Chapter 21
“Get everything ready so she can lie straight down on the bed. And keep checking on Eloise from time to time.”
Kylian, who clearly understood what was going on, spoke to Bella.
“Yes, sir.”
Bella, who seemed to have already noticed Eloise’s poor condition and had begun preparations, responded promptly.
“I’ll finish my sword training and come back later.”
“Alright.”
Kylian, who was about to open the door and leave, turned around several times as if reluctant to go before finally stepping out with Ryan.
“I’ll take you to the bath first.”
“Okay.”
Warm water gently enveloped her body, and the silk pajamas brushed softly against her skin. Normally, those were the kind of things Eloise loved most, but today, not even that could soothe her. She hadn’t even pushed herself that hard, so why was she like this…
“Please rest for a bit. I’ll bring the physician.”
After laying Eloise down on the bed, Bella opened the door to fetch the doctor—only to see Dr. Hanson already standing there.
“Oh? How did you know to come?”
“The young master gave me notice.”
“Please, come in.”
Hanson immediately began examining Eloise’s condition and then spoke briefly.
“For now, it’s best that you get plenty of rest.”
“Am I… not doing well?”
Eloise’s voice trembled as she asked the question.
“I can’t fall ill again… I have to recover quickly and be of help…”
But instead of helping, she was only becoming more of a burden. Eloise sighed deeply, one after another.
“Your strength has dropped a great deal. From now on, you must not, under any circumstances, overexert yourself again!”
Hanson, who was about to scold her with a string of nagging words, fell silent when he saw her downcast face. A child at her age should be full of carefree thoughts, and yet here she was, struggling so hard just to hold her place.
“My lady, instead of apologizing, it would be better to ask for a reward instead.”
His eyes gleamed mischievously as he whispered. A child shouldn’t be wearing such an expression, really!
“A reward?”
Eloise tilted her head.
“Why, of course! I became the official physician of House Reston—all thanks to you!”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“A doctor like me, from a poor background, no matter how skilled, could never have risen beyond a small countryside clinic.”
“…”
“The Grand Duke called in many doctors to treat you, and through that, my abilities were recognized. I became the family’s physician because of you. So really, it’s only fair that you tell me to be grateful!”
With a hint of pride, Hanson nodded with satisfaction.
“…”
Eloise blinked, speechless and bewildered. Words like “reward” and “be grateful” were things she had never imagined saying. Seeing her flustered look, Hanson shook his head and raised his voice slightly.
“At times like this, you should even pretend to be sick!”
He’d seen all kinds of children at the hospital—
Mischievous ones,
Ones who faked illness,
Ones who threw tantrums.
Children who acted that way never worried about being disliked. In their world, a parent’s love was a given. But a child who tried so hard, so cautiously, just to be loved—such children always left a heavy feeling in Hanson’s chest.
“Pretend to be sick?”
Eloise’s eyes widened as if she had never even considered the idea.
“Yes! I became the Grand Duke’s physician thanks to you—don’t you think I can help you out a little?”
He winked playfully.
“Um…”
At the word pretend, Eloise suddenly recalled her past life in elementary school—those classmates who’d feigned illness just to be sent home early, resting in their parents’ arms. Their parents always seemed to know the truth, yet they still held them gently as they walked home.
“If I pretended to be sick in front of the Grand Duke… would he worry about me too?”
That soft image flashed across her mind—an affectionate smile, a gentle hand patting her head.
“No. I can’t be greedy. I don’t want to be someone bothersome or annoying…”
When she’d first stepped into the Reston estate, she’d only wanted to escape. But the warmth she found there had melted that fear away. She didn’t want to wander the cold streets again. At first, that was all it was—not wanting to be cast out.
But that feeling had grown—swelling like bubbles—into a longing for love and care.
“I’ve only made things more complicated for you, haven’t I? Please rest. The heart must be at peace for the body to follow.”
Hanson spoke softly as he saw the troubled look on her face.
“Okay…”
She nodded as he gently patted her head. Watching her with worried eyes, Hanson finally rose to leave.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
After escorting him out, Bella dimmed the lights in the room.
“Sleep well. You’ll feel better that way.”
She carefully pulled the blanket up to Eloise’s chin, checking her complexion once more. Eloise, unable to fall asleep, rolled her eyes toward Bella.
“Um… Bella.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Have you… ever pretended to be sick?”
Bella smiled faintly, sensing the deeper question hidden behind the innocent one.
“Have you grown curious about that, my lady?”
Eloise flailed her hands in panic.
“No! That’s not what I meant—!”
“Of course I have.”
Bella smiled serenely and nodded.
“You have?”
Eloise’s eyes widened in surprise as she sat up.
“She has? Bella? The calm, composed Bella?”
When Eloise thought of Bella, the image that came to mind was that of a model knight—someone who always did the right thing, walked the proper path, and spoke with perfect decorum. Faking illness just didn’t fit that image at all.
“Yes. At first, I pretended to be sick because my grandfather made me uncomfortable.”
Bella’s eyes softened with nostalgia as she gazed up at the ceiling, recalling an old memory.
“The butler? Why?”
“He picked me up off the streets when I was an orphan.”
In her mind’s eye, Bella saw the middle-aged man in his neat uniform—the rough, calloused hand he had extended to her back then. That memory remained vivid even now.
“Really?”
“He’s become gentler with age, but he used to look very stern and frightening. A true northerner—quiet and gruff. Though I suppose I’m not one to talk.”
She chuckled lightly, affection glimmering in her eyes.
“I can’t picture that. He always looks so kind when he smiles.”
“He’s changed a lot. We were both quite awkward around each other at first. For quite a long time, actually.”
At those words, Eloise flinched slightly—because it echoed something she’d been feeling deep down.
“Actually…” Eloise hesitated, revealing a sliver of her true worry.
“I don’t dislike the Grand Duke. It’s just that… he’s… really hard to approach. I never know how to act around him. He’s such a good person, but…”
“You can just be yourself around him.”
“But I want to do well! He’s so kind—I don’t want to disappoint him!”
Bella gazed at her young mistress, seeing a reflection of her own younger self in those anxious eyes. She brushed a gentle hand over Eloise’s cheek and spoke softly.
“My lady.”
“Yes?”
“The truth is, I’m rather talented.”
Eloise blinked, caught off guard by the sudden boast.
“Huh?”
“I’m skilled in swordsmanship, administration, and etiquette. I excel in every field. But my grandfather doesn’t care for me because of my competence.”
“…”
“Knowing and feeling are two very different things. Talking with him helped me realize that. Sometimes, breaking down the wall just takes a conversation.”
“A conversation?”
“Yes. Once we truly talked, that wall simply disappeared. Once you understand each other’s hearts, things might not be as difficult as they seem.”
“But still…”
If she were really a seven-year-old, speaking to him might not be hard. But the memories of fifteen years of pain—of surviving in a world that hadn’t been kind—clung to her like a long, suffocating tunnel.
“For now, please rest.”
Hearing her cough, Bella decided that rest should come first.
“Okay…”
After Bella left, the room was soon swallowed by darkness as night fell. The faint candlelight flickered softly, its warmth reminding Eloise of the Grand Duke.
“Could I ever be like Bella and the butler?”
As she lay there, tangled in her thoughts, the candle crackled—its gentle sound soothing her restlessness. Her eyelids began to flutter.
“What is this…? A warm touch…”
She wanted to see whose hand was caressing her hair, but before she could, her eyelids grew heavy. Somehow, tonight, she felt she could finally sleep in peace.
