Chapter 62

Rodella and Aivert, having wrapped up only the most urgent work at the knight order, boarded a carriage bound for the hospital.

“To Lenaris Capital Hospital.”

At Aivert’s gesture, the knight order’s coachman set the carriage in motion with a jolt.

“Lenaris? That’s the one near the capital, right? It’s a big site?”

Rodella, peering out the window, asked. Aivert gave a short nod.

“Yeah.”

“So they didn’t take her to the Imperial National Hospital.”

Rodella, who had worked in the Administration Bureau for years, was only familiar with the Imperial National Hospital—this other place was unfamiliar to her.

She’d only heard that Lenaris was highly skilled and expensive. It would be her first time seeing it in person.

“Is she really in bad shape?”

Worry deepened on Rodella’s face.

Surely they wouldn’t have taken her to a farther, pricier hospital unless it was serious?

At her words, Aivert narrowed his eyes.

“I doubt it. She’s not the kind of person who’d be blindsided by baseless rumors.”

Though she had stepped back from the social scene compared to her prime, Duchess Royden still had an immense network.  

She was sharper-eared than most nobles in the Empire.

So the reason she collapsed was probably…

“Anger. She probably fainted from rage.”

“…?”

Rodella blinked, and Aivert relayed what had been in the letter.

“There’s a rumor going around that you were cheating.”

“What?”

Rodella’s face morphed instantly from concern to outrage.

Aivert observed that reaction with interest.

‘So you’re mad about the rumor too? Because it might mess with your plans? Or…’

“Cheating? Me?“

Rodella pointed firmly at herself, her face incredulous.

“Shouldn’t they first ask if I even have the time to cheat? All I want is to go home before sundown once in my life!”

“…Ha.”

Of course.

Aivert gave a dry laugh, his faint expectations dashed.

Then Rodella quietly asked, “She… she really doesn’t believe it, right? I mean, I’ll tell her someday that we’re not going to last forever, but I’d hate for her to think it ended because of some stupid rumor.”

‘If we’re going to break up, we should at least do it with some decency.’

Holding her head in frustration, Rodella didn’t notice Aivert turning his gaze away.

She said things like that so easily.

“Yeah. It’s just stress. Don’t worry.”

“You’re probably right…”

‘But is it weird that I’m relieved?’

Rodella groaned as she rubbed her temples.

Late into the night, the carriage sped toward Lenaris Capital Hospital.

***

“Welcome. I’ll escort you directly to the top floor.”

Unlike the Imperial National Hospital, Lenaris felt more like a noble’s countryside estate.  

A formally dressed attendant awaited them.

Rodella found the ambiance unfamiliar, but Aivert clearly didn’t.

He moved with such ease that he might not have even needed a guide.

“You’ve been here a lot?” Rodella asked.

Aivert thought for a moment before replying, “A bit?”

Rodella raised a brow.

Then she asked the real question.

“As a patient? Or a visitor?”

“…?”

In other words, were you lying down or standing up when you came here?

Aivert laughed.

“Only as a patient once in a while.”

“Don’t even come once in a while.”

Her eyes narrowed in a glare, and Aivert nodded cheerfully.

“I won’t get hurt. Not anymore.”

‘Because you told me not to.’

Their conversation ended just as they arrived at the top floor.

The luxurious door to the private room could put any noble’s mansion to shame.

From the surrounding quiet, it was clear: this place wasn’t for those who couldn’t pay handsomely.

A knock echoed down the hall.

—Jingle.

The sound of a bell, rung by the pull of a silk cord from inside, followed.  

A staff member opened the door with great care.

The room slowly revealed through the parting doors resembled a grand banquet hall more than a hospital ward.

“Well then…”

As the staff stepped back with exaggerated caution—

“Would you look at that? That’s sweet as honey, isn’t it?”

Latine’s cheeky voice rang out from inside.

Peeking in, Rodella saw a small crowd gathered around a bed in the wide room.

As the self-closing door sealed behind them, Rodella and Aivert approached.

“I know the rumors are nonsense, but still…”

Duchess Royden, fanning herself awkwardly, indeed looked like she had fainted from rage.

Rodella sighed in relief and looked beside her.

Chancellor Ameris was there, having pulled back her hood, and next to her stood Count and Countess Syveric.

Rodella bowed politely and addressed the Duchess first.

“Mother, are you all right?”

The word mother clearly delighted her. The Duchess smiled brightly and nodded.

“Of course! Now that I’ve seen your faces, I’m already better.”

Still, the fatigue on her face hadn’t quite faded.

“You’re not overdoing it, are you?”  Rodella asked, concerned. 

The Duchess waved a hand dismissively.

“The social scene was tiring, yes, but not that bad. And just so you know—”  

She winked.

“I don’t believe silly rumors. You two are always glued together. Who’d believe such nonsense?”

“That’s a relief.”

Rodella smiled, and the Duchess gestured toward the Count and Countess.

“I’m so grateful to Count and Countess Syveric for visiting. I feel bad, really—it was nothing.”

With the topic naturally shifting, Rodella felt more comfortable approaching her parents.

She rushed into their arms.

“Have you been well?”

“Your face has gotten thinner. Has Sir Latine not been feeding you properly?”

At that, Latine protested with a pout.

“Ma’am! I swear! I don’t eat, but I always make sure they do!”

“That won’t do. You need to eat too.”

This time, the Chancellor chimed in.

“At our age, if we skip meals, the first thing to flee is our hair.”

“What?”

Latine clutched his head like he was guarding his hair from being stolen.

“We’re not that old!”

“Old enough to start picking a tombstone.”

“Want to bet who lives longer, huh?”

Their banter brought gentle laughter to the room. Even the Chancellor let out a quiet chuckle.

Rodella was a little surprised.

‘Has she ever joked around like that before?’

Ameris had always been cool and calm—playfulness was something entirely new.

At that moment, Aivert gave her a small nod of greeting.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Chancellor.”

She turned toward him with a warm smile.

“It’s Royden’s business. Of course I’d be here.”

“…”

Aivert narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled.

Her words could be taken several ways.

It could just mean she had personal ties to the Roydens.

Or… it could mean she was well aware that Royden had effectively aligned itself with the Emperor’s faction.

If it was the latter, he didn’t like it—but he couldn’t deny it either.

“Oh, enough politics.”

Judging by the Duchess’s reaction, it was probably the latter.

So, they quickly changed the subject.

“Then how about some knight order gossip, ma’am?” Latine offered with a grin.  

“They’re so sweet, sticking together at headquarters, it’s making my side ache.”

‘Sweet? Us?’ Rodella scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“It’s not that bad…”

‘When did we ever act like a couple?’  

Sure, they’d faked it when necessary—but not in front of Sir Latine—

“Even with those shackles on, the two of you still don’t know what the other is up to?”

“Guess you were too busy looking at each other’s faces.”

“I’ll make sure to give you time off for dates, so don’t think of me as a heartless boss.”

“Then with your permission, we’ll go on a date now.”

“…”

That’s… a lot, actually.

As Rodella froze in realization—

A cold hand suddenly settled on her shoulder.

Startled, she turned her head—

—Smooch.

‘Did he just kiss me?!’

Rodella blinked in shock as she mentally replayed the last few seconds.

That warmth now radiating from the top of her head—

“Like this?”

A soft baritone voice whispered—far too close.

With his broad chest right before her, Rodella parted her lips in stunned silence.

The heat that started from the top of her head quickly spread down through her entire body.

Enveloped in his arms, unintentionally, her face turned beet red in an instant.

…W-What did he just do, in front of everyone?

Rodella looked up at him in utter panic.