STWR 7

| Episode 7

He looked like he needed more rest.

Watching Lucas with growing concern, I slowly held out the necklace I had picked up earlier.

“You were looking for this, right? You dropped it earlier.”

“Thank you. It’s very precious to me.”

Just from the way he gripped the necklace tightly, I could tell how important it was to him.

I hesitantly reached out and took hold of his hand.

Startled, he tried to pull away.

“Just a moment. I’m only trying to help your blood circulate.”

Ignoring his protest, I gently massaged his hand.

It felt warmer than before.

After a little while, I carefully stepped back.

“You have my thanks. And there’s one more thing I’d like to ask…”
“You want me to keep this symptom a secret?”
“How did you—”
“You ran here like you were escaping because you didn’t want anyone to notice, didn’t you? I can tell that much. In return, may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

Lucas replied weakly, leaning against the wall.

I wasn’t completely certain about what I felt—but the unease wouldn’t leave me.

“When you’re placed in a situation or environment similar to something from your past, do you struggle to breathe? Do you ever faint? Do you suffer from insomnia?”

“How could you possibly know something like that?”

I had hoped my suspicion was wrong.

Letting out a sigh, I brushed my hair back.

Now I was sure.

Lucas Boventin—this man was suffering from trauma.

“Your Grace!”
“Connor.”

A hurried voice sounded from behind us.

The man named Connor came running toward us.

Thank goodness. With him here, Lucas would surely feel safer.

That was what I thought—right until—

“Ugh!”

As Lucas tried to stand, he staggered again.

I instinctively reached out and barely caught hold of his clothes.

Seeing him still trembling, I asked,

“Are you okay?”
“Damn it.”

With that final curse, Lucas collapsed sideways.

He sank to the ground, eyes closed, still breathing roughly.

It looked like the hyperventilation had returned.

“Please step aside for a moment.”

Connor, who had already come up behind me, knelt beside Lucas.

After checking his pulse, he examined him anxiously.

There was likely no obvious physical cause.

“We should take him to the hospital immediately. I need to call a carriage—could you stay here for a moment? Please cover his face so no one recognizes him.”

“I understand. Please hurry!”

Connor rushed out of the alley.

How much time passed like that—

“The carriage is waiting at the entrance of the alley!”

“All right.”

Connor supported Lucas as he stood.

The coachman, who had rushed over, hastily opened the carriage door.

Once Lucas was safely inside, Connor suddenly approached me.

“Miss, excuse me. Do you have time right now?”
“Me? Why?”
“If possible, would you accompany us? You witnessed His Grace collapse, and I fear I won’t be able to explain the situation properly to his physician. I’d also like to hear the details myself.”

With a sincere request added on top, I couldn’t refuse.

What should I do?

After a brief moment of hesitation, I sighed and nodded.

“All right. But I need to inform my maid first, so could you wait a moment?”
“I’ve already spoken to her. I explained that you were accompanying us at His Grace’s request and asked for her understanding.”

He’d already prepared for that before I even agreed.

What would he have done if I’d refused?

Several complaints rose to my lips—but vanished when I looked at Lucas.

Saving a life came first.

With that thought, I slowly sat down across from Lucas.

That was when—

“How did you know?”
“Pardon?”

Lucas’s red eyes, still breathing unevenly, turned toward me.

“How did you know that I experience things like that?”

“…Someone I once saw had very similar symptoms. I just thought I’d ask, just in case. There was no deeper meaning.”

“I see.”

Watching him struggle to breathe made my chest ache.

Maybe that was why the words slipped out so naturally.

“There will be a way for things to get better.”
“…Do you really think so? I feel like nothing I do will make a difference.”
“What?”

I looked at him at his quiet words—

But his eyes were already closed, fast asleep.

Nothing I do will make a difference.

That discouraged expression lingered in my mind.

I could roughly guess why he’d said it.

Just then, the carriage jolted and began to move.

I let out a sigh as I looked up at the Boventin family crest engraved into the carriage ceiling.

I never imagined I’d be riding in this carriage again.

Unaware of my thoughts, the carriage continued racing through the streets without pause.

As soon as we arrived at the estate, Connor led Lucas straight to the resident physician.

The doctor entered the examination room with a pale face.

“W-What brings you here? Surely not again…”
“Spare the words. Please examine His Grace first.”
“Understood. Could everyone except His Grace step outside?”

“…Yes.”

Connor and I were ushered out and took seats in the hallway.

After some time passed, the tightly closed door finally opened.

Connor immediately stood up.

“How is his condition?”
“The same as before. Everything is normal.”

The physician shook his head firmly as he gave his conclusion.

I quietly looked at Lucas through the slightly open door.

His face was twisted in pain—he still looked miserable.

“I feel like nothing I do will make a difference.”

That half-resigned voice echoed in my head.

This wasn’t the first time.

Lucas had been suffering so much from trauma that it interfered with his daily life.

“Is that truly all?”
“Yes. From what I can see, there is nothing wrong.”

I looked at the flustered physician, then let out a quiet sigh.

It couldn’t be helped.

In this world, trauma wasn’t yet understood.

Only physical injuries were treated as illnesses.

Perhaps that was why Lucas had said it—nothing would help.

I felt sorry for him, but this wasn’t something meddling could fix.

People with symptoms like his weren’t even classified as patients here.

What could I possibly do?

I stepped back quietly, sighing.

There was nothing I could do here.

That was when—

“Miss, may I speak with you for a moment?”

The voice of Lucas—who had been asleep—came from inside.

He was looking directly at me, his red eyes clear.

Since I’d followed him this far, I couldn’t pretend not to notice.

When I nodded and entered, he carefully sat up in bed.

“Please lie down. You’re still unwell.”
“As I said earlier, I’d rather not have today’s events discussed.”
“What would I gain from spreading someone’s weakness? I have no such hobby, so don’t worry. Please rest.”

I quickly looked away from his sharp gaze.

I had no intention of talking—but his eyes made it feel like he’d show up personally if I did.

The moment I stepped out of the infirmary, Connor blocked my path again.