Miss 199

199.

“First, let’s move Sera.”

Orchis lifted Seraphy in his arms and carried her to her bedroom.

Meanwhile, Loony hurriedly called for the butler. Alarmed at the news that the master had collapsed, he quickly sent word for the doctor.

It was not long before Doctor Kara arrived and swiftly examined Seraphy.

“It appears she has suffered quite a shock psychologically.”

Removing her stethoscope, Kara explained in a composed tone.

“Make sure she rests well for the day and serve calming foods, not too hot. Just in case, I’ll prescribe the same medication as before…”

“Has this happened before?”

Orchis arched an eyebrow.

“…I can’t disclose a patient’s medical history so freely.”

Kara slowly closed and opened her eyes.

“But it’s been well over a year since the Countess last took that medicine. The last thing I prescribed was an ointment for the wound on her leg last spring.”

She did not bother to explain the cause of that wound.

“…….”

“…….”

But both Orchis and Loony instantly knew what kind of wound it had been.

“…Thank you for your effort.”

Orchis saw the doctor off by carriage.

Afterward, he changed out of his soiled clothes and washed his hands.

When he returned to the bedroom, Loony was there, seated primly in a chair pulled up to the bedside.

She watched Seraphy with a complicated gaze.

“Sir Felicia.”

Loony called to Orchis.

“Karl and Pura have already set out.”

Before meeting Count Loria, Seraphy had given preemptive instructions: she sent Karl to deliver a letter to the Kia Merchant Guild, and Pura to follow Loria’s carriage, keeping watch on the estate.

“…What happened with Count Loria?”

Loony asked as she gently wiped the cold sweat from Seraphy’s forehead.

“Was he truly behind it all?”

“Yes. It was him.”

“Sigh…”

The deep exhale revealed all of Loony’s dismay.

Orchis stepped up beside her. Loony stood and handed him the handkerchief.

“I’m going to inform Lady Validus and Viscount Kia that Sera is unwell. I’ll trust you to care for her, Sir.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to wait until Karl is back?”

“I have my own tasks, too. Sera entrusted me with something as well.”

Even now that Loria’s true nature was revealed, it was Seraphy’s foresight that allowed them all to remain so focused on their duties.

“Ahh…”

Loony glanced at the pale Seraphy and let out a self-mocking laugh.

“Honestly, I find myself so despicable at times like these. It disgusts me.”

“…….”

“I pretended not to notice her pain and stood by as if it were no concern of mine… and yet, here I am…”

Loony trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut as if to escape from something.

Orchis well understood that guilt—he, too, had been one of those people.

“Sera is too kind. I wish she’d be a little greedier and act more selfishly sometimes.”

“I doubt that’s possible.”

Seraphy always claimed, in words, that she wasn’t kind at all—that no one was as pragmatic as she. But in the eyes of others, there was no one more benevolent and selfless.

Perhaps it only proved how lacking they themselves were by comparison.

Often, standing by her side made them feel so inadequate and small that even remaining in her presence seemed an apology.

“But because Sera is that kind of person, it gives us a precious opportunity to realize our own shortcomings, don’t you think?”

“You’re right.”

If you’ve wronged someone, all you can do is not repeat it.

And if shown kindness, you can pay it forward to another, even if clumsily.

That is how we grow to become better people than we were yesterday.

But Loony was resolved to take a slightly different path.

“I will become Sera’s ‘bad deed’ myself.”

She made this vow before her resting mistress.

“My Lady has gifted me a new chance and a new life, so for the sake of her path, I’ll bear all the filth that needs shouldering.”

“Sera wouldn’t like that.”

“Even so, someone must do it.”

Until now, they had been lucky and never needed to resort to criminal or truly abject methods, but there was no telling what might happen in future.

The Imperial family was the mightiest power in the Empire, and even renowned nobles had long engaged in ruthless methods behind closed doors.

“…Well, that’s all.”

Having spoken with notable resolve, Loony’s words suddenly trailed off gruffly.

She only now realized she’d just spilled her worries to her friend’s older brother, as if whining for his approval.

“…Will you pretend you didn’t hear that?”

Loony, her cheeks reddening, made a sheepish request.

Orchis, averting his gaze, covered his mouth with one hand—to conceal the laugh that threatened to escape.

“Ah, so you won’t answer?”

