Chapter 14

Being embarrassed, I asked a stupid question.

Aren had a small-cute face with black hair that half covered the nape of his neck. At first glance, his appearance looks between a handsome boy and a beautiful woman.

However, his golden eyes like a bird of prey were sharp enough to cover up all such first impressions.

I quietly admired.

‘It’s the first time I’ve ever met someone with the words pretty and cool.’

Regardless of gender, it was an objectively attractive appearance.

“Yes, Madam. I don’t have a surname, so you can call me by my first name.”

I tried not to make an awkward expression on that answer as much as possible.

Because he is lying and I know what his true identity is.

The real name of the knight in front of me is Aisha Ren.

She is the heroine of this world who will later be together with Rupert.

She is now dressed as a man.

‘Honestly, she was the exact opposite of what I had imagined.’

Aren certainly looks pretty at first glance, but the more you look at it, every expression, movement, and tone is truly that of a true knight.

“Nice to meet you, Sir Aren.”

“It’s okay to speak comfortably.”

“Ah… no. Thank you for helping my daughter, Sir Aren.”

“Don’t mention it, Madam.”

Leah also grabbed the edge of Aren’s sleeve and thanked him vigorously once more.

“Thank you, Sir Aren!”

My daughter is really an angel. Leah smiled brightly as she thanked him, but it didn’t last long.

Leah seems to have found something in the edge of Aren’s sleeve she was holding.

Leah’s eyes widened.

“Oh, are you hurt anywhere?”

Then I saw Aren’s arm.

The ends of his sleeves were soaked with blood.

‘Did we catch him on the way to healing the wound?’

I quickly spoke to Aren.

“Oh, so you were going to the doctor? Sorry for interrupting.”

Leah saw his wound and muttered.

“You hurt…”

Aren quickly responded to Leah’s concerns.

“I accidentally injured during a match. It’s just a minor injury. I’m on my way back from the doctor, so you don’t have to worry about it, Miss.”

“Huh? It doesn’t look like the wound has been healed.”

“It’s because the doctor is away.”

I frowned slightly at his words.

“How come it seems that the doctor is often absent…”

That’s why the apprentice came to treat Leah after all.

Perhaps he thought I had bad intentions, Aren defended the doctor.

“No, Madam, these days there are a lot of monsters appearing and there are a lot of wounded people. All the doctors from the Ainel family must be there.”

In other words, the doctor is not lazy, but are they short of manpower?

“Um, then… aha!”

At that moment, Leah, who had been muttering with deep thoughts in her own way, blinked.

“You can leave it to my mom. If my mom touches it, it does not hurt at all!”

Aren panicked. The Mistresses is more precious than gold in this world

It’s burdensome. Why would someone like that treat him? Aren thought.

“No, Miss. This is not something you need to worry about.”

“Aren’t you hurt? My mom can heal you!”

Leah looked at me with innocent eyes full of trust.

… seeing her like this, I can’t ignore it.

“That’s right, I should do it.”

I smiled brightly as I looked at Aren, who immediately became more bewildered.

“Come on, don’t worry too much.”

Well, Aren seems that he is worried about the sudden treatment of the ‘Vicious Marchioness’.

With such a thought, I laughed at Aren’s uncomfortable expression.

* * *

On the way to the treatment room with Aren, I ran into employees from time to time. A few of them looked sympathetically, thinking that Aren had been misled by the vicious Marchioness.

I’m not surprised anymore by such a gaze and opened the door to the treatment room.

“There really is no one there.”

Fortunately, the inside is well organized. It’s not difficult to find bandages and medications.

When I moved, Aren panicked.

“Madam, I will—”

“The patient stays still.”

I looked at the other medicines lined up in amazement for a moment as I gathered the medicines needed for the wounds from the medicine shelf.

‘There are many kinds.’

Up until now, I was raised as a noble girl, so I didn’t have much knowledge about the medicines of this world. All I knew was basic antipyretics and wound medicines at best.

‘I want to learn when I get the chance.’

I went to Aren with what I needed. Aren looked uncomfortable.

Of course, Leah, sitting next to him, was looking at me with twinkling eyes.

“… Leah, do you want to stay here?”

Is it okay if I show this to my daughter?

Leah nodded her head.

“Yes, I want to see it!”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

Leah shook her head.

“I’m not afraid of anything.”

