TISND Chapter 29

Chapter 29

To get straight to the point, Aiden was the complete opposite of Helena.
Even after two months at the estate, she was still shy around people, unlike him.

“I’ll help out from time to time. Believe it or not, I’m pretty confident when it comes to prepping vegetables.”

“You’re a doctor, though. Why are you so good at cooking?”

“Because I lived alone before being a doctor. If I hadn’t cooked, I would’ve starved to death a long time ago.”

Aiden was mingling easily with the kitchen staff, chatting cheerfully. Helena, who wasn’t good at making friends, stared at him as if he were a rare plant not listed in the botanical encyclopedia.

“Joshua, why is that guy suddenly getting so friendly with the staff?”

The problem was that Helena wasn’t the only one watching Aiden.

“Is it because he’s handsome? But our father is handsome too.”

“Before that, it’s obvious he’s intentionally getting close to everyone. And you shouldn’t compare someone like him to Father. That’s an insult to Father.”

Joshua spoke firmly.

“Father is someone we should secretly admire and revere. Just looking him in the eye feels almost blasphemous. Comparing him to a man who’s all charm and deceit? Unthinkable.”

Jeremy nodded fervently at Joshua’s praise for their father, whom he deeply respected.

“Anyway, that guy must be plotting something shady and sinister deep down.”

“Alright, Joshua. Let’s figure out his plans before he makes his move.”

“I’ll help dismantle him, piece by piece.”

“Hey, you two.”

Unable to watch any longer, Helena intervened in their conversation about Aiden.

“‘That guy’? For your information, he’s someone I know.”

“What does that matter? He’s someone ‘you’ know, not someone ‘we’ know.”

“What’s the problem if we don’t like him?”

“…”

Their words weren’t entirely wrong, so she couldn’t find a proper response. She tried to dissuade the children, who seemed determined to harbor intense hostility toward Aiden, but it was futile.

The biggest issue was that she had no idea why the kids were acting this way.

“Oh, Helena.”

At that moment, Aiden spotted her standing at a distance and smiled brightly.
The smile lit up the surroundings, and the kitchen staff erupted into cheers.

“Excuse me for a moment. I have something to discuss with the Duchess,” he said, politely excusing himself before striding toward Helena.

Joshua and Jeremy quickly stepped in front of her like a protective wall.

What’s going on?

Helena, who had been ready to greet Aiden warmly, found herself pushed back and looked confused. But even their protective stance was ineffective because they’d overlooked one crucial detail—Aiden was taller than both the boys and Helena.

“Hello, young masters. Have you eaten? I hope you grow strong and healthy with good meals every day.”

Speaking kindly to the boys, who were far too short to block him, Aiden left Jeremy and Joshua fuming with red faces.

Turning to Helena, he suddenly wiped away his smile, replacing it with a glum expression. Helena, soft-hearted as ever, asked worriedly, “Senior? Is something bothering you?”

“Like I mentioned before, the Duke asked me to visit the village and tend to patients. But since it’s my first time exploring Frantor, I’m worried I might get lost,” he said, clearly making up an excuse.

Joshua, who had seen him wandering confidently around the village multiple times, clenched his fists in frustration.

“And what if I catch a cold while riding? I’d hate to pass it on to you or the adorable young masters. That would be unacceptable.”

“In that case, we should arrange a carriage for you.”

“Even with a carriage…”

Still not done, Aiden continued with a bitter expression, “As you know, I’ve often been looked down upon for being young despite my skills. What if the same happens in Frantor?”

“Ah…”

“And what if I waste time and end up endangering a patient’s life? But who would even believe I’m a doctor? If only there was someone to vouch for me…”

Aiden’s face, at that moment, was one of someone undeniably in distress.

And this wasn’t just anyone—it was Aiden, someone who was practically Helena’s benefactor. Back at the academy, where she had felt so lonely, he had been the only one to befriend her.

Naive as she was, Helena fell for his intentions hook, line, and sinker.

“Oh, in that case, I’ll go with you.”

“Really? That would make me so happy.”

He got her on board with ‘that face’! Joshua was so taken aback that he could only let out a hollow laugh.

“I’ll come along too.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Joshua stepped forward. No matter what, he couldn’t let Helena and that guy go off alone.

