Let’s Start Part 2 of this Ruined Work

    Leonhart, who quit the academy, had no choice but to make connections in other ways. However, how could he build friendships when he couldn't even keep his body steady due to asthma? Besides, if rumors spread that he would die soon, there would be even fewer nobles supporting him.

    Of course, after he became healthy and defeated the demon king, his power began to gather. Even so, it was inevitably inferior because the power of other princes was already solid. This was the reason why Leonhart was not chosen as the Crown Prince and competed with other princes evenly.

    ‘That's it. I thought it would be over if I supported him…….’

    There was no way Leonhart would hold hands with me. Will you accept your stalker's help without being crazy?

    ‘Did he join the expedition to avoid marrying Adrian?’

    Somehow, it was strange that Leonhart, who was also weak in swordsmanship, applied for the expedition. At the time, I thought Leonhart was being pushed under pressure because he was the powerless third prince, but I never thought he would volunteer because he would rather die than marry Adrian.

    There was no answer to this. I have no choice but to do my best to avoid Leonhart from now on.

    ‘The protagonist of this world is Piace anyway. Just focus on Piace.’

    Piace was slower in learning and worse at speaking than other children. But would she be able to adjust well?

    ‘I wish I could find out the atmosphere of the academy in advance.’

    Just then, an instruction appeared.

    [Stage 3: (As if tired, pressing between the brows) Apply for class attendance at the academy.]

    Why did that ruined author do such a commendable thing? I read the instructions in a daze.

    “Apply for class attendance at the academy.”
    “Is Master…… planning to visit in person?”

    [Stage 2: (Hitting the table) So you're saying I'm entrusting the ward of the Ibrante family to just anyone? How do you know how they teach!]

    “Butler, do you think it's okay to entrust the ward of the Ibrante family to anyone? How do you know how they teach?”
    “Ah…… I was thoughtless. Please let us know which class you would like to attend and we will check if you can attend it.”

    Of course, I didn't know what class it was. Couldn't the ruined author tell me?

    [Stage 2: (Glared at the butler with a look as if he was a fool) If I decide on a class, they'll prepare it in advance!]

    Today, the ruined author was quite cooperative.

    You don't have to be sorry for dragging me into parenting.

    ‘The academy must be very important to the progression of the story.’

    I deliberately crumpled my brow.

    “If I decide on a class, they'll prepare it in advance!”
    “Ah, I see.”

    Assigning a class was meaningless. Because I was not interested in the class content. What would I know if I heard it?

    “Find out how to observe without assigning a class.”
    “I'll let you know the result as soon as possible. Would you like some more tea?”
    “No, it’s enough.”

    Wouldn't it be better to tell Piace in advance? She needed time to prepare her mind.

    [Stage 3: (With stern eyes) Did Piace have breakfast?]

    “Did Piace have breakfast?”
    “She’s been feeling down all morning and skipped meals.”

    I didn't even know that Piace was starving because I ate separately until this morning.

    ‘Why is she feeling down? What should I do if she doesn't eat? Did you call the doctor?’

    I couldn't ask anything. Adrian was a person who wouldn't blink an eye even if Piace starved for several days.

    Moreover…….

    [Stage 2: (Roughly putting down the empty teacup) How dare she refuse to eat?! Where did she learn that!]

    I had to follow the instructions.

    With a sigh, I put down the empty cup loudly.

    “How dare she refuse to eat?!”
    “I’m sor…….”
    “What's the reason? Is she sick?”
    “……I received a report of a severe fever.”

    [Stage 1: (In a fierce voice) Is she being selfish just because she has a little fever? The butler has been indulging her, so she's spoiled!]

    “Did you call the doctor?”
    “Pardon? Ah, yes. He hasn't arrived yet.”

    [Stage 3: (Looking away from the butler) Ask her to come down to the dining room. Right now!]

    ‘Let's leave the sick one alone, please!’

    I was getting tired, and I can't help but facepalm myself.

    “Ask her to come down to the dining room. Right now!”
    “……Yes, Master.”

    However, Piace didn't show up in the dining room. Because of the high fever, she couldn't get out of bed.
 

* * *

    “Haa, haa.”
    “So the prince and the princess……. Miss, shall we stop reading?”
    “Yess…….”

    Sister Maid closed the children's book. My head was hazy. The sound sounded as if it were underwater. Sister Maid put down the children's book and touched Piace's forehead. Sister's hands, which were usually warm, were cold today.

    “Miss, the ice pack is all melted. I'll change it.”

    The ice packs worn under both armpits were replaced with new ones. Piace's teeth clashed against each other due to the frightening chill.

    “C, co, cold…….”
    “It's because the fever is too high. I'll take them out later, so please bear with them until then. Can you do it?”

