Chapter 2 (Part 4)

“Fortunately, there are no significant external injuries. The temporary seizure is likely a side effect of the memory loss. I’ll prescribe a tonic to boost your energy, so make sure to take it with each meal. That should be enough for your body to recover.”

Tenus interjected as usual.

“When do you think her memory will return?”

“It seems like short-term memory loss due to shock… In such cases, it usually returns naturally over time.”

“Usually, meaning it might not return?”

Rupert shrugged irresponsibly.

“But there’s nothing we can do but wait. It’s not a disease, so there’s no treatment. Some use a method of inducing a similar level of shock to when the memory was lost, but we wouldn’t recommend such a barbaric method for our Young Madam, would we?”

Tenus’s face showed clear displeasure at the unsatisfactory answer. Regardless, Rupert took another sip of his drink, his satisfied gaze fixed on Sellakia. Unable to bear the discomfort, Sellakia averted her eyes slightly and spoke.

“It’s not inconvenient enough to hinder my daily life. I’ll just wait for my memory to return.”

“How gentle of you. Such a kind heart, very different from someone else, Young Madam. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt warmth in the Seidon family; it brings tears to my eyes.”

Rupert pressed his dry eyes with his sleeve.

“Instead of talking nonsense, apply ointment to the young lady’s hand.”

Tenus, probably the ‘someone else,’ threw the ointment jar to Rupert. It was the jar Amy had left behind.

Rupert, who caught the bottle reflexively, looked back and forth between Sellakia and Tenus for a moment.

“Oh dear. This is…”

Suddenly, Rupert’s previously steady hand began to tremble. With his shaking hand, he approached Tenus and returned the ointment bottle.

“As I age, my hands tremble. Applying the ointment might be difficult. You should do it yourself.”

Shameless and lazy. Truly an astonishing attitude.

Tenus also looked incredulous. Just as he was about to speak, a servant entered after a light knock and delivered a message.

“Sir Aldrich Logue has summoned the Duke and Madam. He said he would wait in the Duke’s proxy office.”

“Sir Aldrich?”

It was Rupert, not the summoned individuals, who responded with a loud voice. Rupert quickly handed the bottle back to Tenus and rushed toward the servant.

“Don’t tell Sir Aldrich that I’m here. Understood?”

“He probably won’t be looking for you today.”

“Who can predict his whims? I must return quickly. So, I’ll take my leave. Next time, when sending a message regarding the Young Madam, be sure to include a postscript!”

With those words, Rupert vanished like the wind. Judging by his energetic demeanor, it seemed Tenus wouldn’t need to prepare a funeral for him.

Tenus paid no attention to Rupert’s unceremonious departure.

“Tell him we’ll be there after I finish my business.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As soon as the servant left, Sellakia asked.

“What business?”

“Your hand. We need to apply the ointment.”

Was he really postponing a summons from a family elder for such a trivial reason?

It was clear how little Tenus regarded Aldrich.

At any other time, his autocratic nature would have been uncomfortable, but at this moment, it was exceedingly satisfying. There was even a sense of camaraderie in having a common enemy.

Feeling pleased, Sellakia readily extended her hand to him.

“Give it to me. I’ll apply it myself.”

Without a word, Tenus opened the ointment bottle and took her hand. Startled by the warmth of his touch, Sellakia twisted her hand.

“What are you doing?”

“Stay still.”

Tenus gently spread her fingers and began applying the ointment to the wounded area using a wooden stick that came with the bottle. His movements were unexpectedly delicate and meticulous.

Sellakia’s eyes widened in surprise. So shocked was she that a question slipped out without passing through her mind.

“Are you worried about me?”

Tenus, who had been focused on her hand, shifted his eyes to glance at her. Expecting mockery, she was surprised by his straightforward response.

“Why do you think that?”

“Look at you applying the ointment yourself. Anyone would think you’re worried.”

“I’m trying not to.”

“What do you mean? What are you trying not to do?”

Tenus didn’t answer.

“What are you trying not to do?”

No matter how many times she asked, he simply ignored her with a look of annoyance.

