Those words were like a bolt from the blue for Gordon.

The hostile voice, unmistakable to anyone, clearly disagreed with his statement.

Gordon, his instincts denied, looked at the Duke.

His hope that this was merely an awkward joke from someone lacking social skills was utterly shattered.

“……”

Duke Cromwell leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

The disinterested gaze looking down at him reminded Gordon of his feelings of inferiority about his abilities, something he had never forgotten.

“What do you want to hear?”

A cold voice flowed out.

“Do I look stupid enough to believe that nonsense?”

“……There’s no way to explain it except as neglect. This is my professional opinion as a doctor.”

Gordon, unable to remain silent, muttered.

Contrary to Gordon’s prejudice that he was being completely ignored, Duke Cromwell seriously listened to his claim.

It was unfortunate for Gordon.

—Could you perhaps name the lady?

—……Could you spend some time with the lady?

She would only talk about Anastasia whenever she opened her mouth.

Like someone witnessing a disaster, she made every request with trembling wide eyes.

It was a familiar look to Duke Cromwell.

Admiration and fear.

Most gazes directed at him could be narrowed down to these two.

Lorelai Keith sent him the same look as others, but unlike them, she said everything she wanted to say.

Despite worrying about her own safety, she brazenly made requests for the lady.

To the point where he questioned if she truly feared him.

—She’s pretty and lovely and beautiful.

Duke Cromwell had witnessed behavior contrary to Gordon’s claims at every moment.

—……My love, Jerome.

Why was he suddenly hearing that voice calling that name?

“……”

Though his thoughts couldn’t possibly have been read, Duke Cromwell composed his expression and looked at Gordon.

—Oh, and as you said, she’s not eating.

—She’s starving herself?

He had also checked on the task he’d entrusted to Michael out of concern.

—At least since I’ve been assigned as guard until now, she’s been starving herself! She only seems to eat breakfast with Your Grace.

Contrary to Michael’s claim, she barely ate breakfast either.

‘Shouldn’t she eat at least one meal?’

Duke Cromwell couldn’t understand why Lorelai picked at her food as if she didn’t want to eat even that.

—I was worried and told her to eat, but she refused…… She seems like someone born solely to raise the lady.

To claim neglect about a person who skips meals to stay with the lady.

As far as Jeremiah Cromwell knew, Lorelai had never been separated from the child for even a moment.

‘She loves the lady so much.’

The malice was transparently visible.

Duke Cromwell wasn’t staying silent because Gordon’s words were correct.

Gordon wouldn’t understand no matter what was said to him. Knowing this all too well, Duke Cromwell didn’t want to waste energy on him.

“……You were useful. It’s a shame.”

Duke Cromwell said, looking at Gordon.

“Thank you for your service.”

He gave a rare, faint smile.

Seeing the smile, Gordon’s face hardened. Even the greatest fool would know that smile didn’t carry a good meaning.

Returning to his original dry expression, Duke Cromwell walked past him.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

“Phew……”

Only after hearing regular breathing did I put down the wet cloth.

When I placed my hand on her forehead, the fever had dropped significantly.

Still, she looked exhausted.

I feel like I’ve aged years in a short time.

But even having such thoughts is deceptive.

I wish I could be sick instead.

Even if it’s just a passing fever, it must be overwhelming for that tiny body.

♡SYSTEM♡ Level up!

Level 2 → 3

Ding!

Meanwhile, the system judged that experience had accumulated and sounded this notification.

“Huh.”

It’s absurd. I don’t understand why such a notification appears now.

Instead of raising my level, it should have healed Anastasia.

I’ve reached the level where I can seek out the Duke, but he’s unnecessary right now.

Anastasia needs someone who worries about her and takes care of her.

Not a father who has no interest.

“……I’m sorry.”

I arranged her sweat-soaked golden hair and murmured.

If Duke Cromwell is insensitive, I should have done better, done right.

It’s draining that I can’t do anything except wait for the medicine to take effect.

“……”

Since Michael had gone to fetch water, only Anastasia and I were in the room.

The quiet silence only increased my anxiety.

I understand why people rely on other people. Without someone to talk to, anxiety only grows.

While sitting helplessly by the cradle just watching Anastasia, I heard the bedroom door open.

Though I’d shown every possible disgraceful state to Michael by now, I didn’t want to show any more weakness.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and turned my head.

“Michael, you’re finally……”

I was about to ask if he’d finally returned.

But the person who entered the bedroom had red eyes, not red hair.

“……Your Grace.”

My mind cleared.

“Wh-what brings you here……”

I greeted Duke Cromwell in confusion.

He must have come because the doctor informed him…… but so soon.

Perhaps because I firmly believed he wouldn’t come, I couldn’t find words when he was standing before me.

“I heard the child was sick.”

