A few more years went by.
During that time, Claire searched for methods to cure Zenith.
She spoke with doctors and healing magicians throughout Milis, and visited the library of the Church of Milis a countless number of times.
She even researched in the books left behind by the Demon Races.
Normally such a thing would not be forgiven, but she believed that looking through the whole, long history of the country, precedents could be found.
And then, she found it.
It was quite suspicious, and she wasn't sure whether or not it was true.
A completely unbelievable, nauseating method.
However, there had certainly been a successful case in the past.
It wasn't a demon remedy.
There seems to have been a similar case among the elves.
A woman appeared in a mindless state, but after having carnal relations with many men, she reclaimed her spirit.
A completely untrustworthy description.
That's not something that should be attempted.
However, after carefully searching for evidence, she found it.
It seems that person really did exist.
To this day, she still needs to have carnal relationships with men.
Claire was troubled.
Would it be okay to try it?
Zenith would surely hate it.
But, even so.
If there is no other method...
Just as she was done convincing herself, Rudeus came with Zenith.
Zenith came with her son Rudeus and the mistress's daughter, Aisha.
Only the three of them.
It was only 3 years after sending the letter.
Claire wasn't used to sending letters over long distances, but she knew that Rudeus hurried over.
"First, I'll greet him with words of gratitude.
Then, I'll confirm the progress of her current treatments and the plans from here on out.
If there's time, then we'll talk about Norn and Aisha's current circumstances."
As soon as she saw Zenith, all those thoughts were blown away.
The minute that Claire entered the room, saw Zenith's face, and drawing close, saw her vacant gaze, she was overcome with emotions so strong that it felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and entrusted Zenith to the family doctor, Andel, with a sigh.[6]
Andel is the family doctor entrusted with Claire's own deteriorating health, and has been told the general outline of Claire's discovered healing method.
Claire regretted ignoring Rudeus due to seeing Zenith again after a long time, and turned to face him.
Suddenly, she noticed the young woman in maid clothes huddled at the end of the couch.
A young woman with dark brown hair.
She hadn't forgotten her.
However, what immediately caught Claire's eye was her appearance.
A maid outfit.
"Aisha-san, it has been a while. Today... what have you come to do?"
"Eh? Ummm... That is, I came to take care of Zenith-okaasama."
At that reply, without thinking Claire's voice grew rough.
Taking care of her.
In other words, she came as a maid.
If that is the case, then there is no reason for her to be sitting while Zenith and Rudeus, the heads of the household, are standing.
Claire naturally intended to rebuke her.
However, Rudeus cut in.
Naturally.
Claire had messed up on the order of things.
The Rudeus who she met for the first time was a youth who closely resembled Paul.
Whether she wanted to or not, his face brought Paul's to her mind.
That drunkard Paul, who didn't even have a fragment of character.
That Paul.
If it weren't for him, Zenith may not have fallen into this state.
In Claire's mind, those emotions welled up.
As a result, in the following exchange with Rudeus, all of her bad side was on full display.
With a vain and stubborn personality, while ignoring the mistakes she committed in his presence, she took on a haughty attitude.
But Rudeus stayed sincere.