Chapter 121 (2/2)

Frau and Panda were floating in the air over the bed, also looking worried about Kaede.

Jessica returns with a pitcher of water.

”I've prepared some water. She's been sleeping very well since she took her pills.”

”I'm sorry I had to rent a room and that you had to help me take care of her.”

”That's okay. It's a guards' job to help those in need.”

I squeezed a water-soaked towel and put it on Kaede's forehead.

I was aiming to take care of this by myself, but Jessica ended up helping me.

Unlike me, Kaede is smart, caring and gets it all done before I can say anything.

Without realizing it, I was pushing her too hard.

”My Lord, do you remember that day when it rained, wasn't it that Kaede caught a cold because of it?”

”True, it was a very rainy day... But I got wetter than Kaede, why didn't I catch a cold too?”

”Let me ask you something, have you ever had a cold, my lord?”

”No.”

”I see... Well, the logical answer is that Kaede is weaker than you.”

That's right, Kaede is fragile.

I had forgotten.

”I'll take care of Kaede. Jessica, you must have guard duties, so you can go if you need to.”

”Don't worry. I've been assigned to watch Toru and his friends, so I can take care of the rest. I'll bring something to eat.”

”Sorry again.”

”No worries. My father used to say: don't be the kind of elf who abandons those in need.”

Jessica smiled and said goodbye as she went to buy food.

”Mas...ter.”

Kaede opens her eyes slowly.

Her gaze wanders for a while, finally settling on my face.

She smiles even while her face is red.

”I'm sorry, Master, I got sick.”

”No need to get up, go back to sleep!”

”Yes...”

I took a warm towel, soaked it in water and put it on her forehead.

She seemed to be sweating, maybe it was too hot.

I'll have Frau wipe her later.

”It reminds me of the time when we just met. Master did this back then too, cof cof.”

”Kaede, don't strain yourself. Jessica is out now buying something nutritious. Do you think you can eat?”

”I think I can eat a little.”

I stroked Kaede's tired head.

”Please don't stop... Keep stroking me more...”

”Okay.”

”It's good to get sick once in a while.”

She looks kind of happy...

I hope she recovers soon.

It was very late at night, all the lights in the city were off, except for the small dim light in Kaede's room.

”Uhm... Huh... Ma-Master, where are you?”

”I'm here. Relax, let me change your towel.”

I put a new towel on her forehead.

Her body temperature seemed to have increased, and her breathing seemed somewhat labored.

Her consciousness was blurry, and she was coughing violently from time to time.

I have Frau, Panda and Jessica sleeping in separate rooms, just in case.

It's not a quarantine, but I want to prevent Kaede's cold from spreading.

”Cof, cof.”

”I'm here for you, Kaede.”

I grabbed Kaede's hand which was protruding from under the sheet.

Then Kaede, who had fallen asleep again, instantly softened her expression as if relieved.

Her breathing calmed down and she began to sleep peacefully.

Kaede's eyes opened again.

”Kaede?”

”.............”

There is no answer.

But her eyes are fixed on me.

Suddenly, Kaede jumped out of bed and pushed me to the floor.

”What's wrong with you, Kaede?”

”Hah, hah, hah, Master! Master!”

Her face was still red and the fever didn't seem to have gone down.

Her eyes wore an expression of madness.

Kaede climbed on top of me, burying her face in my chest and rubbing her cheek against it.

”Master, I love you! I love you!”

”Uh...”

”Master, Master, Master, Master, Mas-ter, mas-ter, maaaasteeeeeer. I love you, I love you so much I'm going to die!”

”Hey, Kaede, calm down.”

”Aaaah Aaaah!”

Her tail wagged vigorously.

She makes sweet purring noises, sniffs my neck, licks me lightly, and does things Kaede wouldn't normally do.

I guess she's confused by the fever.

Or is this really how she thinks and sees me?

However, I want her to stop licking my neck.

I don't know how to describe this feeling. On one hand, I find it both exciting and pleasant, but it's not right under these conditions.

When she looked up, Kaede was breathing heavily and her eyes were foggy

”Ha Kyu~”

She reached her limit and fell on top of me.

I picked her up and laid her back on the bed.

I changed the towel on her forehead and she started breathing calmly again.

I remembered Kaede's words and my face turned red with embarrassment.