DSFL | Chapter 65

~Chapter 65~

I glared at Ricardo with resentment, but he didn’t seem to care at all.

Still, I didn’t back down.

 “These injuries aren’t a big deal! You’re the one who’s actually hurt—!”

“They are a big deal.”

A sharp scent reached my nose, and his rough hands moved boldly down my back.

 His cold touch made me flinch before I could stop myself.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.

 “N-No, it’s just… it tickles.”

 Then I heard a soft chuckle from behind. My face flushed, and I quickly said,

 “See? I’m fine. Let’s switch places now.”

“Wait until the medicine soaks in.”

 He answered firmly and began packing the medical kit.

“Wait—why are you closing that?” I asked, reaching for the box.

 But Ricardo smoothly moved it out of my reach.

Unbelievable.

 “You’re acting like a child, you know.”

 “…A child?”

 Ricardo frowned, as if he’d misheard me.

“Yes, a child. A stubborn kid who refuses treatment.”

“…And what about you, then…”

 He paused mid-sentence, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.

 “What? Are you going to say I’m a kid too?”

Ricardo awkwardly looked away, then rubbed his face with a troubled expression.

 “Just… put your clothes back on properly.”

I wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for you!

 Grumbling, I pouted and picked up the ribbon.

 I tried threading it back through the dress loops, but my hands kept fumbling.

Should I ask Simon for help?

Just then, Ricardo came closer and took the ribbon from my hand without a word.

Realizing the awkwardness of the situation, I quickly tried to stop him.

 “You don’t have to do this. Simon can help me—”

“And let your fiancé see you half-dressed in front of another man? He’ll be thrilled.”

 His tone dripped with sarcasm.

 “That Thomas guy is your fiancé, right?”

Oh, now he remembers saying he was “family”?

 And besides, you’re another man too!

I had plenty to say, but it wasn’t something a ‘normal’ mage would argue about, so I stayed silent.

But Ricardo’s hands trembled slightly as he tried to tie the ribbon.

 I finally spoke with a sigh,

 “It’s because your hand’s injured.”

“It’d shake even if it weren’t.”

“Huh?”

The moment I tilted my head in confusion, he stepped back and picked up the medical kit.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Seriously?!

I jumped up and blocked his way.

 “Sit down.”

“…”

 “Just sit for a moment.”

As I stepped closer, Ricardo stepped back.

 “If that wound gets worse, it’ll hurt more than it does now.”

“I-I’m fine—”

“Well, I’m not.”

I pressed down on his shoulders, and he sank down onto the floor, without resistance.

 Without hesitation, I snatched the kit from his hands.

“Give me your hand.”
“…”

With no choice, Ricardo gave me his hand.

 I gently cleaned the wound with disinfectant, and he flinched.

“See? It does hurt.”

“…It doesn’t.”

 I ignored him and wrapped a clean bandage around the injury.

Now for the rest…

While he let his guard down, I reached for his clothes—

 But smack!

 He grabbed my wrist, startled.

“…!”

He looked just as surprised as I was. His wide eyes said it wasn’t intentional.

 Frowning, I asked,

 “I just want to check the injuries.”

“I can do that myself.”

“Even the ones on your back? Are you seriously saying you’ll treat wounds you can’t even see?”

Ricardo nodded stiffly.

I gave a short, bitter laugh—then climbed on top of him.

“…!”

He tried to stop me, but I quickly grabbed the front of his shirt.

 Still, he wasn’t easy to overpower.

“I’m barely injured, really—”

“Seriously? You rolled out of a moving carriage!”

I wasn’t even bruised.

That meant… he had taken all the damage to protect me.

 …Or maybe he just didn’t want me touching him.

Is it because I’m not a proper healer? Because he doesn’t trust me?

Just as those thoughts began to swirl—

“Duke! Ann! I’m back with food!”

 Simon’s cheerful voice came from outside.

Ricardo took that chance to push me aside and get up quickly.

***

“It took a while to find a restaurant that was still open.”

 “……”

 “……”

Neither of us answered, so Simon looked at us awkwardly.

 I quietly picked at the grilled fish, not tasting a thing.

Then Ricardo pushed his plate toward me.

 The bones had all been neatly removed.

“…You should eat it.”

“At your pace, you’ll be eating until sunrise,” he said casually.

I shot him a glare, and Simon, trying to ease the tension, smiled nervously.

 “Well, uh, at least it tastes good, right?”

“It’s delicious. You worked hard.”

 Though honestly, I couldn’t taste anything after all that drama.

I wonder if there’s a doctor nearby…

Simon leaned over and whispered,

 “Did something happen while I was gone?”

“Haha, no.”

 “…It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

Ricardo stood up after finishing his meal.

 Simon blinked in surprise.

 “You’re done already?”

“…Eat more,” I muttered.

 Ricardo paused.

“You haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.”

“Eat comfortably.”

 Then he turned and went upstairs.

 Only after that did Simon sigh in relief and finally pick up his fork.

“He’s nicer than he looks.”

“Barely.”

“You weren’t eating because of him, weren’t you?”

“….”

In the end, I didn’t even know how I managed to finish the meal.

Later, I took the medical kit and knocked on Ricardo’s door.

Knock, knock.

“I might have gone too far earlier. I apologize.”

“…”

“I’ll leave the kit here. Please use it. I’ll look for a proper doctor tomorrow.”

Just as I turned to leave, I stopped.

Then I added, quietly,

“…Thank you. For saving me.”

***

“Oh! I can see the restricted zone now!”

 Simon leaned out the cart window with a bright smile.

“That’s the village I grew up in.”

I wonder if everything will be okay without Peril.

“By the way, what happened to Thomas?”

 “I’m not sure. But Lady Lily said he needs to rest for a while.”

Rest?

 She never told me that. Is he sick?

Just then, the cart stopped.

 Stretching my stiff limbs, I looked ahead—and saw a dark cave.

“…Is the village inside that cave?”

“That’s called a tunnel,” Simon corrected gently.

 He pointed toward the entrance.

 “Once we go through, you’ll see the village.”

Ricardo suddenly took my hand and removed a magical device from my wrist.

“Oh, that’s right!” Simon said.

 “You have to leave behind all your magic tools.”

He emptied his pockets, pulling out all kinds of items.

“Let’s hide them under that big rock.”

He struggled to lift it, but Ricardo stepped in and lifted it for him with ease.

“Ah! Thank you!”

Simon dug a small hole and stashed the items.

 Ricardo added his own bracelet to the pile.

“Alright. Let’s go,” Simon said with a hum and entered the tunnel.

Ricardo gave me a slight nod.

 “Stay close to me from now on.”

“…Is this really necessary for a magician?”

“It is,” Ricardo said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.