Swiftly returning to the carriage, Ascan opened the small container in front of me. Inside, I could see ointment.

Curious, I asked, “What’s that?”

“It has a cooling property. I’ve never used it myself, but it can be used as a substitute for cold compress. You should apply it.”

“Oh, thank you.”

I grasped the ointment handed by Ascan.

Trying to apply it, it seemed challenging to lift my leg and find a comfortable position since Ascan was sitting on the opposite side.

Seeing me just holding the ointment without applying it, he asked with a puzzled expression, “Are you going to keep holding it?”
“It seems a bit difficult to do it alone. I was thinking of asking the maid who came with us to apply it, but she’s probably having a meal now, so I’ll do it later.”

Ascan alternately looked at my ankle and the ointment with an uncomfortable expression. Then, taking the ointment back from my hand, he said, “Since my hands happen to be free, I’ll help.”

“No, there’s no need…”

“It’s not something I want to do. Your safety is under my jurisdiction until we arrive in the Kahlua Empire. Besides, it’s an item that needs to be used and returned, so don’t waste any more time.”

No, waiting until Jelin finishes his meal wasn’t going to take that long.

I tried to object, but Ascan, grabbing my ankle, was faster at applying the cold ointment.

“Ah!”

The area where the ointment was applied felt cool. However, pain accompanied Ascan’s touch, and I involuntarily flinched.

Seeing my reaction, Ascan’s expression became more serious, and he applied the ointment with even more cautious movements than before.

It felt strange to have Ascan’s large and rough hands gently touch my ankle.

He told me not to look for his past self, but doing this made it feel like I had gone back ten years.

After finishing applying the ointment, Ascan raised his head, and our eyes met directly as he was staring at me intently.

Unlike the cautious movements a while ago, he spoke with a blunt voice.

“It’s done. Don’t move as much as possible if it’s uncomfortable.”

“Okay.”

Ascan seemed to have something more to say, but without opening his mouth again, he quietly got off the carriage.

Suddenly, I noticed the dried meat left behind in the seat where he was sitting.

“As…!”

I stopped myself from calling Ascan’s name out of habit. However, he halted his steps when he heard it and turned to look at me.

Without saying a word, I threw the dried meat I left behind toward him.

Whoosh, drawing an arc, the dried meat flew towards Ascan. He effortlessly caught it with a puzzled look in his eyes.

Worried that he might return it, I spoke with emphasis in my voice.

“Don’t leave it, eat it.”

It seemed like a repayment for the advice Ascan gave me ten years ago to take care of my meals.

After glancing at me and the dried meat for a moment, Ascan turned his body without any particular response and started walking towards somewhere.

Watching his retreating figure, I couldn’t help but burst into a small laugh.

“Well, he does worry about me, huh?”

Ascan’s act of applying ointment could have been done with a businesslike emotion, but unexpectedly receiving such favor didn’t make me feel bad.

Shooo—

In the afternoon, a tremendous rain poured down.

As if there were holes in the sky, rain poured so heavily that the speed of riding a horse inevitably slowed down.
I was fortunate to be inside the carriage, but my heart went out to the people outside who were getting wet in the rain. Jen approached the carriage and spoke, “Miss, are you okay? The village is not far, so please bear with it a little longer.”

“I’m fine. Jen, be careful on the rainy road.”

In response to my answer, Jen just nodded with a slight bow. It seemed like Ascan’s figure was faintly visible behind Jen, but the heavy rain made it difficult to see clearly.

The sudden weather change had drained everyone’s energy. I could only hope to arrive in the village quickly.

In this way, we arrived at the village later than originally planned.

The surroundings were pitch dark as the sun had completely set. The rain made everything even darker than usual.

It was impractical for dozens of people, including the guards and me, to stay in a single inn. Ascan efficiently divided the personnel, and when I entered the room with Jerin after getting off the carriage, it was already late at night.

“Miss, be careful.”

Supported by Jerin, I sat on the sofa. Sitting on the soft sofa after being in the carriage for a while felt incredibly comfortable.

Hurrying, Jerin wiped my wet face, hair, and dress, saying, “You’ve been through a lot, Miss. You should have seen a doctor as soon as we arrived in the village, but the weather made it difficult.”

“It can’t be helped. You’ve suffered a lot.”

I had the carriage to myself, but Jerin rode with the others, so it must have been more uncomfortable for her.

“Don’t mention it. Seeing you injured, I felt I did the right thing following you.”

“Thanks to you, I’ve been helped in many ways.”