Chapter 82

Hesitating whether it was appropriate to enter, I thought it was probably an emergency and decided to go in.

"Zara, I'm coming in! Oops!"

"Meow, meow, meow!"

Blanche, as if urging me to hurry, pushed my body with her forehead. Our destination was the living room.

"Zara, where are you—"

I entered the living room and was startled.

Zara was sitting on the sofa, her face pale. She seemed to be in a daze, leaning back against the sofa, looking listless.

"Zara, are you okay!?"

I rushed over to check on her.

When I touched her forehead, she was hot.

"Let's get you to bed. Can you stand?"

She nodded weakly. She managed to stand up, but it didn't look like she could walk properly. I needed to support her.

"Mel, I'll help too."

"Thank you."

Liesl and I supported her and took her to the bedroom. She was unsteady, almost falling over. Blanche also helped, pushing Zara's back with her forehead.

"Whoa"

We laid Zara down on the bed.

"This person looks thin, but they're quite solid."

"They might be the type who looks thinner in clothes."

After all, she swings a large battle axe. She must have some muscle.

"Ah, there's a maid outside, let's have her call a doctor."

"Thank you."

I decided to give her some first aid.

First, I needed to cool her down.

"Meow?"

As I came out of the bedroom, Blanche approached, looking worried.

"Zara will be fine, Blanche. Liesl is calling the doctor."

"Meow~"

I felt bad for entering the house without permission, but it was an emergency.

I borrowed a leather bag from the kitchen and filled it with snow outside.

Next, I brought a bucket from the bathroom, soaked a towel in water, and wrung it out.

I carried these to Zara's bedroom.

She was sweating profusely. I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped the sweat from her forehead and neck.

She looked uncomfortable, so I felt sorry for her.

First, I placed the snow-filled leather bag under her armpits. This is the main area where the body produces antibodies, and it heats up when you're sick, so it needs to be cooled.

There are several other areas where antibodies are produced, such as the neck, abdomen, arms, and thighs. I would keep them cool until the doctor arrived.

Cooling the forehead isn't very effective, but it feels good, so I placed the towel there.

Gradually, the frown on her forehead eased, and I felt relieved.

I remembered something. When I went to the kitchen earlier, there were no fresh ingredients, only preserved foods. She must have planned to go shopping today. And she probably hadn't eaten anything since morning.

"Zara, do you have an appetite? Are you hungry?"

She opened her eyes slightly and nodded. Good, she seemed to have an appetite.

"I bought the ingredients for meatball stew. Can you eat it?"

Or maybe a porridge would be easier to eat.

While talking, I took the towel from her forehead, soaked it in the bucket of snow water, and wrung it out. I placed it back on her forehead.

"Stew... I want to eat it."

"Got it."

If that's what she wants, I'll put in some effort.

Meatball stew takes time, so I'll make it for lunch or dinner. First, I need to prepare breakfast.

"I'm sorry..."

"It's fine! We're friends, after all. Don't be shy."

I got permission to use the kitchen, so I tried to leave the bedroom, but Zara grabbed my sleeve.

"Is something wrong?"

"Um, Blanche... breakfast hasn't been made yet."

"That's a problem! Honey water, right?"

Zara nodded. She apparently dissolves five spoonfuls of honey in a pot of hot water. It's fine to give it to her hot.

"Leave it to me."

"Mel... thank you."

"You're welcome."

I moved from the bedroom to the kitchen. Blanche, who had been waiting in the hallway, followed me.

"Breakfast hasn't been made yet?"

"Meow!"

She seemed to be saying, "I was worried!"

"Please wait a moment. I'll prepare the honey water."

"Meow"

She seemed happy and rubbed against me.

Since she's about the size of a large dog, she's quite strong. I almost lost my balance.

I borrowed Zara's apron from the kitchen. It was a cute, frilly one. It looked new, so it might be. If it wasn't okay to use, I could buy a new one. I put it on.

First, I prepared Blanche's breakfast.

She brought her plate.

"Meow"

"That's Blanche's plate, I see. Got it. It's dangerous, so please wait in the warm living room by the fireplace until the honey water is ready."

"Meow"

Blanche is such a good girl. She listened and walked to the living room.

While boiling water, I thought about what to make for Zara's breakfast.

I searched the shelves with preserved foods.

The jars were neatly arranged, considering color and appearance, making them look beautiful. I should learn from this.

There were beans, dried vegetables, spices, herbs, mushrooms, potatoes, fish, scallops, fruits, and noodles.

"Wow!"

I found something rare—grain-like noodles. The jar said "small noodles."

I decided to use these to make a soup.

By the time the water boiled, I had dripped five spoonfuls of honey into it.

I mixed it well and it was ready. I poured it into a deep bowl and took it to Blanche, who was waiting in the living room.

"Meow!"

Blanche was sitting comfortably on the sofa. She might have her own spot. I wondered where to put the plate.

"Meow~"

She tapped the table with her paw, indicating where to put it.

I placed it on the table, and she started drinking skillfully.

It seemed that mountain cats don't have a cat's tongue. A new discovery.

"Meow~"

It's delicious! She seemed to enjoy it, and I was relieved.

After serving Blanche's breakfast, I prepared Zara's breakfast.

First, I made a broth with scallops. While the pot was boiling, I cut vegetables and added them.

I skimmed the scum, and when the soup turned milky, I added the small noodles. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, and spices.

I also made a drink with powdered ginger and honey using the boiling water. Zara's voice was hoarse, so this would be good for her.

I placed the soup and drink on a tray and took it to the bedroom.

I knocked on the door and entered.

I sat in a chair by the bed, and Zara opened her eyes slightly.

"Can you eat the soup?"

"Yes, thank you."

I supported her back and helped her sit up.

I placed the tray on her lap, scooped up some soup, noodles, and vegetables with a spoon, and cooled it before bringing it to her mouth.

"Ah~n"

"Uh?"

"What's wrong? Do you not have an appetite?"

"No, it's not that..."

If that's the case, I offered the spoon to her mouth.

"Um, I can probably eat by myself."

"I'm worried you might spill the soup on the bed."

Zara seemed a bit dazed, but she ate obediently.

"How is it?"

"Delicious."

"I'm glad."

I cooled the soup and brought the spoon to her mouth several times.

Just as I was about to bring the last spoonful, the bedroom door opened with a bang.

"Mr. Arts, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

A white-bearded old man in a white coat entered. He must be the doctor.

"Oh, my, madam, I didn't know you were here. I apologize for the intrusion."

"Uh!?"

I almost dropped the spoon.

I wanted to deny that I was her wife, but with the apron on and feeding Zara, it wouldn't be convincing.

Explaining that I was a colleague from the knight squad, a medic, and happened to be there would take too long. It was embarrassing to be misunderstood, but I decided to let the doctor examine Zara first.

The diagnosis was that Zara had a cold from fatigue. She would recover with a good night's rest.

She said she rarely gets colds, but it was understandable. She had fallen into a river, kept watch all night, and then worked hard to solve the case. It was the result of overexertion.

It was a good opportunity for her to get some rest.

After taking the medicine and sleeping soundly, her complexion improved by the afternoon. She said she could get up, but I asked her to rest.

We decided to cancel Zara's visit to the count's house tomorrow. Liesl would accompany me instead.

Blanche would stay at the marquis's house.

Liesl was so happy she almost cried.

I had made the meatball stew and left it in the kitchen. She could eat it whenever she wanted.

I confirmed that Zara was sleeping and left a package of ear decorations by her pillow. I also added a message card that said, "You did a great job."