Ch.142142. Nursing Care (3)

Lucien Greyhaunter didn’t have any particularly distinct impression of Elnore.

Just someone she occasionally ran into. They’d meet at social gatherings among the highest echelons of noble society, but were merely acquaintances. That was the extent of it.

However, in this case, things were quite different.

‘What on earth is she doing…’

She alternated her sharp gaze between Darwood, who was pathetically sprawled on the floor, and Elnore, who was repeatedly clearing her throat in embarrassment.

“…Ah, no, this is, that-“

Seeing Elnore stammering words in such confusion made Lucien’s eyes narrow even further.

She never imagined she’d see such a reaction from this person.

In other words.

Whatever this woman had just been about to do must have been something “improper.”

“…What were you trying to do?”

When Lucien asked again with piercing eyes, the silence that answered only confirmed her suspicions.

“…I didn’t have any particular expectations of you, Lady Tristan.”

Lucien continued with a sigh.

“But this is extremely disappointing.”

In truth, there was no real need to say all this.

Of course, what she was doing defied common sense, but Lucien, who like Yuria had a keen sense for “these matters,” could immediately tell what feelings Elnore harbored for that man.

‘…From the beginning.’

That man had previously spouted nonsense about living with all six Demonic Vessels without batting an eye.

Considering such deranged, philandering tendencies, she was probably just as much a victim.

But.

She glanced down at Yuria.

She was fidgeting with her scabbard.

“…”

Given her sister’s usual personality, her first reaction would typically be to anxiously try to stop any fighting.

But what was this reaction now?

It was the look of someone watching a stray cat that had jumped onto a table set for dinner without knowing its place.

As if she wanted to draw her sword and swing it at her the moment circumstances allowed.

In other words.

That’s why she had snapped at Elnore with such a sharp voice.

She intended to cut this off before things escalated further.

Her intuition was screaming.

If she left Yuria and this woman together, something would definitely happen.

“…I cannot overlook such inappropriate behavior. Would you please leave the hospital room, Lady?”

But as soon as she said that.

Elnore, who had been flustered and at a loss until just now, froze.

“…What do you mean by that, Holy Maiden?”

Hearing the cold response, Lucien inwardly facepalmed.

Right. She wouldn’t back down so easily.

“However, Lady Tristan. If what happened here were to spread, it wouldn’t be good for you.”

Upon hearing those words.

Elnore’s eyes darkened as she sighed and brushed back her hair.

“Are you threatening me now?”

“…”

“…”

Well, that’s true.

But right now, this side has justification.

“I heard he collapsed from overwork. Rest and stability are essential.”

“…”

“…And what you were just doing undoubtedly interferes with that.”

Lucien continued, carefully observing the other’s reaction.

Considering that man Darwood’s usual behavior, there was a high probability that he too was connected to a “demon.”

If Elnore were to do something unpredictable here, she would need to respond immediately.

“We’ll make sure he has the proper environment, so don’t worry and-“

As she was about to continue, Lucien suddenly screamed in horror.

“W-w-what are you doing?!”

Before she knew it, her voice cracked as Elnore grabbed Darwood with both arms and lifted him up.

It was what people commonly call a princess carry.

With his shirt unbuttoned and pants half-removed, he was exposing far more skin than his usual attire.

His face was turned away so she couldn’t see it from here, but his body was so exposed it could almost be called half-naked.

“…”

And.

Seeing that.

Lucien felt heat rushing to her head and unconsciously gulped.

Recently, this man had been exercising diligently, so his shoulders had broadened, his abs were somewhat visible, and if you moved your gaze to his lower body…

‘…What am I thinking right now?!’

With that thought, Lucien slapped both her cheeks.

Although she had somewhat distanced herself from the Holy Empire, she still represented the faithful across the continent. Abstinence was fundamental!

She couldn’t engage in such vulgar behavior as gawking at a man’s body and examining it piece by piece-

“…Wow.”

Hearing her sister mutter that beside her, Lucien turned to her in shock.

“His body is so… I want to touch-“

“Yuria?!”

Hearing those words, Lucien screamed again, and Yuria, who had been staring blankly, suddenly came to her senses.

“Ah, no, that’s, um, I just, D-Darwood is h-handsome! That’s all I was trying to say!!”

“…”

Both Lucien and Elnore’s eyes narrowed.

No, it wasn’t just what she said.

Who would believe such words when she was wiping away drool while saying them?

“…B-but…!”

Lucien raised her finger stiffly and protested with a bright red face.

“W-what are you doing! Using a patient to try to seduce us-!”

“I simply lifted Darwood off the floor. He might get cold if he stays there.”

“…”

“…”

That’s true.

That’s all Elnore did, but both sisters had their gazes fixed on him as if she had thrust him before them.

Realizing this fact, Lucien and Yuria simultaneously closed their mouths with crimson faces, while Elnore observed them carefully through narrowed eyes.

She too was aware that these two women had some kind of ongoing contact with Darwood.

Until now, she had only vaguely known this fact.

But for them to panic and visit immediately after he collapsed, this was clearly a matter that needed “verification.”

But.

“…From what I see.”

Both of them are in very poor condition.

To the extent that she couldn’t predict what might happen if she left Darwood here and departed.

