Chapter 6

The next day. Even when it was time for breakfast, Lord Theodor did not come out of his room.

When I asked the head maid, she had a troubled look on her face and said, "No matter how many times I called out, there was no response..."

Of course. We can't just enter the room where the Duke's son is staying without permission.

"Lord Theodor, how did you spend last night?"

"Unfortunately, I was instructed to leave immediately after showing him to his room, so I don't know what happened after that."

"That means Lord Theodor hasn't eaten since last night. He didn't look well, and he might have collapsed in the room..."

The head maid and I looked at each other.

"Where are Uncle and Aunt?"

"They are expected to return around noon today. They said they could stay at the castle to handle things."

Ah! They must have stayed at the castle because of the princess's engagement cancellation scandal. With the owners of the mansion away, I am the next in line in terms of status within the mansion.

I glanced at the head maid, who was waiting for my instructions. Although he is likely just exhausted and sleeping, I was worried that he hadn't eaten since last night. I made up my mind and headed towards Lord Theodor's room, with the head maid following behind.

There was no response when I knocked on the door.

"Lord Theodor?"

I called out, but there was no response.

When I put my hand on the doorknob, the door was not locked. Hesitantly, I slowly opened the door.

"Excuse me--"

I screamed when I saw Lord Theodor collapsed on the sofa.

The head maid said, "I'll go get the doctor!" and ran off.

As I rushed to Lord Theodor, my guard knights rushed into the room.

"Miss, we heard a scream! Is everything alright!?"

"It's Lord Theodor!"

One of the guard knights touched Lord Theodor's wrist and neck.

"He's still alive. Let's move him to the bed."

Lord Theodor, carried by the guard knights, looked frighteningly limp. When I touched his hand, it was cold, which surprised me. I gripped his cold hand tightly.

"Lord Theodor..."

The doctor soon arrived. The guard knights were asked to leave the room to avoid disturbing the examination.

After the examination, the doctor said to me:

"It doesn't seem to be an illness. Probably just fatigue."

"What should we do?"

"I'll examine him again when he wakes up, but for now, he just needs rest."

When the doctor left the room, I was alone with Lord Theodor. His hand was still cold.

I feel helpless at a time like this. I should have noticed that he didn't look well. If I had paid more attention to Lord Theodor last night, this might not have happened.

I'm sorry, Lord Theodor.

Lord Theodor's eyelids twitched and slowly opened. His beautiful red eyes looked at me.

"Miss Cynthia...?"

"Are you okay? Do you feel any discomfort?"

"Yes, I'm fine... It was a good dream."

Lord Theodor's eyes softened.

"I'll call the doctor right away."

As I tried to stand up, Lord Theodor grabbed my hand.

"Just a little longer, please."

"Um, okay."

Is he still not feeling well? He seems a bit strange.

"Excuse me."

I gently placed my hand on Lord Theodor's forehead. He closed his eyes, looking comfortable.

"There doesn't seem to be a fever."

"Yes. ...Hmm? It's warm?"

Lord Theodor suddenly sat up in bed.

"Miss Cynthia!?"

"Um, yes."

"It's not a dream!? Why are you here!?"

"I'm sorry!"

As I explained why I was there, Lord Theodor's face turned increasingly red.

"Miss Cynthia, I've caused you a lot of trouble."

"No, I'll go get the doctor."

"Okay."

Lord Theodor, you definitely have a fever now. Your face is so red it looks like steam is coming off it.

The doctor's diagnosis was that Lord Theodor had overworked himself, both physically and mentally, and was advised to leave the capital.

When the diagnosis was complete, Uncle and Aunt returned from the castle.

When I told them that Lord Theodor had collapsed, they both looked troubled. Uncle said, "We want him to rest, but you both should leave the capital as soon as possible."

"Why?"

"After the incident, the king came to the ball and received a report. We were called to a separate room."

"Uncle and Aunt were called by the king!?"

Aunt nodded solemnly.

"We were told not to take the princess's engagement cancellation seriously. The king said that the princess would apologize, and Lord Theodor should continue serving her. It seems the king has no intention of breaking the engagement."

"That's outrageous! The princess not only cheated openly but also accused Lord Theodor at the ball, treating him like a criminal! And now they want him to continue serving her? That's too much!"

This isn't something that can be resolved with just an apology. The Bailey Duke's family, Lord Theodor's family, should protest to the royal family, but from what I've heard, they won't.

Aunt also looked very angry, with a tense face.

"We feel the same way as Cynthia. But if the princess apologizes, Lord Theodor, as a royal official, will have to accept it."

"Then, does Lord Theodor have to go back to an environment where he might collapse again? I can't accept that!"

"Calm down, Cynthia. There's more to the story. The king also said that this matter must not be reported to the Baron of Bargoa."

"To Father?"

"Yes. What do you think would happen if the Baron of Bargoa found out about this?"

"Of course, Father would be very angry with both the princess and the king."

Father is very kind, but when he's angry, he's extremely scary. By the way, I've never been scolded by him, but my brother was often scolded for doing reckless things when we were children.

Then I realized something.

"Does that mean if I report this to Father, something can be done?"

Aunt smiled and said, "Yes!"

Uncle added, "Right now, the Duke Bailey is suggesting to the king that his younger son, Kurt, should be the royal consort instead of Lord Theodor. The royal family can't act immediately in response to this."

I see. So, we should return to the Bargoa territory now!

"But Lord Theodor's condition..."

Before I could finish, I heard a voice from behind saying, "I'm fine." I turned around to see Lord Theodor standing there, looking pale.

"Miss Cynthia, let's leave immediately."

"But, but..."

The journey from the capital to the Bargoa territory takes about a month by carriage. The Bargoa territory is that far away.

"I'll be fine. Please take me to the Bargoa territory. I have no intention of serving the princess or the royal family again."

Lord Theodor's eyes were serious.

"Understood."

That's how we decided to leave the capital in a hurry.

When my guard knights heard this, they quickly packed up the camp and prepared to leave the capital. Lord Theodor was surprised and said, "They are indeed the best army in the kingdom."