“Complete cure…?”

Eloise questioned in disbelief at Giacomo’s words.

A complete cure. Until now, no doctor had ever uttered that word. Well, there was exactly one—a quack doctor who was clearly only interested in money.

That doctor had asked the Surbertons if they were prepared to pay a large sum before even properly examining Eloise.

But Giacomo was different.

“Yes. It would have been difficult in Albion without the new medicine from my homeland. Treatment is impossible without it. Since my country is far more advanced in microbial research, this new medicine is cultivated from red mold…”

Giacomo continued with medical explanations that were difficult to understand. Seeing the confused looks on Eloise and Ryan’s faces, he burst into laughter.

“I apologize. This medicine is so effective for various illnesses that I got carried away. Still, it’s truly remarkable. Though it works completely differently from conventional medicines, it’s also surprisingly affordable. The scientist who first developed it gave up the patent after the war to help those who were suffering…”

Despite apologizing, Giacomo continued explaining about the new medicine.

The conclusion of his long explanation was simple.

Eloise’s illness could be completely cured with the new medicine, and the medicine was even inexpensive.

“There is a small chance the medicine might not work, but based on my examination, I don’t foresee any problems with Lady Newhaven’s symptoms. However.”

“However…?”

When his flowing explanation suddenly stopped, both Eloise and Ryan’s expressions hardened. Giacomo spoke with a genuinely apologetic look.

“The ship carrying the new medicine is scheduled to arrive in two weeks, so you’ll need to stay in Bringport a bit longer.”

At Giacomo’s words, smiles bloomed on both their faces. If she could be completely cured, what problem was there in staying here two more weeks? Especially in a place full of things to enjoy!

Eloise and Ryan thanked Giacomo countless times and left the hospital. While Eloise went ahead, Ryan handed Giacomo a check worth dozens of times the initial consultation fee.

“I cannot accept this much.”

“Then consider the remaining amount a donation to the hospital. Please think of it as me paying in advance for the treatment and medicine of those carrying war wounds.”

At those words, Giacomo could no longer refuse his check.

In Bringport, where people gathered from all over, there were many who still carried the physical scars of war. While others might enjoy buying souvenirs, these people couldn’t because of the pain from protruding wounds all over their bodies.

The country was trying to increase hospitals for veterans and provide assistance, but there were limits. Moreover, with so many patients, those not in immediate danger of death were often pushed back in the treatment queue.

Such people had evacuated to Bringport, like Garner had in the past. Knowing they didn’t belong in this beautiful, vibrant city, they moved through back alleys to avoid the eyes of ordinary people. But Ryan wasn’t one to miss seeing them.

Ryan knew he couldn’t help them all, but he had no intention of turning a blind eye either. Since he had to return to Blissbury after Eloise’s treatment, the most certain way he could help was…

‘Money!’

He had more than enough money. Because he had accumulated various rewards from his time as Wilgrave without spending them anywhere, and the assets of the Wallace family, confiscated when they were identified as accomplices in the terrorist incident, had become his.

Of course, the large mansion and estate had returned to royal ownership, but all other easily liquidated assets had been organized and transferred to Ryan through various methods.

Ryan wasn’t the type to feel burdened by having a lot of money. The more he had, the more beautifully he could decorate Blissbury and make Eloise happy.

But sometimes he felt he had been given too much money. In that case, wouldn’t this kind of expenditure be acceptable?

“I saw in the documents you submitted to the city that you’re planning a general hospital for ordinary citizens. When Eloise is cured, I’d like to establish and sponsor a fund in my wife’s name for that hospital.”

Why did his heart tingle whenever he called her his wife, even though it was natural for a husband to refer to his wife that way? His lips curled up involuntarily.

“So please accept this for now, and I entrust everything to you, Doctor Giacomo.”

Ryan said this as he removed his hat and bowed deeply to him, more deeply than he had ever bowed to his superiors in the military, with desperation.

Giacomo fingered the check he had received, then accepted it in one gulp. While he wasn’t without money, he could hardly call himself wealthy. Moreover, with so many things he wanted to do, he would continue to need funds.

In this situation, someone coming to him first and handing over such a large sum—and with such good intentions! And all he wanted in return was his wife’s complete recovery.

“Even without this, I would have done my utmost for your wife’s treatment, so don’t worry.”

At Giacomo’s words, Ryan’s expression, which normally looked cold when still, changed. Suddenly radiating spring warmth, he rushed out to Eloise who was waiting outside.

Giacomo waved goodbye until the carriage carrying the couple was out of sight, thinking what a good and affectionate couple they were.

