Chapter 8
A woman hurriedly approached, holding a child who looked about five years old.
“My child really likes you, Sir. Could you hold him once?”
Not to be outdone, a boy pushed his way through the crowd.
“I heard you once helped Martin’s grandmother get home? My grandfather also has trouble moving—could you help him too?”
“I heard it’s easier to get a knight’s position if you have a noble’s recommendation. You remember when I said I wanted to become a knight, and you encouraged me, right, Sir?”
“I was scammed…”
“I need your help, Sir…”
It was utter chaos. Requests ranged from asking me to help repay debts, avenge bullies, find jobs, to helping search for lost puppies.
My head throbbed. The only thing I could do was grip the lantern Adel had given me.
People clung to me so insistently that waves of irritation surged through me. I couldn’t hold it in and whispered to Adel.
“Adel, you’re going to have to be a bit cruel.”
He seemed surprised; he hadn’t expected them to throw themselves at him so blindly. In a low but firm voice, he said:
“I cannot help any of you.”
The noisy crowd fell silent instantly, leaving the air thick with confusion.
“B-but, Sir?”
“Why would you say that?”
“You always did whatever we asked!”
I wanted to retch at the people pushing me around.
The arrows turned back on me.
“Wait, just now that person whispered something to Sir.”
“You told him not to help us, right?”
“Ugh, ugh…”
A hot rage surged. Adel held me tightly in his arms.
“Step back immediately! Or else—”
Before Adel could finish, the boy who asked for help with his grandfather sneered:
“Or else? Are you really going to wield your power over weak commoners?”
The woman holding the child burst out laughing.
“Oh, come on. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Everyone reacted the same way.
“Sir isn’t like that.”
“He wouldn’t do that.”
Adel’s hand on my shoulder stiffened. I sighed. Everyone treated him as if he were a servant, assuming they could manipulate him because he never refused anyone.
This was insane. Next, they’d ask him to breathe for them, or feed them.
If Adel had to resort to his last measures in front of this crowd, it would be disastrous.
I knew Adel was extremely reluctant to use magic in front of strangers.
His father forbade it, and any small thing would be blown out of proportion by the crowd. I couldn’t burden him.
I pushed Adel aside and stood straight, taking off my hat.
“Gasp.”
The crowd inhaled sharply. Some faces turned red, others froze in shock. Most were pale. With the “beauty effect,” all attention was now on me.
I spoke slowly, in a gentle tone:
“I have an incurable disease. It’s highly contagious…”
I could feel it—hot blood surged within me.
“If it touches your skin, you might get the same disease.”
“Uwaaaah!”
I vomited a huge amount of blood immediately after speaking.
After that, chaos erupted.
“Ahhh!”
“Blood… it’s blood!”
“Get out of the way!”
“They said it’s contagious!”
“Damn it, it splashed on my face!”
People shoved, trampled, and scrambled to escape.
“What’s with that crazy woman?!”
Crazy? Haven’t you seen one before?
I wiped the blood from my mouth with a satisfied expression. Ah, refreshing. I finally feel alive.
Chasing people off was fine, but I was on the verge of collapse. If I lost focus, I might faint. And who knew when they’d come back for revenge.
The commoners here had boundless trust and a biased image toward only Adel.
Other nobles oppressed by status as usual, but Adel was noble and virtuous. He spoke politely even to children, lunatics, and beggars, which made some people underestimate him.
Adel had been excessively kind. Even on rainy days, he would give up his umbrella. And he was still a minor, incredibly handsome, which made people fantasize or try to exploit him.
Women imagined romances, con artists sought money, others hoped to use his name to rise in status. Everyone wanted to take advantage somehow.
But in the original story, Adel would respond passively to such things. Likely no different now.
I called to the frozen Adel.
“Adel, don’t just stand there. Take me away while you can.”
He blinked at my words.
“I’m sorry.”
He lifted me into his arms. I suppressed the embarrassment and quietly rested in him.
