"Who could have done something so horrible to such a frail child?"
That is precisely what I want to know.
"Had your highness brought her in any later, I'm afraid it might have been too late. I gave her a sedative and tended to her wounds. Her fever has not yet subsided, so I suggest we keep watch over her during the night."
"Doctor Hayden, have you perhaps encountered such a case before? I've become curious about a disturbing rumor that has been surrounding the Kartier duchy as of late."
Judging by the way his body stiffened just now, I'd say he does know something. Hayden Bloomfield is a renowned herbalist who came from a long line of doctors. When his parents passed away from a rare disease, he fell into depression and attempted to end his life on various occasions. The day I met him, he was standing over a cliff, ready to jump to his demise. We suddenly engaged in the most mundane of conversations, which according to him opened his eyes. Ever since that day, he vowed to live his life in my debt. A year later, he married a woman named Leticia and began to lead a normal life.
Despite his fame and wealth, he has more of a humble nature, as he often travels to the slums of Alkaraz to provide services for the sick at no cost. Because of that, he became the most sought-after doctor in the country.
"Unfortunately, yes, and most of them always had one thing in common…" He sighed as a frown formed on his face.
"They were all wearing the same uniforms. At first, I thought it was his graces' doing, however, I noticed these events would often take place in his absence. If these girls were beaten to such an extent, I wouldn't be surprised if some ended up dead before making it to my facility."
"What's more is that none of them were willing to talk. As if their very lives depended on keeping their mouths shut."
"Was there a specific person who would usually bring them in?"
"Ah yes, I believe he said his name was Elliot."
The stable master… Could he be the one beating these women?
"Were they perhaps abused in any other way?"
"I've not seen any thus far. Which implies that man may not be the culprit but is likely to be an accomplice."
We continued to rack our brains all throughout the night until morning. His assistants had already begun making their rounds to check on his patients as Doctor Hayden prepared to start the day. Suddenly, a loud shriek came from Fatima's room, which startled me.
"Fatima!" I shouted as I burst through the door and barged into the room.
The assistant was standing aghast before her bed with the unraveled bandages in her hands. She was quivering in shock meanwhile Fatima remained sound asleep.
"H-her wounds…have all d-disappeared." she stuttered.
Fatima's skin became normal after a mere night in Doctor Hayden's care. In fact, she looked way better than when I first laid eyes on her. Is this truly the same girl who was on the brink of death just a few hours ago?
"Your highness, could she be a healer, perhaps?" puzzled the Doctor.
Just as I was about to reply, she flinched and slowly opened her eyes.
"Where…am I?"
++++++
"What do you mean there was no one near the annex?"
"That is correct your grace, the only thing I found was a lamp. She isn't in the stables either."
That idiot Dimitriu must have gotten to her first. Which means he must now be aware of what transpired last night.
"You should refrain from biting your nails thus, Gwen."
"Shut your trap, Elliot! Before anyone hears you. Can't you see that I'm in great distress?"
If people find out that I abuse my employees, my position as the centerpiece of high society will be jeopardized. I did all sorts of things to climb the social ladder and positioned myself at the very top, higher than even the empress. I will not let a filthy mongrel spoil my reputation in any sort of way. Especially when the crown prince is roaming around this estate every single day.
"Shall I help you relieve that stress later tonight? A good rubdown from me will leave you begging for more. Those hands of mine can do wonders. What do you say, my sweet Gwen?"
"What are you suggesting in broad daylight, Elliot?"
"You say that, but your face is bright red. Your feelings are betraying you, my dear."
"Alright, alright. Tonight, it is. Make sure no one sees you."
"As always. I look forward to our tryst, my love." he replied as he kissed my hand.
Something about this man is just…irresistibly charming. I simply cannot get enough of him even after all these years.
++++++
Aside from the trotting of the horse, my heart was the loudest noise on this ride. We wrapped things up with Sir Hayden in a jiffy and began to head back to the estate.
