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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Wake-Up Call
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***
“It’s so early. Are you sure it’s okay to go see the young master now? Besides, it’s raining.”
Annie, a maid at the Heart ducal estate, spoke with a worried tone.
When it rained, the servants of the ducal estate went on high alert.
On rainy days, do not wander the mansion.
On rainy days, do not make a sound.
And never, ever, ever!
Do not linger near the Duke of Heart.
This was the ironclad rule one learned first upon being hired at the ducal estate.
Karayan had long spent more time wandering outside than he did inside the estate.
But everyone knew that, like the Duke, he grew sensitive on rainy days.
That was why Annie couldn't help but worry she'd be reprimanded for no good reason, even as she pushed the trolley with a freshly made, hot breakfast.
“The young master hasn’t had a single bite to eat. He wasn't reluctant to see the doctor, so it should be fine if we're quiet and quick.”
It was early in the morning.
Brandon, disguised as Hanna, retorted as they walked down a corridor so dark it could have passed for night, the rain showing no signs of stopping.
“And you saw how the young master was looking after the young mistress, didn't you?”
“I did. He was so clumsy.”
“Exactly. It was obvious it was his first time. With his personality, he wouldn't ask for help even if something went wrong, so we can assess the situation and offer a little help. It'll be fine.”
At Brandon's persistent persuasion, Annie nodded, looking a little bewildered.
They were already pushing the trolley, so it would have been awkward to turn back now.
Seeing the innocent Annie's reaction, Brandon flashed a deep smile.
In truth, Brandon wasn't visiting early in the morning with all these excuses because he was worried about Karayan and Lumina.
It was pure curiosity.
He had concocted the entire scenario simply because he wondered what Karayan was up to.
Only Annie, the ordinary maid, was oblivious to her colleague's true identity, caught up in a scheme born of pure self-interest.
“The young master must be awake, right? I was surprised when I saw him sitting as still as a statue, not even blinking.”
Her tension having eased a little, Annie spoke her mind freely.
“A Legion's stamina must be incredible.”
“It is. Legions are incredible.”
Agreeing, Brandon stepped in front of the door for Annie, whose hands were full with the trolley.
*Knock, knock.*
He knocked lightly on the door, but there was no response from inside.
Considering Karayan's hot-tempered nature, he should have at least shouted something like, “Don't even think of coming in!” if he was displeased.
“Young Master. We've prepared breakfast.”
Silence still reigned. As if no one was there.
Puzzled, Brandon opened the door. He stopped after taking just a few steps.
“Hanna?”
Annie, who was pushing the trolley from behind and hadn't yet gotten a proper look inside, stopped as well, bewildered.
“Shh.”
Brandon raised an index finger to his lips, gesturing for her to be quiet.
Wondering what on earth was going on, Annie craned her neck.
And upon seeing the scene on the bed, she immediately understood why he had told her to lower her voice.
“Oh my…”
*How adorable.*
Annie hastily swallowed the rest of her words.
She was afraid of waking Karayan and Lumina, who were sound asleep facing each other.
The two children were fast asleep, unaware that anyone had entered.
It was understandable for Lumina, who had arrived unconscious, but for Karayan to be sleeping like that was unexpected.
Until now, Karayan had always been on edge, his guard constantly up.
He never seemed at ease within the estate, like someone who always believed he was about to be attacked.
He was like a feral cat, wary of human touch.
Normally, with the superior senses unique to a Legion, he would have heard the two maids approaching the door and snapped awake.
But now, even though they had knocked and opened the door, he was so deeply asleep that he didn't stir.
His expression also looked peaceful.
It was the first time this had happened since the duchess passed away.
*I'll have to come back later when the young master calls.*
*You think so too, right?*
Communicating with their eyes, Brandon and Annie quietly slipped out as if they had never been there.
***
“Are you a complete quack?”
“Y-Young Master. We are doing our best…”
“Doing your best isn't good enough. Weren't you hired at great expense to produce results?”
Karayan spoke arrogantly, his tone laced with irritation.
He stood with his arms crossed, a stubborn look on his face that showed he wouldn't back down an inch.
