Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

For now, to moisten my throat, I was handed a goblet. It was room temperature water, but scented with lemon and mint, making it very refreshing. I drank it all at once and then sighed in relief.

…Yeah, it seems the fever is almost gone. I was really just exhausted. I could feel strength returning to my body.

“How long have I been asleep? Is it night now?”

I asked as I searched for the room’s window. Beyond the small skylight, the sky was a vague indigo.

“It's almost dawn.”

“So I’ve been here for half a day… Ah, Lord Cyrus!? What about the bed?!”

“I haven’t slept.”

He said simply. I was speechless.

“…You stayed up all night... nursing me?”

“I didn’t do much nursing. The doctor did the examinations and prepared the medicine, and I left the changing of clothes to the women. I just kept watch to make sure there were no sudden changes and replaced the cloth on your head to cool you.”

I thought that counted as attentive nursing…

“Don’t worry about it. I couldn’t sleep anyway, too worried… I felt like I was going to die.”

“Huh, really? Was I really in such bad shape?”

“Not you, me. I was thinking some kind of foolish thoughts and thought I was being punished.”

He exaggeratedly lowered his brows and sighed.

“Please, just get well. That’s all I ask…”

I wondered what those foolish thoughts were, but more than that, I felt comforted by his gentle voice.

Lord Cyrus stood up from his chair and stretched.

“Marie, can you take the medicine? It’s for nourishment, and if you feel nauseous, you don’t have to force it.”

“I’m fine. I’ll take it.”

“It’s a tasty soup. Don’t worry, I’ve been prescribed it before and it isn’t bitter.”

“Lord Cyrus, I can even drink bitter medicine.”

I laughed out loud when he scratched the back of his head.

Lord Cyrus is such a mystery. Just to be close to me, he gave up his own room and stayed up all night nursing me. He’s gentle like a guardian, but sometimes feels childlike and adorable.

This room, once used to care for wounded soldiers during the war, came equipped with a small water faucet and a stove that doubled as a fireplace. Lord Cyrus placed an iron pot on the fire and began reheating the soup.

Watching his back, I remembered my childhood.

Anastasia, who had stayed by my side nursing me when I was feverish…

…It felt like I had just been dreaming about her. The Anastasia from my old memories was always kind to me.

Yes—Anastasia was a kind older sister. We often played together when we were little. I loved her dearly.

Before I was born, she was the youngest in the family, and perhaps happy to become a big sister, she wanted to take care of me when I was small. Not only reading me books, but she even tried to feed me by saying “here comes the airplane.” I had been able to use a spoon for a long time, but I let her take charge, even though her way of scooping soup was a bit clumsy…

Lost in my old memories, Lord Cyrus sat beside the bed.

“Marie, the soup’s ready.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I opened my mouth wide. Frozen as if in shock, Lord Cyrus didn’t move. We stared at each other for some time.

…Eventually, with a hesitant expression, Lord Cyrus scooped some soup and brought the spoon to my mouth—then I realized something was wrong the moment I bit it.

“Eek! I’m sorry! That’s not right, I’m sorry, please forget it!”

“See, I thought so.”

Lord Cyrus accepted it surprisingly easily and handed me the bowl.

Ahh, it was so embarrassing. I ate the soup like I was throwing a tantrum while explaining my blunder.

“I was lost in thought. My sister used to feed me like that.”

“…Your sister?”

“Yes, but when I was very young! I wasn’t still being looked after at this age!”

“…I see…”

Lord Cyrus didn’t laugh.

“Ah, it’s delicious. It doesn’t taste medicinal at all.”

“That’s good. Can you drink tea too? It’s not as good as Mio or Wolfgang’s, but we have the equipment.”

“Well, everything is taken care of, isn’t it?”