~Chapter 33~
Even with all the doctors bustling around, Dane himself couldn’t really feel what had changed. To him, there wasn’t much difference between today and yesterday.
‘It always hurts the most at dawn.’
He understood all the political and financial terms people threw around, but for some reason, he was never interested in medical jargon.
“Well, maybe by dawn tonight, we’ll really see a difference.”
The doctors all agreed to check on him again at dawn.
“At this rate, the young duke might be fully cured by his birthday party…”
“Ain, don’t jump to conclusions,”
“Sorry, Your Grace.”
But even though Ain apologized, both she and the Grand Duchess were full of hope.
‘That look—I see it much more often these days.’
It all started after Camilla came to this house. Dane found himself staring at Camilla, her eyes shining with excitement as if this were her own good news.
Thump.
His heart started beating fast again.
‘Oh no.’
He was pretty sure his racing heart wasn’t just because he was getting better.
After leaving the Grand Duchess’s office, Dane stopped walking. When Camilla looked at him questioningly, he whispered,
“I need a favor from you tonight at dawn.”
“What is it?”
“…Hold my hand.”
Camilla’s eyes widened, but then she gave him a soft smile.
“Of course, I will.”
When he saw her smile, Dane realized that, no matter what happened tonight, he wouldn’t lose hope or feel crushed like before.
‘So… tonight.’
As evening came, Camilla took her basket and went for a walk, just like yesterday.
There were only a few days left until the birthday party. That meant she wouldn’t see much more of Eugenia, either.
She headed to the same remote part of the garden where she’d met Eugenia before.
‘She’s here, as I thought.’
Eugenia had finished practicing and was sitting in the grass, out of breath.
When Eugenia saw Camilla approach, her face twisted.
“What, did you come to watch? Just go away!”
“Did you use all the ointment?”
At Camilla’s words, Eugenia quickly turned her head.
“…I threw away what you gave me a long time ago.”
“I thought you might, so I brought more.”
Camilla sat down beside her and pulled another small bottle from her basket, handing it over.
Eugenia was caught off guard by Camilla’s boldness.
“…I told you, I don’t need what you give me.”
“Then just pretend it’s not from me. But at least get some ointment from Ain the doctor.”
“I said I don’t need—”
“You need to take care of the hand you use to wield your sword, don’t you?”
Eugenia was speechless and gritted her teeth.
‘Why is she being so serious about this?’
Eugenia had met all kinds of people in society.
That’s why she could tell—Camilla didn’t laugh at her for secretly practicing swordsmanship.
Her gaze was clear, and the feeling in her eyes was worry.
Camilla stood up.
“You should ask Dane or the knights to spar with you sometime.”
‘That way, someone will notice your talent.’
Eugenia’s lips trembled.
“Don’t be ridiculous. What do you know about me?”
She gripped her callused, blood-blistered palm.
Camilla glanced down at that clenched fist, then looked up.
“At least I know you’re working harder than anyone.”
“A lady wielding a sword looks cool—at least, I mean it.”
Eugenia tried to deny it but fell silent.
Camilla picked up her basket and stood up.
“After the party, I’m going back to the Mowin house. I don’t want any bad rumors attached to Dane, either.”
“You…”
“So nothing bad will happen to your cousin. As soon as the party’s over, I’ll go home. We’re just friends, after all.”
Eugenia wanted to yell back, to say “Don’t you know how Dane looks at you?” but in the end, she only nodded.
Camilla bowed politely and turned away. As her figure grew smaller, Eugenia blurted out,
“If you go home…”
“Yes?”
Eugenia swallowed hard.
“If you really go back to the Mowin house… then, you can go to the café with me.”
Her cheeks turned a little red. Camilla couldn’t help smiling.
“Are you asking me out on a date?”
“W-what?!”
“If that time comes, send me a letter at my house.”
With a bright smile, Camilla walked away, leaving Eugenia staring at the ground.
“Ugh, crap!”
‘Now I can’t even complain about Dane acting weird!’
Leaving Eugenia behind, Camilla walked back to the house, feeling a little bitter.
‘Maybe… going to a café with Eugenia won’t happen.’
Camilla just wanted to get ready and leave this city before the real story began.
For her, meeting Eugenia was just a distraction—nothing she really needed.
‘I’m getting too close to Dane, too. That might be a problem.’
Back in her room, Camilla tried to calm her mind with herbs, but she couldn’t settle down.
Knock, knock.
There was a sudden knock at the door. Camilla opened it and saw Carrie standing there.
“The Grand Duchess is calling you.”
Carrie was now not just her research assistant but also her personal maid, and the pay had gone up, so she was always smiling these days.
‘I never thought I’d get this close to her, either.’
“Thanks, Carrie.”
“It’s my duty!”
Carrie grinned. Camilla followed her, but instead of the Grand Duchess’s room, Carrie brought her to Dane’s bedroom.
Carrie quietly opened the door for her, then left. Camilla stepped inside alone.
It was still night, but there was a faint blue glow of dawn. Dane was sitting on the bed, with the Grand Duchess and Ain standing nearby, looking nervous. Camilla bowed and went to him. Dane reached out his hand.
She took it.
All was quiet except for the ticking of the clock.
This was always the scariest time for Dane—when his heart would start racing and dawn would become a time of pain.
Even with Camilla’s warmth, it could only ease the pain, not take it away completely.
Time seemed to pass slowly.
“It’s morning.”
Dane opened his eyes. The sun was shining through the window, and Camilla was there, smiling brightly in the sunlight.
‘Ah.’
Camilla’s beautiful smile was stamped forever into Dane’s heart.
“Congratulations, Dane.”
The Grand Duchess covered her mouth, tears in her eyes.
“Oh my…”
“He’s stable. …He’s finally back to normal.”
Ain, checking Dane’s pulse, smiled with tears in his eyes. Dane knew he would remember this moment for the rest of his life.
“I’m cured?”
“Yes. We’ll keep watching, but the attacks—”
Dane couldn’t hold back anymore—he hugged Camilla tightly, his eyes burning.
All those painful mornings flashed through his mind.
But not anymore. Not today.
He could feel Camilla in his arms. Her warmth chased away the old fear.
Slowly, Dane let go and got up from the bed. He bowed deeply before everyone.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Ain bowed back, eyes full of joy. The Grand Duchess bowed her head, crying.
Dane gripped Camilla’s hand tightly.
“Thank you for coming here, Camilla.”
His heart pounded—not from illness, but from the feeling of being alive.
‘I’ll never let go of this warmth.’
The next day, the Duke came back after a long trip. When he heard Dane was cured, he was overjoyed.
“Lady Mowin, I don’t know how I can ever repay this favor.”
‘I already have something to ask Dane, so it’s fine…’
Besides, she still owed him from before, so she had nothing more to say.
But then the Duke said something that made Camilla’s mind go blank.
“I’m thinking of making Baron Mowin my close aide. What do you think, Lady Camilla?”
‘Wait, what?’
