After death 14

 Chapter 14

    ***

    Hyperion found it hard to believe Delcan's words.

    Kanna hadn't been in Trokan long.

    He'd sent her to the lower class quarters shortly after he'd brought her here, so how could the Viscount know anything about her. Besides, she hadn't seemed to be in trouble when he'd brought her    from the mines.

    She seemed unruly and mature for her age.

    When Hyperion didn't react, Delcan added,

    "I was told she should never be left alone."

    "Who said that?"

    "A man who appeared to be part of the group said it earlier, and as soon as he said it to me, he dragged her away."

    People started to gossip.

    "Something must be wrong."

    "Where is that man?"

    Kanna couldn't hold it in any longer and raised her eyebrows.

    Part of her wanted to jump up and shut the man's mouth, but she couldn't.

    It was time to grit her teeth.

    Lynette didn't miss the opportunity.

    "Huh? I think she's waking up."

    Lynette gestured, and everyone's eyes snapped back to Kanna.

    "Mmm......."

    Kanna couldn't help but let out a slurred groan and opened her eyes.

    She looked dazed and languid, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep and was just now waking up.

    Inwardly, she was cursing.

    ‘Damn it! F*ck!’

    She waited for the right time.

    She was waiting for a more dramatic moment, like when the crown prince walked by, or when he took pity on her.

    If not the crown prince, she thought, alas, it wouldn't hurt to have the blonde-haired prince show interest.

    But then that a**hole who looked like he'd been in and out of the oil patch ruined everything.

    She shouldn't have gotten wine all over herself to listen to that lunatic!

    ‘Pisco, where's Pisco?’

    Kanna rolled her eyes and looked for Pisco.

    She'd clearly seen him before she collapsed, but now, somehow, he was nowhere to be seen.

    ‘That a**hole is not going to help.’

    And she was right.

    <You, you wanna bet with me?>

    <What kind of bet?>

    <Whether I can get up there or not>

    <Funny. What are you betting?>

    <If I fail, I'll give you something you want.>

    <Baby, there's only one thing I want.>

    <...>

    <You.>

    <You're definitely crazy.>

    <If you fail, marry me.> 

    <Seriously?>

    <Of course. Wouldn't that make the bet worthwhile?>

    <So what will you give me when I get to the top?>

    <I'll be your slave.>

    <I don't need a noisy slave like you.>

    Kanna slowly pushed herself to her feet, remembering her conversation with Pisco.

    She hadn't expected it to go this far.

    He must be watching her from somewhere.

    He would wonder how Kanna would play this, how she would get to the top.

    "Ugh."

    She hadn't realized it when she was lying there, but as she checked the wound with her eyes, the pain began to wash over her.

    "Ahhh..."

    As she let out a wail of pain, Hyperion, who was standing across from her, spoke up impatiently.

    It was hard enough when she was unconscious, but watching her in pain was worse.

    "Is Angelman still here? Where the hell did he go?"

    "It looks like he's been drinking a lot, and I can't see him."

    "He must have gone home, my lord. There was no carriage."

    "Pity."

    Lynette, who had been listening to the adults' conversation, turned around.

    "Crown Prince, I know this is asking a lot."

    She glanced down at the trembling Kanna.

    "I was wondering if you would consider checking the poor girl."

    "Me?"

    "Yes, please have mercy on her, just as you have saved me."

    Kanna sang a happy tune.

    As she lay still under the apple tree, an apple fell into her mouth. (*metaphor)

    ‘That's it, that's it......!’

    Lynette's words seemed to ease the pain that had spread throughout her body.

    The opportunity had finally arrived.

    "I don't see any doctors, so I guess I should."

    Finberg nodded, and Lynette smiled.

    "It's a good thing you're here, Your Highness."

    Then she looked down at Kanna and spoke softly.

    "Do you think you can get up?"

    This time it was Lynette's turn to play a funny trick.

    ***

    Kanna was moved to the second floor.

    It was Lynette who brought her to the second floor of the mansion, not the maids' quarters.

    "You can't let the lowly be in your living quarters, not ever."

    All the while, Hyperion felt like a stranger to her.

    He could see why his father, Mersamu, had said that she seemed to be covered up.

    Hyperion wasn't the only one who was surprised.

    Finberg marveled at the little lady's generosity, a caring attitude he had never seen in a noblewoman before.

    "Seth, put her on the bed."

    "My lady, why don't we lay her on the floor with a blanket?"

    Lynette's eyes widened at the servant's words.

    "Putting a sick person on the floor? That's no way to treat a patient."

    "But."

    One of the maids hesitantly opened her mouth.

    "Your bed will be dirty."

    Kanna blushed at the maid's words.

    Her skirts were dirty from walking down the dirt road, and she was sure they were stained with wine and blood.

    "What does it matter? Put her to bed now, without further ado."

    Lynette's voice was uncharacteristically stern, and the servants quickly carried Kanna to the bed.

    Finberg found the situation very interesting.

    He had a sister, too.

    She was a princess, a couple of years younger than Lynette, and had received a rigorous royal education.

    He wondered what she would have been like.

    He wouldn’t think his sister would have given up her bed to a lowly woman, even though she was kind and sweet.

    "Crown Prince, what can I get you?"

    Lynette approached Finberg, donning her gloves.

    "Cold water and coal acid, but why gloves?

    Finberg asked with a puzzled look.

    "I'm trying to help."

    "Help?"

    "Yes. Shouldn't you clean the wound before you check it?"

    Lynette said, not stopping her movements.

    "That's not something His Royal Highness would do."

    "Yes, but it's not your job either."

    "It can be done, I'll do it."

    Then, Finberg's voice stopped Lynette in her tracks.

    "You, too, are a noble lady.”

    Lynette couldn't form a response.

    She couldn't smile a childlike, innocent smile, or shrug her shoulders and move on.

    "Ugh."

    Kanna groaned, interrupting Finberg and Lynette.

    Lynette clutched at her gloves, ordering the servants.

    "You heard what His Highness said a moment ago. Bring some coal acid and cold water."

    "Yes, my lady."

    Riley hurried outside.

    Kanna, watching the maid's back, chewed her lip and muttered to herself.

    "Thank you. Crown prince."

    The damp voice touched the back of Finnberg's hand.

    "It is a great favor you have bestowed upon me, an insignificant......."

    Kanna knew how she looked to Finberg.

    Her pale, wet green eyes would stir his protective instincts.

    ‘I have to get into his eyes somehow.’

    She was confident.

    There wasn't a man in the company who didn't fall in love with her beautiful self.

    Of course, she could have been better looking, but perhaps he had seen enough of those women.

    Shabby and somewhat tattered, she considered it a success if they felt pity for her.

    "My name is Kanna."

    The more negative and intense the memory, the longer it sticks in one’s mind.

    Kanna continued in a voice that sounded like it could be cut off at any moment.

    "Thank you for looking out for me."

    "I'm not the one to thank."

    Then, Finberg, who had been listening the whole time, rolled up his cuffs and replied.

    "I think you owe it to the lady."

    ***

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