Chapter 157
Chapter 157. Uninvited Guest
“How are you feeling today, Young Lady?”
“Just…… the same.”
The Young Lady, who was lying on her bed, answered.
I carried the bowl in my hands and slowly approached the bed. Then I set it down on the table to one side.
It was porridge filled with a savory aroma.
I had added a special ingredient to the porridge I used to make and eat often whenever I was sick in my past life. I had used chicken meat from a chicken slaughtered this morning to make chicken porridge.
Of course, I was not the one who slaughtered the chicken. I did not know how to do that. I had simply used the ingredient.
“You have not seemed to have much appetite lately, so I prepared a Special Meal. It is something I often eat when I am ill.”
She might not have noticed at first, but with steaming chicken porridge beside her, there was no way she would not salivate.
As expected, the appetizing smell drew the Young Lady’s gaze to one side.
“I said I am fine. You did not have to trouble yourself.”
“I cooked it personally. I am certain it will suit your taste. Please have at least one spoonful, if only to honor my effort.”
“……Very well.”
Sapiela raised herself. Arwen and I helped her from the side so she could lift the spoon.
“It seems Sir Dilen’s Special Meals have been served quite often lately, Young Lady. You should recover quickly, if only for Sir Dilen’s sincerity!”
“Yes.”
The Young Lady gave a bitter smile and lifted her spoon.
Arwen and I remained beside her until the Young Lady put down her spoon. She truly could not get food down easily. It felt as though she was forcing it in.
In the end, she left more than half behind and set down her spoon.
However, I did not force her to eat more. Eating even that much was already impressive.
“Shall I prepare something for you to drink?”
“Yes, please.”
I gave Arwen a look, and Arwen began preparing the tea set. The only reason the Young Lady had not collapsed from exhaustion was because she frequently drank tea.
After wiping her mouth with a Napkin, the Young Lady asked.
“There has been no particular talk from the Academy, has there?”
“No. There was a Message from the Dean wishing for your swift Full Recovery.”
“In the end, I suppose I have no choice but to return like this.”
It seemed the Young Lady had made up her mind to return to the Adeline Territory. Her worsening health had been the decisive factor. The Young Lady had not adapted well to the Royal Capital.
As someone who bore the epithet of the Greatest Beauty in the Kingdom, I had thought she would make a dazzling debut in High Society, but far from debuting, she had not even gone near it.
Thanks to that, matters had become easier. Now we only had to attend tomorrow’s Birthday Party, then slowly prepare to withdraw.
“Please do not worry too much. When the weather improves, I will escort you to the Royal Capital again, Young Lady.”
“I am grateful even if those are only words.”
“I mean them.”
“Sir……”
Just as Sapiela was about to say something, a knock sounded.
“Young Lady. This is serious.”
It was Sir Brituang’s voice. I strode forward and opened the door.
“What is the matter?”
“One moment.”
He passed by me, stood before the Young Lady, and bowed his head.
“I apologize for informing you so suddenly. A message has come from the Royal Family. It says Princess Ophelia will be arriving soon.”
“Ophelia?”
“Yes. They said she would arrive shortly, so I believe we must prepare.”
The Young Lady, Arwen, and I all stiffened at the same time.
Things were getting twisted. I had not expected her to move this openly on the day before the party. She had only sent Messengers until now, yet she was suddenly coming in person?
I, who had been watching, stepped forward.
“As you know, the Young Lady is ill. I think it would be best to politely refuse the meeting.”
“I would like to do that, but it is not certain whether she intends to meet the Young Lady.”
“Then Young Master Hamel?”
“That is also possible. They did not say anything in particular on their end.”
“I will report this to Young Master Hamel. It would be best to prepare in advance.”
“I ask that of you.”
After lowering my head, I immediately left the room and headed to Young Master Hamel’s quarters.
When I knocked and entered, he was resting leisurely on his bed. He had been swinging his sword every night lately, so he looked somewhat tired, but he looked like an idler.
I reported at once.
