Chapter 54

Two days later, after finishing work, I headed straight to the Earl Arkwright's residence to visit again. I was immediately shown to Sadie's room and quietly gazed at her sleeping face.

"…………"

Since then, I haven't been able to focus on anything, thinking about Sadie all the time, whether awake or asleep.

– Why must Sadie continue to suffer so much? What could she have possibly done to deserve this, being the kindest and most beautiful person I know?

As I was lost in these thoughts, Sadie's hand suddenly twitched.

"Sadie...?"

Her long silver eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened. Her gaze turned towards me, and our eyes met.

Relieved that she had finally woken up, I immediately stood up to call the doctor.

"Are you okay? I'll go get the doctor right away –"

But then, as if telling me not to go, she gently grabbed the sleeve of my shirt. Turning back to her immediately, thinking she might have something to say, I helped her sit up.

She was surprisingly light, and my heart felt constricted.

Leaning in close to her lips, which seemed to be trying to say something, her thin, pale arm wrapped around my neck.

"…Rufus… I was… scared…"

In the next moment, she clung to me as if clinging for dear life.

I gently wrapped my arms around her back, hugging her small, trembling body.

"It's okay now, you did well."

"…uh… …"

She must have gone through a lot of pain and suffering. This was the first time I had seen her cry for reasons other than joy and relief since she returned to her original body.

After a while, Sadie seemed to have calmed down, stopped crying, and lifted her face.

In her pale face, her red, swollen eyes looked particularly painful.

"I was scared, thinking I might never see you again, Rufus."

"I'm truly sorry for not being able to do anything."

"No, I'm happy just to have you by my side."

I strongly felt the urge to protect her, to take away all her pain and sorrow.

After that, we called the Earl and his wife, as well as the doctor, to confirm that there were no issues with her health, which relieved us.

"However, it seems her memory is a bit confused."

"Such a thing…"

At the doctor's words, the Countess nearly fainted. The Earl quickly supported her, but his face was as pale as hers.

Eliza, Norman, and Findlay also looked bewildered. It seemed that strong stress or shock could cause partial memory loss.

Although I was internally shaken, I managed to maintain my composure because she had called my name when she woke up.

The Countess went to Sadie, gently enveloping her hand in both of hers. Sadie also gripped her hand back and offered a weak smile.

"Do you remember us?"

"Yes, but there are many things I can't remember... I might be a bother, but please take care of me."

Everyone looked pained at Sadie's weak bow.

"If you have any questions, just ask us. We'll do anything for Sadie."

"Jerald... thank you."

There seemed to be no treatment, and they said she just needed to rest and wait for her memory to recover.

"How much do you remember about that day?"

"During the party, Mabel – …"

The doctor and the Earl and Countess left the room, and Sadie was talking with Findlay and her friends.

Not wanting to intrude, I quietly tried to leave, but was suddenly grabbed by the hand.

"…Sadie?"

Turning around, I saw Sadie looking up at me with a lonely, vulnerable expression.

"Rufus…? Where are you going?"

"I need to get back to work soon."

"I want to stay with you a little longer, Rufus."

Hearing her words, the first feeling I had was not joy or happiness, but confusion.

She had never made such unreasonable requests before.

Still, considering her situation, it was understandable for her to be more selfish. Especially after what had happened, it was natural for her to feel anxious.

"Alright, I'll stay here a bit longer."

Smiling in agreement, Sadie looked relieved and squeezed my hand, saying, "Thank you."

"We'll be downstairs, so let us know if anything happens."

Findlay, with a concerned expression, left the room with Eliza and Norman.

I had heard that he had proposed to Sadie, but there was no sign of the matter progressing. Eventually, I decided to ask her about it when we were alone.

"Is it okay to talk about this in front of Findlay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't he propose to you?"

It seemed she had a memory of this, and Sadie nodded quietly.

"I firmly turned him down. But he said he still wants to be friends."

"…I see."

I couldn't help but feel relieved, which made me feel guilty as I looked into Sadie's still slightly red eyes.

She also looked at me, then lowered her eyebrows and smiled, looking troubled.

"I wish I could have returned to my original body earlier. …Then Tabitha wouldn't have done something foolish, and I could have stayed by Rufus's side all along."

It sounded as if she was saying she wanted to spend her life with me, and my heart skipped a beat.

Sadie, seeing my reaction, said, "I'm sorry for saying something strange," and looked down, blushing.

Now, with my father and others watching, I can only meet her in secret.

Still, I want to bring the truth about the incident involving Sadie and the others to light and, if she wishes it, stand by her side proudly.

"I'll try to be here as much as possible."

"…Thank you, Rufus."

Holding Sadie's small hand, she also squeezed mine back. Then, I suddenly felt a sense of unease again.

But I couldn't figure out why, and after chatting for a while, I promised to come back soon and left her room.

As I walked down the corridor alone, I met Eliza and Norman.

"Lord Rufus, are you leaving?"

"Yes. Sadie is going to rest for a bit."

"Is that so? How is Sadie doing?"

"…A little – no, never mind."

I almost said that there was a slight sense of unease but stopped myself.

Sadie, who always acts strong, must show her weakness and be a bit selfish sometimes. It's definitely just my overthinking.

Despite this, the unease in my chest wouldn't go away.

"Please stay by Sadie's side as much as possible. If there are any changes, please let me know."

"Understood."

I will make time again soon to check on her.

And I decided to also keep an eye on Mabel, whose condition was still unknown.