Chapter 21

The next day, after finishing the treatment and rewrapping the bandages.

Lucrezia took her eyes off Lamirio for a moment to tidy up the medicine. Since all of them were potent, she needed to manage them properly to prevent Lamirio from accidentally touching them.

That was a mistake, she thought.

"Lucrezia? Are you already gone?"

Lamirio's arm, reaching out absentmindedly, touched Lucrezia.

--!!

Lamirio's palm landed on Lucrezia's chest.

It touched her exposed décolletage, and Lamirio quickly withdrew his hand as if burned.

"S-Sorry. I touched you."

"I-It's fine..."

Lucrezia wasn't embarrassed, but Lamirio couldn't see anything. He probably didn't even know where he had touched.

"I was putting away the medicine. I'll be done in a moment, so please wait. When I'm done, I'll read you a book."

Lucrezia spoke calmly to Lamirio, and when she suddenly felt a gaze, she turned to see Bosco, who had been holding a candle to assist with the surgery, looking at them with a displeased expression.

"...When do you think your engagement will be finalized?"

In response to Bosco's question, Lamirio's voice cracked as he retorted.

"There are no plans! I told you that yesterday!"

"Then why do you insist on taking such a thorny path? If you don't decide soon, we need to make arrangements."

"Persistent!"

Lucrezia felt left out and pouted.

--I wish I could have a pleasant conversation like Bosco.

Lucrezia was a bit moody for the rest of the day.

***

Lucrezia frequently visited the chapel.

This was what the priest had told Lamirio.

The priest assigned to the chapel of the Pastore Palace had been serving there since before Lamirio was born. To the elderly priest, Lamirio was still just a snot-nosed kid.

When the priest came to Lamirio's bedside during his convalescence, he began a long story in a shaky voice.

"Well, she's a commendable young lady. She often comes to pray, but lately, she's been complaining about jealousy. She didn't say it outright, but she wants to get close to someone of high status, and the man she likes always seems to be close to another man, so she can't get in between them."

Lamirio wished he hadn't heard it.

--No way, isn't she too cute?

What could she be jealous of Bosco for? To Lamirio, he was just a nuisance.

The priest continued his serious lecture, saying that "normally, one shouldn't blab about secrets heard from others. However, since this involves a noble young lady and a love affair, it's Lamirio's responsibility as the head of the house to stop her before she makes a serious mistake."

Lamirio deduced that the priest had been charmed by the lovely young lady who visited frequently and had come to warn him not to take advantage of her.

Lamirio raised his right hand as if taking an oath to the heavens.

"I swear, I haven't done anything improper. Of course, I do have some sinful thoughts, but they are the kind that anyone would have when they see a beautiful girl. I have my reason and can control them with it."

Lamirio's passionate speech reached the priest, who left looking satisfied.

--Right. I am a gentleman. I won't succumb to temptation.

Despite this, Lamirio couldn't stop thinking about the adorable Lucrezia that night and couldn't sleep.

***

Lucrezia's care was so devoted that it was almost tearful.

Sometimes she walked ahead, holding his hand as a cane, and other times she cleaned the table and floor like a servant when they were soiled.

There was no ulterior motive in her actions. Gradually, Lamirio had to admit that her heart was filled with nothing but pure, touching maternal kindness.

--Such a good and earnest girl, and I...

Every time he touched her, he secretly felt his heart race.

It was just care for her, after all.

If she found out, he would be in trouble.

She would surely despise him.

He didn't want to do anything shameful, like taking advantage of her kindness to satisfy his own desires.

Lamirio tried to avoid Lucrezia as much as possible and increased the number of servants around him to prevent her from providing direct care.

"...Sir, you are really clumsy. Normally, this is the part where you say, 'If you want my wealth, you'll do as I say,' and enjoy the situation."

"You sound like a villain."

"Not if she secretly expects it. It's clear that she is in love with you. If it's from someone she likes, it's part of the fun of love."

"What are you talking about..."

Lamirio, disdainful of Bosco's absurd fantasies, retorted.

"Are you tired of my care?"

"Do you understand? If you marry Lucrezia, everything will be solved. Please release me from this ordeal."

"Idiot."

Lamirio dismissed Bosco's fantasies, finding them truly absurd.

***

Lucrezia took care of Lamirio every day while monitoring his progress.

"You are getting better, Sir Lamirio."

The treatment was remarkably effective, and the spots were visibly fading.

"Just a little more patience, and the treatment will be over. Let's keep it up."

The one-month treatment period passed in the blink of an eye.

A month later, Lucrezia unwrapped the bandages and was confident that his eyes had completely healed.

"Sir Lamirio, congratulations! You are completely healed! Please, check for yourself!"

Lucrezia ran to the window with joy and pulled down the blackout curtains.

Golden light streamed into the room, illuminating the dusty interior brightly.

Lamirio blinked.

He peered into the mirror in front of him.

Bringing the blurry metal mirror closer, he focused on his eyes—

His pupils, stripped of pigment by the medicine, had turned golden.

Lamirio was speechless, entranced by the mirror.

He seemed to have forgotten Lucrezia's presence, squinting and examining the whites of his eyes, moving his gaze left and right. There was not a single spot left.

"...How is it?"

Lucrezia gently asked, and Lamirio slowly raised his gaze.

"Oh!"

During the treatment, Lucrezia had only seen his eyes in the dim light of a candle.

This was the first time she had seen his face head-on.

He was a man with sharp golden eyes, a gaze that reminded one of a hungry hawk, and a mouth that was often set in a difficult expression.

Despite these flaws, he was still a handsome man.

Even Bosco, who was standing by, let out a sigh of admiration.

His complexion was poor and he looked emaciated from his long reclusive life, but once his pale face regained its plumpness and color, the sharpness of his eyes would soften.

Lucrezia placed her hand on his shoulder.

"You look wonderful."

She whispered softly but firmly, celebrating his recovery.

Tears welled up in Lamirio's eyes.

"This isn't the time to cry, Sir Lamirio. We should immediately have a recovery party. Let's provide the bored people of Pastore with a joyful topic for the front page of the newspaper, shall we?"

"Yes, ...yes, you're right..."

While looking at his tearful face, Lucrezia thought that she could ask for an apology later.

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