Chapter 18.2

Chapter 18 Part 2. Until the moment the crying ceases

*****

“Why don’t you get some rest now?”

Marshall eagerly held on to Leah, who was carrying rations and relief supplies. She was no different from a sick person with bandages wrapped around her waist, arms, and legs.

“Do you think it makes sense for a patient to take care of another patient?”

“I’m fine except for a few broken bones.”

“How can you feel fine with some broken bones?”

“It’s uncomfortable one way or another, but if I can move, I am fine.”

At Leah’s words, Marshall sighed and took the medicine and food she had been carrying.

“You’ve done enough here. Go to Lady Asaya. Or go home and get some rest.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“It’s not fine. What would those reporters, who are trying to get inside, think when they see this? They would definitely think that the filthy Grand Duke of August is now exploiting labor even on the injured patient. Thinking again of the dramatized stories from newspapers, a migraine is coming already.”

Of course, it was true that Marshall has a nasty temper. Leah managed to hold back her laughter at his remarks.

“Since when did you care for your boss that much?”

“Being caring and having a hot temper are two different things. Originally, every employer in the world is seen as an evil in their employees’ view.”

“I was from outside the wall, I have experience about these things. I can be a good help here.”

“The situation is not so bad that a lady as yourself has to work.”

“I think you’re the only one who sees me as a lady.”

“Why? Because your hair is short? Because your outfit looks like a man? Because you are acting like a man? That doesn’t change your gender.”

“Apart from that, it’s common that people here don’t even treat people like me as human beings. I don’t think there is anyone other than you who calls me a lady with respect.”

“I’m not as nasty as others. They say manners make the man. I’m always trying to live like a human being.”

Leah responded playfully to Marshall’s mischievous words.

“Does that mean your vicious employer with a hot temper is not a human being?”

“No way. Our lord has a hot temper, but he is not a vicious employer. He pays well and is fair with his employees. That’s why I respect him.”

“I worked a lot today as well. Would I get paid for it?”

“Of course. Thanks to you and Miss Asaya, we were able to prevent a great catastrophe. There will be reasonable rewards for that. Even though it was dangerous, thank you for taking the initiative. Thanks to that, not many have died.”

Leah was somewhat embarrassed by Marshall’s attitude of expressing gratitude with all his heart. She felt perplexed for being praised.

“I didn’t say I did it to help you… If we let it go, our family would be in danger as well.”

“Here in Riverarden, you two will be heroes. All the villagers are truly grateful.”

“It’s creepy to be a hero.”

“To me, both of you are heroes. I am truly in awe and admiration.”

Leah suppressed the rising embarrassment and avoided Marshall’s gaze. She wondered why such a small compliment would be so embarrassing, but she didn’t hate it. It made her blushed.

“Hmm, you told me to take a break, so I’ll go now.”

Marshall, who was staring at Leah as she took an uncomfortable step, naturally wrapped his hand around her shoulders and supported her.

“I will help you.”

“I can go by myself.”

“If we go together, you will be more comfortable.”

“It’s not comfortable at all.”

“Why, do I bother you?”

“No. It’s not like that!”

“Then just walk.”

Leah silently entrusted herself to his hand. She wanted to say thank you, but she felt so embarrassed so she couldn’t say it out loud. ‘Marshall Atlan’, Leah was pondering about the name of a young and caring gentleman, he was a very nice person.

It seemed that the unique warm atmosphere felt by Count Lubedoa in the old days was also incorporated in this man. Leah, who remembered Asaya’s father, Runeshard Lubedoa because of Marshall, smiled bitterly because she missed him for no reason. She had never thought of finding him in another man. ‘’Are you alive?’’ Her longing came like a wave.

*******

Asaya had rather not seen them in front of her eyes forever. She was glad to think that they escaped. However, she was naive. Why did they reappear? She wanted to ask why were they, who were her family, standing on the Church’s side and watching all the family members being escorted? Why were they the only ones who have survived this terrible tragedy? Why did they hold hands together? Why were they wearing the same bracelet?

“Ugh!”

Asaya opened her eyes. In a terrible nightmare, cold sweat was flowing all over her body. Tears filled her eyes while gasping for breath. She tried to hold back the tears by biting her lips and closed her eyes tightly, but it was in vain. It was because someone grabbed her hand from the side.

“Cry.”

Asaya turned her head to a calm voice. Edwin, who was in his street clothes, sitting by the bedside with a tired face. It didn’t matter why he was here or what happened. Asaya started crying uncontrollably at his calm and still word. He didn’t do anything. He just watched. There were no words of consolation or concern, but Asaya felt comforted for some reason. Like a fool, she cried for a long time without pride. Even until the moment the crying ceased and lost her consciousness again, Edwin remained by her side until the end.