Chapter 171

Sidrion had lied when he had said that something happened at the Black Tower. Had things gone according to Liliana's original plan, she would have made up various excuses for Yelena to try on three or four dresses. And once Yelena grew exhausted, she would try on the last dress. Upon exiting the dressing room, she was supposed to surprise Kaywhin.

That was the plan Liliana and Edward had in mind.

"To think that it was thanks to those two..."

Yelena nodded after hearing the story in detail during breakfast.

Kaywhin placed grilled fish and vegetables, cut for Yelena's convenience, on her plate. Instead of picking up her fork with her bandaged right hand, she used her left hand and ate her food.

Kaywhin watched closely as Yelena struggled to pick up round or hard food until he decided to feed her himself.

Yelena shifted glances between the round mushroom that was brought to her lips and her husband's calm expression. After a few moments, she opened her mouth and let her husband feed her.

At first, it was awkward for her to be fed but as he kept feeding her, it came naturally to her.

"..."

Edward narrowed his eyes.

"Must you do this?"

"Do what?"

"Do I really have to say?"

Yelena lifted her injured hand at the sound of Edward's tight voice. She decided to be shameless since things were like this anyway.

"If you have a problem, bring me a miracle doctor who can heal my wound in a day."

Of course, no matter how skilled the doctor was, it would be impossible. Even magic couldn't heal wounds instantly. But perhaps things would be different if people with divine power still existed.

"And what's wrong if a married couple does this? Mother and Father were often like this when I was young."

Liliana and Edward had been devoted to their studies when they were younger, due to their rivalry. Thus, they spent their mealtimes immersed in their studies. Naturally, the remaining three family members would often eat together.

Edward and Liliana quickly turned to Count Sorte. The count quietly put his hand to his mouth.

"Ahem."

***

After Yelena finished eating, she went to the three knights.

"Madam!"

"Stay still. Don't move."

Colin, Max, and Thomas each had their own bed. Their upper bodies were wrapped in bandages.

'The doctor must be having a field day with them.'

According to Edward, the knights all had matching injuries of broken ribs and damaged internal organs. They were very fortunate not to have injured their lungs, the doctor added.

After calming the three knights, who tried to get up when they saw Yelena, down, she spoke.

"...How are you?"

"I'm okay!"

"I'm fine. These bandages are just for show. At this very moment, I can get up and—cough, cough!"

Perhaps Max got a little too excited and his outburst was overkill. He coughed, clutching his chest.

"Hey!" Thomas shouted. "Are you making it obvious that you're injured?"

"S-sorry..."

Yelena laughed at their chaotic behavior. Prior to coming, she had a lot to say to them, but now that she was here, only one thing came to mind.

"Thanks."

"..."

"...I'm grateful to all of you."

Yelena looked at each knight, pausing at Colin.

"You bastard... Stay away from the duchess..."

Yelena recalled when Colin had grabbed onto Rebecca's partner's ankle and slowed the man down, even when he had been lying on the ground, hurt.

"You were cool."

"..."

"I'm proud to have you three as my guards."

"Y-you're too kind..."

"We are lacking..."

"If we had been a little more competent..."

"Don't say useless things. Just focus on recovering. Don't even think of moving around until you're all better," Yelena warned sternly, remembering how they had all struggled to get up to greet her. "You'll be in big trouble if I hear that your injuries got worse because you overworked yourselves."

She left the room to let the three knights rest comfortably. She thought she heard sniffling as she was leaving.

"...?"

Yelena turned around and briefly considered opening the door again. She didn't.

It appeared that she had three bodyguards who were very emotional.

It wasn't a bad thing.

***

The wound on Yelena's right hand completely healed in a week. The doctor who examined her wound could not hide his surprise.

"Your recovery was quite fast."

"Really?"

"It normally takes two weeks to heal."