Chapter 38 – A Relationship That Bothers Me (13)
Is that note about work?
That would be terrible. I’d worked so hard to drag him outside, and if he just locked himself away again, all of this would’ve been pointless.
Finally, he was getting some sunlight…
To keep his attention on me, I hurriedly spoke up.
“Thank you so much for preparing such wonderful desserts, Your Grace.”
“…”
“…Your Grace?”
Startled by my voice, Eclipse quickly shoved the slip of paper into his coat.
“Ah… yes. I’m glad you like it. Go ahead, eat.”
“Yes!”
I was curious about what was written, but the rich, sweet smell of walnut tarts soon blew all my questions away.
“They look so delicious…”
I picked one up, my eyes sparkling, then turned to him with a smile.
“Your Grace, you may not know this, but walnut tarts are my absolute favorite. I tried one once by chance, and it was so delicious I actually dreamed about it.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes! That’s how good it was.”
I chattered on happily, but something still weighed on my mind.
Eclipse had skipped breakfast.
No matter how busy you are, you should eat. That’s the whole point of working—to live and eat, right?
So, I discreetly used magic to slide the dessert tray closer to him.
Eclipse immediately looked at me when he noticed the moving tray.
“You’re using magic for such a trivial task?”
“It’s fine. That’s what mana is for, after all.”
Really, for me, such a small spell barely counted as using magic.
With the desserts set, it was time for tea. I glanced at the maid holding the teapot—
Wait. What’s this?
Her face was pale, lips trembling as she bit down on them. She was sweating, and her hands clutching the teapot were shaking so badly they’d turned white.
Why does she look so unwell? Something’s wrong.
Sensing danger, I immediately used magic to snatch the teapot out of her hands.
“Ah!”
She yelped before clamping her hands over her mouth in panic.
Maybe I should’ve warned her first…
I gave her a reassuring smile.
“Oops, sorry! I was only trying to move the tray, but I guess my magic spread a little too far. Did I scare you?”
“N-no, it’s fine, Miss Bloomhire.”
“Of course it’s not fine. You screamed, didn’t you?”
She bowed her head, apologizing over and over. Cold sweat dripped from her neck onto the floor.
This isn’t good. If she keeps standing here, she’ll collapse.
But I couldn’t just openly ask in front of everyone—it’d cause too much of a scene.
Right… Jade’s spell!
I suddenly remembered the magic he had used—the one that blocked sound from reaching anyone except those inside.
Alright, let’s try it.
Focusing hard, I fixed my eyes on the maid. She flinched and looked away.
Just a little more…
I felt my mana wrap around the gazebo. Then I discreetly covered my mouth and coughed.
“Ahem, hm.”
The maid kept her head lowered. I spoke casually.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“!”
Her shoulders jerked violently.
“Don’t worry. No one can hear us. I cast a spell. Look around if you don’t believe me.”
The maid glanced around nervously, then her eyes widened in shock.
“W-what…? Why is no one here? But His Grace was just sitting there—!”
Sure enough, to her, it looked like we were alone. My spell had worked.
Thank goodness.
I smiled kindly.
“Don’t be scared. To everyone else, it still looks like we’re here together. They just can’t hear us.”
Still, she looked shaken. I pressed on.
“I noticed you didn’t look well. That’s why I wanted to check in.”
She hesitated, then whispered.
“Since this morning… my head’s been splitting with pain. Just before, I even felt dizzy. My vision went completely white for a moment…”
She grimaced as she continued.
“I usually get headaches, so I didn’t think much of it, but… it kept getting worse. Just now, I almost fainted.”
Then her body began trembling.
She’s about to collapse!
I quickly decided.
“I’ll handle the tea. You need to see the doctor right now.”
“…What?”
She looked confused, so I spoke urgently.
“Your face is white as paper. If you keep pushing yourself, something terrible will happen. Please, just go quickly.”
She glanced toward Eclipse’s seat.
I caught her meaning and said firmly,
“I’ll explain to His Grace. Don’t worry.”
“But…”
“His Grace would never punish a sick servant for leaving. He’s not cruel.”
“….”
Still, she hesitated. Clearly, she was afraid.
So I gave her a final warning.
“When I cough three times, the spell will end. You understand what that means, right?”
“Wait, no, I—”
“Cough!”
I cleared my throat loudly. She paled.
“Cough! Cough!”
On the third cough, the spell shattered. The sounds of reality rushed back in.
The maid lowered her head and stayed put.
She’s determined to stay, no matter what. In that case…
I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands.
I clutched my back dramatically and groaned.
“Ow, ow, ow…!”
Then I slumped over the table.
Eclipse immediately leapt up.
“Bloomhire!”
“It must be from when I fell earlier… my back hurts so much…!”
“Silbern! Fetch the doctor, quickly!”
“Yes, Your Grace!”
I groaned weakly, doing my best to look pitiful.
“My back… hurts… so much…”
“Miss Bloomhire, please hang on! The butler is bringing the physician right now!”
“Save me… it hurts so much…”
“You’ll be alright. Just hold on a little longer, okay?”
“Ugh…”
“Oh no… Miss Bloomhire…”
Penny was nearly in tears, reacting to my performance with heartbreaking sincerity.
Ugh, I almost feel guilty. But thank you for believing my act!
As long as the maid could slip away, that was enough.
Soon, the physician who had examined me earlier rushed over.
“Blaze.”
“Y-yes, Your Grace?”
Eclipse’s voice was chilling.
“You said there was nothing wrong.”
“T-that was… certainly what I believed, sir—”
“‘Certainly’? And yet Bloomhire is suffering because of your careless assurance?”
“I-I was wrong! I sincerely apologize, Your Grace!”
From where I lay “collapsed” on the table, I peeked with one eye.
The doctor was on the ground, pale as a sheet, while Eclipse glared at him like a wolf about to devour its prey.
…Oh no. Did I overdo the acting?
