A Story of a Noble Lady Who Was Ravaged by an Incurable Disease and Covered in Bandages All Over Her Broken Body; After Healing Her, She Turned Into a Stunning Beauty and Started Desperately Courting Me - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Next Day, I Came to See Alicia

The next morning arrived.

Today as well, I came to the front of the Elfemina ducal residence. The reason, of course, was to help with Alicia’s rehabilitation.

So, just like yesterday, I greeted the guard, and without being asked for any details, he smoothly let me inside the residence.

Gilbert the Duke had probably explained the rehabilitation matter properly to the servants in advance. I was really grateful for that. I would hate it if the surrounding servants mistook me for some suspicious person.

Since I was let inside so easily, I then walked alone toward Alicia’s room.

*Knock knock*

“…Yes? Who is it?”

“It’s me. Setsuna.”

“Ah, Setsuna-sama. The door is unlocked, so please come right in.”

“Got it. Then…”

*Click*

“Excuse me. Alicia-san. Hello.”

“Yes, hello, Setsuna-sama. Thank you for coming to the Elfemina residence again today.”

Right after I entered Alicia’s room, we exchanged greetings.

All those painful-looking bandages had been completely removed, and the Alicia now in front of me looked very lively, with a lovely smile on her face.

Seeing Alicia looking so healthy put my mind at ease, but I still asked her this.

“Yeah, of course I would. I said I’d help with your rehabilitation, didn’t I? So how have things been since then? Has there been any discomfort or problems with your body?”

“Yes, there haven’t been any problems at all. After Setsuna-sama left yesterday, I went straight to bed to rest, and I slept deeply without being troubled by coughing or pain in my body. It’s been years since I last slept so soundly. It’s all thanks to Setsuna-sama healing my body.”

“I’m glad you were able to sleep well. And I’m relieved there haven’t been any issues or discomfort. Then let’s work hard together on your rehabilitation starting today, okay?”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be in your care, Setsuna-sama.”

And so Alicia’s rehabilitation was about to begin. I was determined to do my best to help her through it.

“Yes, the pleasure is mine. Oh, by the way—Alicia-san, after your illness was healed, did you try getting out of bed and walking by yourself at all?”

“Ah, n-no. I haven’t tried standing up or walking on my own even once. Yesterday after Setsuna-sama left, I fell asleep right away, so…”

“I see. Then let’s start with trying to stand up from the bed first.”

“Yes, I understand. But standing up from bed… it’s been so long… I wonder if I can do it properly… Okay then… Kyaa!”

“Whoa!”

*Grab…*

The moment Alicia extended her legs from the bed and tried to stand, her legs wobbled badly, and she started to collapse straight toward the floor.

I quickly moved close to her and grabbed both of her shoulders with my hands to support her.

“S-sorry, Setsuna-sama. I suddenly caused you trouble…”

“No, no, it’s completely fine. Actually, I’m the one who should apologize—I instinctively grabbed your body quite firmly even though it happened so fast. Isn’t it unpleasant for a guy like me to touch your body? If it bothers you, I’ll let go right away, so just tell me.”

“N-no, it isn’t unpleasant at all. In fact, I feel very reassured because Setsuna-sama is supporting me… Hehe, thank you, Setsuna-sama.”

“I’m glad to hear that. It’s not good to rush too much anyway, so let’s sit down for a moment and take a break. I’ll hold you steady, so please lower yourself and sit back on the bed.”

“O-okay. Then… here we go… phew.”

I slowly helped Alicia sit back down on the bed. Right away, her expression darkened, and she murmured this.

“Phew… Even so, I only tried to get off the bed and stand straight, yet… my legs still wobble so badly… This is going to be tough, isn’t it…”

“Haha, there’s no need to worry about that. You will definitely get your body back to moving freely again, Alicia-san. So don’t make such a gloomy face, okay?”

“…Huh? R-really? B-but… how can Setsuna-sama be so certain…?”

“Haha, that’s obvious, isn’t it? Because you won’t be doing rehabilitation all alone from now on. You’ve got me with you, Alicia-san. I’ll do my very best every single day to help you regain your healthy self. So it’s absolutely going to be okay. I’ll support you with everything I’ve got so you can return to your original body. So don’t worry about things like that—let’s work hard together on your rehabilitation from now on!”

“Setsuna-sama… Yes. Thank you. Hehe, Setsuna-sama really is… such a kind person.”

Alicia gave me words of thanks while showing a gentle smile. At that moment her smile looked so lovely that my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

“Uh, w-well, do you think so? I mean, I think I’m just an ordinary guy you’d find anywhere… But I’m really happy to hear you say that! All right, since the break is over, let’s pull ourselves together and try standing up once more. So this time… here, please take my hands if you’d like!”

“Huh? Ah…”

I held both hands out in front of Alicia. She looked a little stunned for a second.

“Hm? Is something wrong?”

“…Ah, n-no. It’s nothing. Then…”

*Grip…*

Alicia’s cheeks turned slightly red as she tightly grasped both of my hands.

“All right. You’ve got a good grip. This time I’ll support you properly from the start, so let’s try standing up again, okay?”

“Y-yes, I understand. Here I go… okay… here we go…!”

With that little cheer, Alicia slowly stood up from the bed. Thanks to the support from both my hands, she managed to stand safely this time.

“Wah! I-I’m standing… I’m standing, Setsuna-sama…! W-wow…!”

“Haha, I can see it clearly too. You’re standing properly on both feet. How does it feel to stand on your own legs after so long?”

“Y-yes, I feel incredibly excited…! A-and… um… when Setsuna-sama holds my hands tightly like this… it somehow gives me an amazing surge of courage…! Hehe, maybe that courage is what let me stand…”

“Huh? Courage?”

“Yes. When Setsuna-sama grips my hands firmly… it makes me feel like I’m not alone, like Setsuna-sama is right here with me… and then my heart feels all warm inside. Hehe, so once again… thank you so much for giving me so much courage, Setsuna-sama.”

“I-I see. Well, if it helped you even a little, I’m glad. Since you managed to stand, how about we try walking all the way to the garden outside the residence like this?”

“Ah, that sounds nice. I haven’t been outside the residence in years, so I’d really love to go. Then, Setsuna-sama… could I ask for your support to get to the garden?”

“Of course. I’ll keep supporting your body properly from here on too. Let’s head to the garden right away.”

“Yes, I understand. Then… here we go…”

And so, still holding both hands tightly together, we slowly made our way from Alicia’s room to the outer garden of the residence at a gentle pace.