People Aren't Meant to Be Fixed! (4 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 123

“Quack!”

After spinning in place a few more times, Poppy—now seemingly resolved—clenched her tiny fists and fixed her eyes with determination before turning away and hopping off with quick, bouncy steps. It must have looked to her as though Carlisle and Freyrie had left the room together, abandoning Darling, because she seemed eager to ask why they’d left her master behind.

Or rather, to be precise, she’d been torn between watching Darling—who remained wrapped tightly in her blanket, rolling listlessly on the bed like a soulless husk—and Carlisle, until finally choosing one side over the other.

“Quack, quack!”

As if demanding to know why they’d whispered among themselves and slipped away without her, Poppy hurriedly bounded after them. Just then, the slowly closing door finally shut with a soft thud, sealing off the bedroom from the hallway.

‘Quack?’

For an instant, Poppy trembled and turned sharply to look behind her.

Soon after, the faces of the absent maids Hailey and Miranda flashed through Poppy’s mind. Since both had left on Darling’s orders, there was no one left to open the door for her. To get back into the bedroom, someone would have to open it from the inside—but no matter how she scanned her surroundings, there was no one around. Panicking even more, Poppy scrambled hastily down the stairs.

“What can I help you with?”

Meanwhile, Carlisle, unaware that Poppy had followed, spoke to Freyrie. Worried that Freyrie might feel burdened, he kept a slight distance and politely asked what role he should take on. He’d come when summoned, but he was curious just how urgent and important the matter could be—enough to pull him away from folding laundry.

Moreover, judging by how Freyrie seemed unable to stand Darling’s current state any more than he could, Carlisle had a feeling she wanted to discuss something with him. He’d noticed Freyrie repeatedly glancing at Darling the same way he himself did.

In truth, Carlisle’s suggestion to avoid upsetting Darling wasn’t because he didn’t care—it was precisely because he cared deeply and feared that acting rashly might only make her more uncomfortable. His true wish was singular: to comfort Her Majesty the Crown Princess and bring a smile to her face.

Thus, when Freyrie asked for his help, he assumed she shared his feelings and intended to propose they work together to cheer Darling up.

“Could you please ask those two to help make apple juice?”

In response to Carlisle’s unspoken hopes, Freyrie pointed with a gesture toward Ronowe and Beris, who were running straight toward them. The Fleur household maids must have agreed to pick them up only when returning home, as no attendants followed behind them.

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