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Published at 7th of February 2022 01:22:29 PM


Chapter 76

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There was a stir over Caleb’s face.

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It was evident that he was unsettled, and he looked somewhat surprised.

I’m not sure why he’s making that expression.

Was the phrase ‘I want to see you’ really that shocking… Huh?

As I recalled what had just transpired, my mouth unexpectedly opened wide.

Oh, my goodness. Crazy.

How could I make such a mistake?

Even at this timing.

I kept my mouth shut.

Aside from being bewildered, I was embarrassed.

I can’t believe I’m confessing that when I just turned down his proposal.

What am I supposed to do?

“I’m talking about Dame Seria, not you, Lord. I admired Dame Seria and wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.”

I couldn’t stop talking gibberish at the thought of having to deal with it in some way.


 

“I also thought it would be dangerous to send Dame Seria alone……”

However, as I neared the end, my voice was becoming increasingly hushed as a result of the words I hadn’t even thought of.

Silence descended when I closed my mouth.

No, I shouldn’t have said anything, that’ll simply be another big problem.

It wasn’t on purpose, but it’s the equivalent of a confession.

“Then I’m going to look for my suitcase, ugh!”

As soon as I stood up, thinking about avoiding the situation, I felt pain in the area between the chest and the side of my chest.

It happened when I instinctively grasped my wound and sat down.

Caleb supported me and hugged my shoulder as if he was hugging me.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, yes, yes. I’m fine.”

I answered without thinking and looked up, then I found Caleb’s face was right in front of me.

As it was, I had stopped breathing.

I feel like I’m going to kiss him if I move a little more.

I couldn’t do anything, but Caleb was the one who moved first.


 

“……Be careful not to overdo it. If you do, the wound will not heal.”

Caleb sat me down slowly.

He took his hand off my shoulder as I sat down on the bed.

“Has the wound been opened?”

“Hold on a second.”

Unlike before, I only lightly touched the wound to avoid putting any pressure on it.

Fortunately, because the wound did not feel damp, it did not appear to have opened.

“I don’t think it opened.”

“It’s good to hear that. Just in case, I’ll call the therapist.”

“Thank you……”

“No, and explain the documents or bags to me. I’ll find and take care of it while you’re being examined.”

“Oh, it’s a light orange bag. The documents are most likely in the bag’s front pocket.”

“All well, then. Then I’ll call a therapist, so please rest.”

Caleb turned around when I nodded.

I wiped down the shoulder that Caleb had just wrapped around me, as I looked at his back.

* * * * *

An old man with a low voice entered shortly after Caleb had left.

The old man presented himself to me as a therapist who lives in this castle permanently.

“How are you feeling?”

“I think it’s okay.”

“Do you mind if I have a look? I believe we should double-check what we accomplished last night.”

“Oh, yes.”

“I’ll be turning my back, so wrap a blanket across your lower body and raise your garments to reveal the wound.”

The therapist who stated it briefly turned away from me, and I did exactly what he said.

The therapist undid the bandage and checked the wound while I was hanging on to keep the wearing negligee from running down.

“I believe it will heal properly if you apply ointment carefully and avoid intense exercise for the time being. It can leave a scar, so make sure to see the temple for treatment when you return to the capital.”

“Yes, I will.”

The therapist then applied ointment to my wound and wrapped it in a bandage.

I carefully lowered the negligee I was holding when I heard the treatment was completed.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

“What? It’s even more of a pity. If the temple had been closer, I would have obtained more holy water and cured your injuries, Lady, as well as those of your other colleagues.”

“Is the temple far away?”

“The nearest one is three days distant on horse…… I requested it again this morning, but it won’t arrive until next week, so wouldn’t it be more expedient for you to return to the capital?”

“I believe so.”

I nodded in agreement with the therapist’s words.

“A temple that is far distant would be inconvenient.”


 

“Even so, it’s a long enough distance to come in and create a barrier regularly.” Just for that, I’m grateful. No demonic monsters will be able to enter this lord’s castle as a result of this.”

I suppose it’s possible.

“By the way, Lady, you got lucky.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Rykel, whom you met yesterday, is the height of a young adult, according to what I’ve heard. As a result, it was a relief. Do you have a lot of information about Rykel?”

“All I know is that it’s a high-level monster.”

“Then it’d be fine if I went into more detail. Rykel’s tail is poisoned, thus it’s extremely deadly. Lady, you were also poisoned by it.”

I looked to the side for no apparent reason when the therapist mentioned it.

I assumed the only thing that pierced me was its tail.

“If you’ve been poisoned by it, your entire body will be paralyzed right away, and if you don’t detoxify it with an antidote or holy water, you’ll die within 20 minutes. It’s a terrifying beast.”

“But I wasn’t paralyzed……?”

Despite my fear of moving my body, I vividly recall holding the sword in front of me.

“The poison was still weak because the Rykel you met, Lady, was just about to become an adult. As a result, the paralysis was decreased and the poison spread was relatively slow.”

