IMMCFC 12

Chapter 12

A piercing scream struck my eardrums. Before I could even process what was happening, someone stormed into the room with loud, heavy footsteps.

“Oh my! Let me see your face! Are you okay? Why do you keep making me worry like this?”

The woman dashed straight to Jayden’s bedside without a moment’s hesitation.

Who on earth is she? Could she be the personal maid they mentioned? But…

I hesitated, judging by her appearance.

From head to wrist, she was covered in all sorts of accessories, and the strong scent of perfume clung to her.

She did not look like someone who cared for patients.

“Um… excuse me—”

If Jayden woke up now, it would be a disaster.

I called her softly. Only then did she notice my presence and whipped her head around, glaring at me.

“….”

The moment our eyes met, her gaze swept up and down over me.

“And you—what are you? A servant?”

“Oh, I’m the new—”

“Enough.”

She cut me off as if my answer didn’t matter and then glanced toward the door.

“Where is His Grace the Duke?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I heard His Grace was here.”

Her tone suggested she had her own purpose from the start. I felt a surge of confusion, but that wasn’t the important issue.

Jayden’s relaxed expression immediately started to crease again, and he began coughing.

Ugh. How much perfume had she sprayed? There’s a sick child here. I needed to get her out first.

“The patient is asleep. Please go out. Let’s talk outside.”

I opened a window to air the room and tried to guide her out.

But she wouldn’t stop.

“Don’t you hear me? I’m asking where His Grace the Duke is!”

It seemed my suggestion to move the conversation outside had fallen on deaf ears.

Sighing, I opened my mouth again.

“His Grace isn’t here right now.”

“You should’ve said that from the beginning!”

Tch. What a waste of time.

Muttering irritably, she shot down the corridor like a gust of wind.

Whatever she was, at least Jayden hadn’t woken up.

I hurried to open more windows, letting the stale air out.

“Mm…”

A cool breeze drifted in, and finally, Jayden’s furrowed brow relaxed.

Hmm. Looks like he’s comfortable now.

His breathing was steady, and he seemed to be in a deep sleep.

It was really time to leave. I exhaled in relief and moved cautiously.

I silently opened the door and stepped into the hallway—only to find…

“…!”

Cain was standing there, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere.

He immediately asked,

“What happened—”

Shh.

Urgently, I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet.

“….”

Cain looked startled but complied. Still, there was a faint, curious expression on his face.

Had I been too bold? After all, he was the Duke.

But I was in a hurry. I couldn’t wake Jayden.

How hard it had been to get him to sleep so deeply.

I awkwardly forced a small smile and took two steps closer, then whispered in a low voice, keeping it minimal.

“Young Master is sleeping. I’ll explain in another place.”

Dragon-blooded children were known to be sensitive, and Jayden was a patient—so it was better to be careful.

Thankfully, Cain nodded as if he understood.

He motioned for me to follow.

The hallway was astonishingly quiet. Earlier it had been noisy.

Apparently, Cain had ensured that Conrad and the staff were all occupied elsewhere while Jayden was being treated.

A considerate gesture for his nephew.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me…!”

Cain led me to his office.

Sunlight poured in immediately upon entering. From the wide-open windows, the entire garden was visible at a glance.

Wow. Beautiful.

Given the circumstances, I didn’t show it outwardly, but inside, I was impressed.

The garden was far more stunning than the Marquess’s.

Flowers of every season bloomed in vivid colors, impossible to look away from.

Cain, however, looked unfazed, leaning against his desk and studying me carefully.

Feeling his gaze, I cleared my throat and began explaining.

“First, I’d like to reassure you. His palm was slightly cut by glass shards, but it’s been treated. Also…”

Where’s the fever medicine? I wanted to show it to him.

I instinctively reached into my bag. My forearm tingled slightly from the movement.

Brushing it off, I pulled out the fever medicine.

“His fever was high, so I gave him the medicine—”

“That’s not the first thing you should say.”

Cain interrupted in a slightly annoyed tone. Of course—he hadn’t been updated on Jayden’s condition. He must have been worried as the guardian.

“Ah, the high fever has completely subsided!”

“That’s good news, but I already know that much.”

Hmm… then what exactly does he want to hear?

I stood awkwardly, unable to speak, until Cain gestured toward my arm.

“Your arm.”

“…Yes?”

“The smell of blood is strong. Do you not realize it?”

Ah. Only now did I notice my own appearance. I’d been so focused on Jayden I’d completely forgotten emergency care.

My white sleeve was torn and soaked with blood.

Ugh. What a sight. How embarrassing.

I opened my mouth to speak, and Cain said bluntly,

“I hired you as a healer. I didn’t hire you to injure yourself while here.”

I hastily hid my arm behind me.

“Oh, this? It’s nothing. Just a scratch. It’ll heal quickly!”

“Quickly heal?”

Cain raised an eyebrow.

“You’re dragon-blooded too?”

“No…?”

“Just the way you talk makes it sound like you have some hidden resilience.”

He was teasing, and he was right—I couldn’t argue.

Honestly, I probably did seem careless to others.

But it wasn’t that I had no intention of treating him.

If anything, I’m the one responsible. If Melody were to see me like this… ugh!

Just the thought sent shivers down my spine.

Normally, the little rabbit-like child would make a huge fuss if I got hurt.

“This is nothing—just apply some medicine, and it’ll heal quickly. I’ll finish the report and immediately continue the treatment.”

“Is that necessary? You don’t need your hands for the report.”

“Excuse me?”

“Do the treatment here.”

Ah! Genius!

…Or perhaps I’d just been a bit foolish.

But it was definitely efficient. I could report while treating him at the same time.

“Yes, I’ll do as instructed.”

I responded solemnly, rolled up my torn sleeve, and began removing the glass shards one by one with tweezers.

At the same time, I began reporting.

“Uh, as I mentioned before, Young Master’s fever—”

Ouch. I pinched myself.

Looking back and forth between the wound and Cain, my usual composure slipped.

Why am I like this? Oh, the injured arm is my left. And I’m left-handed.

I kept a calm expression regardless.

“—and we’ll make sure the fever doesn’t come back for now…”

“Stop.”

“…Yes?”

“You call this treatment, yet you’re injuring yourself.”

His sharp voice cut through as he straightened from his desk and reached out his hand toward me.

“Give it here.”