~Chater 17~
“Maybe the ‘late’ doctor from your house didn’t check my friend’s condition properly.”
Dane stressed the words, smiling with a confidence you wouldn’t expect from a boy his age.
“But the doctor from my house is the best in all of Escalus.”
Even after saying this, Dane didn’t let go of Camilla’s wrist. Camilla stared at him in confusion. The Baron watched, his face stiff, and forced a smile.
“If you say so, it’s an honor, Young Duke. I just worry my daughter might trouble you at the Duke’s house…”
“If there’s any trouble, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
Dane’s words were firm, even sharp. The Baron’s face tightened.
Camilla spoke up carefully.
“Um, Young Duke—”
“Dane.”
“…Dane. Are you saying I should stay at the Duke’s house until I’m better?”
“Yes. Since you’re sick because of me, it’s my responsibility to look after you at my place. I already got permission from my father.”
Unlike confused Camilla, Dane was firm.
After hearing about the situation through Nina’s message, Dane thought it was too dangerous to leave Camilla at the Baron’s house.
My new friend might be getting abused by her mother, if not her father.
Left alone and untreated while the Baron was away—Dane understood what was happening.
So, he had to act.
I have to make it clear to this family she’s not someone to be treated like that.
He finally made a friend, and didn’t want her getting hurt already. This was a warning to the Baron’s family—not to let this happen again.
“Also, my mother wanted to talk to the person who made the medicine before using it herself.”
“Oh.”
Hearing that, the Baron’s eyes lit up.
He’s thinking how my visit could help his business.
Dane noticed and dangled some bait.
“Besides, the herbal greenhouse at our house is way bigger than yours.”
“That… sounds interesting.”
“Then come to the Duke’s house with me.”
“I’d like that, but—Father, is that okay?”
Camilla glanced at the Baron for permission.
The Baron nodded.
“It’ll be a good experience for my daughter.”
As soon as he said yes, Dane took Camilla’s hand and stood up.
“Great. Let’s go.”
“Huh…?”
“The sooner you rest, the better. You don’t need to pack—everything you need is at the Duke’s house.”
What on earth did Nina write in that letter to make things move this fast? Camilla wondered, but at least it wasn’t a bad thing.
The Baron nodded.
“All right, Young Duke. But I’d like to talk to my daughter alone first.”
The Baron took Camilla by the wrist and closed the parlor door.
“…Father?”
“Lower your voice.”
He said nothing until they reached the study.
Thud.
He closed the door, then beamed at her.
“Well done, Camilla! The Young Duke is totally taken with you!”
Taken with me?
Camilla was disgusted at the way he looked at her and the Young Duke—neither of them was even an adult yet.
“Listen, Camilla. Don’t waste this chance.”
“What chance?”
“I don’t expect you to become the Young Duke’s fiancée. But… there’s such a thing as a mistress.”
“…Mistress?”
It was so absurd, Camilla felt dizzy, but the Baron didn’t stop.
He’s so trashy…
“When you’re an adult, if you become his mistress, that’ll be an honor for you.”
“…Is that so.”
“And never tell him you’re a bastard. In public, you’re the child of me and my wife, got it?”
Disgusting.
“Oh, and here, take this.”
He pulled out a bottle of potion from his coat.
“What’s this?”
“It’s the improved anesthetic you mentioned, made with better ingredients.”
He went on:
“The Duchess doesn’t trust strange medicine, so you should persuade her while you’re there. Got it?”
To be handed a new job on top of being sent away to recover—Camilla couldn’t believe it.
Now I have to do business work too?
But she could only say,
“Yes, Father.”
“Are you coming with me, Sonia?”
“No. I’ll stay here and keep an ear out for any rumors while you’re gone, Miss.”
Even though the Duke’s house had everything, Sonia still packed a small bag for Camilla and smiled.
Camilla was only grateful for Sonia’s help.
“Take care of the house for me, then.”
“Leave it to me, Miss.”
I really wish I had one more person I could trust like Sonia, Camilla thought. Maybe soon, she’d find one.
Nina came to see her off.
“Sis, are you sure it’s okay to ride in the carriage when you’re sick?”
“Yeah. I’ll get healthy and come back.”
Nina hugged her tightly.
“I’ll wait for you, so you HAVE to come back, okay?”
Camilla paused, then gently patted Nina’s hair.
“Of course.”
Dane, watching, shrugged.
“Not like you’re going far, but you two sure act like it’s a long goodbye.”
“Be quiet, Dane,” Camilla whispered. Nina could hear them. Dane just looked annoyed, but Camilla got in the carriage.
The carriage left.
Sitting across from each other, Dane and Camilla talked quietly.
“You seem pretty comfortable with me now.”
“Well, you came all the way to my house to check on me. Of course I’m comfortable.”
If I was really sick, I would have refused to ride a carriage, though. But when Dane smiled, she forgot that thought.
“You seem fine. I’m glad.”
“Huh?”
“I’m glad you’re okay.”
Then Dane moved to sit beside her and, without a word, laid his head in her lap.
“Young Duke?!”
“My name.”
“Dane, what are you doing?”
“You look fine, and since I’m the real patient, let me rest a little, okay?”
A lap pillow—Dane really could be bold. Camilla, unprepared for this, looked at him resting his eyes.
“What did Nina write in her letter to the messenger?”
“She said you might die.”
Oh, Nina…
No wonder Dane got so worried. He was terminally ill, so he was extra sensitive about the idea of death.
“I can’t let my first friend die.”
“Thank you.”
Camilla smiled softly and gently stroked Dane’s hair.
“W-What are you doing?”
“Oh.”
She’d done it without thinking—just like with a child.
How do I explain this?
Dane stared up at her, so Camilla just decided to act bold.
“Did you not like it?”
“What?”
Dane was bad at handling shamelessness.
“If you don’t want me to, I won’t do it again—”
“Who said I didn’t like it?!”
Cute…
He’d seemed so stiff and noble before, but right now, Dane was just plain cute.
Camilla smiled with all the warmth she felt.
Dane blinked, then suddenly sat up.
“You—!”
Just then, the carriage hit a bumpy road, and Dane, off-balance from getting up, stumbled.
“Da—!”
Camilla tried to steady him, but as the carriage lurched again, she missed.
Dane tumbled toward her, and both of them fell onto the soft seat.
Suddenly, something warm touched her cheek.
Smooch.
“…?!”
It was just a brush, but it was enough to leave them both dazed.
Outside, the coachman shouted,
“Sorry, the road got rough—are you okay, Young Duke? Miss?”
Dane jumped back, hands covering his mouth, his face burning red.
❤️❤️🤭😘nice!