Chapter 21
As expected.
“The young master collapsed, doctor…!”
Before Helen could even finish speaking, I ran out.
It was a reflex, an instinctive reaction that came before my mind could even comprehend the situation.
An inexplicable fear had completely overtaken me.
How far did I run?
“……”
When I arrived at Noah’s room, numerous maids were already gathered there, anxiously fidgeting with worry.
“What’s going on?”
“Young lady.”
Only then did one of the maids, a young girl named Rita, respond.
“The young master kept saying he was cold, so I was serving him some warm lemon tea, and then…”
Rita’s voice trembled as she continued, stammering.
“Be-before he could even drink it, he suddenly collapsed… so…”
“The doctor is examining him now,” Helen added.
“The doctor said he needed to see you, miss.”
“What about my father?”
“The head of the house is out, so he doesn’t know yet.”
At Helen’s words, I immediately opened the door and stepped inside.
There, lying alone on the large bed, was Noah.
“Noah.”
I hurried to his side and placed my hand on his forehead.
My palm grew hotter by the second.
A sign that his fever was rising.
This was serious.
A high fever in a child could be very dangerous, and his temperature wasn’t dropping—it was climbing.
“What’s the diagnosis? No, did you treat him yet?”
The doctor standing nearby answered.
“I administered an antipyretic to bring the fever down. But it had no effect. In fact, the fever is worsening.”
“…What?”
“It’s as if the medicine is useless for the young master. It’s not working at all.”
I bit my lip at the doctor’s words.
Useless medicine?
Was he suggesting Noah had some incurable disease?
“Keep talking.”
I turned my head slightly, trying to hide the heat rising in my eyes.
The doctor spoke in a low voice.
“I don’t believe this is a medical issue.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
He’s clearly sick. If it’s not medical, then what is it?
Are you saying nothing’s wrong with Noah’s body…?
But he’s burning up like this.
I looked at him in confusion, and the doctor continued.
“In my opinion, this case requires a magician, not a physician.”
And at that moment—
“…Sister.”
Startled, I jerked my hand away from Noah’s forehead and stood up.
Noah mumbled with ragged breaths.
“I… I’m okay.”
At the same time, his small hand reached out weakly to grasp mine.
“I’m okay… Can’t you just stay by my side?”
His voice trembled—no, it was soaked in emotion.
Thud.
A sinking feeling hit me like a stone to the chest.
“What do you mean you’re okay…”
My eyes burned. My chest ached.
Even with a fever, why are you trying to comfort me?
You should be crying, complaining about the pain.
You’re only ten years old.
You’re not even that healthy.
Why are you the one comforting me?
If you keep doing that…
“Call a magician immediately.”
If I cry right now, I’ll feel utterly pathetic.
I turned to Annie and said,
“Bring the most skilled magician. If they refuse, offer triple the base fee.”
“Understood, young lady.”
“No matter what it costs, bring them here. Immediately!”
In the meantime, I took the ice pack from the doctor and placed it on Noah’s forehead.
“Cold…”
Noah gave a small laugh.
I silently brushed back his damp hair and said,
“Everyone, wait outside. I’ll take care of Noah.”
“If you need anything, please let us know. I’ll leave some extra ice packs…”
Helen looked worriedly at Noah, but nodded at my words.
Rita and the other maids also left the room.
Clunk.
The door closed, and only Noah and I remained.
He opened his cloudy eyes and looked at me as he struggled to breathe.
“I’m okay… You don’t have to stay. The maids can—”
“No. I’ll be too anxious if I’m not here.”
I tried my best to hold back my tears.
As a result, my voice came out stiff and cold.
“If you’re too hot, let me know. There’s a damp towel here too.”
“I don’t need it…”
Noah, still smiling gently, replied.
“I’d rather… have something else.”
“Tell me.”
I held his hand tightly and leaned in to listen.
And then—
“Could you… stroke my hair?”
Noah smiled like a fool as he spoke.
“When you stroke my hair… I think the fever might go down.”
So strange.
Normally, if Noah said something like this, I would’ve laughed.
“…Is that all you need?”
But today was so difficult.
I was struggling to keep my composure, holding back the collapse of my heart.
Noah acted like everything was fine—yet I was the one panicking.
I was supposed to be the composed one.
‘God, I’m so pathetic.’
