Chapter 485
Chapter 485
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 485
Chapter Title: Doctor Gam Deok-bae (21)
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Even just breathing sent waves of pain through me.
Damn, this wasn't part of the plan... Just like everything in this world, unexpected variables had cropped up. The slightest movement brought surging fatigue and a soul-crushing lethargy that made me want to give up. Yeah, I had caught 'Arbo Somnium'—the very same disease that had tormented Iris.
How the hell had she endured this?
They say a frail body houses a frail spirit, and I already felt like a loser. I had no will to keep going. I hadn't even met the heroine yet... Was I really going to fail this mission just like that? With a frustrated sigh, I lay on the bed and pondered what lay ahead.
A fully cured Iris.
A doctor who'd outlived his usefulness.
A reformed Sirius who was still as rude as ever.
Ah, this was fucked.
No matter how I sliced it, getting discarded was the obvious outcome. A commoner who knew the family's weakness? It'd be weirder if they left me alone. If I were Sirius, I'd have ditched me too. ...Hell, I'd probably have eliminated me to tie up loose ends. Cleaner that way.
"You're awake. Here, a towel."
"...Thank you."
But the current situation felt too suspicious for that.
The servants attending me with utmost devotion, as if serving their master. The room and bed far too luxurious for a commoner. Apparently, the story was that I'd collapsed from exhaustion after treating Iris... Hmm, were they not discarding me but imprisoning me instead?
No matter how I racked my brain, no answers came.
At least the atmosphere suggested I'd avoided the worst.
-Knock knock
[I'm coming in.]
Just as I started to relax a bit...
The lord of the manor showed up at the worst possible timing.
Sirius, the sub-male lead of this world and a repulsive siscon. My stomach started to ache just thinking about it. Considering what I'd done yesterday... A few punches or even jail time wouldn't be out of place. I'd spoken casually to him, spewed curses... I really hadn't been in my right mind. I'd dismissed him as just another Siwoo, but now I realized this was a higher-tier Siwoo.
"...You're up?"
To survive here... Damn it, I'd have to apologize, even if it sucked.
I staggered to my feet and bowed to him.
But surprisingly, Sirius didn't seem intent on chewing me out.
He told me to sit since I was fine, supported me, and then bowed his own head to apologize. It was utterly unexpected—truly shocking. That bastard... apologizing? The normal reaction would be to explode with, "You crazy fuck, you did it first!" Had he met the heroine and gotten an earful? This wasn't the Sirius I knew.
"Sorry... I didn't even realize you were absorbing the fruit... Haa, damn it. I should've trusted you to the end... I'm really sorry. Let me apologize like this."
"S-Sirius..."
"I lost my mind when I heard Iris collapsed."
"...It's fine."
"You know about our family, right?"
"...I know what people generally know."
"Sigh... Yeah, as you know, it's just Iris and me left in the family. That's why I'm a bit overprotective of her. Plus, her illness is my fault... Sigh, I'm truly sorry."
"...No, Sirius. I'd have gotten mad too if it were me. It was a mishap because I didn't explain enough. All the fault lies with me."
"You little shit... If you say it like that, what does that make me? Just say 'got it' at times like this."
"...A-Ah, got it."
What? So that's how it was?
I'd wondered why he seemed so different.
Turned out it was all a misunderstanding. He thought I'd intentionally absorbed the fruit. Ridiculous assumption, but I had no reason to correct it. Better to play the devoted doctor now. If he believed I'd sacrificed myself for his sister... Guilt alone would keep him from discarding me.
All that image management had paid off.
"That fruit... It's inside you now, right?"
"...Yes."
"Sigh... So, what now?"
"...I'm thinking about it."
"Thinking?"
"Either run clinical trials for a new treatment, seek advice from an elf, or prepare for death... One of those three."
"D-Death? What bullshit! Just find some random woman and ask for help!"
"I can't do that. If word of 'Arbo Somnium' and its treatment leaks... Siiiigh, I can't burden Lady Iris like that."
"...Then just pick a whore and dump it on her!"
"Sirius. A doctor's job is to save lives, not take them."
"Haaa... Right, that's the kind of guy you are."
This should be enough to sell it, right?
I had zero intention of dying alone... but I fed him lines he'd like. Cementing the image of a good guy would make things easier down the line. Besides, to cure 'Arbo Somnium', I'd need to borrow one of the servants anyway, so fooling Sirius was the play for now.
