Chapter 60
‘He asked me to keep his visit last night a secret.’
Was it Luwen? Did Luwen tell on me?
Thinking about it, I didn’t give Luwen separate instructions. It happened because I wasn’t in the right state of mind, but it felt a bit unsettling, like breaking a promise after just one night. I worried that the narrow-minded Second Prince might hold a grudge.
I glanced at Luwen, who was smiling proudly as if expecting praise.
‘Hmm. Well, can’t be helped.’
I can’t scold Luwen because of the Second Prince. It was a situation that arose from my mistake in the first place.
Still, it doesn’t feel right to let it slide like this. Since I’ve settled things with the Second Prince, it might be better to defend him this time. I’m not one to throw the first punch.
“He didn’t harass me. He just came to check about the queen spider’s lair.”
“I heard from His Highness. He seemed very apologetic. But it wasn’t appropriate to discuss such matters with someone who’s ill.”
“I was fine when we started talking. Neither of us knew my fever would suddenly rise. Besides, when my condition worsened, His Highness noticed first and let me rest. He also apologized.”
That should do it. I didn’t make up any stories, so there shouldn’t be any discrepancies with what the Second Prince might say. He’s not the type to make excuses in the first place, but people change when it comes to my sister, so you never know.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
My sister’s furrowed expression relaxed. However, my confinement wasn’t lifted. Why on earth not!
“But your fever suddenly rose last night too. It might happen again, so stay put here. I have to go for some business. Luwen, I’m counting on you.”
“Leave it to me.”
Irene looked at Luwen, who was making bold promises, with trust. She patted my head once and stood up.
“Get plenty of rest.”
“…Alright.”
Can’t be helped when she puts it like that.
“Do you want to sleep more?” Luwen asked, sitting close to me as soon as Irene left.
I wasn’t sleepy from sleeping too much, and I didn’t want to lie on the hard bed anymore. It seemed cloud-soft when I first arrived, but the limitations of a camp bed were clear. My pampered body ached, longing for the bed at the mansion.
“No, I’ll get up for now.”
“Why? Don’t push yourself, just lie down.”
“Hmm.”
If I told the truth, would he scold me for being fussy? But my back and waist really hurt. It was the stiffness that comes from lying too long on an unsuitable bed. Besides, I’m not the type to lie still anyway.
“I was thinking of visiting Master.”
“But Miss Irene told you not to go out.”
“That’s because she’s worried I might get sick again.”
“You understand well.”
“So I’m going to get examined by Master. It wouldn’t be right to summon Master carelessly, so the disciple should go, right?”
Luwen has a master too, so I thought he’d understand my feelings well. He follows Dedric so devotedly. It wasn’t for nothing that I even educated him about monsters.
“Well… that’s true, but…”
“Besides, all the medicine I take is made by Master. Even if I’m sick, he’ll treat me quickly when I’m in front of him, right?”
“That’s also true, but…”
Luwen answered hesitantly. Good, he’s almost convinced.
“And originally, a light walk is actually good for the body. You need sunlight to stay healthy.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s what they say. Most importantly, you’ll be by my side, Luwen. I’m moving because I trust you.”
“Of course! I won’t leave your side at all.”
“Then, can you support me?”
“Yes!”
Oh, our Luwen. How can you be so naive? He answered energetically, then tilted his head with a puzzled expression as if thinking, ‘Is this right?’ But when I got up, he quickly supported me.
“Are you okay? Can you walk?”
“Yes. I’m completely fine.”
I’ve recovered enough to not need support, but I don’t know why they won’t believe me. Is it because I still can’t remove the bandages? It’s not as bad as it looks. Anyway, they’re both overprotective.
As I walked with light steps, Luwen seemed to believe to some extent that I had recovered. Moreover, the fact that Master’s tent was close by seemed to contribute to his peace of mind.
However, when we arrived at the tent, Master wasn’t there. The servant informed me that there was an area near the campsite where rare medicinal herbs grew, so Master had gone to collect them, leading a few knights for protection. I had used Master as an excuse to move around, but I was genuinely disappointed as I wanted to see him.
