The memory of the first time I collapsed as a child resurfaced.
It was the day before my parents’ divorce. I had been left at my grandmother's house for a while, hearing her say, "Eat well with your mother later," as I skipped my first meal of the day. However, both my parents were late without warning, and I spent hours waiting idly at my grandmother's house until I could finally meet them in the late afternoon.
Neither mom nor dad asked me anything when they arrived. From the moment they met, it seemed like blaming each other was more important.
"You’re late again. Did you eat with that guy?"
"You, after getting the message that I’d be late, you rushed off for a drink, didn’t you? What’s the point of not being able to wait?"
"Do you have proof that I drank? Huh?"
"Just look at your red face. Did grandma give you lunch? Let’s just go to a café. I’ll buy you a mocha. It’s chocolate-flavored."
"You’re feeding our kid coffee? That’s great parenting."
"It’s better than not feeding them at all. Doremi, come quickly. I need to freshen up."
By then, my stomach had stopped growling. Perhaps it was thanks to the few soggy rice papers I managed to find in the cupboard. I imagined a chocolate-flavored coffee and abruptly stood up.
But before I could take even a few steps, my body froze near the shoe rack. I felt dizzy, my hands and feet were trembling uncontrollably.
Looking back now, it was probably anemia.
Even then, my parents didn’t notice I had collapsed, too absorbed in their own bickering.
Luckily, they came back for me a few minutes later, but as they passed by, I saw their footsteps grow distant in my blurry vision. In that moment, it felt like the world was telling me, The world keeps spinning just fine without you.
Since that day, my parents never reached out to me again.
The kind friends, the well-meaning seniors, and the nice juniors would sometimes check on me, but...
Now, I...
"Seems like anemia."
With a deep voice, I finally opened my eyes.
The ‘reality’ began to hit me. This wasn’t 21st-century Seoul.
I didn’t see the beautifully ornate rococo, baroque, or art nouveau-style ceiling that I had just started getting used to.
It was dark.
“D-doctor? I can’t see!”
“...Your Highness, please get up.”
“Huh? What?”
As I panicked, the darkness began to slowly fade away.
What had been blocking my vision was none other than Tristan’s large hand.
“Your Highness...?”
"Doris Redfield. Are you okay?"
"I was a little dizzy earlier... but now I'm fine."
"Don’t get up! Doctor, what should we do if it’s anemia?"
Tristan pressed his elbow against my shoulder, preventing me from getting up while asking the doctor. He was rolling up his sleeve as if he was ready to donate blood.
I really hope that’s not the case!
Fortunately, the doctor seemed to be thinking the same.
"Your Highness, please remain still. After seeing you lie down and the color returning to your face, it’s not an urgent matter. You just need to gradually increase your food intake, and it will solve the problem."
"Hey! Get a steak, blue rare... No, just bring whatever food can be prepared quickly!"
The maid dashed out of the room. I finally lifted my head slightly and surveyed the surroundings.
The disordered room and large mirror indicated that this was likely the dressing room prepared for the performance team.
The doctor spoke.
"It’s common for young women to experience anemia. The real problem comes when they collapse and hit their head, but fortunately, Your Highness acted quickly to prevent any major issues."
"Ah..."
"Please rest comfortably, and I hope you’ll be fine soon..."
As the doctor prepared to leave the dressing room, Tristan’s intense glare was fixed on him. If human glares could materialize, I was certain Tristan’s eyes would be shooting daggers at the doctor.
Before any words could come out, I spoke first.
"I’ll rest a little longer. Thank you."
"Then, I’ll leave now!"
The doctor quickly left after my words. Tristan seemed like he was about to stop him, but I held him back.
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I raised my upper body.
"Doris!"
"See? I’m fine, right?"
"...Hah."
Tristan placed his hand on his forehead.
"I came to watch the performance, and I’m dealing with all this. And you—anemia? With how much you eat, how could you have anemia? That doctor must be a quack."
"He’s right. I’ve reduced my food intake a lot recently."
