episode_0054

“Jung In… you say?”

In response to Doctor No’s playful voice, Eleanor’s eyes widened in surprise. Looking quite taken aback, she shrugged her shoulders dramatically, scrunching her face at the gesture.

Observing such a cute scene, Doryeo and Ailey, standing behind, covered their laughter with their hands over their lips.

“What do you mean by calling me Jung In! What on earth is this old man talking about now!”

Beyond her bewildered expression, Doryeo continued speaking with a cheerful tone, looking at Eleanor whose pale face was turning red.

“You came seeking refuge in a man’s arms in the dead of night. If not Jung In, how else would you explain that?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“Moreover, both the lady embraced in the man’s arms and the man embraced in the lady’s arms seemed rather suspicious in their expressions and atmosphere.”

“What, what’s so suspicious about it!”

Eleanor, feeling needled for no reason, raised her voice. Unable to contain themselves any longer, the two burst into laughter in front of Eleanor.

“Hahaha.”

“Cough, cough. My lady, if you get angry like that, it might hurt… *sniff*.”

The laughter of the granddaughter and grandfather filled the peaceful room. The only one sulking amidst the cheerful atmosphere was Eleanor.

“Don’t tease her too much.”

Their laughter ceased as a familiar voice came from beyond the half-opened door.

Eleanor turned slightly to look at the source of the familiar voice.

Although she had been irritated by the absurdity of the word “Jung In” just moments ago, hearing his familiar voice in an unfamiliar place somehow made her feelings subtly complex.

“Haha. My apologies, Your Highness. And Lady Eleanor. This old man here got a bit mischievous.”

“A person not to be trifled with lightly from that vulgar mouth. Especially me.”

While Dmitry’s statement carried weight, Doryeo responded naturally with a cheerful demeanor.

“He was just a naive country bumpkin, so please forgive him generously as if it were a medical fee.”

“Well, quite a nasty medical fee indeed.”

Chuckling at Doryeo’s words, Dmitry smoothed back his tousled bangs and slowly entered the room. He then approached Eleanor, who was halfway sitting up on the bed, and sat down gently at the edge of the bed.

The mattress subtly tilted under the weight of the man.

Closer.

And a little closer, so as not to startle her. Becoming a cautious hunter, Dmitry approached Eleanor carefully.

His figure filled her sky-blue irises more and more. Simultaneously, memories of yesterday when she was held in his firm embrace resurfaced, causing Eleanor to gaze into his eyes while taking a deep breath.

“Young lady, how are you feeling?”

Through his voice brimming with concern, Eleanor could see deep youthful fatigue in his coal-black eyes.

And in that moment…

Her chest, which had quieted down under the influence of the sleep-inducing drug Shilov, began to stir once again.

Just because of herself.

Just for herself alone.

Having cast away her usual playful demeanor somewhere, revealing such exhaustion to the extent that Dmitry had suffered for her, made Eleanor’s face burn even hotter.

“I-I’m fine.”

Finally regaining her composure, Eleanor turned her head slightly away from Dmitry’s gaze. Dmitry, amused by her reaction, moved even closer towards her.

“Your face is quite flushed. Could it be that you have a fever?”

“I-I’m fine-”

Eleanor’s voice trailed off as she paused, unfamiliar yet familiar with that touch.

Eleanor’s words had barely finished.

Dmitri’s large, rough hand moved towards Eleanor’s forehead. As his cold and rough hand made contact with her forehead, Eleanor felt as if the world was spinning around her.

“Oh, I-I’m quite alright! No, no. I think I might have a slight fever, so I’ll rest a bit more. Ailey, please escort everyone outside!”

Quickly pulling her head away from his hand, escaping his warm and familiar touch, Eleanor spoke. She then curled up on the bed, pulling the blanket over her head, hiding her flushed face.

Seeing Eleanor in such a state, Dmitri let out a deep sigh.

“It seems Lady Eleanor is still feeling unwell. Please make sure she rests comfortably.”

Dorio, who had been suppressing a strange smile behind them, said to Dmitri. Worriedly watching her retreat under the covers, Dmitri soon rose from the bed and turned his back.

As the mattress returned to its original position, Eleanor gently lowered the blanket, revealing only her sky-blue eyes.

