Episode 7
“Haa…”
A hot sigh left Easton’s mouth.
Maybe it was because he wandered the mountain in the rain without an umbrella, but even though he thought he was healthy, he caught a cold the very next day.
His whole body felt like it was on fire. Every time he blinked, he could feel the heat. His head throbbed, and he felt chills.
He wanted to cover himself with every blanket in the inn.
“Damn it…”
He cursed under his breath and slowly sat up. He had no strength, but he needed to eat something to get better.
He barely stood up next to the bed and staggered a little.
“Ugh…”
He grabbed the wall and pressed his temple.
He hadn’t felt it while lying down, but now that he was standing, he was really dizzy.
Groaning softly, he threw a jacket over his shivering body and slowly went down to the first floor.
At the end of the hall, the innkeeper was polishing dishes from the cupboard.
“Um…”
Even his voice sounded dry and cracked.
“Ahem.”
Easton cleared his throat and knocked lightly on the wall to get the man’s attention.
“Huh?”
The innkeeper looked up and saw Easton, then walked over with a puzzled face.
“Are you not feeling well?”
He looked at Easton carefully. Seeing the flushed face, heavy breathing, and cracked voice, it was clear he had a cold.
“Oh dear, looks like you caught a cold.”
“Could you… bring me something to eat?”
“Of course! I’ll bring up something warm right away. Please wait a moment.”
The innkeeper smiled kindly and motioned for him to go back upstairs.
Easton gave a faint smile in response and turned to go back, but suddenly Layla’s face popped into his mind.
If she found out he was sick, she’d definitely come and fuss over him.
With a sigh, he turned back.
“Oh, and just in case…”
“Yes?”
“If anyone asks… please don’t tell them I have a cold.”
“Haha, don’t worry. I won’t say a word!”
Relieved, Easton went back up to his room.
“Haa…”
He collapsed onto the bed, completely drained.
He didn’t even have the strength to take off his jacket. He just pulled a blanket over himself.
‘If I eat something and rest, I’ll feel better…’
His blue eyes looked out the window.
Rain kept falling, tapping on the glass.
‘Doesn’t look like it’ll stop anytime soon.’
He stared at the window blankly, blinking slowly, then closed his eyes.
He was half asleep when—
“Are you okay?”
A clear voice made his eyes snap open.
His blurry vision cleared, and he saw silver hair.
It was Layla.
She was staring right at him.
He jolted up.
“L-Layla?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She had a small basket full of things and began unpacking them on the table.
“…Because there was no reason to tell you.”
He didn’t even ask how she found out. It was obviously the innkeeper.
“I see.”
She stopped moving for a second, then placed her hands on her hips and frowned at him playfully.
“There is a reason. It’s because you got sick after helping me.”
She continued unpacking her things.
“Your voice is cracked too… poor thing.”
“Why… did you bring so much?”
He peeked at the table. Pears, honey, berries, bottles of medicine — it was a mess.
“I was bringing fruit anyway, but then I heard someone upstairs was sick. So I brought things that are good for colds.”
Easton watched her blankly.
Last night, he only helped her find Sera because he needed the “Ayola” herb. Only Layla could help him find it. If she got hurt, his sister might suffer too.
That was the only reason he helped.
If it weren’t for the herb, he wouldn’t have gone into the mountain at all.
“You really didn’t have to do this.”
So he felt like he didn’t deserve her kindness.
“I’ll take the medicine myself, so please go.”
He was too weak to talk properly and waved her away.
“Nope.”
But Layla was stubborn.
After unpacking everything, her pink eyes looked straight at him.
Their eyes met.
His heart thumped hard in his chest. He swallowed.
How could someone’s eyes be so clear?
Her light pink eyes sparkled like jewels.
“…Layla.”
“Even if you don’t want help, you have no choice. I’m the only one in Elton who can make proper medicine.”
She shrugged.
Easton let out a small sigh, knowing she wouldn’t be persuaded.
‘I guess I have to pretend to get mad and force her to leave.’
He took a deep breath and raised his voice.
“This is really uncomf—!”
Just then, a cold hand touched his forehead.
His lips parted in shock.
“Whoa! You’re burning up! Wait here!”
She quickly ran downstairs.
“Haa.”
Easton laughed quietly to himself.
She had only touched his forehead. Just to check his fever.
So why…
“Damn it.”
Why was his heart racing?
He felt frustrated by how fast it was beating.
‘No, it’s just the fever.’
He shook his head, trying to convince himself.
Layla came back with more things in her arms.
“Okay, lie down again.”
She pressed a cold pouch of ice to his forehead and gently pushed him back down.
“I’ll take care of your cold.”
Then she started grating a pear and mixing it with honey.
“Why… are you doing all this?”
“It’s just how I am. I told you, right? You helped me, so now I’ll help you!”
She clenched her fists and spoke with determination.
If he found that cute, it must be because the fever was making him delusional.
“Okay, open up. Eat this and take the medicine I brought. You’ll feel better soon.”
Layla held out the honey pear to him.
Easton just stared at her for a while.
“…I’ll eat it.”
He finally accepted the bowl carefully.
“…Thank you.”
Was it always this nice?
Having someone care for you.
It had been so long since someone worried about him like this… his heart quietly felt warm.
