Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.15

“Has she been like this for three days straight?”

“The fever only lasts two days. Please rest, Lord Stanley.”

She wrings out a towel with her small hands and places it on Mariadoll’s forehead.

It seems they’ve tried several fever-reducers, but none have worked.

Then she suddenly begins unbuttoning the dress.

“H-hey! Even if you’re a child, that’s…”

“Grandma always does this. She puts towels under the armpits too, but I was told I don’t need to do that.”

Instead, she uses another towel to cool her neck.

So, this is how Legacy and the others have been helping Mariadoll.

Did Mariadoll show me the dream knowing this would happen?

“Would you switch places with me?”

I half-forcefully sit in the chair Clemence was occupying and dip the towel in water.

The water isn’t as cold as I expected.

“Sorry, but could you fetch some cold well water?”

“…Yes.”

With a clearly dissatisfied expression, Clemence takes the bucket from me and leaves the room.

On the desk where the medicine pouch was until recently, there’s now a water pitcher and sponge.

I have some experience treating injured and sick people. When we go on expeditions, we often have to manage without relying on medical teams.

The slender-spouted silver pitcher is small enough to fit perfectly in my hand – it’s for bedridden patients.

I transfer water from the pitcher Bishop Mantel prepared into it, then place a hand on Mariadoll’s back to help her sit up slightly.

“Water. Can you drink?”

There’s no response, but I place the slender pitcher to her small mouth and slowly tilt it.

However, the water just drips from the corner of her mouth. She doesn’t seem able to swallow.

After laying Mariadoll down again, I soak the sponge with water and moisten her lips.

As if reacting to the cold, her throat moves slightly.

Using my other hand to slightly open her lips, I squeeze the sponge tightly to drip water, and her throat moves with a small gulp.

After repeating this several times and getting sufficient response, I sit her up again and place the pitcher to her lips. This time, she drinks with gulping sounds.

Good – at least she’s getting fluids.

“I’m back.”

“Thank you, put it on the desk.”

I wet a towel with the cold well water Clemence brought and place it on her forehead.

I wring out another towel firmly and wipe her neck, collarbone, and jaw area.

“…Hey, what are you looking at? I’m just doing the same thing you were.”

“But I’m a child.”

…What is this feeling of guilt? No, this is just nursing care.

Her white skin, damp with sweat, is provocative, but I understand the situation.

My cough isn’t to cover anything up.

Even so, Clemence keeps squinting at me, making me quite uncomfortable.

“I’ve given her water. What should I do next?”

“Grandma always applies an ointment made from honey because fever dries out the lips.”

She says “here” and produces a small tin from her pocket.

Taking it with her small fingers, she leans over and applies it to Mariadoll’s lips.

“Like this. After this, the nuns will change her clothes once morning prayers are over.”

“I see. Then, Clemence, you should get some more sleep until then.”

“I’m fine.”

“From here on, let’s take shifts. Three days without sleep is hard for me too. So, I want you to sleep a bit. Then when you wake up, you can take over.”

“…Okay, understood.”

She answers in a sleepy voice, her polite speech slipping.

Clemence returned to her room last night, but probably couldn’t sleep deeply. She seems to be at her limit.

She wobbles out of the room, and immediately I hear the sound of the neighboring door closing.

Leaving this room’s door open – she’s really playing the knight, isn’t she?

Mariadoll doesn’t ask for money for showing dreams.

She does receive payment for paintings, but if you ask the price, most of it just covers canvas and paint costs. She says she feels uncomfortable taking money from people grieving lost loved ones – she’s really too kind.

–I want to protect her.

I’m more confused than anyone by this sudden emotion.

I shouldn’t spend my life with anyone.

I decided not to have a family.

No – I mustn’t have one.

To not continue the chain of misfortune, to not pass on this ugly blood.

But even so, would it be allowed for me to at least be a wall protecting her from malice while we’re together?

I want to support her as she suffers for someone other than herself.

No, there’s no point dressing it up with pretty words like that.

When I gently touch the cheek of Mariadoll, who still breathes with difficulty, it’s hot and soft.

–I must be drawn to her.

The next chapter will return to third person.

It seems Jerf has his own burdens too, but that will come later.