The Quack Lady - Chapter 43

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 43

 

As soon as Mr. Pairon finished speaking, he covered his face with both hands.

 

Mr. Hanel, who had been quietly observing, came up with a plausible hypothesis.

 

“He said he didn’t write a recommendation letter, but maybe he actually did. Something like telling them there’s a quite skilled doctor they should meet.”

 

The idea was that he introduced me to the marquis’s mansion because my medical skills were good, before I became more famous.

 

Mr. Hanel said this while plopping down heavily on the sofa.

 

“But are the Bernov Count Family and the Hartwin Family close enough for him to make such a quick introduction?”

 

Honestly, this part was the most incomprehensible to me.

 

Even being generous, one might recommend a skilled doctor, but that’s usually limited to acquaintances.

 

Besides, I hadn’t even heard that there was a patient at the marquis’s mansion.

 

It was then that all three of us let out low groans in unison.

 

Eruten, who was casually sitting on the desk showing off his long legs, said matter-of-factly.

 

“Broadly speaking, you could say they’re close. Countess Bernov and Baroness Hartwin are sisters.”

 

“What?”

 

“What?”

 

“…?”

 

At his words, all three of us looked at him.

 

Eruten explained, though he seemed rather reluctant.

 

“Their mother, Duchess Rubenoa, raised the sisters like treasures, keeping them carefully hidden. So much so that even their names weren’t well known. Above all, the sisters themselves didn’t go around flaunting that they were the duchess’s daughters.”

 

Hearing Eruten’s explanation, the Countess’s attitude became a bit more understandable.

 

Things like how she treated me as a doctor rather than just a little kid, or how she tried to entrust me with medical care even knowing everything.

 

“I see….”

 

Just as I was nodding slowly, Mr. Hanel narrowed his eyes and asked accusingly.

 

“Hey, second little one. You know too much for a mercenary, don’t you?”

 

Soon suspicious eyes turned toward Eruten. However, Eruten only smiled his characteristic smile.

 

It was roughly a defensive smile that said there was nothing to worry about.

 

“When you work as a mercenary, you end up hearing things you don’t want to hear. Especially rumors about nobles—you learn them even when you don’t want to.”

 

At his leisurely laughing response, Mr. Hanel just pouted.

 

“Still, something’s strange about this. Above all, the fact that they invited only Rtemeia without a guardian, knowing she’s young….”

 

Mr. Pairon seemed worried about sending me alone.

 

However.

 

“She won’t be alone. I’m going too.”

 

Eruten, who had approached at some point, stuck close to my side and smiled.

 

He seemed quite satisfied with the condition that escort was possible.

 

“The invitation was for the first little one alone.”

 

“Yes. But anyway, we can go together.”

 

Following that, a few words were exchanged between the indignant Mr. Hanel and Eruten.

 

But unlike him who was excited, I couldn’t just smile carelessly.

 

‘It’s not some major disaster, is it?’

 

There are countless situations where a doctor is needed. So I couldn’t get a sense of what the situation might be.

 

“This won’t do. I need to ask.”

 

“Ask what?”

 

“Why the marquis’s mansion called only me. That person must surely know.”

 

I forcibly ended the meeting and stormed out the door.

 

Then I paced back and forth in front of the Countess’s chamber.

 

“Lady Rudel!”

 

Before long, Lady Rudel, the Countess’s head maid, appeared.

 

“What brings you all the way here?”

 

“It’s nothing major, but I have something to ask!”

 

I brought up the topic of the marquis’s mansion to her, using tool preparation as an excuse.

 

She hesitated a little, then answered in a low voice.

 

“I can’t tell you the details, but….”

 

Lady Rudel looked around, then spoke in a voice small enough for only me to hear.

 

“The Duchess is expecting a child. The Countess wants to help her.”

 

“Help her….”

 

“She thinks of Lady Rtemeia as a good doctor and wants to introduce you.”

 

She smiled as if quite satisfied, but.

 

‘Well, am I really that good?’

