Chapter 9: The Best Things Are Saved for Last (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9: The Best Things Are Saved for Last (3)
A skirt darker than the shroud of night was lifted, and Helena’s right calf finally appeared before my eyes.
Gulp…
The skin of Helena’s shapely leg was as pure white as the first snowfall.
It was more beautiful than I had imagined… no, it was as beautiful as the dreams I had every night.
The moment I reached out toward that leg, I felt as if I were taking the very first step onto a field of pristine, untouched snow.
‘So soft…’
Helena’s skin was dizzyingly soft—so much so that if I let my guard down even for a second, I might lose my reason entirely.
Feeling every sensation of the fine downy hair on that supple skin, I slowly moved my hand downward.
“Ngh…”
The moment my hand touched her sprained ankle, Helena let out a soft moan, flinching.
It seemed less like the pain of the sprain and more like she wasn't used to the touch of another.
If I could, I wanted to keep caressing Helena’s skin just like this.
If she would only allow it, I wanted to drench her in joy and ecstasy.
But that wasn't possible—not yet. It wasn't time. I gripped the fraying thread of my reason with all my might.
“Fortunately, the swelling isn't too bad. It looks like a minor sprain, just as you felt, Teacher.”
“I-I see…”
However, I had no intention of letting Helena go just like that.
I pressed my thumb very lightly and carefully against the ankle that was beginning to puff up.
“Mmm…”
“Hmm, still, you should refrain from any strenuous activity for the time being. If you ignore a minor sprain, it can turn into a major injury.”
“I am fine—”
“No, you are not.”
I pulled my hand away from Helena’s ankle and lowered her slightly raised skirt.
Then, looking her straight in the eye, I spoke firmly.
“You are to take absolute rest for the next two days. I will speak to Mother myself.”
Helena served our family, but she was on a completely different level than an ordinary servant.
Though she was from a collateral lineage, she came from a family of Knight Commanders that had inherited the blood and name of the Sword Saint for generations.
Therefore, Helena’s duties were limited to being my swordsmanship instructor and acting as a bodyguard for my mother, the Countess.
Furthermore, the only people who could give Helena orders were my father and mother.
Because of this, Helena’s expression turned troubled.
“I appreciate the sentiment, Young Master. However, my duties and treatment are matters for the Lord or the Lady to decide.”
I could easily guess why Helena was worried.
Her superiors—my parents—were people with surprisingly cold blood, even now.
Sometimes I wondered if the term 'blue blood' of the nobility was coined because of people like them.
However, if you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
“Of course, Teacher. So don't worry. I am their child, after all.”
At my grin, Helena finally let out a small, helpless chuckle, as if she couldn't win against me.
No matter what she said, she could never refuse my requests.
Of course, I only ever made requests that she absolutely couldn't refuse.
Soon, Helena looked at me with a faint smile on her face.
“I am truly grateful for your consideration, Young Master. However.”
“Yes.”
“Please do not overextend yourself. I ask this of you sincerely.”
In other words, she appreciated the thought of letting her rest, but told me not to force the issue.
Of course, I had no intention of doing that.
If I forced something that couldn't be done, the one who would pay the price wouldn't be me, but Helena.
“Naturally. I know better than anyone in the world how terrifying my parents can be.”
Whether my slightly exaggerated tone was funny or she simply empathized with my words, a light laugh escaped Helena’s lips.
“You were like this when you were little, too… You truly are clever, Young Master. I thought you were just a cute child…”
So that means I don't look like a child to her now?
It might have been a casual remark, but to me, it sounded as clear as a doctor’s diagnosis.
Since she was showing such an opening, it would be a dereliction of duty to just let it pass.
“That’s why I’m saying this—I’ll treat you myself, Teacher. In a way, you were injured because of me, so I should take responsibility.”
“…Pardon?”
“I told you before, didn't I? I’ve learned various things from the medical officer who examines Mother and Father. So don't worry too much. I’m past the age where I let my heart get ahead of my knowledge.”
Massage treatment for a sprain is performed after 48 hours, once the inflammation and swelling have subsided.
If you force a massage before then, it only worsens the inflammation.
“Furthermore, proper massage of the sprained area promotes blood circulation within the tissues and relaxes cramped muscles and ligaments. If you want to return to duty as soon as possible, it’s best that I treat you.”
Thanks to my long-winded explanation, Helena looked a bit dazed.
Of course, such medical knowledge probably didn't exist in this medieval fantasy world… but the probability of Helena doubting me was zero.
Because Helena trusted me.
“Honestly… I am surprised. I didn't know you possessed such profound knowledge, Young Master…”
“Hahaha, I have to find a way to make a living, too.”
“So, you mean to say you intend to live by that knowledge.”
As expected, she pierced right through the opening. No matter what, Helena was still a noble.
Of course, it was an opening I had revealed on purpose.
Now then, shall I cast the final web from which she can never refuse my request?
“Yes. I want to see people truly happy. So, one day, I intend to leave the family and carve out my own life with this knowledge.”
Therefore, there isn't a shred of suspicious intent in my offer to treat you.
Furthermore, that act would be a way to help and support me.
‘It would be great if she thought of it that way… well, she probably is, even if I don't wish for it.’
I never lied to Helena.
It was just that her definition of joy and my definition of joy were different.
So, I wasn't deceiving her.
Of course, that gap in perception would be completely closed soon enough.
“…I didn't realize you harbored such intentions.”
