IHDOE Ch 92

Anyone else might have enjoyed the genuine concern and goodwill, but Satina found such constant solicitude unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

It was a habit ingrained since childhood. Countless servants populated the ducal estate, yet none cared for her, nor was she permitted to use medicine freely.

Furthermore, whenever word leaked that she was ill, Rebecca—who always viewed her as a thorn—would gleefully push her around.

Showing weakness was out of the question.

Satina believed she had hidden it quite adeptly until now. Katan was the sole exception.

Just as he had in the west, Katan noticed her condition all too easily. He pulled medicine and a small water flask from a pouch at his waist, offering them to her.

[Katan] "I don't merely have sharp eyes. My eyes remain fixed solely on you, My Lady."

[Katan] "It is medicine for digestion. Please take it."

She scowled.

[Satina] "Why are you carrying something like this around?"

[Katan] "Your expression looked unwell from the moment you finished your meal, so I prepared it."

[Satina] "Tenacious."

[Katan] "I have no choice. You continuously try to hide your illness, My Lady."

[Satina] "I wasn't trying to hide it. This much is fine."

[Katan] "Just like in the west?"

[Satina] "What about it?"

[Katan] "Back then, you stubbornly insisted you were fine even as your hands trembled violently."

He took her ice-cold hand, gently massaging it.

[Katan] "Normally, people don't describe that state as fine."

She pulled her hand from his grip, answering in a casual tone.

[Satina] "It isn't a fatal illness. Pay it no mind."

He caught her wrist once more.

[Katan] "I know better than anyone that humans don't die from this. I have witnessed far grimmer sights than you have, My Lady."

[Satina] "Good that you know."

[Katan] "Yet surviving doesn't mean everything is fine. I would prefer you remain healthy and free of pain, My Lady."

He held out the medicine and water flask again. Instead of taking them, Satina stared down at them.

[Satina] "What does it have to do with you?"

Though her poor health made her words come out sharply, he answered with an unruffled expression.

[Katan] "Because I adore you, My Lady."

[Satina] "..."

[Katan] "Is it so strange to worry about the person I adore?"

A sensation like a feather tickling the back of her throat arose suddenly.

This is a bit...

Did he genuinely harbor feelings for her?

Though Katan had confessed his love previously, she never imagined he cared for her with such sweet, ticklish sincerity.

Unaware of her inner thoughts, he calmly produced a hard candy from his pouch.

[Katan] "I prepared candy as well. Would you like one?"

[Satina] "No need."

Ignoring the candy, she snatched the medicine. She downed it in a single gulp as if trying to wash away the ticklish emotion she felt moments ago.

[Satina] "You're going to give me an odd habit."

[Katan] "What kind of habit do you mean?"

[Satina] "Nothing much. Getting accustomed to someone constantly looking after me."

Unwrapping the candy, he brought it to her lips.

[Katan] "I hope you do acquire such a habit."

Scowling at the candy placed before her lips, Satina hesitated briefly before accepting it. He watched her with a pleased expression.

[Katan] "Because I shall remain by your side from now on, My Lady."

[Satina] "Ah, right."

Resting her chin on her hand with an indifferent face, she looked out the window once more.

Perhaps the medicine took effect already, or perhaps conversing eased her mind. Either way, her stomach settled considerably.

Finding the sensation unfamiliar and strange, she buried her face in her cupped palm.

---

Soon, the carriage arrived at House Sorwen.

Satina stepped down from the carriage with a countenance far better than when she departed home.

The maid greeted her in place of the countess.

[Maid] "Welcome, Lady Satina."

[Satina] "Where is the Countess?"

[Maid] "A painting Madam awaited just arrived, so she is inspecting it. I shall escort you."

Satina followed the maid toward the dining room.

Reflecting the Countess' deep interest in art, diverse artwork adorned every corner of the estate. Famous paintings recognizable to Satina hung beside obscure pieces by lesser-known artists.

Stiff, formal portraits were absent. Instead, most works vividly depicted dynamic human emotions, such as figures clinging desperately to loved ones or expressing intense joy.

She prefers this style.

Contemplating the taste, Satina arrived at the dining room, where four servants worked to hang a colossal painting.

[C. Sorwen] "Mmm... No. A bit more to the left. No, too far. A little to the right. Yes, right there."

Countess Sorwen stood with crossed arms, supervising the servants as they hung the piece. The massive canvas vividly captured an army charging at the forefront of an ancient war.

[Maid] "Madam, Lady Satina has arrived."

Unable to tear her eyes from the painting, she turned her gaze toward Satina at last.

