Episode 42

“It seems the Duke didn’t participate at all, right?” Emma whispered in my ear. But that didn’t explain the scent of blood I had detected earlier from Raiden.

In the chaotic forest, I noticed Grandpa Ben and Raiden’s aide, Alex, having a conversation.

Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, I quietly approached them, stepping away from the crowd.

Nothing bad could have happened to Raiden, right?

“…He didn’t get hurt, did he?” I asked cautiously.

“No. Thankfully… His Grace captured someone attempting to take their own life,” Alex replied.

I involuntarily covered my mouth with my hand, listening to their conversation.

…Could it be that a spy infiltrated the competition?

“The winner of this year’s hunting competition is Theodore Rubenstein!”

Applause filled the air.

Those who had bet on Theodore cheered loudly. He stood tall, dedicating the glory of the hunting competition to his friend, Amy Herwin.

* * *

I was worried about Raiden.

Even though I’d heard he wasn’t hurt…

But I wasn’t in a position to worry about him. I had only eavesdropped on a conversation between his aide and the butler.

Maybe I could see him if I loitered around the main building.

Just then, a bell rang. I paused and looked up. It was the sound of Raiden summoning his servants.

There had been times when I disliked hearing that sound. But now, I couldn’t be happier to hear it.

However, I was supposed to take a break from attending to Raiden…

And at that moment, I suddenly remembered what Raiden had said earlier.

‘Be by my side again.’

I sprang up from my seat. Hastily, I gathered the tea tools to go to him. My steps quickened with anxiety.

“…Your Grace, may I come in?”

I asked cautiously as I opened the door to his room.

The room was dimly lit. I carefully approached Raiden, making sure not to trip.

His face, illuminated by the moonlight, looked very tired. I had noticed it earlier; he hadn’t been sleeping well recently.

I had become proficient at brewing tea. After preparing the tea, I poured it into his cup and spoke softly.

“This is chamomile tea, good for insomnia.”

Raiden glanced at me and then spoke in a shameless tone.

“I don’t have insomnia. I sleep well enough to drink coffee.”

Was he trying to hide the fact that he couldn’t sleep?

Even so, he took a sip of the tea. As I stood there silently, Raiden asked me.

“Are you preparing to run away?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Then sit down.”

He nodded towards the chair in front of him. Did he need someone to talk to?

I carefully sat down in the chair. But he didn’t say anything more. He really just wanted me to sit there.

Raiden set down his teacup with a clink and finally spoke.

“Treat me.”

“Are you hurt?!” I asked, startled.

Raiden nodded.

“It hurts.”

It hurt?

Raiden wasn’t the type to say something like that, so my face turned serious instantly.

How badly was he hurt?

I quickly brought the medicine and sat down. Raiden watched me quietly, his hand supporting his chin.

“Where are you hurt?” I asked, trying to hide my worry. He wasn’t usually one to show vulnerability.

There was a hint of concern in my voice, which seemed to catch Raiden off guard for a moment. Then he held out his hand.

“?”

There was a cut on his hand, as if from a knife.

“Here.”

My eyes wavered a bit.

“And elsewhere? Are there any other injuries?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

He tapped his ear lightly. Could his hearing be affected? But he had understood my words perfectly.

“I heard too many strange noises today.”

“…”

“This isn’t even a real wound, is it?” Raiden quipped.

I quickly shook my head and hurried to clean the cut with a disinfectant-soaked cotton swab.

“….”

His gaze, fixed on me as he rested his chin on his hand, made my back tingle with unease. It was overwhelming. My hands started to tremble, so I cautiously asked him.

“Um… Your Grace?”

“What?” he replied.

“Could you please look away while I treat the wound?”

“No,” he said, smirking as he watched me. I did my best to ignore him and applied the ointment quickly.

“All done,” I said, packing up the medicine.

“Any other injuries?” I asked.

“My heart’s hurt from dealing with lunatics today,” Raiden said with a nonchalant expression. His words made my eyes widen.

“Just kidding.”

“…”

“You can go now.”

He looked tired. This man and I were completely different. I would never be able to understand him, and we were worlds apart.

Yet, strangely, Raiden seemed similar to me right now. He reminded me of my past self.

“…How can I help heal your heart?” I asked softly.

Raiden paused.

“What?”

“You just said… your ears and heart hurt.”

Raiden let out a bitter laugh but then chuckled slightly.

“How would I know? You’re the one treating me.”

“That’s true…”

I hesitated for a moment before sitting back down.

“I mentioned before, I’m good at listening…”

After a long pause, I spoke cautiously.

“That also means I’m good at just being there.”

Raiden chuckled softly.

“You hold grudges more than you seem to.”

I was confused for a moment, then remembered how Raiden had coldly responded to me saying I was good at listening.

‘I’m not stupid enough to tell you those things.’

Could he remember that?

I shook my head vigorously.

“No, it’s not a grudge at all!”

“Then what?”

“I mean that just having someone nearby can be comforting, even if you don’t talk about your struggles.”

“Is that supposed to be a treatment?”

I nodded.

“So, did you feel healed?” he asked.

“No?”

“…Unbelievable.”

Raiden looked at me with a baffled expression.

“But I felt a lot better. And this is all I can do for you, Your Grace.”

“What do you have to do for me?”

“Well… you’ve helped me many times. I’m just repaying you because I’m a person too.”

Raiden chuckled softly.

“Not bad.”

He took a sip of the now cold tea and continued.

“It’s just surprising. No one’s ever called me a good person. But you did.”

“Why?” I blinked in surprise.

“Why? Because I’m not a good guy.”

Raiden spoke in a calm voice.

“But you really are a good person, Your Grace,” I said, tilting my head slightly.

Sure, Raiden was unique, but I was sure he was a good person. He squinted his eyes at me.

“You…”

“Yes?”

“…Have you said that to others as well?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

I shrugged lightly.

“Because they’re good people.”

Raiden looked dumbfounded for a moment, then his shoulders started shaking with laughter. I never expected him to laugh this much, and I just stared, blinking in surprise.

* * *

Raiden, gazing out the window, turned his head at the sound of soft breathing.

At some point, Chase had dozed off, her eyes completely closed as she nodded off in an uncomfortable position.

It was amusing that a servant could be so audacious as to sleep in front of their master, and this was already the second time. The first had been when she drank and fell asleep.

Raiden tilted his head slightly, watching Chase sleep. He reached out and gently placed his hand on her face, slowly guiding her head down.

She settled into a deeper sleep, her rosy cheek resting on the table.

“Honestly, who’s the master here…?”

He kept making exceptions for her, but he didn’t mind these exceptions.

Raiden watched her quietly, then reached out again. He lightly stroked her cheek and ran his fingers over her closed eyes.

Her long eyelashes tickled his hand. He found himself wishing she’d open her eyes and look at him. Despite his thoughts, his touch was very gentle.

Not all her makeup had been removed; lipstick still tinted her lips. He lightly brushed her lips, staining his finger with the pink color.

Raiden paused.

“Umm…”

She stirred slightly. Part of him wanted her to wake up, but he withdrew his hand from her face.

After a bit of tossing, she fell back into a peaceful sleep.

Raiden tapped his fingers on the table, taking in her serene appearance.

It was like someone had tossed a stone into calm water.

He had always despised those who enjoyed their Maries. He considered it a wretched hobby.

He couldn’t understand those who made fools of themselves on stage, and even less those who applauded them.

But now, it seemed the most incomprehensible person was himself.