Lorencia, who had eaten her fill, smiled. Today’s food was delicious too.

“Lady Lorencia. Today is the day Doctor Debussy is scheduled to visit.”

Lorencia looked at Teishar, who was preparing her snacks, and then shifted her gaze to Amelin.

“But Amelin.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not sick anywhere right now, so why is Doctor Debussy coming?”

“It’s to check your physical condition periodically. You don’t need to worry at all.”

At Amelin’s words, Lorencia nodded her head.

Lorencia recalled the female doctor Debussy whom she had met for the first time. The woman in her 40s took good care of her and was kind, just like Amelin.

Later, Allen told her that Debussy was researching medicine and medicinal herbs.

“Long time no see. Lady Lorencia.”

“Long time no see. Madam Debussy.”

“Your complexion has improved since I last saw you. You’ve gained weight and that’s very good.”

“I’ve become very healthy thanks to everyone taking care of me.”

Debussy put down her medical bag and opened it. Tools for examination were placed on the bedside table. Then she had Lorencia lie down on the bed. And with a kind smile, she spoke.

She asked various questions, from whether her stomach was uncomfortable when eating to what foods made her retch.

And as the last question.

“When was your last period?”

Lorencia hesitated at her question. When she first met Debussy and was asked when she had her period, she replied that she hadn’t started yet.

“Not yet…”

Debussy’s face, which had been kindly asking questions and examining, hardened slightly and then relaxed.

“Lady Lorencia.”

“Yes.”

“Have you not started your period yet?”

“Well…”

With an anxious expression, Lorencia closed her mouth. She recalled the priests of the Ella Temple in the past future pointing at her, who hadn’t started her period, and calling her a witch.

She didn’t say it out loud, but in fact, it still vividly comes to mind even when she closes her eyes. People hurled all sorts of curses and stones at her, and her whole body was covered in bruises and wounds.

“Don’t be afraid. If you haven’t been eating properly or have been under constant stress, you may not get your period.”

Debussy tightly held Lorencia’s trembling hand and gently comforted her.

“But I heard that not having a period means being cursed by the Goddess Ella.”

“If you have been under severe stress and had a nutritionally inadequate diet for a long time, your body may not develop properly and you may not start menstruating.”

“Madam Debussy. Have you ever met someone like me who doesn’t have a period?”

“Of course. I have treated them all, even those who didn’t have it until after they turned 20.”

Not having a period is not a religious issue. It’s a matter of body and mind.

“Really?”

“I will help you so that you can get your period. So don’t worry at all.”

Debussy took out a magical tool from her bag and placed it on Lorencia’s stomach. She placed her hand on the round magical tool she had taken out and closed her eyes. Then the magical tool shone brightly and gradually faded away.

Checking the magical tool, Debussy sighed. Fortunately, no major problems were found in Lorencia’s body. She was much healthier than when they first met.

Just looking at Lorencia made Debussy’s heart ache. She was still far from a normal weight. What would have happened to Lorencia if she had stayed at the Earl of Pol Heredian’s residence?

Just the thought was too terrible.

Debussy put the magical tool that had been placed on Lorencia’s body back into her bag and smiled kindly.

“There is nothing wrong with Lady Lorencia’s body. You have improved a lot since we first met. If you continue to eat delicious food and high-calorie snacks in a good environment like this, your period will surely come.”

At Debussy’s words, Amelin’s face visibly hardened. A month had passed since they had been living together, and she had been worried that Lorencia hadn’t even started her period. Debussy prescribed medicine that was good for Lorencia’s body and left the room. Before leaving, she whispered something quietly in Amelin’s ear and left.

As she opened the door and left, Lorencia examined Amelin’s stiffened face. Her expression had not been good since learning that Lorencia hadn’t had her period. The thought that Amelin might be a believer of the Ella Temple made her chest feel stuffy as if it were blocked.

“Amelin.”

“Yes. Lady Lorencia.”

Lorencia, who had been watching her reaction, carefully called out to her.

“I had told you before that I had my period.”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I haven’t even started menstruating. Amelin, I’m sorry for lying. I didn’t mean to hide the fact that I don’t have periods, but I was afraid of being misunderstood as a witch.”

Amelin’s lips trembled. And she tightly hugged Lorencia’s small body, who was chattering while looking at her reaction, and gently stroked her hair.

Anger welled up at the thought that the daughter of Musila, whom she respected, had been living a hard life, but more than that, she felt pity for Lorencia. She felt sorry for her.

“It’s okay.”

“I’m so sorry for lying. Please don’t hate me.”

Amelin recalled what Debussy had said to her as she left. She said that the scars on the body could be erased, but the scars engraved on the mind could not be erased. She said that even if the body is healthy, periods may not come due to psychological issues.

All those words saddened Amelin. Amelin patted Lorencia’s back.

“It’s okay. I don’t hate you.”

“Really? You won’t hate me even though I lied?”

“How could I hate such a lovely lady? I will take better care of you from now on.”

Both love. And happiness.

“No matter what anyone says, our Lady Lorencia is a precious being born to be loved.”

Somehow, Amelin kept hugging Lorencia or holding her hand tightly, saying that she was a precious being.

Her kind expression and warm words that seemed to reassure her were so warm that Lorencia blinked, then smiled brightly, and soon buried herself in Amelin’s arms, shedding tears.

She thought it was quite happy to be loved. But what was the reason for these tears?

“It’s okay. My lady. I like you very much.”

“I like Amelin too. Thank you for liking me.”

Lorencia, who had learned to read and write, recently had something she was deeply immersed in.

It was the joy of reading a book while drinking cocoa with lots of marshmallows on top and eating cookies, leaning against the fluffy bed head.

Reading the colorful pictures she was seeing for the first time and the text explaining them was more than just fun. It wasn’t enough to just read.

Although she had never traveled the outside world, she realized that she could experience it vicariously by reading books. The more she read, the more she wanted to know.

She felt that she had done well in learning to read and write, even though it was really embarrassing. If she hadn’t learned to read, she wouldn’t have been able to experience this new world.

Teishar prepared a large number of pretty picture books that Lorencia could read easily for her who was immersed in books. So that her eyes wouldn’t get tired while reading, he even installed aromatic candles and lamps shining with magic stones near the bed.

Looking at Lorencia reading happily, the corners of his mouth that had risen did not come down. A smile naturally formed.

“Do you need anything else? Lady Lorencia.”

“If there’s anything I need, I’ll let you know.”

“Very well.”

These days, Teishar also enjoyed asking Lorencia what things she needed. That wasn’t all.

He had become addicted to managing everything that the young tree Lorencia ate and drank. From the decorations in the room to the candles, perfume, dresses, shoes, etc., he was selecting and gifting her with only the best of the best, from one to ten, that would suit Lorencia.

At first, she found it burdensome and said she didn’t need anything, but these days Lorencia had become used to receiving gifts.

Rather than thick books with lots of text from the beginning, he prepared picture storybooks that could be read lightly and provide fun. When he gifted her the books, Lorencia was very happy. Just thinking about that moment made Teishar’s heart tingle.

The young tree behind her grew a lot when she read books. As she turned the pages of the book, leaves sprouted and the branches thickened. He learned that the young tree didn’t just grow by eating and sleeping well.

He was also proud that the young tree was growing well, better than expected. Just looking at it was precious and happy. No, the word happiness was not enough to define it.

Above all, Lorencia these days honestly expresses her opinions.