“I suppose I got lucky.”

If Rykel’s poison had been strong enough to paralyze my body, I would not have been able to fight back and would have been carried away and eaten by the beast.

“As it is, having Duke Egon at your side was a blessing.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The antidote worked thanks to the Duke’s prompt detoxification.”

I laughed silently.

Because the therapist’s words triggered memories I’d almost forgotten about.

“And this is simply an old man’s curiosity, but if it isn’t, just listen and pass it lightly.”

The therapist’s cautious tone prompted suspicions.

What will he ask about?

“Lady, are you and the Duke lovers?”

“Yes……”

“No?”

“No, we aren’t. A lover… it’s not like that.”

I promptly dismissed the question of whereabouts after gathering my thoughts.

Caleb and I are lovers.

That is ludicrous.

“May I inquire as to why you felt that way?”

“It’s not for any specific reason. I merely had that thought because the Duke has been keeping an eye on you since yesterday.”

“Are you saying he’s been with me all night since yesterday?”

“You’re right.”


 

“Was he truly by my side all the time?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t believe it when I received the same response.

“It’s not nice to be next to the patient in that outfit, so I ordered him to change, but even then, he returned so soon…… to the point where he had to wait because the maids were washing and changing your outfit, Lady.”

“……”

“Not only that, Lady, when I told him that your condition had stabilized and that he should rest, he stayed by your side. The Duke said he’ll stay with you till you regain consciousness, Lady.”

“Then what about sleep……”

“It looks like the Duke didn’t sleep at all.”

When I got the reply, my heart sank.

“Because he always stood by your side watching you and asking about your condition whenever I looked at your condition.”

After hearing those statements and pondering on them, I realized Caleb’s attire was untidy.

I can’t believe it was all because of me.

“I said it after giving it some thought. Because it’s you.”

“I figured it would be fine if it is you.”

Is it possible he thought about it all night and brought it up to me?

Did he make his decision after pondering it for a long time next to me?

It made me feel uneasy just thinking about it.

Even though I realize it’s pointless to repeat it now, and I have no intention of accepting his proposal.

“Then I’ll get going.”

Before I knew it, the therapist got up with a bag.

“And this is just my view, but I don’t believe there is such a thing as a favour without a return.”

It was a spur-of-the-moment remark.

I couldn’t tell what the therapist’s purpose was for suddenly bringing it up.

I stared at him as if I needed an explanation, but all the therapist said was that if anything was wrong, I could call him at any time.

* * * * *

“Welcome, Lady Oreu.”

I changed into other clothes and came to meet Natalie like this as soon as I finished being treated by the therapist and the maid brought me my luggage.

“Dame Seria? Are you really Dame Seria?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

At my words, a lump of bandages, no, I mean Natalie nodded casually.

But I couldn’t take my eyes from her dreadful look.

Natalie’s body was so heavily bandaged that it wouldn’t be weird if she turned into a bandaged person.

I can’t even inquire whether she’s okay as a courtesy.

Because the therapist used holy water for those with severe injuries, I assumed everyone was fine……

Natalie shrugged as I looked at her blankly.

“You don’t have to worry too much. There are multiple fractures, but no major tendons or muscles have been harmed. There isn’t much trauma thanks to the holy water.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Considering Rykel’s injuries, I believe this is a good amount of damage.”

“What exactly do you mean by good?”

There appears to be a need to reconsider the standards.

“Lady, how about you? Are you in any other pain?”

“I’m good except for the fact that I injured my side.”

“Side? Can you tell me more about it?”

“Well, I got stabbed by Rykel’s tail.”

“Stabbed in the back by its tail? Have you been poisoned?”

Natalie was the one who was taken aback this time.

I explained the whole story since her eyes seemed to be asking how I managed to survive.

The fact that the poison was weak since the Rykel had just recently reached adulthood, and that Caleb successfully removed the poison.

“Aside from that, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“If that’s the case, I’m pleased to hear it. Anyway, please accept my apologies, Lady. Because of my poor skills, you almost got into serious danger. A number of people were hurt.”

“What are you talking about? Rather, it’s only this much because you’ve worked hard, Dame Seria. I also apologize for running away yesterday.”

I remembered the moment I turned around as soon as Natalie yelled at me to run.

“I should have helped……”

“No, Lady, you made a wise decision.”

Natalie explained to me in a calm tone.

“It’s only wonderful in a novel story to persevere and die together when they don’t have the strength.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. In reality, having at least one person survive is advantageous.”

Her cool-headed statements made me laugh awkwardly.

Seriously, that sounds eerily similar to Natalie.

I haven’t had a thorough conversation with Natalie in a long time.

I got up from my seat since I felt like I was holding the patient for too long and asked to see her again next time.

I was concerned about my wound every time I walked, so I walked slowly with my hand wrapped around my side.

Then I spotted Caleb on the other side of the hallway.

“Oh, Lord Egon……”

I halted as I tried to call him as usual.

Because, unlike his usual, he was staring down with his eyes wide open.





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