Ascan did not enter the carriage. He stood outside, looking at me through the window, and quietly asked,

“What is it?”

It was as if he was saying, “Just state your business briefly.”

Unfazed, I pointed to the seat opposite me and replied,

“Come in, eat with me.”

I had heard we still had quite a distance to go before reaching the village. Right now, the procession had stopped for a rest, and everyone was having a quick meal.

It wasn’t anything extravagant, but I wanted to share the dried meat prepared by the Brellof family—just in case of moments like this—with Ascan.

He wasn’t in his growth phase like ten years ago, but I hadn’t seen him eat anything since we set out, which made me a little worried.

‘Does he even eat properly while traveling?’

Ascan had an ideal build—tall, with perfectly proportioned muscles. Not overly bulky, yet not frail-looking either. One might say it was a flawless physique.

Anyone could see he was robust, so worrying felt unnecessary, but you never know. When busy with work, meals are usually the first thing neglected.

Ascan replied in his usual curt tone,

“I have no intention to.”

Naturally, I thought, “As expected.”

It seemed that unless I took care of him, he wouldn’t eat properly. Stubbornly, I pointed again to the opposite seat.

“Sit down. I have something to say.”

Honestly, I didn’t really have anything meaningful to discuss with him, but as the saying goes, “Hang it on your nose if you must, hang it on your ear if you must”—I could just make up any excuse.

Though I spoke without much thought, Ascan, apparently curious about what I might say, obediently entered the carriage.

I hurriedly handed Ascan, seated across from me, all the food I had—dried meat, fruits, everything.

Ascan watched me continuously pulling out food and said,

“You expect me to eat all of this right now?”

“They say men get hungry again as soon as they turn away after eating.”

“Even so, I can’t possibly finish this much in one sitting.”

Looking again at the food I’d laid out, I realized the quantity was indeed excessive.

By my own standards, it was enough to last me several days easily.

I scratched my cheek, embarrassed, and said,

“Then just eat as much as you can.”

Ascan nodded and took a bite of the dried meat. I don’t know why, but watching someone else eat made me feel full.

Unconsciously, I kept staring at him eating, until Ascan frowned slightly.

“Enough already.”

“Enough of what?”

“Are you advertising that you like me?”

What? What? What did you say?

If I had anything in my mouth right then, I would’ve definitely spat it out or choked.

“When did I ever…!”

“You deny it? You pulled out every scrap of food you had, aren’t eating yourself, and just keep staring at my face?”

Come to think of it, he wasn’t wrong.

Whenever I saw Ascan, I kept worrying about him, wanting to take care of him, feeling concerned. But hearing it from his own mouth made me unbearably embarrassed.

“No! I don’t!”

It was you who used to chase after me saying you liked me!

I felt so unfairly treated I could scream. I might even get sick from frustration if I didn’t go vent into a bamboo grove.

Somehow, Ascan’s gaze as he looked at me seemed to ask, “Do you like me that much?” My face burned hot.

“Well, since you’re denying it so hard, I’ll pretend you don’t.”

Why do you keep pretending! I said I don’t!

“You said you had something to say. Go ahead.”

Come to think of it, I’d lured him into the carriage earlier under the pretense of having something to say.

Strangely, if this had happened a while ago, he would’ve immediately asked, “What’s wrong?” as soon as he sat down. But now, he seemed to wait patiently.

I didn’t actually have any real business, but I had to say something, so I blurted out the first random excuse that came to mind.

“My… my leg hurts.”

Somehow, Ascan’s eyes turned serious at my words.

“Does it hurt badly?”

“Not too badly, just a little. Still, I think I should see a doctor once we reach the village. I can’t afford to be moving awkwardly.”

Ascan stared intently at my injured leg. Then, in a low voice, he said,

“…Let me take a look.”

“What?”

He set down the dried meat and gently grasped my bandaged leg.

Startled by his unexpected touch, I flinched.

“It’s not serious. Let’s just finish eating first… ah!”

Even the slightest contact sent a wave of pain through me, and I involuntarily let out a groan.

Before I could protest, he swiftly unwrapped the bandage around my ankle, revealing the swollen joint.

Ascan’s eyes darkened.

“You call this ‘nothing’?”

“It just looks bad on the outside. My bones aren’t broken.”

“Wait here.”

Ascan abruptly stepped out of the carriage and approached one of the royal guards. He soon returned, holding something.

In his hand was a small jar of unknown contents.

Returning instantly to the carriage, Ascan opened the jar in front of me. Inside was some kind of ointment.

Suddenly curious, I asked,

“What’s that?”

“They say it has a cooling property. I’ve never used it myself, but apparently it can substitute for a cold compress. You should apply it.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I took the ointment Ascan handed me.

Trying to apply it myself was awkward—I was seated across from him, and lifting my leg into position was difficult.

Seeing me just holding the ointment without applying it, he asked with a puzzled expression,

“Are you just going to hold onto it?”

“It’s a bit hard to do alone. I thought about asking the maid who came with us, but she’s probably eating right now. I’ll do it later.”

Ascan glanced alternately between my ankle and the ointment with a displeased look. Then he snatched the ointment back from my hand and said,

“I happen to have free hands. I’ll help you.”

“No, you really don’t have to…!”

“I’m not doing this because I want to. Your safety until we reach the Calua Empire is my responsibility. And since this is something we must return after use, stop delaying.”

It wasn’t like waiting until Jerin finished eating would take that long.

I tried to protest, but Ascan was faster—he grabbed my ankle and began applying the cold ointment.

“Ah!”

The area where the ointment touched felt cool. But the pain from his touch made me flinch involuntarily.

Seeing my reaction, Ascan’s expression turned serious, and his movements became much more careful as he applied the ointment.

