The Healer’s Vow
While Jayana and Dante were deep in their whispered conversation, Idel stood in the apothecary room facing a torment she would never call torture.
“No, I said I’d go! Why won’t you let me? I don’t need it!” Idel protested, cheeks puffed out in clear displeasure.
“My lady, I must decline. The Duke personally instructed you to remain here. You heard him yourself.” Doctor Iman’s voice was firm as he gently but unyieldingly seated Idel in the chair.
She crossed her arms, lips still pouting. _If that’s how it is, then I suppose I deserve the headache I’ll get from Melissa’s bad influence._
And then there’s that dangerous man named Patrick lurking right beside me._
Doctor Iman watched her with a knowing smile. “The Duke is a compassionate man, even if he is relentless when he believes someone’s health is at stake.”
A moment later the door burst open. “Your Grace! I mean, Miss Idel! What is this? Your nose just turned the most brilliant shade of blueberry I have ever seen!” Patrick’s voice cracked with theatrical horror as he clutched his chest.
The Duke ran a dry hand over his face, eyes flickering with visible fatigue. “I’m afraid the blueberry has spread further than I anticipated. Doctor, the blood loss was heavier than we expected.”
“The bones themselves are intact,” Iman reported calmly, “but the bruises are severe. This level of injury is nothing short of a miracle.”
“I heard you lost a great deal of blood.”
“Yes. The dizziness is likely to return. Rest is essential for the next few days.”
The Duke sighed, then gave a quiet order. “Do everything possible.”
“As you command.”
“Idel, don’t even think about leaving this room.”
The result was a mountain of medicines. Five different potions, each more suspicious than the last. Idel stared at the towering stack with a groan.
“If I have to drink all of them, I might as well chug the whole lot at once.”
“Five varieties, Miss. Blood replenishment, stamina restoration, the works. Every single one is prescribed for your health.”
“This is pure torment.”
“Torture supposedly builds strength. I have simply lived too long and too carefully.” Doctor Iman’s tone was wry. “These are all for you, Miss Idel.”
Idel gave him a suspicious side-eye, then began the arduous task of swallowing one after another. At least the sooner it was over, the better.
After the last drop, however, she still could not leave. Cold compresses, ointment applications, and a dozen other treatments waited outside the door.
Only when every single one was completed did the Duke finally release her, his voice carrying the faintest trace of amusement. “Diane should be waiting at the entrance to the herb garden. Follow this path straight ahead. I will accompany you if you wish.”
“Ugh…” Idel’s entire posture screamed protest, yet she marched off at once. Her stomach was still churning from the potions; the idea of food was utterly unappealing.
This is so gross._
She was replaying the terrible memory when a sudden thought struck her. _Wait… why did Patrick follow me in the first place?_
On the surface he claimed he was only there to monitor her condition after the incident. But _that man never does anything without a hidden agenda._
He had watched her constantly while the Duke spoke with Doctor Iman. Every detail, every micro-expression, all calculated to confirm something. He had even smiled at her when she gave him her best death glare.
Miss Idel, if you keep making that face, you might turn into a demon! Come, smile for me!_
Shut up._
Hee hee, how cruel…!_
Everything about it felt off. Idel frowned, narrowing her eyes in confusion. Then a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Idel!”
Reflexively she turned. There stood Patrick—same gentle expression, same old-world courtesy, as if they had not parted in the least.
“The… treatment is over?” Idel asked, instantly steeling herself against the familiar wave of embarrassment.
I’ll pretend he’s a ghost._
She tried to brush past. “I need to get back.”
“Idel, just a moment!”
“…”
“Really, just a second! Come on, let’s talk!”
Before she could answer, Jayana threw herself in front of her, arms spread wide.
Oh no…_
The desperation on Jayana’s face was impossible to ignore. Idel bit the inside of her cheek until it hurt. If she yielded now, everything she had built over the past weeks would crumble in an instant.
I’m going._
She stepped around Jayana without so much as a glance backward, fists clenched at her sides.
The moment her back was fully turned—
“I’m sorry!”
Jayana’s voice rang out, raw and broken. Idel’s steps faltered. Slowly she turned, lower lip caught between her teeth. Jayana was gripping her own skirt hem so tightly the knuckles showed white, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“I… I’m sorry! I never hated you! I wanted to get closer to you! I like you! I like you so much!”
“…”
“But when I saw you with her… I felt so jealous. I… I’m your family!”
She spilled every word, stumbling over the truth until the end.
Approaching first._
That was the quick, “good” solution Dante had suggested while they talked. Jayana’s choice had been right. The moment Idel read the unpolished fear behind those words, her throat had closed.
She knew how much courage it took to bare such raw feelings. How much courage it took to keep reaching out to someone who only pushed you away.
Idel ignored the lump in her throat and scolded herself again. _Why didn’t I clear up the misunderstanding with Jayana back then?_
No matter how warm and magnificent that hand had felt, holding it now would be the stupidest mistake. With Patrick still involved, staying entangled with either of them was poison for both of them.
Between eating something delicious and dying and choosing to survive, anyone would pick the latter.
But—
“I retract my earlier statement. I won’t make you feel guilty for not doing what I did. It’s petty.”
How could she not respond?
“Am I your punching bag? Why do you always give in? Don’t you ever feel wronged?” Idel finally snapped, glaring straight at Jayana.
“Giving in every single time is getting really old.”
“No. I don’t feel wronged. I don’t feel tired of it at all.”
Jayana’s gaze never wavered. “Losing to someone you love isn’t really losing!”
Idel’s mouth pressed shut without her permission.
She’s so much like my sister._
She lowered her eyes to the floor. _Can’t I just close my eyes and hold her hand?_
Have you lost your mind?_
But it’s just a kid…_
That “kid” is the original protagonist. Saving the Duke might be about pride, but this? This is too stupid, even for you._
Stupid…_
Idel could not deny the word. She had far more knowledge than Jayana. Choosing the better option had to be the right thing to do.
But sometimes the purest sincerity was the strongest force.
A tiny voice slipped out of her mouth. “……I’m sorry too.”
The moment the words left her lips, regret crashed over her. Yet Idel chose to swallow it. A clumsy, half-hearted apology was better than none.
It’s fine._
The original plan had been to collapse everything. She had not been clutching at one single contingency.
And only a few hours later—
“Miss Idel, I know this is inappropriate, but… I still want to tell you how I feel.”
“Tell you what?”
“My feelings.”
Idel stared at Diane in disbelief.