“I just asked if you really don’t remember anything,” Eliana said, looking at Agatha with concern.
It was a miracle that Agatha had woken up at all, so how could Eliana doubt her?
“Well, I don’t know. It really feels strange that I have no memories,” Agatha replied.
“Don’t worry, Natalie. You were smart and sharp, so your memory will come back soon,” Eliana reassured her.
“Thank you for saying that, Nurse Eliana.”
“Nurse? We were colleagues, remember? Why are you acting like this?” Eliana chuckled.
“What should I call you then?”
Agatha’s personality seemed different now, probably because of her memory loss. She had become more innocent and sweet, or maybe even a little naïve. Before, Natalie used to be sharp and distant, but now she was more open.
“We’re the same age, so you can call me Eli,” Eliana said casually.
“…Okay,” Agatha murmured, still not sure how to respond.
Eliana rolled her eyes playfully. “Why? You think I’m lying?”
“It’s just… I’m so happy.”
“What’s so great about it?”
“I have a friend I can talk to freely.”
“Friend? Yeah, I guess we were kind of friends,” Eliana smiled.
They were the same age, and Agatha had tried to get closer to Eliana, but Natalie had always kept her distance. She had learned the nursing job quickly and was polite but never showed too much warmth. That’s why when she got injured, Eliana had been calm.
But now, Agatha was talking about being friends so easily.
Agatha thanked Eliana and smiled at her. She was getting a new bandage, and Eliana carefully put it on her, helping her wear a brace on her right arm.
“Thank you, Eli.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re friends now, right?”
“You’re so kind and gentle.”
“Yeah, I guess I am…” Eliana laughed awkwardly.
Before, Natalie had never been this open. She was always cold and a little sneaky. Now, she was completely different, showing her emotions so freely.
Eliana looked at her with wide eyes, not sure what to think about all these changes.
“Eliana Nurse?” Agatha asked.
“I told you to call me Eli,” Eliana replied.
“Sorry, I can’t get used to it.”
“It’s okay,” Eliana said, smiling as she picked up the tray she had placed on the bed. She needed to leave and take care of other patients. She would’ve loved to chat more, but if she stayed too long, her superior would get mad at her.
Just as she was about to leave, Agatha’s small, white hand reached out and grabbed hers.
“Eli?”
“Yes?”
“I have something I need to ask, and I don’t know who else to ask…”
She hesitated, unsure how to ask. Eliana, sensing her urgency, urged her to speak.
“What’s up? I’ll tell you anything I know. Just ask.”
“Well, it’s about Ashley…”
“Ashley? You mean Captain Gloucester?”
“Captain Gloucester?”
“Don’t call him Ashley. Even if you’ve lost your memory, you shouldn’t call him by his first name.”
Even though Natalie had been his nurse, she always showed respect to him. Agatha blinked in confusion.
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Seems like you really don’t remember. You shouldn’t call him by his name. He’s Lord Gloucester, a nobleman.”
“What? A noble?”
“Yeah. So, be careful. Always show him respect.”
“Uh, okay.”
“I’ll bring you some soup later. Just rest for now,” Eliana said, then quickly left the room.
Agatha was shocked to learn that Ashley was a nobleman. She wanted to ask more, but didn’t want to keep Eliana from her duties.
“I’ll ask at meal time,” she muttered to herself.
“What are you talking about?” a low voice suddenly said.
Agatha jumped in surprise. She hadn’t noticed him come in, but there he was, standing in the doorway.
Ashley was standing there, staring at her with his piercing blue eyes. Agatha felt nervous and couldn’t meet his gaze. She quickly turned her head, but he walked directly toward her.
He stood beside the bed, looking down at her. His gaze traveled from her face, stopping at her ear, where her blush deepened as he kept looking at her.
“Ashley…” Agatha said quietly.
“Yes? What is it?”
His voice was calm, as if he was waiting for her to speak.
“Why didn’t you tell me you’re Gloucester…?” Agatha asked, finally gathering the courage.
Ashley smiled gently, but his eyes stayed focused on hers.
“You just woke up today, Agatha. I didn’t want to confuse you more, so I held off on telling you. It wasn’t important, and I didn’t think you’d need to know right away,” he said, his tone calm and sincere.
Agatha had misunderstood everything. She had treated him like a commoner and thought they might have been close like a couple. Now, she realized she had been wrong. She was supposed to treat him with respect.
“I didn’t know, and I’ve been rude. I’m sorry,” she said, lowering her head in apology.
Ashley didn’t show any emotion, but he sighed deeply.
“…!” In just half a day, he had been kind and caring, showing concern for her, but now he looked tired.
“Lord Gloucester?” Agatha asked cautiously, still unsure.
Ashley didn’t answer right away. He just stared at her in silence. Agatha felt like she was sinking deeper into a sea of uncertainty, unsure of his thoughts.
“Did I make a mistake?” Agatha asked softly.
“Forget about calling me ‘Lord Gloucester,’” he replied sharply.
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“When did I ever become Lord Gloucester to you?”
Agatha flinched at the sudden sharpness in his voice. She quickly apologized.
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
She didn’t know what mistake she had made, but she was already apologizing. Ashley’s expression didn’t soften, and he kept staring at her with a deep, unreadable look.
“Should I call you Captain instead?” Agatha asked, trying to figure out the correct way to address him.
Ashley stayed silent, waiting for her to speak. His calm demeanor only made Agatha more anxious.
She was still stuck on the title issue. “Ashley” seemed like the only answer, but how could she call a nobleman like him by his first name so casually? She was torn, unsure of what was correct.
After hearing Eliana’s warning, Agatha had dismissed the idea that they might be romantically involved. But now, she was left questioning everything.
She struggled to breathe, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of it all.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Ashley asked, noticing her discomfort.
He had been watching her closely, and now he leaned in, holding her hand gently.
“Does your head hurt?” he asked softly.
Agatha didn’t respond immediately, but then she pointed to the right side of her head.
“Yes, here,” she said quietly.
Ashley’s eyes widened, and just then, a gunshot rang out. One shot hit her shoulder, while the other narrowly missed her head. If he had hesitated for even a second, the second bullet would have struck her head.
Ashley’s breath caught in his chest. He felt like he couldn’t breathe.
