Chapter 104
“I’ll help you.”
Winston wrapped a bandage over the gauze that Philome had placed.
“We’re short-handed, after all.”
Philome stared blankly at Winston before snapping back to reality.
“A maid will be here soon, so I don’t need the Third Prince’s help.”
“Then I’ll help until she arrives.”
Philome turned to look at Jake.
Jake, having finished treating the injured person, wore a perplexed expression. According to Kaien’s orders, he was supposed to prevent Winston from approaching Philome, but it was true that if he helped, Philome would have an easier time.
Moreover, Winston didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives. His focus on the injured person only made Jake more confused.
Jake pondered what his master might want more.
Meanwhile, Winston examined the injured person brought in by Ken. Ken, seemingly flustered by Winston’s presence, looked at Jake.
As the two exchanged glances, Winston handed over water and bandages at the right moment.
“It requires more effort than I expected.”
“…….”
“You must have had a tough time doing this for several days.”
“…….”
“Oh, there’s dirt in there. We need to throw the water away.”
Philome didn’t say a word, but Winston continued talking without paying any mind to her silence.
Initially wary of Winston, Philome decided to ignore him and just accept his help since he wasn’t saying anything other than about the treatment.
“Miss! I’m so late! They said the stew would be ready soon, so I was waiting for…”
Sophia, who had been happily running over, paused when she spotted Winston. Like a wary puppy, she rolled her eyes to assess him and then quickly hid behind Philome.
Philome spoke as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“Now that my maid has arrived, I think the Third Prince can leave. Thank you for your help.”
Philome offered a straightforward farewell and turned her body.
Winston moved his lips as if to say something more, but as Philome walked away, he ultimately said nothing.
Philome thought that was the end of it.
She never imagined that Winston would continue to visit starting the next day.
* * *
“Lady Philome, over here.”
“……”
* * *
“I’ll bring the water. Lady Philome is looking after the injured.”
“……”
* * *
“Oh, I’ll treat this injured person. Lady Philome, please eat comfortably.”
“……”
Philome narrowed her eyes as she watched Winston approach the injured person before her and begin to treat them.
Sophia, observing this, quickly grabbed Philome’s hand and urged her.
“Miss. Please have lunch. You’re eating late again today, hurry up.”
Unable to resist Sophia’s insistence, Philome took a bite of the steamed potato that Sophia had peeled for her.
She glanced at Winston, who was quietly treating the injured person. Although he wasn’t overly skilled, he wasn’t making any significant mistakes either.
“Sophia, aren’t you uncomfortable with the Third Prince?”
“I was uncomfortable at first, but… he isn’t causing any trouble. Most importantly, he comes right at lunchtime to help, so you don’t have to eat cold food.”
Sophia held out the stew in front of Philome.
“And he leaves after we finish eating.”
“That’s the problem. I dislike leaving at such an awkward time.”
It had already been four days since Winston had suddenly appeared and started helping.
Philome felt uneasy about the fact that she couldn’t tell Kaien that he was coming or directly ask him to leave, as he had only helped a little before taking his leave on his own.
‘I can’t let this go on.’
After three days of contemplation, Philome realized she couldn’t ignore this discomfort.
She set down her food and walked over to Winston, who had just finished treating the last injured person.
“Third Prince.”
This was the first time Philome had spoken to him.
Winston smiled brightly.
“Lady Philome, have you finished your meal already?”
“Please go back.”
“Excuse me…?”
“I appreciate your help, but it feels burdensome. Above all, didn’t you come to escort Nadia? Why are you still here?”
“Oh, that’s because my injury hasn’t fully healed yet…”
“Then why are you helping with the injured? We’re not short-handed, and we can manage.”
Winston, quietly listening to Philome, smiled faintly.
“You’re doing well, Lady Philome.”
Winston left, but Philome still felt uneasy.
It was because he hadn’t said he wouldn’t return.
Although she didn’t receive a clear answer, as more injured people came in, Philome pushed Winston out of her mind.
* * *
“It’s heavy, so I’ll carry it.”
Philome frowned instinctively when she saw Winston appear in front of her.
Before Winston could take the basket, she turned her body to avoid his hand.
“I appreciate the consideration, but it’s not heavy.”
“Still, I’ll carry it.”
“Sir Jake.”
As soon as Philome called, Jake approached, carrying two baskets from behind. Philome placed the basket she was holding on top of the others.
Despite holding three baskets filled with bandages and gauze, Jake maintained a calm expression.
In fact, Jake had been carrying all three from the start, but Philome had taken one, worried it might be too heavy.
Philome tried to ignore Winston in that way.
However, as Winston continued to approach with bandages and gauze, her patience wore thin.
When Philome saw him come to the North, she felt uncomfortable with Winston’s attitude and tried to keep her distance to avoid any collisions. Even if there were, she intended to continue ignoring him as she had for the past few days.
What she hadn’t anticipated was Winston’s persistent behavior.
Realizing that ignoring him wouldn’t be enough to make him give up, Philome decided to speak properly.
“Third Prince.”
“Yes, Lady Philome. Is there something I can help with?”
“I clearly mentioned yesterday that I don’t need help.”
“But I’m just trying to help with good intentions…”
“Is it acceptable to ignore someone’s wishes and do as you please just because you think it’s out of good intentions?”
Winston was taken aback by her words.
“I’m not trying to ignore you, Lady Philome. I just think it’s right to offer help.”
Philome narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t want it. I don’t want your help, Third Prince.”
Philome let out a deep sigh and took a breath to calm her emotions.
“This is your last chance, so please go back. If not, I will tell the Duke.”
“…I see you know.”
Winston, who had been taken aback by Philome’s firm rejection, lowered his eyes and muttered upon hearing her words.
“Excuse me?”
“Well, Kaien wouldn’t have failed to mention that he dislikes me. After all, he’s someone who can’t stand not disliking me.”
Winston said this with hurt in his eyes.
“But… was it really necessary to share that with Lady Philome? It’s hard to get used to being pushed away by someone I’m fond of over a minor mistake from the past… It never seems to dull, no matter how many times it happens.”
Philome could only feel incredulous at Winston’s monologue.
‘What is he talking about?’
Winston was defining his actions against Kaien simply as “a minor mistake from the past.”
He had taken the side of the Empress in front of Kaien, who had lost his brother.
“Lady Philome.”
As if he had made a decision, Winston looked at Philome with determined eyes.
“No matter what you heard from Kaien, you shouldn’t believe it all.”
“Third Prince, please stop.”
“I really couldn’t help it.”
“Third Prince!”
Philome unintentionally raised her voice.
As Winston fell silent, Philome exhaled the breath she had been holding.
“I don’t want to hear it, so please go back.”
“…Alright. Then may I ask just one thing?”
“No. Just leave.”
Philome turned her body.
At that sight, Winston asked urgently.
“What’s your nickname?”
Philome paused at the unexpected question. Winston didn’t miss that movement.
“Mel, is that right?”
It was a question, but it contained conviction.
Philome started moving her feet, which had been stopped, without saying anything. Then, Winston, who had become anxious, reached out his hand to grab Philome’s shoulder.
At this, Jake was about to knock Wiston’s hand away immediately, but there was someone who moved even faster than him.
“Ack!”
Winston screamed as a stinging pain spread from his wrist.
“Oh my.”
A chilling voice was heard next to Philome at the same time as she reflexively turned her head at the scream.
