252 – If Only She Could Walk -1-

[The vitality index will undergo a significant change.]

61% ＞ 100%

-Using ‘Rehabilitation Touch Lv. 2’ reduces the vitality consumption from ‘3% to 0.5%’.

“…”

A dark night.

Alone in my room, I took a heavy breath and covered my eyes with my sleeve.

“That was a close call.”

The marathon I had been running for three years. Having faced a crisis that almost ended it right before the finish line, I was calming my racing heart.

So close to the end. It would have been such a pity if it had ended there, and the panic of that moment was not easily subsiding.

“Sigh.”

I was really close, just a little more and I might see some signs, but had I been a bit later, everything could have turned to naught.

“Nice timing.”

So far, no significant signs had appeared on the lady’s body, except for the faint return of sensation in her legs.

It was a tremendous improvement compared to before, but humans are creatures of greed, never easily satisfied.

If I were to estimate, it might not even be 40%. I had poured in no small amount of vitality, and it was about time for a response. The time for pouring water into a bottomless pot was coming to an end, I thought.

“Huff…”

Just a little more.

Just a little more and I feel like good signs will come…

I shook my head, giving myself a sharp rebuke for the growing impatience. Don’t be hasty.

Now that the issue of survival was somewhat resolved. All that remained was a future that could surely improve, given time, so I told myself to get a grip.

And then.

“How do I explain this to Lady Rosanna…”

It was the first time I had ever been scolded by Rosanna, who always praised me with kind words, and I was at a loss for how to resolve this situation.

Especially since I had even talked back.

I knew what Rosanna meant, but I had my stance too, so I couldn’t just say ‘I understand’ and bow my head.

-What about the people who are left!

“…Ha.”

Yet strangely, I felt good.

I shouldn’t be, but I kept smiling and feeling better. It was the pride of knowing there was someone who worried about me that made me feel good.

In my past life, I had no friends, no parents, no one to mourn me, but here, even the smallest wounds have someone to grieve them, bringing forth a pleasant smile. Back then, there wasn’t even anyone to hold a funeral.

“It must mean I’m doing well.”

I never thought I’d want to die for someone, but now, my feelings have changed, and the gratitude I receive makes me happy.

In my past life, kindness was met with gossip.

– Does she ever do anything but work?

– Who knows? She has to donate to the orphanage, works even on weekends. But hey, should we take her to the club? With that face, she’s a sure bet.

– Bullshit. If we bring that kid, we’ll end up eating at a soup kitchen. Just let her work.

“…”

Exactly.

“Why did I live so earnestly back then?”

Now, if my sacrifice can make the lady happy, it seems like the best choice. Why didn’t I enjoy life more back then?

I chuckled and shrugged. Thinking about the past won’t change anything. After all, I was happy then and I am now.

I wasn’t unhappy.

Maybe it’s my optimistic nature, but I think I’ve lived well in both my past and present lives.

Well, in my past life, I died gloriously in battle… Ah, now that I think about it, there is one thing I regret.

‘The military’

Damn. Should’ve delayed it by just two more years.

“Sigh~ I don’t know anymore.”

I stretched and cast away the pointless thoughts. Overthinking never did any good.

Especially now, with my head already aching from Mikhail and the heretics’ issues, any more thoughts would surely curse my brain cells. So, I focused on the approaching footsteps with a small smile.

-Creeeak.

Stealthily.

I didn’t notice while talking with Rosanna, but now, alone in the room, I could detect the approaching steps.

Tiptoeing carefully.

-Creeeak.

And holding my breath.

-Inhale…

Was there really a need to hold my breath? I let out a soft chuckle and walked to the door to surprise the uninvited guest arriving late at night.

-Are you asleep…? You shouldn’t be…

I hear a breath drawn in and the fidgeting of fingers. And then…

“You shouldn’t pick your nose.”

A sniffle and the sound of a sleeve roughly wiping the philtrum reached all the way here. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the guest outside the door, who was displaying every bit of disgrace a noble could show, as I slowly opened the door.

-Creeeak…

“Miss, how many times must I tell you not to pick your nose?”

“Sniff…!”

A petite stature.

The lady, whose face I couldn’t see without bowing, looked at me with her fluffy white hair sticking out.

