A short time after Kate stormed out, several doctors arrived, their faces tense.
The elderly physician, who seemed rather annoyed, pushed past the seamstresses who were bowing on the floor and moved to Gloria's side. He gently took her finger from where Kyla was holding it.
"I heard from Kate that an assault occurred and that the young lady sustained a wound that caused bleeding. I was quite worried as to what had happened," he said, nodding as his assistant carefully inspected the needle that had caused the injury.
After observing the needle for a while, the assistant finally sighed in relief. "There's no rust or dirt. It's safe."
"Then there is no cause for concern," the elderly physician confirmed. "But please, do not expose the wound to dirt, and avoid unnecessary movement that might make the injury worse. Kyla, I leave this in your hands."
Both Kyla and Gloria nodded seriously as the doctor gently wiped the wound with a clean cloth. It was clear that Kyla had treated Gloria's illness in the past, and they seemed to share a comfortable rapport, which was evident in the ease between them.
"Kate said she was going to fetch a knight and then rushed out," the physician added.
At those words, the shop owner and the seamstresses turned even paler and pressed their foreheads to the ground in an even deeper bow.
Watching them, A-ko couldn't help but think, *Why are they going this far?*
She understood that a needle breaking through and injuring someone was a serious matter. However, she was perplexed at the seamstresses and the owner bowing so excessively, as though awaiting their fate like livestock waiting to be slaughtered.
"Then... it seems the constables will be summoned," the assistant sighed, eyeing the dress where the needle had stuck out.
It was clear he had some sympathy for the situation, though he tried to mask it.
"Of course. A noble's skin was harmed by commoners," Kyla replied, her eyes sharp as daggers as she glared at the seamstresses.
A-ko understood the reason for the reaction, though she was still taken aback. In this world, even the slightest injury to the noble class could lead to severe punishment for commoners, no matter how trivial it might seem in another place, like Japan.
The seamstresses and the shop owner would likely be arrested and interrogated by the constables, and if things went badly, they could face harsh punishment. Even if they were somehow spared, word of the incident would surely spread through the social circles, and their business would be ruined. No shop would hire them after that.
The moment the needle had pricked Gloria's skin, their fates were sealed.
Gloria looked at the trembling seamstresses and the owner, still bowed low, and said softly:
"I have praised your skills."
Her smile was warm, yet unyielding, like a delicate flower stitched into a dress, pulling them in with an almost mesmerizing charm.