T Y D O T S F

124

I have never seen Hestia so weak. Her eyes, fixed on the floor, were powerless. How long had she been here like this?

"Because of my lack of skill, I ended up like this again. I'm sorry, young lady."

"Why is this Hestia's fault? It's not like that."

This was just an accident.

It was literally an unexpected event, something that could not have been prepared for. It was no one's fault, but Hestia thought it was her own fault.

"No, if I had been a little more careful, this might not have happened. Then... and now."

"Hestia. Look at me, okay?"

"It's all mine..."

The sobbing voice died down. I was speechless and could only stare at her.

I can't even begin to imagine how much you've been through, so I'm afraid that hasty consolation will only hurt you.

All I could do was stay by Hestia's side.

"I absolutely did not want to make that mistake this time. I wanted to protect you at least."

"......Yeah, that's right."

"...It turned out well."

I stopped as I was brushing her back. What was so good about it? I tried to check Hestia's expression, but I couldn't see it clearly.

But now, I feel like I can't just sit there and listen, I feel uneasy and wonder what he's thinking.

"What does that mean, Hestia?"

"When I return to my family, I will ask you to excommunicate me. ......I think it would be more helpful to have another attending physician in the family than me......"

"What nonsense is that!"

Hestia spoke nonchalantly, knowing full well what it meant to be excommunicated from her family.

Excommunication was a punishment given to sinners in a family. Naturally, they would be branded with a mark.

He is banished from his clan and ends up wandering around with nowhere to go.

I suddenly got angry.

I didn't know that Hestia had these feelings, and I didn't want her to know.

"This was an accident. It was absolutely not Hestia's fault. And..."

I hesitated to say it right away.

Can I say Estella's name? Whenever Hestia sees me, she thinks of Estella.

Not only her, but other members of the family would also think of Estella whenever they saw me.

"......Estella-sama's actions are not your fault at all. It's just so obvious."

"I should have told you that I should have been there. If I had been..., Estella wouldn't have had to go away so meaninglessly."

Yeah, maybe so.

This might not have happened if Hestia, the attending physician, had been by his side.

Because of that, Hestia suffered even more.

Is it really right for me to comfort Hestia here? Of all people, me?

The hand that had been comforting her trembled. Hestia's voice was heard in the silence.

"......Young lady, you are a precious person that Lady Estella has protected. I will demand the punishment you deserve for this incident."

"Hestia!"