CH 29

Nuova4-5 minutes 12.04.2022

But Kalix could not step away. Regardless of his shameful appearance or his father’s request, he abhorred the very thought of Amber realizing the extent of the inadequacy of the East.

In the end, he stood there in an unnatural silence before taking Amber with him and making his escape.

Though he had requested a conversation with Amber, once they were alone, Kalix felt his head turn white. Even though he had questions about her dowry and fight, he was unable to say a word.

His eyes simply stood there staring at him with orange eyes that he couldn’t discern.

Eventually, Kalix was only able to squeeze out nonsense and couldn’t say anything he truly wanted to say. Of course, Amber’s eyes became even colder as his words went on.

“I would never request anything from you anyway, Your Excellency.”

Again, Amber’s words struck deep in Kalix’s heart. He wobbled in place as if he had been attacked by a monster.

‘I hate every single thing about myself…’ Kalix was feeling a sense of shame when suddenly…

“Your Excellency, it’s Dennis.”

With the sound of knocking, he heard Dennis’s voice.

As soon as he heard someone else’s voice, Kalix immediately corrected his posture and rid his face of any expression.. Immediately, the mood around him drastically changed. “Come in.”

As he opened the door and stepped in, Dennis saw Kalix staring into the air with an expressionless face as usual.

‘Honestly, that person can’t be shaken no matter what.’ Dennis thought, without any idea how much shame and guilt Kalix felt alone in the room.

“How is the maid? Did you take her to a private room as I ordered?” Kalix asked with a lethargic tone. Funnily enough, he found that he could easily say whatever he wished to in front of Dennis.

“Yes. For now I administered emergency first aid. We were waiting for a doctor when the madam arrived. I left since she said that she would take care of the maid.”

“All right.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

“Then shall I assemble the knights now?” Dennis studied Kalix’s expression before mustering up the courage to open his mouth again.

“The knights?”

“For the strategic meeting for the upcoming battle.”

“Ah, that’s right. Yes, the meeting.”

“Your Excellency?”

“I shall be there soon, so call Sir Jeit and prepare for the meeting.”

Dennis bowed his head in farewell and turned to leave the room.

As he reached the door, Dennis flinched. The doorknob was completely crushed.

* * *

Around that time, Amber was with Jenia. The castle’s resident doctor was in the middle of applying ointment.

The ointment was made of green leaves that grew at the base of the mountain known for their painkilling qualities. Jenia’s complexion improved right away.

As the doctor treated Jenia, Amber helped him as best as she could with all her heart. Even when Jenia was feeling faint from the effects of the medicine, she found herself at a loss at the sight of Amber doing her best.

“How could Your Excellency care so much for a lowly person like me…”

But every time Jenia expressed her guilt, Amber simply shook her head. “You saved me. If you hadn’t stepped in between us at that moment, I would have been the one lying here and receiving treatment. How could I not be thankful?”

“But still…!”

“If you don’t want me to be known as a rude cur unwilling to recognize the kindness shown to me, stop worrying and take the kindness that I’m giving back to you.”

At Amber’s words, Jenia could no longer reject her kindness.

The doctor gazed with surprise at the sight of the new Duchess taking care of a laundry maid as he finished off his treatment of Jenia.

“You won’t have any problems tomorrow if you rest today.” The doctor left parting instructions as he finished. Once he left, only Amber and Jenia remained.