Chapter 1802

chapter1802

"Don't worry. I'm not some man-eating monster. I won't hurt you," Vivian said as she helped Manfred back to his room.

But when she opened the door, she froze.

The room was as cold as the air outside, the furnishings sparse to the point of desolation. A table and chair occupied the space, and a bed stood against the wall. There was no mattress or blanket, just a wooden board.

In that instant, she understood why Manfred preferred to stay outside. At least out there, the sun offered a sliver of warmth. This room felt like an ice cave.

She wondered how Manfred could have survived until now.

"Sit down for now. I'll find something to help," Vivian said, her heart sinking as she took in his condition.

She rummaged through her bag but came up empty-handed-no antipyretics, only cold medicine. Thankfully, there was an unopened bottle of water.

"Take this cold medicine first. Just swallow it with some water."

Manfred didn't move.

Vivian met his wary gaze. "This cold medicine will help relieve your symptoms. I don't have much with me, but I do have this jacket. It should keep you warm for now. Put it on. I'll go buy a few things and come back to check on you."

She knew Manfred would not trust her easily. If she were in his shoes, she would not trust anyone either, especially after being treated unfairly.

After leaving, Vivian hurried to Dewhurst. The small town had only one lingerie store. She quickly grabbed two sets of men's thermal underwear lined with cashmere. She also found a couple of vintage-style down jackets at a nearby shop—clothing that wouldn't seem out of place in Manfred's era.

Next, she stopped by the pharmacy for antipyretics and then visited a restaurant, where she ordered warm chicken soup, sandwiches, and other hearty dishes.

She had hoped to buy a blanket and mattress, but the stores in town didn't carry them. Undeterred, she returned to Manfred with the supplies she could gather.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived back at his room.

Manfred stared at the bundles in her arms, confusion flickering across his face. "You..."

He hadn't expected her to return. When she left earlier, he'd assumed she wouldn't come back. The medicine she'd left behind was strange, unlike anything he'd seen before.

Part of him thought it might be poison-not that it mattered. In his current state, death seemed a relief. But when he took it, the medicine. had nodiscernible taste, and to his surprise, it eased his discomfort almost immediately.

Perhaps she wasn't a threat after all. Still, he couldn't decide whether she was human or some kind of spirit.

"I bought these for you. These are antipyretics, just like the cold medicine I gave you earlier. Take them the same way," Vivian said, handing him the antipyretics.

This time, Manfred took it

immediately. Vivian then pulled out some thermal underwear and a

down jacket. She hadn't had time to wash them in her haste; the priority was to warm him up immediately.

"These are thermal underwear and a down jacket. You need to put them on right away. You can't afford to catch a cold with your fever. I'll wait outside. Just call me when you're ready."

Vivian left immediately after speaking. Manfred stared at the unfamiliar garments, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Outside, Vivian paced. Ten minutes passed, and still, he hadn't called for her. She was just about to ask if he needed help when, suddenly, a force flung her back into the inn.