Oscar didn't get better. After dark, he got worse. He was hot and his speech was slurred.

  I held him half in my arms, laid him down in my arms, took up some cold food, and put it to his mouth.

  "Eat something, my Lord."

  "I won't eat it. I feel sick." 'he said.

  "Drink some water, then."

  "I won't drink it. Take it away."

  "Drink, just a little." Then I put the food in his mouth and said, "Eat something, too. It's better to eat and spit it out than not eat at all."

  "Take it away, don't you understand?"

  I had to put down the food and water and help him to lie down.

  After a long time, he looked me in the eye and said, "I will die here."

  I said, "You're thinking too much. You'll be fine, trust me."

  'If I die, the family will inherit all my property. It's funny, I came to talk to them about the succession, and they must be happy that it's the other way around." "He said sarcastically.

  I froze for a moment and did not answer.

  Then Oscar said, "Where are my servants? Are they sick or won't come?"

  "One of them is sick." 'I replied.

  "Really? Hum!" He looked like a cynical protester, his face slightly twisted, and then he stared at me and asked, "Even they won't come here. Why are you here? Aren't you afraid to die?"

  "We're not going to die." I said.

  "Where is this confidence? It's ridiculous, you humble servant... Ahem..." This time he coughed so long that his face turned red.

  "Have a good rest, and you'll soon be all right."

  Clutching the sheet, trembling all over, his face and lips white as paper, he said: "I have no strength, I am cold, the Lord has called me, I will go to see my father."

  I touched his forehead and it was still hot, no wonder he would feel cold. He looked at me and felt powerless, his expression was desperate. I almost wanted to laugh, it was hard to imagine that this weak man was the same Sir Bruce who had been so commanded and decisive. It seemed even the mightiest of men would be scared in the face of death.

  I sighed, sat down on the edge of the bed, took off my shoes, and got into his bed.

  "What are you doing? He asked me, frowning, as if he were offended.

  I shook my head to silence him and put my hands around his body.

  "Is it still cold? Go to sleep, and I'll stay with you."

  He seemed to feel my heat, and with only a moment's hesitation, he obediently lay down in my arms.

  Soon, he fell asleep.

  Looking at his sleeping face, I let out a long breath.

  I regret everything I ever did to him. If I could make it up to him...

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  Unlike the last time when I had been forced by the housekeeper to take care of him, this time I was willing to come. Last time, I was afraid that I might be infected with smallpox, and I didn't take good care of him. I just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. This time, though we were only in contact for the first time, we talked a lot to each other.

  Outside the window, it seemed to be snowing again, and the howling wind was thumping the window edges.

  In this quiet night, I can't sleep all night. Everything that happened in my past life swept through my mind, and I could only hug the man in my arms, trying to forget everything.

  ...

  I work hard every day, looking forward to one day can sleep to wake up naturally.

  On this day, I did wake up naturally. The morning sun hit my eyelids and I felt a slight breath sweep over my earlobes. When I opened my eyes, I saw a pair of dark brown eyes. We were in the same position as last night, and my hands were still tightly wrapped around him.

  It was a very strange way for two men to sleep in each other's arms. An awkward look came over the Baron's face, and he said, "You may leave my bed.’

  I was even more embarrassed. I got out of bed quickly and arranged my clothes.

  "I feel better and a little hungry. I don't think this is smallpox. Smallpox is much more serious than mine. You tell the Viscount that my fever has gone, and tell him to call the doctor." He said to me coldly.

  "Yes, my Lord, I will go now." I bowed and turned to go out.

  "Wait a minute." 'he said.

  I turned. 'Do you have any other orders?'

  "Your wig, it's crooked."

  I touched it hastily, and it hung over my ear. You can imagine how embarrassed I was.

  "Just a moment, then."

  I went into the hall to the housekeeper's room.

  The butler looked at me in surprise. He seemed afraid of my approach. 'You, how come you're out? What's going on? Is he ill, Baron?"

  "In fact, my Lord Baron, he's much better. I don't think it's smallpox. He wants to see a doctor."

  "Are you sure it wasn't smallpox? How do you know he's better?"

  "When he woke up this morning his temperature was back to normal and it looked more like he had some sort of rash." I said.

  "A rash? Nonsense! The Baron is twenty-six years old. How can he have a rash like a child?"

  "But his fever has certainly gone down."

  The butler hesitated and said, "Well, I will inform my Lord the Viscount, and then send my servant for the doctor. You... You are brave, my boy, and you deserve to be praised. I will tell my Lord Viscount about you. '

  When the doctor arrived, he confirmed the disease and said, "It's not smallpox. It's a rash. It's somewhat contagious, but not very dangerous. Probably because of the high fever, the rash is congested, looks like smallpox. Don't see the wind. It'll be all right in a few days."

  His valet, who had initially refused to attend to the baron, resigned in shame and left.

  The butler asked me to wait on the baron until the rest of his servants arrived.

  All the owners of Mormont Park came to see the baron, especially Catherine, who came every day, not caring at all about the possibility of infection.

  The Baron had reverted to his taciturn manner. He was steady and dignified, and told me to do things without delay. I could hardly imagine that this was the frail man of a few days before. We didn't have much to talk about. He gave me simple instructions about which book to fetch, what to eat tonight, how to make the light brighter, how to make the fireplace brighter, etc.

  ...

  Anne said excitedly to me, "Congratulations, Owen, you have made it to the baronet's valet."

  Simon said coolly, "Come on, it's only temporary. Haven't you heard that the Baron's new servants are coming?"

  "You're jealous of Owen." 'said Anne.

  "Ah, jealous of him? Don't be joking. I just wanted to warn him not to let his joy get to his head."

  "But Owen will be a butler?" Anne looked at me expectantly.

  I nodded and said, "I'm not sure, but Butler Aaron has praised me. I think so."

  "That's very nice." 'said Anne.

  I had been promoted to high servant in the last life after looking after a baron who was mistaken for having smallpox, and I thought it would make no difference this time.

  Then the bell on the wall rang.

  "Oh, the Baron is calling you." Anne said, "You've been in the room with him all day, and come out for a little while and he calls you again."

  "The Baron is afraid of the cold, and needs firewood for his fireplace from time to time." I said, picking up a tray and heading for the guest room.

  There was a glass filled with rum in the tray. With two gentle knocks, I entered the room. I placed the tray on the coffee table, poured a small glass of wine, and brought it to the baron. "Here you are, my Lord, but the doctor has advised you not to drink."

  I felt myself stared at for a long time. Instead of touching the wine on the tray, the baron said, "You have been down too long. I have finished my book. Why hasn't the newspaper been delivered today??"

  "I'm sorry, my Lord, but the paper will be late today because of the snow. What book would you like to read? I'll look for it now."

  "What books are there in this old house?" The baron's voice was hoarse. "Go and get two travelogues," he said.

  I hurried to the study in the hall downstairs and picked out two travelogues at random.

  The Baron turned two pages, frowning, and threw the book aside, as if not satisfied with my choice.