I carefully lay down beside him on the empty side of the bed.
Noah slowly and weakly opened his eyes wide.
Was he surprised?
“…How would our Noah live without me?”
Trying to hold back tears, I joked instead.
Then, I gently began stroking his hair.
His slightly damp bangs brushed against my fingers.
His soft, round cheeks barely touched my fingertips.
Noah smiled contentedly and closed his eyes.
Strangely enough, seeing him like that…
“Come here, Noah.”
I wanted to hold him.
I opened my arms and gently embraced him.
His warm body pressed into my chest.
Thump, thump.
I could faintly hear his heartbeat in my ears.
Steady and calm.
That rhythm eased the storm in my chest, and I let out a shaky breath.
I felt a little calmer.
And then Noah whispered.
“It’s warm.”
He giggled softly and snuggled into my arms.
Normally, I would’ve been flustered by his affection.
But instead, I held him tighter and whispered,
“It’s even warmer when I hug you tighter.”
My voice was like a lullaby, light and gentle.
Noah giggled again, then burst out laughing.
“What was that!”
“What do you mean ‘what’? That’s your big sister hugging you.”
My playful voice made Noah giggle even more.
I patted his back softly and said,
“Just for tonight, I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Oh… It’s the first time since that day, isn’t it?”
Back when Noah first arrived at the Duke’s residence.
I stayed with him until he fell asleep, just like this.
A faint smile formed on my lips at the memory.
Noah seemed momentarily mesmerized by my smile, then whispered,
“Then tonight… you have to protect me.”
[Then I’ll protect you instead.]
Noah’s vow from the past echoed in my mind.
What a contrast.
Still smiling, I replied,
“Of course.”
* * *
Noah soon fell into deep, steady sleep.
Once he was fully asleep, Rosent gently stood up from the bed.
Careful not to wake him.
She stepped out of the room with quiet steps.
Helen and Rita were waiting in the hallway.
Rosent let go of the doorknob and said,
“Please stay with him… in my place.”
Her weary voice revealed the state of her heart.
Helen nodded silently, her eyes filled with sympathy.
Rosent walked down the hallway absentmindedly, her steps weak.
When she saw the crescent moon outside the window, only then did she realize—
‘Ah, it’s already night.’
She had finally registered the time.
But just then—
“Rosent, dear!”
The Duke, just returning from work, hurried over.
“I just heard! Noah’s sick?”
His voice was soft and kind.
But there was a note of fear behind his gentle tone.
Rosent stared at him, as if mesmerized by his voice.
And then—
“……”
Her eyes grew hot, and something began to fall.
Her cheeks itched, and her hands stung.
Tears.
“Father.”
“Yes, Rosent.”
The Duke’s warm voice reached her once again.
But somehow, it echoed strangely in her mind.
A small ripple that grew larger and larger.
Rosent bit her lip hard, trying to hold back her tears.
But just like dominoes toppling—once started, there was no stopping them.
Like spilled water that couldn’t be poured back into a cup.
A girl who was only sixteen couldn’t be expected to hold it in.
“…!”
A sob burst out of her mouth.
For the first time—
Since Rosent had come into this life, she cried out loud.
“Sweetheart, Rosent.”
The Duke immediately wrapped her in his arms, gently patting her back.
With each touch, she sobbed harder and called out to him.
“F-father.”
Rosent choked out the words.
“Noah is s-sick. They say we need a magician… What if it’s something serious?”
“What are you saying? That can’t be. Noah’s always been healthy.”
“B-but… he suddenly collapsed… And mother too… she seemed healthy and then…”
A flood of thoughts ran through her mind.
What if I lose Noah?
What if this happy child becomes miserable again?
‘I haven’t done anything for him yet.’
She didn’t want to lose him.
Why was there nothing she could do?
If only she had some magical ability…
She felt like she was unraveling.
Her anxiety was crushing her.
Her voice grew more frantic.
“What do we do? W-we… Noah, what do we do…”
Rosent broke down in sobs again.
The Duke widened his eyes in surprise.
She had grumbled when annoyed before.
She’d even snapped at his jokes sometimes.
But she had never cried.
Not once.
He was only briefly stunned before gently rubbing her back.
And before long—
By dawn, a magician had finally arrived at the Duke’s residence.
To be continued…
