As I opened my eyes, my first thought was about how much Julion would worry again.
‘How much time has passed?’
It felt both long and short in my perception.
I attempted to lift my motionless arm to pull the blanket. Then Zenid, who was doing something near the window, looked at me in surprise.
“Oh my, Your Highness!”
Zenid dropped the broom she was holding and swiftly approached me.
“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Her hand, cool and refreshing, reached my forehead.
I shook my head and said, “I’m fine, but first, help me up. How long has it been?”
“Three days. You’ve been suffering from a high fever all this time.”
“Wait, what about Countess Rivolain? I should have put more medicine on her. Is she okay? Did it get worse?”
This is bad. I shouldn’t have been sleeping so comfortably, but my weak body was the problem.
I was about to get up and go to the Countess, but Zenid stopped me.
“The Countess is fine. She was attended to by Dr. Barmid. Don’t worry; she’s recovering well.”
“Ah… that’s a relief.”
With the materials available and the skills of Dr. Barmid, he could surely prepare the necessary treatment.
I breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed my body again.
Anyway, it was a bit strange that I couldn’t wake up for three whole days, no matter how severe the fever was.
What did I do to end up in such a wreck?
‘At least I don’t feel any pain.’
After being bedridden for so long, I expected to feel some discomfort, even if it was just a bit of back pain, but there was none.
‘It’s like before when I didn’t take Apherium.’
Just to be sure, I subtly pinched my thigh.
Again, no pain.
I’m starting to panic, but Zenid’s cold hand moves away from my forehead.
“This isn’t right; we should call for the physician.”
As she rose to her feet in frustration, the door burst open, revealing Hemion.
“Lady Zenid, I brought a fresh towel…!”
Plop.
The newly brought towel fell powerlessly to the floor. Regardless of the now-soiled towel, Hemion stared at me, her mouth agape.
“Your Highness! When did you wake up?”
Then she rushed towards me as if she were about to embrace me. In that instant, Zenid reached out, preventing Hemion from getting any closer.
“Hemion, Her Highness needs to rest.”
If someone saw us, they might think we were a family who had lived together for decades. Finally realizing her actions, Hemion awkwardly cleared her throat and diverted her gaze.
‘She’s someone who gets attached quickly.’
I don’t know if I should be happy that she opened up to me like this or if I should be worried that she did so so easily.
With an embarrassed smile, Hemion, blushing even more, raised her voice.
“Really, what are you doing? Making everyone worry so much!”
Hemion’s eyes flushed red as she made eye contact with me again. She playfully scratched the tip of her nose and exited the room.
“I’ll call for the physician!”
As Hemion left, Zenid, releasing a small sigh, took hold of my hand.
“Your Highness.”
Zenid gazed at me seriously, signaling something important. Seeing that, I awkwardly smiled.
“I need to ask you something.”
As expected.
I had a vague idea what she was going to ask. Avoiding Zenid’s gaze, I absentmindedly stared at the quilt.
“Is there something you’re hiding from me?”
I took a slow breath in and let it out. I wanted to say no, but I didn’t want to lie.
Zenid spoke again.
“Whenever I see Your Highness lately, I can’t help but think of Lady Shahadna.”
“Zenid, it’s not what you think it is.”
“Then please be honest with me.”
Though Zenid’s voice was calm, it carried a hint of tears. Not knowing what to say, I just kept smiling, and at that moment, a sharp knock echoed.
“Your Highness, it’s Barmid.”
“Oh, come in.”
It was a relief that I didn’t have to explain it immediately. Zenid stepped back with a stern face.
“Your Highness, you’re awake.”
Behind Barmid, who entered, Julion’s servant peeked at me.
“Is Julion here?”
Expecting him to enter soon, I waited, but only the servant came in nervously.
“His Highness is in the office with Viscount Pailson, discussing something important. Shall I inform them immediately?”
“Oh, then later, it’s not urgent.”
“Understood.”
In response to my answer, Freck nodded awkwardly and withdrew.
“Then I’ll examine you, Your Highness.”
“I’m really fine…”
While Dr. Barmid examined my body, I also checked my own condition.
It felt strange that I didn’t feel any pain, but for now, I closed my mouth and waited for Dr. Barmid’s words.
However, Dr. Barmid couldn’t immediately tell me the results. A hurried sound from outside caught my attention, then a familiar face appeared.
“Julion?”
Was his conversation with Viscount Pailson already over?
Dr. Barmid stepped aside.
For some reason, Julion looked shocked, blinking his eyelids rapidly. Since he didn’t say anything, I asked first.
“Are you done talking with Viscount Pailson?”
I couldn’t help but worry if he had stopped something important for my sake.
Julion had been worrying about me a lot lately. However, he just stared at me without saying a word.
“Julion, what’s wrong?”
I asked again, tilting my head.
At that moment, Julion approached me. His golden eyes shimmered with various emotions as he looked down at me.
It seemed like he was entranced by something. Julion moved closer, and his trembling lips seemed to struggle to form words.
“Rohiriel.”
The sound of my name, accompanied by a soft breath, felt somewhat unfamiliar.
‘Why does he look so bewildered?’
Julion’s eyes were fluttering wildly.
He can’t possibly hate that I’m awake. Not knowing how to react, I decided to smile, but suddenly, Julion’s gaze sharpened.
“Dr. Bamid, how is the health of the Crown Princess?”
I wonder why he hadn’t asked me that. I let out a small laugh, realizing that he was back to his usual self.
However, unexpectedly, Julion seemed to shudder, stiffening his shoulders.
I questioned him with a curious look. He shook his head slightly.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
Julion, cutting off my words abruptly, completely turned away from me, redirecting his gaze to Dr. Barmid.
‘Why is he acting like this?’
I wasn’t able to resolve my doubts despite asking.
I should ask again later.
When our conversation paused, Dr. Barmid cautiously began to speak.
“The symptoms of her illness seem to have improved significantly. However, it’s challenging to say that her overall health has… improved.”
Julion’s reaction was noticeable, and both Zenid and Hemion also seemed concerned.
‘But that’s not the case.’
I was getting better. I was definitely getting better. I don’t understand why my condition suddenly worsened.
Was it because I adjusted the medication, trying to eliminate the side effects and even diluting its effectiveness?
At that moment, a thought crossed my mind.
‘Wait a moment. Could it be?’
Perhaps my illness developed tolerance to Apherium.
Maybe I was fine the first time I plucked a raw flower, but then I made a stronger version of it and ate it, rendering the weaker version useless.
Sigh…
I let out an involuntary sigh as my mind went crazy. Suddenly, all eyes in the room turned to me.
“It’s nothing.”
I smiled ambiguously, avoiding eye contact.
At that moment, Hemion suddenly burst out of the room with a sobbing sound.
Did she catch a summer cold? But even Zenid didn’t look well.
It was evident that she was convinced I was hiding something.
I wished Dr. Barmid would stop talking now, but obliviously he continued.
“If you continue to push yourself like this, your condition will only worsen, Your Highness. Please take care of yourself.”
“No, I’m really fine. It’s just that this time I think I got a cold from falling in the water…….”
“Usually, a simple cold doesn’t last more than a few days.”
“Well, it does seem strange to me too, but my body isn’t in as bad of a condition as one might think.”
How do I explain this?
It was challenging to talk about the treatment without mentioning Apherium.
Amidst my inner conflict, Julion finally spoke up.