“Princess Ophelia is on her way.”
Hamel’s eyes widened, and he sprang to his feet.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
“As I said, she is currently on her way to the Mansion. A Messenger came saying she would arrive soon.”
“Damn it!”
The Young Master cursed and snapped his fingers.
The waiting Maids rushed over and began grooming him. They dressed him in luxurious clothes, and they also tended to his hair and skin. He had already been a handsome young man, but as if the Maids had cast Magic, he instantly became radiant.
“What on earth is she coming here for? Is there no information?”
“Nothing in particular. It may be a Get-Well Visit for the Young Lady, or she may intend to meet you, Young Master.”
“I will meet her first.”
Hamel was also more worried about his younger sister than anyone else. It was clear that he wanted to be considerate so she would not have to concern herself any further.
I went outside with him.
Just then, I saw a luxurious Carriage crossing the garden. They had said she would arrive soon, and she truly had come very quickly. Beside the Carriage, I could see Dame Cassiopeia on a white horse and the imposing figures of the Royal Guard.
Before long, the Carriage stopped, and a red carpet was laid out. Young Master Hamel and I stepped forward.
“We greet Your noble Highness, the Princess.”
Ophelia, who descended from the Carriage, smiled brightly.
“What familiar faces! Have you been well?”
“I was just worrying because my younger sister is ill. She has not recovered at all.”
“That is why I prepared this!”
When Ophelia stepped slightly aside, a middle-aged man in fine clothing came into view. He was holding a bag in his hand, and judging by the feeling he gave off, he seemed to be a Doctor.
Ophelia introduced him.
“He is my father’s Royal Physician. He will cure Ella’s illness completely, so do not worry.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Haston. I would like to examine the Young Lady’s condition at once.”
Hamel lowered his head.
“I am overwhelmed by your grace. I do not know how I can ever repay this favor……”
“That is not what matters right now! Let us hurry and go see Ella!”
I was flustered by the unexpected turn of events. I had not imagined she would even bring the Royal Physician.
Although I had checked through the Status Window, I once again felt how quick-witted the Princess was. If I could see her Stats, would her Intelligence be quite high?
It was clear she had brought him in preparation for Young Lady Sapiela refusing a visit. If someone said they would examine a sick person, we could not refuse.
Perhaps because of that, even Young Master Hamel, who had been trying to prevent her from meeting the Young Lady, could not come up with any particular method and guided the group to the Young Lady’s quarters.
“This way, please.”
“Let us go!”
I nodded in greeting to Dame Cassiopeia and followed them inside.
In that urgent moment, I entered the Young Lady’s quarters first and conveyed only one sentence to Sapiela. After all, we could not leave the Princess waiting outside.
“Act boldly. For the honor of House Adeline.”
Perhaps she read my serious expression, because although the Young Lady looked slightly surprised, she silently nodded. I opened the door, and Princess Ophelia entered.
“Ella! What happened to you? You have completely wasted away!”
“Welcome.”
I did not leave and instead remained by Sapiela’s side, lending her strength. Now it was her turn to step forward.
“I am sorry. I have not been feeling well, so I could not go to the Academy.”
“No, no~ Getting better is what matters. Do not worry about that.”
“I will definitely come to your Birthday Party tomorrow.”
“I said it is fine.”
Ophelia grinned and beckoned Haston over.
The examination began. Though it was called an examination, there was nothing especially unusual about it. Since he could not carelessly touch the Young Lady’s body, he could not use tools either, and the examination was conducted mainly through consultation.
“If you take medicine, you should recover quickly. Please do not worry too much.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I will prepare the medicine shortly.”
Guided by a Maid, Haston left the room. Since it was medicine brought from the Royal Family, it was sure to be special. His identity was also certain, so there was no need to worry about poison.
Meanwhile, Ophelia sat on the edge of the bed and held the Young Lady’s hand tightly with both of hers.
“You have to take the medicine and get better quickly. That way, we can play together. You should come back to the Academy, too. All right?”
