# Chapter 24
“Ah, you came?”
I put down the book I was reading and greeted Edmund.
“You even read a book in this state?”
“There's nothing else to do.”
I shook my shoulders gently, and I felt pain in the wound again.
“Is something bothering you?”
“It's all very convenient, and that's the problem.”
I wasn't lying. The palace bed was much more comfortable than the hard temple bed, and the maid that Edmund had appointed looked after me with such care that I hardly needed to lift a finger.
She would put a pillow behind my back when I sat, cover me with a shawl if there was a breeze, and even feed me since bandages covered my right shoulder.
In this case, I felt like I had a terminal illness.
Well, I actually almost died.
Moreover, if I don't win Master's heart before my birthday, I will truly die.
“What are you looking at like that?”
“Because you're handsome.”
I responded lightly, and Edmund made a whiny sound. As Lucid said, I'm active, but with little progress.
Should I highlight my attractiveness like Eclat?
I looked at my flat chest, then tightened the shawl around me.
This is impossible with this body.
“By the way, what happened to the perpetrators?”
Edmund sat on the sofa with his arms crossed, legs crossed elegantly, and tasted the coffee the maid had brought before speaking.
“They tried to kill me, so of course I killed them all.”
As expected, he killed them instantly. If they had been alive, we would have known who “that woman” was.
“Anyway, they were practicing illegal moneylending, assaulting women in Umfa, and kidnapping orphans to sell to the Blue Rose Gang.”
Edmund glanced at me. Why does he do that? Does he think I pity their death?
They shot the First Prince!
Even under imperial law, they were worthy of execution, so nothing could be said about killing them on the spot.
“It seems that someone instigated them.”
I talked about “that woman” I had heard about for a moment.
“Maybe the Empress.”
As Edmund said, Lucid's mother is suspicious.
“But the loan project is run by Mr. Dante, not me.”
“Lucid knows the idea came from you.”
Edmund replied indifferently.
“This is how he has always been. He covets what others have, and if he does not get it, he destroys it.”
There are people who think that what others have is better. So, is he really Lucid? But why do I feel so anxious?
“You look so serious, it seems like you don't feel pain anymore.”
“Of course, I'm totally fine!”
To prove that I was okay, I raised my right arm slightly, but unintentionally groaned in pain.
"Doctor! Get a doctor!"
“Ah, I'm fine!”
"I'm not well!"
Edmund shouted irritably.
“There is blood!”
I looked down and saw blood seeping from the bandages. It seemed that the wound had opened.
"truly."
“Please, be a little calmer.”
I looked at him, as if if I continued, I might get hit.
I had to hear advice to rest while changing bandages.
***
“Can't I go back to work now?”
It's been five days and I've just been eating, sleeping and playing.
If I were in Korea, I would be sticking to my smartphone! But on this wide bed, all I can do is read books.
Reading is fun, but only for a day or two.
"Not possible."
“Honestly, I'm so bored.”
My cheeks puffed out as I whimpered.
“How will you handle papers? You can’t even hold a pen.”
“Um, do I read it and sort it with my eyes?”
“That's enough, just rest.”
This is cruel. I grumbled and grabbed another book next to me.
“By the way, the doctor who treated me, I would like to thank him.”
When will he let me meet him? He might be “the master”!
“Oh, you can meet him in two days.”
"Yes?"
“I hired him into the ambulance squad.”
“Ambulance squad?”
Why, there is a palace doctor?
“Not for me, but to treat my sick or injured men immediately.”
“Ah, I see.”
I nodded. The palace is large, and the workers are many, but not everyone can receive the treatment of the palace doctor.
Edmund rose suddenly, and Felix followed him.
“Anyway, you should lie down for a week, read books and be quiet.”
"Good."
Despite my complaining tone, Edmund laughed lightly and said nothing.
Since my injury, he's definitely been nicer to me.
Maybe he started to open his heart?
Like the stories of a savior who feels gratitude, and then it turns into love!
Like the princess of the neighboring country in “The Little Princess”!
Well, that was evil, but...
Anyway, in a couple of days I'll be back!
I want to get back to work quickly.
When I come back, I have to bring something delicious for everyone because they put up with my work!
I thought about what I would bring as I turned the pages of the book.
***
When Edmund closed the door, he heard Olivia exclaim, “Okay!”, and he smiled unintentionally.
"Tell the priest to agree with me. Olivia's shooting wound must remain a secret."
Felix nodded and said: “You hired a doctor because you are worried about Olivia, you seem to care about her very much.”
Edmund frowned and grumbled.
“Not like that. Just...”
He chose his words and then said: “Her behavior is funny.”
“You mean nice?”
“Funny.”
Edmund grumbled and took a piece of paper out of his pocket.
“How many people attacked her?”
“Eight attacks in five days.”
“They seem determined to kill this little one.”
Edmund made a whiny sound.
“What a loyal sweetheart, taking bullets for you,” Blackwood said, laughing after he was arrested. The rumors that the First Prince had a crush on her were not false
Edmund shouted as he hugged Olivia.
Felix grabbed Blackwood by the collar and shook him. He laughed and said, “Now, people will keep targeting her.” Being Edmund Layhart's weak point>
Blackwood bit his tongue and committed suicide after these words.
Since then, attacks on Olivia have continued under the pretext of her recovery.
The guards outside the room, the knights at the windows, and the knight Amalie disguised as a servant all did their part, and Olivia was unharmed.
“Is it safe to take her back to the temple?”
“It would definitely be dangerous.”
Even with the guard in the palace, the attacks continued, in the temple it would be worse.
“What about the rumours?”
“You mean the rumor about your hot romance?”
Felix pointed it out directly, and Edmund nodded as he touched his neck, his ears slightly red.
“Why did this rumor spread?”
“Everyone knows Olivia has asked you on a date countless times.”
Felix sighed as if to say, “You really don’t know?”
“Since the next day, the rumor has been spreading in the palace.”
“Is there no work for palace staff?”
Felix shrugged lightly.
“It is a miracle that you did not expel her and kept her by your side, and even appointed her as an assistant!”
“Because the little one is good at her job.”
“Of course, your team knows that, but others don't.”
To others, Olivia is just a novice and a young girl.
Quick promotion after recognition to her manager? This is suspicious enough to spark rumors.
“Moreover, she took a bullet for you, so how could the rumor not get bigger?”
“Is it from Lucid?”
“Maybe, or maybe not.”
Felix looked at Edmund. Even he sees that Edmund cares for Olivia.
But of course, his manager will hide it by saying “because she’s talented.”
“Then, we should stop these rumors first.”
"how?"
“If she's being threatened because she's my girlfriend, we'll spread the rumor she's not.”
It's not really like that.
added Edmund, striding down the long corridor.