Chapter 6
After about thirty minutes of riding, Rubiana and Elion finally arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence.
Because they had been caught in a sudden downpour on the way, the two of them looked like a pair of drowned rats.
“Welcome, Your Grace. Oh my… you’re soaked to the bone.”
Seeing Elion dismount with a woman seated behind him, the head butler, Scott, couldn’t hide the flicker of interest in his eyes.
Elion dismounted first, then extended his hand toward Rubiana.
After a brief hesitation, Rubiana placed her hand in his and allowed herself to be helped down.
Thanks to his firm hold around her waist, she managed to get down from the tall horse without much difficulty.
But the real problem came the moment her feet touched the ground.
“Ugh!”
It was the same ankle she had twisted when she fell during the monster’s attack.
A sharp, stabbing pain shot up her leg, making her scalp prickle.
Earlier, she must have been too focused on trying to talk to Elion and convince him to notice the pain.
‘Ugh… it hurts!’
Every step sent waves of agony through her, making walking impossible.
She stood there awkwardly until Elion once again held out his hand.
“You look like you could use some help.”
“…Thank you.”
There was no way Rubiana could refuse his offer.
And in the very next moment, she found herself lifted effortlessly into his arms.
“Ah!”
She hadn’t expected his “help” to mean being carried princess-style.
“Put your arms around my shoulders. That’ll make it easier.”
“…Alright.”
Her face flushed crimson as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
She was too embarrassed even to notice the warmth of the magic flowing through his body.
It was true that their posture on the horse had been similar, but this time her entire weight rested in his arms, making her feel even more self-conscious.
Scott, along with the maids who had just arrived with towels, widened their eyes at the sight of the two.
Elion, however, remained the only one entirely unfazed.
He turned his calm gaze on Scott.
The butler quickly snapped back to his senses and said,
“I’ll summon the physician to the second guest room. After treatment, I’ll also have hot bathwater prepared so you may wash off the rain.”
“N-No, that’s not necessary—”
Startled by the word bathwater, Rubiana quickly cut him off.
To her, it felt strange to arrive at someone else’s home and immediately bathe.
I’m here to beg the villainous Grand Duke for my life.
But the first thing I do after arriving at his mansion is… take a bath?
No, that would be too embarrassing. I have my pride as a noblewoman… But still…
Remaining in her drenched clothes was also a problem.
The clammy fabric clung to her skin, damp with a musty odor—hardly ideal conditions for a serious, life-or-death conversation.
She had no choice.
“…On second thought, I think I should wash. Thank you.”
“As you wish.”
With a respectful bow from Scott, Elion carried Rubiana inside with long, steady strides.
When he began ascending the staircase, Rubiana gave a little gasp and shifted nervously.
Elion stopped, glanced down at her, and asked,
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s just… I must be heavy.”
“The more you squirm, the heavier you feel.”
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
“And you’re not heavy. So stop worrying needlessly.”
“…Yes.”
With that indifferent remark, he continued up the stairs.
Rubiana, her breath shallow, tilted her head up to look at him.
Raindrops slid down his wet hair, trailing along his sharp jaw before dripping away.
Thick brows, a tall nose, striking eyes, and vivid red lips—
His perfectly proportioned features held her gaze captive.
No wonder he’s a main character. He’s gorgeous. How many women must he have broken hearts of?
The natural way he carried her only added to the impression.
Clearly, he’d done this many times before.
Rubiana recalled the original story.
What was the villainous Grand Duke’s stance on romance again?
She didn’t even need to think.
Oh right—he wasn’t interested at all.
According to the setting, he had no concern for romance, marriage, or building a family.
Given his childhood—neglected by his parents and rarely even seeing their faces—it wasn’t hard to understand.
Nobles usually fell into one of two categories:
those who flaunted their youth and beauty, indulging in free romance to their heart’s content;
or those who married a suitable partner quickly to secure heirs.
Elion was neither.
Fighting, slaying monsters, more fighting, more monsters… He spent all his time with a sword. And with this face, too! What a waste of beauty. Such a shame.
She was lost in such frivolous thoughts when suddenly Elion’s gaze dropped to meet hers.
Caught in his direct stare, her heart raced.
She had to be careful—when flustered, nonsense tended to slip out.
“It’s just… you seem very practiced at carrying people like this.”
Ah… no, that wasn’t what she meant to say. In fact, she hadn’t meant to say anything!
But it was too late.
Looking forward again, Elion replied flatly,
“I am practiced. I’ve carried many wounded soldiers on battlefields. Corpses too.”
“I… I see.”
Corpses…
So this isn’t “princess carry”—it’s just casualty transport.
While Rubiana wrestled with that grim thought, they arrived at the second-floor guest room.
Elion set her gently on the sofa and stepped out, just as a woman entered—clearly the resident physician.
“Good day. I’m Hailey Escan, the Grand Duke’s personal physician.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Rubiana Payson.”
“I hear you injured your ankle. May I take a look?”
“Yes, please.”
Hailey, her long black hair tied in a ponytail and round glasses perched on her nose, examined Rubiana’s ankle.
“Oh my, it’s badly sprained. That must hurt a great deal.”
“…Yes.”
With practiced skill befitting her station, Hailey began treatment.
She also offered calm explanations to ease her patient’s nerves.
“This is a little embarrassing to say myself, but all medicines here at the Grand Duke’s residence are top-quality.”
“…I see.”
“This ointment is infused with powdered healing stone from the temple. It will reduce swelling, close wounds quickly, and ease the pain.”
“….”
“And this bandage is woven with threads laced with cooling stone powder from the Mage Tower. It will keep the heat of the injury under control.”
“Oh—how refreshing! You’re right.”
The bandage wrapped snugly around her ankle radiated a gentle coolness.
Rubiana’s mouth fell open in awe at the magical medical treatment—truly fitting for a world of spirits and sorcery.
Pleased with the reaction, Hailey smiled proudly and shrugged.
“It’s also fully waterproof, so you may bathe without any issue.”
“My goodness… how amazing! Thank you, Doctor.”
“Please, just call me Hailey.”
“Alright, Hailey.”
“A maid will arrive shortly to assist with your bath. Please wait here until then.”
“…Alright.”
Hailey packed away her medical kit and departed.
Moments later, the head maid entered.
She was a middle-aged woman with neatly combed short brown hair.
“Greetings. I’m Jocelyn Somerville, the head maid. Welcome, my lady. Allow me to show you to the bath you’ll be using.”
“Thank you.”
Having come here to beg for her life, Rubiana found the lavish treatment bewildering.
Meanwhile, after finishing with Rubiana, Hailey went straight to Elion’s chambers.
He had just come out of the shower when she arrived.
“I was told you asked for me, Your Grace.”
“Yes. I wanted you to give me a check-up.”
“What sort of check-up, Your Grace?”
“The one you do every morning.”
“…Pardon?”
Hailey tilted her head, puzzled.
The morning check-up had already been completed earlier.
Then why is he asking for it again…?