"What is it? Why are you sniffing around like a dog?"
"I smell…fresh bread. Fluffy…delicious…warm bread. Yum!"
"Right, there's actually a bakery nearby. They must be making their first batch of the day."
Just as I was going to suggest we stop by; her stomach began to growl. She instantly held her belly in embarrassment in front of me, as I could not help but chuckle. She was surprisingly adorable.
"W-why are we turning around?" she fretted frantically.
"We're taking a detour to the bakery, of course. You are hungry, after all. We can't have you go back home with an empty stomach after the night you've had."
"I-I'm fine, Sir Nate. I am not hungry at all and…"
Her stomach growled once more before she could even finish her sentence. I could not help but laugh out loud at her attempts to hide how she truly feels.
"This is not funny in the slightest, Sir Nate! Cease your laughter at once!" she whined abashedly.
"You should stop flailing first, lest you fall off the horse. Don't blame when that happens."
++++++
We picked up the fresh bread and resumed our way back to the mansion. At first, she was skeptical about eating it, however, her hunger eventually outdid her pride.
"So warm! So soft! So delicious! Oh wonderful, delicious bread, how I love thee!" she marveled at the piece of bread in her grasp.
I knew she had a sense of humor, but I had no idea it was that hilarious. Watching her eat so heartily made me feel relieved. Her cheeks were stuffed like a little squirrel, and I felt the urge to poke them.
"What! What are you looking at, Sir Nate? Ah! Would you like some bread?"
"No wait, I was not…"
Before I could finish my sentence, she had already shoved a piece of bread into my mouth. She was right. It was indeed warm, soft, and delicious with a tinge of sweetness. I've never had anything like it before.
"Judging from your face, you liked it quite a lot. However, Sir Nate, you can't have more, I'm afraid. Absolutely not!" she said while clutching the bag of bread in her arms.
"Are you still upset with me? I really am sorry for pointing my sword at you yesterday."
"That's already water under the bridge."
"Does that mean…you forgive me?"
I was surprised to hear her say that so casually, especially after her reaction yesterday. Does she truly forgive me?
"I cannot hold a grudge against someone who rushed to save me at his master's behest. What kind of person would that make me? All is forgiven, Sir Nate."
She thinks I did all this because Dimitriu ordered me to? Hah! I'm not sure if I should be thankful or upset.
"However, the reason I cannot share any more bread with you is because I am saving it for my friends. Us slaves do not have the luxury of breakfast, you see."
Interesting…
+++++
"Did something happen last night, your highness? You weren't in your room this morning when the maids went in."
"I wasn't aware I needed to report my every move to you, Dimitriu." he responded curtly.
"N-no your highness. I was not implying-"
"I'm going to wash up and get to bed. Alert your staff to keep the noise to a minimum."
"As you wish, your highness." I bowed before leaving the room.
Curse whoever made the beast angry. Now we all have to bear the consequences.
"Good morning, Lord Dimitriu."
"Hello, ladies."
"By any chance, do any of you know where the slaves are working today?" I inquired of the maids.
"Today is a rest day for them, so they should be somewhere around the stables, my lord."
I should go and lighten up my day while the lion is asleep.
++++++
"We were so worried when we heard what happened."
"Choose one Clover! Either eat, cry or speak. You can't do them all at once!" chided Ivy with a thwack on Clover's back.
"As you can see ladies, I am all better!" I cheered in response.
"You dummy!" exclaimed Ivy as she flicked my forehead.
"Ow! That hurt, Ivy!"
"Do you know how worried we were? We couldn't sleep a wink last night!"
Ivy, who was always aloof about everything, has now become emotional to the point of crying. I had no idea our bond had deepened to such a degree. Seeing them bawl their eyes out like this makes me feel warm on the inside and I was suddenly reminded of my family.
"Are we having a weeping party?"
"Y-young master!" we exclaimed in surprise as we hastily stood on our feet.