"Here, drink this to wet your throat," he said, handing me a goblet. The water was at room temperature, but it was very refreshing, scented with lemon and mint. I drank it all in one go and then sighed.
...Yeah, it seems like I don't have a fever anymore. I must have just been tired. My body feels strong again.
"How long have I been sleeping? Is it night now?"
As I asked, I looked for a window in the room. The small skylight outside was a hazy indigo.
"It's just about dawn," he replied.
"If it's that late, I've been here for half a day... Oh, Lord Cyrus! What about the bed!?"
"I didn't sleep."
He said it matter-of-factly. I was speechless.
"...Did you stay up all night... to take care of me?"
"I didn't do much. The doctor examined and prescribed the medicine, and the women took care of changing my clothes. I just kept an eye on you to make sure nothing happened and changed the cold compress on your head."
I think that's what you call dedicated care...
"Don't worry about it. I couldn't sleep anyway, worried as I was... You looked like you were dying."
"Really? Was it that bad?"
"Not you, me. I was thinking I might be getting divine punishment for thinking some naughty thoughts."
He sighed dramatically, lowering his eyebrows.
"Please, get better. That's all I want..."
I wondered what those naughty thoughts were, but more than that, I felt reassured by his gentle voice. Lord Cyrus stood up from the chair and stretched.
"Marie, can you take the medicine? It's to help you regain your strength, but you don't have to force it if you feel nauseous."
"I'm fine, I'll take it."
"It's a tasty soup. Don't worry, I've been prescribed it before and it's not bitter."
"Lord Cyrus, I can take bitter medicine too."
I laughed out loud at him scratching the back of his head. Lord Cyrus is so strange. He gave up his room just to be closer and stayed up all night to take care of me. He's so kind, like a guardian, but there are times when he seems young and cute.
This room, which was used to treat wounded soldiers during the war, had a small sink and a stove. Lord Cyrus put a pot on the fire to reheat the soup. As I watched his back, I remembered my childhood.
Anastasia, who had taken care of me when I was sick... I felt like I had just been dreaming about her. The old memories of Anastasia were always kind to me. She was a gentle older sister. We used to play together a lot when we were young. I loved my sister very much.
Before I was born, she was the youngest in the family. She must have been happy to become an older sister and took care of me, even trying to feed me with "ahh" when I could already use a spoon. I would let her, and she would awkwardly scoop up the soup...
Immersed in old memories, I sat on the bed. Lord Cyrus sat down next to me.
"Marie, the soup is ready."
"Ah, thank you."
I opened my mouth wide. Lord Cyrus froze, staring at me. We stared at each other for a while.
...Then, hesitantly, he scooped up the soup and put the spoon in my mouth—realizing the abnormal situation the moment I bit down.
"Ah! I'm sorry! It's not what you think, I'm sorry, please forget it!"
"Figures."
Lord Cyrus surprisingly accepted it easily and handed me the soup bowl.
Oh, how embarrassing. I ate the soup quickly, trying to explain my blunder.
"It's because I was thinking. My sister used to feed me like that when I was little."
"...Your sister?"
"Yes, but I was very young! I wasn't being taken care of like that as an adult!"
"...I see..."
Lord Cyrus didn't laugh.
"It's delicious, it doesn't feel like medicine at all."
"That's good. Can you have some tea? I'm not as good as Mio or Wolfgang, but I have the equipment."
"Well, you're really taking care of me."
I shook my head.
"After I drink this, I'll go back to my room. Please rest, Lord Cyrus."
"I'm fine. It's still dark and cold, and there are many stairs on the way. You might stumble and fall. Stay here until the sun comes up."
"...Alright, thank you."
I nodded sincerely. A while ago, no matter how feverish I was, I would have jumped out of bed and given the bed back to the Earl. Or I would have obediently followed orders, even if it went against my will, because it felt more comfortable that way.
But now it's different. I genuinely want to stay... in this room a little longer. I wanted to indulge in the gentle care.
After finishing the soup, I rinsed my mouth and face with water and then had some tea. Lord Cyrus also relaxed, sitting at the nightstand with the teapot.
It made me very happy. I realized I have another thing I like. I enjoy eating and drinking with someone. I didn't know this before. How many years ago did I share a table with my family in the Chedelan household? I used to eat standing in the kitchen or alone in the work shed. ...Why, when did it start?
...After Grandma Sasha passed away...?
I heard a knocking sound on a wooden door in my head.
--Marie, Marie, are you hungry? I brought some biscuits--
"Marie, are you hungry? I have some biscuits. Should I bring them?"
Lord Cyrus frowned at my sudden expression. He put his hand on my forehead and tilted his head.
"Is your fever coming back? Should I call the doctor? He's on standby in the castle."
"No, I'm fine."
"But you seem a bit dazed sometimes."
"...I was thinking about my sister."
"...Why?"
"...Maybe because she was also very kind to me..."
I lowered my eyes. When I did, Anastasia's face appeared behind my eyelids again. She had the same worried eyes as Lord Cyrus, peering at me. ...But I wasn't thinking about her because she took care of me. It wasn't because of the fever, but from before—when I saw a woman through the carriage window—no, when I heard a voice during the day.
In the market, I felt someone call out to me as "Marie." I knew it was just someone with the same name, but it wouldn't leave my mind. It was when I was choosing a gift for Lord Cyrus. We were in the men's clothing section, heading deeper into the crafts district... Was that why it sounded like Anastasia's voice?
--My sister said she wanted to become a dressmaker in the capital.
If she hadn't been the eldest daughter of a baron and if she were still alive, she would be in this city. That thought often made me daydream.
Beautiful, kind, and loved by everyone—my beloved sister...
I opened my eyes. Lord Cyrus was right in front of me. His stern face and sweet, gentle gaze. He's looking at me now... but if my sister were alive, he would...
Suddenly, my chest ached. I groaned, clutching my chest, and Lord Cyrus's expression changed.
"I'll call the doctor!"
He stood up to run out, but I grabbed his shirt to stop him.
"Wait!"
The strong force made my arm hurt, but I didn't let go. Surprised, Lord Cyrus turned to me, and I shouted.
"Don't go... please stay here. Stay with me..."
I knew he would grant my wish if I asked. The pain in my chest disappeared as soon as the words left my lips.