WLYV 64

Chapter 64 Sweet Pain

Lorencia smiled, feeling full after her meal. The food had been delicious today as well.

“Miss Lorencia, today is the day Dr. Debussy is scheduled to visit.”

Lorencia looked at Teishar, who was gathering her snacks, then shifted her gaze to Amelin.

“But Amelin…”
“Yes?”
“I’m not feeling unwell—so why is Dr. Debussy coming?”

“She periodically checks your health. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Lorencia nodded at Amelin’s words.

She recalled the first time she met Dr. Debussy. The woman, in her forties, had been very attentive and kind, just like Amelin. Later, Evan had told her that Dr. Debussy studied medicine and herbalism.

“It’s been a while, Miss Lorencia.”
“It has, Mrs. Debussy.”
“Your complexion has improved since the last time I saw you. You’ve gained some weight, and you look very well.”
“That’s thanks to everyone taking care of me. I’m very healthy now.”

Dr. Debussy set down her medical bag, opened it, and laid out her tools on the table beside Lorencia’s bed. She helped Lorencia lie down and spoke with a gentle smile.

She asked several questions, starting with whether Lorencia had any stomach discomfort during meals or felt nauseous when eating certain foods.

Finally, she asked the last question:

“When did your ‘red days’ start?”

Lorencia hesitated. The first time she met Dr. Debussy, when asked about her “red days”—her period—she had replied that it hadn’t started yet.

“Not yet…”

Dr. Debussy’s face, kind and attentive as she had been during the examination, briefly stiffened before relaxing.

“Miss Lorencia.”
“Yes?”
“Your period hasn’t started yet?”
“Well…”

Lorencia closed her mouth, wearing a nervous expression. She remembered the priests at the Temple of Goddess Ella in her past life pointing at her and calling her a witch because she hadn’t started menstruating.

She hadn’t said anything, but even closing her eyes, the memory was still vivid. People hurled curses and stones at her, leaving her body bruised and covered with scars.

“Don’t be afraid. If you haven’t been able to eat properly or have been under constant stress, your period might not start yet.”

Dr. Debussy gently held Lorencia’s trembling hand and reassured her.

“But I heard that not having a period is a curse from the Goddess Ella,” Lorencia said.

“If you’ve experienced prolonged stress or a lack of proper nutrition, your body may not have developed fully, and your menstrual cycle may not begin yet.”

“Mrs. Debussy, have you ever met someone like me who hasn’t started their period?”

“Of course. I’ve treated many women who hadn’t started even by their twenties.”

Not having a period isn’t a religious issue—it’s a matter of physical and mental health.

“Really?”
“I will help you start your period, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Dr. Debussy took a small magical tool from her bag and placed it on Lorencia’s abdomen. She placed her hand over the round device and closed her eyes. The tool glimmered briefly before its light slowly faded.

After checking the tool, Dr. Debussy exhaled. Fortunately, there were no serious problems with Lorencia’s body. She was much healthier than when they first met.

Seeing Lorencia’s improved condition made Dr. Debussy’s heart ache. Lorencia still had a long way to go before reaching a fully healthy weight. The thought of what might have happened if she had stayed at Count Paul Heredian’s estate was horrifying.

Dr. Debussy returned the magical tool to her bag and smiled gently.

“There’s nothing wrong with your body, Miss Lorencia. You’re much healthier than when we first met. If you continue to live in a good environment and enjoy delicious, high-calorie meals and snacks, your period should start soon.”

Amelin’s face, standing nearby, stiffened noticeably. She had been worried for the past month that Lorencia still hadn’t started her period. Dr. Debussy prescribed a medicine beneficial to Lorencia’s body and left, whispering something softly into Amelin’s ear as she went.

After the door closed, Lorencia looked at Amelin’s hardened expression. Ever since learning that Lorencia hadn’t started her period, Amelin hadn’t looked happy. Lorencia’s heart sank at the thought that Amelin might be a devotee of the Goddess Ella.

“Um, Amelin?”
“Yes, Miss Lorencia?”

