OPDPS 100

“Closed? Is he taking the day off today?”

“Is the doctor sick?”

Those who saw the “Closed” sign on the infirmary door began to worry a little. Aeryl had been looking especially tired lately. Fortunately, no one was in urgent need of medical attention, so there were no wasted trips.

But contrary to what people assumed—that the infirmary would be empty—Aeryl, Connie, and Raeler were inside. Aeryl was seated at the consultation desk, and Raeler was cleaning. The infirmary didn’t look much different from when it was open.

So why was the “Closed” sign up? That had been Connie’s decision.

Connie stood by the door, staring at Aeryl. He looked even more of a wreck than he had yesterday. His hair, tied back in a single bundle, was disheveled; dark circles hung under his eyes, and his complexion was ashen. He was holding a book, but his sluggish, red-rimmed eyes drifted across the page.

‘What the hell happened last night to make him even worse than before?’

Lately, Aeryl had been throwing himself into medical research like a mad scientist. Today, it felt like he’d evolved into something worse—like his soul had vanished. He’d been in this state ever since Connie had arrived that morning. Judging that he was in no condition to see patients, she had hung the “Closed” sign herself.

‘The way he is now… it’s scary to even let someone see him.’

Connie shivered. My muse. She normally adored Aeryl’s face, but in this state, it was too pitiful to show to anyone.

“Um… Senior.”

Raeler quietly approached her, still holding the broom he’d been using to finish cleaning the magic tool examination room.

“The doctor… should we call one for him?”

“Why?”

“He’s turning the pages backwards.”

Just as Raeler said, Aeryl was flipping through the book the wrong way. Wait, he’s not actually reading that?

“This is really bad…”

“Right…?”

He was so lost in thought he couldn’t even read one of his beloved medical texts. Something serious must have happened. The two of them watched him anxiously.

“……”

Aeryl turned another page. His eyes scanned from top to bottom as if reading, but nothing was actually registering. His mind had already wandered far from reality, drifting somewhere deep within his own psyche.

Thump, thump, thump…

Their heartbeats had pounded so loudly. When he was held in the Grand Duke’s arms, their hearts had strangely beat in sync.

‘Why did His Grace do that?’

Why had he suddenly embraced him like that? And why… hadn’t Aeryl pushed him away? Why had he held onto his arms instead?

Normally, the Grand Duke would lean into him, as if seeking comfort. But last night, he’d pulled Aeryl into his arms. What had changed? Aeryl had replayed the scene all night but still couldn’t figure it out.

During the day, the Grand Duke had avoided him, but then came rushing in late at night, saying he was worried. Even when Aeryl warned him about acting on instinct, he had looked hurt.

‘Why? I’m just doing what I always do.’

The Grand Duke’s face at the end kept coming back to him—his voice tinged with desperation, his expression vulnerable. The memory filled Aeryl with both guilt and a strange flutter in his chest. To see someone so perfect look that pitiful… honestly, it made his heart race.

“Hhhhuuuuuhhh…”

Aeryl sighed like steam escaping a kettle.

‘This is how perverts are made… What is wrong with me?’

He kept recalling last night—thinking, questioning, repeating it all over again. He wanted to stop, but he couldn’t.

To make matters worse, he’d had a nightmare. He’d seen the Grand Duke standing in the hallway, pale-faced. When Aeryl approached, he turned into a ghost and tried to devour him. The ghost’s wail in the dream had been terrifying.

‘Ugh… This isn’t working.’

At this rate, his head was going to explode. He hadn’t accomplished anything of importance. And really, no matter how much he agonized over someone else’s feelings, he’d never truly know.

If you don’t know something, the best way is to ask someone who does.

And who would know the Grand Duke’s heart better than the Grand Duke himself?

I’ll go ask him directly.

Aeryl sprang up from his seat. Connie and Raeler, who’d been whispering about whether to bring in a physician, jumped in surprise.

“What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“Do you need something?”

“No, I’m just stepping out for a bit. I need to go to the outer castle.”

“The outer castle?”

“Yeah. I remembered something I need to ask His Grace. I’ll be right back.”

Without hesitation, Aeryl hurried off.

“You can’t!!”

Connie rushed in front of him, blocking his way.

“You can’t go out looking like that!!”

Her outcry was so desperate that the two men turned to her in shock.

