Chapter 70
Guided by Mina, Natalie moved from her room to the hallway… and then toward the back exit. Since it was late at night, there were barely any signs of the servants. Most likely, apart from the guard stationed outside Natalie’s room, everyone else was asleep.
Without being seen by any servants, she reached her destination smoothly.
“Milady, this is the carriage…!”
“Got it! Thank you, Mina.”
“No, um…”
After Natalie turned her gaze toward the carriage, Mina mumbled something quietly.
“Um… I don’t really know what you’re planning to do, Milady… but I still… I’m cheering for you!”
“Mina…”
“Above all, Master… at first he said that, but afterwards… he kept thinking deeply, pacing back and forth in his room.”
“I see…”
Natalie didn’t know what happened after her father had been escorted away by the servants, but perhaps he had been worried about her. Mina’s words cast a shadow in Natalie’s eyes.
“But!”
“Huh…?”
“It’s just my guess, but… if Master acted that way, then… maybe he doesn’t want to deny all of your actions completely…”
Mina’s words brought relief to Natalie’s heart. Perhaps part of the guilt she had felt—thinking she had only made her father sad—was the reason she had been so anxious.
(Even when you think you’ve decided something, there’s always that lingering unease.)
Natalie’s muddled feelings seemed to move forward a little, brightened by Mina’s words.
“Thank you, Mina.”
“Milady…”
“When I return, shall we… have a cake party together? It’s been a while.”
“Yes! I’ll prepare lots of samples for tasting…!”
Smiling at Mina, Natalie spoke to the driver and climbed into the carriage. Leaning out of the window, she called:
“I’m off!”
“Please be careful…! Have a safe journey…!”
Mina bowed deeply and watched the carriage until it disappeared from view. Once Natalie and the carriage were out of sight, the other servants gathered around Mina.
“Has Milady left?”
“Yes!”
“Good. Then, we must do our best to calm Master down…”
“Yes… looks like it will be a busy night.”
“Indeed… Mina, you’re off today, right?”
“Yes, but for Milady, I’ll give up my day off…!”
While the butlers and servants of the Pettigrew household spoke cheerfully, Mina’s words earned praise from those around her: “As expected, she’s Milady’s favorite.”
“Of course! Mina is a capable maid!”
Seeing Mina boast proudly, everyone smiled warmly.
◆◇◆
“Milady, is this the right place?”
The carriage carrying Natalie avoided dangerous roads and reached the remote area where Franz was located. This was thanks to having traveled this route once before and the driver having memorized the path taught by Julius.
As the carriage came to a stop, Natalie looked out the window and saw a familiar house—the same one she had visited for her mother’s medicine.
“Yes, this is it… Is it alright if I wait for a while?”
“Yes! Understood.”
After speaking to the driver, Natalie stepped down from the carriage and approached the house. Although it was late at night and the surroundings were dark, light leaked from the windows, indicating someone was awake inside.
Clenching her hands briefly, Natalie knocked lightly on the door.
“Excuse me… it’s Natalie.”
Suddenly, sounds of hurried movement came from inside.
“Oh! Is that Miss Natalie…!?”
The door quickly opened, revealing the doctor—Franz—with wide eyes in surprise.
“Well, what an unusual hour for a visit… Hohoho.”
“I’m sorry for coming so late… um…”
“No worries, Miss Natalie. I’m open year-round for your sake… Well, come in.”
Smiling at Franz’s playful words, Natalie followed his lead and stepped inside.
◆◇◆
Inside, the familiar smell of medicine lingered. Supplies were neatly organized, and curtains sectioned off the room, keeping it clean and orderly.
“Hmm… there isn’t much hospitality, I’m afraid… sorry about that.”
“No, please don’t worry about it.”
Natalie sat across from Franz as he seated himself as well.
“Hmm… it doesn’t seem you came just for a casual chat…”
“…Yes, that’s… um…”
“Is it about the Duke… perhaps?”
“…! Y-Yes.”
At Franz’s words, Natalie’s heartbeat raced. Looking at his face, he seemed stern, with a furrowed brow—a complicated expression.
“Franz… you know about His Excellency’s condition, right?”
“…Yes.”
Franz exhaled and spoke after Natalie’s question:
“I know about the Duke’s… ‘magic power surge.’”
“…! I also know about His Excellency’s condition, and I wondered… if there was a way to do something about it…”
“I see…”
Franz’s expression remained dark, and Natalie grew even more tense. In the heavy silence, Franz slowly spoke:
“There is… a way to do something about it… but…”
“…! Really? Then please, tell me!”
Pushed by Natalie’s desperate plea, Franz stiffened.
“…Do you understand that it could have a negative effect on your body—there could be risks…?”
“…Huh?”