Lorencia cautiously called out to her, watching her closely.

“I once told you I’d started my period, right?”
“Yes.”
“The truth is, I haven’t even begun menstruation. Amelin, I’m sorry I lied. I wasn’t trying to hide it—I was just afraid people would think I’m a witch.”

Amelin’s lips trembled. She hugged Lorencia’s small body tightly and gently stroked her hair.

Anger welled up at the thought that the daughter of the woman she respected, Musilla, had lived such a hard life, but more than that, she felt deep pity for Lorencia.

“It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry for lying. Please don’t hate me.”

Amelin remembered what Dr. Debussy had whispered to her as she left: physical scars could heal, but mental scars remain. Even if the body is healthy, psychological issues can prevent menstruation.

All of this made Amelin sad. She patted Lorencia’s back.

“It’s okay. I don’t hate you.”
“Really? Even though I lied?”
“How could I hate such a lovely young lady? I’ll take even better care of you from now on.”

Love. Happiness.

“No matter what anyone says, our Miss Lorencia is a precious being born to be loved.”

Amelin kept hugging Lorencia and holding her hand, repeatedly telling her how precious she was. The warmth of her gentle expression and words made Lorencia blink and then smile brightly. Tears streamed down her face as she snuggled into Amelin’s embrace.

Being loved felt incredibly happy. But why did it make her cry like this?

“It’s okay, Miss. I like you a lot.”
“I like you too, Amelin. Thank you for liking me.”

Recently, Lorencia had become completely absorbed in one thing: reading.

She loved leaning against her soft bed headboard, drinking cocoa topped with marshmallows, and eating cookies while reading books.

The colorful illustrations and accompanying text fascinated her beyond words. Reading them never felt like enough.

Although she had never traveled the outside world, she realized she could experience it vicariously through books. The more she read, the more she wanted to learn.

She was truly glad she had learned to read, even at the risk of embarrassment. Without it, she would never have experienced this new world.

Teishar had prepared a large collection of easy-to-read, beautifully illustrated books for her. He also arranged aroma candles and magical stone lamps near the bed so her eyes wouldn’t get tired while reading.

Watching Lorencia happily read, his own lips curved into a smile naturally.

“Is there anything else you need, Lady Lorencia?”
“I’ll let you know if there is.”
“Very well.”

Lately, Teishar enjoyed asking Lorencia what she needed. Not just that—he had grown fond of managing everything she ate and drank. Every detail in her room, from decorations and candles to dresses and shoes, was carefully selected from the finest luxury items to suit her.

At first, Lorencia had been hesitant and said she didn’t need anything, but now she was accustomed to receiving gifts.

Rather than thick, text-heavy books, Teishar prepared light, fun picture books. Lorencia was overjoyed when she received them. Thinking back on that moment made Teishar’s heart thrum.

The young tree behind her had grown a lot while reading. With each turned page, its leaves appeared, and its branches thickened. Teishar realized that the tree’s growth depended not only on eating and sleeping well but also on knowledge and experience.

Seeing the young tree grow so quickly made him proud. Simply watching it brought joy—though “joy” didn’t fully capture the feeling.

Most importantly, Lorencia had recently been expressing her thoughts honestly.

It made his heart skip repeatedly. Then, as he tried to regain his composure:

Her words made his heart plummet again.

He swallowed hard.

When Lorencia walked near him and their violet eyes met, her adorable expression made his heart drop painfully. The sweet pain of seeing her was strangely addictive, and no matter how much it hurt, he couldn’t stop looking at her.

It was a sweet pain he didn’t want to let go of, even if it lasted a lifetime.

“What book are you reading these days?”
“Marquis Teishar, I’m reading a story called The Three Baby Deer Brothers. The deer illustrations are so cute and pretty that I can’t stop looking at them. And the story is fun, too.”

Hearing his name from her small lips made Teishar’s face light up like a candle flame.

“Do you have a favorite or memorable book, Marquis Teishar?”

Lorencia closed her current book and asked him.