A sudden wave of self-awareness hits me. I pause, while Orlando's ears are burning a deeper shade of crimson, I realize I might be pushing my luck. If I keep poking fun at him like this, his protective walls will shoot right back up, and whatever fragile progress we've made in fixing this sibling relationship will backfire.
I offer a small, placating smile and hold up my hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop here," I tell him in a low, convincing voice. "I won't push it any further."
Orlando lets out a slow, cautious breath, narrowing his eyes slightly as if waiting to see the truth. Once he realizes I'm genuinely letting up, his expression shifts into one of stern concern.
"Very well," he says, crossing his arms as he glances down the hall toward my room. "But... when I was rushing over here, I heard that you were preparing to go outside. Are you out of your mind? You just collapsed from simple numbness a few minutes ago, and you can barely stand on your own. How on earth do you expect to go outside in this condition?"
I roll my eyes playfully, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Enough with the overprotectiveness! The doctor already gave me permission to move around. Besides, I've spent the hours staring at the exact same ceiling; if I stay trapped in this bed a minute longer, I'm going to lose my mind. I just want some fresh air and a change of scenery. Lily is right here to help me, so you don't need to worry."
"If that's the case, then I'm coming with you," Orlando declares instantly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I blink, staring at him in bewilderment. "What? Why on earth do you need to tag along? I'm sure you have plenty of work to attend to as the young master of the estate. Leave me be; I can handle a simple walk."
"No chance," Orlando shoots back stubbornly. "Knowing your history of finding trouble wherever you go, I am not letting you wander the grounds unsupervised. I'm going with you."
"Brother, I am literally just taking a quiet stroll through our own family garden," I protest, though a small part of me can't help but feel a flicker of warmth at his persistent concern.
"My decision is final," he insists, though a faint, telltale blush creeps back up his neck as he looks away, clearly a little embarrassed by how openly worried he's being.
A gentle smile touches my lips. "Fine, have it your way. But I need to take a proper bath and change into something suitable first, and since it's been days, it's going to take me a little while. So you're going to have to wait."
Orlando nods, his posture relaxing slightly. "That's fine. I have a few matters to attend to anyway. I'll wait for you in the sitting room. Take your time."
With a final nod, Orlando turns and heads out toward the open seating area where family members and guests usually gathered for tea.
I turn back to Lily with an eager sigh of relief. "Right then, let's get moving."
Lily smiles warmly, guiding me toward the adjoining bathing chamber. Without wasting another second, she immediately gets to work, filling the large, ornate tub with steaming water infused with fragrant scented oils and a generous handful of fresh flower petals, creating a soothing sanctuary for my long-awaited recovery.
As Lily reaches out to assist me with the bath, I quickly step back, holding my hands up.
"N-no, Lily, it's fine! You don't need to help me with this," I stammer. In my modern world, bathing was always a completely private, independent affair. The thought of a maid scrubbing me down is mortifyingly awkward. I feel embarrassed even just thinking about it. "You can go wait outside or start organizing my clothes in the bedroom. I can handle a bath entirely on my own, I promise."
Lily pauses, looking skeptical and deeply worried. "Are you sure, my Lady? Just a few minutes ago your legs went completely numb. What if you slip or lose your balance while getting in or out of the water? How will you even manage afterward?"
"I'll be fine! If I genuinely need help, I'll call you," I insist, gently pushing her toward the door. "Go on, please."
Reluctantly, Lily nods. "Very well, my Lady. I'll be right outside the door. Just call out the second you need me."