Chapter 27
“Everything should be fair. Though, it’s better if I get more.”
The day they were set to depart for the next territory, Isabella was about to step outside, curious about the sudden bustle of footsteps. But before her hand even touched the door, it swung open violently, making her flinch.
“Your Highness?”
It was Leonard. His expression was strange — something she had never seen before — a mix of confusion and unease plainly written across his face.
“Where’s the physician?”
“I’ve already sent for him. He’ll arrive soon.”
Isabella and Leonard exchanged looks, both frowning slightly.
Hailey was unwell.
Though he spoke calmly, Leonard’s complexion was far from reassuring. His skin, usually tanned and healthy, had gone pale in an instant.
It had been early morning when he brought the news, startling not only Isabella but also the nanny and Jeanne, who were with her.
“I’ll go take a look.”
Glancing at the two women behind her, Isabella addressed Leonard.
She set down the hat she had been holding and turned her body — ready to go see Hailey immediately.
But before she could take a step out the door, Leonard blocked her path. Jeanne and the nanny, who had been following behind her, stopped as well.
They all looked at him in confusion.
“She has a high fever. It’s better if you see her later.”
A fever? That’s it? Isabella almost scoffed. In modern times, a fever was hardly alarming — it came with even a common cold.
She tried to brush past him, dismissing it as no big deal, but hands caught her from behind.
“Nanny? Jeanne?”
“My lady, please… let His Highness handle it for now…”
“Y-yes, my lady. You’ve been pushing yourself lately — it’d be best to wait until the physician gives his diagnosis.”
Both women whispered nervously, their eyes darting toward Leonard while still holding tightly to Isabella’s arm.
What on earth…? Are they seriously afraid she’ll catch something?
Isabella opened her mouth in disbelief, but stopped herself. She reminded herself that medicine here wasn’t nearly as advanced as it was in her previous life.
She pressed a hand to her forehead and took a slow breath.
Explaining modern concepts wouldn’t change anything right now — not quickly, at least. She needed to focus on what she could do.
Hmm… let’s think.
It took her a moment — after all, this was already her fourth life, and the memory she needed was buried deep in her past ones. But she recalled it soon enough.
Yes, that’s right. That time, it worked. If she did the same, the fever should break. Children this age tended to have similar symptoms anyway…
“Your Highness, could you call the maid attending to Hailey?”
A slight frown formed on Leonard’s forehead.
He seemed to be trying to gauge her intent, but soon nodded.
The maid was summoned shortly after.
“Come in. You’re Hailey’s personal maid, right?”
“Yes, my lady. My name is Ollie.”
“Good, Ollie. This might be tiring, but there’s something you need to do while caring for Hailey.”
Isabella spoke firmly, projecting confidence to calm the nervous young maid. She clearly explained what to do:
Undress the child and gently wipe her body from head to toe with a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water — not hot. Keep the room cool, not stiflingly warm.
The maid hesitated and looked toward Leonard, confused by these unfamiliar instructions.
Leonard, silent until now, gave a simple order. “Do as she says.”
“We’ll help too,” Jeanne and the nanny offered.
“That would be great,” Isabella replied. “The physician will confirm things soon, but the fever might last one or two days — maybe three at most. Rest if you get tired, and call for me to take over, okay?”
“Don’t worry, my lady. We’ll manage just fine.”
She asked them to promise to call her, but they dodged the question, choosing instead to reassure her with determined expressions.
The three of them hurried off to carry out her instructions.
“Did you learn all that at the Bruin Duchy?” Leonard asked.
“Oh, the things I just mentioned?”
“Yes. Your maids seemed quite familiar with it too.”
“Ah, not exactly. But don’t worry,” she said with a soft smile. “I learned these from reliable professionals. They’ve always worked well.”
“…I see.”
Fortunately, he didn’t question her further. Perhaps he was simply too preoccupied to do so.
He was worried about the delay in their schedule.
“It can’t be helped,” Isabella said gently. “Maybe it’s a sign from the gods to slow down a bit.”