[C. Sorwen] "Lady Satina! You arrived at the perfect moment! A painting I desperately wanted to show you just arrived!"

She ushered Satina directly before the painting.

[C. Sorwen] "What do you think? Isn't it wonderful?"

[Satina] "Yes, it is splendid."

Radiant light cascaded over the saintess leading the battle. Dominating most of the giant canvas, the saintess possessed an overwhelming presence. Beside her, a holy knight held a sword, glaring at the enemies before him.

[Satina] "It is a grand religious painting. Does it depict the Great Battle of Kremral?"

The Countess nodded.

[C. Sorwen] "Yes, correct. It depicts Saintess Elaine, who distinguished herself there, alongside the holy knight assisting her.

As you know, Lady Satina, victory seemed hopeless in the battle. Yet thanks to both receiving divine glory and marching forward bravely, they achieved victory."

[Satina] "Indeed. Many artists depict that scene. Yet this painting appears somewhat special."

Eager to hear more of Satina's impression, the Countess looked at her with an expectant face.

Recalling the paintings hung throughout the estate and the Countess' playful nature, she continued speaking calmly.

[Satina] "Usually, figures wear resolute expressions when facing enemies. Yet both the holy knight and saintess gaze at each other with yearning faces amidst the battlefield. They seem to care little for the enemy before them. The artist likely wished to portray not merely a historic battle scene, but the unofficial romance surrounding them..."

The Countess clapped her hands.

[C. Sorwen] "Exactly!"

[C. Sorwen] "Though never officially confirmed, the tale of Saintess Elaine falling in love with her assisting holy knight is famous. Naturally, their affection was a forbidden relationship. As you know, Lady Satina, holy knights and priests can't engage in romance, unlike the saintess."

Delighted that Satina grasped the painting's subtle focus immediately, the Countess rambled enthusiastically about the lore behind it.

[Satina] "Perhaps that is why the subtle connection between their gazes is hard to notice at first glance, which adds to its charm. Numerous figures appear since it is a battle scene, after all."

[C. Sorwen] "How do you understand my thoughts so perfectly?

In truth, after the war depicted in the painting, Saintess Elaine ended up marrying another man. Afterward, the holy knight left the temple to wander the continent, aiding those in danger. I firmly believe the holy knight loved Saintess Elaine!"

Her cheeks flushing with excitement, she spoke animatedly.

[C. Sorwen] "Ah, hiding such poignant love so delicately within a tense battle! The moment I stumbled upon this painting, I fell in love with it and needed to own it. I am thrilled I managed to acquire it!"

[Satina] "I am the one grateful to view such a fine painting thanks to you, My Lady."

[C. Sorwen] "I have many other pieces I wish to show you! The weather is lovely today, so let us converse in the garden. Though it sounds like boasting coming from me, our garden is famous for its beauty."

Escorting Satina out of the dining room, she instructed the butler.

[C. Sorwen] "Return the painting previously hung here back to the vault. Ensure it remains undamaged."

[Butler] "Yes, Madam."

Following the butler's order, servants carefully wrapped the previously hung painting in white cloth.

---

Satina settled in the garden under the warm spring sunlight, conversing with the Countess while browsing through books she brought out.

A woman's faint scream echoed from the second floor, accompanied by the muffled shatter of breaking glass.

[C. Sorwen] "What was that sound?"

[Maid] "I shall investigate."

Returning after a brief absence, the maid reported.

[Maid] "It seems a maid tripped in the hallway, causing a disturbance."

[C. Sorwen] "Mmm."

Dismissing it as a minor incident, she refocused her attention on Satina.

[C. Sorwen] "The diamond ring the emperor used when proposing is famous! I wished to acquire it, but because it belongs to the imperial family, obtaining it proved impossible. Ah, I possess a diamond mined from Broucheiron. Would you like to see it instead?"

[Satina] "I would love to."

She turned to the maid.

[C. Sorwen] "Tell the butler to bring the diamond from Broucheiron stored in the vault."

[Maid] "Understood, Madam."

As the maid departed, she smiled brightly at Satina.

[C. Sorwen] "Ah, conversing with you is delightful. It is marvelous how precisely you grasp the details I adore."

[Satina] "Thank you for saying so."

As they resumed their pleasant chat, the maid rushed toward the Countess with a pale face.

[Maid] "M-Madam! Terrible news!"

[C. Sorwen] "What is it now?"

Deeply engaged in conversation, she answered nonchalantly. Yet the following words made her leap from her seat.

[Maid] "The diamond has vanished!"

---

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