When Ian said those words, those who had opposed me becoming a therapist once again voiced their objections.

Having prevented me from becoming a ‘therapist’, they seemed flustered that I was now given the title of ‘Imperial’.

I felt a sense of triumph seeing their expressions. But only for a brief moment.

“Isn’t it ridiculous? They opposed not because of lack of skill, but simply because I’m a woman? If anything, they’re the ones who lack qualifications. They should focus on saving lives.”

I vented to Ian about those people who didn’t seem like proper therapists. But I still wasn’t over it.

Unable to sit still, I paced around the room cursing them.

Ian sat with his chin resting on the table, smiling as he watched me getting worked up all by myself.

Someone’s dying of anger here! And he just keeps grinning! Is he enjoying my anger? Or is he mocking me?

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Because I’m happy.”

“Someone’s about to die of anger, and you’re happy that I’m upset?”

“Just. Having Jane in front of me, by my side, makes me happy.”

His wistful expression made me feel awkward, and I snapped at him.

“Ah, really, how long are you going to keep this up?”

“I think I’ll keep doing this. Because I’m that grateful Jane came back to me. I didn’t believe in gods before, but now I’m thinking maybe I should start. Should I build a grand temple?”

I thought it was a joke, but it didn’t seem so. He started pondering seriously.

“The question is which god to enshrine… Should it be the god of fate? The god of fate who brought Jane and me together. No, the god of life who brought Jane back to life?”

“You’re not joking? You’re really thinking of building a temple?”

“It’s not impossible.”

Feeling it would be endless if I entertained his nonsense, I stood up.

“Well, keep pondering then. I’m heading back now.”

“You should stay with me, where are you going?”

“I have to go home, of course.”

“Our home?”

“I mean the McCain mansion.”

“Since when has that been Jane’s home?”

“Even though you know me as Claire, I’m still a member of the McCain family now. I need to get back quickly before they worry. Last time I came home late… and even had hives on my face because of someone, which made Ileana worry.”

“Family, huh…”

He narrowed his eyes with a contemplative expression. Then suddenly, he smiled contentedly to himself.

What thoughts could he be having with that expression in front of someone…

“You should look apologetic, not make that expression. Who caused those hives… Look here? I even got a scar because of those hives.”

I pointed to the scar on my nape. There was a faint mark left from scratching with my nails.

“Look at this. How are you going to take responsibility?”

“Let me see…”

He examined my nape seriously. Since it wasn’t actually a severe wound, I pushed him away.

He put on a grave expression and said,

“It seems the scar will remain. Can’t be helped. Since it’s a wound caused by me, I’ll have to take responsibility. Let’s get married.”

“Why does it always come to that conclusion? Anyway, I’m leaving before it gets later.”

“Then you’ll start work tomorrow? I’ll come pick you up myself.”

“Work?”

At my question, he replied with a rather puzzled expression.

“You’ve become the Imperial Doctor. Of course you have to report to the Imperial Palace.”

“But what does an Imperial Doctor do? I kept quiet for the satisfaction of seeing those therapists’ faces crumple, but the Imperial Doctor position didn’t exist before, right?”

“We’ll talk details tomorrow. You must be tired today.”

Hearing his words, I did feel quite fatigued. It felt like I might come down with a cold. After wasting energy arguing over trivial matters today, drowsiness was setting in early.

“Really, no joke, I need to go back and sleep soon.”

“It’s still so early, yet you’re already this tired…”

“I guess Miss McCain is quite frail. How can one get so tired without doing much…”

“Are you alright? Come to think of it, I think I heard the McCain young lady isn’t in good health. That’s why there’s been talk about how overprotective Count McCain is.”

I nodded at his words and replied.

“It seems true that Count McCain would die for his sister. Even now, he tears up just seeing my face…”

Ian frowned at my words. He must have imagined Count McCain tearing up. A bear-like man with a mountain of a body crying certainly isn’t a pleasant sight.

“It’s so pitiful and sad that it’s rather uncomfortable. Though lately I don’t see him often at the mansion due to work.”

“…Don’t get too close to Count McCain.”

He said with a sulky pout, as if jealous.

“There’s no getting close or not. He’s Claire’s brother. And it is true that I feel sorry for him. It makes me feel guilty and pitiful that he thinks I’m Claire when I’m not really her…”

“That’s not Jane’s fault.”

“Still, I can’t help feeling uncomfortable about it.”

Ian made a rather displeased expression at my words.

Since I was supposed to start working as a doctor at the Imperial Palace today, Ileana woke me up early to prepare me for work. Of course, Ileana’s idea of work preparation was completely different from what I had in mind.

She woke me up in the morning and sat me down to do my hair. Still half-asleep, I let her take charge of my hair. There was a maid in charge of hair, but Ileana insisted on doing it herself just for today.

“It hurts. Please be gentler.”

“Bear with it a little. I’ll be done soon.”

“Do I really need to be this dressed up?”

I said, looking in the mirror.

She had gathered my long hair into a high ponytail, then twisted and pinned it to make it look voluminous. It formed a bun-like shape perched on top of my head. She wrapped a ribbon around it to secure any stray hairs.

It was a hairstyle more suited for a party than for work.

“You’re going to the Imperial Palace. Do you know how many eyes will be on you there? If I had known earlier, I would have had more dresses made.”

“I’m going to work, not attend a party.”

“I know. That’s why it’s more problematic. It needs to be suitable for the Imperial Palace yet practical. And you need to wear a different design every day…”

She sighed heavily, as if very worried. Perhaps due to her distraction, her hands became rough, and she accidentally jabbed a pearl-decorated pin into my scalp instead of my hair. I screamed at the sharp pain.

“Ow! That hurts!”

“Oh! I’m sorry. I must be too flustered. You went for a therapist license, but suddenly you’re not a therapist but a doctor, and you have to report to the Imperial Palace. It’s very perplexing for me.”

“It wasn’t something I planned either, it just happened suddenly…”

“You were suddenly called to the Imperial Palace yesterday and came back late, then just told me you became the Imperial Doctor and have to start work tomorrow, before going to your room saying you were tired. And you even slammed the door!”

“I don’t think I slammed it…”

I had thought I should explain it well to her, but I was just so tired when I got back to the mansion. I really felt like I might faint at any moment.

Following my survival instinct, I went into the bedroom saying I needed to sleep. She seemed quite upset that I hadn’t properly explained such a momentous event to her, instead closing the door as if annoyed.

“I was so worried and curious about what happened to Claire that I couldn’t sleep all night.”

Crunch.

Once again, a hair accessory tormented my scalp, but I clenched my teeth and suppressed a scream. If sacrificing a few strands of hair would appease Ileana’s anger, so be it.

‘Surely my head isn’t bleeding…’