Cecilia stopped walking, turned back, and spoke to Russell, who was standing there idly.

“Hurry up. You need treatment.”

Russell thought, ‘Is she giving me an order?’

Yet, for some reason, he found himself following her without protest.

As they exited the southern wing, passed through the central hall, and headed toward the eastern wing, Cecilia suddenly realized something.

Her bedroom was currently undergoing furniture replacement, so it would be in a state of disarray.

“My room won’t work—it’ll be too messy right now. Your room is in the western wing, right?”

“My room?”

“Is your room not an option?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

Russell’s bedroom and private sitting room were right next to his office in the western wing.

A guard was stationed in front of the lord’s office, as always.

Since the western wing housed many administrative spaces, there were more people coming and going here compared to the eastern wing.

Just then, Cecilia spotted a maid passing by and called out to her.

“Go summon the doctor immediately. The Lord has been injured, so hurry.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The maid, startled, rushed off.

Russell wanted to say, ‘Stop. Don’t call him.’

But he didn’t.

If he were to revoke her order on the spot, it would undermine her authority in front of the maid.

Russell opened the door to the sitting room and stepped aside to let her enter.

Cecilia hesitated for a moment.

Her mind had been solely focused on ‘doctor’ and ‘treatment’, but now she realized she had suddenly invaded his private space.

‘Hesitating will only make it more awkward. I’m just here to ensure he gets proper treatment.’

Cecilia stepped inside.

The sitting room was neat.

It held only the essential furniture, like a sofa and a table.

A noble’s private sitting room was usually the most luxurious space, where only carefully selected guests were invited to showcase one’s wealth and refined tastes.

However, this sitting room was so modest that Cecilia felt uncertain again.

Was this a matter of personal taste, or was it due to limited resources?

“Milord.”

A knock came from outside.

It was Hoffman’s voice.

He had rushed over, alarmed, upon hearing that the lord was injured.

“Come in.”

As soon as Hoffman opened the door and stepped in, he flinched.

“Madam, I didn’t realize you were here.”

“And the doctor?”

“He’ll be here shortly. But I heard His Lordship was injured…”

Hoffman glanced at Russell, who appeared perfectly fine.

Russell looked away, an awkward expression on his face.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

The doctor arrived shortly after.

The elderly doctor, Brendan, rushed in, panting, with his assistant and some maids in tow.

As a skilled surgeon, Brendan was indispensable in Lagos Castle.

Throughout his life, he had reset broken limbs and sutured torn skin for hunters.

Hunters were foolish enough to avoid doctors, stubbornly claiming their wounds were not severe even while bleeding profusely.

In Brendan’s view, the lord was just as ‘foolish’ as the hunters.

But now, the lord had summoned him for an injury?

It must be a serious wound!

“Ah, is… this the injury?”

Brendan, hiding his astonishment, sought confirmation from Cecilia.

“Why are you delaying the treatment? If it scars, you will be held accountable.”

“…Yes, Madam.”

Brendan used tweezers to pick up a small piece of cotton soaked in antiseptic and gently disinfected the wound.

After applying a special ointment, he cut a small piece of sterilized cloth and placed it on the wound.

It was the first time in his life he had treated a wound so minor.

Cecilia didn’t think she was being overly particular at all.

She remembered when Grand Duke Jericho had broken a nail and started bleeding.

At that time, five doctors had been summoned.

The grand duke then rested for several days.

Brendan’s treatment was finished in no time.

Everyone left the room, and those walking down the hallway were silent.

Someone let out a suppressed laugh.

When Brendan cleared his throat with a slightly annoyed sound, the corridor grew quiet again.

“Hoffman.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Since you see His Lordship often, make sure to keep an eye on his injury so it doesn’t get worse. I don’t want Madam to summon me and scold me.”

Brendan was grinning from ear to ear.

“…You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Enjoying myself? Of course! How could I not be, now that there’s someone by our Lord’s side who cares deeply even for the slightest scratch on him?”

“……”