HSDTVM| Chapter 8

Episode 8

Everyone had the same thought at the same time. They took care of Ruehl, putting up with all his tantrums and even fed him medicine. It took a while, but only 12-year-old Illia spoke up in a surprisingly grown-up manner.

“…Madam, you’ve worked hard. Would you like something sweet? The chef baked some delicious cookies.”

“Oh, that sounds great! But, before that, I should check on Riheel. He’s taken his medicine, but I’m still worried…”

Illia smiled and scratched her cheek. Oh my…

They were so moved, they didn’t even realize they were covering their mouths as Illia opened Riheel’s door. Inside, Riheel was peacefully asleep, unaware of anything.

His face looked a little better, probably because of the medicine.

“Thank goodness…”

By now, Illia felt like she was in a novel. She was happy she could save Riheel and Ruehl. It was different from Doyun, who had to be sent away without doing anything for him…

“I can save him.”

She was making the medicine and could even make some money from it.

“I can do this, Illia.”

She gave herself a little pep talk and sat beside Riheel. His pale face was buried in the blanket.

“Ugh…”

Riheel groaned in his sleep. Illia paused and gently put her hand on his forehead.

“Do you have a fever? No… I don’t think so…”

It seemed like Riheel sensed her touch because he slowly opened his eyes.

“Hey, you’re awake? I wasn’t trying to wake you up…”

Riheel blinked.

In front of him, a white and pink squirrel was sitting. The round eyes and chubby cheeks seemed familiar…

Riheel squinted his eyes but gave up on figuring it out.

The squirrel’s hand on his forehead felt cool.

It felt like the heat that had been spreading through his body was draining out of him. Riheel lazily murmured.

“…Keep touching me.”

“Huh?”

“Touch me more.”

Then he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Illia carefully stroked Riheel’s forehead, feeling his soft touch.

“It feels so cool…”

And the sweet, cool scent from the squirrel tickled Riheel’s nose. It was like all the sickness tormenting him disappeared.

“Good…”

Illia gently stroked his forehead for a long time, whispering.

“Please don’t be sick.”

Riheel listened intently to her voice. It was a moment that would stay in his memory for a long time.

Riheel let out a relaxed sigh.

A little more…

Just a little more…

He gradually fell into a deeper sleep, looking much more comfortable than before.

“Did you sleep well?”

The first thing Riheel heard when he woke up was a voice asking him. He blinked.

“You didn’t wake up today, so I came to check on you. I thought you should take your medicine and sleep again.”

The worry in the violet eyes filled his vision, then faded. Along with it, the sweet scent seemed to disappear. Riheel forced his eyes wide open, feeling the urge to hold onto whatever was slipping away.

He grabbed something in his hand.

“Huh? Do you need something?”

The scent came back again. The warmth that made his head feel cool returned as well. Riheel relaxed and closed his eyes.

Illia’s sleeve was tightly held in his hand.

“Riheel, are you awake?”

Illia blinked.

Luel had already taken his medicine and fallen back to sleep. The Sprout Lab had warned that when starting the medicine, you might sleep for 3 days to a week. Even so, they still needed to wake him up and give him medicine.

It was a process where his magical energy and natural strength would be separated.

To be honest, Illia didn’t understand the complicated details. What mattered was that Riheel’s breathing seemed more relaxed than it was the day before. Illia hesitated for a moment before cautiously lying beside him.

She didn’t want to disturb him, and she couldn’t sit in a chair comfortably either.

“And I’m kind of sleepy…”

She yawned, feeling the sleepiness take over. Illia had been moving around all morning, and Riheel’s condition had been worse than Luel’s. But now, Riheel seemed much better.

Illia tossed and turned a little and then closed her eyes.

“I wonder if it’s okay to sleep here with him…”

She blinked, then squeezed her eyes shut.

‘I need to give him his medicine…’

Once a day. She had to give it to him before the day was over.

Maybe just a little nap…

Illia finally gave in to sleep.

“Madam, are you there?”

“She’s not here! Where could she have gone? I don’t think she went outside.”

“Could she have climbed the walls…?”

The head maid suddenly glanced at the tall castle walls. Of course, she wouldn’t have climbed them, but…

‘No!’

