“No, it’s nothing. I guess I’ve been overdoing it lately, working on research until late. Haha.”

Lea pretended to eat, but she couldn’t manage to swallow anything. Moreover, she felt even hotter than before starting the meal.

‘Something’s strange. I was fine earlier in the day.’

Especially when she encountered Edward in the research lab. For a moment, thoughts of the side effects of the new medicine crossed Lea’s mind.

‘Surely… it can’t be.’

Feeling uneasy about the creeping anxiety, Lea wasn’t feeling well.

‘I can’t let this happen.’

If this fever was indeed a side effect, she had to go back to her bedroom before it got worse. She wanted to keep the place next to Edward, who was able to be there because of her.

Knowing it was improper, but feeling helpless, Lea put down the utensils she was holding.

“I’m sorry. I think I need to rest today. I’m not feeling well.”

“Alright, take a good rest.”

Dmitry nodded, seemingly understanding Lea’s condition.

“Edward, it’s your first dinner with us, but she needs to rest. I apologize for leaving early.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry. Get well, Yeong-ae.”

Edward responded to Lea’s apologetic gaze with a reassuring smile.

Lea went straight back to her bedroom after leaving the dining room. When she touched her forehead, it felt as if it was burning up even more in the short time it took to walk back.

“Sigh… What should I do?”

No matter how much she thought about it, the symptoms resembled side effects. Although Akiya occasionally had what seemed like a side effect after he left, it was at a mild level.

‘I wonder if applying an ice pack will bring down the fever.’

Even if that didn’t work, she thought about going for a secret bath in the early morning.

Knock, knock.

Lea turned towards the bedroom door, alerted by the knocking sound indicating someone’s visit. For a moment, she thought it might be Carol the maid, and she should ask for ice.

“It’s Edward. Yeong-ae, do you have a moment?”

At the sound of the unfamiliar voice, Lea stopped in front of the bedroom door.

‘…Why would Edward come to me?’

At the moment she realized who had come, Lea hesitated to open the door. Although she unintentionally left the seat first during the dinner, refusing someone who came to her directly would be impolite.
Even though I grew up as a commoner, I knew it was against etiquette.

Moreover, Lea didn’t want to become someone related to Dmitry’s honor.

‘What should I do?’

As much as she wanted to pretend to be asleep, it wasn’t yet late enough to go to bed.

With thoughts of inevitability, Lea straightened her attire and opened the door.

With the sound of the doorknob turning, Allenxia Yeongsik appeared through the opening door. He seemed to be about to turn back, hesitating upon hearing the sound of the door opening.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest.”

“No, it’s okay. I wasn’t asleep yet.”

Lea smiled at Edward, who was looking at her apologetically.

“But what brings you here?”

“It’s nothing special. I have something to tell you.”

He extended a small medicine bottle towards Lea. Lea took the bottle from him, turned it around, and looked at Edward in surprise.

“This is…”

“I made this fever reducer. I noticed you might have a slight fever earlier.”

Even though he was troubled by not having a prepared fever reducer. She didn’t expect him to bring the medicine personally. Looking at the bottle, it was unmistakably a medicine made by Edward.

“Thank you, Yeongsik. I’d like to offer you tea or something, but as you can see, I’m not feeling well.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s the heart of a medical professional who wants to help a sick Yeong-ae.”

Edward smiled, his eyes crinkling gently to make Lea feel at ease. Lea’s face softened at the caring demeanor she felt from him.

“Then, rest well.”

With those words, Edward seemed about to turn away. However, now that Lea received medicine from him, she couldn’t just let Edward go.

“Edward.”

In a quiet voice calling him, Edward stopped and turned back.

“I heard you’re leaving tomorrow morning. Before you leave, would it be alright to treat you to tea or something? I’d like to, if it’s okay.”

“It would be an honor.”

Without hesitation, Edward responded with a graceful smile towards Lea.

After Allenxia Yeongsik left, leaving the words to rest, Lea sat by the bed. Although she received the medicine from him, now that she saw the medicine, she hesitated to take it.

“I wonder if this medicine will work.”

It was definitely a milder fever than the time when there were side effects before. However, seeing her body gradually getting warmer, she felt sure it was related to side effects.

Lea, who had been staring at the medicine bottle for a long time, finally opened the lid as if she had made up her mind. The effect of the medicine was uncertain, but she thought it would be better than not taking it.

After swallowing the medicine in one gulp, Lea placed the empty bottle on the bedside table.

Then she slowly closed her eyes, hoping that the medicine would be effective.