Please Don’t Die, My Lady

Chapter 37

After that, Sena didn’t bring up anything related to the issue.

The serious atmosphere dissipated quickly, replaced by casual, everyday topics.

It didn’t seem like she had given up.

She probably thought it would be impossible to persuade me with words, especially since the health teacher had already agreed.

I wish she’d just let it go with words.

The thought of what she might do already scared me.

People like Sena, once they’ve decided on something, see it through to the end.

“Then I’ll head back. I’ll see you tomorrow too.”

“You can’t come tomorrow.”

“Why not?”

We’d been chatting for about an hour when she finally seemed ready to leave, standing up to go.

If the health teacher hadn’t interrupted, she would’ve probably rushed back right after class tomorrow.

Her glare, filled with hostility, turned toward the teacher.

“Visits are allowed only once every three days.”

“…Who decided that?”

“I did. And it’s better for the patient if there’s some time in between.”

“…….”

Sena didn’t argue further, but her discomfort was evident on her face.

Even after she left, the health teacher stared at the door for a while before sighing and ruffling my hair.

I looked at her with questioning eyes, not rejecting her touch, and she began to speak.

“You’re really quite pitiful, patient.

What an unfortunate fate you’ve been dealt.

A child who should be loved at this age is instead tearing themselves down.”

Though her words conveyed sympathy, her eyes did not.

Was it understanding?

It seemed like she knew something.

I couldn’t ask.

Right after Sena left, she took away my board and pen as if she didn’t intend to entertain questions.

Yet strangely, I didn’t feel particularly upset by it.

“I can’t save you, but I’ll do my best to make you comfortable, so don’t be too uneasy about this place.”

Fair enough.

That’s enough.

What more could I possibly ask for?

She’s healing my body, letting me have tools, and turning a blind eye to whatever I do.

Anything beyond that would be a luxury.

I meant it sincerely.

The slight hostility I’d initially felt toward her had long since cooled.

The sensation of being understood was unexpectedly comforting.

I suppose I’ve come to think this isn’t so bad.

***

Time passed slowly.

It seemed the health teacher hadn’t lied.

The next day, beside my bed, lay various tools—cleaned and thoroughly disinfected blades.

Her attitude toward me didn’t change either.

No matter what I did at night, she’d quietly erase the traces the next morning.

I wasn’t sure if it was compassion or understanding, but it felt sincere.

While the maid’s kindness guided me toward healthier habits, the teacher’s approach was closer to indifference.

From a normal person’s perspective, her way was hardly ideal, but from my point of view, it was perfect.

I even began to understand her earlier claim—that she was the only one who could help me heal.

The approach seemed effective.

Without anyone restricting me, there was no reason for my self-destructive behaviors to escalate.

Despite saying she’d monitor me to prevent things from getting worse, the teacher didn’t intervene once over several weeks. My self-harm was less severe than it had been when I was left alone in my room.

For that reason, I managed to endure.

Even the act of carving and cutting myself began to feel dull and meaningless as my mind grew increasingly numb.

It wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.

As my mental state stabilized, my physical condition improved rapidly.

A week later, I no longer needed the respirator.

The discomfort of being unable to speak or eat was resolved, but it was replaced by dozens of pills I had to take, leaving my stomach in a constant state of unease.

Since I couldn’t eat properly, IV drips for nutrition became a routine part of my life.

But aside from that, it wasn’t bad.

At some point, the pain subsided.

My body just felt weak, like it was floating in water, and sluggish.

I’d been told repeatedly that losing sensitivity to pain wasn’t a good sign, but as long as I wasn’t in pain, I didn’t care.

So, I figured my condition was improving.

The number of pills I had to take was bothersome, but my body seemed to be recovering.

If I felt it was true, then it was true.

There was no need to pay attention to test results or diagnoses.

It wasn’t bad.

Not at all.

Sena continued to visit me every three days without fail.

Fortunately, the drastic actions I’d feared never materialized.

She’d glance around as if trying to familiarize herself with the room’s layout, but that was it.

Other than that, our visits were filled with casual conversations, just like her first visit.

She even brought small snacks, saying they were easy to swallow, for the days I had trouble eating.

Honestly, even those so-called easy-to-swallow snacks weren’t manageable for me, but I ate everything she brought.

I couldn’t waste her gifts.

Though I ended up vomiting it all later, I hoped she understood since I’d tried my best.

It was exhausting to stop the health teacher from scolding her for bringing food each time.

I wish you’d praise me for holding back my nausea in front of you.

Sometimes, when timing worked out, the maid would accompany her.

Even after a long time, she still shone brilliantly.

She looked more fitting for nobility than someone like me.

Seeing her somehow put my mind at ease, and I’d unconsciously pat her head.

My trembling, rough hands weren’t soft at all, but she didn’t avoid them and smiled sweetly.

It was oddly overwhelming.

Maybe noticing how much I liked her presence, Sena began to bring her along every time.

That was enough for me.

That was all I wanted from Sena.

Despite their consistent visits, Ariana didn’t show up even once.

At this point, I began to wonder if something had happened.

The matter involving the professor, which I had dismissed as paranoia, resurfaced in my mind.

Even so, there was nothing I could do.

I was stuck here, unable to move—though even if I weren’t, I had no means of obtaining information about her.

If it’s Ariana, she’ll handle herself well.

That thought allowed me to brush off the unease, though it lingered faintly.

Still, it wasn’t bad.

From beginning to end, it wasn’t bad at all.

I even thought, “Would it be okay to just die like this in bed?”

