Asher shook his head arrogantly.
“No prosthetics craftsman can match Asher Ollon's skill.
Go and look elsewhere.
You won't find anything like it anywhere else.
That's why it's so expensive.”
'Understood'.
Damian should have known when Paul praised him as the best prosthetic maker.
While he appreciated his cousin's thoughtfulness in recommending what was best for him, Paul did not consider Damian's financial situation at all.
A few hundred thousand herx might seem like pocket money to that wealthy young man, but Damian didn't have that kind of money to throw around.
“I understand that.
"I'll think about it more and take a look around."
“What should I think about?
"I told you what I think is best."
“I still need to do my own research...”
As Damian tried to get up, Asher clicked his tongue.
“You'll come back to me anyway.
I have already tried my product.
Go and try similar models elsewhere, and you will notice the difference.”
"Is this true?
So I don't think you need to worry too much.
If what Mr.
Ollon says is true, I might come back here after checking other places.”
"Okay, okay.
Come back when you're done looking around."
Asher said as he arranged the prosthetics he had taken out to show Damian.
Damian bowed to Asher and left his workshop.
He didn't know how much other manufacturers charged for their prosthetics, but he apparently underestimated the price.
He felt faint.
***
A week later, Damien visited his doctor again after finishing taking the medication prescribed to him at the hospital.
After a few brief questions, the doctor nodded.
"It doesn't look like we need any tests today.
If you haven't had any problems over the past week, I'll prescribe you more medication."
“Does this mean I'm recovering well?”
“You are in the recovery phase, but your condition may suddenly deteriorate, so please take good care of yourself.
Avoid strenuous activities and pay attention to your diet.”
"I'm careful."
“Especially no to alcohol.”
"Don't worry about that either."
"Okay, I'll see you in three weeks."
“Doctor, may I ask you something?”
"What is this?".
“Can you recommend a good prosthetist?”
“In order to do that, you should inquire at the Rehabilitation Medicine Department.
They often work with prosthetics, so... if you think about it, it seems like it's time for you to start rehabilitative therapy.
I'll write you a recommendation.”
Damian tilted his head at the doctor's words.
“Isn't the rehabilitation process over already?”
"What?"
"I can move without any problems."
The doctor looked at Damian like he was the biggest idiot in the world.
“Just being able to walk doesn't mean you're completely recovered!
Your body is in a sorry state, and your muscles are all a mess!
Have you ever been to a rehabilitation specialist?
Huh?
Looks like you haven't been to any rehabilitation specialist!”
He immediately called the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and sent Damian there.
So Damian, who came for an internal medical examination, ended up visiting the surgery and rehabilitation departments as well.
During his surgical consultation, he received another round of discomfort.
Damian couldn't understand why every doctor he saw felt the need to lecture him.
Then, with referral letters from his primary physician and surgeon in hand, he sighed deeply and leaned back in a chair in the rehabilitation waiting room.
While he was waiting for his name to be called and reading a newspaper that someone had left behind, he heard a familiar female voice from nearby.
"Oh, aren't you Damian?"
He looked up to see who was addressing him and met his clear, bright blue eyes.
"Lady Liliana."
Liliana smiled brightly when Damian mentioned her name.
She was wearing a hospital gown again today.
Meeting someone in the hospital was not at all unusual.
But Damian thought he would never see Liliana again, so this situation seemed a bit surprising.
Liliana approached Damian with the same shuffling steps as she had done a week ago.
"what are you doing here?".
“I am waiting for rehabilitation treatment.”
Damian answered as he skillfully folded the newspaper he was reading with one hand and placed it on the empty chair to his left.
Liliana sat to his right and spoke.
"What a coincidence!
Me too.
I'm here every day for cardiopulmonary rehab.
What about you, Damian?"
“The surgeon told me my muscles and joints were a mess, so he left me here.”
"They abandoned you?
If you don't feel better, you need treatment, right?
Are you in bad shape?"
“I can move just fine, so I don't really feel it.
Honestly, I'm not even sure I need rehab...”
“Why did you decide that, Damian?
The doctor is the expert, so you should listen to him!
I don’t know how bad your condition is, but complications from major accidents can appear even after some time.
You need treatment early!”
Liliana spoke in a somewhat stern tone, and Damian stared at her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
"Oh, it's nothing."
Instead of saying that her voice reminded him of someone he knew, Damian changed the subject.
“So, how are you feeling, Lady Liliana?”
Liliana ran her fingers through her thick blonde hair and muttered,
“Well, I'm gradually getting better, but...”
Damian felt an unspoken continuity in her words.
But Liliana wasn't willing to say anything more, so he just nodded without intruding.
"That's good to hear."
"Thank you for your concern, but... can you stop calling me 'Lady' Liliana?
There's no need to add 'Lady' before my name."
Liliana said, narrowing her eyes, and Damian immediately agreed.
“Well, what should I call you then?”
"Lily.
All my friends call me Lily, so you can call me Lily too."
“Uh...were we friends?”
Liliana's eyes widened in shock.
"What?!
What do you mean?
You don't want to be my friend?!"
Damian was also surprised by her reaction and stammered,
"That's not what I meant!
I didn't mean that I didn't want to be friends with you or anything like that.
It's just that we've only met twice by chance, and it's surprising that you want to form such a close relationship with me...!"
He felt like he might bite his tongue as his explanation became longer, but Damian did his best to defend himself.
Liliana burst out laughing and waved her hand.
"Okay, okay.
I can't even bother you!"
“Are you kidding me?”
"It seemed like you weren't the type to openly say that he didn't want to be friends with someone, so I tried to tease you a little.
I didn't expect you to be so flustered."
Liliana's laughter caused Damian to scratch his head in embarrassment.
"Anyway, as you said, Damian, rushing into a close relationship can have side effects.
So, no need to call me Lily, just stop using the title 'Ms.'"
At Liliana's suggestion, Damian turned his gaze and said,
“Then you can easily call me too.
Since you’re older than me… you can also talk informally.”
“Is this okay, Damian?”
'Oh, my God.
This girl is really good at being friendly with others.'
Damian couldn't help but laugh at her casual tone, as if she was sincerely asking for permission.
“You smiled!”