The doctor standing before Karayan couldn't hide his predicament.
It wasn't just the doctor; the maids waiting nearby also watched the scene with bated breath.
It felt like being in front of a time bomb that could go off at any moment.
The kind of bomb that, when it went off, would take out anyone nearby just for the crime of being present.
“Why isn't she waking up? We had a perfectly normal conversation last night, so this is strange!”
“The thing is, we cannot forcibly wake the young mistress with external stimulation…”
It was already late afternoon.
Karayan, who had woken up that morning, had immediately checked on Lumina lying next to him.
Her breathing was regular.
Supporting himself with one arm, Karayan propped himself up and gazed at the face he had watched all day yesterday.
He couldn't take his eyes off her, afraid that something might go wrong if he looked away for even a moment.
*She just looks so fragile.*
She was well enough to talk last night, so she should open her eyes if I just wait a little longer.
I'll just stay like this until then.
With that thought, Karayan didn't move a muscle, only watching Lumina.
All while holding an uncomfortable position.
And so, the afternoon arrived.
Lumina did not wake.
As a significant amount of time passed, he began to worry.
Thoughts that hadn't occurred to him just a moment ago began to surface.
Do normal people usually sleep this much? How do normal people breathe when they sleep?
If she were a normal person…
With one question leading to another, rational thought became impossible for Karayan.
*Could she have developed a fever?*
He debated whether or not to touch her soft, supple cheek under the pretext of checking for a fever.
He couldn't bring himself to move rashly, worried that he might poke her the wrong way and cause her pain.
After a long deliberation, Karayan raised his index finger.
And…
*Veeery gently…*
He carefully poked Lumina's cheek.
He touched her gently, and when he pulled his finger away, the small indent on her cheek bounced back.
It felt like pudding.
His surprise at how much softer it was than he expected was brief.
Karayan realized something was wrong.
Even after being prodded, Lumina hadn't woken up.
He had been gentle, but still, wasn't this too much? How could she receive an external stimulus like that and not even flinch?
It didn't seem like she had a fever, which made it even more of a problem.
*She was already in a serious state after coughing up those strange flowers. What if she never wakes up?*
His worrying didn't get any further.
By the time Karayan came to his senses, he had already pulled the bell cord.
Soon after, the doctor was summoned, leading to the current situation.
“So why hasn't she regained consciousness yet? You said you couldn't even figure out why she coughed up something like a flower. How can you be this incompetent? Shouldn't there be at least one thing you can do?”
Karayan raised his voice.
A flustered doctor, and Karayan, who was badgering him.
And between them lay Lumina, still unconscious.
“Mmm…”
Or rather, Lumina, who had been sleeping soundly just moments before, found her consciousness rising to the surface, disturbed by the external stimulus of the noise.
Still groggy with sleep, she shifted slightly.
But Karayan's voice was so loud that she felt a little annoyed.
*I was sleeping so soundly, not even dreaming. Who is that? So inconsiderate.*
Unable to even recognize the voice as Karayan's, Lumina raised her hand.
“Ugh, so loud…”
*Smack—.*
And she slapped whatever was in front of her, presuming it to be the source of the noise.
The sharp sound of impact echoed through the room.
At the same time, the surroundings became dead silent.
“…”
“…”
Lumina, who hadn't even stirred, had suddenly slapped Karayan.
A simple slap would have been one thing, but this was another matter entirely, leaving all who witnessed it in a state of shock and horror.
Ignoring their reactions, Lumina let out a small yawn.
Then, despite her sleepiness, she felt a sense of unease and forced her eyes open.
“…Hm? Hmm?”
What's going on?
Silence had taken over the room.
Lumina, her palm tingling, slowly registered reality.
*What did I just hit? It didn't feel like the bed… or the blankets. I stretched my hand up a bit, which means…*
*Gulp.*
Lumina swallowed dryly.
The location her hand had reached when she stretched out her arm. A position perfectly suited for a slap. That very spot came into view.
It was none other than…
Karayan's behind.
“Uh…”
She had caused a major incident while half-asleep.
Slowly raising her gaze, Lumina's eyes met Karayan's.