‘Master is really amazing.’
True to his nature of never letting go of medical books, there were books scattered around here too. Seeing that they were all focused on one field, it was clear he had left in a hurry.
Did he hastily gather them from the study?
‘I was bored, so this is perfect.’
I found two books with interesting topics and asked the servant to borrow them.
I wanted to walk more, but Luwen, who had become sensitive due to Master’s absence, led me back to the tent, almost dragging me. It didn’t end there; after a brief argument with Luwen who tried to make me lie down on the bed, I managed to secure time to quietly read books while sitting in a chair.
Just as I was leisurely finishing one book, it became noisy outside. Joyful shouts, hearty laughter tinged with relief, someone’s sobs, and numerous names called out in the joy of reunion.
‘Dedric must have returned.’
I naturally closed the book and stood up, as I had something to discuss with the boss, but Luwen stopped me again.
“Young master doesn’t need to move personally. I’ll bring him here.”
Since I had already rejected all of Luwen’s kindness today, I nodded obediently this time. It was also more natural to summon someone now that I had regained my status as a young master rather than a hostage, and I didn’t want to argue over this.
“Then, please do.”
“Yes! I’ll be right back!”
Luwen’s face, which had looked anxious as if expecting me to refuse again, brightened instantly. Even his steps leaving the tent were light.
‘He always gets like this after I’ve been sick.’
Even though it was almost an annual event, whenever I got up after lying down with a cold, he would hover around me more than usual, taking care of me. This time it was because of an injury, so I thought this state might last a bit longer.
‘Well, it’s almost like I came back from the dead, so it’s understandable that they’re shocked.’
Still, after a few days, things would return to normal as they always did.
I closed the book I had reopened while waiting because Luwen returned with a flushed face. The refreshing image of him wiping sweat with his sleeve while smiling brightly could have easily belonged to a protagonist in a sports manga.
“Hey, young master.”
The large figure that had been hidden by Luwen’s light finally came into view. The sight of him fidgeting awkwardly was disgusting. It would have been much better if he acted slick as usual.
“Why are you so nervous?”
“How can I not be nervous? They’re all high-ranking nobles. One small mistake and my head could roll.”
He glanced outside the tent while running his thumb across his neck. He seemed to be watching the knight guarding outside.
But why isn’t he minding his manners with me? I can tolerate the informal speech, but I can’t stand being looked down upon.
“I’m the one who can control those people with a fingertip, so you feel comfortable with me?”
“Young master is the one who saved our lives. You kept your promise, which honestly, I didn’t believe you would.”
“Even if I hadn’t rudely evacuated you, I could have saved all your lives.”
The boss looked at me with a strange expression and then burst into loud, unrefined laughter.
“Right, you could have!”
He kept giggling to himself for some reason. Then suddenly, he changed to a profound gaze and looked at me. It was so greasy and creepy that I frowned.
“To be honest, we all thought we’d be having tombstones there, so thanks for saving us. I joked about it earlier, but I feel like I should properly express my gratitude.”
The boss continued, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Even if others see us as a criminal group, they’re precious family to me. Not a single one was hurt. Thanks to your household’s knight arriving on time. Thanks to that, I was also able to meet my son.”
Then he suddenly knelt down and pressed his forehead to the floor as if hitting it. Feeling uncomfortable, I pulled my head back and watched, wondering what he was up to.
“Thank you, young master. Whenever you need our help in the future, please call on us anytime. The lives you saved, we’ll use them for you.”
…Ah, this is a bit much. Resisting the urge to scratch my goosebump-covered arms, I looked down at the boss’s crown. I wanted to tell him to stop it right away, but seeing Luwen feeling proud on my behalf, I left it be for now.
‘Still, judging by his attitude, it should be easy to get help when needed later.’
With this, I had achieved my primary goal. Now, there was one more important matter left.
“I don’t need your lives. Rather, if you could make a living without looting, what would you do?”
“That would be nice. I mean, that would be nice. Ah, wait. That would be great.”
He’s not just bad at acting. Well, what can I expect from him?