“You absolutely cannot leave looking like that. Even if you’re not stunning, you should at least look presentable! At this rate, your dignity is going to be in shambles!”

Connie spoke with all her heart. A future Grand Duchess going out to the outer castle in such a dazed, disheveled state? Unthinkable. Her tone grew serious, and Aeryl’s face turned sheepish in response.

“Is it really that bad?”

“Yes.”

Connie pulled a small mirror from her apron pocket and held it up for Aeryl.

‘Did the Grand Duke see me like this?’

His skin was rough, his complexion pale, and even his lips were chapped. Not the slightest bit attractive! Aeryl was horrified and deeply embarrassed.

The Grand Duke had looked at him from so close their noses almost touched. His gaze had swept over Aeryl’s face, lingering on his lips. That had felt almost like… a kiss…

“It’s serious, right? Just freshen up a little. I’m not asking you to get dolled up or anything.”

Snapping out of it at Connie’s words, Aeryl nearly fell into another daydream. He’d brushed off Connie’s suggestions before for various reasons, but this time he couldn’t ignore them.

Now that he was aware of it, walking around like this felt mortifying. Surely the Grand Duke wouldn’t want the physician he brought in to be wandering around looking this messy.

“Just a little?”

“Yes! Of course!”

Connie clenched her fists in victory. Watching her celebrate, Aeryl already regretted his decision. Will I even be able to see the Grand Duke today at this rate?

***

The outer castle’s bustled with people coming and going. Most were part of the winter preparations teams, exhausted yet hopeful—the preparations were finally nearing completion.

Once winter preparations ended, a grand festival would be held, followed by a long seasonal break. The administrators would then take shifts and enjoy a period of relative peace, a time everyone was enduring just to reach.

Looks like the year’s finally winding down.

One official, feeling the bite of the cold, stepped down from a carriage. She’d been dispatched to a town for the past month to assist with winter preparations and had just returned with the work complete.

Despite being back at her old workplace, she didn’t feel the least bit happy about it.

‘Everyone must be half-dead by now. And I still have to finish my report.’

Around this time, everyone was on edge, watching their every breath. An early return wasn’t welcomed; officials sent on assignment were supposed to rest after submitting reports. Returning ahead of time only earned glares.

She grumbled inwardly, wondering why her team back home had been so efficient this time. She entered the lobby reluctantly.

‘Better be careful from now on.’

Tired from the journey and now needing to tread carefully around others, she was already drained. The Grand Duke’s castle looked the same, with people still hurrying about.

‘Huh? Why does everyone look so… fine?’

She blinked in surprise as she passed colleagues. They looked tired, yes—but nothing like last year, when people looked like walking corpses. This year, they still looked human!

“Oh, weren’t you on assignment? Just got back?”

A familiar administrator approached her, his eyes bright.

“Didn’t you work? Why do you look so lively?”

The words slipped out before she could stop herself. Realizing it too late, she winced, but the man just grinned.

“Ah, you don’t know yet. About the fatigue remedy.”

“Why are you acting smug? What even is it?”

“It’s something amazing. You’ll understand once you try it.”

He slipped a small bottle into her hand. A strange label was affixed to the neck:

[Aeryl’s Special Fatigue Remedy. Specially created by Dr. Aeryl for those working hard… Free of charge… With endless gratitude…]

“What is this suspicious stuff…?”

“Suspicious? Watch your mouth! This stuff’s like elixir! Without it, this year’s preparations would’ve been a disaster!”

“That just makes it sound even weirder. Aeryl?”

“Wouldn’t blame you for not knowing. After this started circulating, Lord Rynello came back, the bell tower repairs began… he’s gotten famous lately.”

“Didn’t he retire? And the bell tower? I haven’t seen any repairs going on.”

“That’s because it’s almost finished.”

“What?”

So much had changed in just a month. As she tried to focus on what he was saying, a strange sensation caught her attention. Everyone nearby had simultaneously turned to look in one direction, so she did too.

Oh…

A quiet breath of awe escaped her.

Someone she’d never seen before had just walked into the lobby—and they were stunning. With a slender build, long legs, and graceful posture, they moved with an elegance that drew all eyes. As she stared, the person walked past.

A fair and delicate face came into view—features elegant and smooth, with not a single flaw. But they were partly obscured by the most ridiculously outdated pair of glasses.

‘…What are those glasses.’

And just like that, the magic broke.