Her finger pointed towards her nose.

Mouth open in an ‘O’.

With round eyes, the lady looked at me, extending her finger.

“Riccardo!”

“Yes.”

“Want some?”

“…?”

Truly, she was the cutest noble I knew. The lady, who had maintained the same cuteness since childhood, made me suppress a burst of laughter and shake my head.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“Hmm…”

The lady nodded her head and wiped her finger on her clothes. She wasn’t dirty enough to tarnish a noble’s dignity, so the lady, maintaining her noble composure, shook her head as if nothing had happened and put on a stern face.

“Knock knock.”

“The door is open.”

“It’s just manners.”

“Oh. I should learn that too.”

“Mhm.”

The lady slipped her hand into her pajamas and then offered me a piece of chocolate.

“I brought a snack, want to share?”

“Shall we?”

“Mhm.”

“But, will one be enough? We have two mouths to feed.”

The lady looked at the unwrapped chocolate with a serious expression. It seemed she was too greedy to share, but she didn’t want to appear stingy, so she closed her eyes tightly and extended the chocolate.

“Le…let’s share! I’ll split it.”

“Oh… You’re kind.”

“I came to share it with you. We have to keep it a secret from mom and dad.”

“Ha ha! Understood.”

I whispered and led the lady to the room, mindful of the others asleep in the mansion.

Upon entering, the lady’s eyes widened in awe as she surveyed the room. Unlike the estate in Hamel, this spacious and neatly arranged room fascinated her. She punched the bed playfully and repeatedly opened and closed the curtains, reveling in the novelty.

The lady exclaimed with a huff, “This is a man’s room…!”

“Don’t speak so lewdly.”

“It’s my first time…!”

“What about the last time you hid in my wardrobe?”

“Meow!”

She always spoke her mind.

I calmly brought out a piece of chocolate and tea on the tray, seated the lady, and smiled.

“So, my lady.”

“Mhm.”

“What did you want to talk about by coming here?”

I smiled gently at her, thinking there must be a reason for her to visit my room so late, especially since she loves her sleep. There must be a hidden reason for her visit.

“…It’s nothing. I just wanted to share some chocolate with Ricardo.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

“Mhm.”

The lady looked stiffly at the table, her fidgeting fingers betraying her. Her transparent attempt at a lie made me chuckle as I leaned on the table.

“It seems there must be a reason you’ve come to see me so late.”

“Hic…”

“Perhaps you’re short on allowance.”

-Shake of the head.

“Or there’s something you want to buy.”

-Shake of the head.

“Hmm…”

The lady shook her head, avoiding an answer. As if proving her pure intentions, she remained silent, and I sipped my tea slowly, a question mark hovering over my head.

‘What could it be.’

I still don’t quite understand.

With trembling hands, did she split the chocolate in half? The lady handed me a piece, not even a quarter of the chocolate, and cautiously opened her mouth.

Her gaze fixed on the table below.

“Hey, Ricardo.”

She spoke in a gloomy voice.

“By any chance.”

“Yes.”

“Is Ricardo…”

‘Yes?’

“Are you fixing my leg?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I was momentarily at a loss for words. My mind couldn’t process such an unexpected question. The lady, speaking directly without beating around the bush, had a somber expression and couldn’t look at me.

Clutching her cute fists, she spoke again.

“Is Ricardo… fixing my leg?”

“Did you lie about getting medicine and are studying to fix my leg?”

“Like… despite being in so much pain, Ricardo, you’re fixing my leg…?”

I responded to her question with an awkward smile and shook my head.

“…No. Why would I do such a thing?”

“…”

“If I had done such a thing, you would have been walking by now. Don’t you know? I’m really good at my job. To do such a thing, I would need to be compensated accordingly…”

In my flustered state, the words I blurted out were a jumbled mess. I was speaking so incoherently that I couldn’t even grasp what I was saying.

The lady was looking at me.

With both fists clenched tight.

Biting her lip, she looked straight at me.

“Hey, Ricardo.”

“Yes, miss.”

She said with a trembling voice.

“It seems like something Ricardo would do.”

“…Yes?”

“The Ricardo I know.”

Her eyes seemed ready to burst with emotion.

“I was afraid… that you would do such a thing.”

She told me.