“Where is Michael—”

“I told Michael to rest.”

Duke Cromwell set down the basin Michael had taken. The bowl full of water settled on the table without a tremor.

“How is the lady?”

The red eyes briefly rested on Anastasia before returning to me.

I couldn’t tell if he was curious or not.

“She’s been sick for about an hour.”

Gathering my wits, I conveyed what he needed to know.

“There wasn’t even a slight fever…… I know it sounds irresponsible, but she really started burning up suddenly……”

I spoke while soaking the cloth in water.

I thought she had improved a lot, but Anastasia was already sweating again.

I carefully wiped Anastasia’s arms. The wet cloth quickly became warm.

“I should have watched her more carefully…… I’m sorry.”

This apology was directed at Anastasia, not Duke Cromwell.

I wanted to let someone who understood my words know how sorry I was.

I slowly shifted my gaze to the Duke.

“……”

How long had he been watching?

I had assumed he would listen with one ear and divert his attention elsewhere, but he was focused on me.

It’s fine.

Get out.

You’re fired.

I thought he would say something, even if not one of these three responses, but he silently observed Anastasia and me.

But now is not the time to interpret Duke Cromwell’s psychological state.

“The doctor gave her an injection…… but the fever hasn’t gone down yet.”

Duke Cromwell slightly frowned at the mention of Gordon.

‘Did Gordon wake the Duke?’

For an insomniac, that would be quite unpleasant.

“So I think we need to call him again.”

Even if his language was harsh, what he said wasn’t wrong.

“Gordon?”

“……Yes.”

Somehow his tone seemed scolding, so I answered timidly.

“He’s been fired.”

“What?”

At this sudden news, I dropped the wet cloth on the floor.

When we barely have enough time to focus on treating the child, he reduced medical personnel?

I was dumbfounded. Did I mishear because I was tired?

‘No matter how uninterested he is, this is too much……!’

I briefly considered whether questioning his decision might get me fired too, but I quickly decided there was nothing more pointless than that.

“No, what do you mean fired? Are you saying you fired the person who was treating the lady right now?”

Duke Cromwell stepped back a few paces as if he had anticipated this reaction.

He looked at me without agitation, like someone who had expected this reaction, then calmly opened his mouth.

“Gordon isn’t the only doctor.”

Maybe it’s my imagination, but he seems to be comforting me.

“Huntington will be here soon.”

“……”

I feel embarrassed for getting irritated without knowing anything.

“……I’m sorry.”

I finally opened my mouth to apologize to him.

“You look tired.”

Instead of accepting my apology, he said this.

“Why don’t you get some sleep?”

“N-no. I’m fine.”

It’s not that I don’t need rest.

But I’m the one who caused this situation.

I shouldn’t be comfortable, and I can’t be comfortable.

‘Besides, sleep……’

Duke Cromwell seems to need it more than I do.

Due to the awkward atmosphere, I turned my attention to Anastasia.

Because of this, I failed to notice the inexplicable curiosity that began to swirl in those red eyes.

✧ʚ .·:¨༺♡༻¨:·. ɞ✧

How much time had passed?

Another person entered the bedroom.

A middle-aged woman with a warm smile that made the atmosphere comfortable introduced herself as “Huntington.”

“I came as soon as I received word from Sir Cipher.”

With those final words, Huntington examined Anastasia.

“Is it serious……?”

I asked as soon as the examination was over.

Though fatigue dominated my head momentarily, tension took its place when it was time to hear about Anastasia’s condition.

The relaxed smile she had shown when entering was gone. Huntington opened her mouth with a troubled expression.

“We need to observe her a bit longer.”

She explained in easy-to-understand terms.

“……Still, you responded well early on. If the response had been delayed, it would have been more serious than now.”

She spoke, pointing to the wet cloth.

“You did well, staying calm. Babies often get sick, so there’s no need to blame yourself.”

“……”

Why? Learning that what I did wasn’t useless made me feel a little relieved.

“We’ll keep monitoring and providing necessary treatment, so don’t worry too much. She’ll recover soon.”

Even if these were just comforting words, they were reassuring.

Huntington continued her examination and treatment afterward.

Afraid I might interfere with her movements, I sat in the chair against the wall, that is, next to Duke Cromwell, and watched the treatment.

“……”

Perhaps because the tension had eased, my eyes kept closing.

“Go to bed now.”

Duke Cromwell suggested, seeing my condition.

“……After I see that Lady Anastasia is okay.”

Knowing he couldn’t break my stubbornness, Duke Cromwell didn’t continue his persuasion and lightly clicked his tongue.

“Then sleep for ten minutes.”

“……”

“I don’t need people who can’t do their job because they’re tired.”

Despite backing down, when I showed no sign of following his words, he added a threat.