The experienced doctor seemed to sense that he wouldn’t have been called for a minor wound. The fact that all servants had been sent out of the bedroom also supported his suspicion.

Jürgen rolled up his shirt sleeve in front of the doctor. Then the results of his long-repeated self-harm were revealed before their eyes.

The doctor’s expression turned serious as he witnessed the burn marks that could even be described as horrific.

“While I dare not ask what happened to you…… I now understand why you needed my help.”

“Thank you for not prying.”

“I’m simply doing my duty as your physician, Duke. Excuse me for a moment.”

The doctor’s face grew even more serious as he sat beside Jürgen and carefully examined his arm covered with burns.

As expected, it seemed the condition couldn’t be recovered with simple treatment.

“You need consistent professional treatment for at least a month. That’s my medical opinion. I would like to request hospitalization if possible……”

Of course, Jürgen had no intention of willingly agreeing to hospitalization. He didn’t want to become a man who left her side less than a day after making such a promise to Diez.

He also wanted to stay at the summer villa a little longer. Even if hospitalization became necessary, now was not the time.

Even if it meant losing the use of his arm, he wanted to remain by Diez’s side for the time being.

“It seems you have a reason to stay here, Duke.”

“Would it be difficult to arrange treatment once a week?”

“Given the severity of the affected area, if I may be frank, that’s woefully inadequate. I believe you need a specialist’s help at least every other day to recover without complications.”

No matter how distracted Diez might be with the puppy, she wouldn’t fail to notice a doctor visiting every other day. If she ever discovered that he had been self-harming for a long time…… that was something he didn’t want to think about.

“Visiting at two-day intervals is not difficult for me, so please make a decision for your own benefit, Duke.”

“I have no choice, it seems.”

If the day ever came when his arm needed to be amputated, it would cause an even greater shock to Diez. As for the examinations, he could make up some excuse. With that in mind, Jürgen reluctantly nodded.

“As you say, it seems I have no option but to receive examinations.”

“I promise to do my best for your recovery, Duke.”

“May I make one request before that?”

The doctor gave him his attention as if to say go ahead.

“If it’s all right with you, I’d like you to use the back door for the time being.”

“Ah, yes. Such a request is no problem for me…… but is there a specific reason to avoid the main entrance?”

“Well, I don’t want the young lady staying at the villa with me to find out I’m receiving medical attention.”

The doctor blinked with a puzzled expression but didn’t dare to inquire further into his story.

The next morning, the first thing Jürgen did was look out the window. Since the villa faced the mansion, he could clearly see the beach spread out before him through the large window attached to his bedroom.

Diez seemed to be planning to spend time at the beach today as well. The difference from yesterday was that now she had a small, young puppy with her. The small dog was excitedly running across the sand, chasing after the little ball she had thrown.

Clear laughter carried all the way to the window. Jürgen watched her quietly as she held the puppy—whatever name it might have been given—in her arms, stroking it and laughing. He smiled slightly but quickly stiffened his expression.

His forearm, which had received emergency treatment from the physician the day before, had begun to hurt again. His right arm was tightly wrapped in bandages after having ointment applied. Of course, Jürgen, who had no intention whatsoever of displaying such a sight, concealed that part with his usual dress shirt.

The doctor had permitted him to take painkillers. Jürgen took out the bottle of painkillers he had hidden in a familiar place and poured about two pills into his mouth.

Before long, the pain subsided, but the problem was that the stinging pain would visit unexpectedly.

If only it would remain quiet when he was with Diez.

Though he wanted to spend time with her occasionally, he found it difficult to approach her readily for fear that she might discover his condition. He didn’t want to give bad news to Diez, who had just begun to regain her happy smile.

It wouldn’t be right to visit her while she was doing well and cause her worry like that.

In the end, Jürgen had no choice but to spend the morning alone in his bedroom. Fortunately, the painkillers seemed to be working properly, and the pain didn’t trouble him again.

How much time had passed? He heard a servant knocking on his door.

“Duke, lunch preparations are complete.”

“I’ll come down.”

Has it become that time already? Jürgen set down the book he was reading and quickly straightened his attire. Before leaving his bedroom, he paused in front of the mirror to check his appearance.

Only after confirming that he didn’t look like someone who was ill did he relax and head to the dining room, guided by the servants.

As it turned out, Diez had arrived first and was waiting for him. Since he hadn’t expected her to want to have lunch with him, Jürgen’s expression momentarily showed surprise.

“Good morning.”

He greeted her first. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the puppy didn’t seem to have followed her to the dining room.

Diez, who had been sitting at the table, made a movement as if to rise and show respect. Jürgen stopped her.

“Please remain seated. There’s no need for that.”

Diez nodded and sat back down in her chair.

“Good morning.”

“Did you sleep well last night?”

She nodded again. Hopefully, she wasn’t having nightmares these days.

“Since coming to the villa, my sleep has been comfortable. The sound of the sea is pleasant to hear too.”

“I’m glad I gave this place to you.”

Jürgen sat with her and began eating. He was relieved that Diez didn’t seem uncomfortable in his presence. He had been worried that he might have intruded thoughtlessly.

“It seems you’ve left the puppy with the servants.”

“Yes, I thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring it into the dining room. Not for any other reason, but I was afraid I might weaken if it begged for food beside me.”

“Have you given it a name?”

Surprisingly, Diez showed a bit of hesitation. Rather than seeming troubled, she appeared somewhat embarrassed.

“I did name it, but……”

After seeming to contemplate for a moment, Diez soon said in a small voice.

“I decided to just call it ‘Puppy.'”

“Puppy…… you say.”

“Well, as I called it, Puppy seemed to suit it best. I originally intended to give it a prettier, more elegant name…… but I guess I got attached to the temporary name I gave it.”

“It’s a cute name. Not bad at all.”

Diez smiled shyly at that.

Jürgen asked a few more things about Puppy. Whether it was obedient, if it caused any problems, or if it ever nipped at people. Things like that.

When talking about Puppy, Diez showed a more enthusiastic attitude than at any other time. The puppy they had just met had undoubtedly received her abundant love in just one day.

Jürgen could feel it clearly. The fact that Diez cherished the puppy he had given her very much.

Anyone would have noticed. Her expression was excited as she talked about Puppy’s favorite games. The old version of herself, who used to freeze like a bird facing a predator whenever she stood before Jürgen, was nowhere to be seen.

Jürgen wanted to talk more with her about Puppy. Perhaps because he wanted to indirectly feel the affection that was thoroughly infused in her expression and voice.

Talking about subjects Diez enjoyed was a pleasure for him as well. Come to think of it, he had never once asked what she liked.

In the past, he had tried to suppress his feelings for Diez and had treated her as coldly as possible to hide his true heart.

This was because he believed that was the way to protect Diez.

But at this moment, Jürgen could realize once again. His thinking had never been right. Seeing her enjoying talking about the puppy made him regret the past days even more.

“Please tell me anything you want to do or have as it comes to mind. I’ll keep my promise.”

“Nothing urgent comes to mind yet. Right now, just playing with Puppy is enjoyable enough.”

“I see.”

“I’m sure I had many things I wanted to do…… but strangely, when I try to recall them, I can’t think of them well.”

She soon added.

“I plan to take my time thinking about it.”

Jürgen said nothing. Her words about taking her time couldn’t have made him happier.

He hoped that as many wishes as possible were sleeping in Diez’s mind.

That evening, Diez spoke to Jürgen,

“I want to bathe Puppy myself.”