(4)">Chapter 54 [part 2] - (4) (1/2)
Chapter 54 [part 2]
(4)
“Anna, your employment contract has been terminated. You will be given a temporary employment contract for the time being.”
Jerome’s tone had a certain edge to it. Anna replied weakly and looked through the document on the table one by one. She then signed a lifelong confidentiality agreement to keep the events from her time as doctor a secret.
“You have broken our trust. You will not be allowed to go out until your temporary employment is over and contact will be limited to a minimal amount of people. You are forbidden from meeting the doctor.”
“…Yes.”
“Even after your employment period is over, you will be watched to see who you meet with. This will last until we are sure that you will adhere strictly to the contract of confidentiality you have signed. I suggest you don’t act in any manner that would create doubts.”
Living under surveillance with no known end. Anna realized how much of a mistake she’d made. Until she came to the Ducal House, she had little to no experience with treating nobles. She had no idea of the rules of the noble world and the habits of those living in it.
When she lived under the Duke, no one dared to treat her carelessly. They were all amicable and a few of her superiors treated her with respect. But she didn’t conduct herself cautiously as a noble’s doctor and was complacent. She would probably find out later, just how much she had been treated with generosity and humanely.
“If possible, can I meet Sir Philip one last time? He has taught me a lot. I would like to give him my last greetings.”
“I will ask Master.”
***
Philip knew something had gone wrong when Anna didn’t contact him for a day, and when she didn’t find him till the Duke returned, he knew it had completely gone astray.
When one looked at the Duchess’ current situation, one could assume that the Duchess would be desperate for a child. Hence, Philip thought that if the Duchess knew there was a cure, she would jump at the opportunity.
He couldn’t tell where things started to go wrong. Anna came to see him about ten days after the Duke returned, looking rather crest fallen.
“Milady refused to meet you, Philip. By now, his Grace the Duke has probably heard of the situation and knows everything. Don’t worry. I explained it well.”
A failure. Philip had already guessed so but when it was confirmed, he became frustrated. How come? How could he stop here when his goal was right in front of him?However his face did not reveal any of his internal anxiety.
“Anna, you are going through such a hard time because of me.”
“No. I was the one who was thoughtless. Sir Philip and I cannot meet anymore. I will also be quitting my post very soon.”
“Oh? Then Anna is receiving all the punishment from this. I feel bad, this happened because of me.”
‘This is the worst.’
To think Anna would be resigning as from her post as doctor. That meant his access to the Duke would be completely gone.
“It is a position more than I deserved. Everything is going back as it was.”
“When you told the Madam, you should not have said I was the Duke’s doctor. If his Grace the Duke says not to meet, the Duchess cannot readily agree to do so.”
“One cannot meet you and avoid the eyes watching you anyways.”
“Well, that is true.”
Philip appeared outwardly convinced but inwardly he clicked his tongue. What an inflexible woman. Because there were eyes on him, the best chance was when the Duke of Taran was absent. If the Duchess was firmly decided on seeing Philip, no one other than the Duke of Taran had the authority to stop it.
Of course, the Duke would hear of it later but if it means he could talk to the Duchess, Philip would do whatever he could.
“So, what do plan to do after quitting? If you quit, even to the Ducal House it’s a great loss of talent.” (Philip)
“Talent you say. I couldn’t find a cure for Milady and did nothing but prescribe headache medicine once or twice a month. On the contrary, I was over compensated.”
“…Headache?”
Philip’s eyes lit up momentarily.
“Migraines, it’s a common symptom among women.”