“I find it hard to believe that either of you is more conscientious than I am.”

“…”

That was impossible to refute.

Thinking this, Yuria and Lucien struggled to speak.

“…B-but, we’re still b-better than you, Lady Tristan, who was already caught red-handed.”

“That may be true.”

Hearing this, Elnore nodded.

“But what can you actually do about it?”

“…Pardon?”

“Yes. I did something improper. A sinful act.”

Then.

Without blinking, she continued.

“So what can you do about it?”

“…”

“Besides asking me to leave, what can you do, I’m asking.”

“…”

“I won’t leave. I absolutely will not entrust Darwood to you.”

Lucien stared at Elnore with a dumbfounded expression.

No.

Was this woman always like this?

Or does she become this shameless only when it comes to this man?

It feels more like the latter.

“…It’s okay, sister.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll handle this. It’s okay.”

No.

She says that, but.

It doesn’t look okay at all.

For starters, she’s gripping her sword hilt with a ferocity unimaginable for the usual Yuria.

And seeing this, Elnore also narrowed her eyes and slightly moved her hand toward her sword.

“W-wait! No matter what, drawing weapons is…!”

In this tense situation, as Lucien tried to mediate between them.

Someone who would change the situation even more dramatically burst into the hospital room.

“Masteeeeer-! I heard you’re siiiick-!”

A person surrounded by “purple energy” entered, nearly breaking down the door.

The voice was loud enough to be irritating just hearing it.

“…”

“…”

“…”

What is this now?

Who is this person?

Such thoughts crossed everyone’s minds.

Then.

“…Master?”

Elnore’s ominous mutter spread through the hospital room once more.

●

“…I’m Serath Evatrice. A freshman who just enrolled in the Holy Studies Department.”

“…I’m Lucien Greyhaunter. This is my sister Yuria. We’re staying at Elphante as guests.”

Such awkward introductions floated around the hospital room.

After all, they were meeting for the first time. They needed to know who was who.

“…”

“…”

“…”

But.

The ensuing silence is giving me a stomach ulcer.

My stomach has been aching from stress since earlier, and in this situation, pretending to be asleep is pure hell.

“So.”

After the silence continued, Elnore finally sighed and opened the conversation.

Her slightly turned gaze was fixed on Serath.

Compared to earlier when she was shouting with purple energy emanating from her body, now she looks tired, rubbing her temples and slumped in a chair.

“What did you mean by ‘master,’ miss?”

“…Ah, that.”

Serath answered with a confused expression.

“…Lately, I don’t know why, but whenever I see that man, those words just come out automatically.”

“…”

“No, I really don’t know why. It feels like I have to say it. Like my mind rejects it but instinctively I want to-“

“…”

While she keeps saying she doesn’t understand.

I think I do.

The Violet Demon occasionally controls her personality.

That’s exactly what he would do.

I told him to refrain from directly suppressing Serath’s personality, so now he’s constantly giving her suggestions that ‘this is how it should be.’

And when she heard I collapsed, he probably took over her body completely to rush here.

Except for the Red Demon, he’s probably the most oppressive toward his vessel. Unbelievable.

“…I’ll introduce you to a good psychiatrist. That should help.”

Elnore rubbed her forehead, looking like she was dealing with yet another crazy woman.

“We’re in the middle of an important conversation about this man. If you’re not closely related to him, please leave.”

But despite hearing this.

Serath also responded with a sullen attitude.

“No, it’s just…”

Serath scratched her head irritably.

“I don’t particularly want to take care of that man either, but I feel like something terrible will happen to me if I don’t.”

“…”

“Aren’t you deciding on a caretaker right now? Just include me too.”

As soon as those words fell.

The already awkward atmosphere in the hospital room became several times more hostile.

Elnore was practically emanating killing intent.

[This is art, you know.]

“…”

[Three Demonic Vessels gathered, discussing how to divide and devour you. Impressive, isn’t it?]

‘…What dividing and devouring?’

Don’t talk like this doesn’t concern you.

If I die, you die too. You know that, right?

[You won’t die.]

“…”

It’s nice that you’re giving me confidence.

But if that’s the case, could you give me some advice on how to get out of this situation?

[Well… I do have some advice.]

‘What is it?’

[If I were you, I would have tried to get up earlier.]

‘What?’

Get up when Elnore was trying to eat me?

What kind of fate would I have suffered if I had gotten up then?

[No, still.]

Calivan continued with a snicker.

[In situations like this, it’s obvious who the decision will fall to, isn’t it?]

Just as Calivan said that.

Elnore brushed back her hair and opened her mouth.

“Then, let’s do this.”

Then.

A sentence that was like hell to me dropped.

“When Darwood regains consciousness, let’s ask him who would be most suitable as his caretaker.”

“…”

[Hoooooooow!]

Shut up.

While Calivan’s cheers rang in my ears, I opened my eyes slightly to check the system window that appeared.

< System Message >

[ ‘Sub-Quest: Love’s Caretaker!’ has begun! ]

[ You can significantly increase the affection of the target you choose. Your decision cannot be reversed, so choose wisely! ]

“…”

A sub-quest, it says.

Why does it feel like my life is at stake?

●