Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Summer Cold (2)
I sat by Merthesia's side and read a book.
It had been quite a while.
But I couldn't focus on the reading at all.
Unconsciously, my ears tuned in to the child's breathing and the slightest movements.
I barely managed to read the necessary parts before closing the book.
'For now, let's assume it's just a cold.'
I was a bit annoyed with the gods.
Why had they made the symptoms overlap when people got sick?
This is a cold,
this is a fever.
If the symptoms were clearly distinct, there wouldn't be any confusion.
'First priority is bringing down the fever.'
I set the book aside and checked on Merthesia.
Her breathing was still shallow,
and her forehead would cool for a moment only to heat up again.
'The fever medicine doesn't work immediately, huh...'
Was she getting better or not?
Just when I thought she was improving a little, the symptoms would make me anxious again.
Every time the child's breathing quickened, I wiped her sweat-soaked body and whispered softly.
"It's okay. I'm right here."
"...".
Merthesia's expression only softened when she heard "I'm right here" rather than "You'll be better soon."
I recalled my conversation with Loren.
A while back, she had caught a nasty cold too.
Loren had probably been alone for most of it.
She had grumbled the whole time she talked about it, sounding sulky.
"It was no joke. My fever got close to 40 degrees."
"40 degrees? Were you okay?"
It was written on the paper Rakiss had given me.
Humans were in danger if their temperature exceeded 40 degrees.
Was that why?
Loren paused at my concern, her face turning a bit teary.
"No, I wasn't okay. I thought I was going to die from the pain."
"I see..."
"But Mom and Dad just stopped by briefly without even asking if I was alright. Is this how you treat the youngest daughter?"
Hubert, who had been listening beside us, nodded leisurely.
"Try to understand. Your parents have some sense, after all."
"...Pardon?"
"Shun was by your side the whole time, wasn't he?"
Loren's eyes went wide.
"What?! N-No, that's not—!"
"You caught a cold, and Shun was coming and going every day. Bringing medicine, cooking porridge..."
"Th-That, well—! More importantly, Mr. Hubert, how did you...?"
"Heh heh, the village isn't that big. No one can keep track of who's going where secret."
Loren's face flushed red in an instant.
She hurriedly went to the counter and started fiddling with the clothes hangers for no reason.
Watching her, Hubert nodded slightly and added leisurely.
"Thanks to that, we all knew just how sick you were without asking."
"...I-Is that so."
"Of course. Shun, who never misses a day, even took a break from business."
"...Ah, so that's why I couldn't buy mushroom skewers a few days ago."
"Row!"
Loren shouted loud enough to shake the clothing store.
Even her mother, who was organizing the warehouse, came out.
"Loren? I told you not to yell in the shop."
"N-No! Ugh, sorry."
Loren bowed her head in a fluster and backed away,
and once her mother returned to the warehouse, she grumbled at me with a resentful look.
"...You don't have to say stuff like that."
"Stuff like what?"
"Obviously!"
Loren flapped the clothes on the counter unnecessarily.
Her ears were red too, and she avoided looking our way as if hiding her face.
Watching her, I said leisurely.
"Still, it must have been nice."
"...What now."
"You weren't alone."
The moment I stopped speaking, Loren glanced over.
There was a hint of awkwardness in her eyes,
and a small budding sense of relief.
"...Yeah."
"Good. I'm glad."
Recalling that brief exchange, I vaguely understood.
The gist of Loren's words was this.
Even adults feel lonely when sick and alone.
This tiny child,
much smaller and more fragile than Loren,
would feel loneliness even more easily.
So she must have been reassured by my presence.
'Right, the thermometer.'
I remembered the thermometer Loren had given me that day.
She said colds were common during seasonal changes like now.
Especially for children, whose bodies were weak,
fevers could spike quickly, so even small changes needed attention.
She had urged me to check the temperature frequently.
I looked at Merthesia.
Her breathing had slowed; she seemed to have dozed off in a blink.
I moved carefully so as not to wake her.
'Found it.'
Thank goodness.
Having someone to help fill in my shortcomings was a relief.
It was incredibly grateful that they covered things I hadn't thought of.
I brought the thermometer and gently placed it on Merthesia's forehead.
While the small device worked, my grip on it tightened unconsciously.
Beep—
A small sound came from the thermometer.
'38.7 degrees...'
The displayed number was still high.
Her breathing was calm, but the fever wasn't safe yet.
Merthesia slept soundly.
I gazed at her quietly, then carefully brushed back her damp bangs.
There was much to do.
