Chapter 40

Baron Dictron tried to stand up, leaning on a branch, while giving his thanks.

It’s true.

He tried to stand up with all his might. He made several attempts, each time impressive to anyone watching.

It was like watching a newborn giraffe struggling to stand.

Riena looked at him painfully.

Although Baron Dictron didn’t say he was injured, Riena noticed his injury from the cold sweat beading on his forehead and the occasional painful groans.

However, since she had heard that gentlemen don’t like to show their pain, Riena pretended not to notice.

But she couldn’t just watch him continuously attempt to stand and then collapse.

His face was becoming increasingly pale.

“Uh, Baron.”

Baron Dictron’s fifth attempt to stand alone ended in failure.

Riena cautiously called out to the panting Baron Dictron.

“May I help you? Oh! Of course, Baron, you can certainly stand on your own, but just to save time.”

Riena pondered deeply over how to avoid hurting Baron Dictron’s pride.

“I absolutely cannot stand up alone.”

Baron Dictron muttered in despair.

“No, Baron! I’m sure you can stand.”

Baron Dictron felt ashamed of himself for not readily asking for help due to Riena’s consideration.

But Baron Dictron had an excuse. It wasn’t a matter of pride that he didn’t ask her for help.

‘I thought she would be offended because I rejected her. I didn’t expect her to ever look at me again.’

She was different from the women he knew.

Baron Dictron regretted coldly rejecting Riena’s request for a dance and extended his hand.

“Would you help me, Lady?”

Riena beamed and then quickly hid her smile.

“It’s very unfortunate that you’re hurt, Baron. I smiled because I’m glad to help you.”

“I understand. You don’t need to explain. But it seems like we should stand up before the sun sets. The path home looks challenging.”

It was impossible to guess how many more unexpected pits there might be.

Riena nodded firmly and took Baron Dictron’s hand.

‘Fool, this is an emergency. It’s not the time for your heart to race.’

But a heart in love cannot be calmed.

Riena’s heart raced wildly, and it was the same for Baron Dictron, who held Riena’s tiny hand.

“I’ll pull you up on the count of three, Baron.”

Baron Dictron nodded at Riena’s suggestion.

One, two, three. The two counted together.

Riena pulled him with all her strength, and Baron Dictron stood up, putting weight on his good leg.

“You’re up, oh, oh?”

Just when they thought the misfortune was over, it struck unexpectedly.

It was the same this time.

Whether because Riena pulled too hard or because Baron Dictron was too tense, the two who were standing got tangled and fell to the ground.

“Ugh.”

Perhaps the only fortunate thing was that they avoided a concussion.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine, but my head feels a little dizzy, and my arm is a bit….”

She frowned. Hearing her words, Baron Dictron realized he was crushing Riena’s arm.

“Oh, Riena!”

Baron Dictron shouted loudly.

If anyone was around, they would have had to run over due to his desperate cry, but no one came to them.

In the end, Riena, with an injured arm, and Baron Dictron, with an injured ankle, supported each other as they walked over a kilometer.

And that night, Catherine received a letter from Riena.

• Dear Catherine, I’ve decided to stay at Baron Dictron’s estate for a few days. I got hurt, and the Baron has kindly offered to take care of me. I’ll explain the details when I return. I’m sorry for worrying you.

“No explanation is needed.”

Catherine hummed a tune as she took out stationery to reply to Riena.

“I saw it all, Riena.”

With Hugo.

• Riena, it seems there was an accident. It’s such a pity.

Of course, that’s just lip service.

• I’d like to bring you back immediately, but I shouldn’t burden Baron Dictron with a debt of gratitude. Come back as soon as you recover. Let me know where you’re hurt, and I’ll send some medicine. Is it okay if I visit?

Catherine finished writing the letter and sealed it in an envelope.

“Elbert, please send this directly to Baron Dictron’s estate.”

Elbert nodded and went out to deliver the letter. At that moment, a light sparkled below Catherine’s neck.

“Oh, it happened.”

The essence of love contained in the pendant increased.

“Indeed, destiny is something you create.”

Although both were injured, since love was achieved, wasn’t it a happy ending?

