"It appears you're in excellent condition now, Princess. There's no requirement for additional medication," Dr. Sabine reassured Ingrid, her gaze focused on examining the princess's feet. The doctor, a woman in her late 40s adorned with round glasses, was assigned to the Lily Palace.
Ingrid mused, "She's the only female doctor I've encountered, not that I've been to many places."
Surveying her feet, Ingrid expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, doctor. I truly appreciate your dedicated care."
Dr. Sabine rose from her seat, a warm smile gracing her face. "I won't inquire into the details of how your soles ended up in such a state, but I'm relieved to see that your attendants have tended to the wounds effectively," she remarked.
Ingrid thought, "They must not have informed her of all the details," though she maintained her cheerful demeanor.
"Yes, indeed. I am grateful for their assistance," Ingrid responded.
Dr. Sabine gathered her kit and turned towards Ingrid. "Well, then. I must be on my way, Princess. I can't linger for too long. There are many patients awaiting my attention," she explained.
Ingrid maintained her smile. "Certainly. Thank you once more, doctor. Safe travels on your way to the others," she wished sincerely.
As the door closed behind the departing doctor, Ingrid shifted her attention to her maid, Christine. "It seems Dr. Sabine is unaware that I received treatment at the knights' barracks," she stated.
Christine lowered her head. "There was an unspoken agreement among the servants that this matter is better left unmentioned. We simply omitted certain details. The doctor assumed on her own that you were tended to by the servants, Your Highness," she explained.
Ingrid arched an eyebrow. "She actually addressed what I wanted to know," she thought as she observed the maid. "Christine arrived at the Lily Palace after the incident, and moves with the precision of a trained warrior. It's quite probable she was sent by the Grand Order. Can I trust her?"
Ingrid took a moment and sighed. "I may not be able to trust them completely, but at least I understand their current intention is to keep me alive."
"Christine. Three days ago, I had a dream where my feet were healed, and the Lily Palace was on fire," Ingrid said, rising from her seat. Despite exercising her knees while bedridden, they still wobbled a bit when she stood. "And in the dream, some servants were stuck inside the burning palace."
Christine tilted her head. "That's a really vivid dream," she said. "I'll tell the servants to be careful with fire. Dreams like that can sometimes be a warning."
"Sometimes, simply telling the truth is easier than lying," Ingrid pondered.
"Yeah, let's just be careful. It won't hurt us to be cautious, right?" Ingrid said with a smile.
"Of course," Christine replied and placed Ingrid's slippers near her feet.
Ingrid walked towards the sofa, were some of the gifts were unopened.
Now that she can move freely, she can finally unwrap the gifts she had received for her birthday. Among them was a gift left by Princess Katarina, which she picked up first.
"Oh, Your Highness, I will leave you alone to open your presents. You may call if you need me," Christine said.
"Okay. Thank you, Christine."
Ingrid opened the box as her maid was leaving. Her eyebrows arched as she read aloud the title of the book inside, "The Secret of the Duchess and Her Knight."
"Is this some kind of mystery? The cover is red and gold," she mused.
Ingrid lifted the book out and saw a letter on the bottom of the box.
My dear Ingrid, I've shared everything I know with you, except for one thing. Somehow, I couldn't muster the courage to teach you this while I'm still alive. I hope this book proves helpful. It's the best one I've ever read.
With love,
Katarina
Curiosity piqued, Ingrid rose from her seat and walked to her study table to fetch some paper. Seated once more, she placed the book carefully on the table and reached for a quill.
"I guess must take note," she thought.
Ingrid carefully flipped the pages. Her brows furrowed as she slowly got engrossed in the book, absorbing every detail.
"Hmm? A loveless marriage? An interesting intro. What can I learn from this?"
"Oh, the Duchess got widowed early. Her husband barely lived for two pages."
"Voluptuous body? I don't know what that means."
"Wow. Are in-laws usually this evil?"
"Oh, this Duchess is smart. That is actually a nice solution."
"They deserve that."
"I guess this is what Her Highness mean by disgusting people."
"Oh. Is this the knight?"
"Black hair and amber eyes? That reminds me of the Grand Commander. Hmm. That's actually a good visualization."
"Very reliable. But can ducal knights be that powerful in reality? It would be more believable if he is the Grand Commander."
"That sounds so much like the Grand Commander, no?"
"This should be the work of a Grand Commander."
"She is the duchess. Why is she nervous seeing the Gran— no, the knight?"
"Oh, imagining the Grand Commander stare that way is kind of..."
"Where is this going?"
"I think I should stop visualizing the face of the Grand Commander."
"This is getting uncomfortable."
"Oh, cherries? But what for?"
"Wait..."
"Why is he..."
"I don't think..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Ingrid abruptly stood up, closed the book, and walked over to her bed, looking as if her soul had just taken flight. She gently crawled onto the bed and lay on her back.
She took a very deep and long sigh.
"Touched her skin... soft lips... saliva... the knight... kissed the Duchess' neck... and down to her..." her thoughts trailed off, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. "Ah. Your Highness, Princess Katarina, what did you made me read? My views on cherries has greatly deteriorated. And I don't think I can face the Grand Commander ever again."
Just as Ingrid was lost in her thoughts, a knock echoed on the door.
"Your Highness, the Grand Commander wishes to meet you."
Ingrid managed a wry smile. "Ah, I'm even starting to hallucinate now. I think I'm traumatized," she murmured.
There was a knock again.
"Your Highness? Are you inside? The Grand Commander wishes to meet you," repeated Christine behind the door.