STVS 24

Chapter 24

The young lady cried.

I was startled.

“Why?”

Half-dazed, I looked up at the ceiling.

Honestly, when the young lady had asked, “Don’t you want to do something to me?” I was a little surprised, but I quickly understood. Well, considering how she looked, what’s wrong with being a little full of oneself? It could happen.

So I tried to act as naturally as possible. I joked like usual, and when she smiled, I was flustered but pretended it was nothing.

But when I held her, I couldn’t maintain that composure.

“What… what is this?”

I couldn’t even describe how flustered I was. And to make matters worse, something unexpected happened—the young lady suddenly started crying.

I don’t even know what expression I had on my face then.

I just became aware of the small warmth in my arms, and I didn’t know what to do with the increasingly loud sobs and trembling body. Before I realized it, I had instinctively pulled her closer into my embrace.

I tensed, fearing she might get angry, but instead, she burrowed further into me. The feeling at that moment…

“…Huh? Why is this happening?”

Just thinking about it made my chest flutter again.

I couldn’t put that feeling into words, so all I did was clench my fists and unclench them repeatedly.

By the afternoon, some unexpected visitors arrived.

“Are you feeling a bit better?”

It was the Chief Steward and… the Head of the Clan.

I was genuinely surprised when the Head of the Clan arrived. It was unheard of for the leader of a family to visit an ordinary servant who was ill.

I tried to stand immediately, but the Head of the Clan smiled warmly and said,

“Your legs are still sore, so just stay lying down. I heard you shouldn’t move for a while.”

“B-but… in front of you, sir…”

“Ah, don’t think I won’t tolerate disobedience.”

Though pretending to be stern, the Head of the Clan seemed genuinely pleased. Indeed, his face looked brighter than before. It seemed he was relieved that the young lady had safely gotten through her seizure.

“If I’ve caused you any burden, I apologize. But how could I leave someone who saved a life uncomfortable?”

“Y-your life?”

I was taken aback, and the Head of the Clan smiled broadly.

“Yes, you truly did something remarkable.”

According to him, the herbal remedy I had brought—the Guyeopjaji Herb—had indeed helped. Not just a little—it had actually treated the illness to some extent.

“We had been trying to resolve Ari’s condition by filling her body with yang energy. But since the yin kept scattering the yang, we tried to maintain her by adding stronger yang energy.”

“Yes.”

“But as you said, dispersing the yin instead proved truly effective. Still, a temporary solution is only temporary.”

“….”

“Even if the energy dispersed, the yin kept returning. Eventually, signs of another seizure appeared, and we had no choice but to call the Grand Physician. I was prepared to give up… but then you brought the Guyeopjaji Herb.”

The Head of the Clan spoke in a tone of deep gratitude.

“That’s when you brought the Guyeopjaji Herb.”

He then glanced at the Chief Steward beside him, who smiled and continued his words.

“Luckily, I found you in time. Seeing your unusual behavior, I noticed the herb in your hand. Its fragrance wasn’t ordinary, so I immediately brought in Doctor Jung.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“I was worried since I fainted without explaining what it was, but thankfully the Chief Steward recognized it.”

“The credit goes to Doctor Jung. He remembered your conversation and, based on his advice, I was summoned in a hurry to discuss the matter. Since time was critical, we decided to administer the herb immediately.”

“So…?”

When I looked at him expectantly, the Head of the Clan nodded with a smile.

“The results were remarkable. As the elixir’s energy spread, the yin scattered and harmonized with the yang. The Grand Physician guided the elixir’s energy, allowing the yang to naturally settle in her body, restoring balance.”

“Ah…”

“Even her weakened body recovered in an instant. It was nothing short of a miracle. Where did you find such an elixir?”

“W-well…”

I scratched my head. I had no prepared excuse and couldn’t tell him, “I remembered it from a book I had read before.”

I improvised.

“My mother was ill, so I searched for medicine everywhere. I had heard a rumor that sacred herbs grew on Nabusan, so I wandered around looking for them. I couldn’t find them back then, but this time I was lucky…”

Since I had actually tumbled down the mountain once, my story more or less matched the truth.

Still, the Head of the Clan and Chief Steward looked skeptical. Yet, since the outcome was positive, they didn’t press further.

I tried to change the subject.

“So… has the young lady fully recovered? Is she finally… cured?”

“Not yet.”

“Pardon?”

The Head of the Clan gave a wry smile.

“Compared to before, it’s miraculous… but it’s not complete. The yin in Ari is still gradually increasing, and even the yang that has settled could disperse at any moment.”

“….”

“But it’s still hopeful. Her health has improved, so we can try various ways to expend the yin. If she can reach adulthood like this…”

At that moment, the Head of the Clan suddenly took my hand firmly.

“It’s all thanks to you. Truly, thank you.”

I was startled and tried to pull my hand back, but his grip was unusually strong.

“Our family owes you a great debt. I don’t know how to ever repay you…”

“N-no, no! I didn’t do anything remarkable. I myself am deeply indebted to the family!”

“Still, it doesn’t compare to what you’ve done. Very well. Since you saved a life, it’s only fitting I repay with my life. Your mother is ill, isn’t she?”

“Yes? Ah…”

I instinctively felt it.

Now. Right now. This is the moment I had been waiting for.

I didn’t hesitate and replied.

“Yes. She has been ill for a long time, and we haven’t found the cause. We might know if we bring a better doctor, but I don’t have the ability…”

The Head of the Clan spoke with genuine sympathy.

“I understand the pain of watching a sick family member. Hm… how about this?”

“Yes?”

“I will provide all support to restore your mother’s health. We’ll provide skilled physicians and rare herbs. The family will do its utmost until your mother is fully cured.”

“Sir…!”

I tried to stand quickly, but my injured foot wouldn’t obey, and the Head of the Clan stopped me, so I could only sit partially upright on the bed.

“Thank you, thank you! Your generosity is boundless. When my mother regains her health, I will devote my life to the service of this family!”

“Haha, that’s enough. I am merely repaying a debt, so no need for such grand words. But if you truly wish to show sincerity…”

“Yes.”

“Just stay by Ari’s side for a long time. She has been alone for so long.”

I looked at the Head of the Clan with a warm heart. Indeed, before being the head of a family, he was a father. Above all else, he thought first of his daughter.

As I tried to answer enthusiastically, he added,

“Ari wishes for that the most as well.”

Huh? The young lady?

I looked at the Head of the Clan, bewildered. But he simply smiled, and I muttered to myself,

“I don’t think that’s quite right…”

Just a few days ago, hadn’t she and I been wrestling and fighting? That was vivid in my mind. No matter how grateful she seemed now, would her attitude change in an instant? She’d probably behave quietly for a few days, then start acting up again.

But I couldn’t say that to the Head of the Clan, so I obediently replied,

“Yes, I will!”

Though inwardly, I thought,

‘Will I really?’

I got up quickly.

Thanks to my monster-like resilience, and more importantly, because there was no structural damage to my ankle.

I had worried about it breaking from the fall, but luckily the bones were intact.

Though swollen, resting it for a few days with cold compresses made it subside quickly. Actually, having eaten well and rested for a few days, I felt even healthier.

I headed toward Sonangwon, humming to myself.

‘Shall I have a little scuffle with the young lady after a while?’

“Miss, I’m here! Can I come in…?”

“You’re here?”

“Huh?”

What?