I felt strange as his large, rough hands gently massaged my ankle.

He had told me not to look for traces of his past self in him, but like this, it felt as if we’d returned to ten years ago.

After finishing the application, Ascan lifted his head—and our eyes met directly, as I had been staring intently at him.

Contrary to his careful movements moments before, he now spoke in his usual curt tone,

“Done. Try not to move it, even if it feels uncomfortable.”

“I won’t.”

Ascan looked as if he still had something to say, but he remained silent and quietly stepped out of the carriage.

Suddenly, I noticed the dried meat he’d left behind on the seat where he’d been sitting.

“Asc…!”

I almost called his name out of habit but stopped myself. Somehow, he heard me anyway, halted his steps, and turned to look at me.

Without saying a word, I tossed the leftover dried meat toward him.

Whoosh—the dried meat arced through the air, and Ascan caught it effortlessly, then looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Afraid he might give it back, I spoke firmly,

“Don’t leave it. Eat it.”

Ten years ago, Ascan used to nag me about eating properly. Now, it seemed I was repaying that kindness.

Ascan glanced once between me and the dried meat, then turned away without further comment and began walking toward somewhere.

Watching his retreating back, I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

‘So he still worries about me, huh?’

Ascan might have applied the ointment purely out of professional duty, but receiving such unexpected kindness didn’t feel bad at all.

Whooshhh—

By afternoon, heavy rain poured down.

It felt as if the sky had sprung a leak—the downpour forced our mounted riders to slow considerably.

I was inside the carriage, so my situation was relatively better, but everyone outside was getting drenched, which weighed on my mind.

Jen approached the carriage and spoke,

“Miss, are you alright? The village isn’t far. Just hold on a little longer.”

“I’m fine. You be careful on the wet road.”

At my reply, Jen simply bowed her head respectfully.

Behind Jen, I thought I glimpsed Ascan’s faint figure, but the rain poured so heavily I couldn’t make him out clearly.

Everyone was exhausted from the sudden weather change. All I could do was hope we’d reach the village soon.

Eventually, we arrived at the village later than originally scheduled.

The sun had completely set, and everything was dark. The rain made it seem even darker than usual.

With dozens of people including the royal guards and my entourage, staying in one lodging was impossible.

Ascan efficiently divided everyone into groups. By the time I stepped down from the carriage and entered a room with Jerin, it was already deep into the night.

“Miss, please be careful.”

I sat down on the sofa, supported by Jerin.

After spending so long confined in the carriage, sinking into the plush sofa felt like heaven.

Jerin hurriedly wiped my wet face, hair, and dress as she spoke,

“You’ve worked hard, Miss. We should’ve seen the doctor immediately upon arriving at the village, but the weather made it difficult.”

“It couldn’t be helped. You’re the one who worked hard.”

Though I had the carriage to myself, Jerin had shared hers with others, so she must’ve been even more uncomfortable.

“Don’t mention it. Seeing you injured only made me more certain I was right to come along.”

“Truly, I’ve been helped by you in so many ways.”

Jerin smiled contentedly. Then, as if remembering something, she said,

“You’ll want to bathe first, right? You must be tired—I’ll draw some hot water right away.”

Bathing was always the most inconvenient part of traveling.

I felt like I could fall asleep the moment my head touched the pillow, but right now, the urge to wash up cleanly was stronger than sleepiness.

“As always, you’re the only one who understands me.”

At my words, Jerin smiled with crinkled eyes and hurried into the bathroom to fill the tub.

As hot water filled the tub, steam began to fog the bathroom.

Even though I’d been inside the carriage, my dress had gotten wet during travel, so I changed into a comfortable nightgown with Jerin’s help.

“Then let me assist you with your bath…”

“What are you talking about? You’ve done enough already.”

“But Miss, with your injured ankle, bathing alone will be uncomfortable.”

“Oh hush, go rest now. If you push yourself too hard, you’ll catch a cold.”

“But still…”

I understood Jerin’s concern, which made it even harder to accept.

It was already very late, and Jerin must’ve been exhausted from the journey. I gently ushered her out so she could finally rest.

Unable to withstand my insistence, Jerin stepped out the door, looking worried.

“I noticed earlier—the bathroom floor is slippery. Please be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not a child.”

I chuckled softly and practically shoved the hesitant Jerin out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Though my ankle was injured, I wasn’t incapable of bathing alone.

Slowly, I removed my nightgown and sank into the tub filled with hot water. It felt like all the fatigue in my body was melting away.

I closed my eyes, lying back in the tub, savoring the comfort—

Knock knock—

Faintly, I heard someone knocking on the door.

‘Who could it be at this hour?’

My first thought was, Could it be Jerin coming back?

Normally, I’d have a maid stationed outside the door, but today I’d sent everyone off to rest, so I had to move myself.

Carefully avoiding putting weight on my injured ankle, I got out of the tub.

I’d hastily dried off, but I was still damp as I slipped into my nightgown and slowly stepped out of the bathroom—

Slip—

My foot slid on the wet tile.

“Ah!”

I instantly lost my balance, flailing in midair as I tried desperately to regain equilibrium—but ended up landing hard on my rear.

A pained groan escaped me involuntarily.

My ankle was already injured, and now this fall made my entire lower body ache.

At that moment—

Bang—the bathroom door suddenly swung open, and someone rushed inside.

Startled, I looked up—and there stood Ascan, completely drenched from the rain. He quickly scanned the room and asked me,

“What happened?”

“I slipped and fell.”

He must’ve heard my scream and rushed in out of concern.

Only then did Ascan look down at me—lying on the floor, wearing only a thin nightgown. His gaze instantly darkened.

“What’s going on?”