The Quack Lady - Chapter 35

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 35

 

* * *

 

After that, Demian and I sat on the peak and talked.

 

“Thank you… *sniffle*!”

 

The child folded and refolded the handkerchief I offered, wiping away tears and snot.

 

The child’s voice I heard for the first time felt soft and tender like clouds.

 

“Don’t mention it.”

 

I smiled awkwardly and pulled out another handkerchief from my pocket.

 

Though it was a crude handkerchief made from scraps of cloth, the child used the handkerchief I handed over without complaint.

 

“Actually, I was really surprised. I never thought someone who could understand my drawings would appear.”

 

“Well, that’s because I drew it together with you. I had to know what you were drawing to help you.”

 

I added with an awkward smile that I had thought about various things.

 

Though I didn’t say everything, the child seemed to have roughly caught on.

 

That I had tried to heal his heart.

 

“So that’s why you suggested we draw together. It was my first time too. Asking someone to draw together with me.”

 

“Were you afraid of getting in trouble?”

 

“…”

 

Instead of answering, the child buried his head below his knees that he had wrapped his arms around.

 

“I know too. That’s why I was so happy when Young Baron asked me to help with the drawing.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Of course. You showed courage.”

 

The child stared blankly, then quickly turned his head away.

 

Seeing his reddened ears made me laugh strangely.

 

How much mental anguish must this small child have endured.

 

“But how did you know? About Tete, I mean.”

 

The child who had been telling his story suddenly asked with sparkling eyes.

 

“Actually, a friend helped me. He made me think about what you were expressing, what you would express if you could only express one thing.”

 

I smiled toward Eruten who was standing in the distance looking at me.

 

Though strictly speaking, there’s a three-year age difference between us.

 

“If the drawing represented just one thing, I thought it might be Tete.”

 

Demian looked a little surprised at my words.

 

“Even though you’ve never seen Tete…”

 

The child muttered while sniffling, perhaps a little moved.

 

I offered the child a handkerchief and said.

 

“What’s visible isn’t everything.”

 

After that, we sat facing each other and conversed for quite a long time.

 

About when Tete died, when he suddenly couldn’t speak, including stories about the Countess and the Count.

 

The child endlessly poured out words he had wanted to say, laughing, making sad faces, and getting angry.

 

And I silently watched over him, empathizing with the child’s emotions.

 

“But you said you had something you wanted to say. What was it?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Demian’s eyes widened. Soon the child fidgeted with his small hands, perhaps feeling shy.

 

“It’s nothing special… I mean…”

 

Just as I was waiting, wondering what story could make him hesitate so much, a knight who had come running breathlessly bowed his head toward both of us.

 

“Young Baron. And Lady Rtemeia. You should go now.”

 

“What? What’s wrong?”

 

The knight smiled awkwardly with a very troubled expression.

 

And the moment we heard his following words, Demian and I had no choice but to immediately head toward the manor.

 

“The Countess has collapsed.”

 

* * *

 

Among the servants surrounding the lying Countess, Pairon carefully covered Ditten with a blanket.

 

Afterward, he approached the Count who was standing anxiously and reported the situation.

 

“Her pulse is weak. I think it’s because she was temporarily excited. She should definitely rest, and it would be good to avoid alcohol and other things that are bad for her body for a while.”

 

“…I’m glad you’re here.”

 

At the Count’s words, Pairon only showed a faint smile.

 

All the doctors who had been staying at the manor for Demian’s matter had been driven out.

 

Having no choice, the attendants asked for help from Pairon and Hanel who were staying due to the Rtemeia issue, and they came without complaint to examine the Countess.

 

“However, her physical condition seems a little different from usual.”

 

“Different?”

 

“…”

 

Pairon looked at him silently for a moment. Facing an expression that showed he truly knew nothing, he bowed his head without hesitation.

 

“I think I can tell you the details accurately after asking the Countess. She’ll regain consciousness within a few minutes, so don’t worry too much.”

 

At the words that he didn’t need to worry, Clint let out a sigh of relief.

 

“But may I ask one thing?”

 

“Speak.”

 

“Where is Rtemeia?”

 

“…”

 

Instead of answering, Clint quietly lowered his gaze. Right now, he only knew that she had gone somewhere with Young Baron Demian.

 

While refusing his orders, no less.

 

“She’ll return soon.”

 

He left only a brief answer. Just as he was about to leave Ditten’s room, his steps suddenly stopped.

 

Then he turned halfway around and asked calmly.

 

“But do you know why Ditten… I mean, why the Countess entrusted treatment to that child?”

 

His attitude had softened considerably. Pairon thought for a moment but decided to tell the truth.

 

“She’s the child who treated my illness. The child who prevented my arm from being amputated.”

 

“…”

 

“When it comes to medical skills, she’s a child with far superior talent than me.”

 

“…”

 

“If her medical skills are excellent, there’s no reason not to entrust it to her, is there?”

 

Pairon spoke indirectly, ultimately emphasizing that this too was the Count’s family’s choice.

 

And the Count, who understood this meaning well, let out a cough and left Ditten’s room.

 

Thud-!

 

Along with the sound of the door closing, Hanel shook his head and clicked his tongue.

 

“My goodness, even though you said the Countess would wake up soon, he just left.”

 

“It’s fine. He’s probably uncomfortable.”

 

“Uncomfortable? About what?”

 

When Hanel asked while tilting his head, Pairon only smiled.

 

“It can’t be that he’s uncomfortable because you or I are handsome… Could it be because of how he treated us?”

 

He grabbed his cheeks with both hands and made a very serious expression. However, Pairon’s gaze was still directed toward the Countess.

 

‘So she was going around looking for doctors in this condition.’

 

Despite her frail body, her movements felt somehow heavy. Even when I first saw her, she seemed strangely short of breath. But I couldn’t speak carelessly about it, so I pretended not to know.

 

‘To think it was pregnancy.’

 

And the Count seemed unaware of this physical condition.

 

It must be the result of reflecting the patient’s will.

 

“What are you planning to do about the consequences, Countess?”

 

He quietly muttered toward the sleeping Countess. It was then.

 

“Young Baron and Lady Rtemeia are coming.”

 

At the guard’s notification, the Head Maid nodded slightly. Soon, Hanel who saw Rtemeia’s appearance gasped and shouted.

 

“Hey!! Little one!! Why do you look like that!”

 

“Huh? Why are you coming out from here, Mr. Pairon?”

 

Hanel let out a hollow laugh at the noticeably surprised gaze.

 

“Is that what’s important right now? Why is your hair like this, and why are your clothes like a maid’s… no, did you really do maid work?”

 

“Ah, it just happened that way somehow. By the way, is the Countess alright? I came after hearing she had collapsed.”

 

Hanel was about to question whether that was really important right now, but then read the situation and kept his mouth shut tight.

 

“She’s fine. She seems to get better once she rests a little, but…”

 

Just then, Hanel looked at the pretty little boy who was staying close by Rtemeia’s side.

 

No matter how he looked at it, it was a somehow familiar face.

 

It was around the time he was thinking that such a face would be hard to forget easily.

 

“I greet the Young Baron.”

 

When Peilon quickly offered his greetings to the Young Baron first, Hanel hurriedly bowed toward him as well.

 

However, regrettably, no response came back.

 

‘So he really can’t speak after all.’

 

Normally, he would either command them to rise or return the greeting.

 

It was just as Hanel was about to straighten his body in the endless silence.

 

Peilon suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

 

‘Stay still.’

 

And it was the moment when he, having noticed Peilon’s lip movements, crouched down again hesitantly.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————