~Chapter 69~
Finally, Ricardo went quiet.
But his eyes were still trembling, like he was scared of something.
When the cold herbs touched his skin, he flinched.
“See? That hurts, doesn’t it?”
“That’s not pain, it’s just—”
“Alright, then let’s say it’s ticklish.”
Ricardo opened his mouth like he wanted to protest, but he closed it again.
These scars…
I tried to ignore them, but I couldn’t help looking.
They weren’t from the battle.
Even someone like me, who didn’t know much about combat, could see that.
These weren’t injuries from enemies trying to kill him.
No, these looked like whip marks.
They were cruel.
They weren’t meant to kill, just to make him suffer.
And they weren’t few.
There were so many scars that I couldn’t even count them.
Who could’ve done this to him?
There shouldn’t be anyone bold enough to lay a hand on the heir of House Hessen.
Not unless they had no sense of fear.
“…That’s enough,” he said, cutting into my thoughts.
I looked at him as he reached for his shirt and said casually,
“What are you doing? You need to let the medicine soak in first.”
He looked at me like he didn’t know what to say.
I sighed and sat down beside him.
“The rain’s calmed down a lot. I think we can head back tomorrow.”
“…That’s good to hear.”
“You said you had things to do in Orphen, right? Is your schedule okay?”
When I spoke quietly, Ricardo’s gaze drifted up to my face.
I tilted my head at him, confused, and he quickly looked away, startled.
“Y-Yes, it’s fine. I just needed to check something about the Siren…”
“Ah, I see.”
So we didn’t have to rush out at dawn.
Since he was still hurt, we could take it slow and head back at a relaxed pace.
…Or should we hurry and find a doctor first?
While I debated with myself, Ricardo spoke gently.
“The roads will be slippery. We should take our time going down.”
“Do you think so?”
He nodded.
As I stared blankly into the fire, drowsiness started to creep in again.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to stay awake.
Ricardo noticed and said softly,
“Go ahead and sleep.”
“No, I should stay awake.”
“Because of the fire?”
“That, and…”
I glanced at the cave entrance.
“Just in case. I have to keep watch over you.”
After all, someone had tried to shoot Ricardo during the day.
There was no guarantee they wouldn’t come back.
Ricardo’s eyes widened. But then—he laughed.
Yeah, I knew it sounded ridiculous, even as I said it.
Still, did he have to laugh?
“Stop laughing and just sleep.”
“How could I sleep now?”
He chuckled again.
I shook my head, trying to stay awake.
I can’t believe I almost fell asleep while watching a sick patient…
Ricardo’s soft laughter continued.
“…Do you remember the doll you left for me in Dians?”
His voice was low, like it took effort to speak.
“It looked like you.”
“If you mean the cactus, I already told you. It was prickly like me.”
“No, not that one.”
Ah. That magic doll I bought with Rayla.
Didn’t it change to resemble the person who bought it?
I blinked in surprise. Ricardo gently pulled my head to rest on his shoulder.
“Did it turn out ugly?” I asked.
Ricardo hesitated.
“…Judging by that silence, it must look terrible.”
“I… I wouldn’t know,” he muttered.
Couldn’t he even lie a little?
I sighed quietly.
Then he spoke again, like he’d finally worked up the courage.
“…Maybe you could see for yourself. One day.”
“…”
“I don’t really have a good eye for appearances.”
So that’s what he had been trying to say all along.
I nodded slightly, rubbing my eyes.
“Remember when you asked if you were my misfortune?”
Ricardo froze completely.
If I didn’t say it now, I knew I never would.
“I wasn’t unhappy. Even in Deance, I had a good time.”
“….”
“I’m sorry I didn’t answer sooner.”
I wanted to hear his response.
But there was only the sound of the fire echoing through the cave.
I waited.
And waited.
But sleep eventually won.
***
Birds chirped near my ear.
The sunlight was unusually bright and sharp.
“Gah…!”
I woke up startled, panic rising in my chest.
“You’re awake?” Ricardo’s voice came gently.
I tried to stay calm as I asked,
“Did I… Did I fall asleep?”
“Yes. You slept very well.”
Oh no. Oh no! What was I thinking?!
I actually slept—with a patient next to me!
“What about you?” I asked quickly.
Did he get worse while I was out?
Ricardo only laughed lightly, rubbing his shoulder.
“I slept fine.”
“And your fever? It didn’t come back at night?”
To reassure me, he took my hand and placed it on his forehead.
“Now you’re convinced?”
Strangely, his fever had gone down completely.
His skin felt just like normal.
“Thankfully, the rain stopped,” he said.
Sure enough, sunlight poured into the cave entrance.
As I stepped toward it, Ricardo gently grabbed my hand.
Confused, I turned to him—and he slid a ring onto my finger.
My long pink hair suddenly shortened, and the reflection of brown strands flickered into view.
“Ah. Thanks.”
Ricardo didn’t answer.
Instead, he brushed the messy strands of my hair with his hand.
Outside, the air was bright and crisp.
Last night’s storm had swept everything clean.
“Ann…!”
Just then, a familiar, distressed voice called out.
Simon, holding a half-broken umbrella, looked like he’d been crying.
“Please don’t tell me you got washed away in the rain!”
“Simon!”
I shouted his name.
The moment he saw me, his face went pale—like he’d seen a ghost.
“Ann?!”
“…Where’s one of your glasses lenses?”
“Is that really what you’re worried about right now?!”
“I thought I’d gotten nobles killed! I’ve been panicking all night!”
Tears streamed down Simon’s cheeks—and then came the hiccups.
“…Wait. Did I just say ‘nobles’ out loud?”
Ricardo gave a slow nod.
Simon’s face turned ghostly white.
“It’s fine,” I said calmly. “Actually, I’m impressed it took you this long to slip up.”
Honestly, I’m more surprised you kept calling me Ann that whole time.
***
“Oh, you made it back right on time!” Lily greeted us cheerfully.
She waved at Ricardo behind us.
“I hope our Ann didn’t cause too much trouble. Did everything go according to schedule?”
Ricardo glanced at me.
Why are you looking at me like that?!
I did well, didn’t I?
I shot him a look—and he chuckled softly.
“She definitely lacks the talent of a magician.”
“Oh dear. I should’ve trained her better.”
“Alright, time to go!” I quickly pushed Lily toward the ship.
She rolled her eyes but headed inside.
Ricardo leaned closer to my ear and whispered,
“You said you’d come check on me.”
“Huh?”
But by then, he had already returned to his proper duke-like demeanor.
He gave me a small nod of farewell.
“Seriously…”
I let out a sigh and a dry laugh.
Just then, Simon tapped my arm.
“Ann, take this.”
He handed me a small framed picture.
It looked like a burst of flames—or maybe some kind of wild beast with flaring claws.
“What is this?”
“It was in Mr. Atkins’s cave.”
Simon scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
“Take it as a souvenir from Orphen.”
“But if it belonged to Atkins, isn’t it important?”
“It’s fine. I’ve looked at it long enough.”
“…Are you giving me trash?”
Simon frantically shook his head.
“N-No! I mean, thanks to you, I got to see my family again. And I was glad to meet someone who actually knew about Mr. Atkins…”
He trailed off, fidgeting.
What a weird way to say thank you.
Well, that’s so like Simon.
“…Can I come visit sometimes?”
“Sure, if I’m free.”
A bright smile returned to his face.
But still…
What happened to Peril?
