Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 12.1
The sub-male lead has no need for an extra
Anyway, Belled, was it? That guy seems a bit strange, too.
The more I learn about this family, the more desperately I want to just go back to the academy.
I have no idea what Prince Isadore was thinking when he sent us here…
‘They even have a pharmacist. This just keeps getting more and more unsettling.’
Of course, there’s no way Belled could know how uneasy I feel. He just packed up his bag and stood up first.
“For now, you should rest a bit more. You still don’t have any color in your face.”
“It’s not that bad.”
“It’s always people like you who ignore advice and end up getting worse before coming back.”
But I know my own condition best.
His remark hit a nerve, but I made an effort to ignore it.
“So first, focus on recovering your strength. I’ll come check on you again in two days.”
He reminded me several times to be sure to take the medicine after every meal, then turned to leave.
He even waved his hand in a friendly manner as he disappeared outside.
He actually left pretty easily?
I thought he’d be more bothersome or keep asking questions.
‘If he leaves me alone, that’s fine by me.’
So, left alone again, I—
“Phew, I thought he’d catch me.”
I finally let out the cough I’d been holding back the whole time.
I thought I’d seen a handkerchief earlier, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. When I wiped my palm roughly, it came away smeared with dark red blood.
The metallic taste that spread through my mouth made me quickly rinse out my mouth with water.
‘If Hyacine saw me coughing up blood, he’d probably grab Acteon by the collar.’
Since the two of them were enemies in the original work, I wanted to avoid giving them any more reasons to dislike each other.
Besides, all I did was hold his hand and help stabilize him—not even proper guiding—and yet not only did I faint, now I was even coughing up blood.
I never imagined it would drain me this badly.
“I’m never guiding Acteon again.”
Of course, guiding is basically my livelihood now that I’ve awakened as a Guide, but I’ll only volunteer when I know I can handle it.
I couldn’t possibly do that a second time.
As I thought of Acteon’s face, I shook my head.
Forget about saving him. I’ll probably end up dying first at this rate.
* * *
How long has it been. Maybe about a week holed up in my room, barely managing to get better?
My exhausted body finally began to recover.
“My recovery was a bit slower than expected, but I think you’ll be fine moving around now.”
It seemed Belled realized I’d been hiding my internal injuries. He looked at me steadily and said,
“Just don’t overdo it. If this happens again…”
“If it does?”
“Sir Hyacine looked like he’d tear someone apart.”
“…That’s actually a little scary.”
When I nodded awkwardly, Belled gave me a few more warnings and then left to do his own work.
So, I’m allowed to go out now, right?
He said I could move around, but I didn’t think I’d be heading out again so soon.
As soon as I rang the bell, the maid assigned to me came rushing in.
Was her name Anna? No, Hannah?
“D-Did you call for me?”
“I’m going out for a bit. Since I’m staying here, I should let someone know. Could you tell Blair I’ll be out of the mansion for the afternoon?”
Didn’t she completely ignore me the first day I got here?
She was now completely flustered, so different from before.
Maybe she thought I’d won the Duke’s favor after saving Acteon.
It’d be a lie to say it wasn’t ridiculous, but I didn’t feel like correcting her…
I had something more important to do.
“I’ll be back before dinner.”
She quickly said she’d let Blair know and hurried off.
But my plan to quietly slip out alone was shattered—
because Hyacine came looking for me.
“What? Where are you going?”
Hyacine looked shocked to see me dressed so neatly.
“How long has it been since you got better?”
“I spent a whole week in bed just sleeping and eating. I’ve had enough of being cooped up in this suffocating house.”
I’m the type who can survive in a single room for a week or even a month, but I realized Brondearn is a different story.
Since I had things to do anyway, I figured it was time for a change of pace.
“I’m going out to take care of some personal errands and get some fresh air.”
“In that case…”
Hyacine thought for a moment, then stopped me as I tried to leave.
“Then I’ll go too. I haven’t even seen District 1 properly.”
Hmm… Is that okay?
I hesitated briefly since I had things to do, but quickly gave up.
‘Well, it should be fine, right?’
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