I new life for a new problem

Chapter 35

Amiru took a while before moving again. She was having trouble processing Basen's words. What the young man had said was simply not possible. It had to be a lie. She looked at the door through which he had left and followed him. She needed more explanations, and she knew where to find them now.

Ron, equally surprised, followed her calmly, knowing that they were headed in the same direction and had the same goal.

---

The sound of shoes hitting the floor was the only sound that could be heard throughout the estate.

They had arrived in the hallway leading to the guest rooms. When they saw the doctor, they walked over to him. 

"Do you need anything? How is Cale?" These were two potentially similar questions, but it didn't matter, Amiru needed to know. Without realizing it, her thoughts, once filled with anger and many other negative feelings, had turned solely to worry.

"Hello, my lady. Yes, unfortunately, I need a priest. His body has many internal injuries that I am unable to treat."

Amiru noticed that the doctor didn't even seem surprised. "What do you mean? You can't because..." She left her question unfinished, knowing that the man in front of her was a doctor from the royal palace. He should be one of the best in his field, so what was the problem? Perhaps Cale's condition was so serious that even he couldn't do anything on his own.

Sensing the young woman's concern, the doctor glanced vaguely at the butler. He didn't know if he was allowed to say more, but the old man remained in the background with an expressionless face.

Ron watched Amiru and the doctor talk in silence. He wasn't going to stop him from revealing certain things. Maybe they would finally get the truth about this too. Young Master Cale had never answered them when they asked where his injuries came from.

"Tell me." She saw the doctor's gesture and quickly understood. Her anger returned with a vengeance, she was growing tired of all these secrets. Especially when her friend's life was at stake. "I'm sorry, but in the absence of someone from the young master's family, I can't tell you any more." He looked genuinely apologetic, but Amiru wasn't buying it.

"Young Master Basen is—"

"I strongly recommend that you leave Young Master Basen alone for now. He needs rest too. I think you all do. Call a priest, and I'll take care of Young Master Cale." The doctor's strong, upright stance surprised them slightly. His words were still polite, but the tone of his voice suggested an order.

She sighed and did as she was told, but she certainly wasn't going to leave it at that.

---

The next morning, the estate awoke early, and with it all the problems and grudges that had been left behind the day before.

Amiru had risen at first light to go straight to Cale. She hadn't forgotten about her friends' arrival either; she had already told a butler to send them to Cale's room as soon as they arrived. Now it was time for answers, and she fixed her dark gaze on the young Master Basen, who was still asleep. It looked as if the young man had spent the night in a chair, and judging by the position of his body, he would certainly be in pain later. She barely stopped herself from shaking him awake so he would talk to her immediately, but the doctor's dark gaze prevented her.

Her gaze turned to the pale figure on the bed. "How is he?"

"The priest was very helpful, but he still needs rest."

"I see. I guess you still don't want to answer my questions."

He didn't even answer her, just gave her another apologetic look. She couldn't help crossing her arms in frustration. She was only seconds away from starting to stamp her feet to show her anger, but ended up sighing in resignation. "How is young master Basen?"

"He also needs rest." His words clearly suggested that she should not disturb him.

She looked around the room for something to do; she didn't have the strength to wait patiently. Fortunately, the room was large enough for her to sit down. This would also give her time to gather her thoughts about the whole situation.

---

She woke up to the sound of several voices, not even knowing when she had fallen asleep.

Amiru could see Ron now standing with Basen, and Eric and Gilbert looking worried.

"How long have you been here?" Her question made everyone stop talking and look at her, or almost everyone. Basen had looked away.

"Not long, we didn't want to disturb you. It seemed like you had a restless night." With a glance at Cale, Amiru understood Eric's allusion.

She didn't answer him, her gaze fixed once again on Basen.

"Did they tell you what happened?"

"Yes." It was a short answer, too short for a normally stressed or worried Eric. Amiru noted it somewhere in her mind to come back to later.

"The doctor said it was an internal injury and that it wasn't the first time, but he wouldn't tell me any more. Something he couldn't treat."

She could hear the shocked gasps of the two men who weren't yet aware of the situation. As she had expected, Basen didn't even flinch. She continued impassively. "And I suppose you know the reason why?"

Basen still didn't look at anyone, merely whispering his reply. "Yes."

This short reply annoyed everyone, but Amiru was still the only one speaking. "Are you going to tell us?"

"No."

"Basen, I'm serious. The secrets have to stop now, before something really happens. If you hadn't been there, Cale could have died.

What will happen next time if no one is there to watch him?" She could see the young master tense at her words.

Eric and Gilbert had a lot to say, but remained wisely silent.

Basen had had enough. Why was she always picking on him? Yesterday he had revealed too much, but he was tired and she wouldn't leave him alone. Now he was well rested and ready to defend himself. He raised his head and looked at the three nobles. "I won't tell you anything. You'll just have to wait until Cale is willing to talk to you."

This seemed to anger the three nobles this time. Each of them clenched their fists in rage.

"You know what Cale is like, he'll never tell us anything, even if it kills him!" Unable to keep up her calm facade any longer, Amiru finally shouted.

"If that's his choice." Basen's casual reply surprised the three nobles.

"Are you serious?" She could only ask in disbelief. Her anger was now hidden by her confusion.

They saw him nod firmly.

"Why... why..." She couldn't find the words to express her dismay. Why continue to lie to them? Was his secret more important than his life? Why didn't he trust them? The questions were too numerous to be asked.

"I have only one piece of advice for you: let things be and stop trying to force them." Basen put as much strength as he could into his voice to make them understand.

"I... we can't do that, and if... I'm going to call Count Deruth." Amiru didn't even know if she should be angry or shocked by the young master's attitude.

"He knows as much as I do, and he won't tell you anything either." He decided to remain silent for now and ignore them, turning instead to Ron, who had remained silent near his brother's bed.

Amiru and the two other nobles from the northeast remained frozen, unsure of what to do, but they quickly recovered. Each of their faces wore a blank expression.

With a knowing glance between them, they made a decision. "I... I can't say I understand, but... very well. I'll ask only one thing of you, Basen: keep Cale alive and come see us if he really needs you."

The three left in silence. Basen hadn't answered them, but he sensed that something had broken.