Yeu-ju's first love was taken away, Chapter 56
"Milady, I am Lilira, a maid from the Gloucester Dukedom. Your Highness, the Duchess."
Despite Wilhelm's prickly reaction, the maid Lilira showed a slight smile of ease.
Then, in a voice that was neither too high nor too low, she stated her business.
"Miss has suffered an injury to her back. The Gloucester Dukedom wishes for the doctor you brought to examine her, which is why I have come."
"Ha, why should the Dukedom concern itself with the safety of a mere lady?"
Despite Raymond's sharp response, Lilira showed no reaction.
Tatiana could not say a word.
While Wilhelm and Raymond might not know, others would certainly bring up the fact that she had not sent a doctor to Karina.
However, Alison was someone related to the ending.
The mere fact of sending her to Karina made her feel uneasy.
"Since this could leave a scar, I have come urgently. Please consider it."
Tatiana, trembling, finally spoke.
"Alright, I will send her."
It was a situation where she could not refuse.
Tatiana could only send Alison, comforting herself that everything would be fine.
After another round of scolding from my mother and father, I was completely exhausted.
"Miss, the doctor sent by the Gloucester Dukedom has arrived."
I was lying on the bed when I heard that Alison had come, and my eyes snapped open.
"Please have her come in."
The sound of the tent flap being lifted was followed by Alison entering with Lilira.
She looked different from when I saw her from a distance.
'This isn't boredom, but rather exhaustion.'
Her expression and demeanor clearly showed that she was working reluctantly.
"It is an honor to meet you, Miss Pionea. I am Dr. Alison Cameron from the Gloucester Dukedom."
"Thank you for coming all this way. I appreciate your help."
Alison nodded in response to my words.
She opened her medical bag and took out disinfectant, clean cotton, gauze, and bandages.
"Please take off your shirt and lie down."
With Lilira's help, I took off my shirt and lay down. She carefully examined the wound.
"Fortunately, it wasn't a manticore. It will sting a little."
She soaked the cotton in disinfectant and disinfected the wound.
It stung a bit, but it wasn't unbearable.
"You're doing well. Now I'll apply some ointment."
She used a spatula to scoop ointment from a small glass jar and spread it on my back.
The area she applied it to wasn't large, so it didn't seem to be a severe wound.
After applying the gauze and securing it with a bandage, Alison stepped back.
"Please avoid getting water on the wound for a few days. Change the gauze once a day. Here is some ointment to prevent scarring, which you should apply as well."
After finishing her instructions, she immediately packed her things. With Lilira's help, I put my clothes back on and grabbed Alison.
"Since you've treated me, how about staying for a cup of tea?"
"No, I must return. Her Highness the Duchess is waiting..."
It seemed Tatiana was worried and had instructed her not to talk to me for long.
I mentioned the name, just in case.
"Actually, I received a recommendation from Robert. I really wanted to meet you."
I stopped talking when I saw her reaction.
Her surprised expression, trembling hands, and tears welling up in her eyes.
Everything indicated that Alison wanted to hear the story.
"I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."
Alison quickly composed herself.
But her hands were still trembling. I noticed her unease and continued.
"If you're curious, feel free to contact me later. If it's too much trouble, you can contact Professor Foreman."
"Of course. I wanted to gather all three of you if possible. I attended this event to meet you without arousing the Duchess's suspicion."
Alison was silent for a moment.
She seemed to be pondering the fact that Robert, whom she hadn't heard from in a long time, was among them.
After a long sigh, she started to pack her things.
"Be careful not to get water on the wound for a few days and apply the ointment regularly. You shouldn't have a scar."
Then she fled the tent. I wanted to talk more, but perhaps she felt uncomfortable.
Or maybe there was another reason.
I was particularly concerned about her worry over Robert.
Lilira, who returned to the tent, had a strange expression.
"Did something happen with Miss Alison?"
"No, we just had a brief conversation."
"Is that so? Then why does she look like that?"
Lilira shrugged, not understanding. I put on a new shirt with her help and then a jacket.
The competition was hastily concluded due to the sudden wolf attack, but since there were no serious injuries, the award ceremony would proceed as planned.
'Once the award ceremony is over, there will be a fuss over the prey.'
I wanted to give the manticore to both my father and Aster, but unfortunately, I had only caught one.
If I had known, I should have focused more on catching it instead of worrying about Helen.
Now that I think about it, she wasn't that bad of a person.
We headed to the clearing where the podium was set up.
My mother wasn't there. She probably went out to investigate the manticore's movements.
The nobles who had gathered were already looking at me.
I didn't like this situation, and without my mother, it felt even more burdensome.
When someone called my name, I turned around to see Helen standing there.
The stern-faced Helen approached me.
I was surprised that she would speak to me and paused for a moment. I tried not to look awkward.
"I'm fine. The Gloucester Dukedom sent a doctor."
I thought it was just a formal greeting, but Helen stood next to me and said a few more words. Her unexpectedly friendly attitude eased my tension.
Soon, Aster climbed the podium.
His gaze briefly met mine before moving away.
"Despite the unfortunate incident, the Women's Department competition has concluded without casualties. Tomorrow, we will ensure a more thorough security around the Golden Forest."
Aster sent the royal guards to patrol the area around the Golden Forest to calm the nobles' complaints.
Unfortunately, they couldn't find any traces of the wolves, but they increased the number of guards.
This was the first hunting competition since Aster ascended the throne. After years of neglect, the forest might have changed.
Was there a specific reason to insist on holding the competition?
My thoughts must have shown on my face, as Helen leaned in and whispered.
"Many people are not just competing for the hunting competition awards. The winner of the final day's competition gets a good seed in the year-end evaluation tournament."
The year-end evaluation tournament is open to all knights in the empire.
They combine their reputation and scores from the evaluation tournament to select the best knight of the year.
Being selected as the best knight is an honor, and they can obtain one wish.
Many knights without titles challenge this tournament.
Since many people are looking forward to it, it can't be canceled easily.
"Let's start the award ceremony then."
At Aster's announcement, I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up.
"Third place goes to Tatiana Gloucester of the Gloucester Dukedom."
Tatiana, who climbed the podium, looked visibly shocked. She seemed to find it hard to believe her ranking.
After all, she had never failed to win first place in such competitions.
"Second place goes to Helen Enrique of the Enrique Marquessate."
Helen climbed the podium with a calm expression. People who expected her to win murmured in surprise.
Of course, I was one of them.
If Helen wasn't first, who could be?
Everyone's eyes turned to Aster, who was about to announce the winner.
"First place goes to Karina Pionea of the Pionea Dukedom."
Everyone started murmuring in disbelief at this unbelievable situation.
I couldn't easily climb the podium.
Everyone knew I had only caught one manticore.
Helen, who had already come down from the podium, patted my shoulder.