Chapter 60
“Anyway, what should we do with Roman?”
“…Well, his loyalty to the Imperial family seems absolute. It’ll be hard to get any useful information from him. I think we should conduct only a formal interrogation and then execute him right away.”
“Yes, that’s not a bad idea.”
Leopold agreed with a nod.
It might seem a bit harsh, but an example had to be made for someone who dared to disgrace the ducal house.
And besides…
‘Rumors that the young lady brought someone back from the dead won’t do us any good.’
If Emperor Mathias were to hear of it, he would surely try to use the girl for himself.
“By the way, Chade, you really do have an eye for people. Where did you find such a young lady with medical skills?”
“…It was coincidence. During Roman’s scheme of summoning and imprisoning so many doctors, I just happened to find her.”
Chade gave a bitter smile.
Seeing that, Leopold could only fall silent.
When the emperor had forced him to the northern barrier, he had suspected it wasn’t out of goodwill…
But he hadn’t realized that, in his absence, his children were suffering this much.
“I’m sorry, Father. Back then, I was too naive to notice Roman’s true intentions. I was desperate only to cure Lily’s illness…”
“No. The greater blame lies with me, for not uncovering Roman’s nature sooner and leaving you behind.”
The duke looked down at his son and spoke steadily.
“It wasn’t your fault, Chade. Don’t blame yourself—if you must, then blame me.”
“…Yes.”
As Chade lowered his head, a faint smile appeared on Leopold’s lips.
“In any case, things could have turned out far worse. For now, we managed to stop it. No doubt the Imperial family is seething with anger by now.”
“…”
“Now that I have returned, we’ll make them regret stirring the wolf of the North.”
“…How do you mean?”
“I plan to hold a grand banquet celebrating my return and the knights’ return as well.”
At the word banquet, Chade looked startled.
‘This is the man who never wanted to show himself in public…’
“Through it, we will make it clear who the true master of the North is.”
With a solemn expression, Leopold rose from his seat.
“I’ll handle the preparations. In the meantime, rest for a while. You’ve worked hard, Chade.”
“Yes, Father.”
Leopold smiled faintly, patted his son’s shoulder twice, and left the office.
Left alone, Chade placed his hand over the spot on his shoulder his father had touched.
He thought to himself that all his hardships had finally been worth it.
“Ugh…”
If I had to do CPR just two more times, I really thought I’d die. My body was that weak.
My arms still trembled as I massaged them, slumping against the reception room chair.
At that moment, a maid entered and bowed politely.
“Are you Lady Limone and Young Master Verdick?”
“Yes.”
“The duke invites you both to dinner.”
“Uh… o-okay.”
“The preparations will take about two hours. Please rest until then, and ring the bell if you need anything.”
Two hours? I had thought he’d call me right away to talk, but instead, we’d have to wait—and even attend dinner?
Judging by how things were going, it didn’t seem like we’d be allowed to return home today.
I quickly called the maid back before she left.
“Ah, excuse me!”
“Yes?”
“Would it be all right if I stepped out for a while? I’m worried about Lady Lily’s condition.”
The maid blinked at me, then nodded readily.
“Of course. If the guests wish it, I will escort you…”
“No, it’s fine. I know my way around here.”
After staying so long at the ducal house, I practically knew it by heart.
Not long ago, I used to get lost just looking for the dining hall, but now I could find it with my eyes closed. I felt a little proud of myself.
“Come on, let’s go together, Verdick!”
He was still sprawled on the sofa, but lifted his head slightly to look at me.
“…Me too?”
“Of course! We didn’t get to check on Lady Lily earlier.”
“…Go alone. I’m tired.”
“What? Aren’t you the one who said you came here because you were worried about me?”
I shook his shoulder, and he sighed deeply.
“The real danger is already over.”
“Right, which is exactly why we should use this chance to check on the patients.”
“….”
“Hey, come on. Get up already.”
I ended up tugging on his arm until he slid to the floor like a floppy animal.
“Agh… fine, I’ll get up.”
By then, I had already hooked his arm over my shoulder and half-lifted him up.
“There. Better?”
“….”
“Why the sulky face?”
“Haa… you really are…”
His face flushed red as he glared at me, but finally, with resignation, he stood up.
“Hehe, this way.”
Satisfied, I tugged on his sleeve and led him along.
I only dared to act so pushy because I knew he would never truly get angry with me.
As we walked side by side, I suddenly remembered earlier.
“Oh, right. You were really skilled back then.”
“Hm?”
“When we did CPR.”
I mimed chest compressions in the air. Verdick nodded.
“I just did what you told me.”
He shrugged like it was nothing. But my praise had been completely sincere.
‘It’d be such a waste not to teach him more…’
Watching him earlier, I had realized that his medical instincts—probably from learning under my father—were exceptional. His actions had been fast and precise.
With proper training, he could be a huge help in situations like today. If only he weren’t already his father’s assistant, I’d have asked him to work with me.
“….”
I eyed him with interest, and he quickly averted his gaze.
“But… how do you even know about that method?”
“Oh, CPR?”
“Yeah. When I first checked him, his heart had completely stopped. But after that CPR thing, it started beating again.”
He looked down at his empty hands in wonder.
“It’s amazing… how that’s even possible.”
The dazed look on his face made me think he looked pretty cute.
“What’s amazing? You were the one who saved him with your own hands.”
“…Huh?”
“So hold your head up. You’re an amazing person, but with your bangs covering your face, no one can even see it.”
I gently brushed aside the hair covering his forehead.
His light brown hair fell back, revealing his face fully for the first time—sharp eyes under a neat brow, a straight nose, and flushed cheeks…
My eyes widened.
“Wow, Verdick! You look so much more handsome when—”
Before I could finish, he flinched, slapped my hand away, and shook his head furiously like a soaked puppy.
In an instant, his face disappeared again under his bangs.
“…Let’s just go already.”
He strode ahead quickly.
I stood frozen for a moment before shouting after him.
“Hey, not that way—the right side!”
“Lily!”
“Big sister?!”
As soon as I reached Lily’s room, I flung open the door and called her name.
She rushed straight into my arms as if she had been waiting.
“Sis…! I missed you so much!”
“Me too.”
I couldn’t bring myself to ask how she had been, so instead, I simply patted her back gently.
“See? I told you. I said if you left, I’d get sick, didn’t I?”
She lifted her face from my dress and grinned, trying to joke.
But her forced smile made my heart ache.
