Chapter 22

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 22

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"You've always had poor stamina to begin with, and after pushing yourself so hard in the cold, you came down with a nasty cold. You were bedridden for a full three days."

"Three days?"

"Yes. You had a raging fever."

"Lucian must be in an uproar by now."

The royal physician and Riley nodded in unison. Their expressions made it clear they'd had quite the ordeal thanks to Lucian.

It wasn't as if the boy had just wailed uncontrollably after she lost consciousness for a single day. With three full days down, he must have sobbed as if the world was ending.

"In any case, you need to take it easy for the time being. You still have a slight fever, and the muscle pain probably hasn't faded yet, so absolute rest is essential..."

"Auntie!"

A booming shout cut through the royal physician's earnest advice.

Speak of the devil.

Before the physician could even finish, the door burst open.

"Lucian."

"Auntie!"

As expected, Lucian's face was a complete mess.

What could possibly keep such a little thing from sleeping? His once-plump lips were parched, and dark circles hollowed out under his eyes.

"You're awake... Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness..."

Lucian repeated "thank goodness" over and over before finally bursting into tears. Soon, he was sobbing loud enough to shake the entire mansion.

"Lucian, don't cry."

"If you don't like me crying, then you shouldn't have collapsed!"

"I'm sorry."

I pulled the pitifully sobbing Lucian into my arms and soothed him. My arms ached like they might detach from my body—lingering effects from all the digging—but Lucian came first.

"I really thought... sob, you were gonna die, Auntie... hic... I knew it... hic."

"Auntie won't die that easily. I told you before."

"But... sob... why do you always... hic... collapse!"

"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful from now on so I don't collapse again."

"No more... hic... picky eating... hic... I'll check! Hic."

Maybe because I'd taught him that picky eating weakens the body. Even as he hiccupped through his tears, Lucian threatened me that he wouldn't let picky eating slide. Of course, his tear-streaked face wasn't all that scary.

"Alright. Auntie won't be picky and will take her medicine properly too."

No more slyly picking out just the carrots from now on.

Who is lecturing whom here?

I felt a bit guilty for laughing, but he was so adorable that I secretly let my lips curve up while Lucian wasn't looking.

Knock knock.

A polite knock sounded at that moment.

"Sis, can I come in?"

The clear, chirping voice belonged to Amelia.

I quickly whispered to Lucian.

"Lucian, Amelia's here. You gonna keep crying like that?"

"......"

"Crying boys aren't attractive, you know."

Lucian stiffened at my mumble-like remark. Then he wriggled out of my arms.

"Wh-who said I was crying?"

"Your eyes are all red."

"They're not!"

Lucian hopped down from my bed and wiped his tears with the back of his hand.

"If you're done, tell her to come in."

"Do whatever."

Lucian played it cool like he didn't care. I let out a soft chuckle and spoke up.

"Yeah. Come in."

The door flew open the instant permission was given, as if she'd been waiting.

"Sis, are you okay?"

Amelia entered the room, her face full of worry.

"We were so worried."

Alongside Claude, who had bandages wrapped around his forehead.

The tightly wound bandages covered half his smooth forehead, but they weren't enough to hide his radiant beauty.

Sky-blue eyes nestled beneath prominent brows, a proud nose that demanded attention, sharp jawline like a veil, and golden hair identical to Amelia's.

Claude, limping along on crutches, exuded the aura of a handsome man with a storied past.

"Miss?"

"......Huh."

I snapped out of my daze at the low voice calling me, momentarily entranced by his stunning looks.

This wasn't the time for that.

"Amelia, congratulations. You get to see your uncle again."

"Sis..."

"Marquis Agris too. He got a little hurt, but it's a relief he made it back to you safely."

"Miss..."

Amelia and Claude stared at me with faces on the verge of tears.

Seeing their identical expressions really drove home that they were blood relatives.

"It's not my house, but stay as long as you need until you're recovered. If you explain the situation, the duke will surely..."

My words didn't get to finish. Claude suddenly bowed to me at a perfect right angle.

"M-Marquis? What are you doing all of a sudden?"

"I don't know how to repay the debt I owe you..."

"Debt? What debt? You don't owe me anything. Get up, please. Your leg's not better yet."

"Amelia told me everything. If it weren't for you, I never would have reunited with her."

"It wasn't me. That was all Amelia being smart."

"No."

Claude shook his head firmly.

"And it's not just about Amelia. You saved me from the landslide too. Because of that... you collapsed like this."

"......"

"Without your courage and effort, I would have frozen to death."

He was right, so I couldn't deny it. My arms still felt like they might fall off, and I had a lingering fever.

"This favor can't be repaid with mere gold or the honor of House Agris. Therefore..."

Not with money or honor? Just what kind of grand repayment was he planning? As I tilted my head...

"Your hand."

"Pardon?"

Why my hand all of a sudden?

Puzzled, I still held out my left hand obediently.

Then his lips brushed my hand lightly—smack—and pulled away.

"Wh-what are you...?"

"House Agris stakes everything on this oath. I, Claude Agris, vow to live the remainder of my life solely for Lucella Lilfrey."

Before I could even grasp what was happening, Claude had sworn the Honor Oath to me.

The oath nobles made staking their entire house.

"Huh?"

Realizing too late, I yanked my hand back from his grasp.

"Wh-what do you think you're doing?"

My face twisted in horror as I demanded.

The Honor Oath wasn't something to be taken lightly. It was a promise backed by one's entire house.

"Y-you can't do that. Take it back right now!"

"An oath cannot be undone."

"There aren't many people here. If everyone just keeps quiet..."

I looked around the room to check who was present.

Riley will keep her mouth shut without me saying a word.

Amelia was a smart girl; she'd know full well how foolish this oath was. No way a sharp kid like her would sit by while her house's honor fell into my hands...

"No."

The moment I looked at Amelia with hopeful eyes, she shook her head.

"Uncle's right. The Honor Oath can't be undone."

"Amelia, let's be flexible here. If just a few people stay quiet, it'll be like it never happened."

"That's why I don't want to make it 'like it never happened'."

"Huh?"

Amelia placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm the sole heir to House Agris. You're the benefactor who found the marquis house's heir."

"True, but..."

"And you saved Uncle too. If he'd died right there, House Agris would have ended with him."

She had a point. If Claude had died, he never would have reunited with Amelia.

"So this oath on our house was absolutely necessary. Trying to settle it with money and hush it up would look even more suspicious."

"Settle it? Where did you even learn that word?"

"From the director."

"Sigh..."

I pressed a hand to my throbbing head. Teaching a kid stuff like that. I should've fired the director sooner.

...That's not the point right now.

I shifted my gaze from Amelia to Lucian, praying at least he'd understand.

"Cancel it! Cancel it! Undo that oath right now!"

Lucian bounced in place, fuming.

I hadn't held out even a sliver of hope since it was Lucian, of all people. But he was taking my side!

Blood is thicker than water, huh? Lucian's the only one I can count on.

I was about to cover my mouth to stifle the surge of emotion.