Tristan stared at me in disbelief, as if I had just killed someone. But this reaction was even worse.
"Why? Is Redfield’s family struggling financially?"
"How far do you think ahead? It’s just a regular diet!"
Tristan’s eyes grew even wider than before.
If I had shot beams from my eyes and killed someone, I don’t think he’d be more surprised.
"A diet? Do you really have something left to lose?"
"No one says dieting means losing weight. It’s nothing serious... Just thought it’d be better to shed a little for the performance."
If I had heard this question 10 minutes ago, I would have just blurted out, The dress size you sent didn’t fit! And I thought you were upset I never wore it, so I lost some weight to wear it!
But right now.
In front of his face, where the anger from the hunting competition day had turned into concern, I didn’t want to add any more worries onto him.
"From now on, I’ll eat well. Don’t worry. You know how much I love sweets."
"That’s not the issue. Did someone tell you you had to get thinner to go on stage? Was it your sister?"
"Absolutely not! My sister loves my chubby cheeks! She even helped me dance so I could lose weight, always worrying about me."
"Then why..."
Tristan stared at my face, his gaze slowly tracing the contours of my lost cheekbones. His eyes moved down to my neck and shoulders, and I felt a heat spread wherever his gaze landed.
In that moment, I felt like the heat was radiating through my body.
Tristan, as if realizing something, spoke.
"...It’s the dress I gave you."
That’s right. The water-colored dress I had worn after eating pancakes at the café.
"If this dress fits you now... It seems hard to believe. Did you fit the dress to the person...?"
"I-I wouldn’t be that foolish!"
"..."
"The person comes first, not the dress! It’s not the dress that makes the person!"
"I know. I know you’re not foolish."
It’s not true. I am foolish.
Damn it. I couldn’t wear or get rid of this gift, and now I wanted to wear it to properly thank him with a small apology, saying, I wore the beautiful dress you gave me and finished the performance. Thank you for your kindness.
But now, I had only made him worry.
Tristan wore a complicated expression. Since I denied it, he didn’t press further, but I’m sure he thought it was his fault for sending the wrong size dress.
It’s fine.
When I received it, I was genuinely happy.
Of course, since then, his rude behavior had been awkward, and trying to find the cause of it was difficult...
But I really wanted to wear this beautiful dress.
And more than anything—
"Your Highness, were you worried about me?"
This was the second time I had looked at Tristan’s face while lying in bed.
But the expression on his face, seen in the light, carried a clear meaning, unlike the day of the hunting competition.
He was worried about me.
...That I couldn’t get up because I had become weak.
Tristan seemed a bit stunned by the question.
"Is there anyone who wouldn’t worry when their fiancée collapses?"
"Well, the important thing is that you’re here with me now."
"..."
"Your Highness. And, there’s one more thing I want to ask..."
Why did you go to Maria earlier?
I’m not jealous, just asking casually. I’m curious. Isn’t that okay?
But before I could ask, someone knocked on the door.
"I’m coming in, Your Highness."
The maid who had entered first was holding a meat pie. Following her was one of the ladies who had been practicing with me.
"Doris, are you okay?"
"Yes, thanks to you. But... I’m really sorry. Did the performance go well?"
Unexpectedly, the answer came.
"The second song just started."
"What?"
Has it really been that short a time?
I thought about it. I wasn’t seriously ill, so there’s no way I should have been unconscious for that long!
I felt an immediate sense of urgency. The third song was still left.
"I’m going!"
"What? Doris, don’t overdo it!"
The maid in front of me and Tristan behind me both grabbed me. Anyone would think I was a criminal!
I calmly said.
"I want to go. There’s a break between the songs. I can quickly snack and rest before heading out."
"Doris..."
The ladies and maid looked at each other. They knew the one person who could influence me the most was Tristan.
Of course, I couldn’t see his expression since I had turned my back on him.
But he didn’t let go of my shoulder and spoke to the two women.
"Please leave us alone for a moment."
This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.