    “Eun, eung, Pi, Piace can, can do it…….”
    “Our Miss, I'm so proud of you.”

    A blush bloomed on Piace's face at the praise of Sister Maid. However, there was no sign of it on the already reddened face.

    “Miss, you must eat to take your medicine.”
    “I, I don’t want to eat…….”
    “The chef made crab soup for Miss. Please eat just a little, considering the chef's sincerity.”

    Contrary to what Sister Maid said, Uncle Chef was not the kind of person to cook for Piace. He complained a lot, saying that an orphan of no origin would eat the food he made. He even gave Piace a side eye whenever I ate something.

    Of course, Piace didn't tell anyone. Rather, I felt sorry for Uncle Chef.

    “……Then, then just a little bit.”
    “A little bit is fine. I think he's bringing it now.”
    “Yes…….”

    Piace answered calmly and then slowly closed my eyes. It was so hard to keep my eyes open because I had no energy.

    When she was younger than now, Piace was the prettiest baby in the orphanage. Sweet pink hair like cotton candy and azure blue eyes with a gentle personality. One couldn't help but adore her because she didn't cry and only smiled brightly.

    Nobles who wished to adopt showed interest in Piace first. There were also nobles who sponsored the orphanage for Piace. The greedy director of the orphanage did not let Piace go. It was because of the donation that would be reduced if Piace went for adoption.

    Eventually, it was not until she was three that Piace was adopted by the couple who sponsored the most money to the orphanage. They were a Marquis couple with a very decent impression. They said this, having Piace sat in a luxurious carriage.

    “You are really pretty like a doll. Be a lovely sister to my daughter.”

    However, the Marquis couple abandoned Piace within a year. It was because Piace scratched their daughter's forehead.

    After returning to the orphanage, Piace could not speak properly. She woke up in a horrified way while sleeping, and when someone touched her from behind, she started a fight. She even wetted the bed.

    Her personality also became extremely timid. Even when she should present herself to the nobles who wanted to adopt her, she was just crouching in the corner. After another year, Piace began to speak little by little. She stuttered and her pronunciation was messed up, so everyone would have a hard time understanding her. It was because she suffered from mutism at the time when she should have learned to speak.

    Around that time, a nobleman visited the orphanage. In a jaw-dropping fancy carriage. The director of the orphanage made a fuss about the Duke's visit. Piace peeped at the Duke from a distance.

    The Duke had a rather scary impression. Her expressionless face was pale. That was why it was both sad and sickly. I guessed it was because she didn't laugh. For the first time, Piace thought I wanted to see the other smile. Then, the Duke came straight up to Piace without even paying attention to the other children.

    “Do you want to go with me?”
    “I…… I, I’m, n, not, g, good, good at talking. I, I don’t, don’t know h, how to write……. C, can I, go with you?”

    The director of the orphanage broke into a cold sweat at the completely incomprehensible answer. Soon, he hurriedly introduced another child, drawing the Duke's attention. All the nobles who had visited the orphanage were similar. Even though they were interested in Piace's appearance, they turned their attention to another child with a bitter expression when she spoke.

    Piace lowered her head. Strangely enough, I thought I would be upset if the Duke talked to another child. It was not something that happened once or twice. I hadn’t felt anything until now, but why did I feel this way now? Piace didn’t know.
 

    The Duke said to Piace, who was depressed and only looked down at the ground.

    “It doesn't matter if you don't speak well. I didn't expect you to learn how to write.”
    "……!"

    Piace was really surprised. The Duke understood what no one could understand!

    “Are you coming with me or staying in this filthy place?”
    "……."
    “You choose.”

    Piace chose the Duke. After a few hours of the carriage ride, we arrived at a very large house. It was dozens of times bigger than the house of the Marquis who had adopted me. I was so surprised that I asked if this was the Imperial Palace, and Uncle Butler answered with a smile.

    “Welcome to the Ibrante mansion. Miss Piace.”

    In this way, Piace became a formal ward of the Duke's family.

    The Duke was a very strict person. She was particularly averse to undignified behavior. Piace had to learn how to eat first. At first, I couldn't eat enough because I was too self-conscious. My nervous body hurt all day, and the bedroom where I slept alone was too wide, so I was scared. It was sad to be alone in an unfamiliar place, but the Duke didn't say a warm word to me.

    In fact, we rarely met. It was because the Duke rarely came out of the bedroom. But Piace tried hard. I never did anything the Duke disliked, and learned table etiquette until my hands hurt.

    I liked the Ibrante mansion. I liked the blunt Uncle Butler, and the friendly Sister Maid. Above all, I liked the Duke.

    Even if she criticized everything else, the Duke never points out the way I talked.…….

    Piace really liked her.