Chapter 4

Xiao Ming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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The doctor who rushed to treat me, a burn victim, was a woman named Emma. She was a plump woman in her forties, not particularly beautiful but with a charming face. When she first arrived, she looked at me in surprise as I immersed my arm in a bucket of water, but she quickly regained her composure, cut the clothing around the burn with scissors, and began the treatment.

"It will hurt for a while, but there won't be any scars. I'll make some ointment and have my son deliver it to you later."

Hearing that there wouldn't be any scars, the lady seemed more relieved than I was.

"Thank you, Doctor...!"

"Not at all, it's thanks to your quick action, madam."

"Oh, no, it was you who..."

"Well..."

She seemed to be a pharmacist by profession but had some medical knowledge, which is why she was employed by Count Conrad. She appeared to be close to the lady, responding to her gratitude with a smile.

"When dealing with burns, it's important to cool the affected area first. You knew that well."

"It's just something I read in a book..."

"Knowledge is important, and so is the ability to apply it. ...I'll apply some ointment to prevent infection and reduce pain. It might hurt a bit."

The arm, which had been taken out of the water, was discolored and blistered. The pain intensified as soon as it touched the air, but she quickly wiped it with a towel and applied the ointment to my arm.

"!"

"Please bear with it for a moment."

It hurt when she touched it, but it wasn't unbearable. The green, ointment was herb-scented and had a rough texture, causing a stinging pain, but I gritted my teeth and endured until the bandage was wrapped. I had to believe that the pain would subside once the medicine took effect.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"You're welcome. I'm glad nothing serious happened to such a young lady."

Because I was in pain, she seemed to stay a bit longer. It was helpful to have something to distract me from the pain.

"Doctor..."

She was neatly dressed, but her clothes were somewhat worn, not much different from a commoner. She probably wasn't a noble. Noticing my gaze, she smiled shyly.

"I'm sorry if I offended you. In this rural area, it's hard to get doctors to stay... Lord Camille asked me, who had some knowledge of medicine, to help. Since then, I've been doing my best to act as a doctor, though it's presumptuous of me."

"Lady, Emma's skills are excellent. She is well-respected by the people in the region and has even received some training from the doctors in the capital. She is a fine doctor, not just a pretender."

The lady seemed flustered, perhaps because of the emphasis on the capital. I didn't mean to make her feel that way, but it wasn't my intention.

"Oh, no, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I was just wondering where you studied..."

"Well... where did I study, Emma?"

"Lady?"

"Yes."

"..."

"I'm not doubting you. It's fine."

The lady, who seemed like a schoolteacher, was clearly flustered. They must be very close. ...Still, her surprised reaction when we first met and the assumption that a troublesome young lady from the city had arrived made me wonder. Feeling nauseous from the sweat on my forehead, Emma took out a handkerchief and wiped it for me. At first, she seemed brisk, but after the treatment, she had a gentle, motherly air.

"What a disaster on the first day."

"That child didn't mean to cause trouble..."

Oh, right, where did Nico go? She had been crying and fetching water, but I hadn't seen her since then.

"Lady, where is Nico?"

"That child has gone to see her master."

Her demeanor returned to that of a servant. The way her eyebrows furrowed and her eyes slightly narrowed suggested that Nico was being scolded. ...She had caused a burn to a newly arrived bride, and today, even the old man was present. Nico had been pale with worry until Emma sent her away to cut the woman's clothing.

"...Please give her some sweets later."

"Sweets?"

"If she reflects on her actions, yes. She will be scolded quite a bit."

When I got the burn, she was only good for crying... Considering her intense reaction, it was clear that she was just clumsy from nervousness. If it was an act, she could have won an Oscar. If she doesn't reflect, it's a different story, but I have no interest in adding to her distress.

"Please tell her to be more careful next time."

I was trying to be polite despite the pain and sweat, but it was difficult. If I were in my thirties, I would be half-crying, applying ice to the burn, and collapsing on the desk with a dead look. Just sitting properly was a feat, and I praised myself for it.

"Understood. ...I will convey that message."

"Eh? You can tell her later..."

But the lady hurried out of the room. There was no need to be so hasty... Emma explained to me, who was taken aback.

"Lady, you won't fire Nico, will you?"

...Oh, right.

I shouldn't judge by the standards of a Japanese citizen. A servant had injured the master, and if there was any affection, it would be a different story, but this was a major blunder on the first day. It would be understandable if she lost her job. From the smile on Count Conrad's face, I didn't think he would do that, but many nobles would punish a servant for such a mistake.

"Since it wasn't serious, it would be cruel to fire her."

"...I'm glad you understand. Nico's parents are my friends. She is just a bit clumsy, but she is not a bad child..."

I see. So, it was right not to scold her. I didn't intend to, but it would be unwise to upset someone respected in the region.

"...By the way, you arrived quite quickly. Do you live nearby?"

Even though she was attached to the count, she probably didn't live in the manor. It was a simple question, but Emma's smile froze, and she nodded repeatedly with a slightly higher voice.

"I just happened to be nearby. I heard that the gardener, Ben, was injured..."

"It must be tiring to run around so much. Thanks to you, I was treated quickly..."

"Truly, it was a coincidence. Oh, right, I'm out of the ointment, but I'll make more and have the lady deliver it to you by evening."

"Thank you very much."