***

Once certain their stay in Bringport would be extended, Eloise inwardly rejoiced. While she loved Blissbury, Bringport offered different pleasures.

She had been disappointed at the thought of returning without enjoying everything, but now she had more time.

Eloise decided to make good use of this time given to her. She walked slowly through the art museum, leisurely appreciating the paintings on the walls.

Normally, Ryan would have been beside her. But today she was alone. It was the first time since coming to Bringport.

‘But I’m not lonely.’

Eloise recalled the morning’s events. Ryan had said with a clearly reluctant expression:

“Richard is arriving today. I’ll finish the business as quickly as possible and return.”

The business he referred to was catching the fraudster impersonating him. She had heard that a telegram had been sent to the capital, and it seemed that since the real Ryan was here, Richard wanted to come personally to handle the matter.

Ryan, worried that Eloise might be bored wandering alone, handed her a paper listing Bringport’s tourist attractions and restaurants, then added:

“And, just in case, I’m asking you…”

“Yes, yes, don’t worry. I won’t pay any attention to Sir Ryan Wilgrave’s impersonation case.”

Despite Eloise’s answer, Ryan left the lodging with worry still evident in his eyes.

‘He really worries too much!’

Eloise truly had no intention of paying more attention to the fake Ryan case. It was clear that Richard, who had been handling such matters all along, would manage it better.

Of course, she wasn’t without concern, but what difference would it make if she got involved? It would only make Ryan worry more.

So she planned to fully enjoy Bringport until Ryan and Richard finished their business. The first item on her agenda was to appreciate the art museum in detail.

The presence of an excellent art museum elevates a city’s dignity. For this reason, Bringport’s mayor was sincere about establishing an art museum. It was a good choice.

As an international port city where ships from various countries constantly came and went, the museum displayed not only Albion’s paintings but also numerous works from other countries.

Eloise went up to the second floor of the museum. After checking the guide, she headed to the room located in the deepest part.

The moment she entered a room darker and quieter than the others, Eloise’s face lit up with joy.

‘I’m glad I came alone!’

Emily had offered to accompany her, but Eloise said she wanted to view alone and told Emily to go to a nearby café with Garner until she came out. Of course, she gave them plenty of money.

“Don’t you need to buy gifts for people back home too? Go enjoy yourself leisurely with Mr. Garner. I’ll probably be in the museum for a long time. There should be enough for Mr. Garner’s gifts too.”

Emily received the money from Eloise with an expression that asked, “Is this really okay?” But when Eloise said she should hurry if she wanted to buy gifts for her parents and family, Emily bowed her head and ran to Garner.

Shortly after, Garner also bowed to Eloise standing there. Seeing the two, it seemed they would have a very enjoyable time while she was in the museum.

Eloise smiled, gazing intently at the paintings on the wall. While she had partly come alone out of consideration for Emily and Garner…

‘This is what I really wanted to see!’

In the dark room hung various n*de paintings.

Eloise recalled the contents of the Bringport guidebook she had read earlier. It described this as the art museum with the most premium works in Bringport, and also a controversial one where many visitors complained of discomfort due to the curator’s bold exhibition selections.

She had guessed immediately: There must be n*de paintings!

Sure enough, she had seen a section labeled “The Beauty of the Human Body” on one side of the first floor. Many people avoided this room as they passed by.

When Eloise entered this room, one of the people in the distance covered their face with a fan as if embarrassed.

If this were Blissbury, Eloise would have hesitated too. But this was Bringport, and no one recognized her.

So there was no need to hesitate!

Eloise viewed the paintings while pressing down her lips that kept trying to curl upward.

There was truly a wide variety. The room was full of human forms that Eloise had wanted to see. There were restrained drawings and drawings full of fantasy.

But looking at these paintings, Eloise felt emotions other than embarrassment first. Her eyes busily took in the moments depicted on the canvases. Her own feelings took precedence over the artist’s intentions or explanations.

As an amateur painter herself, she considered how others had portrayed what she couldn’t express.

And so Eloise became completely immersed in the world of paintings.

How much time had passed? The sunlight coming through the corridor windows began to take on a reddish hue. Just as Eloise turned to leave, she realized there was one other person in the room besides herself.

‘When did she come in?’

Absorbed in the paintings, she hadn’t noticed another person behind her who was equally interested in the n*de artworks.

Just then, the woman looking at the paintings seemed to feel Eloise’s gaze and turned her head. When their eyes met, Eloise realized she had been staring at her rudely.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

As she apologized and quickly tried to leave—

“Wait a moment!”

The woman who had been looking at the paintings stopped Eloise. Then, with an expectant voice, she asked:

“You like male bodies, don’t you?”