The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen Chapter 105: About an Incurable Disease (2)

During the ti away from the empire, Kyle had poured considerable effort into finding a cure for Olivia.

Even in the busiest of tis, he could not accept the reality that his sister was unable to walk.

No matter how much he disliked her, no matter that her wrong choice once nearly brought down the Desmond family, she was still the person he cherished the most, his lovely sister. He could not face the prospect of her spending her life confined to a small room, unable to walk without sobody's assistance.

He had spoken to many esteed doctors within the empire and sought out wandering deities beyond its borders to discuss Olivia's condition.

"My sister has used dark magic. It failed, and the circuits in her lower half burnt out, leaving her legs immobile."

Upon hearing the word ‘dark magic,' half of the doctors would flee, while the other half demanded substantial sums of money to even listen.

Despite their expertise, none of these renowned doctors could offer the answer he desired.

He t an old man simply known as ‘Deity', and a woman referred to as the ‘Healer of Shadows', but the unanimous conclusion was always that her condition was incurable.

An underbelly doctor who glanced at the dical report from a year ago when Olivia collapsed, sighed deeply and shook his head.

-There's no cure for this.

-Could you please take another look? I assure you I'll keep your secrets safe. Tell if there's a way to cure her.

-It's not about secrecy. I work in shadows; such matters don't concern . Moreover, this…

The female doctor pointed to a part of the dical report with her finger.

[Magical circuit damage/damage to the lower half nerves due to dark magic/paralysis of the lower body/a small presence of dark magic residue]

-There's no cure. Any other doctor you ask will tell you the sa thing. If you really want her to walk again…

Her voice trailed off as she murmured softly.

-There's no other way unless you use dark magic.

Kyle had given up.

Even the hospital visit today was just a formality.

It was his father's hope.

An attempt to alleviate his mother's worry. He never expected a positive response.

The hope Kyle had was no more than a tiny, unseen speck.

His father probably felt the sa.

Both his parents, like him, had made nurous attempts to heal Olivia.

In the end, we went to the hospital seeking only a small comfort for our hearts.

And then.

We heard an unexpected statent.

-The test results are back, but…

-What's wrong? Has it gotten worse?

-No, quite the opposite.

The spark of hope was ignited by a pink rubber hamr.

Calling it a reflex test, a doctor would expect a flinch when tapping a knee with a pink hamr—a reaction seen in a normal individual.

Conversely, no reaction was the expected result for Olivia, but to everyone's surprise, today, her leg responded with a slight movent.

-A twitch.

It was a very small movent.

Tiny enough to be mistaken for a shiver from the hamr's touch. But the doctor with years of experience and the father imdiately recognized that Olivia's movent was not for such trivial reasons.

Subsequent tests were conducted.

And we began to find hope for Olivia's improving health.

The doctor opined.

-In my professional opinion, I think the lady could walk within three years at the earliest.

-Sensation is returning, and the severed nerves seem to be rejoining… It's nothing short of a miracle.

I have heard plenty of good news about business successes and reaching new heights, but it had been a while since I felt such excitent as I did upon hearing that news today.

More thrilling than hearing a long negotiation in a foreign land had finally concluded.

But.

Kyle couldn't smile.

Because he knew she was beyond recovery.

All the ti he had invested.

The money poured into obtaining information.

The countless tis he had heard the words ‘give up'.

Because Kyle knew it all wouldn’t amount to a tiny hope called a miracle. So he didn't smile.

No, that wasn't it.

There was another reason.

Kyle clenched his fists as he looked at the red-haired butler before him.

Kyle said.

"We need to talk."

Ricardo looked suspicious to him.

***

Kyle and I settled on a park bench, a short distance from the mansion.

Although I wasn't particularly fond of sitting alone with another man on a bench, the opportunity for a conversation with Kyle wasn't unwelco. While searching for an open café in the late hours, I suggested,

"Instead of sitting here in the cold, how about we continue our conversation in a café?"

"I'm not particularly keen on going to cafés with n."