 

But when I thought I was being recognized, a smile quietly leaked out.

 

At the same time, hearing it was about childbirth made me understand why only I was invited.

 

‘That’s right, during childbirth they don’t usually welcome outsiders coming and going.’

 

I understood, but I was also worried on one hand.

 

“She’s not in danger or anything, is she?”

 

“I don’t know the details. However, you probably don’t need to worry too much.”

 

She gave a gentle smile and slipped into the Countess’s chamber.

 

I also turned my steps back to my room and lay down.

 

‘It’s fortunate it’s nothing serious, but….’

 

I lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep.

 

It was because of another unresolved problem.

 

‘Why did Mother hide her pregnancy?’

 

When I had that thought, one side of my chest ached coldly.

 

Then, I felt a small presence outside the door.

 

“…Mia? Are you still awake?”

 

At the careful presence, I quietly opened the door. Eruten was there.

 

“Yeah. Why haven’t you been sleeping until now?”

 

He trailed off, then leaned against the door frame.

 

“You looked upset earlier… It’s because of the birth registration story, isn’t it?”

 

For a moment, caught with my feelings exposed, I pressed my lips tightly together.

 

Since it would be awkward to deny it for no reason, I nodded slightly.

 

“A little….”

 

Eruten was silent for a moment, then spoke matter-of-factly in his characteristic tone.

 

“Mia. I have something that’s most precious to me….”

 

“…?”

 

Saying this, Eruten took out a small handkerchief and showed it to me.

 

“This is….”

 

It was the cheap handkerchief I had used when I helped stop Eruten’s bleeding.

 

He smiled prettily and said.

 

“It has deep meaning for me, so I don’t show it to anyone. It’s too precious.”

 

“….”

 

“Well, it might be different from an object… but I thought maybe your mother felt that way too.”

 

Eruten comforted me awkwardly.

 

At the comfort that was exactly what a young child would give, my lips helplessly crumbled.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah. Maybe you were so precious to her that she didn’t want to let the world know about you. My mother used to say things like that often too.”

 

“I suppose….”

 

Eruten spoke in a tone full of conviction, as if it was obviously so.

 

“Yeah. So don’t worry about anything today and just sleep. I really wanted to tell you this.”

 

His long, slender hand gently stroked the top of my head.

 

“Thank you.”

 

He smiled with satisfaction at my words, then left a good night greeting and turned away.

 

‘Something precious….’

 

As I mulled over those words, my chest felt ticklish.

 

I pulled the blanket up over my head for no reason.

 

* * *

 

In the evening illuminated by moonlight, Hanel gazed out the window with his long hair flowing down.

 

As his sharp eyes turned toward the night sky, a mysterious yet bright light enveloped him for a moment.

 

‘Should I help with this or not?’

 

Though he thought Peilon would protect Rtemeia somehow.

 

‘Who would have thought the Marquis’s family would invite Rtemeia.’

 

Thanks to that, his plans had been greatly disrupted.

 

He ran his hands through his hair in frustration and looked at the parchment placed on the table.

 

“What a fascinating child.”

 

The parchment was filled with medical instruments that Rtemeia had drawn.

 

Could those toy-like things really be used to treat people?

 

Though he felt doubtful, Hanel soon chuckled as he recalled the child’s earnest gaze.

 

“Well, it’s true that she cured an incurable disease without medicine, divine power, or even magic.”

 

Come to think of it, she had been giving off a different feeling from the beginning.

 

Her bold words, and the way she looked at him so brazenly.

 

His heart, once full of wariness, had somehow changed to curiosity.

 

He had become curious about the world that small child would show him.

 

Above all.

 

“Amela….”

 

As he recalled the child’s bright smile, his expression crumbled.

 

Filled with indescribable complex emotions, he fell into thought for a moment.

 

“Right, I decided to do everything for the children.”

 

After muttering quietly, he finally reached out with determination toward the parchment on the desk.

 

Soon, as he gently closed his eyes, a mysterious light poured forth from his hands.

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