Moonlit Decision
Julian D’Aurelius rested one arm casually against the balcony railing, the silver moonlight casting a gentle glow over his black hair. A playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his golden eyes met Felberta Ashbourne’s crimson gaze across the narrow gap separating their balconies.
"A long night with no sleep."
He let out a quiet sigh, glancing toward the moon overhead.
"I thought I was the only one awake."
A faint breeze drifted through the estate, carrying the fresh scent of rain-soaked flowers.
"But it turns out, Miss Ashbourne..."
He smiled a little wider.
"You can’t sleep either."
[Come on... cooperate a little, woman.]
[Let me finish the preliminary treatment already.]
[As long as I cure a little, the Tyrant System should finally hand over my reward.]
[I’ve been working overtime all day. Even black-hearted companies aren’t this stingy.]
Felberta had just lifted her cocktail to her lips.
"Pff—"
The sudden voice in her head startled her so badly that she choked on the drink.
"Cough... cough...!"
She bent over slightly, coughing repeatedly as the wine went down the wrong way.
Julian’s relaxed expression instantly disappeared.
Without thinking, he stepped onto the balcony railing.
"Are you okay?"
His voice carried genuine concern.
"You didn’t choke too badly, did you?"
After several coughs, Felberta finally managed to catch her breath.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed as she looked up at him.
Then she glared.
A very fierce glare.
"Isn’t it your fault?"
she asked through clenched teeth.
Julian blinked.
"My fault?"
"It’s only half past eight."
"You suddenly appear out of nowhere talking about sleepless nights."
"Who talks like that this early?"
Julian scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"...Fair point."
"My bad."
"My bad."
He laughed dryly before sitting casually on top of the balcony railing as though balancing there required no effort at all.
The cool night breeze gently stirred his black hair.
"So..."
"Got time for a treatment?"
Felberta didn’t even hesitate.
"No treatment."
She placed her glass onto the small table beside her and turned around, preparing to head back into her room.
She still hadn’t made up her mind.
Although her father’s words had shaken her resolve...
Her heart was still filled with uncertainty.
Most importantly...
She couldn’t understand why Julian seemed so desperate to treat her.
Seeing her about to leave, Julian quickly called after her.
"Don’t be like that."
His usual carefree smile returned.
"I honestly don’t understand why you’re so resistant to treatment."
He shrugged helplessly.
"I’m not asking you to decide your future tonight."
"I’m only trying to help."
Felberta paused.
She didn’t turn around.
Julian continued.
"Forget everything else for a moment."
"Let’s not even talk about your androphobia."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Your allergy symptoms alone are already uncomfortable, aren’t they?"
"You’ve lived with them for years."
"You’ve had to avoid ordinary contact."
"You’ve had to stay on guard all the time."
"That’s exhausting."
His voice became calmer.
"How about this?"
"I’ll only deal with your allergy problem first."
"No pressure."
"No conditions."
"After that..."
"You can decide for yourself whether you want any further treatment."
"You don’t have to promise me anything."
Felberta remained silent.
The night breeze gently lifted a few strands of her damp black hair.
She quietly looked at the moon without speaking.
Julian sighed inwardly.
[Why is she so stubborn?]
[I seriously can’t figure out what this woman is thinking.]
[Back in the original storyline, after Dario Ashbourne recovered, she practically agreed to treatment without all this hesitation.]
[Did I accidentally change something again?]
[Honestly, my treatment isn’t anything like what Steffan did.]
[Mine is proper Acupuncture Therapy.]
[I’m treating an illness.]
[Once she’s cured, there won’t be any rebound effects.]
[She won’t suddenly fall head over heels for me.]
[I’m a doctor, not some love potion salesman.]
Hearing every one of those thoughts clearly, Felberta’s expression subtly changed.
She slowly turned around.
Her crimson eyes rested quietly on Julian.
So...
That was how it worked.
His treatment wouldn’t manipulate her emotions.
There wouldn’t be any hidden side effects.
There wouldn’t be any unnatural feelings afterward.
The greatest fear weighing on her heart suddenly became much lighter.
Her father’s gentle words echoed in her mind once again.
"You may dislike men if that’s your own choice..."
"But don’t let an illness make that choice for you."
She slowly lowered her gaze.
Perhaps...
She really had been afraid of the wrong thing all along.
Julian watched her in silence.
For once, he didn’t rush her.
He simply waited.
A long moment passed.
Finally...
Felberta let out a soft breath.
"One question."
Julian’s eyes brightened.
"Ask away."
"If your treatment succeeds..."
"I’ll be exactly the same as before?"
He nodded without hesitation.
"You’ll still be you."
"You’ll still think what you want."
"You’ll still decide who you like."
"And who you don’t."
"I’m only removing the illness."
"I’m not changing the person."
His answer was immediate.
There wasn’t even the slightest pause.
Felberta searched his face.
There was no trace of hesitation.
Only sincerity.
Julian smiled helplessly.
"If doctors started changing people’s personalities..."
"We’d all be out of work."
A tiny smile almost escaped Felberta before she suppressed it.
Julian noticed.
[There it is.]
[She almost smiled.]
[Progress!]
[The preliminary treatment hasn’t even started and I’ve already achieved emotional breakthrough number one.]
[Looks like this handsome doctor’s charm is still undefeated.]
Felberta rolled her eyes.
Shameless.
Absolutely shameless.
Even his own thoughts were unbearable.
Yet...
For some reason...
They no longer annoyed her as much as before.
Perhaps because she now knew those ridiculous thoughts were simply part of who he was.
He wasn’t pretending.
He really was that absurd.
"...Then..."
She spoke quietly.
"I’ll trouble you."
Her tone had become noticeably gentler than before.
There was no longer the cold rejection that had filled her voice only minutes earlier.
Julian immediately broke into a bright smile.
"Sigh."
"No need to be polite with me."
"We’re doctor and patient."
"Helping people is what I do."
He lightly hopped onto the balcony railing.
Balancing effortlessly, he spread his arms dramatically.
[Finally.]
[Mission progress!]
[Please... don’t disappear again, reward.]
[I’ve earned this one.]
With a light leap, he crossed the narrow gap between the two balconies and landed smoothly on Felberta’s side.
He dusted off his sleeves as though he had merely taken a normal step.
His expression immediately became much more professional.
The joking smile remained, but his eyes grew focused.
"Let’s go."
"To the bed for treatment."
"You’ll need to lie down."