Chapter 18

Riding on a horse, Viel rushed to go back to their mansion after they received an urgent news from one of his trusted knights. According to him, Gian suddenly got a high fever again. The knight also informed Viel that his personal doctor was checking his brother's condition at their mansion before he left to deliver the news. Because the Marquis can't immediately leave because he still has some things that he need to do in the Royal Palace, he asked Viel to go and see his brother's condition.

While Viel is rushing to go back to their mansion, he can't help but to wonder what really happened. Gian was already recovered before they left the mansion, but he had suddenly relapsed. Did something happen to Gian while they are busy in organizing the party?

When he arrived at their mansion, Viel quickly leaps off from his horse and run towards Gian's room. When he opens the door, Viel sees his younger brother laying on the bed. Gian's face is so pale and he is also sweating a lot.

When Gian feels another presence in his room, he lightly opens his eyes to see who is it. When Gian saw Viel, he just closes his eyes again and didn't bother to look at him for a second time. Viel didn't notice it as he inquires to the doctor about Gian's condition. Instead of answering him, the doctor asked the maid who is responsible for giving Gian his medicine on time.

"When did the young master drink his medicine?" The doctor asked the maid.

"Young Master Gian already drank his medicine two hours ago." The young maid respectfully answered.

"Did you give the right amount of medicine to him?" The doctor asked again with a furrowed eyebrows.

"That..."

When the maid becomes hesitant to answer the question, the doctor is getting impatient. Viel, who is originally looking at the scene happening in front of him is getting impatient too.

"Answer the doctor's question quickly." Viel said in a cold voice. "Did you give the right amount of medicine to Gian?"

The maid suddenly shudders in fear when she heard Viel's cold voice asking her. Usually, the young General is playful and approachable. That is, only if no one dares to make him angry or upset. Seeing their Young Master Viel asking a servant like this, the people in the room all feel a chill running down their spines.

"T-The truth is... Young Master Gian insisted on drinking the medicine all by himself—"

"And what orders did I give to you before I left the mansion earlier?"

The young maid suddenly flinches on her spot as she heard Viel's questioning tone. That's right. Viel ordered the young maid to personally bring the medicine to Gian on time. She was also ordered by Viel to personally measure the medicine for Gian.

In fact, the young maid doesn't want to disobey Viel's orders. But when she visited Young Master Gian's room earlier, Gian insisted to leave his bottle of medicine on the table. Gian even threatened the young maid that he will fire her if she stayed longer in his room.

"Stop...interrogating...her..."

When they turn their head, they saw Gian who is trying to sit up from his bed. Viel quickly moves to stop his brother from sitting up.

"It's me... who told her... to leave my room." Gian said with great difficulty.

"I get it now, Gian. You should behave now."

Gian forces himself to open his eyes again and look at Viel. Gian suddenly tightens his grip on his older brother's arm. Viel didn't even flinch or react from it. Instead, he helps Gian to properly lay on his bed while ordering the other maids to fetch more basin full of cold water.

Viel didn't know why, but he feels like Gian is being angry with him. The way Gian looks and speaks with him are full of hostility. He thought that maybe Gian was still sulking because they didn't let him go to the party in the Royal Palace. He temporarily forgets these thoughts while thinking of some ways with the doctor to reduce his high temperature.

Gian didn't bother with his older brother anymore. He instead asks the young maid to make him a warm glass of honey lemon juice. When the young maid heard it, she didn't hesitate more and immediately follow her young master's order. After a few minutes, she comes back with the beverage that Gian asked him to make.

After the head maid of the mansion wiped Gian's body with a towel soaked in a cold water, Butler Del helps him to change into a fresh clothes. Gian asked them to leave his room to let him sleep. Viel makes sure that Gian is comfortable before leaving and closing the door of his room. Viel let out a sigh before he looks at the doctor and invites him to his office.

—//—//—

When Gian opens his eyes again, it is already night time. His room is too quiet. He raises his hand and touches his forehead to check his own temperature. He is still feverish, but it is much better than his high fever this afternoon. Gian let out a sigh before getting the pen on his side table.

"Gian, the next time you will do it again, I swear to all the supernatural elements out there that I will not really care about you!" Russel suddenly said when Gian grabs him.

"..."

"I know that you are upset, but you should also control yourself!" Russel continued. "Dude! The doctor said to drink only one pill of your medicine. But what did you do? You drank four pills of that damn medicine!"

"..."

"Bro, I don't have any idea if you know this, but a human can die from drinking too much medicine."

"..."

"Gian, stop doing it to yourself. It's not really good for your body. It is not also good for my heart, even though I really don't have a heart. Just like you, I am also upset. Maybe I'm more upset than you! Not only that, but I am also mad! If I can only move, I have already poked your family's body using my nib. Ah! This is so frustrating! You and your family! Especially you! You are all stressing me out!"

"...Sadly, you can't move."

"Dammit! Of course, I know that!"

Earlier, Gian called Aaron to his room and asked for a favor. He asked Aaron to bring him a footboy's uniform and a hooded cloak. Also, he ordered Aaron to prepare a carriage outside their mansion. When everything was prepared, Gian suddenly asked Aaron to wear one of his clothes and lay on his bed. Russel's plan was to make Aaron pretend to be Gian for a while.

At first, Aaron was highly against with this idea. How can he wear those expensive garments and stay in his young master's room? And much more to pretend as him? Who knows what will happen to them if someone will know it?

But Aaron underestimated Gian's willpower and stubbornness. In the end, Aaron was forced to do his young master's order. While Gian was wearing the clothes Aaron brought for him, he promised to return as soon as possible. Russel and Gian didn't know how nervous and scared Aaron was while anxiously waiting for his young master.

When Gian arrived at the party by using the secret passage in the Royal Palace, which he learned from his past life, the scene Gian saw was when the people are praising his brother for "his" ideas that saved the kingdom this year. Gian wanted to ask his father the reason why he can't tell them the truth, but chose to silently leave the Royal Palace and returned to their mansion. When Aaron saw Gian was back, he was really happy and even helped his young master to changed clothes.

Russel is still being vocal about his complaints and grievances for Gian who is currently doesn't show any reaction ever since they returned to his mansion. Gian only stays on his bed while listening to Russel. If Gian is being honest about his feelings, a mixture of anger and disappointment is rushing through his heart at the moment. And deep inside, Gian was really hurt. He can't believe that his own family can do that to him. Instead of complaining about it, he just chooses to stay silent about it.

And besides, what can he do about it anyway? He is only the second son of Marquis Cres Val. He doesn't have any achievements just like his older brother. Above all, his body is too fragile that he can only stay inside their mansion all the time.

"And they even dare to claim your achievement? Ha! I know that they are your family. But do they need to take the credits from you? They should—"

"Russel, you can continue scolding me tomorrow. But for now, let me take a rest first. Okay?"

"...Fine." Russel said. "You should take a lot of rest first. I promise not to speak for the whole night so you can sleep peacefully."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Gian said as he put the pen beside his pillow.

Letting out a soft sigh, Gian lay on his bed properly before closing his eyes again. He is convincing himself that everything that happened today is nothing to him. After waking up tomorrow, Gian convinced himself that he will be okay.