At first, I’d hated it so much.

But now, I feel satisfied with having even one person who understood me.

At night, I whittled away at my identity as a noblewoman, and by day, I passed time idly, welcoming the children with a smile every three days.

This routine, free of pressure and expectations, blurred the line between reality and dreams.

So, it wasn’t bad.

Even if my final moments could remain this way, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Yet, every time I thought that, I laughed at myself.

As if my wishes could ever be granted.

How do I still have the energy to hope after being betrayed so many times?

Deep down, I had wished to be proven wrong.

But, as if it were inevitable, my hope shattered one day with a loud explosion echoing from beyond the door.

What’s going on now?

My gaze, which had been blankly fixed on the ceiling, shifted toward the door.

Moments later, it opened, and Ariana stumbled in, battered and clutching her bleeding forehead.

As soon as her eyes met mine, she bit her lip and began pulling out the IV lines connected to my hand, one by one.

I couldn’t help but notice her hands trembling—not from concern that she might hurt me—but from the deep, red cracks on her skin, which continued to bleed unabated.

“Whatever’s going on, it looks like you’re losing a lot of blood. Shouldn’t you stop the bleeding first?”

“There’s no time. This is urgent.”

She certainly looked rushed.

What on earth had happened to leave her like this?

Given the time of day, there was probably no one here but the health teacher. Did she… kill her?

I hoped not. That would make me feel a little sad.

“Did you get that injury fighting the health teacher?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you’re here to take me out of here, aren’t you?”

“That’s… correct.”

“For a reunion after three weeks, this seems a bit extreme. If you’d come the first day, I would’ve followed you without a word.”

I’d only just begun to adjust to life here.

Forcing me to change environments again felt excessive.

Even animals die quickly if you move them between enclosures this often.

To be honest, I didn’t want to go.

It wasn’t that I’d forgiven Ariana or let go of my frustrations about her, so a vague sense of rejection lingered.

Would it hurt to explain properly for once?

Every time, she acts on her whims and forces things her way—it’s exhausting.

Perhaps noticing the refusal in my eyes, Ariana’s expression twisted.

“…I know I’m too late. But… can’t you trust me, just this once?

I’m really doing this for you. If you stay here any longer…”

“What will happen?”

“…….”

See? She doesn’t plan to tell me anything.

And yet, she dares to claim she’s acting for my sake, that things will change, and spouts such self-righteous nonsense.

Ariana pressed her lips together tightly and adjusted the IV lines she’d removed.

Then she scooped me up, supporting my legs and back.

It seemed she intended to take me with her, even without my consent.

It was so predictable that I didn’t even feel like resisting.

I sighed and rested my head against her chest.

As we began moving, the shaking intensified, and nausea rose within me.

If this much shaking came from just a few steps, I’d probably throw up before we even left the infirmary.

That would be unpleasant.

As we stepped into the lobby, I saw that it was a complete wreck, as though something massive had torn through it.

Did she use some kind of wide-area magic?

I wasn’t sure if this level of destruction was justified.

If I were the Emperor, I’d be furious about someone smashing my prized display cases.

The silence made me wonder if the health teacher was dead, but the sound of footsteps crunching over debris dispelled that notion.

There she was, tapping her stiff shoulders, her body just as battered as Ariana’s.

Is it odd to feel relieved that she’s alive?

“…They say kids these days are aggressive. Guess it’s true.

Do you think it’s okay to beat up your teacher like this?”

Unlike Ariana, who was tense and wary, the health teacher seemed entirely unfazed.

She waved her hand dismissively, as if to show she had no intention of attacking, and turned her gaze toward me.

“Patient, are you sure you can keep her alive?

She may look fine on the outside, but inside, she’s rotting away, on the verge of breaking apart.

If you can’t take responsibility, you’d better stop now.”

“I may not be as skilled as you, but I won’t let her die. Never.”

“Is that so? Well, in that case, I don’t see why not. Take her.

Oh, there are some spare meds and equipment over there—don’t forget to grab them.”

Ariana’s eyes widened in surprise.

She hadn’t expected such a lukewarm response.

If someone wrecked my hospital like this to take a patient, I’d let them leave too.

There was probably something going on that I didn’t know, but I wasn’t even surprised anymore.

“Why are you looking at me like that?

Like you don’t understand anything.

We already talked about this, didn’t we?”

“…Thank you.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll take care of the mess here, so hurry up and go. And don’t come back.”

Ariana stared at her for a moment, then turned and left the infirmary.

I kept my eyes on the teacher until the very end.

She, too, watched me as I was carried away.

That was our farewell.

After weeks of being together, that was all.

Or perhaps, because we’d spent those weeks together, it could end like that.

Maybe I should be grateful we parted without cursing each other.

“…Ha.”

Once she disappeared from view, I closed my eyes.

There was no reason to keep them open anymore.

I focused all my attention on suppressing the nausea that surged within me.

That alone was exhausting.

Exhausting enough.

When the movement stopped and I opened my eyes, I was lying on a bed.

Looking around, I realized I was in Ariana’s room.

Was this where I was supposed to stay from now on?

As I tried to sit up, I heard a metallic click, and something cold brushed against my left wrist.

It was a handcuff.

Connected to the bed’s railing.

It was so absurd that I let out a laugh.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, my Lady. But… this was the only way.”

Ariana, the one who had cuffed me to the bed, was trembling and on the verge of tears.

Looking at her, I felt both disgusted and strangely curious.

“Why are you the one crying?”

I’m the one who feels like dying right now.