IMMCFC 18

Chapter 18

No, was she really worried in the first place? Someone who’s truly concerned wouldn’t speak like that.

Being Dragon-Blooded doesn’t make it a sin to be sick. Jaden didn’t want to be ill; it wasn’t his fault.

Her words only added pressure to a young patient who needed help.

But the woman didn’t stop.

“Really, this fever is pointless. Nothing seems to get better. It’s the same as three years ago. This isn’t some contagious disease, is it? Hah, what a wretched situation.”

Her voice lowered, so I couldn’t hear the exact conversation, but the tone alone made it clear she wasn’t saying anything pleasant.

I deliberately pretended not to notice the presence inside and knocked firmly on the door.

Knock knock.

“Young Master, are you in there? It’s Viola. May I come in?”

Raising my voice to call Jaden intentionally, the sharp voice inside abruptly stopped.

Moments later, the door burst open with impatient footsteps.

“Can’t you speak properly? How uncultured, knocking like that.”

The familiar face appeared—blonde, wearing an elaborate dress, taller than me, eyes sharply angled upwards.

It was the same woman I had encountered in Jaden’s room not long ago.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize there was a guest. I was in a hurry for the Young Master’s treatment…”

I raised my eyebrows apologetically, looking sincerely regretful.

But she had no intention of accepting my apology, waving a fan in front of me as if I were worthless.

“…An apothecary?”

She scrutinized me from head to toe, as if appraising a cheap object.

Finally, she glanced at the medicine bag in my hand and snorted.

“Ah, that strange smell. So you must be the newly arrived commoner apothecary, right?”

Ah… perhaps the strong herbal scent was too much. Being in the apothecary every day, I was used to it.

I personally liked the bitter herbal smell, but for noble ladies used to floral perfumes, it could be off-putting.

I awkwardly closed the bag and bowed.

“Yes… I’m Viola.”

The woman scanned me from head to toe again, then smirked faintly. I could tell it wasn’t a welcoming expression.

“Hmph.”

Her fierce eyes, matching her flashy appearance, made me flinch slightly, but I tried to stay calm.

“And you are…?”

“Celia Dorn. I’m the Young Master’s personal maid.”

The moment she confirmed my status, she lowered her voice but emphasized her family name.

So she really was a personal maid. I had heard the Dorn family name back when I lived as a noblewoman. If I remembered correctly, the youngest daughter of the Dorn count lived there.

Lost in thought for a moment, she narrowed her eyes slightly and let out a fake laugh.

“I hear you have a child. Must be hard to manage as an unmarried woman.”

Hmm. Was she expressing sympathy, or was she encouraging more trouble? I gave a light response for now.

“No, it’s not hard. I’m just happy to have a cute daughter.”

Her forced smile cracked slightly, clearly displeased with my answer.

“Then why not just raise that cute daughter? Why bother meddling in front of the Duke?”

“Pardon?”

“Trying to rise in status with a child… I thought perhaps you were foolishly naive.”

Her smile suggested she knew all my thoughts, and I was utterly confused.

I’d always found it difficult to follow her conversation flow.

“Rising in status…?”

Sure, I had been promoted from a country apothecary to the Duke’s personal apothecary, but that wasn’t what she meant.

Unable to understand her barrage of words, I questioned her, and she sneered.

“You should learn young that you can’t reach trees you can’t climb.”

“What…?”

“The future Duchess Aschern is watching closely, so mind your actions.”

Future Duchess Aschern? Did that mean Cain was engaged? That couldn’t be.

In the original story, Cain never married and remained a lifelong bachelor.

…Could it be that something changed because I altered the original story’s course?

But if that were the case, the engagement would have been widely known—it was for the Aschern Duke, after all.

What on earth was going on?

“…This makes no sense.”

I muttered to myself, and Celia suddenly shouted.

“What makes no sense? How dare a commoner like you ignore me?”

Just then—cough cough!

Harsh coughing came from inside Jaden’s room.

“Y-Young Master?”

Cough, cough, hack.

What? His fever had gone down; there was no reason to cough. Was something wrong?

Right now, Celia didn’t matter.

“Excuse me, I’m in a hurry! Please step aside!”

“Ha? You commoner, ordering me around without knowing your place!”

Celia huffed angrily, but there was no time to waste.

I rushed into Jaden’s room.

Unable to overpower her, she glared for a long moment before vanishing down the hallway.

“Young Master, are you alright?”

I hurried over to Jaden. The coughing sounded severe…!

By his bedside, he was sitting with his back against the wall.

But contrary to my worry, he didn’t look unwell.

“When did the coughing start? Your fever should be down by now.”

While I asked anxiously, Jaden remained calm and composed.

“I’m fine.”

“Pardon? Then what was that noise earlier…?”

I asked again, confused, but his answer didn’t change.

“I said I’m fine.”

A light cough, then he quickly turned his head, like an embarrassed person.

I was still puzzled. His voice sounded clear. If his airways were bad, it wouldn’t sound like that.

Then… could it be that he was helping me because he saw me in trouble?

Jaden had been glancing at my reactions since earlier.

That’s when I realized.

‘Wow… that’s so touching.’

Honestly, I was worried he might feel uncomfortable, but it seemed he had opened up to me a little.

Children really are angels.

Feeling unexpectedly blessed, I covered my mouth to hide my smile.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

“I didn’t help you.”

“I haven’t even said thank you yet.”

Realizing the flaw in my words, Jaden’s eyes widened in surprise.

His tone was grumpy, but his heart was clear.

What should I do with this adorable child?

“Anyway, I really didn’t.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“No, I really didn’t.”

“I get it.”

I smiled warmly at him, and Jaden was startled.

“Please, have a seat here for now.”

Unlike yesterday, he hesitated briefly but then obeyed.

I checked his condition.

Hmm… the fever was gone.

Even after he fell asleep, I checked on him periodically, but there were no abnormal signs. The medicine seemed to suit him.

‘As for future treatments… hmm.’

While I sorted my thoughts, I felt Jaden’s gaze on me.

Specifically, on my left forearm—the place I had injured yesterday—but it was hidden by my long sleeve.

‘He must be worried… quite a bit.’

The boy subtly moved his fingers, trying not to show his nervousness. Though not very straightforward, I decided to let him help a little.

“Young Master. Don’t you have something you want to say to me?”

“Huh? Ah, no? N-not really. It’s not like that…”

He quickly denied it, but his expression betrayed him. His red eyes trembled slightly.

“Hmm, really? Alright, then. I’ve done everything I need to, so I’ll leave now.”

I stood and pretended to gather my bag, but Jaden urgently spoke again.

“Wait, just a moment!”

“Why? I thought you said you had nothing to say.”

“No, it’s… it’s just…!”

The boy fumbled, trying to hold me back.

Good, he’s doing well. I waited patiently. Finally…

“Th-tha… tha….”