Expecting the crowd’s anger to turn toward me, Adel moved quickly through the chaos. His face was set, fresh as newly sprouted leaves.
He didn’t speak until we reached the carriage. His red, guilty eyes pained my chest.
I spoke softly to comfort him:
“You know it’s not your fault, right?”
“Anastasia, your face is pale. Please don’t speak.”
Even as the carriage moved, Adel remained tense. The curtain was drawn to prevent anyone from looking in, and I sat beside him, not across.
I rested my head lightly on his shoulder.
“You smell nice.”
Normally, he would have recoiled politely, but now he seemed unaware of our closeness.
“I’m sorry. Truly sorry.”
His voice sounded like he might cry. Better if he did—I could comfort him openly then.
I cleared my throat and tried to speak normally:
“No need to apologize.”
“It’s all my fault.”
“Adel, will you keep talking like this?”
I tilted my head and playfully glared at him. Only then did he stop apologizing.
We remained in brief silence as the carriage raced toward the count’s mansion.
I almost got motion sickness, but I had nothing left to throw up, so I let the driver speed ahead.
I focused on staying conscious, swallowing groans. My condition was worse than I thought.
Finally, when the carriage stopped, I cheered silently and jumped down—but greater trials awaited.
“Miss!”
Ilina stared at me, pale as death.
“What happened?! Why are you covered in blood?!”
I glanced at my outfit with her. My dress gleamed crimson, and my hands were stained too.
Before I could make an excuse, Adel lifted me like before.
“I’ll take Anastasia to the bedroom.”
Did Adel hug me too much today? I wished I had even a moment to regain composure. No more butterflies or excitement remained.
Adel laid me on the bed and left, closing the door. I couldn’t even move a finger to respond.
Ilina followed, her worried face brimming with tears.
“Oh, Miss, what should we do…”
“Don’t cry, Ilina.”
But that seemed to trigger her; tears fell from her eyes.
“I’ll give you medicine… and clean you up.”
She quickly wiped her tears.
Ilina carefully gave me the white medicine first, then a viscous, opaque liquid. Soon, my stomach felt better. She wiped my bloody hands thoroughly.
Even when offered another maid’s help, she refused, insisting on doing it herself.
She changed my clothes while I couldn’t move and covered me with a blanket full of soft down before breathing a sigh of relief.
“I’ll bring hot water.”
Ilina returned shortly, looking even more worried.
“Miss, Lord Magnus is still outside the mansion.”
I paused.
“It’s been about two hours already.”
“He feels very guilty. He can’t even raise his head in front of the maids; they’re all flustered.”
This fool… I forced myself to sit up.
“Tell him to come in.”
Ilina nodded briefly and relayed my order.
But Adel did not come. Only the maid who had gone to fetch him returned, whispering to Ilina.
It was easy to guess what happened. Ilina reported carefully.
“He… Lord Magnus has passed away.”
I bit my lip. Ilina added:
“He said to let you rest comfortably and is very sorry.”
“No need to worry…”
I was too exhausted to hold Adel back. Ilina pressed me gently back onto the bed.
“Miss, get some rest. I’ll stay by your side tonight.”
The blanket brought warmth up to my neck.
“You’re a bit too professional, aren’t you?”
“I’m worried about you, Miss!”
She seemed unusually composed. I covered my ears.
“Ilina, my ears hurt.”
“Oh, sorry.”
I gestured to the sofa.
“Sit there. That chair is hard and uncomfortable for long periods.”
“No. I’ll sit here to watch over you.”
“Your stubbornness…”
“I’ll make sure your breathing is regular and that you sleep comfortably in any position.”
Ilina widened her eyes with determination.
“Okay… thank you.”
Ilina stayed awake all night, caring for me.
Though extremely tired, I couldn’t sleep. Thoughts of Adel lingered.
No matter how many times I told him it wasn’t his fault, he wouldn’t believe me. He would blame himself for everything.
Because that’s the kind of person he is.
