Chapter 67
But Lea had never experienced this before her regression, so Zion’s desperate words left her deeply flustered.
“Si… Sir Zion…”
Her voice was so rough and hoarse it surprised even her as it scraped out of her throat.
“Just a moment, my lady. I’ll call the court physician.”
Having wiped away his tears, Zion quickly left the room. The court physician, as if waiting outside, entered immediately.
“Pardon me, Your Ladyship.”
Because her back wounds were severe, Lea remained lying face down as she was examined. She could only turn her head to the side to listen to the physician’s words.
“You’re recovering well. If you continue treatment, there may not be any scarring.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, the attendant here has nursed you very well.”
At the physician’s words, Lea looked up at Rose, who was standing silently by her side. Rose’s eyes were bloodshot, like someone who hadn’t slept in days.
“Milady, do you know how long it’s been since you woke up?”
“No…”
“It’s been nearly ten days since you were last conscious.”
“…Ten days?”
“Yes, so you must make sure to eat well from now on. Start with clear soup, and eat and sleep well so your wounds heal faster.”
“Then, I’ll leave the new ointment here. Be sure to take this medicine after meals.”
The physician spoke to Lea but handed the medicine and ointment container to Rose.
After he left, Rose came over and gently dabbed Lea’s back with a cloth soaked in clean water, then applied the new ointment.
“Thank you, Rose.”
Lea thanked her as usual and waited for Rose’s response. But even as time passed, Rose remained silent, focusing on applying the ointment.
After she finished spreading ointment evenly across the wounded back, Rose covered it with a thin cloth. Only then did she step back and gaze at Lea.
“…I’m truly glad you woke up.”
“Mm, I think it’s thanks to you, Rose.”
Lea answered sincerely. But Rose twisted her expression and replied in a voice strained with suppressed emotion.
“Why do you keep getting hurt like this?”
“…Huh?”
“You’ve been getting hurt so often for the past five years.”
Lea was a bit surprised by Rose’s words. Had she really gotten hurt that often? Aside from being burned or hit by an arrow, she didn’t think there was much else… Or was there?
While Lea frantically searched her memory, Rose continued.
“Why do you never value your own body, Milady?”
“……”
“After being hurt like this, how can you thank me instead of saying you’re in pain? Why…”
“Rose…”
“At first, I just tried to do well because I was being paid by you, Milady. Even if I did a good job, I knew you could only see me as a mere palace attendant paid for her work.”
“No, Rose.”
Lea no longer saw Rose that way. Living alone together in the palace, they’d inevitably come to know each other’s characters. Lea knew how hard Rose had worked to come this far.
Rose was quiet, cautious, and knew how to keep her word. At first, Lea thought she had won Rose’s loyalty with money, but Rose always considered Lea’s feelings and took care of things, even beyond what she was told to do. Anyone could tell just by looking at this room, touched in small ways by Rose’s hand.
That was why Lea respected her. Even back when Lea knew nothing, Rose must have been desperately working at her post—unlike Lea, who used to be so reckless.
“So… even for my sake, please don’t get hurt anymore. I can’t bear to see you in pain any longer, Lady Haisley. I can’t pretend not to notice when you wake up every dawn from nightmares, either…”
At Rose’s words, Lea’s body stiffened. She had never realized she was having nightmares. Waking at dawn was, in truth, just the brief moment after escaping from a dream, before falling asleep again.
Lea looked at Rose in confusion. She had never guessed at these feelings Rose had been hiding all this time.
Rose wore a composed expression, but her eyes were red and there were dark circles beneath them.
“…I was having nightmares?”
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