Chapter 38
Before sending the mail, I double-checked the documents one last time.
I was about to send the painkiller explanation that Heraise had sent me, along with the trading permit and drug guarantee to the royal administrative department.
I wonder if they’ll approve it easily.
The social impact of a painkiller was unpredictable.
It could be welcomed as a way to keep the temple in check, but nothing was certain.
Still, considering the administration’s usual work pace, it would likely pass without much trouble.
After sealing the documents in the envelope and heading downstairs, I saw Fred gathering the staff and explaining the detailed rules.
Near Fred, Will, who had recently lost his grandmother, was playing alone with beads.
“Will, did you have breakfast?”
Will nodded.
He was still young and seemed to recover quickly from his grandmother’s loss, but seeing him play alone in the mansion without peers made me uneasy.
I need to find a good facility for him soon.
“Ms. Selena, are these the documents for the royal palace administration?”
Fred began to show me respect after becoming a butler.
He said treating everyone with respect was his rule as a butler.
“Yes. Please take care of them.”
“Not at all. But I have something urgent to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Well… could you possibly give my wife a bit more of the medicine?”
“Is she running out?”
“No. It’s just that my wife was almost dying from headaches but has been recovering thanks to the medicine. Word has quietly spread. Because of that, acquaintances have been begging if they could get some painkillers…”
Fred’s request didn’t trouble me; rather, it felt good that the painkillers were being recognized.
“If you need money, I can pay whatever it costs. As you know, the pain potion is very expensive. Folk remedies are ineffective.”
“I understand. I have severe headaches myself. The medicine can be sold as much as needed. But there’s one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Just be sure who made and distributed this medicine.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes. It’s because I hope word will spread, so don’t feel pressured.”
“Alright. Thank you for understanding.”
“No problem. I’ll give the medicine as soon as it arrives.”
“Yes, understood. By the way, are these the documents for the palace?”
“Oh, here they are.”
I handed the envelope to Fred.
He was also going to the palace in the afternoon, so he planned to process my documents on the way.
“This is a document for the Duke. Could you deliver it for me?”
“Yes, I will.”
After giving him the documents, I went to find Sir Aiden in the study.
Sir Aiden was lying on a sofa in one corner, trying to nap.
His arms were crossed over his chest and legs folded, showing a casual personality.
I can’t wake him.
I could have lightly shaken him or made a noise, but it was hard.
Not because he was sleeping deeply…
I can’t take my eyes off him.
I had seen his stern face and sharp gaze, but never this childlike gentle expression.
Maybe that’s why I wanted to watch him a bit longer.
This might be the only chance to admire his deep eyes and long eyelashes.
Why am I like this?
When I liked the Crown Prince, I never felt this way.
I was curious about what books he liked or how he thought, but I never stared at his handsome face.
And Sir Aiden was more handsome than beautiful.
His features were bolder and more masculine than the Crown Prince’s, but still, my gaze kept drifting to him, which embarrassed me.
“Ugh.”
Sir Aiden moaned, frowning in his sleep.
“Sir Aiden?”
I called him, but he didn’t respond, seemingly deep in sleep.
The wrinkles between his brows grew deeper. His eyelids moved as if dreaming.
“Ugh!”
His twisted face looked like he was in pain.
It was the first time I saw that expression.
“Sir Aiden! Sir Aiden!”
I shook his arm, and he writhed in pain.
Then—
“…Inette…”
He lost strength, as if hit on the head.
Inette.
A woman’s name.
The same name of the person who had driven me out of the Duke’s house.
I didn’t think they were related, but the name made me uncomfortable.
Just a little, like grains of sand in my shoe or a small canker sore in my mouth.
Maybe because his voice calling ‘Inette’ was full of sorrow.
“Ugh! Ugh!”
At his pained cries, I shook him harder to wake him.
“Wake up! Sir Aiden!”
When slapping his arm didn’t work, I tried to hit his cheek.
