Chapter 16
Marsha had a lot going on since the morning.
She needed to make stew because she ran out of it and boil medicine, but there was only one stove.
Since there is no meat, I will add a lot of potatoes and mushrooms.
And carrots too…
Marsha finely chopped the ingredients she had piled up and generously put them into the stew.
Normally, she’d cook something simpler, but it was for a patient, so she had no choice.
Medicine has some nutrients too, but it can’t compare to proper food.
Marsha stared intently at the stew in the bowl.
The bowl was small.
Would a person of that size be full with just this?
But there was no bigger bowl in the house.
…
Suddenly, she remembered Claudio’s annoying comments from the day before.
Now the bowl didn’t look so small anymore.
This much is something to be grateful for.
Carrying the tray, Marsha stood at the door and took a deep breath.
“Are you awake?”
She spoke toward the door.
“Good morning.”
His voice was low-pitched as usual, but seemed even deeper in the morning.
Marsha flinched for no reason and continued.
“I’ll leave the stew and medicine here. Please eat them.”
“I’m sorry, but I probably can’t eat like that.”
“Yesterday, I saw you sitting up. I think you might be able to walk a little.”
Marsha said firmly.
“I think I overdid it yesterday. I can barely move a finger now.”
It was a surprisingly quiet voice, as if it was coming through a crack in the door.
“…So?”
“I’d like you to bring it to me.”
Marsha’s eyes narrowed.
He was annoying, but he was still patient.
“…Excuse me.”
Marsha opened the door and went inside.
The annoying man from yesterday was still lying in the same bed.
Soft sunlight shining through the curtain gently touched his face.
When Claudio met her eyes, he smiled gently, narrowing his eyes.
Even if he smiled, he didn’t look kind.
“Are you sick?”
Marsha said as she set the tray on the bedside table.
“Are you saying that after seeing my wounds?”
Claudio frowned, looking hurt.
“…Eat your food and take your medicine.”
“I want to, but as I said, I can’t even move a finger.”
“So?”
“Can’t you feed me?”
What was that?
Masha’s green eyes twisted in anger.
“Don’t say strange things. You ate by yourself yesterday, didn’t you?”
“I overdid it. That’s why I’m like this now.”
He made a pitiful expression that didn’t suit him and lowered his head.
“Or maybe I’m being punished for misunderstanding my saviour’s sincerity last night?”
He turned his head toward her.
Their eyes met again, and he narrowed them once more.
“Are you joking now?”
“No joke. I’m sincerely apologising.”
That’s one dramatic apology.
Marsha pursed her lips and somehow didn’t feel entirely bad.
“… Anyway, eat on your own. I have a lot to do.”
“What are you busy with?”
“Housework has piled up. I have to gather herbs, too.”
“You’re going out alone, leaving me here?”
“It’s just outside the house. If I scream, you’ll hear me, so don’t worry.”
“No, it’s not that I’m worried.”
Claudio chuckled.
“Aren’t you trusting me too much?”
“I don’t trust you. But there’s nothing valuable in this house.”
To Masha, everything in the house was precious because of memories with her grandmother.
But usually, no one stole ordinary dishes.
“Even if you try to search, it’ll just be a waste of energy. And right now, your body can’t handle it anyway.”
Marsha answered dryly.
How could he open such big eyes so lazily?
“Even if there were great jewels hidden, I wouldn’t search, and I definitely wouldn’t steal. I’m not in such a bad situation.”
Marsha’s fingers twitched.
It was the first time he had talked about himself.
“… Anyway, I’ll go now. Call me if you need anything.”
“Wait.”
He stopped Marsha as she turned to leave.
“There’s something I want to ask.”
“What is it?”
Marsha tried to calm her nervousness and asked,
“Aren’t you curious about me?”
Her heart was pounding.
Curious?
Of course, she was curious.
But she didn’t feel ready to face the truth.
“Hmm? You’d want to know how I got these wounds and ended up like this, right?”
“……”
“When I asked if anyone was looking for me before, have you ever thought about why I asked that? I guess you worried, thinking ‘Maybe this man is being chased.’”
Claudio spoke without hesitation.
Marsha’s freshly trimmed nails dug into her palm.
Why is he saying this? Is he trying to test me?
If so, what was he trying to find out?
Marsha felt uneasy, but also had a thought.
Should I ask him?
She wanted to say, I’m not curious about anything.
I don’t care who you are, and I’ll do my best to follow your wishes.
Just one thing—please, let’s pretend we never met.
Don’t ask why, don’t be curious, just think you’re repaying the kindness of saving your life, and please agree.
Instead of asking, Marsha gently bit the inside of her cheek and lowered her gaze.
Claudio, watching her face, muttered softly,
“…I’m someone you don’t need to worry about.”
Masha slowly looked up.
His steady red eyes stared right into her confused green ones.
“It’s because of things I did before, and how the situation looks, that you’d think of me as ‘that kind of person.’ I’m explaining this so you don’t worry unnecessarily.”
Claudio slightly raised one corner of his mouth.
It was a somewhat sly smile.
Strangely, seeing that eased the tension Marsha felt.
“How can I believe that?”
“Hmm, there’s no way to prove it right now. I guess I’ll have to show you every day with my actions.”
He sure talks well.
Marsha pursed her firmly closed lips.
“Relax. When the time comes, you’ll never have to see this handsome face again, so feel free to look at it now. And if you sneak into my room, I’ll tolerate it.”
“…Judging by what you say, you can eat alone.”
Marsha put her hands on her hips, looking displeased.
“I can’t bother someone who cares about me this much. I’ll bear the pain and try to do things myself.”
That annoying man.
Marsha wanted to quickly get out of his space.
But before that, she had to ask something.
“…I have one question.”
“What is it?”
“If someone comes looking for you… What should I do?”
Claudio’s eyes widened.
The woman who seemed confused and helpless earlier now stood firmly.
That’s strange. She’d want to ignore my situation.
So why is she asking first?
At that moment, Marsha swallowed hard.
Am I saying something I shouldn’t?
He said he would leave on his own, so all Marsha had to do was quietly wait for time to pass.
That way, she wouldn’t get caught up in Claudio’s troubles and suffer because of them.
But just because of my situation, I don’t need to make his situation worse.
Maybe Claudio is also looking for the knight who came to see Berry.
If you happen to be someone from the Gloria Duke family…
Then it might be right to step in so he can get treated in a better environment.
I might be overthinking and caring about others too much…
Anyway, Marsha is his lifesaver.
Even if he finds out she’s an illegal resident, he might pretend he doesn’t know.
…Or maybe not.
Marsha pushed down her anxiety and waited for Claudio’s answer.
***
Brilliant sunlight streamed through the leaves.
Even though it was a very lovely sight, Marsha kept picking herbs without looking up.
That’s enough. Let’s stop for today.
The basket full of herbs didn’t head to the dining table as usual.
“……”
Claudio glanced once at the herbs in front of him, then turned his gaze to Marsha.
She furrowed her eyebrows.
“Alright, let’s do it again today, shall we?”
We need to take a moment to reflect on yesterday to comprehend what this meant.
