[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 15

He had expected the lady to be lying in the bed, but instead, the duke sat there, his long legs stretched out, holding the lady who seemed to have fainted.

And he was staring at him with a menacing look.

Having been a physician for over twenty years and encountered countless patients, Henson thought this was the most challenging situation he had ever faced.

He swallowed dryly, unable to ask Edwin directly, and sent a desperate look to the butler.

'How can I examine her in such a condition? Please help me.'

Instead of assisting, the butler just hurried him on with an indifferent look.

Henson sighed deeply inside and gripped his trembling chest.

"May I, may I examine the lady?"

For a moment, Edwin raised an eyebrow skeptically but relaxed the arm holding Angelina.

He even slightly adjusted her position so she was more visible.

For Edwin, this was a considerable concession and tolerance, but from Henson's perspective, the situation had hardly improved.

Doing his best to avoid direct eye contact with the duke, Henson began the examination with trembling hands.

Holding onto his sanity desperately, he thought, 'Fainting here would mean the road to the underworld.'

"The lady is significantly weakened both physically and mentally. It seems she has suffered a severe mental shock."

After completing his examination and stepping away from the bed, Henson stuttered out his diagnosis.

"How is her heart?"

"Excuse me?"

Startled by the sudden question, Henson inadvertently raised his head but quickly bowed it again upon encountering Edwin's displeased look.

"She mentioned chest pain. She couldn’t breathe properly either."

"That would require a more thorough examination to―"

"Incompetent."

Henson gasped as Edwin abruptly cut him off and coldly tossed the word at him.

He really wanted to cry.

How could he conduct a thorough examination while the Duke was holding her so tightly?

But if he didn’t speak properly at this moment, it would truly be a direct path to the underworld for him.

"It seems she experienced that due to a severe shock. Her pulse is weak, but there is no damage to the organs. She should rest and take some medicine; she will get better."

Fortunately, it seemed the answer Edwin wanted to hear as no further comments came. Instead, another question followed.

"When will she wake up?"

How could he possibly know that precisely? He didn't even know exactly why she had collapsed.

Answering vaguely could get him labeled as incompetent and possibly killed.

On the other hand, giving an exact time was risky too.

If the lady did not wake up at that stated time, it could mean death.

Henson, sweating profusely and forcing his mind to work, replied:

"Ensuring she rests thoroughly would be the best for her speedy recovery."

After he managed what he thought was a reasonably safe response, Edwin seemed to dismiss him with a wave of his hand.

Looking hesitantly at the butler as if asking if he could leave, the butler motioned him towards the door.

"Bring the medicine immediately."

As he stepped outside the bedroom, the quietly closing door was followed by a calm word from the butler.

"Yes, I will go and prepare it right away."

Henson nodded continuously, his face as pale as if he had just met the Grim Reaper.

"There is one thing you must remember."

The butler's voice dropped, and Henson swallowed hard.

"All matters concerning the lady are top secret, even her appearance. You know what will happen if you disclose anything, right?"

While the butler’s brown eyes weren’t as intimidating as Edwin’s, they were frightening enough to make his heart tremble.

"Yes, yes. I will bear it in mind."

Henson barely suppressed his desire to cry as he nodded fervently.

He might have chosen the wrong job. No amount of high salary was worth his life being at stake.

Hadn’t they said he wouldn't need to meet the Duke when he signed the contract?

Henson sent a resentful glance at the butler, but it was quashed with a single cold look.

"Just so you know, you cannot resign unless dismissed by the master."

Startled at the thought of writing his resignation, Henson stared at the butler.

He should have read the contract more carefully before signing.

Henson's face turned sallow.

"It’s best not to think of running away. The titles they use for the master are not for show."

"How could I possibly entertain such thoughts? Absolutely not."

Henson shook his head desperately, his pupils trembling.

Seth looked on with a satisfied expression.

*

"The physician has been thoroughly warned."

Seth, not considering his actions as threatening, reported calmly to Edwin.

Edwin, keeping his gaze fixed on Angelina, merely nodded.

"Shall we lay the lady in bed? You need to rest as well."

"I am resting."

"You haven't skipped your meal, have you?"

"That's enough."

Seth’s expression deepened as he met Edwin’s slow lift of the head, noticing faint black lines appearing in Edwin’s eyes as if blood vessels were about to burst.

"I will clear the area."

Worriedly glancing at Edwin, Seth bowed his head and quietly left the room.

Edwin buried his face in Angelina’s hair and took a deep breath.

His anger was not subsiding.

Even though he had dealt with Raven and Angelina was safe, the boiling blood within him would not calm down.

Why! Why was this happening!

As his head heated up, he inhaled deeply again.

The sweet scent of her body seemed to slightly quell the raging madness.

"Huh."

This is why he couldn’t let go of Angelina. The moment he did, he felt like he would lose his sanity.

Edwin gently caressed Angelina’s face.

The sight of her gasping for air, unable to detach her hand from the guardian tree, had deeply upset him.

Not only that.

The sight of her terror-stricken by Raven made him feel as if his mood had plummeted into the muck.

‘Her scared, rabbit-like look was once endearing.’

Seeing her frightened by someone else, not him, was quite displeasing. Enough to stir anger.

"Clearly, others touching what's mine feels terrible."

No matter how much he pondered, the reason for his anger was just that.

Using Raven had been a flawed plan from the start.

"There will be no more putting you in danger. I’ve reflected a lot."

Only he should touch what was his.