I needed to keep changing the wet cloth until the fever dropped, and to build her strength, she should eat some soup or porridge.
Eat well when you're sick.
That was what Loren and Hubert had both emphasized.
I inhaled and exhaled slowly.
'...Shall I make some soup?'
I checked on Merthesia.
She was sleeping deeply and unlikely to wake easily.
I carefully placed the rabbit doll I had gifted her for her birthday by her side.
Then—
Merthesia's little friend approached her bedside too.
It gathered its front paws carefully,
and leaned its small body silently against her.
Seeing that, I smiled leisurely.
"Thanks."
I gently stroked the curled-up rabbit's back.
Guarding Merthesia's side was something the little friend was best at.
I entrusted that task to it for now
and headed to the kitchen to make soup for Merthesia.
'Emma from the alchemy shop said throats can swell with colds...'
I took out the broccoli Emma had recommended.
She said broccoli had many nutrients good for colds,
and making it into soup was ideal when sick.
'Fruits are good for colds too.'
I rummaged through the groceries again.
I pulled out a ripe melon and peaches.
The melon was from the flower shop,
the peaches from the grocer who insisted I try them.
I looked at the groceries piled in the small storage behind the kitchen.
Some I had bought,
but many were from villagers.
A soft smile formed.
'Good thing I helped them.'
Last spring,
the day I lent a hand to erase the war's traces.
It wasn't anything grand,
but small helps started coming back after that.
Back in the kitchen, I made broccoli soup.
I avoided spicy seasonings,
blended it smooth without chewy bits, and simmered it softly.
While stirring the soup occasionally, I cut the fruits into child-friendly sizes.
'She has to get better...'
I placed the neatly cut fruits on the table and covered the pot.
I left the soup pot on the lowest heat and returned to the room.
Merthesia was still asleep.
Even when sick, her habits remained.
Her tiny hand clutched the rabbit doll tightly.
I gazed at that sight for a moment before sitting by Merthesia again.
Sweat beaded on her forehead once more.
I wiped it with a damp cloth and checked the temperature again.
'37.6 degrees...'
The fever had dropped quite a bit from before.
A sigh of relief escaped me.
Her small body shifted ever so slightly.
"...".
"Ah, sorry. Did I wake you?"
Merthesia slowly opened her eyes.
Her hazy gaze gradually focused on me.
A faint smile spread across Merthesia's lips.
"How do you feel? Better?"
"...".
"Good. That's a relief."
Another sigh of relief at her small nod.
Her expression had definitely brightened.
Her eyes sparkled with more life than before.
Merthesia, beaming, moved my hand to her cheek.
I gently caressed her cheek.
A faint, slightly hoarse laugh rang in my ear.
"Not hungry?"
"...".
Merthesia nodded slowly.
Lunchtime had long passed.
She hadn't eaten breakfast either, so she must be starving.
"I made soup."
"...!"
"I'll bring it here. You're still not well."
I checked the pajamas she was wearing.
They were damp from sweat and the wet cloths.
"Let's change your clothes again. Can you manage?"
"...".
"Yeah. Just a little effort."
Earlier she needed help, but now she seemed recovered enough to dress herself.
While Merthesia changed,
I ladled out the soup and cooled it to a good eating temperature.
Not too hot,
not too lukewarm.
She might spill it eating on the floor and get hurt.
I moved the soup and fruit plate to the shelf and approached Merthesia.
"Merthesia."
"...!"
"No, put your sleeves on properly before reacting."
She still wasn't fully okay.
Her dressing was much slower and clumsier than usual.
I held her fumbling little hands and helped her change pajamas.
"Good job."
"!"
"Let's eat the soup."
I placed the soup in Merthesia's hands.
Merthesia carefully brought a spoonful to her mouth.
"...".
"Is it okay? Tastes good?"
"!"
"That's a relief."
One bite, then another.
Thankfully, she had an appetite and finished the soup quickly.
I fed her the neatly sliced fruits one by one.
Sweet melon,
refreshing peach.
Merthesia busily worked her small mouth, munching away.
"Yeah. You're doing great."
"...!"
"Eat well and rest. Once you're all better, I'll definitely take you to the valley."
"!"
"Yeah. Let's hang in there."
At that moment—
Someone knocked on the cabin door.
'What is it?'
Few ever came to this rugged mountain interior.
There was no reason for anyone to visit,
so the knocking felt even stranger than usual.
"...I'll be right back."
"...".
I opened the door without lowering my guard.
Standing in front of the door was a boy about Merthesia's size.