"By investigation, you mean…?" Catherine wasn't sure how to put it into words.
"Oh! Don't be silly. It was just a normal investigation by a private detective. Be at ease. I didn't have someone following you around," Hendrix explained, lest Catherine misunderstand the situation and imagine any unsavoury scenarios.
"Mom was so worried about you that she wanted me to help and protect you. But I can't do that all the time—I do have a life of my own—so I had an acquaintance of mine look into your daily life so I could report something to Mother and reassure her that you are simply fine in your current situation."
"When I heard from Lord Zachary that you had a suitor, I had someone investigate his background. Even though you've run away from home and renounced your status, you are still Catherine Faucigny, a duke's daughter and niece of the reigning Queen of England. The benefits of marrying you are endless."
The two of them fell into silence. After a while, Hendrix spoke again.
"However, I'm glad. I'm so glad that you are alright. Despite what you've been through, you didn't lose your smile."
Catherine was taken aback by what she heard. Her brother was not the sort of loving and showy type of sibling, so hearing something along those lines made Catherine speechless.
"But… this has become troublesome." Hendrix paused.
Albert and William understood that this was a family conversation, so both of them remained silent the whole time. They just looked around and tried not to interfere too much.
"Sorry," Catherine said softly.
"No, not you." Hendrix waved his hand to dismiss Catherine. He was misunderstood by his sister.
"I meant to say, how will I report this situation to Mom? Looks like I have to cover up for you again this time." Hendrix smiled as he looked at Catherine directly.
Catherine was familiar with the way her brother worked. She knew if he was joking or serious, and this was definitely the former.
"Thank you, brother." Catherine gave him a sweet and sincere smile.
Hendrix blushed in embarrassment from his sister's unusual treatment and could only look away. Albert and William just smiled at this warm sibling interaction. The rest of the afternoon was harmonious. The nurses checked on Catherine's status, and all three of them took great care of her. The progress of her recovery sped up thanks to their attentiveness. Of course, during the day, countless nurses tried to create a moment with the three men, much to their displeasure and Catherine's amusement. Even after dinner, a lovely conversation continued.
"Looks like all the ladies in the hospital have been smitten by your beauty, brother. Even Albert and William have countless gazes aimed at them. Surely this hospital will turn gloomy once I'm discharged," Catherine dramatically pointed out.
"I'm not so sure about that." William smiled awkwardly, as he didn't know what to say. Women weren't his area of expertise.
"Tsk!" Remembering those hard stares he received when he was confined back then, Hendrix let out a grunt.
Albert, on the other hand, just chuckled and played along. "I'm sure they will."
The rest of the evening went smoothly. After drinking her last medicine for the day, Catherine went to the bathroom for a change. It wasn't appropriate for them to help her, so they went and asked a female nurse for help. After that, all three of them took turns using the bathroom and freshening up.
"Not going to sleep yet?" William asked Catherine when he saw that she was just standing by the window. Albert had gone to take a bath while Hendrix had gone outside.
"Not yet. I'm not sleepy," Catherine replied as she turned her gaze to the night sky.
"Are you sure it's all right for you to be here? I'm not taking up your time?" Catherine asked, concerned. She was afraid she was taking up too much of his time. He was a professor, and all professors are busy.
"No, not at all. I took the day off when we were investigating, and when this whole ordeal became known, the vice-chancellor was understanding enough to give me some time off," William explained patiently.
"Oh! By the way, what happened with the investigation? Is Lucian okay? Miss Frida…" Recalling what happened at the tavern, Catherine became sad.
William sighed as he recounted what happened. "Unfortunately, we couldn't save Miss Frida in time. We found Lucian in a brothel. He was drugged with opium by Dadori Bell."
Catherine went silent as she listened to William. She felt dejected that she wasn't able to do anything to save them. Her admiration for the young couple's story was crushed by the harsh reality of the class system in Great Britain.
"And Lucian? Where is he now?" Catherine calmed herself down.
"We brought him here for a check-up. He was discharged yesterday and went ahead to prepare for Miss Macaulay's funeral."
"I see." Catherine smiled dispiritedly. "After I'm discharged, I wish to go to where Miss Frida is laid to put some flowers on her grave."
"Okay. We'll accompany you there. But first, you need to recover well," William promised.
At that moment, Albert finished bathing and came out of the bathroom in his night clothes. He heard the last part of their conversation and was curious.
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
"Catherine wishes to visit Miss Macaulay's grave," William explained.
"Oh! Then I'll accompany you. You've just recovered, so it's best not to force yourself." Albert immediately offered. William just smiled, while Catherine was stunned.
"Ah… then I'll be in your care." By the end of her sentence, she blushed hard.
William, after seeing this, pretended that he didn't understand what had happened. But because of his smile that seemed to evoke a hint of teasing, Catherine felt greatly embarrassed and blushed further.
Albert, noticing the time, urged them to go to sleep. "It is eleven o'clock in the evening. It's time to go to bed. The two of you should rest." Looking around, he noticed something amiss.
"Where is Lord Hendrix?"
"He went outside." After recovering from her embarrassment, Catherine answered Albert's question.
The three of them went to bed after conversing a little. Albert offered to stay to monitor Catherine. William did not have any objection, and Catherine just nodded. William then lay on the couch and went to sleep. Catherine, feeling full, just lay in bed, looking at the ceiling.
"Can't sleep?" Albert, who was looking at her, asked softly.
"Yes. I don't feel sleepy at the moment." Catherine turned her gaze to him.
"Hmm…" Albert contemplated for a moment. "Then, would you like to go to the garden? I've heard from the nurses that the view is great at night."
"Yes. Although I haven't been able to see it myself, some of my patients who go for a stroll at night say it's beautiful," Catherine chimed in.
"Then it's better for us to check it out." Albert encouraged her.
"Looks like we have a decision. The garden it is."" He took a thick blanket from the cabinet, wrapped it around her, and slowly guided her as she wore her slippers.
"Thanks." Holding the blanket on her shoulder, Catherine felt warm.
"Let's go." Albert offered his hand, which Catherine gladly accepted.
The two silently left the room, careful not to wake William. They walked side by side. As they passed by the nurse station, Catherine informed the nurse on duty that they would only go to the garden and not leave the premises.
Albert and Catherine continued to walk toward the garden silently. Although there was only silence between them, they did not feel bored. Instead, they felt the warmth of one another. It made them happy.
"Wow! It truly is breathtaking," Catherine exclaimed as soon as they arrived at the garden.
There were plenty of seats within the centre of the garden. Only a handful of patients were there. Some were looking at the sky, while others were roaming around, admiring the flowers.
Albert found an empty spot and guided Catherine there. The two of them sat downside, looking at the night sky. Just then, a falling star passed by.
"Oh! Albert, did you see that? A falling star!" Catherine cheerfully shared with Albert what she saw, not realizing she was holding his arm, almost hugging it.
Albert looked down to where her hands were and smiled gleefully. He did not mind them, nor did he care to tell Catherine to take them off. "Yes. I saw it too. Did you make a wish?"
"Right now." Catherine closed her eyes, clasped her hands tightly together, and wished seriously.
Seeing this, Albert smiled gently as he observed Catherine. He looked at her tender expression and noticed some of the hair on the side falling down on her face. He reached his hand and gently lifted her hair and put it behind her ear.