IMMCFC 10

Chapter 10

Five minutes earlier.

On the way to Jayden with Conrad.

“I’m sorry, Young Master.”

I heard a constant stream of apologies, and soon an older servant scurried down the corridor, cowering.

A tray of food was in his hands—a clear soup that looked like it was meant for a patient.

‘So this is where Jayden is.’

He was the only patient in the mansion, after all. But the food seemed untouched and completely cold.

“Just a moment, Miss Viola. I’ll assess the situation and be right back.”

Conrad approached the servant, who was sulking, and exchanged a brief conversation.

“What’s the matter? Where is the personal maid?”

“Oh, that…”

Conrad, who had stepped away for a moment, returned, adjusting his glasses awkwardly.

“Is there a problem?”

“I’m afraid so. It may be better to come back tomorrow. The young master seems particularly sensitive today.”

Conrad explained that Jayden, having long believed his illness was incurable, had developed an extreme aversion to physicians and apothecaries.

On particularly painful days, his resistance became far more severe. Only a servant who had cared for him since early childhood could approach him.

“On days like this, he may even act out… Miss Viola, you could get hurt. His Grace also requested we take care.”

“Ah…”

“I had hoped to introduce you to his personal maid while you were here, but she is currently away. I’ll arrange it for tomorrow, so it’s best to return for today.”

Conrad spoke with concern in his voice.

Hmm. He does care.

I understood. Jayden was a dragon-blooded child, so ordinary treatment methods were largely ineffective.

If I tried to treat him now, I might only agitate him, and that could be harmful for both of us.

Still, hearing this only made me more anxious.

‘It looked like he even skipped meals.’

His heightened sensitivity today likely meant his body was in severe pain.

I didn’t want to back down quietly.

“May I check for myself?”

“It may be dangerous. I recommend returning for today.”

“But we’ll have to treat him eventually.”

I spoke more firmly than usual.

Jayden hadn’t refused treatment from the start. He was simply worn out emotionally because his condition wasn’t improving despite his suffering. Refusing treatment wasn’t a desire to remain in pain—it was his way of avoiding further emotional injury while physically struggling.

‘I know that. I’m not going to back down.’

And this was against a child patient of only six years old.

My duty as an apothecary—or rather, my pride as an adult—wouldn’t allow me to retreat.

When I looked at him with determination, Conrad seemed a little stunned.

Ah, perhaps I overdid it.

“Also… it’s my responsibility… isn’t it?”

I added cautiously.

“…I understand why His Grace entrusted this task to you. I thank you on the young master’s behalf.”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head in confusion. Conrad gave a small smile.

“No matter. Let’s go inside. I’ll go ahead, just in case.”

Knock, knock.

The moment we knocked, a shrill, metallic shout rang out.

“Go away! I said no one comes in!”

Conrad replied calmly.

“Young Master, an apothecary has come.”

“I don’t need one!”

Conrad glanced at me, checking if I was ready for this. I nodded, and he turned the doorknob with a resigned expression.

“Sorry, we’ll be coming in.”

“Go away!”

Screech.

The moment the door opened, a wave of heat hit us.

Ugh.

In the corner of the room, hidden behind blackout curtains, a fire blazed like it was winter. The air was stifling and dry.

‘…This is worse than I imagined.’

It was terrible conditions for a patient. Leaving a child in this state would only make him sicker.

‘I thought there was supposed to be a personal maid…’

A sigh escaped me at the musty air. Even ventilation was lacking.

Clearly, this would be a long process.

But there was an immediate problem to attend to.

I narrowed my eyes and surveyed the room.

‘The bed is empty.’

Instead, a small shadow was crouched on the sofa in the corner.

“I told you to go out… ugh.”

Heavy, ragged breaths came from the boy. Once-shiny silver hair was dulled and damp with sweat.

Even at first glance, Jayden looked worse than I had imagined from reading the story.

Through his messy silver hair, his face was flushed deep red from fever.

“Do you want to die? I said not to come in!”

Spotting us, Jayden staggered to his feet. His dilated pupils glinted with ferocity.

Conrad stepped in front of me to protect me, speaking firmly.

“By order of the Duke.”

Huh. Was it my imagination, or did Jayden flinch noticeably?

Now that I remembered, in the original story, Jayden was afraid of Cain.

It wouldn’t do to provoke the patient unnecessarily. I urgently tried to stop Conrad.

“Wait, Conrad. I’ll—”

But Conrad continued as if my voice hadn’t reached him.

“If you refuse treatment, I’ll have to call His Grace—”

“I said I don’t need it!”

Jayden shouted, his little voice so strong it seemed to tear my eardrums.

“I know my own body best! Go away!”

He swung his arm, and a vase on the nightstand tumbled to the floor, shattering right in front of my feet.

Sharp shards scattered across the floor, coming dangerously close.

“Miss Viola! Are you alright?”

Conrad panicked, but I had no time to respond.

Jayden, still angry, swayed precariously. His high fever made him lose balance.

Ugh. He was about to fall forward, directly onto the broken shards.

“No!”

I leapt instinctively, catching his shoulder just in time.

“Don’t touch me!”

Panicked, Jayden pushed me violently.

Crack. Something chilling snapped, and I landed on the floor.

‘Jayden?’

I hurried to check him, and thankfully, he had landed on the rug safely.

It was a relief. If a sick child got hurt, it would have been disastrous.

Just as I was about to stand,

“Miss… Viola!”

Blood dripped from a wound on my left arm, soaking the carpet.

“…ugh.”

Seeing my blood, Jayden went pale. His lips trembled as if he couldn’t believe what had happened.

A suffocating silence. And then, a shadow appeared in the doorway.

“Jayden Ascheln. What is the meaning of this?”

The voice, cold as a blizzard, belonged to Cain.

Cain suppressed his rising anger, surveying the wrecked room.

He had stepped aside, worried about disturbing things.

But hearing screams and rushing here to find such chaos made him frown.

The metallic scent of blood filled the air. Red rivulets ran down my pale arm from beneath the torn sleeve.

“Conrad. Take her and get her treated immediately.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Conrad moved to help me. Cain slowly turned his gaze.

It fell upon a trembling, terrified Jayden. His face was pale, drained of all color.

“….”

This was why I didn’t want to come. Cain swallowed bitterly.

Jayden was like a ticking time bomb. A sick child needing care, yet so sensitive no one could approach easily. He might be calm in front of Cain, but it was more fear-induced paralysis than genuine composure. Any interference could worsen his condition.

“Explain.”

Cain gestured toward the shattered vase and my bloodied arm. Jayden flinched.

“I-I didn’t do it!”

The words slipped out. Jayden tried to cover his mouth too late.

Cain let out a bitter laugh, clearly even more angered, and called his name.

“Jayden Ascheln.”

Cain’s aura grew more intense. Jayden’s face paled further.

Why… why did this happen? I just… didn’t want treatment…

“A dragon-blooded exists to rule. Never show weakness.”

The man’s voice rang in my ears.

Scary. I… I’m not even dragon-blooded.

My breath came in short gasps. The closer Cain got, the more my mind blurred.

Then, just then—

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

A clear, melodious voice echoed through the room.