But before my hand touched his face, my body flipped, and I fell to the floor.
“Ah!”
Sir Aiden had subdued me so fast I didn’t remember the process.
By the time I regained consciousness, my arms were restrained, struggling.
“Ah, it hurts! Sir Aiden! It’s me, it’s me!”
“…Teacher…?”
Realizing who he held, Sir Aiden hurriedly released me.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
He anxiously helped me up.
I shrank from the sudden pain, and he nervously checked on me.
“I’m fine.”
“Sorry. That must have hurt a lot.”
Sir Aiden trembled unexpectedly for his huge frame, probably shocked himself.
He bowed his head in apology, looking pitiful.
“It was a mistake. Don’t blame yourself.”
“I wish you’d get angry and slap me. Then I’d feel less sorry. My wrist would be bruised.”
“It wasn’t intentional.”
“Damn it, it’s because of bad dreams. I hadn’t had them for a while, damn it!”
“Was it a very bad dream?”
Actually, I wanted to ask who Inette was.
Who was she? What was her relation to him that she appeared even in his dreams?
Should I ask Sir Aiden? Would he answer?
No, better not. Asking might only make things worse.
“Just… all dreams are pretty much the same.”
Sir Aiden rubbed a scar on his face without realizing it.
I deliberately changed the subject.
“The administration sent documents. Would you check them?”
I quickly handed him the papers, and he read them.
“It’s from the Welfare Department?”
“Yes. What does it say?”
“Ah, it’s about Will. That…”
Sir Aiden frowned as he quickly read the papers.
After finishing, he cursed.
“Bastards! They never do their job right but jump at me like a hunting dog when it involves me!”
I took the documents from him and checked.
[According to imperial law, orphans must be raised in orphanages. Unless they are relatives, no one is qualified to take in the child. Therefore, according to the administrative classification by the child’s address, please send the child to the orphanage in District 8 by the end of this month.]
“Oh my.”
“District 8 is a slum. It’s full of slave traders. If he goes there, he’ll surely be kidnapped and enslaved!”
Sir Aiden raged while I was at a loss for words.
He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
The redness in his face and veins on his forehead showed how furious he was.
“These bastards don’t care about the child’s future. They just want to harass me because they don’t like me.”
“If you don’t send him to the orphanage, political pressure will come.”
“I know.”
Sir Aiden bit his lips.
Despite his anger, his tone was calm.
He brushed his thick hair back and organized his thoughts.
“I have to go see the orphanage myself.”
“Yourself?”
“At least if I show my face, they’ll specially take care of Will. Supporting the orphanage to keep others away is another option.”
“Good idea.”
“There’s only this week left until the end of the month. I’ll inspect all orphanages in District 8 within a few days.”
“Should I come with you?”
“That would be good.”
“Okay. Let’s arrange a schedule that works.”
“Huff…”
I folded the papers, watching Sir Aiden compose himself.
Maybe it would be better to visit the orphanage for Will’s sake.
Sir Aiden worried Will might become a slave, but as long as he cares, Will should be safe.
So he could grow up not lonely among children his age.
Thinking about it, I was lonely growing up in the Estarion mansion.
I hated admitting loneliness, but that was the truth.
I was sick, so I had few peers, and Shion got along well with me but we didn’t have enough time to share our hearts.
I couldn’t rely on servants either.
Enduring the lonely air of a large mansion alone was heavy and sad.
Knock knock.
Fred’s voice came with a knock.
“Ms. Selena, are you in there?”
“Oh, yes.”
I opened the door to see Fred.
“I know you’re in class, but I came despite the rudeness.”
“What is it?”
“Ms. Selena, the administration contacted saying they want you to visit in person.”
“The administration?”
“Yes. They say documents won’t be accepted otherwise.”
A headache came on.
If I visit the administration, I would inevitably meet the Estarion Count, the Minister of Administration.
