Chapter 4

“Cura, you’ve arrived quickly,” Leto remarked.

“Yes, His Grace requested my immediate presence. He mentioned it a few days ago, so I’ve been getting ready,” Cura replied.

Leto arched an eyebrow. “A few days ago?” His surprise was evident in his voice once again. “And you didn’t inform me?” 

Cura chuckled as she gave Leto a teasing look. “What could I do? It’s His Grace’s directive.”

“That’s true,” Leto muttered.

Cura moved past Leto and approached Elena, wearing a broad smile that revealed her teeth.

“Elena, starting today, I’m Cura, your caregiver.”

“Oh, I see.”

Elena felt a bit self-conscious, despite her young age, seeing Cura exude such confidence towards her. She couldn’t help but think that she was receiving a lot of attention, especially considering her memory loss and the fact that she didn’t even know her own status, as Leto had mentioned.

Regardless of Elena’s thoughts, Cura finished her greetings and set the tray she had brought on the bedside table.

“Teacher, what should I use as medicine?” Cura rolled up her sleeves and inquired. Leto let out a small sigh and pointed to several bottles of medicine, providing explanations.

Cura nodded as Leto spoke, seeking clarification on the things she didn’t fully grasp.

“Alright, please rest in the reception room and enjoy some tea while I prepare the medicine,” Cura suggested.

“What?” Leto’s forehead furrowed even deeper.

“I’d like to give Lady Elena a gentle cleansing before applying the medicine. After all, she’s been here for two weeks now.”

“Ah! Ah, I see. Hm.”

Elena, watching Leto leave the room with a cough, turned her attention to Cura. Cura, making sure Leto had completely departed, skillfully began her preparations. She had a long piece of cloth draped over her arm, which she dipped into a basin of warm water, evident by the rising steam.

“Lady Elena, if you’ll pardon me for a moment,” Cura said politely.

With care, Cura gently moistened the thick fur enveloping Elena’s body.

Elena let out an involuntary shiver, although she remained unaware of it. Despite the room’s warmth, courtesy of the fireplace, Elena couldn’t help but feel a chill as her body, previously swathed in thick fur, was exposed to the cooler air outside.

What flustered her even more was the revealing attire that left little to the imagination. It was pulled down to her chest, baring her shoulders and making the chill on her back more pronounced. Her back was in a similar state, and although fur covered her up to her chin, it was hard to believe that she was now standing in front of these people for the first time today, wearing such attire.

Elena blushed deeply, her embarrassment radiating throughout her entire body.

“Are you cold?” Cura inquired. “I’ll be quick; please endure a little longer.”

Startled by Cura’s voice, Elena quickly averted her gaze. “It’s fine.”

“Feel free to speak,” Cura smiled reassuringly.

“But…” Elena hesitated.

“His Grace has entrusted me with your care, Lady Elena.”

With utmost delicacy, Cura tended to Elena’s body as if handling something fragile, using the damp cloth to cleanse various parts of her skin.

As the warmth of the cloth caressed her skin, Elena felt a shiver travel down her spine, accompanied by a simultaneous sense of relaxation. Cura, after thoroughly wiping down one side of her body, dipped the cloth in warm water once more and gently guided Elena into a reclining position.

A sharp pang of pain coursed through her back for a moment, causing Elena to let out another groan.

“Lady Elena!” Cura exclaimed in surprise, her hands gently gripping Elena’s shoulders.

“It’s alright,” Elena forced a smile through the pain. She couldn’t bring herself to complain about the discomfort when she saw Cura, her forehead glistening with sweat. She lay there, enduring it as best she could.

Following Cura’s guidance, Elena slowly shifted to lie on her other side. The pain was excruciating, akin to a sharp spear piercing her entire body, but she gritted her teeth and bore it.

Cura placed several large, soft cushions beneath Elena’s chest and legs before resuming the gentle cleansing of the other side of her body with the cloth. Her touch was considerably more tender than before.

“Oh my goodness! How did you sustain such injuries?” Cura removed the thin cloth covering Elena’s wounds, emitting a brief sigh. Even in her voice, Elena could detect the furrowed brows of concern.

“I don’t know.”

“Ah, it must be terribly painful.” With each application of herbal treatment to the wounds, Elena clenched her lower lip and squeezed her eyes shut. The pain in her back seemed to radiate to her fingertips and toes.

Why did this happen to me? 

Elena was filled with frustration as her past remained an unreachable mystery, even though she was the one who had lived through it all.

Who am I, truly?