"Iris! That's enough. Come in already."
Had my response passed some kind of test?
"Lord Ruin..."
Iris appeared, looking even healthier than before... and rushed over to grab my hand. Her brightened expression made her no longer the frail beauty. Whether intentional or not, absorbing the fruit had been worth it. The vibrant Iris had a charm that lifted anyone's spirits. It was so endearing I couldn't help but smile.
"You've gotten healthy."
"...Thanks to you, Lord Ruin."
"No. It's because you endured so well, Lady Iris."
"Ahh, Lord Ruin..."
"Ahem."
Why had Iris suddenly shown up?
Before I could question it, Sirius explained.
"From now on, Iris... will help with your treatment."
"...Pardon?"
"Didn't hear me? Iris is going to assist you."
"B-But... Treating 'Arbo Somnium'..."
"I know. That's why Iris is helping. Like you said... Asking another woman risks rumors leaking, which would be a disaster."
"Ah, aaa..."
Sirius was allowing this?
What? Had he really changed?
I'd assumed it'd be shot down without question... but this unexpected turn opened new paths. Even as a patient, I could now target Iris. And beyond that, lay the groundwork for the main NTR.
If I could turn Iris fully into my woman during treatment...
She'd make an excellent accomplice.
Thrilled inwardly, I gripped Iris's hand in return.
The small, soft sensation was adorable and felt great.
"Lady Iris..."
"Lord Ruin... I'm fine with it. So please relax. Our family... we won't abandon you. Ever! You're our family's benefactor!"
Suits me just fine. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up. Not acting this time. Maybe because my body was weak... tears came easily. Embarrassed, I bowed my head, and Iris giggled, wiping them away. Then she stroked my hair... Hmm, not bad at all. Honestly, it felt good.
"Iris, that's enough?"
"...Yeah. Thank you, brother. See you tomorrow, Lord Ruin."
"Yes, Lady Iris. Get some early rest."
"Hehe, you too, Lord Ruin."
With Iris gone, we were about to discuss details when... Sirius suddenly grew serious. He asked a very earnest question. How I felt about Iris... A somewhat dangerous one.
"She's wonderful. Kind, beautiful... She'll be a beauty whose name echoes through the kingdom."
"No, not that. As a woman. As the opposite sex."
"...Sirius?"
"Do you like her? Love her? Whatever it is, spit it out straight. Lie, and you'll regret it."
"..."
"No comment?"
"Well, if you mean physical attraction... Yes, I'm drawn to her. A man wouldn't be a man if he wasn't. Where else in the world is there a woman as captivating as Lady Iris? But... I know my place. You can't have everything just because you want it."
"Hoh... So you're not just chasing romance?"
"I've lived a bit myself."
"...So you do have feelings?"
"Sirius. I have big dreams. Using the wealth and fame I've built in the capital to travel the world. There are still so many rare and incurable diseases out there, aren't there? I'll explore uncharted lands to find cures for them. And record them so people can live healthily."
"...I see."
"It'll be dangerous... grueling work. That's why I have no plans for a lover. I'm not shameless enough to ask someone to walk that path with me. So don't worry too much. Sure, I'm attracted to Lady Iris as a man, but I've never wanted more than that, and I never will."
"I get it... You're a real 'doctor' through and through, huh?"
"Haha... Still got a long way to go."
Admitting outright interest would've been disastrous, so I spun an escape route. Interest yes, but self-aware, conscientious, no crossing lines—that was my confession. Sirius pondered silently for a while... then sighed with "As expected," and patted my shoulder.
Looked like I'd stacked up that likability nice and sweet...
Heh heh, Sirius was basically on my side now.
"I'm heading out too."
With even Sirius gone, alone again, I closed my eyes on the fluffy bed. Sirius's orders: Stay on as the Lehinar family's physician until 'Arbo Somnium' was cured. More work ahead... but more chances to interact with major players too. Actually a win, I thought, and drifted off.
"Lord Ruin, haa... *slurp*, *smooch*... Hmm..."
"Ah, Lady Iris... Ngh, haa..."
"Call me Iris like back thennn... Haa, ngh..."
But the next morning, a massive trial began.
"I'll follow Lord Ruin anywhere to the end... Haaa, *slurp*... I'll make you unable to live without me... Haa, ngh... *smooch*, haa..."
With my arms bound and a blindfold forced on me...
I was utterly devoured by Iris.