MTEF 21

Chapter 21

‘Come to think of it…’

As Ronin thought it over carefully, he suddenly remembered something that might be the clue.

“Pam, what kind of work are you going to do? If there’s anything I can help with, I’ll help.”

“Hah! With those skinny little wrists? You’ll be lucky if you don’t fall into the well while drawing water!”

Pam had definitely said she was going to fetch water.

Ronin hurriedly rolled up her sleeve.

Though Pam whimpered from the fever, he gently ignored her protests until he found what he had been looking for.

‘Not hives… red spots!’

The pieces of the puzzle were slowly beginning to fit together.

Carefully lowering Pam’s sleeve again, Ronin turned to the physician.

“Is there a well nearby? One that’s used for drinking water.”

“A well? I’m afraid… we don’t really know.”

But it was no use.

The assistant beside him simply shook his head as well.

Since neither of them managed the castle’s daily affairs, they apparently had no idea.

Giving up on getting information from the two of them, Ronin stood.

There was someone else who would certainly know.

‘Lady Wyndham will definitely know!’

But his feet refused to move.

Just thinking about her made his body stiffen.

Lady Wyndham’s strict personality and cold eyes resembled Madam’s far too closely.

Madam had demanded abuse disguised as discipline in order to create the “perfect Omega.”

Those memories had left Ronin with deep emotional scars.

‘Lady Wyndham isn’t Madam…

…I know that.

So why am I still this afraid?

I’m pathetic.’

He felt like collapsing beneath his own self-loathing.

Part of him wanted to give up completely.

‘…But if I do nothing, Pam will die.’

Ronin looked toward Pam, who lay unconscious, mumbling deliriously through her fever.

Seeing her like that, he couldn’t use fear as an excuse to retreat.

Entrusting Pam to the physician, Ronin headed for Lady Wyndham’s room.

Knock. Knock.

After only a single knock, Lady Wyndham opened the door.

Frowning slightly, she asked,

“Your Highness? What brings you all the way here?”

“Um… I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”

“But there’s something I absolutely need to ask.”

“Lady Wyndham… how is this castle supplied with drinking water?”

The unexpected question caused Lady Wyndham’s brow to furrow even deeper.

Ronin Alistair was already someone who required close observation.

Now he had suddenly asked a question that struck directly at one of the castle’s most sensitive matters.

In the mountainous North, drinking water was more precious than anything else.

No one could simply ignore someone asking about it.

“Drinking water?”

“I doubt you’ve decided to take charge of the castle’s household after only two days in the North.”

“So why are you suddenly asking about that?”

Having had her weak point touched, Wyndham’s tone became even sharper than usual.

The force of it made Ronin shrink back.

But if he retreated now…

The young maid would perish.

Here in this cold northern land where she had neither memories nor family.

“M-My maid is sick.”

“The physician says… it may be the endemic illness here….”

“The endemic illness?”

For the briefest moment, Wyndham’s voice wavered.

Only for an instant.

She quickly regained her composure and made her decision.

“Your Highness’s maid must be quarantined immediately.”

“It is too dangerous to leave her inside the castle.”

With that, Wyndham brushed past Ronin.

She looked ready to have the infected Pam removed at once.

As though she were nothing more than unwanted baggage.

“W-Wait!”

Grab!

Ronin seized Wyndham’s arm.

His body moved before his mind could stop it.

Saving Pam mattered far more than worrying about whether his actions were rude.

“B-But… I don’t think that’s right.”

“Lady Wyndham…”

“There’s a chance Pam doesn’t have the endemic illness.”

“No… this may not even be an endemic disease in the first place….”

“What are you saying…?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“I’m not explaining this well….”

“What I’m trying to say is…”

“I think I can cure Pam’s illness.”

“Once I examine the water supply….”

“If my suspicion is correct…”

“Then Pam’s illness isn’t even contagious….”

Before Ronin could finish, Wyndham cut him off mercilessly.

“Ronin Alistair.”

She slowly repeated his name.

Then, in an icy voice, she asked,

“So…”

“To save one maid…”

“You intend to place the entire castle at risk?”

Wyndham looked ready to slap him across the face.

An enormous difference in status separated them.

But that hierarchy only held power in the Central Region.

Here in the North—

Alone in this room where no one else could witness what happened—

Lady Wyndham had no intention of backing down.

Ronin desperately tried to explain.

“I’m not trying to endanger anyone!”

“It’s more dangerous to abandon someone without even confirming the cause!”

His chest tightened until he could barely breathe.

Even so…

He refused to release Wyndham’s arm.

Because he was certain.

Certain this wasn’t the endemic disease.

‘Another cause is far more likely!’

Ronin met Wyndham’s gaze without looking away.

The truth was…

He was terrified of her.

Her resemblance to Madam made him want to run away immediately.

But…

‘I can’t retreat this time either.’

That single thought kept him standing.

Wyndham stared silently at him.

After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“Very well, Your Highness.”

“You seem remarkably confident.”

“I’ll allow you to prove it.”

“Ah! Thank—”

“However—”

Smack!

Without difficulty, Wyndham shook Ronin’s hand off her arm.

The back of his delicate hand turned red from the force.

Neither of them paid it any attention.

“If everything you’ve said proves to be nothing but nonsense…”

“Then never again test my authority in this castle.”

Though her words remained formally polite…

The crushing pressure behind them made them sound like an absolute command.

For any noble, it would have been an insult severe enough to make their ears burn with humiliation.

For Ronin…

It was simply familiar.

“Yes.”

“I understand, Lady Wyndham.”

“And thank you… for trusting me.”

Watching Ronin accept her warning so obediently, Wyndham became convinced she had judged him correctly.

‘Ronin Alistair knows nothing about politics.’

If this were all an act…

He belonged on the stage.

Whatever his reasons, Ronin genuinely believed his maid did not have the endemic disease.

He truly believed he could solve the problem.

‘Which means…

Once he realizes his belief is wrong…

He’ll crumble easily.’

And even if he somehow endured…

She could simply break him herself.

After reaching her conclusion, Wyndham spoke.

“The castle receives its drinking water from three sources.”

“One well inside the castle.”

“One well outside the castle grounds.”

“And finally, melted snow.”

“Further north, there are eternal snowfields that never melt, even in spring.”

“I’d like to inspect the well inside the castle first.”

“Could you show me where it is?”

“Come with me.”

“I’ll take you there.”

For the first time…

The two of them shared the same objective.

They moved quickly.

The well inside the castle was the closest.

At their pace, they arrived in roughly ten minutes.

The moment they reached it, Ronin drew a bucket of water himself and carefully examined it.

‘Not this one.’

The water was so clear that it reflected his face like a mirror.

Setting the bucket back down, Ronin said,

“This water is fine.”

“I’d like to inspect the well outside the castle…”

“And also the melted snow that’s used for drinking.”

“Would that be possible?”

“We’ll check the melted snow first.”

“The outer well is half a day’s journey away.”

‘Half a day…’

Ronin silently followed behind Wyndham, anxiety filling his heart.

He didn’t think his theory was wrong.

The real problem…

Was time.

‘How much longer can Pam hold on?’

‘If we have to travel all the way to the outer well… the round trip alone will take an entire day.’

‘Can she survive that long?’

Thinking of Pam made Ronin unconsciously quicken his pace.

Wyndham matched his speed.

‘Ronin Alistair…

What exactly are you thinking?’

Because she, too…

Wanted to see how this story would end.