While Gianna and Dante were whispering to each other, she was facing a different kind of torture in the infirmary.
“No, I said I’d go; why can’t I? I said it’s not necessary!”
“That’s not up for discussion. Didn’t you just hear the Duke’s direct orders?”
Idel pouted at Dr. Aiman, who firmly held her back and made her sit in a chair in the infirmary.
‘Ugh, even the Duke is stubborn.’
This is why he gets taken advantage of by people like Melisa.
“Those dangerous guys like Patrick are hanging around him.”
With her arms crossed and a displeased expression, she recalled the Duke and Patrick, who had just visited the infirmary.
“Dr. Aiman.”
“Ah, Duke. You’ve arrived.”
“Oh, no, Miss Idel, what’s going on? In just a short time, your nose has turned blue…!”
As Patrick suddenly appeared, making a fuss, the Duke rubbed his temples with one hand, looking like he had a headache.
The Duke watched Idel, who was getting annoyed at Patrick’s teasing, and then turned his gaze to Dr. Aiman.
“Fortunately, it seems she still has the energy to be angry. How is her condition?”
“There are no issues with her bones, but as I reported, the bruising is quite severe. It’s a miracle; it’s not worse.”
“I heard she lost a lot of blood.”
“Yes. So she may experience dizziness. It would be best for her to rest for a while.”
“…I see.”
After a moment of silence, during which he seemed to be contemplating something, he calmly gave instructions to Aiman.
“Take all necessary measures.”
“Yes, understood.”
“…Idel, don’t even think about skipping out.”
‘……’
This was the result.
With a heavily wrinkled face, Idel clicked her tongue at the large amount of herbal tea placed in front of her.
“Miss, you just need to drink the medicine on the right in order. In the meantime, Oliver and I will prepare the ointment for your wounds.”
“You expect me to drink all five of these herbal teas?”
“Yes, they’re all necessary for your recovery, from replenishing your blood to restoring your energy.”
Idel sharply replied to the doctor’s overly cheerful words.
“You’re just trying to torture me.”
“Isn’t it said that you become healthier if you’re tortured these days? I must be getting too old. All of these medicines are for your health, Miss Idel.”
This is very suspicious.
Idel shot a slight glare at the grinning Aiman and began to drink the herbal teas one by one.
Since she had to take the medicine anyway, she thought it would be better to finish it quickly.
Of course, even after finishing all the herbal tea, Idel couldn’t leave the infirmary. She still had treatments like cold compresses and applying ointments to undergo.
After completing ‘all treatments’ as the Duke had said, he released Idel from the infirmary and opened his mouth with a voice mixed with laughter.
“Diane will be at the entrance of the herb garden. If you follow this path, you’ll reach the garden. Shall I accompany you?”
“Ugh…….”
Idel expressed her feelings with intense gestures and quickly started walking. To be honest, she felt like the herbal tea was still sloshing around in her stomach.
‘Ugh, I feel sick.’
As she recalled memories she never wanted to experience again, Idel suddenly narrowed her eyes.
‘Now that I think about it, why did Patrick come with us?’
On the surface, he claimed it was to check on her condition as the knight who handled the incident, but…
‘There’s no way that’s the real reason.’
He must have come to check on her. Throughout the Duke’s conversation with Dr. Aiman, he had been observing her as if scrutinizing her. He even tried to make her laugh at his ridiculous antics.
“Miss Idel, if you keep frowning like that, you might become a demon! Come on, try smiling at me!”
“Get lost.”
“Aww, how can you say something so harsh…!”
Even now, it seemed suspicious. Idel narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was after.
“Idel!”
A familiar voice called her from nearby. Reflexively lifting her head, she immediately recognized the person standing there, wearing a gentle expression as if they hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
“Uh, is the treatment over?”
Idel quickly gathered her thoughts at the question was filled with awkwardness and embarrassment.
‘Ignore her.’
It would be better to think of the person in front of her as a ghost.
Thinking of Patrick, who had just appeared in the infirmary, Idel tried to walk past Gianna, making an effort to ignore her.
Of course, it didn’t last long.
“Idel, wait a minute!”
“……”
“Seriously, just a moment! Okay? Let’s talk a bit!”
When she didn’t respond, Gianna threw herself in front of her to block her path.
‘Ah…’
Seeing her desperate demeanor, Idel bit the inside of her mouth.
No matter how weak she was against such displays, if she gave in to her words now, everything she had painstakingly built up could come crashing down at once.
‘…Let’s go.’
Clenching her fists tightly, Idel passed by Gianna without giving her a single glance.
The moment Idel completely turned her back on Gianna.
“I’m sorry!”
At Gianna’s heartfelt shout, Idel’s body froze. Unconsciously turning her head, she bit down hard on her lower lip.
Gianna was gripping the hem of her dress tightly, looking at her with teary eyes.
“I’m sorry! I don’t hate you; I wanted to be friends with you. Because I like you!”
“……”
“But it seemed like you liked him more than me, so I got jealous. I-I’m your family.”
Despite struggling to find the right words, Gianna poured out her feelings until the end.
‘Approaching first.’
This was the quick and “good” method she had come up with while talking to Dante.
Gianna’s choice was right. The moment Idel read the unrefined embarrassment in Gianna’s demeanor, her throat felt tight.
Idel knew how much courage it took for her to reveal such raw emotions.
She also understood how remarkable it was to sincerely reach out time and again to someone who kept pushing her away.
Ignoring the feeling of something caught in her throat, Idel urged herself again.
‘Think about why you didn’t clear up Gianna’s misunderstanding back then.’
No matter how warm and impressive the hand extended to her was, it would be foolish to take it now. With Patrick showing up, staying close would be poison for both of them.
If given the choice between dying from a delicious poison or enduring hunger, anyone would choose the latter.
That was certainly true, but…
“I’ll pretend I didn’t say I wouldn’t give in. It would be petty to say, ‘I’ve done this much, so why haven’t you?’”
How could she not respond to those words?
“Are you a pushover? Why do you always give in? Don’t you feel unfair?”
Finally managing to retort, Idel looked at Gianna intently.
“Isn’t it tiresome to always give in?”
“No, it’s not unfair or exhausting.”
Gianna firmly denied Idel’s words and looked her straight in the eye.
“Losing to someone you like isn’t really losing!”
Hearing Gianna’s words, Idel unconsciously pressed her lips together.
That’s really…
‘She’s like an older sister.’
As Idel thought that, she briefly lowered her gaze to the floor.
‘Can’t I just close my eyes and hold her hand?’
‘Are you out of your mind?’
‘She’s just a kid, after all.’
‘That “kid” is the main character of the original story. Sure, it’s one thing to try to save the Duke out of pride, but this is just plain foolish, isn’t it?’
‘Foolish…’
Idel couldn’t deny that. From her position, it made sense to choose a better option when she knew more.
Sure, it’s one thing to try to save the Duke out of pride, but this is just plain foolish, isn’t it?’
After hesitating several times, a small word slipped from Idel’s lips.
“…I’m sorry too.”
As soon as she said it, regret washed over her, but Idel decided to endure the regret. She wanted to bear the foolishness of not having resolved all misunderstandings with just a meager apology.
‘It’s okay.’
Plans are meant to be broken.
It’s not like she had only one possible outcome in mind anyway.
And not long after she thought that…
“Miss Idel, I know it’s presumptuous of me, but still, I want to confess my feelings to you.”
“You want to do what?”
“To confess.”
Idel had received a request from Diane to confess his feelings.
