Doctor Resignation

I chose a shirt as a gift for Erhan after some deliberation.

A shirt of about 500 gold is quite high-end. I don’t even have a big enough budget to buy more luxury items.

Of course, Erhan is a great noble who doesn’t have to wear ready-made clothes, but the more things he wears, the better.

Besides, it’s just a welcome gift or a souvenir, and it doesn’t mean much.

“What is the size of the person you are going to give the shirt to?” 

“A little slim……”

I replied, recalling the 19-year-old Erhan in my memory.

Originally, he was a skinny weakling, so I had to buy the smallest shirt here. However, given that he grew up in the South without Frederick, he might have gotten a little bigger.

All-in-all, I’ve concluded that I didn’t need to buy the smallest size because he wasn’t as sick as before.

“His height might not be also very tall, but… no, even if he’s a lot taller, he might be just like Diel here?”

“Then it will fit him.”

The clerk said kindly, wrapping a shirt slightly smaller than the normal size.

“Size exchange is always available, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Recalling Erhan in my memory, it would be a little loose, but it was still a good choice considering that he will be a little healthier.

Of course, I had to relieve Diel’s anger all the way to the Castle.

“You stepped on my last pride.”

“It was inevitable.”

“I believed we were friends.”

“I’m now back to being your friend.”

“I don’t know a friend who’s going to change anytime, saying something like, ‘Does he look like my friend?’”

“If that time comes, we can just turn back into friends again after that.” I patiently comforted him.

Diel and I, who were quarreling, stopped talking when we arrived at the Duke’s Castle. As soon as I got out of the carriage, the maids approached me.

“Lady, Master Erhan is here.”

“What?” I asked in bewilderment. “He won’t be here until three days……”

“He came running by himself, and arrived earlier.”

“Oh, my.”

My heart seemed to fall with a thump.

“Indeed. He must’ve missed his home even while he was in the south……”

I felt bad when I remembered the 13-year-old lonely kid who was clinging to Frederick.

‘It must’ve been so lonely and difficult that he’d run alone as soon as he arrived at the port.’

I was the one who sent him away knowing that we won’t be able to contact him for five years. I felt extremely guilty.

“He is having dinner with the Duchess at the dining hall right now.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“I think they must be eating dessert by now.”

I hesitated for a moment and then decided to head straight to the dining hall. I also wanted to see Erhan after a long time.

‘Does Master Erhan miss me too? He followed me around when he was a child.’

“Lise, are you going straight to the dining hall?”

“Yes.” I smiled and said to Diel, “Please bring the luggage to the lab.”

“Alright. I will do as you ordered……”

“Please, my friend.”

Having made Diel’s mouth shut with the sacred word, I started to walk alone.

My footsteps down the hall were light.

‘He’s already grown up, but I’m still going to feed him everything so that he can be more healthy……’

It was when I entered the hallway where the dining hall was located with excitement, wondering if it was okay to hug him or pat him on the head like before.

The door was not closed, so I heard the conversation between the Duchess and Erhan.

“No, you can’t.”

It was a low and cold voice that I heard for the first time. Of course, I expected that he would have undergone a period of change for five years, but it was much lower than what I had imagined.

It was unfamiliar, but anyway, Erhan’s voice was as clear as it was being heard from the dining hall.

“Never.”

Well, come to think of it, I’ve never heard the adult Erhan’s voice before.

“What is this about giving Lise the last name of Casseus as an adopted daughter.”

I stopped at the end of the hallway.

“It’s the most terrible thing I’ve ever imagined.”

Fortunately, I didn’t think there were any maids who found me. I stood still and listened to the conversation that followed.

“And what? Marry her to another noble? Lise?”

“Can’t you understand my desire to make sure that Lise stays comfortable without any worries for the following years of her life? That child also reaches adulthood this summer!”

The Duchess’ tone was mixed with anger.

“I’ve told you several times that I really think of Lise as a daughter…… Lise cared for you so much, why are you so ungrateful?”

Even without looking at it, I could feel the tension between the two.

“Didn’t you get along like a sister and brother with Lise when you were young?”

I knew what the situation was at once and stood still. Of course, I would have freaked out and refused even if the Duchess offered me to become an adopted daughter.