As Cura tenderly draped a fresh cloth over Elena’s back and carefully adjusted her attire, the distant sounds of logs being added to the fireplace and the soothing crackling of the fire drifted into the room.

Listening to Cura’s soft humming, Elena’s eyelids grew progressively heavier.

***

She woke up several times.

Each time, her surroundings remained unchanged, and her physical condition showed little variation. Cura was a constant presence by her side, patiently waiting. Upon Elena’s awakening, Cura would assess her wounds and inquire about her well-being. She’d softly hum and gently pat Elena’s shoulder while tending to her injuries, lulling Elena back into a deep slumber.

Elena curled up as the warmth from the fireplace seemed to wane, replaced by a chilling cold that seeped in, in stark contrast to the sensation on her body. Unlike the frigid feeling on her skin, the oppressive air seemed to bear down on her.

She could only manage a groan, unable to articulate her pain. Whether it was her limited ability to move her body or the restless tossing and turning during sleep, the fur covering her gradually slipped down, exposing her shoulders.

Why did sleep engulf her so thoroughly?

She lacked the strength even to lift her eyelids, let alone muster the energy to pull the fur back up.

“Cura.” Elena struggled to call out, her trembling lips barely able to form the words, yet there was no response.

It’s so cold.

As she huddled her body, pain contorted her face involuntarily.

Elena heard an irritated sigh as she lay in her drowsy state, and she couldn’t help but wonder who it was.

Despite her curiosity, opening her eyes proved to be a formidable challenge. Then, an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar scent enveloped her. It wasn’t just the scent; she sensed that something sizable lay beside her.

What is this? Who is it?

She defensively huddled her body, but she couldn’t even muster the strength to move a finger.

Suddenly, an overwhelming fear washed over Elena. The one responsible for her current state might have returned, intending to harm her. Otherwise, she couldn’t explain the cold, piercing gaze she felt.

She struggled to make a sound, twisting her body and exerting all her effort, but it was in vain. It felt as though her voice and body had been immobilized, rendering her utterly powerless.

Fear coursed through her, causing her blood to run cold and cold sweat to form. However, something unexpected occurred. The unknown presence gently lifted the fur up to just below Elena’s face.

Moreover, something soft and long-haired enfolded her, radiating a warmth several times more comforting than the heat from the fireplace and the fur covering her body. In stark contrast to the initial cold and sharp sensation she experienced, the warmth radiating from her unnamed visitor was remarkably gentle and reassuring.

Close to her face, Elena could discern the steady rhythm of a heartbeat. As this comforting sensation enveloped her, her earlier fear dissolved, and she began to drift into a profound slumber.

Elena lightly traced her fingertips over the long, velvety fur, tilting her head toward her own body.

“Stop squirming,” a low, gruff voice admonished, descending upon Elena’s face.

Despite the gruff words, the long, plush fur was draped even more securely over her.

Elena felt as though she were in a waking dream, her eyes remaining closed yet her senses keenly aware of everything around her. The cold no longer troubled her; instead, her heart brimmed with warmth and comfort.

Unbeknownst to her, someone gazed down at Elena with a puzzled expression as she drifted once more into a deep and peaceful slumber, her lips stretched wide in a contented smile.

***

Elena lay on her side, clutching a substantial cushion that enveloped her like protective walls. A circle of cushions surrounded her head and body, forming a comforting barrier against the world outside. The fireplace crackled with the continuous burning of firewood, its warm ambiance a contrast to the room’s stillness.

Cura’s quiet yet diligent movements in the room generated subtle sounds, a soothing background to Elena’s contemplation. Elena turned her gaze downward, scrutinizing her own hands. Her skin appeared ghostly pale, so translucent that the veins were visible, and her knuckles jutted prominently.

From her forearms down to her wrists and palms, herbs had been applied and tightly encased in bandages. The areas left uncovered were marked only by scars and wounds, some fresh and others bearing the testimony of time. Observing her condition, it seemed incongruous that she should be receiving such lavish care in this place.

Elena’s bewilderment deepened regarding why Kennard would extend such kindness to her. Lost in her thoughts, she found herself idly stroking the soft fur that had enveloped her since her return to consciousness. The short, plush fur caressed her fingertips, which had stiffened over time.

Then, a sudden realization struck her, and she urgently raised her head, managing to lift it slightly from the pillow.

“Cura!”

“Yes, Lady Elena.” Cura, having just added logs to the fireplace, approached with her hands wiped clean on her apron.

“Why do you ask? Is there something bothering you?” Cura inquired.

“No, it’s not that. Did you use something else to cover me last night, in addition to this?” Elena asked.

In response to her question, Cura arched an eyebrow.