“Hehe, actually, I’m only telling you this, Teacher. Father and Mother don't know yet.”
The look Helena gave me was very serious, but to me, it felt entirely different.
It was as if… she were a butterfly who not only flew into a spiderweb on her own but was also wrapping the silk around herself with her own hands.
Finally, Helena wrapped herself in the stickiest strand of all.
“I understand. Although there is already talk of marriage… if that is your wish, Young Master, I will lend you whatever meager strength I have.”
“Uh… are you sure you’re okay with that? It feels a bit silly for me to be the one saying this after bringing it up…”
“To be honest, it is a bit embarrassing. However, compared to the ambition you hold, the shame I feel is a small and trivial matter.”
Ah, what heart-wrenching love for a disciple.
Thanks to that, I almost burst out laughing and had to quickly lower my head.
“Young Master?”
“Ah… no, I just… hic… thank… you. Thank you, Teacher… khh…”
Ah, damn it. Why won't the laughter stop?
My shoulders even shook from the laughter I was barely stifling.
But… what was this? This soft, voluminous sensation I felt against my head…?
“Please don't say that, Young Master. I, too, would like to take this opportunity to say… I want to be a source of strength for you in any way I can. If you only say the word, I am willing to give you anything.”
Wait? Does she think I’m crying because I’m moved?
Is that why Helena is hugging me to comfort me?
At this unexpected jackpot, my head actually cooled down instantly.
I really am a man who thrives in a crisis.
“…Sniff, yes. Teacher.”
“Are you feeling better?”
Before lifting my head, I naturally dabbed some saliva on my fingers and rubbed it around my eyes.
Finally, I rubbed my eyes a bit hard.
This would make them look wet with tears, and my pupils would be slightly bloodshot.
Having made all the preparations, I looked up at Helena.
“Young Master, I am very proud right now. It fills my heart with such emotion to know that you have a dream serious enough to bring you to tears.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Teacher. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“I am someone who once gave up on my own dream… but I hope that you will surely achieve yours. That is my dream now.”
“…Yes, Teacher. My mother may have given birth to me, but you are the one who taught me and raised me.”
I unconsciously grabbed Helena’s hand.
Well… more accurately, I pretended it was unconscious.
In any case, as expected and as hoped, Helena did not pull her hand away.
“I will definitely achieve my dream, Teacher. I will surely make you proud and happy.”
“…Yes, Young Master.”
Of course, my dream right now is you, standing right in front of me.
Sending her a gaze packed with that meaning, I slowly let go of Helena’s hand, which I had been holding fervently.
As much as I wanted to spy on Helena after we parted…
‘I should at least respect that much of her privacy. Since she won't be able to keep anything private from now on. Hahaha…’
And so, Helena and I returned to our respective places.
The time was already on the border between evening and night.
Helena’s face, as she disappeared while being supported by another maid, looked as red as the sunset today.
*
“That is enough. Thank you. You may go now.”
After dismissing the maid in a somewhat urgent tone, Helena locked her bedroom door with hurried hands.
She didn't even know the reason herself. No, she was pretending not to know.
“Haa…”
Helena stood with her back against the locked door and let out a long, trembling sigh.
‘My heart is pounding so hard…’
Why?
Was it because of Leon’s image as he tried to carve out his own path away from the family?
Yes. It would be good if that were the case.
However, Helena subconsciously, instinctively rebelled against her reason.
‘…No. This trembling is…’
Helena could still feel Leon’s touch on her calf and ankle—places she had never allowed anyone else to touch.
She even felt as if the sensation of those straight, strong knuckles still remained on her ankle.
The way Leon had firmly grasped both her hands felt like pieces of iron heated in a forge.
The body heat Helena had felt from Leon was truly like the flames of a furnace.
“Ah…”
This wasn't right.
She shouldn't harbor such feelings, not even for a single moment.
She was the teacher, and Leon was the disciple.
She was a guest of the Konstanz family, and Leon was the child who inherited the Lord’s blood.
Therefore, this feeling, this lust, was a taboo that no one could permit.
A human who falls into a furnace only becomes ashes.
‘But why…’
No matter how much she soothed herself or whipped her own mind, the flames did not subside.
Instead, every time she tried, the flames reared their heads even higher, charring Helena’s inner self black.
The spreading fire.
The inner self burning black.
The thirst that grew stronger, a thirst she could appeal to no one…
Before she knew it, Helena’s hand was chasing the sensation and heat Leon had left behind.
“Hah…!”
The heavy pain from her sprained ankle felt sweet.
The hands caressing her neck, her calves, and her shoulders moved with even more intensity.
Her hand, sliding down, eventually reached Helena’s most secretive part.
The moment she was about to take a step into that secret valley…
—Slap!
“Ngh…!”
Helena’s cheeks were flushed red as she breathed heavily.
The moment she was about to lose her reason and quench her thirst, a thread of sanity pulled Helena back from the abyss.
“Calm down… wipe away the sweat, and go to sleep. Yes… that’s all I need to do…”
With staggering steps, Helena walked to the shelf where clean water and a towel were placed.
If she wiped away this sweat and cooled the heat, today would end.
She could get through today safely.
At least for today.
“Phew… now, to sleep…”
Finally, Helena surrendered her body to the bed.
If she could just close her eyes and empty her mind like this, a peaceful night would come.
However, by the time Helena finally managed to fall asleep, the dawn was already breaking in the distance.