Chapter 62

Accompanied by my escorts, I was out for a morning walk.

In this hot spring resort, it seems that not only soaking in the hot water, but also walking while breathing the mountain air is considered a refined taste.

A thin morning mist remained in the valley, and the stone-paved path was still quiet. Steam rose here and there, and the faint smell of sulfur drifted about.

From ahead, a noble accompanied by several attendants came walking towards us.

Upon noticing me, the man stopped his feet and immediately bowed his head deeply.

“Your Highness Leonhart. It is an honor to meet you in such a place.”

I gave a light nod. I recognized his face.

Count Crawford—it was the man himself.

I asked.

“Why are you here?”

Keeping his posture straightened, the Count answered.

“My wife is recuperating in this land.”

A slight weariness bled into his voice.

“I am just about to head to the doctor’s place to receive her medicine.”

I thought for a bit and said.

“May I accompany you?”

The Count looked up, seemingly surprised for just an instant, but immediately bowed his head.

“Of course.”

I followed Count Crawford.

The doctor’s house was on the outskirts of the hot spring resort.

It was a small house built by piecing together stone and wood; it lacked extravagance but was well-maintained. Bundled medicinal herbs hung under the eaves, and dried roots and leaves were lined up by the window. Mixed with the steam of the hot springs, a distinct smell of medicinal herbs drifted about.

No matter how you look at it, rather than a splendid medical clinic, it was a house more like an herbalist’s shop or a monastery’s work shed.

The Count knocked on the door.

Shortly after, the door opened, and a man appeared from inside.

He appeared to be past forty. His shoulders were broad, and his posture was straight like a soldier’s, but what he wore was a plain robe. There was white mixed into his beard, and his face had a roughness as if it had been exposed to the wind on a battlefield.

However, his eyes were sharp, and somewhat calm.

Upon seeing the Count’s figure, the man gave a light bow.

“If it isn’t the Count.”

Count Crawford said concisely.

“I came to receive my wife’s medicine.”

Looking at the Count, the doctor opened his mouth in an accustomed tone.

“How has her condition been recently?”

Count Crawford let out a small sigh.

“The same as usual. The pain in her legs is strong, and it seems she cannot stand for long… She says her bones ache as if creaking just by walking a little. Her back is also more bent than before, and I feel her body has grown quite weak.”

An uncontrollable weariness bled into the Count’s voice.

“When night falls, it seems the pain in her lower back and legs increases. She has no strength in her body, and she can barely walk even when supported by a lady-in-waiting.”

The doctor nodded quietly.

“So, there has not been much change.”

The Count shook his head.

“It is, still, better than two years ago. When she first came here, it seemed painful for her even to get up.”

I listened to their exchange in silence.

…Hm?

Judging from what I’m hearing now, aren’t those symptoms of osteomalacia? Such a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

But I did not voice it on the spot.

The doctor took a small package from a shelf and presented it to the Count.

“Then, this medicine. Please brew it and have her drink it. And—have her eat nutritious foods as much as possible.”

Saying that, he continued while counting on his fingers.

“Eggs, goat’s milk, meat stew. Soup made by boiling bones for a long time is also good. Mixing in a little honey is also good for those whose bodies have weakened.”

Count Crawford received the package.

“Thank you.”

The doctor merely gave a light nod.

Listening to the conversation, I tilted my head slightly in my mind.

Among the foods he just listed, there are certainly some that seem effective. However, things that seem unrelated were also mixed in.

As expected, he must be a doctor relying on intuition and experience.

Eventually, we stated our thanks and left the doctor’s house behind.

After walking for a bit, I called out to the Count.

“May I ask?”

The Count looks this way.

“How does your wife usually spend her time?”

The Count was at a loss for words for just an instant.

But eventually answered quietly.

“…Inside the house all day.”

I remained silent and waited for the rest.

“We are drawing up hot spring water. She bathes in the bathroom inside the house. She almost never goes outside.”

The Count furrowed his brow, seemingly a little troubled.

“Besides, a little while ago, she hurt the bone in her leg just by tripping in the garden. I was told it was not broken, but. Since then, she has become even more unable to walk.”

The Count looked slightly into the distance.

“There were times when she was in good condition that I recommended taking a walk, but…”

And he gave a bitter smile.

“She says she hates it because she will get sunburned.”

…I can understand the feeling of wanting to avoid a sunburn. Even more so if she’s a noble lady.

I thought for a bit before quietly opening my mouth.

“There is no need to force her to walk, but.”

The Count looks this way.

“A chair or a bed is fine. I recommend bringing her out to the garden of the house, or a place where the sun hits.”

The Count made a slightly surprised face.

I continued.

“I have heard that not only warming the body, but also bathing in the sun is good for the body. Like entering the hot water, wouldn’t it not be bad to make time to bathe in the sun?”

The Count remained silent for a while.

Eventually, he nodded slowly.

“…If you say so.”

And let out a small breath.

“In a little while, I plan to return to my territory. Since I cannot keep leaving it empty.”

The Count gave a bitter smile.

Behind that smile, there was a weariness he couldn’t completely hide.

His wife’s long illness. And the management of his territory.

It was the expression of a man bearing both.

I said nothing more.

…If it’s osteomalacia. Just this should improve it considerably.

But I am not a doctor. It’s not like I have specialized knowledge.

I probably shouldn’t interject any further.

That was what I thought.