n

n

nThe next day, Gwen visited me. We were in my room because it was too much of a hassle to migrate to our usual place. Gwen stared at me with a complex expression on her face. She was also looking uncomfortable because of the warmth in the room. Heck, her maidservant was actively fanning her like crazy.

nSeeing her struggle, I motioned to Erin to extinguish the fire and open the windows. I mean, what's the use of those things when it wouldn't stop the cold anyway? Even with those efforts, the chills still get to me so might as well remove them all.

nGwen immediately spoke up.

n

"No, it's fine! You're cold--

"

n

"I'm not,

" I cut her off so that she won't feel burdened. I'm a good friend after all.

nAfter saying that, Gwen stared at my person blankly. Her green eyes were particularly nailed on the layers and layers of quilts wrapped around my body, the piping hot tea that Mari put in front of me, and the countless pots of coals in the room that were being put away.

nYeah, what a lie. My room is so toasty you can probably steam foods in here. Just kidding. Wouldn't that mean I would be steamed too? Oh my gosh, what if I am slowly being steamed alive?

n

"Remove everything! And make sure the room is cool!

" I asserted and started peeling the things on my body.

nThe maids looked at me in confusion. Erin wanted to refute but I was already taking off the quilts while Amy and the others wrestled me against it. We probably look incredulous in the eyes of others right now.

n

"My lady, you need to stay warm!

"

n

"My lady, please stop removing the blankets!

"

n

"My lady, the doctor said…

"

n

"My lady!

"

nGetting worked up like this made me comfortable. When I behave, I only feel unsteady on my feet as if I'm really sick. But now that I'm actively moving, playing tug of war with my maids, I feel great.

nMaybe this is the cure. My body is telling me to exercise.

nI haven't been moving a lot lately, hmmm…

n

"I'm not cold anymore! I'm fine!

"

nOf course, they don't believe me. They were still insisting on wrapping me up like a burrito so I started sniffling, thinking that I'm going to get cooked like this. Even Gwen is on their side.

nEveryone is a bully!

n

"At least remove the pots and open the windows~

" I whined.

nI'm really worried about this, guys, don't you see?

nAfter a while, the ruckus stopped when everyone compromised. They removed the pots of burning coals and opened the windows. The fireplace is still on and I'm still bundled up but the number is somewhat lessened as per my request. I no longer look like I'm a mountain of clothes with a face on it.

n

"I brought tonics and tea from the duchess. She said it's good for your health.

" Gwen signaled and the maid behind her put the wooden box on the table, pushing it in my direction.

nI remember that the duchess of Ethalion has a garden filled with plants that is beneficial for a lot of things, especially the body. These things might have come from it.

n

"Please tell her my thanks.

"

nGwen nodded and then furrowed her brows disapprovingly.

n

"If not for the reason that I knew of your accident, I wouldn't know that you're actually like this. Why didn't you tell me? Does Bea know about your situation?

"

nI shook my head lightly, biting my lower lip as guilt flooded me.

n

"I didn't want to worry anyone.

"

nGwen huffed in frustration.

n

"And? When will you tell us? I asked you before if you're not feeling well but you said you're fine. Now you're like this.

"

nOh, dear. Gwen is angry.

n

"If I knew, I would have tied you up and sent you back much earlier.

" She was now preaching, sounding like a worried mother.

nI blinked at her then pouted. I was about to open my mouth when she glared at me, shutting me up in an instant.

n

"Don't use that trick on me! I'm mad at you for not being honest.

" She then let out a deep sigh, gazing at me helplessly.

"You're so stubborn…

"

nStaring at my friend, it just came to me how much she had changed. Is this the effect of having duchess lessons?

n

"I'm fine--

"

n

"No, you're not.

" Gwen immediately refuted.

nAh.

nWhat can I say? I'm really fine though? Except for the migraines and the chills and the weird dreams, I'm okay. I'm still breathing. I'm sure I can still do things normally.

n

"I know what you're thinking,

" Gwen's green eyes bored on me,

"No, you're not.

"

nI didn't say anything! How did she know?

nGwen shook her head in exasperation. There was a brief silence and nobody wanted to talk, only measuring each other up. I was looking at her as convincing as possible, wanting to show her that there is nothing wrong with me while Gwen sighs in succession.

nI let out a grin so that Gwen doesn't have to beat herself up in worrying over me.

n

"Let's not talk about this anymore, okay? I'm really fine!

" How many times have I told anyone about this? I sound like a broken record already.

nGwen frowned, not believing me.

n

"Nadia, you--

"

nI shook my hands, wanting to change the topic because it's exhausting me now.

nMy eyes rolled heavenward.

n

"Oh shush. Why is everyone so dramatic? I'm not sick and dying, you know. I'm really getting tired of this…

"

nThe frustrations that I have been bottling up wanted to come out and so I did. I then retracted my smile, getting serious this time.

n

"The doctor said I'm not sick and I'm not suffering any diseases. If you're still worried, he's researching my condition now with the imperial doctors, and my father is asking the help of the holy priests.

"

nI appreciate them for thinking of my well-being but it's too much sometimes. They don't even listen to me. I understand the idea of detaining me here in the mansion and not allowing me to go out because of the ambush. But they don't have to lock me up in my room and monitor my every move.

nIt's not making me feel better.

n