“If I marry Sera one day, you’ll be my vassal too. How could I forget such a fine declaration?”

“You really are Penny’s brother, aren’t you.”

Still grumbling, Loony left the room.

“…So she says.”

Seated in the chair, Orchis turned.

“What do you think?”

“They’re both just the same…”

Seraphy, opening her eyes slowly, gave a weary little laugh.

Carefully, Orchis supported her upright and helped her lean back against the headboard.

He offered a glass of water that he had prepared on the bedside table. Seraphy took it immediately, drinking it down in slow swallows.

The cool water soothed her throat, raw from vomiting up stomach acid.

“How did you know I was awake?”

“Your breathing changed.”

“My breathing?”

Seraphy tilted her head in confusion.

Orchis reached out and gently brushed her disheveled bangs aside.

As his large, cool palm touched her forehead, she gave a small shudder, breath warm as it escaped her lips.

“When you sleep deeply, your breathing grows quieter.”

He whispered it as though sharing a grand secret.

“It’s not that impressive.”

“It is to me.”

Because only I know it.

Raising an eyebrow in inquiry, Orchis waited for her reply. Seraphy chuckled softly and conceded.

“You’re the only one who gets to see me this defenseless.”

“An honor, my lady.”

“Ah, but no kisses.”

I just threw up.

Seraphy quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Taking advantage of the moment to try for a kiss, Orchis simply curled one side of his lips in amusement.

“…So, what will you do now?”

Orchis asked.

“Frankly, I hadn’t expected Count Loria to unmask himself and admit everything…”

“It was unexpected,” Seraphy agreed.

She’d thought Loria would deny everything to the end.

Instead, he had brazenly revealed his true self.

“…He was an even more terrifying monster than the crown prince.”

Perhaps, given a little time, the crown prince would become the same.

The only difference between Count Loria and the crown prince lay in age and experience.

“Sera.”

Orchis asked,

“Will you be able to catch that man too?”

“Why? Do you think I can’t?”

“My question was a bit too abbreviated.”

With a teasing smile, Orchis clarified,

“Will you be able to catch him safely?”

Without harm to you?

Ever since Seraphy first returned to the world with nothing but shame, Orchis had watched over her by her side.

Not once had he doubted her success.

Even now, it was the same.

Only one thing worried Orchis: that Seraphy might be hurt or saddened along the way.

Loony’s earlier words weighed on his mind.

They had been lucky this far. Seraphy had never come to harm, but the future was uncertain.

“…That’s why Loony put it that way.”

Seraphy smiled wryly.

“Yes. I can’t always be lucky. Sooner or later, there will come a time when I have to choose the darker path.”

“Sera.”

“When that time comes, I’ll have to be ready.”

Though swept up in events, Seraphy had arrived here by her own will.

“I’ll defeat them. No matter what.”

This time.

Orchis pressed a kiss to the back of her hand in solemn promise.

“As you desire, so it will be—without question.”

And as he raised his head after one more kiss—

“…….”

“…Sera?”

The dependable Seraphy from just a moment before now looked distinctly flustered.

A nameless terror flashed in her blue eyes, set adrift with panic.

Alarmed, Orchis studied her face.

“Sera!”

“Ah…”

Seraphy, coming to her senses, blinked in confusion.

“Ah, um, so, uh…”

The panic faded, her eyes regaining their usual life, her features smoothing as though nothing had happened.

“I said I would win, didn’t I?”

“Sera.”

“Oh, sorry. I guess I’m just tired and got confused.”

“What did you confuse?”

“It’s really nothing…”

“No matter how small it is,”

Orchis pressed gently.

“Sometimes the smallest things turn out to be the most important.”

“…….”

“What was it you mixed up?”

His voice, calmer now, carried genuine concern.

“It really was nothing.”

Feeling a sudden guilt, Seraphy confessed her earlier slip.

“When I was steeling myself, I accidentally said, ‘I’ll win this time,’ instead of just ‘I’ll win.’”

Really, it’s nothing, right?

“If someone overheard, they’d think I’d lost before.”

She shrugged as if to say, see?

There was nothing false in her tone or expression, and at last Orchis let out a long breath of relief.

‘…….’

But for such a small error, her face had changed so much?

Orchis forced himself to ignore the persistent unease blossoming in his chest.

Because for now, what mattered most was letting Seraphy rest.