"…I see."

Kyle, understanding, casually shrugged off my attempt at courtesy.

Though I thought it peculiar for two n to sit alone on a bench, I refrained from voicing it.

"Sigh… So, how was your ti here in the capital?"

"Yes. I've been treated very well. It's so comfortable that I almost want to live here like a leech."

"Ha ha… That's a relief."

I gazed at Kyle, wearing a small smile.

His expression was indecipherable.

He appeared ready to discuss sothing heavy while simultaneously smiling kindly. I couldn't guess what he would say next.

He ntioned this was about the young lady.

‘Gulp.'

In my absence, I hoped the young lady hadn't stirred up trouble, which prompted a strained smile on my face.

Kyle wasn't the type to wait for soone without good reason.

He is soone who values ti. His success in business ca from his acute sense of ti managent.

That Kyle would take out ti for ant it wasn't for a simple request or any trivial reason.

Knowing how Kyle treasured ti, I dispensed with unnecessary preamble and addressed the heart of the matter,

"So, what is it you wanted to discuss with ? You ntioned it concerned the young lady, but I can't guess what it might be."

"Hmm…"

Kyle looked up at the moon in the night sky.

A man typically detached from such sentintality, tonight he appeared soaked with worriness—at least, it seed a possible illusion to .

Kyle struggled to speak, his breath misting white in the chilly winter air,

"I heard so strange things at the hospital today."

"…From the hospital?"

Kyle solemnly recounted what happened at the hospital.

"Olivia might be able to walk again."

"What?! Really?"

"That's what they said. She might walk within three years."

"…A miracle."

Kyle looked at askance, strangely perturbed by my apparent shock. Furtively glancing at , he tapped his forehead as if questioning himself,

‘Did I not act well enough?'

I glanced at my right hand, the hand I had used for rehabilitation, and watched Kyle, assessing his reaction.

Since acquiring the ability called ‘Healer's Hand,' I had anticipated this, so my surprise was acted. But had I let any hint slip through?

"Hmm…"

Kyle didn't seem to notice.

With a trembling voice to avoid Kyle's suspicion—I wanted to keep my ability a secret—I said,

"It's a miracle."

"A miracle…?"

"Yes."

Kyle let out a small, incredulous chuckle,

"I can't quite believe it."

He continued in a heavy tone,

"You may not know, Ricardo, but I've t many people trying to heal Olivia."

"Every doctor said the sa thing."

"There's no cure for the aftermath of the failed dark magic."

Kyle's gaze bore into with unnerving certainty, like that of a fierce wild animal,

"One doctor ntioned there's only one way to heal Olivia."

Kyle, eyes locked with mine, asked pointedly,

"Do you know what that was?"

I clamped my mouth shut.

Kyle, seeing my reaction, laughed bitterly,

"A simple thod. A very simple thod."

"The ludicrous ‘treatnt' was to use dark magic just the sa."

The atmosphere darkened.

I could tell why Kyle summoned . Only a fool would ignore such hints and pretend not to understand,

Yet, I evaded Kyle's implication,

"It is a foolish thod indeed."

"Yes, a foolish thod it is."

Kyle nodded, his gaze piercing under the moonlight,

"Let's stop the foolishness."

"…"

"I'm content just knowing Olivia is still alive."

I replied with a wry smile,

"I don't understand what you are saying."

"Is that so…"

Kyle, looking toward the brightly lit mansion, said,

"Go on. Olivia is waiting for you."

"She hasn't slept yet. She wants to share her happiness with you."

There was a bitter edge to Kyle's eyes.

***

After returning to the mansion.

The young lady was beaming with joy.

"Ricardo!"

The young lady extended a small piece of paper to . Having heard from Kyle, I gave her a small smile and asked,

"What's this about?"

With a youthful glow akin to a girl surprising others, the young lady cheerfully announced,

"I can walk again soon!"

I thought to myself upon seeing her smile.

I will make sure she recovers.

And I smiled back at her warmly,

"That's wonderful."