Catherine smiled as she twirled the pendant.

Unaware of what had happened in the meantime.

***

Hugo was injured.

Because of the pit Catherine had dug.

Upon hearing the news early in the morning, Catherine immediately went to Hugo’s estate.

“Hugo got hurt? Near Lavender Lake? Late at night?”

As soon as she met John, Catherine bombarded him with questions.

“Yes. He got hurt. They say he was injured on the Lavender Lake path. He went for a walk late last night….”

“Why did he go for a walk so late at night?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to ask him directly?”

“That’s a good idea.”

Catherine ended her conversation with John and went straight up to Hugo’s bedroom.

And just then, as if he suddenly remembered, John spoke.

“Well…. He hasn’t been asleep long after taking his medicine.”

“Oh… it’s too early for a visit. I’ll come back later.”

“Oh no, it’s the perfect time for a visit.”

Knowing Hugo would throw a fit if he heard Catherine had come and gone, John blocked her way.

“But I can’t just enter Hugo’s bedroom while he’s sleeping alone.”

“Hmm, why not?”

“Well, Hugo is….”

“He was once married to you, Lady Catherine. And now he’s your fiancé.”

John, who defined their relationship in a few words, opened the door to Hugo’s bedroom.

He seemed to think it was okay for her to enter whether Hugo was sleeping or showering.

She thought about leaving but glanced at John and entered Hugo’s room.

She was very curious about Hugo’s injured state. The curiosity was rooted in concern.

Click, the door closed.

It was so soundproof that no noise was heard. It felt like the whole world was just Hugo and Catherine.

Catherine didn’t move from the door for a while.

She had only visited patients when they were awake, never when they were sleeping.

Usually, visitors are sent away when patients are asleep.

What should I do? 

Catherine pondered and then quietly walked over to Hugo.

Hugo was in a deep sleep. His brows furrowed and relaxed repeatedly, as if he were dreaming.

Catherine looked at Hugo’s injured left ankle. A pillow was placed under his ankle, which was wrapped tightly in bandages.

‘The doctor doesn’t seem to be a quack.’

Catherine, who had been the mistress of a poor territory, had studied medicine as well as any doctor due to her husband and the Raven Mercenaries who often returned injured from war.

While she couldn’t prescribe medicine, she could easily treat simple injuries. Hugo seemed to have received appropriate care in her view.

When you sprain an ankle, the best thing is to rest without moving, and Hugo was enjoying that best care.

“So, should I head back?”

It was a relief that Hugo’s condition wasn’t serious. Catherine planned to gather ingredients for food that’s good for bones and stood up.

“Catherine.”

At that moment, a tightly locked voice was heard. A hot hand grasped Catherine’s hand.

“Hugo? You’re awake? I’m sorry, did I disturb your rest?”

Catherine bent down to tuck Hugo’s hand back under the blanket.

Hugo’s eyelids fluttered. He slowly opened his eyes.

“Catherine?”

His voice was still hoarse.

“Yes, Hugo.”

“Am I dreaming?”

Catherine tilted her head.

“If it’s a dream, I hope I don’t wake up.”

Hugo’s gaze was hazy. He hadn’t fully woken from sleep.

“Hugo, it sounds like you’re saying my real self isn’t as good as a dream.”

Catherine joked, and Hugo chuckled softly.

“You’re looking at me tenderly. It’s something that’s impossible unless it’s a dream. So I don’t want to wake up, Catherine.”

Hugo finished speaking and closed his eyes again. The grip on Catherine’s hand loosened.

However, Catherine couldn’t move easily. Hugo’s words hurt her.

There was never a time she wasn’t tender.

Sending him off to the battlefield, seeing him return with minor injuries, standing outside his room while he refused her treatment and entrusted his care to a quack doctor, Catherine always looked at him tenderly.

It was Hugo who hadn’t noticed that gaze, yet he spoke as if she had never given him a single emotion.

“You’re mean. Dream for the rest of your life.”

Catherine said something she didn’t mean and tucked Hugo’s arm under the blanket.

It might be best to forget today’s conversation.

Catherine hurried out of Hugo’s bedroom, thinking of ingredients good for bones.