Chapter 31

I’ve noticed in the past few days that my mother has been uncomfortable around Zachary, and my eagerness to alleviate her worries only made her more conscious of him.

“She still hates him tremendously.”

Recently, wherever I went to meet my mother, for meals, or anywhere my steps took me, having Zachary trailing behind me seemed to have intensified her dislike. But it wasn’t my intention.

I have no idea what kind of spell the Duke has cast on Zachary, but he followed me around like a shadow.

And he was extremely attentive to me. If I coughed even slightly, he would immediately bring medicine, and if I sweated in my sleep, he was busy wiping me down with a cold, damp towel.

“How embarrassing…”

My mother, of royal descent, cherished me greatly, but never to this extent. Of course, she loved and adored me, but being of royal blood, she had her limits in showing care.

That’s why I felt embarrassed. It wasn’t so much the lack of care from my mother that bothered me, but the shame and embarrassment of being pampered by such a young boy at my age.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright alone?”

“I might even get healthier this way. Don’t worry.”

My mother particularly hated being apart from me. So, when it was time for her to visit the capital, she would become extremely sensitive. Part of it was due to the nobles openly ridiculing her remarriage to the Duke, but I think it was also the worry of leaving me alone.

‘But now, with both of them away from the mansion, I’ll finally have time to talk to Zachary.’

To soothe my sensitive mother, I always made a point to stay by her side during these times. But it just so happened to coincide with Zachary’s arrival, leaving no time for conversation.

My frail constitution meant I spent the entire day by my mother’s side, only to collapse into sleep as soon as I returned to my room, without a moment to spare for conversation with Zachary. But that wasn’t the only reason. If the Duke and my mother found out I was trying to help Zachary…

‘They might kill him.’

Just the thought sent shivers down my spine. Frozen by this chilling thought, my mother broke the silence with a grumble.

“Dear child. Ever since I learned you were ill alone here for a few days, my heart has been uneasy. Even if I leave a doctor by your side, they too eventually…”

There was a reason for my mother’s worry. I had collapsed several times during this period. The times when my mother went to the capital were usually during the changing of the seasons, and I was always unwell. Even if a physician was by my side, they couldn’t attend to me all the time, so there were instances where I lay fallen for a long time.

“Don’t worry, mother. Besides, Za— I mean…”

I quickly bit my tongue, realizing I shouldn’t mention his name, and corrected myself.

“A new servant is taking good care of me, so there’s no need for you to worry.”

“That’s good. Seeing how he tries to stay by your side, I feel relieved.”

But this time it was different. My intention was to reassure her with Zachary’s presence, but for some reason, it seemed to unsettle her.

Did I suddenly anger her? I looked at her with wide eyes, surprised by her sharp tone. My mother quickly returned to her elegant smile, as if she had never shown any edge. Her rapid change in expressions always confused me.

“Do you like this necklace, child?”

“It’s beautiful. It’s the same color as your eyes, mother.”

I naturally reached out to take the necklace and compare it. However, even in that graceful gesture, there was a slight displeasure, making it awkward.

‘I wanted to leave Zachary behind today of all days. But he just won’t leave me alone…’

Glancing behind me, I saw Zachary standing there like a statue. It was inevitable for my mother to feel uncomfortable around Zachary, given the subtle tension between them these past few days. She had shown signs of discomfort from the moment she first saw him.

If she’s so displeased with Zachary, why did she insist on having him by my side? That’s why I tried to leave him behind whenever I met with my mother.

“Mother, please don’t keep doing this.”

I finally spoke up with a sigh. My mother turned to look at me.

“It’s not my choice to have him accompany me. You know it’s because of the spell and I can’t help it… If you keep on like this, it hurts me too. We have to think long term…”

Zachary obeyed every command except for leaving my side. At first, he even tried to follow me to the bathroom or when I bathed, driving me insane. He doesn’t do that anymore, but he still desperately follows me whenever I move to a different location.

It was always me who ended up going mad. The situation was too stressful. Every time Zachary behaved like this, I stopped feeling simply grateful. I blamed myself, wondering what kind of powerful spell was cast on him.

“Oh, did I hurt your feelings?”

I must have spoken too sharply. Startled, I looked up to see my mother had flung the necklace she was holding onto the floor and was now close to me. I wondered if it was alright to treat something so expensive so carelessly.

But she seemed unfazed by it, instead showing a remorseful expression as she stroked my hair and gently kissed and caressed my hand.

“I’m sorry, I was unjustly jealous.”

My mother’s eyes softened.

“I’m not by your side, but he is. I should be the one watching our beloved Oscar grow every day.”

Her words eased my previously tense heart. My mother always spoke so beautifully. Could I ever become like her? Her boundless affection sometimes felt overwhelming, but seeing her love me so much made me soften too.

“I’m sorry for speaking harshly.”

“No, my dear. You’re always lovely, what’s there to be a problem? But you don’t look well. Why don’t you go and rest for today?”

I blinked in surprise. My mother was smiling apologetically, her hand on my forehead.

“You’re running a fever. It seems I’ve been pushing you too hard lately. Oh, and don’t you dare come out to meet me at dawn. If you do in this state, it’ll be too much for your body.”

“Ah, but…”

“If you collapse while coming to greet me.”

Mother laughed.

“I might just die.”

…What?

That was completely unexpected from her elegant demeanor. Her extreme words made my eyes widen in shock.

“Did I startle you?”

Quite a bit, actually, more than I thought. I wanted to say that, but I couldn’t find my words. I just stood there, frozen, surprised by her extreme statement. My expression must have amused her, as she burst out laughing and gently stroked my back.

“It’s a joke. Go and rest.”

“But I should at least pick this out for you…”

“No. Your cheeks are already flushed like apples.”

Startled, I touched my cheeks, and sure enough, they were warm to the touch. If I looked in the mirror, they’d undoubtedly be bright red.

“…Ah.”

“Go now. Or else I might bite?”

“Ah,” she playfully showed her teeth as if to bite my cheek and then laughed.

“Alright.”

Could I ever be as good a parent as her? Mother has always been like this since I was young. Pretending to nibble on my fever-flushed cheeks, she always tried to comfort me when I was sick. Recalling her youthful face, I couldn’t resist any longer and stood up.

“I’ll write then.”

“Have a healthy trip.”

“I love you, Oscar.”

“I love you too.”

Mother hugged me tightly and then hurried me out, saying my fever seemed to be getting worse.

It appears I’m really not well. After exchanging farewells with my mother and closing the door, my body slumped to the floor. I felt like vomiting, my stomach churning. I felt my legs give way and clenched my eyes shut. At that moment, Zachary naturally supported my arm.

The paper on Zachary’s face had been changed recently at the Duke’s order. With spring approaching, he would probably soon wear clothes like the other servants. Thinking this, I slowly withdrew my hand from him.

“Thank you.”

Trying not to focus on Zachary, who was closely by my side, I looked straight ahead and closed my eyes as if fainting. When I opened them again, I realized I had slept for two days straight in the empty mansion.