~Chapter 45~
The divine power trees were safely transplanted into the garden. Thanks to the help of many animals, the job was finished quickly.
Knock knock knock.
“Your Grace, it’s Bahala. I’ve brought Serena Adel.”
At the butler’s words, Cedric told him to enter. The door opened, and a neatly dressed woman walked in.
“My name is Serena Adel.”
She bowed politely, showing perfect manners despite her expressionless face.
“Why did you call for me?”
“The Grand Duchess said she needed you. She mentioned you had a special ability.”
“I don’t have any such ability.”
Cedric stood up and spoke to Bahala.
“We’ll see soon enough. Take her to the Grand Duchess.”
“Yes, understood.”
Bahala led Serena out of the office. Watching them leave, Caven tilted his head curiously.
“Why did Her Grace call for her?”
“She says the woman has healing powers.”
“…A healing priest?”
“Seems like she hasn’t had official training. If Claire’s hand gets better, then we’ll know.”
“I’m honestly starting to get scared of Her Grace.”
Caven rubbed his arm nervously. Cedric, too, found himself looking forward to what Claire knew and what might happen next.
Finally! I can finally meet her!
When I heard Bahala brought Serena Adel, I was so excited I could hardly sit still.
“Zeno, change into a human and act like an attendant.”
“Grrrr…” (Always bossing me around.)
“Serena’s really important. So help me out, okay?”
“Woooo…” (What a life.)
Zeno transformed into a human. He grumbled, but he always listened in the end.
I asked Lien to bring an attendant’s uniform and dressed Zeno in it.
Soon after, Serena entered the room.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her — her short bobbed hair and clear green eyes.
She seemed to realize why she had been brought here the moment she saw my hand.
“I can’t heal you.”
“Did you want to become a healing priest in the capital?”
“No. I have no interest in the capital.”
I smiled brightly. She looked a little flustered by my reaction. Her eyes, though steady, trembled slightly.
“Weren’t you once part of the imperial family? I don’t understand why you’re happy with my answer.”
“Is that so? If you had said you wanted to go to the capital, I think I would’ve been disappointed.”
Her eyes wavered again.
“The capital is full of corruption, isn’t it? The priests there just follow the emperor’s orders. They’re just tools of the empire, only serving the nobles and royals.”
That’s exactly how she thought. Even though she could have become a healing priest, she stayed in the North for a reason — her deep distrust of the emperor.
“I believe there are more people like you in the North. I’m planning to create a secret institution here to train healing priests, separate from the capital.”
“…Is that even possible?”
Serena’s eyes were filled with curiosity. She stared at my mouth, hanging onto every word.
“Nothing is impossible. The North has enough money and power. I know you don’t trust people from the imperial family, but I belong to the North now.”
“You do know that if the imperial family learns of my powers, they’ll try to take me, right?”
“Serena. There’s a divine power tree here.”
I openly revealed one of my secrets to her. If I wanted her on my side, I had to show one of my cards.
The divine tree could awaken powers. If she received its strength, her healing abilities would surely grow.
‘I may not be able to bring someone back from the dead, but…’
She could gain powers close to that. Then we wouldn’t need to ask the capital for healing priests ever again.
“…Is the divine tree real?”
I nodded. There were enough trees in the garden to shock her.
But I couldn’t show her yet. I had to bait her first.
“Open this.”
Serena carefully opened the box. Inside was a dim branch.
“…I’ve seen this in a book before. It really is a tree of divine power.”
She looked more interested now.
“So, what will you do?”
Instead of answering, Serena stepped forward and placed energy into her palm.
A soft glow surrounded her hand. The warmth spread to me, and the pain slowly faded.
“You have to take responsibility now. I’ve revealed my hand to you, Your Grace.”
“Gladly. It’s an honor to take care of someone with healing powers. I’m counting on you.”
I unwrapped my bandages and held out my hand. She hesitated, then took it.
“We’ll write up a simple contract. One that’s necessary for both of us. I can’t let my father take someone like you.”
“Your Grace. Please just call me Serena. But how did you even know about me?”
“Let’s just say my sources are very good.”
She seemed to understand that pressing further might be dangerous, so she asked no more questions.
“You really are impressive, master.”
Zeno said as Serena left, and I held the contract in my hands.
“You like it too, don’t lie.”
“You don’t even make a proper contract with me, but you use me like crazy.”
Zeno pouted with his golden eyes, but once I patted him, he turned back into a wolf and enjoyed my gentle strokes.
“Uuugh…”
I’d become more of a late sleeper these days. If Lien hadn’t woken me up, I probably would’ve slept until noon.
“Your Grace! The princess has woken up!”
“What?”
I jumped out of bed.
‘The contract! I need to bring the contract.’
I didn’t forget to grab the paper that needed Isabel’s signature.
I quickly changed clothes and rushed to the room where Isabel was staying.
Her room was at the end of the hall, and the walk felt unusually long.
“Open the door.”
When it opened, Isabel was sitting up in bed, looking at me.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“…What happened?”
“You owe me again.”
She frowned deeply at my words. I couldn’t explain my powers, so I needed to be careful with how I told her.
“You’re saying I owe you again?”
“The cost was high. I thought you were dead. Your whole body was burning up.”
If she didn’t have powers, she would’ve died from the fever.
“You healed me? How?”
“There’s a skilled healer in the North.”
“You lie so easily now.”
“I’m serious.”
I was glad Serena came to the mansion before Isabel woke up.
As I confidently spoke, Isabel narrowed her eyes. She studied me to see if I was lying.
But my calm face convinced her I wasn’t, and she spoke in a slightly annoyed tone.
“…So what do you want from me?”
“I’ll need a favor later. Just a signature. It’s simple.”
I had no plans to back off, even if she said no.
“And what am I signing?”
“It’s for an important building in the North. I need your signature. But if you don’t want to, that’s fine too.”
Isabel’s eyes widened. I pulled the contract out of my clothes and grabbed her hand.
“Sign this. If you do, I’ll protect you from Father.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. I’ll make sure you don’t have to marry someone you don’t want to. You owe me, remember?”
People should repay kindness.
“You should. I can read people’s thoughts, you know. You’re smart. Think carefully.”
Isabel bit her lip. Her hands trembled as they clutched the blanket. Finally, she picked up the pen.
“…Keep your promise.”
“Of course.”
I smiled, satisfied, as I looked at her signature on the contract.
“You made a wise choice.”
Maybe we could get along a bit better now. I smiled and held out my hand to Isabel.
“Let’s get along.”
“…You’re so annoying.”
“I’ve learned it’s fine if people are a bit annoying.”
I laughed brightly and shrugged.