That idea was ridiculous.

The head maid shook her head. Still, since they couldn’t find Illia anywhere, these silly thoughts came to mind.

“Wait… I think I saw her.”

“Where?”

“I’m sure I saw her heading toward the Duke’s room…”

“And?”

“I didn’t see her come out.”

This was…

This was…

The head maid and the butler exchanged glances. Illia had gone into Riheel’s room to give him his medicine an hour ago, but she hadn’t come out. Normally, Illia was everywhere, running around the castle, as if she could do the work of ten adults.

But now, she hadn’t even shown up to meet Norman.

It was strange, considering Illia’s usual hardworking nature.

“That must be it?”

The butler nodded at the head maid’s words. He sniffed and began walking ahead. The rest of the group followed, searching for Illia.

Creak…

“Be careful when opening it!”

The head maid nudged the butler. When they opened Riheel’s door, they saw something unexpected.

“Oh my…”

They all tilted their heads in the same direction. Their faces turned soft with the same expression.

How could she be this cute?

Illia, curled up in a ball, was holding onto Riheel’s sleeve while he slept.

The round squirrel and the pale, but cute, boy.

It was just too adorable!

The head maid covered her lips and turned her head. It was truly a miracle and a blessing that Illia had been sent to the castle. In fact, she had never seen Riheel sleep so peacefully before Illia brought up the Sprout Lab. All of this had been accomplished by Illia.

Even Luel had slept deeply, not whining or waking up.

Someone so beautiful could only do beautiful things. It was no wonder they liked her so much.

“Let’s go now.”

“Norman is waiting…”

“He can wait.”

The butler firmly spoke and pushed the others out of the room.

“Children in their growth period need to sleep a lot.”

The head maid scolded the butler, who still wasn’t leaving. Ah, the butler scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and left the room, carefully closing the door behind him.

Then, the group quietly left the room, making sure not to wake Illia and Riheel.

Riheel was the first to wake up.

“Huh…?”

He had never slept with anyone before, but he felt someone’s warmth beside him. Riheel furrowed his brows and turned his head.

He saw something round, pink, and…?

“Illia?”

He mumbled with a voice cracked from fever. It was definitely Illia.

Riheel hesitated for a moment but then lied down next to Illia again. Illia felt oddly warm yet cool, and she smelled nice beside him.

And then…

What kind of dream was she having? Her lips were moving as she mumbled.

‘What is she eating?’

Her cheeks were puffed out, and her lips were moving. It reminded him of a squirrel.

Riheel hesitated and gently poked her puffed cheek with his finger.

Riheel’s eyes went wide.

Her cheek was soft and squishy, and he couldn’t stop poking it. But, if he kept doing it, she’d wake up.

He glanced at Illia’s eyes, then noticed he was holding onto her sleeve.

“Huh?”

Riheel blushed when he saw his hand tightly holding onto Illia’s sleeve. What was he doing? It was like a baby’s action.

He quickly pulled his hand away from her sleeve, but as he was about to sit up, something rolled off Illia’s sleeve.

It was the medicine.

It seemed like Illia had come to give him the medicine from the Sprout Lab. Riheel looked at the medicine and then at Illia before drinking it.

It was bitter, with a strong taste that lingered in his mouth and traveled down his throat.

He frowned but kept his lips tightly shut, not wanting to wake Illia.

He had heard from Norman that Illia had learned about the Sprout Lab. From the time he was 6, Riheel had spent more time in his father’s office than playing outside with his friends. Even though he was only 10, Riheel understood how impressive Illia’s actions were.

As the heir to the Duke, he had been receiving lessons more suitable for someone of his position. He was more mature and smarter than other kids his age. Even someone as capable as Riheel couldn’t do the things Illia was doing with ease.

‘Maybe it’s because she’s a princess.’

She worked so hard, and that must be why.

She took care of the Duke’s house inside and out, deciding where to invest and talking about foreign doctors with Norman. Illia could never forget any piece of information she learned.

She had valuable abilities.

Plus, she had a knack for reading the trends.

Illia’s secrets were helping the Duke’s family in huge ways.