Chapter 24…
“Is that so?”
His expression said he couldn’t understand what that eye drop supplement had to do with Cynthia’s strange behavior right now.
“A-and, not long ago, I found out that to maximize the effect of the supplement, you need to do this kind of massage! So I was just giving you one!”
“……”
“……”
Silence fell over the room in an instant.
Tession was trying to process what he had just heard, while Cynthia was scolding herself internally because even to her, what she’d just said sounded ridiculous. Neither of them could speak for a while.
After what felt like hours but was only minutes, Cynthia finally spoke up, very carefully.
“I… I know it sounds really random and weird, but could you please trust me just this once? I swear it won’t harm you, Your Grace.”
If anything, it’ll help you—a lot! Definitely not harm!
“Haa… Cynthia, I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m quite tired. On top of that, ever since I took the supplement you gave me, my eyes have felt irritated, and today I’m really not feeling well. So I might not be able to properly receive you today…”
“You don’t have to! I actually came here to help relieve your fatigue, Your Grace!”
Cynthia said quickly as she laid the warm handkerchief back over Tession’s eyes.
I know I must seem like a clueless nuisance right now, but please, just this once…!
“Cynthia.”
“It’ll really only take a moment, okay?”
Tession let out a quiet sigh.
It was true—his eyes were sore and his body felt weak. He didn’t want to show Cynthia this worn-out side of himself; he always wanted to appear composed before her.
But he didn’t even have the energy to stop her or send her away.
Finally, Tession nodded.
“…All right.”
When he leaned back and lay down, Cynthia let out a breath of relief and straightened up.
She checked the temperature of the handkerchief to make sure it hadn’t cooled, then placed it gently over his eyelids and pressed down softly, letting the warmth seep in.
“……”
For some reason, that warmth seemed to ease the pain in his eyes, and Tession quietly waited.
“I’m going to move my hands a little, okay?”
Cynthia spoke softly as she began to move her hands, massaging his eyes with delicate care.
She applied slow pressure, then circled outward along the bones around his eyes before returning to the center, repeating the motion.
“How does it feel?”
“…It feels refreshing.”
Oddly enough—it really did.
The warm compress and gentle massage were relieving the tension in his body.
‘But… what is this feeling?’
His body was relaxing, but there was a strange, prickling sensation around his eyes. It was cool and soothing, yet at moments it bordered on painful—an odd, unfamiliar feeling.
“Just a little more!”
Cynthia continued confidently, repeating the motions. Tession frowned slightly under her hands as the strange feeling intensified.
‘This is…’
“How does it feel now?”
“My eyes… feel a bit… ah…”
Tession let out a low groan.
Startled, Cynthia immediately stopped and looked at him. His hands were clenched tightly, his face tense.
“Your Grace…? Are you all right?”
“I’m… I’m fine… ah…”
He groaned again.
No, this can’t be happening—Enoch said it wouldn’t hurt! Did that damn pharmacist trick me?!
Panicking, Cynthia snatched away the handkerchief and examined his eyes closely.
What do I do? It didn’t hurt when I tried it!
“Do your eyes hurt? He swore it wouldn’t be painful…”
“No, it’s not that…”
Tession’s voice came out low and uncertain.
“Wait here! I’ll tell Ruth to fetch a physician right away! Just a moment!”
Startled, Cynthia spun around to leave—but Tession was faster. He caught her wrist, making her turn back in surprise.
He sat there, staring blankly as if concentrating on something, one hand still holding her wrist while the other moved toward his eyes.
“Your Grace?”
What’s he doing? Is he okay?
Cynthia watched anxiously. Whatever was happening, she just hoped it wouldn’t hurt him.
Moments later, Tession—silent as a statue—slowly lifted his eyelids.
“……”
From beneath the lids that had always been closed, his eyes appeared. As he blinked slowly, two radiant violet irises shimmered like jewels—then focused sharply on Cynthia.
“Ah…”
Cynthia froze.
It was the first time she had ever seen his eyes—and they were beautiful beyond description, never once mentioned in the novel.
He squinted against the light, blinking slowly.
“…The light.”
He spoke carefully.
At first, it was just a blur of brightness, but the light gradually took shape—becoming clear, defined images.
“Ah…”
She could see his expression changing—his glowing eyes widening with awe and emotion.
He slowly looked around, unable to tear his gaze from Cynthia before scanning the room. After a long moment, he finally spoke.
“…What is this, Cynthia?”
His question snapped her out of her daze, and she reached out toward him.
“Can you see clearly? Are you in any pain? There could be side effects I don’t know about, so please check carefully!”
“Cynthia…”
“H-here, how many fingers am I holding up?”
She held up two fingers in front of his face and wiggled them.
Tession’s eyes followed her hand, then he spoke clearly.
“Two.”
“And now?”
She spread all five fingers and waved them quickly.
He stared for a moment, then said distinctly:
“Your palm is fully open, and you’re waving it rapidly.”
“That’s right!”
Cynthia beamed.
Enoch, you weren’t a scammer after all…! Tession can finally see!
With a trembling voice, she said,
“Your Grace! You can see again! That’s amazing! Actually, the supplement I gave you—ah!”
Before she could finish, Tession reached out and grabbed her wrist again. Pulling her closer, he wrapped his arms around her waist tightly.
“……”
Cynthia froze.
He buried his face against her chest, his arms around her waist trembling slightly.
“Your Grace… Are you all right?”
She blinked, then spoke softly.
Is he confused? I only wanted to help him, especially after the engagement was called off… Did I act too rashly?
Before she could think further, a low voice came from below.
“…I can see.”
“……”
“Cynthia, I can see. Is this… a dream? Am I still dreaming?”
“…It’s not a dream.”
Her calm answer made him exhale shakily, as if releasing all the tension he’d held inside. Yet, his trembling didn’t stop.
“…What have you done to me?”
“……”
“How… How did this happen?”
His open eyes were filled with confusion.
“Your Grace…”
Cynthia raised her hand and gently stroked his hair.
He flinched slightly, but she couldn’t bring herself to stop.
“You must be so startled. I’m sorry. I only wanted to give you a gift.”
“A gift?”
“In my simple mind, I just thought—it would be wonderful if you could see again. I’m truly sorry for using the medicine without your permission.”
Once she said it, regret washed over her. She should have talked to him first.
She felt guilty for not considering how overwhelming it would be for him to suddenly regain his sight.
‘I thought seeing the world again would only bring joy…’
Cynthia, you fool. She closed her eyes tightly, filled with self-reproach.