“I am planning to stop going to the Academy.”
“Why?”
Ophelia was startled. With her large eyes sparkling, she leaned her face close to Sapiela.
“Why, why, why? Why are you trying to stop?”
I looked forward to the answer that would follow. How had the Young Lady digested my advice?
“I have to go back to my hometown. Because of Count Astria, the People of the Territory are anxious. I cannot inherit the House, but I want to look after the People of the Territory. I want to find something I can do…….”
A model answer came out.
A smile naturally appeared on my lips. The Young Lady had matured far more than when I had first met her. I would need to give her a reward later.
“Yes, of course! Then you should go back. I will also find something I can do in the Royal Capital. I had already decided to help Brother Hamel anyway.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“You will invite me to Adeline later, will you not?”
Ophelia smiled.
To be honest, after seeing that expression, I wanted to check her Status Window. There was too much sincerity in her words for them to be mere courtesy.
Sapiela smiled gently.
“Yes. I will. I will make certain to invite you.”
“Thank you. Then take your medicine properly…… and if we can meet tomorrow, let us meet!”
“Yes.”
“Bye!”
Ophelia went outside. Young Master Hamel also followed after her. A quiet silence descended over the Young Lady’s Bedchamber, where tension had been lingering.
The Young Lady let out a sigh.
“You did truly well. To be honest, I never imagined you would respond with such dignity.”
“Because you advised me, Sir.”
“You have changed a great deal compared to when I first met you.”
“First?”
Sapiela sank into thought. However, she did not seem to remember clearly. After all, first meetings with people who became close tended to be hazy.
The Young Lady raised herself from the bed. She pulled aside the blanket and sat on the edge of the bed.
“But I had a strange feeling.”
“What kind of feeling?”
“I wondered whether Ophelia is truly a dangerous person…… Perhaps she actually wanted to become friends with me.”
“That may be so.”
No matter how evil someone was, they could still have people with whom they wanted to share personal friendship. I did not want to deny that part.
“However, since the situation is what it is, you do need to be careful. The honor of the House is important, but if you end up hurt, then ultimately, none of it will mean anything, will it?”
“You say dangerous things as if they are nothing.”
“I am merely stating the truth.”
The Young Lady pressed her lips together.
I stroked her shoulder. The startled Young Lady stared at me blankly. Even an Attending Secretary could not touch the body of his master. But I was different.
“In any case, you truly did well. Even if you do not have the right to inherit the House, Young Lady, it seems you have more than enough right to inherit the honor of the House.”
“Sir Dilen…….”
“As a reward, I was thinking of introducing you to a nice place. After you take some medicine later and regain your strength, how about stepping outside for a short walk? I know a good Teahouse. The desserts are also truly fantastic.”
Sapiela, who had been staring blankly for a moment, nodded. Only then did I take my hand away from her shoulder.
For an instant, regret flashed across the Young Lady’s expression, but because Haston came in with the medicine, she could not express anything further. The room became bustling again.
“It is a little bitter. If you drink it slowly……”
Young Lady Sapiela took the bowl as though snatching it from him, then gulped it down as if she were drinking cool water on a midsummer day. It smelled like it would be terribly bitter, but she endured it well.
“Hohoho, you drink it very well indeed. I have prescribed more medicine, so please make certain to take it three times a day.”
“Thank you, Sir Haston.”
“I shall take my leave now. I wish you a swift Full Recovery.”
The moment Haston left, the Young Lady sprang to her feet, clenching both hands.
“Please do not overexert yourself. It would be best for you to rest a little longer.”
“It is good medicine. I feel my strength returning. As promised, let us go to the Teahouse.”
Not even a nitroglycerin sublingual tablet would take effect this quickly, for heaven’s sake. I gave a hollow laugh and seated her.
“It would look better for you to move after the Princess has returned first. We have plenty of time, so please sit down for now.”
The Young Lady obeyed me, but her expression clearly showed her disappointment.
This Young Lady is especially cute today.