However, as the Duchess said, why does he have to be so serious because of that? Saying it in simple words would be enough without getting angry.

“Brother and Sister with Lise. Ha… no, that’s nonsense……”

I could tell how creepy his voice was and how he looked even if I didn’t see his face.

“I’ve never thought of her in such a ridiculous way, not even once.”

“You, you… why are you like this?! It’s not just any person, but Lise. Thanks to her that you have become so healthy……”

The duchess’ voice rang hard in the silent room.

“This scumbag, I didn’t raise you to be this shameless!”

“……”

“…well, yes. I didn’t raise you at all, but still……”

“Your adopted daughter? My step-sister? If you’re going to say such nonsense, I’ll acquire the duke’s title as soon as possible.”

I came to see Erhan’s face, but I knew it was an atmosphere that I shouldn’t appear in.

“How could mother even say such dreadful things.”

I turned around and slowly headed to the lab. In the lab, Diel was organizing all kinds of herbs.

“Huh?”

Diel opened his eyes wide looking at me coming back earlier than expected.

“Have you met Master Erhan?”

“Ah.”

As I plunged into the chair, I threw the gift box I had bought for Erhan on the desk.

“He was in a serious conversation with the Madam.”

“Really? But Duchess and Erhan love you so much. Would it matter?”

“Still…”

I shrugged at Diel’s words.

“It wasn’t a mood for a commoner to interfere.”

Of course, to give the surname of Casseus was ridiculous.

‘But you didn’t have to be so angry.’

For five years, Erhan must have been psychologically distant from me.

“How lonely and sad he must have been to run here alone as soon as he stepped on the Empire leaving all his aides behind……”

However, it was also a natural thing for a doctor that no matter how much the baby cries, it was the doctor’s responsibility to give the injection.

‘Yes. Doctors and employees, commoners and nobles. We’re actually in that kind of relationship, but I guess I was too affectionate when we were young.’

I was oblivious to my position just because I’ve held his hand and put him to sleep every day. For five years, the Duchess really cared for me like her own daughter, so I have forgotten my place.

I was aware that living comfortably in good clothes doesn’t make me a noblewoman.

‘It’s enough to get lost in my emotions one time and forget what must be done.’

I bit my lower lip as I thought of the past few days, when I broke my boundaries for a while, thinking that I might find my birth parents.

‘There’s no cute, baby-like Erhan now. He’s now a master that I should serve as an employee.’

I started to put together a bunch of health supplements. It wasn’t too difficult to accept the fact.

It’s hard to imagine being the adopted daughter of the Duke of Casseus anyway. I would do well just by keeping my public and private matters as I usually do.

“Lise.”

Diel tilted his head while organizing the herbs with me.

“You didn’t even change your clothes and came straight to the lab?”

“I’m here to help you clean up.”

“You don’t have to help me…… we’re not even friends.”

“Ah… Diel.” I narrowed my eyes and hung by his arm. “How many times do I have to tell you?”

Please, I don’t want this to go on until tomorrow, so I slightly shook his arms I was holding with both hands.

“How could you think like that? Just consider it as a part of our acting.”

Diel didn’t let go of his sulky expression and still pretended to be mean.

“Maybe we’ll be friends then?”

His face was funny when he lowered his eyes proudly, so I barely held my cheeks twitching with laughter.

“Oh, Diel.”

“Don’t worry. I listen very well to orders.”

Even though I think I’m not good at acting, it turned out well at that time.

“It was so natural when you said it.”

At Diel’s deft reenactment, I took a step closer to him, holding back my laughter.

“You know, I—”

Then someone knocked on the lab door.

I thought it was one of the maids, so I answered indifferently without looking away from Diel.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and I slowly turned my head while saying something to Diel.

“…You, how did… You?”

Diel, who looked at the person who entered the lab, hardened.

The man’s eyes looking at Diel were so cold that I couldn’t even say hello first.

“If he gets too big and stares at me with those eyes when he comes back, I might really faint.”

“I don’t think he’ll be that tall. So don’t faint.”

I unknowingly erased my laughter and muttered to Diel, “Don’t faint, Diel.”

And I quickly let go of my hand that was hanging on his arms. It was the same move as instinct.

“……please.”