I calmly approached Rose’s bedside. I needed to compose myself first. If I, the one tending to the patient, appeared flustered while the patient was unconscious, it would only cause the others in the room to feel anxious as well.

“The sheets are damp with sweat. That must be uncomfortable. Let’s change the sheets first. Bring ones that are soft and sun-dried. And since they might get sweaty again soon, bring two sets if possible.”

The maid brought fresh sheets and a blanket from the cabinet and changed them.

“Has she been given fever medication? She must be thirsty after sweating so much.”

We need to give her water to drink.

‘Wait, instead of just water, we should mix in some glucose…’

I didn’t know the exact ratio for oral rehydration solution, but I definitely remembered hearing that sweating a lot disrupts the body’s electrolyte balance.

‘The exact ratio was how much salt and sugar per liter… Since I don’t know that for now, let’s just add a little salt and sugar to a large amount of water.’

Not cold water, but lukewarm water, close to body temperature.

“Have her drink water mixed with sugar and salt.”

“My lady, we have water here, but for sugar and salt… we’d need to go to the kitchen.”

The maid looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Bang bang.

Outside the door, Lord Lucian was tirelessly demanding the return of his younger sister.

“Please, my lady! Rose needs to receive treatment!”

If I opened the door now, who knew when Rose might fall victim to the quack doctor’s knife.

“Alright, I’ll open the door.”

“My lady!”

“I’ll convince Lord Lucian. That bloodletting is absolutely not an option.”

I smiled reassuringly at Lady Temery, who was silently holding Rose’s hand tightly.

“Apple, open the door.”

* * *

“Lady Anette!”

As soon as the door opened, I saw Lord Lucian kneeling, as if he had steeled himself for something.

I gestured to Apple with my eyes. Apple, with a determined expression, nodded and quietly left the room.

“Please stand up, Lord Lucian.”

“I am aware that my sister has committed countless acts of disrespect towards you, my lady. If you wish to hold me responsible for overlooking and failing to discipline her, I have no excuse. I will accept any punishment you deem fit, but please, I beg you, do not deprive my sister of the chance to receive treatment.”

“Lord Lucian, I was the one who rescued Rose Temery from the ash grove last night.”

To the people of this era, bloodletting was considered a cutting-edge medical technique performed by well-studied doctors.

Lord Lucian’s current attitude was like saying they should at least try administering an experimental drug with unknown results to his dying sister.

That’s why it was difficult to change his desperate mind.

“Lord Lucian, how many days has it been since you swore your honor to me? Are you now doubting your lady?”

“My lady, I understand that bloodletting may seem dangerous to ladies who are unaccustomed to the sight of blood. However, our physician, Dr. Owell, is different from any quack doctor. He has experience treating many patients.”

No. It’s not about being a quack or not. Even if done by the most renowned physician, it’s still not okay. It’s just a method of killing people.

“If I had wanted Rose dead, it would have been easier to just leave her to die in the ash grove last night. If left alone, your sister would have died of hypothermia.”

I grasped both of Lucian’s hands.

“I’m asking you, Lord Lucian. I sincerely want to save Rose. So please, entrust her to me.”

“What on earth are you saying! This is not child’s play. While you’re doing this, Rose’s condition is only worsening!”

At that moment, Dr. Owell criticized me.

“Will you take responsibility if Rose dies because you prevented a doctor’s treatment?”

“No matter what you say, I absolutely cannot allow a knife to touch Rose’s body!”

To be honest, I’m scared.

This isn’t something that happened in the original story. I don’t know any magical solution.

But I do know that bloodletting will kill Rose.

Of course, who knows. This is a fantasy world after all. Maybe that method, which I know kills people in my world, is a real cure here.

So what if my treatment doesn’t help Rose recover?

What if Rose’s family regrets not having used bloodletting then?

“Anette.”

It wasn’t the voice of Owell or Lord Lucian, who were doubting and criticizing me.

“Do you have another way to treat Rose?”

Darius’s voice almost made my legs give out.

“Yes.”

He asked only one thing. Whether I intended to do it.

“Your Grace!”

Lord Lucian bit his lip.

“Your Grace, Anette may be your wife, but Rose is my sister!”

