Chapter 68
After finishing the mess at the annex and returning, Betty appeared in my office with a slightly flushed face.
“What’s going on?”
“Um, my lady. The doctor is here.”
Ah, Lien. That explains why her face is red.
Ever since I arrived at the Coral Estate, Lien had been coming once every three days to check my physical condition.
His examination results were probably being documented and sent straight to the Grand Duke at the Winter Estate.
I’m not sick, so I don’t really care if the Grand Duke gets the report… but…
Having to sit in an awkward atmosphere with my master—while he insists he isn’t my master—was tiring.
Of course, on days he came, the maids practically lost their minds with excitement.
“Alright, let him in.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Not long after permission was given, Lien entered the office.
The moment he stepped inside, he frowned at the mountains of documents scattered everywhere.
Yeah… even I know this is a mess.
Embarrassed, I started scooping papers together at random.
“Ah, it’s a disaster, right? I was going over them with Lucas…”
“It’s fine. Just leave them.”
Lien shook his head and came over, taking out his medical tools.
“You’re sleep deprived.”
“…What?”
He hadn’t even checked my pulse—why start with a diagnosis?
When I blinked wide-eyed, he raised an eyebrow and pointed under my eyes.
“Your dark circles are deep. You don’t need a medical exam to know that.”
“Ugh.”
I touched my face and glanced in a mirror.
Just like he said, my face looked haggard—anyone would know I hadn’t been sleeping.
“Is that going to be reported to my grandfather too?”
“I’m being paid for the job by him.”
“Can’t you skip minor things like that? Lack of sleep is something everyone deals with.”
I still slept about four hours.
That’s not terrible, right?
Lucas barely sleeps two hours these days. He’s the one who actually needs a doctor.
“Well, the contract with the Grand Duke doesn’t allow skipping anything.”
Lien cut me off sharply and stuck a thermometer in my mouth.
He knows this is pointless and still does it.
I sighed, resting my chin on my hand, looking up at him.
“You know I don’t have any health problems now. You know I don’t get sick easily. So do we really have to do this?”
Ignoring my whining, Lien removed the thermometer and scribbled quickly on his chart.
“Temperature is normal.”
“I told you.”
“Anything in particular that feels uncomfortable?”
“Yes. Someone lied to me and my heart feels extremely heavy. Aren’t there meds for that, doctor?”
I smiled sweetly, aiming my shot at him.
Lien simply dodged.
“Then I’ll prescribe something for chest tightness. Can’t promise it will help.”
Of course.
I slumped into my chair and closed my eyes.
The moment I did, my body sagged with weight, and the sleep I’d been ignoring washed over me.
Maybe Lien’s diagnosis wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Lien, did you know? Men with lots of secrets aren’t popular. Really.”
“Is that so?”
“And I’m very persistent. I’ll figure everything out eventually, so be nervous.”
Turns out I’m a brilliant detective.
I even caught those scheming retainers who were plotting behind my back.
Not that I meant to, but still.
Lien didn’t answer.
Instead, the sound of his tools clinking into his bag filled the room.
Maybe because he’s here—that sound feels comforting.
With that soothing noise, I drifted into a deep sleep.
* * *
When I opened my eyes again, I was in bed.
“You’re awake, miss?”
“Marina.”
Marina was the only one in the Coral Estate who still called me “miss.”
She said calling me “My Lady” or “Lord” felt too awkward, so I let her keep the old nickname.
“When did I get into bed?”
After I sat up, Marina tilted her head.
“You were already asleep in bed when I came in.”
“Really?”
So Lien moved me?
Or maybe I walked here half-asleep.
I climbed out of bed feeling surprisingly refreshed.
How long did I sleep?
Felt like five hours at least.
But when I checked the clock—it had only been two.
Was it just deep sleep?
I stared blankly at the clock when suddenly, the tightly closed door slammed open—two intruders storming in.
“Shorty!”
“Danae!”
Baratheon and Miri.
Just looking at their excited faces made it pretty obvious why they were here.
“You came to drag me fishing?”
“…Huh?”
Both of them blinked in shock.
“How did you know?”
“We didn’t even say anything yet!”
“You brought five giant fishing rods. What else would you be here for?”
“Ah.”
Both of their mouths dropped open at the same time.
They were so excited running here, they forgot they were carrying them.
They had nothing in common, yet somehow got along perfectly when it came to playing.
A twelve-year-old and an eighteen-year-old getting along… is this fine?
I squinted at Baratheon.
He just grinned, bright and harmless.
Well, he looks like he’s having fun, so whatever.
“But where’d the fishing rods come from?”
“The gardener gave them.”
When I looked at Baratheon, Miri burst into a chatterbox explanation.
“He said we could catch big fish out by the sea! How about grilled fish tonight?”
Grilled fish.
No wonder the feline girl had stars in her eyes.
She looked ready to empty the entire ocean of fish.
“It won’t be easy for beginners.”
“Hard? What’s hard about it? You just put the rod in and pull when a fish bites.”
That’s what makes it hard!
Baratheon lifted his chin confidently, completely ignoring common sense.
Trying to stop him is pointless.
Might as well humor them.
“Fine. Where are we going to fish?”
* * *
No ships came here anymore, but the Coral Estate still had a tiny dock facing the sea.
Instead of the beach, we headed to the pier.
“Suddenly fishing… seriously…”
Sishet had the bad luck of crossing paths with us in the hall and was dragged all the way here, looking completely done with life.
“It’s boring if it’s just fishing. Should we make a bet?”
Baratheon fiddled with the rod the gardener taught him to use.
“Whoever catches the most gets a wish from the others. How’s that?”
The fact that he suggested it meant he was confident he’d win.
“Not bad.”
Miri bit instantly—she also looked sure of herself.
“Why would we do that?”
Sishet looked uninterested…
“Oh? You scared? That’s it, right? You’re afraid you’ll lose?”
“That’s not it.”
“If it’s not, then why refuse? Huh? You are scared of losing, admit it.”
“I said it’s not! Why would I be scared of catching a fish?”
And just like that, Baratheon’s annoying provocation won.
With the mood going that way, I couldn’t just opt out alone.
“Everyone’s doing it, so I guess I am too.”
“Good! Then it’s settled!”
With Baratheon’s triumphant shout, the fishing contest officially began.