But Aiden was the most formidable adult Joshua had ever faced.

“Ah, young master, wouldn’t it be better for you to refrain from going out?”

“Is it wrong for someone who will one day govern to observe the lives of the people?”

“I only say so because if you fall ill again, the pain in my heart would be unbearable.”

Aiden turned his gaze to Jeremy, who had been silently standing by, and muttered softly.

“Young master Jeremy wouldn’t want that either, would you?”

“Huh? Me?”

“You wouldn’t want young master Joshua to fall ill, right?”

“Of course not!”

Jeremy answered innocently.

“Well then, young master, I suggest you relax by the warm fireplace in the estate. Illnesses require more care after recovery than when you’re actually sick, after all.”

With his skillful words, Aiden managed to completely silence Joshua.

In the end, Joshua was utterly defeated, unable to win even a single exchange with Aiden.
As Joshua stood there trembling with frustration, clenching his fists, Aiden smirked and held out his hand to Helena.

“Well then, we’ll be off now. I hope you enjoy a comfortable rest in the estate.”

And with that, Aiden and Helena left together.

“Hey, hey, Joshua, what’s wrong?”

Jeremy, noticing the ominous atmosphere surrounding Joshua, flinched in surprise.

Joshua was glaring daggers at Aiden’s retreating figure, his eyes blazing as if he could kill him on the spot.

“I won’t forgive him.”

“What?”

“I will beat that guy!”

His voice echoed loudly and resolutely.

—

Frantor was a vast territory.
Its lands stretched from expansive mountain ranges to southern plains.

Even though the estate employed doctors who traveled around treating patients, it wasn’t possible to provide medical care to everyone. Most residents had to visit the estate-run clinics for treatment.

However, this system had its drawbacks—there weren’t enough doctors, and sick patients had to travel for care themselves.
Even access to medicine wasn’t guaranteed.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, senior.”

Helena had been planning to discuss several things with Aiden when he arrived.

Starting with obtaining medicinal herbs and producing medicine to supply to the northern region.
If necessary, she wanted to involve Countess Enphirem in a discussion about future plans.

“Judging by your expression, it seems like you have something to say too.”

Aiden chuckled as he climbed into the carriage, noticing her serious demeanor.

“Yes, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“In the North, it’s harder to access clinics or doctors compared to other regions… So, I was wondering if we could produce and distribute medicine instead.”

“There’s already medicine being supplied, isn’t there?”

“It’s not enough. Most illnesses in Frantor are caused by the cold.”

Helena took out the data she had gathered and showed it to him.

“People get injured chopping wood to keep warm, and those wounds get infected, leading to severe illnesses… Oh, look here. This data shows a high number of skin disease cases too. Just as many as in humid climates. And there are also numerous vascular-related illnesses.”

It was the first time Helena had spoken at length since arriving in Frantor.

“I want to produce and distribute as much medicine as possible for illnesses that are likely to develop in cold climates.”

“You really are remarkable.”

Aiden, who had been quietly observing her, let out a small chuckle.
Despite spending her entire life being disliked by people, she still loved them wholeheartedly.

“When did you manage to prepare all this?”

“…It was just a plan I scribbled down out of boredom.”

“No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t seem like a plan made out of boredom.”

Helena’s face reddened, and she cleared her throat before explaining her plan to Aiden.

Perhaps because he was a doctor, he listened with the same seriousness as her, occasionally offering advice or pointing out areas for improvement.

They seemed to have been talking for quite some time.

“Wait… what?”

She distinctly remembered chatting away in the carriage, fully engaged in the conversation. She hadn’t paused mid-discussion or fallen asleep from exhaustion.

“You’re awake?”

Aiden sighed and checked her breathing and pulse.

“What happened to me?”

“You were enthusiastically talking, and then suddenly you lost consciousness.”

“What?”

“And you still insist on not receiving treatment?”

“…It’s an incurable disease anyway.”

Aiden shook his head in exasperation.

“And you still plan to hide your illness from the people of Frantor?”

“…”

“This isn’t going to be the last time something like this happens,” he pointed out.

Helena bit her lip at his words.

“Before long, they’ll realize something’s wrong with you.”