A sick child was more important than keeping to a timetable. Isabella shook her head.
Leonard seemed to ponder something, gazing at her quietly before turning to Count Seymour to discuss the necessary adjustments.
He left after giving his orders.
Isabella glanced toward Hailey’s room across the hall. She couldn’t help but worry.
Wasn’t there something else she could do to help?
As she thought, an idea suddenly came to her. She grabbed her cloak and left the inn.
Not long after, she arrived at the only herbal shop in the Ferrero territory.
“Chamomile, you say?”
“Yes, and hibiscus. Ah, and echinacea — root, leaves, or dried blossoms if possible.”
“Of course, my lady. Please wait a moment.”
With Sir Ian accompanying her, the herbalist — who recognized her from rumors — hurriedly gathered the requested herbs, visibly nervous in her presence.
“You seem curious,” Isabella said with a teasing glance at Ian, who had been watching.
He chuckled awkwardly.
“These are for Hailey. They help with fever and fatigue. I bought a lot — we’ll be heading to the capital soon through the gate, but just in case, I want to be prepared.”
Feeling a little guilty for using a knight as a porter, Isabella handed him a small bundle once they returned to the inn.
He blinked in surprise, and she smiled.
“This is a tonic — good for stamina. A little thank-you gift for all your hard work.”
“Oh—no, my lady, that’s not necessary. It’s my duty to serve you.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘necessary’ or ‘unnecessary.’ Even duty deserves a fair reward. Share it with the other knights if you’d like — I just don’t like seeing you all overworked.”
Later, she had to endure some mild scolding from the nanny and Jeanne for that outing — even though Sir Ian had gone with her.
They still said it was too dangerous, considering the recent assassin incident and how unfamiliar the area was.
The physician finally arrived about an hour after she returned.
He was the only one in the region and had come rushing back from a neighboring town after receiving the urgent summons.
Thanks to the care Isabella had instructed earlier, Hailey’s breathing was already steadier by the time he arrived.
After examining her, he concluded that the child was simply suffering from exhaustion and a mild fever from travel.
He assured them the fever would break soon and advised that she rest for two days.
Hearing that, Isabella let out a small sigh of relief.
“That must be the famous herbal medicine I’ve heard about.”
“Your Highness?”
A shadow fell over her as she sat near Hailey’s bed.
She hadn’t even heard him come in.
Their eyes met — his calm blue gaze holding the same warmth she had seen earlier in others’.
“Are you here to scold me too, Your Highness?” she asked lightly.
He nodded. “If it’s necessary. You’ve been the subject of quite a few rumors, you know.”
But the faint curl of his lips told her he wasn’t truly angry.
“Hm, and what must I do to avoid your logical, perfectly fair lecture? I imagine it would sting more than the others’.”
Leonard was a clever man. He immediately understood what she was trying to do.
“From now on, you’ll report your destination before you leave.”
She sighed in resignation. “Alright.”
“And I’ll be part of your escort.”
“…That’s…”
“And lastly, you’ll accept my gratitude.”
“…Your gratitude?”
He smiled faintly. “Thank you for helping Hailey.”
There was a subtle warmth in his eyes as he said it.
“Oh…”
She hadn’t expected a thank you. Her cheeks warmed slightly as she struggled to find words.
“It’s a cliché, but… anyone would have done the same.”
“Would they?” he said softly, tilting his head. “My experience tells me otherwise. Not even those close to me have.”
His tone was calm, but his eyes flickered with something — a trace of old bitterness, perhaps. It stirred something unexplainable in Isabella’s chest.
Who in the original story had hurt Leonard the most?
“Ah, and one more thing.”
His words brought her back from her thoughts.
He extended his hand toward her. Isabella blinked, confused, as his lips curved into a teasing smile.
“I heard you gave the herbal tonic to your knight. Where’s mine?”
“…What?”
“Everything should be fair, shouldn’t it? Though,” he added, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “I’d prefer if I got a bit more.”