“Lucian, are you suggesting that my faith in Anette is merely because she’s my wife?”

“Lady Anette has no knowledge of medicine.”

In this tense moment, Darius remained as cool as ever.

“Lucian, it was none other than Anette who found Rose last night.”

The one person who supported me more steadfastly than anyone else.

“Anette, I trust you. Please take care of Rose.”

The person who gave strength to my weakening knees. My reliable male protagonist.

‘Yes, I will protect Rose from that quack’s hands. I won’t betray Darius’s trust in me, just as he has trusted me.’

I almost burst into tears but swallowed them forcefully. Now was not the time to cry.

Quite some time had passed since I ran to Rose’s room, leaving Darius in the bedroom. With this much commotion, it seems even Darius couldn’t just keep sleeping.

“But still…”

“My noble lady, what on earth do you know about medicine! If you won’t acknowledge my treatment methods, why do you even keep me in this castle?”

Dr. Owell, the court physician, lamented as he stroked his full beard amidst the ongoing confrontation. His face had turned bright red as he asserted his authority as a doctor.

Zap. Darius glared at Owell, clearly displeased by his words belittling Anette.

“Don’t worry. If Anette is treating Rose, there’s no need for you to be here anymore, since you were about to perform a dangerous procedure.”

“Hah! This is… Distrusting a doctor is tantamount to killing the patient! Patients always say this, that they know their own illness best!”

‘There’s never been a time when that statement is more true than now.’

Ignoring the grumbling Owell, I focused my gaze solely on Lord Lucian.

“Lord Lucian. When I repaired the training ground, you told me that you had misjudged me. That contrary to your first impression, I was someone who truly loved the North.”

Flinch. Lord Lucian’s body trembled.

“Just like then, please change your mind now too. Even if you don’t understand right now, I’m doing this for Miss Rose’s sake. Please give me your trust and faith. I’ll do my utmost to care for Miss Rose.”

My hands gripping Lord Lucian’s hands tightened. His hands were cold and trembling.

I spoke firmly once again.

“Please, abandon the bloodletting and allow me to take full charge of nursing her.”

“…I entrust my young sister, Rose, to your care.”

Finally, Lord Lucian bowed his head and agreed to my words.

“Hah, really! This is outrageous! Are you saying a doctor is not needed? Fine, fine! I’ll leave the Grand Duchy today! Let’s see how well you people who know nothing about medicine do!”

Dr. Owell was so angry that he yanked out the beard he had been stroking and stood up abruptly.

But no one paid him any attention except for his assistant.

“Doctor!”

“My lady, here’s the salt and sugar!”

“Well done! Now bring water!”

Just then, Apple, whom I had secretly sent out, returned from the kitchen with salt and sugar. There was no time to waste.

“Only family members are allowed in the patient’s room. Too many people can spread disease and cause distress, so everyone else please leave!”

Following my words, people scattered.

“Anette, if there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me. I’m here to assist.”

To Darius, who was rolling up his sleeves, I gestured towards the door. It meant to leave.

Darius’s eyes widened in shock.

“Anette…?”

“Your Grace, you’re not Rose’s family, are you?”

“But I’m…”

“If you’re not family, I’m sorry, but please leave.”

“Rose is like a little sister to me, we grew up together.”

“Like a sister, but not an actual sister. I’m sorry, Your Grace! We’ll see you tonight!”

With Rose’s three family members and the maids to assist me, there were already enough people in this room.

I felt sorry for Darius, who had taken my side when convincing Lucian, but having non-family members leave was the best way to help.

“My lady, everything you asked for is ready. The water has been warmed and mixed with sugar and salt. What should we do next?”

As I returned to the room, everyone was looking at me. My palms became sweaty with tension.

“Haa… cold… haa, haa.”

Rose, feverish, continued to mumble incoherently, unable to regain consciousness.

Seeing her shivering despite being covered with a thick blanket made my heart ache.

“It’s alright now, Rose. Thank you for holding on as I asked. Now I’ll help you.”

That night in the forest. Knowing Rose’s body was cooling down, I could do nothing. All I could do was hold her tight and childishly yell at her to hang on, threatening to kill her if she died.

But now it was different.

‘I’ll save you. Using all the knowledge I have.’