair and no magical power.

They were ashamed of this fact. Even her mother had a hard time when Fiene was born with this rare platinum hair color, which was said to be inherited from a distant ancestor of the Elven tribe.

For that reason, Fiene was not allowed to participate in social events and became the hidden child of the House Housen.

Platinum hair was not a discriminatory color in this country, but it was different in the Housen family. This family had strong magical power, and everyone had magnificent red hair.

But Fiene, without magical power, inherited the rare platinum hair color from the distant ancestor of the Housen family, who was said to be of the Elven tribe.

For that reason, she was ridiculed and looked down upon by her brothers, sisters, and even her younger sister.

She regretted it, but there was nothing she could do about it with her own efforts.

—

Fiene, supported by a maid, got on the carriage at the urging of Rolf and Muge.

When she visited the famous clinic in the capital under Dr. Wymain, she was surprised to see her brother and sister accompanying her instead of her parents.

“I specifically told you to come with both parents, didn’t I?”

Dr. Wymain said, looking puzzled.

“Father and mother are busy. Besides, I am the next Earl Housen.”

When her brother said this arrogantly, Dr. Wymain cast a pitying glance at Fiene.

It was not uncommon for a child without magical power born into a noble family with strong magical power to be treated roughly by the family.

“I know it’s really important, but there’s no helping it. Miss Fiene, please listen carefully along with your family.”

Fiene had a bad feeling about Dr. Wymain’s sincere attitude.

However, her brother and sister, impatient, only wanted to hear the results, skipping the introduction.

“When she came here, it was already too late. She has only six months left to live.”

Wymain said it in a solemn tone.

“…Huh?”

For a moment, Fiene’s mind went blank. Next, she felt as if the ground beneath her feet was crumbling. She hadn’t been prepared, but she had a premonition. Coughing up blood was not normal.

“Um, can Fiene endure a long journey?”

Her sister’s words were straightforward, and Fiene’s consciousness returned to reality.

“Sister…?”

She stared at Muge with wide eyes.

“Huh?”

Even the doctor was taken aback.

“Hey, didn’t you say before that you wanted to see the lake? Let’s go to a place with a serene forest and lake.”

Muge, suddenly acting like a good sister, said it with a gentle smile, but Fiene was confused by the story she had no memory of.

Moreover, even Rolf, who usually has no conversation with her, said something strange. Fiene, who had just been told about her limited lifespan, panicked.

“If you want to prolong Fiene’s life, it’s best for her to rest, but it might be good to do what you want to do before the end. Or you could look for treatment in another country—”

Rolf interrupted the doctor’s words.

“Fiene, let’s go to a place with fresh air.”

Both of them were shining their eyes and leaning forward.

Fiene felt something ominous. She couldn’t remain stunned forever. She had nothing to rely on.

Swallowing the dark emotions that were about to overflow, Fiene quietly told the two.

“Dear brother, dear sister, I want to talk to the doctor alone.”

“What are you talking about? If it’s about talking, we’ll listen too.”

Her brother insisted.

“I’m sorry, but could you two leave? There are still medical matters to attend to.”

With the doctor’s words, the two reluctantly left.

Although he was just a town doctor, he was a noble-born doctor known for his skill. Even Rolf had to follow his instructions and couldn’t insist on staying.

“So, Miss Fiene, do you have something to discuss?”

After making sure the two had left, the doctor spoke.

“First of all, what is my illness?”

“It’s unbelievable, but—”

—

After some time, when Fiene’s examination was over, she was placed between her brother and sister and sent home in a carriage.

“I want to talk to Father.”

Fiene appealed to the two, but she was forcibly pushed into her room.

With her sickly body, Fiene couldn’t resist. No servant came to her aid. Fiene didn’t have a dedicated maid in the first place.

“You need time to calm down. First, my brother and I will go talk to Father.”

“At a time like this, rely on us a bit.”

Muge and Rolf said overly cheerful things.

They didn’t even console Fiene in the carriage.

The two left, ignoring Fiene’s will.