...The old man didn't seem to be coming, and they might be having a discussion. Emma prepared more tea, and as I got used to the pain in my arm, someone knocked on the door. I said, "Come in," and a boy, about my age or a bit younger, entered.

I immediately recognized who he was. He wore a slightly rumpled shirt and worn trousers, and while he didn't look like a noble, he had a smart appearance and a demeanor similar to Emma's. The boy had a tense expression, his lips pressed into a straight line. His gaze passed over me and fixed on Emma.

"Mom."

"Sven."

Emma stood up and rushed to her son. She looked pale, and the reason was obvious.

"How long are you going to stay there? I'm done with my business, so come back quickly." "Sven!"

It seemed that Sven, Emma's son, didn't like me. His expression was openly hostile, as if he wanted to kill me.

But this was our first meeting. I didn't know why he disliked me, so I just observed. Emma scolded her son.

"How can you be so rude! Sven, greet Lady Karen!"

Emma became a mother in front of her son. She grabbed the sulking boy's head and forced him to bow.

"But..."

"But what? ...Lady, I'm sorry. This is my eldest son. He is usually not this rude..."

I felt bad for her, so I responded with a wry smile to show I wasn't angry.

"I don't know the reason, but it's understandable..."

"I'm really sorry...! I'll talk to him."

Because of his attitude, Emma couldn't stay any longer. She dragged her son away, but just before leaving, the boy glanced at me and I waved lightly.

...I wish he wouldn't glare at me.

After they left, I moved to the next room and sat on the edge of the bed. If this were Kirsten's house, a different servant would have come in, but there didn't seem to be enough staff here. I was glad to have some time alone.

I didn't think there were no problems in Conrad's territory, but it seemed I wouldn't be accepted smoothly.

Sighing, I lifted my bandaged arm.

"...Well, they say a blessing in disguise..."

There would probably be no trouble tonight, as the count wouldn't be a pervert. As expected, the lady informed me that there would only be a dinner, with the old man, the count, and me. We used a room that seemed rarely used, with two elderly men and a young woman. I mostly listened, but the old man and Camille were good storytellers, so I didn't get bored. Most of the stories were about their youthful adventures, but the most important thing I learned was that my future husband was not a bad person. In fact, there were no visits that night, and I slept soundly.

Nico didn't return for a whole day, and the lady took care of me instead.

"Um, Lady. About the master..."

In the morning, while I was changing, I refused help and asked her to make tea. The girl looked away, uncomfortable.

"I have a message... Today, after seeing off Lady Kirsten, the master will be out until tomorrow..."

"Oh, I see. Thank you."

...The old man was supposed to stay for three days, wasn't he?

At breakfast, the atmosphere between the count and the old man was tense. The old man looked furious, and the count seemed apologetic. It was hard to tell who was the master of the house.

"Karen."

"Yes, Grandfather?"

"I have an urgent matter to attend to in Kirsten. You will stay here for a few more days."

"Understood."

A few more days? It sounded like I wouldn't be staying long.

However, I held back my anger, thinking there might be a reason he didn't want me to know. After breakfast, the old man left for the capital, and I was alone in Conrad's territory for less than a day. Thanks to Emma's medicine, my arm was no longer painful, and I felt healthy.

"Um, Lady. If you need someone to talk to, I can be your companion."

"Thank you. Hmm... I want to learn more about the territory."

Camille was gone, and the lady couldn't always be with me. Naturally, I would have to rely on Nico.

I had many questions, but it was too early to ask too many on the second day.

"Let's take a walk around the manor, shall we?"

Going outside would be too difficult. I suggested walking inside the manor, which seemed more within their expectations. Nico looked relieved and smiled.

"Yes, I'll explain each room!"

"Thank you. I only got a rough idea yesterday."

We walked through the manor from the third floor to the ground floor, except for Camille's office. The servants we passed bowed hastily, showing they were not used to this. In this territory, the count and the people were close, and formal greetings were not common. The servants, except for the housekeeper and the lady, bowed awkwardly as if they had been taught.

"Um, Lady. They are just confused..."

"Hmm? ...It's fine, I'm not bothered."

Nico, despite her somewhat vacant demeanor, seemed to be good at reading people. She knew when to start a conversation without me saying anything.

"...Nico, do you know why the old man was angry?"

"Huh? ...No, no! Nothing!"

...It's so obvious, it's almost helpful.

What to do? After exploring the second and first floors, we went to the garden. There were not only beautiful flowers but also various wild herbs. I bent down to look at some I had never seen in Kirsten or school, and Nico explained happily.

"These are flowers that Doctor Emma uses to make medicine. She says she can't grow enough at home, so the master offered to help..."

"Wow."

I looked up and saw an old gardener looking at me worriedly. When our eyes met, he quickly looked away.

...Hmm? Interesting?

But I don't have enough information to make a judgment. It's too early to judge after just a day and a half.

What to do? As I was about to walk a bit more in the garden before returning to the room, I saw Sven, the boy who had glared at me yesterday, coming from the main gate. The difference today was that he wasn't alone. He was holding the hand of a boy around ten years old, who looked like Emma and Sven.

When he noticed me, he frowned but couldn't turn away, so he came over.

"Good morning. Are you taking a walk with your brother today?"

So, I decided to start a conversation. It's a rare opportunity for the target to come to me.

Let's see what happens.