I don’t know if this change is good or bad. After contemplating, I finally nodded my head and looked at Aren’s wound.

Fortunately, it wasn’t serious. There was no need for stitching.

“It’s not a serious injury, but are you just going to let it go without treatment anyway?”

Aren calmly responded.

“It’s not a big deal, Madam.”

Anyway, Rupert as well, I hope everyone takes care of themselves.

One of the things I didn’t like was the type of person who didn’t value himself.

“It is the responsibility of the doctor, not the patient, to decide if they are okay or not.”

I poured antiseptic on the wound and spoke softly.

“All you have to do is take care of your body.”

I wonder if he thought I was pissed off, he hesitated and asked,

“… are you mad?”

“Not at all.”

Aren lifted his head.

Our eyes met. I put on a bright expression and smiled roundly.

In fact, I didn’t hate him for walking down the difficult path of his life. I hope it goes well.

“I don’t mean to criticize you, Sir. I’m worried.”

Aren pondered, and carefully opened his mouth.

“Madam…”

“Huh?”

“You are kind.”

I laughed briefly.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever heard such words in my life.”

It’s all true.

“I am concerned that there are many people who judge Madam with a short bias.”

He spoke softly about how many people cursed at me.

‘That’s half true.’

It was a time when Aren had just joined the Knights of Raven. He had only heard of me through rumors.

Of course, it’s impossible to say that ‘I did something really bad’ in front of the protagonist.

I frowned.

“Some of the other people’s words are right.”

It’s true, but it seems to sound like humility.

Aren looked at his arm being treated, and he made a determined expression on his face.

“If you have any trouble, please let me know, Madam. I’m not that strong, but I will definitely help you.”

‘Are you trying to repay the kindness I gave you?’

I was a little surprised and amazed at the same time.

“Those words are enough, thank you, Sir.”

Aisha Ren had a strong personality. She’s a bit stiff, but she’s a good person too.

‘So, she’s going to be with Rupert right?’

I cut the bandages for the last time.

“Never let the wound come into contact with water, disinfect it regularly, and if there is a problem, tell me right away. And…”

Leah, who was quiet, spit out what I was about to say first.

“You have to go to bed early to get well. Vegetables should be eaten evenly!”

“Ha ha ha.”

I smiled involuntarily. It seems that my daughter has already memorized everything I used to say, like a nagging.

‘Did I do it well?’ Leah looked up at me with that gaze.

I stroked Leah’s little head.

“Yes, you know well.”

“Sir Aren must also listen to my mom. Otherwise, my mom will tickle you!”

Aren briefly burst into laughter at the five-year-old’s innocence.

“Remember.”

Leah raised her little finger.

“Well then…”

Aren also raised his little finger.

“… I promise.”

He then placed one of his hands on his chest and bent his back so that he was at eye level with Leah.

“Knights always keep their promises. Do not worry, Miss.”

Even to a child’s words, Aren answered seriously. Satisfied Leah smirked.

I smiled at the two of them.

After a long time, it is a sight that brings peace to my heart.

* * *

Rupert is weird.

He did exactly the weird thing.

I looked at the colorful gift boxes piled up in front of my eyes.

All of these items are rumored to be difficult to obtain even in the most popular boutiques among the aristocrats.

Gorgeous rings and necklaces, dresses, hats, shoes, lace gloves…

“What is all this?”

The maid politely answered my question.

“It was sent by the Marquis.”

“Why?”

Rupert hates me terribly, but what is this?

The maid replied with a look of perplexity.

“Th-that… well… I’m sorry, Madam!”

She must have been frightened because she thought she had offended the sensitive Marchioness.

“No, you don’t need to apologize.”

I was genuinely curious about Rupert’s intentions.

‘It would be of no use to ask the maid.’

“Didn’t the Marquis go out today?”

“He did, Madam.”

I did not dislike pretty things.

However, considering the sender, I could not just receive it.

‘I’ll have to ask Rupert.’

I immediately left the room. Fortunately, I didn’t have to go all the way to the office to find him.

I just ran into Rupert in the hallway.

I immediately called him.

“Marquis.”

Rupert stopped as soon as he heard my call. But he still has his back to me.

Then he walked at a faster pace.

“Marquis!”

He ignores me again.

In the end, annoyed, I shouted.

“Rupert!”

His fast-paced steps came to a standstill.