Chapter 096
“I ended up catching a cold after all…”
“Ugh…”
On the morning of the last day of the Milky Way Festival, Hestia placed her hand on Leonhard’s forehead, which was burning with fever. He groaned softly but smiled shyly when he met her worried gaze.
“Hehe, but I got the golden ticket…!”
“Really… Is it that great?”
“Of course! I won against not just my siblings but everyone else!”
Yesterday, there was an event for children, so she sent him to participate. She was shocked when he returned looking like a mess—especially after learning that the emperor had found him and personally helped him. The emperor must have been concerned about Leonhard’s injuries, as he even sent the royal physician to Winston’s townhouse.
“He has a bit of a fever, but if he takes his medicine and rests today, he should recover quickly.”
After finishing the check-up, the royal physician prescribed medicine.
“Thank you. What about his leg…?”
“It’s just a mild sprain. He should be careful for about a week. Especially no running around.”
The royal physician glanced at the three children gathered around the bed—the Frost siblings.
“But I wanted to play hide-and-seek with my brother and sister…”
“There’s no choice. Does your head still hurt?”
“I’ll have to see what type of games we can play in bed.”
“Let’s play chess! Or maybe a card game?”
Even if he couldn’t do anything too active, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t play at all.
Elvin, who had initially complained about taking care of the children, had now completely blended in with them.
“Young Master, have you decided on your wish for the golden ticket?”
As the royal physician finished packing up, Sir Karl, who had accompanied him as a guard, asked Leonhard.
“Hmm…”
“You can wish for anything. Something you want, a request to the imperial family, or even something only His Majesty can grant.”
“I don’t really have anything. Hestia always grants my wishes.”
Sir Karl glanced briefly at Hestia. Ever since he arrived with the royal physician, he had witnessed how attentively she cared for Leonhard.
“Can I make my wish later?”
Sir Karl looked at Leonhard, who sniffled and recalled the emperor’s instructions before coming here.
“Find out what wish the young master makes. If he doesn’t make one now, then we will wait until he becomes 18.”
“Understood, Young Master. Your wish is valid only until you reach adulthood, so be sure to make a proper wish before then.”
“Okay!”
“Then, I hope you recover soon.”
“Thank you for coming all the way here.”
Hestia and Luciard escorted the two men to the front gate. As they watched the royal carriage leave, Hestia let out a deep sigh.
“The Young Master has really done something big this time.”
“I don’t know what His Majesty was thinking about offering a prize like that. What if a parent used their child to make a wish?”
“He must have considered that possibility before offering it.”
Luciard muttered while looking at Hestia.
“…So, are you not planning to use the wish?”
“Me? Come on, what do you take me for? I can’t just use something the Young Master earned with difficulty. That’s his prize.”
Hestia firmly shook her head, not wanting to disappoint Leonhard.
“Besides, the imperial authority will collapse in three years. Why waste a wish on that?”
If anything, she needed to keep her distance. Getting too close to the emperor could drag her into the upcoming rebellion—something she wanted no part of.
“Anyway, what are we doing today?”
“What do you mean?”
“Since the Young Master is sick, the kids and your parents decided to skip today’s festival.”
Anna and Derrick had already achieved their business goals, so they had lost interest in the festival.
“What’s today’s festival schedule?”
“Nothing special. But at night, each noble family must send at least one representative to the Milky Way Party.”
“The kids can’t attend anyway, right?”
“Right.”
“Then we have no choice. We’ll just go ourselves.”
“By the way…”
Hestia hesitated, making Luciard tilt his head in curiosity.
“You don’t have a partner, do you?”
“…Me?”
Hestia nodded, and Luciard looked a bit taken aback.
“Of course, I don’t. I only returned a month ago, and I’ve been stuck in the duke’s estate the whole time. How would I have found a partner?”
“But I saw plenty of women approaching you over the past two days, so I thought I’d ask just in case.”
Several young ladies had indeed approached Luciard, likely drawn to his handsome looks and hoping to strike up a conversation.
After thinking for a moment, Luciard said, “I did receive some partner offers.”
“What? Seriously?!”
“But I turned them all down, so don’t get the wrong idea.”
Hestia, who had been surprised, sighed in relief. Then, a question arose in her mind.
“Why did you reject them?”
“I just met them yesterday. How am I supposed to know what kind of people they are?”
“Well… That’s true.”
“Anyway, I don’t have a partner. What about you? I know quite a few men approached you too.”
“Since our family is successful, some do approach me with ulterior motives. But it’s all just for business.”
“I doubt that’s their only motive…”
Luciard had definitely seen it—men blushing and struggling to talk to Hestia.
“I don’t have a partner either. I did get some offers, but I can’t just accept anyone.”
“Why? You don’t trust them?”
“That’s part of it. But also, given my position, I can’t just show up with anyone.”
“Ah…”
Luciard realized her dilemma. As the guardian of Winston’s heir, attending the party with someone would imply a close connection with Winston.
“That’s why I was thinking… Since neither of us has a partner, why don’t we go together?”
“You want me to be your partner?”
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea. It benefits both of us.”
Luciard was in a position where misunderstandings could easily arise, just like Hestia.
“That does seem like the best option.”
“So, you’ll be my partner?”
“Yeah.”
When Luciard nodded, Hestia’s face lit up with a bright smile. It was completely different from her usual polite smiles—this one was pure and innocent. Luciard unconsciously tensed up.
“Thank goodness! I was worried you’d refuse.”
“Why would I refuse? But… do we even need partners?”
“It’s not required, but it’s much better to have one. It keeps unwanted attention away.”
“…So, are you using me to avoid unwanted attention?”
“I never said that. But wouldn’t you rather avoid being swarmed by women asking you to be their partner or dance with them?”
“Hmm…”
Luciard couldn’t argue with that.
“There aren’t any major events during the day, so let’s just attend the party in the evening.”
With that, the two returned to Leonhard’s room to check on him.
