I Don’t Know The Original Work

“Well, Cornelia said she wanted to be alone, so I made a special exception…”

Winston sputtered out an absurd excuse. When Brody glared at him, he clamped his mouth shut.

In the tense silence, it was Adrian… who had barely managed to regain his composed expression… who finally spoke.

“Cornelia caused a scene this morning, so I scolded her and blocked the door for a while. I was afraid she’d go out and disgrace herself again.”

“…”

“It may have been a harsh method, but surely you, Your Grace, are aware of what Cornelia would have done otherwise? Please understand the heart of an older brother who cares for his sister.”

Adrian spoke as if buttering up Brody.

But Brody’s sharp expression didn’t change.

“Open this door. Now.”

Reluctantly, Winston and Adrian ordered the servants to open the door. It was an utterly humiliating situation.

‘We really nailed it shut this morning! Why did he have to come now of all times?!’

They had done it out of anger because Cornelia stubbornly refused to apologize to Brody.

When the door opened and they entered, Cornelia was lying weakly on the bed.

Seeing the blanket rise and fall evenly, Brody let out a sigh of relief.

Cornelia, too, sighed in relief.

‘Why is everyone suddenly barging in like this? I almost got caught trying to escape.’

Lately, she had grown bolder, occasionally sneaking out to gather information.

But for Brody to show up out of the blue—!

‘I thought he’d never set foot here again after how angry he was!’

Or maybe he came to break off the engagement.

‘Does he want my seal on the annulment papers?’

If so, she’d stamp them without hesitation.

Cornelia deliberately coughed weakly and feigned difficulty as she sat up.

“Your Grace, you’re here?”

“Where is the lady’s maid when her mistress is in such a state?”

But Brody’s response was unexpected.

“Ah! The maid is—”

“There isn’t one.”

Cornelia cut off Adrian’s frantic excuse. Brody was stunned.

“You mean to say the daughter of a count has no personal maid?”

“Yes, it’s been days.”

“When was the last time she was given food or water?”

What’s wrong with him?

He’s acting like he’s actually worried about me!

Cornelia stared at Brody in bewilderment.

Perhaps he was just shocked by the sheer absurdity of the situation.

‘But still…’

If she could use this, she would.

‘Then I’ll take full advantage of it.’

She’d make Winston and Adrian pay.

Pretending to feel dizzy, Cornelia pressed a hand to her forehead and spoke weakly.

“Yesterday? The day before? I can’t remember…”

Truthfully, she had been sneaking out to eat well.

But it was true they hadn’t been properly feeding her at home.

Brody turned a cold gaze toward the two men. Winston and Adrian stood frozen like idiots.

“Is this how a noble family with a long history behaves?”

“Your Grace, it’s not—”

“I have matters to discuss with Lady Cornelia alone. Please leave us.”

Brody cut off Adrian’s excuses. It was a clear dismissal.

Though this was the Iris Count’s estate, the Evans Dukedom held clear authority over them. The two men couldn’t dare argue.

And with their misdeeds exposed, further excuses were impossible.

Winston and Adrian fled as if they’d been waiting for the chance.

‘Oh? So is it finally time to stamp the annulment papers?’

Suppressing her pounding heart, Cornelia looked up at Brody with a fragile expression. He stepped closer, scrutinizing her face up close.

For a moment, she sensed his hesitation as he noticed her unusually flushed cheeks… clearly not those of someone who had been starving.

Panicked, Cornelia coughed again.

“Cough, cough…!”

“Did you go this far just to get my attention?”

“Wha—cough!”

But his ridiculous words made her voice tremble with suppressed fury.

“What I said back then was sincere. Let’s formally annul—”

“I get it, so let’s call a doctor first.”

What do you get? You clearly don’t understand anything!

✿

Soon, a doctor arrived. After examining Cornelia, he spoke in disbelief.

“Astoundingly… you’re in perfect health.”

“…”

*”You don’t look like someone who’s gone days without food…such vitality!”*

Cornelia ducked her head in embarrassment.

‘Of course I’m healthy… I’ve been eating well and sneaking around!’

If anything, she was healthier now than before her transmigration, thanks to all the good food.

“Still, examine her more thoroughly, just in case.”

Brody insisted, but the doctor shook his head firmly.

“At this level of health, I’d ask her for her wellness secrets. Further examination is unnecessary.”

With that, the doctor left.

An awkward silence settled over the room.

“I’m glad you’re well.”

Brody’s words only made Cornelia bristle.

“Suddenly, you’re concerned about me?”

At her sharp tone, Brody’s eyebrow twitched. She pressed on.

“Where was this worry when I was being humiliated in society?”

This was sincere. Cornelia knew every bit of the disgrace she’d suffered and how Brody had stood by, even encouraged it.

‘And now he suddenly changes his attitude?’

The only explanation was what had happened recently.

‘Did he get possessive because the toy he thought was in his palm suddenly tried to escape?’

Cornelia glared coldly. Brody bit his lip, then spoke in a tone that suggested he was holding back.

“I came to tell you that I’m willing to overlook your emotional outburst… just this once.”

“Then let’s annul the engagement.”

“What?”

“I’ve said it twice now, so listen carefully this time. Let’s really break it off.”

Her resolve was firm. Brody exhaled slowly, then spoke with deliberate emphasis.

“If you annul our engagement, you’ll have no place in society. You may never marry.”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

As if there are any decent men in this messed-up world!

She didn’t hesitate. Brody stood abruptly, as if he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Even after being punished, you remain unchanged.”

“Yes, I don’t know the meaning of remorse.”

“To think I worried about someone so willful—”

He cut himself off, startled by his own words.

Cornelia looked up in confusion, but Brody… his face reddening as if embarrassed stormed out.

With a scoff, she flopped back onto the bed.

But soon, new intruders disrupted her peace: Winston and Adrian.

“Well done, Cornelia.”

Their first words were praise.

Stunned, Cornelia stared as Adrian beamed.

“You apologized to Duke Brody Evans, didn’t you?”

“Huh?”

“Good job. From today, you’re free to leave your room.”

Cornelia asked in disbelief.

“The Duke said that? That I apologized?”

“Yes. He said you’ve sincerely reflected and insisted we free you immediately and assign a new maid.”