In truth, she didn’t need to hear the answer to know. Tenus’s expression was far from that of someone who was worried. It wasn’t the affectionate gaze of parents who cherished her, nor was it the gentle kindness of Chester, nor did it show the affection of the tutor who once cared for her.

The only emotion that could be read from his cool, composed face was a sense of bother.

“I didn’t ask you to apply it for me.”

Feeling wronged by his expression, Sellakia muttered softly.

“Did anyone say anything?”

Tenus shrugged his shoulders.

“If you’re hearing things, we should call Rupert back.”

Yet, his hands continued applying the ointment.

When her other hand was taken, the tingling sensation at her fingertips intensified. She wanted to curl her fingers, but she couldn’t as they were held. Sellakia could only fidget with her feet inside her dress.

With the conversation halted, the focus on the tingling sensation became more intense, increasing her discomfort. Desperate to escape the awkward atmosphere, Sellakia hurriedly chose a suitable topic.

“Is Rupert someone trustworthy?”

“He was personally hired by the late Duke. He graduated at the top of his class from the academy.”

Finally done with the ointment, Tenus released Sellakia’s hand. She quickly withdrew her hand from him.

Though she regained her freedom, the tingling and unpleasant feeling persisted. It was probably due to the sticky, pale ointment left on her hand.

“For the record, both my parents succumbed to their illnesses.”

“……What?”

“At the time, Rupert was the attending physician at the dukedom.”

Sellakia, who had been looking down at her hand, blinked blankly.

“Then why keep someone like that around?”

“Let’s say it’s for old times’ sake.”

Having just met Rupert today and feeling no affection for him, Sellakia quickly made a resolution.

If Rupert ever concocted medicine for her, she would certainly not take it.

After watching the ointment on Sellakia’s hand dry, Tenus slowly headed to Aldrich’s office.

It was long enough for the tension and anger of meeting the person who had undermined her to dissipate from Sellakia’s heart, and for a sense of wonder to arise about whether it was really okay to respond to the summons so late.

“You’re here! Come in. I’ve been waiting.”

Aldrich stood up abruptly, welcoming them. His eagerness to see them was evident. His gaunt, deeply wrinkled face lit up with joy.

“You summoned us.”

After a suitably polite but not particularly sincere greeting, Tenus found a seat and sat down. Sellakia, after a brief hesitation, quickly sat next to him.

“I should have visited sooner, but I was unwell, so my greetings are delayed.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about such trivial matters.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Faced with Sellakia’s bright smile, Aldrich, sitting opposite, cleared his throat. At the moment she noticed his fist trembling pathetically near his mouth, she felt strangely deflated.

This was the first time she had sat face-to-face with Aldrich.

The man she thought was like a venomous snake seemed less than a worm when faced directly.

“……”

Unconsciously, Sellakia turned her head away.

With a composed face, Tenus leaned deeply against the backrest. Although one cannot identify a culprit merely by appearance, it seemed plausible that he might be the real perpetrator.

“I want to know what exactly happened during that time.”

Before the servant who brought the tea could close the door, Aldrich, unable to contain his impatience, spoke up. He scanned Sellakia’s face with a probing look and then glanced at Tenus for his reaction.

“Still, as the elder of this castle, I should at least know that much.”

Tenus did not provide a specific answer and simply lifted his teacup. His demeanor was contemplative.

Sellakia, who had no expectations, spoke calmly.

“Well, there’s nothing to tell. When I opened my eyes, I was in a hut near the beach, and I couldn’t remember anything. It’s not much different now.”

“Nothing at all comes to mind…?”

“Yes. If the Duke hadn’t found me, I probably would never have returned.”

Sellakia leaned against Tenus like a loving partner. Although she felt Tenus’s gaze, she was busy observing Aldrich with a subtle glance.

Aldrich showed no reaction to the deliberately emphasized term “Duke.” The hypothesis that he might have schemed due to a lust for power quickly lost credibility.

“Even though I can’t remember, I’m sorry for causing you concern.”

“No, no.”

Aldrich weakly waved his hand and staggered to his feet.

“I missed my time to take medicine…”

He muttered words no one asked for as he approached the mahogany desk behind him.