“Eleanor, I was truly worried.”

Leaving those words behind, Dmitri gradually distanced himself. Just before his large figure disappeared from view, Eleanor, softly, very softly, lifted her lips towards him.

“T-Thank you for worrying about me, Dmitri.”

#.

“It seems Lady Eleanor is still not well.”

Stepping out of the room, Dmitri paused and looked back. Dorio also naturally stopped beside him. Dmitri’s gaze, fixed on the closed door, was filled with concern.

“Ahem. Your Highness, just joking?”

“What are you saying? Your face is flushed, your pupils, even your voice, seem off. It looks like she still needs more treatment.”

Dorio looked up at the black man standing next to him, holding back a laugh.

“Your Highness, do you not understand why Lady Eleanor is acting this way?”

“Probably because of the antidote. Or maybe the effects of the Silrov poison are still lingering in her body.”

“Lady Eleanor is feeling embarrassed.”

The worried black eyes turned towards the old man standing beside him, trying to suppress his laughter.

“Do you not know what that embarrassment is, Your Highness, being a man yourself?”

In an instant, Dmitri’s expression changed. Caught off guard by the intensity emanating from his dark eyes, Dorio shrunk back, trembling.

“Dorio. Do you think I am genuinely unaware of Lady Eleanor’s feelings?”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Do you think I am clueless about Lady Eleanor’s gaze, pleading like a wounded animal?”

Whether it was the intensity of Dmitri’s gaze or for some other reason, there was no reply. Dmitri sighed and continued, lifting his gaze.

“The lady lying inside is the youngest daughter of Count Bayern, the lord of the West. The man standing beside you is the master of the Verbriz Duchy in the North. I have tolerated your rudeness out of gratitude until now.”

The old doctor nodded. Dmitri glared at him and continued speaking.

“My tolerance for rudeness ends here. Lady Eleanor’s current condition is likely due to residual poison. I will consider your request from last night, so be aware of that.”

Leaving a shocked Dorio behind, Dmitri walked down the stairs.

His mind was in turmoil. Running his hand through his lengthening black hair, Dmitri thought about how yesterday, saving Eleanor had been his sole focus, pushing everything else out of his mind.

He held her soft body in his arms, so different from the men he was used to. Even when she rested her head on his chest as if trembling, it was the same. The scent of gentle rose perfume wafted from her, and it was the same.

But now, it was different. Despite no contact with her, her fragrance lingered by his side as if unwilling to leave. It felt like her tender warmth settled all over him.

Dmitri, descending to the first floor, sank into the worn-out sofa in the living room, exhaling deeply.

Just a while ago, as he had told Doryo, Eleanor seemed to have feelings for him. Even if she didn’t harbor them, it was evident that she viewed him with some emotion, if not affection.

Her demeanor spoke volumes. Whether during dessert time on the terrace they enjoyed alone after their first meal or at the ball when their hands brushed past each other, her reactions remained consistent.

Dmitri was not inexperienced with women. He understood well what her expressions and actions meant.

So, if he could gather his courage, there would be nothing amiss between them, undoubtedly. The rough and harsh lands of the north did not suit Yeong-ae. Moreover, even his mother had abandoned them and fled from that cursed land; he couldn’t bring a cherished person to such a place.

Dmitri’s avoidance of deep relationships with women stemmed from such thoughts, and his resolve had remained unshaken until now.

Until yesterday, that is.

With a tired sigh just thinking about it, Dmitri placed his hand on his forehead beneath his dark hair.

The issue lay with himself.

Each time he faced her, his heart wavered slightly. The amplitude of this wavering only increased the more time he spent with Eleanor.

Out of a bit of curiosity, the image of his younger brother left behind in their hometown overlapping with Eleanor being held hostage in the capital, his initial approach had changed drastically.

Just now, seeing Eleanor lying on the bed, he suddenly wanted to be with her. Thinking of her soft, warm body, he unconsciously approached the bed and reached out to her. His hand moved towards her flushed face without his conscious control.

“Pull yourself together, Dmitri. Yes, it’s just because you’re a bit tired, that’s all.”

Alone in the living room, Dmitri slapped his cheek, regaining his composure. Then, through the firmly closed door, the urgent voice of a man came through.

“Eli is here? In this shabby clinic?”