“Illyae stepped down from the carriage, wearing a fresh, bright smile.
Seeing that face made me want to spit out a curse.
“Ugh, what bad luck.”
Marien muttered on my behalf.
The moment my eyes met Marien’s, a light laugh slipped out. I had shared many secrets with Marien, and maybe because of that, we seemed to understand each other just with a glance.
Since we had these strange bumps on our skin, we couldn’t go outside, so we waited in the hall as Dante greeted Illyae. Looking at how stiff Dante’s shoulders were, I felt something sour inside me. It also felt weird to see Illyae smiling next to Dante. Of course, nothing to truly worry about would happen right now.
“Goodness. Ugh, I’m wearing new shoes.”
Illyae stumbled and grabbed Dante’s firm arm. But Dante gently pushed her away.
“Please walk carefully.”
Who would feel uneasy seeing that? My lips twitched upward.
Illyae pouted her lips and came inside. Then, with a tone like she was performing in a play, she began,
“Oh my, Chloe! Look at that poor face of yours! Whatever happened?”
This heavy, pretentious woman. The lizard—who said it wouldn’t come out because of the smell—was sleeping soundly on my big bed. Illyae reached out and grabbed my cheeks as if about to cry.
“I was so shocked when I got the message! Mother and Father nearly fainted.”
I pushed Illyae away.
“Enough. What about what I asked before?”
Illyae leaned in and whispered so only I could hear,
“Are you in a position to demand that now? Didn’t you say you wanted your face fixed first?”
A small laugh escaped my lips. Actually, there was someone else who had holy power: my lizard, Yggdrasil. I just didn’t want to reveal its existence yet. That’s why I planned to use Illyae’s power. It wouldn’t matter if others were healed by Illyae and I was healed by Yggdrasil. Because Illyae’s coming and going would cover it up, everyone would assume Illyae healed me as well.
I planned to bring Illyae as an attendant. Keeping her close would be convenient for whatever I wanted to do—even regaining my abilities. Of course, I had no reason to tell her that in advance.
“I don’t care. To impress His Highness the Crown Prince, you’ll heal me. Lady Restro as well, right?”
Illyae glared at me sharply. But when she looked at Dante, she smiled sweetly. How could she switch so fast?
“Your Grace, I have finished greeting Chloe. Please let me meet Lady Restro and His Highness right away.”
Then, putting on a sorrowful face, she added,
“I must be of some help.”
Illyae naturally moved closer to Dante, but Dante came to my side. I had to marvel at how downright stubborn he was.
“We will lead the way. Please follow us. Thank you for coming.”
Dante spoke coldly and placed my hand on his arm—the very spot where Illyae’s hand had been a moment ago. The firm arm pressed against my palm felt reliable. Honestly, this man was quite appealing in many ways.
Behind us followed Illyae, and behind her were Marien and Illyae’s maid. I’d have to ask Marien later about Illyae’s expression at that moment.
When Illyae appeared in front of Lady Restro and the Crown Prince Verner, she even managed to shed tears. Seeing her cry with that face was not exactly ugly, but rather tragic. She certainly had a face that could play the role of a heroine anywhere.
“How could something like this happen to the future sun of the Empire… May the gods protect Your Highness. Lady Restro, are you truly all right? I’m sure that our merciful deity will also protect you and Chloe.”
Illyae made the sign of the cross and prayed, as if she were a genuine saint. The acting was unbelievable.
“Thank you, Young Lady. Can you heal us?” Verner asked.
“Yes, Your Highness. Though my power is modest, I believe my holy strength can help. But…”
Illyae trailed off, as if hesitant. I could guess what she was about to say next.
“Once won’t be enough, Your Highness, Lady Restro. I may need to come and go for a few weeks.”
I knew it. I smirked quietly inside. Illyae planned to control the pace of the healing with her holy power, making the infection slowly fade. She wanted her powers to leave a lasting impression. Very crafty.
At least Dante was perfectly fine. That was my solace.
“As long as it heals us, it’s fine. I plan to remain at Petros for a while, so just come here,” Verner said.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Is there anything you wish for?”
Illyae’s eyes widened with feigned innocence. She must have thought about what she wanted long before coming here. After a good amount of hesitation, Illyae shook her head slightly.
“It’s all right, Your Highness. I don’t need anything. My parents already give me more than enough. But…”
“But?”
“They don’t really like me going out.”
“…Cough.”
I nearly choked, but turned it into a small cough and hid behind Dante. The Count and Countess of Tirania treat Illyae like the greatest treasure. There’s no way they forbid her outings. She might as well say they locked her in a tower.
Illyae continued, acting oblivious to me,
“But if I had a guardian’s permission, they would allow it. Especially if it’s from His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Is there somewhere you wish to go?”
Verner gave a lazy smile. The curved red corners of his eyes were unreadable.
Dante glanced at me, then reached behind him and took my hand in his. Surprised, I looked down at our joined hands and smirked softly. Dante, who once seemed distant, had a gentle side. My once-cold fingers were warming up now.
“There are many places I want to see! I’m curious about the orphanage Her Majesty the Empress recently founded,” Illyae said brightly.
“Oh-ho,” Verner nodded a little.
“I’d also like to visit the facility that houses the poor under Vincent Bridge!”
“Those places don’t really match you, Young Lady,” Verner commented.
“…My parents are strict, so they never let me go, but I truly believe volunteering is meaningful.”
“Well, if that is how you feel, then so be it. Fine, if you heal me so that I can move freely, I’ll accompany you twice a week to the places you want.”
It sounded like everyone would be healed sooner than expected. After all, she needed to cure us quickly if she wanted to go on her outings—her “dates” with the Crown Prince. How adorable and horrifying.
“Young Lady, you must hurry with Chloe’s treatment,” Lady Restro said. “As you know, Chloe and Dante’s wedding is next weekend.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Madam. Chloe will surely recover soon!”
It sounded like she was saying I wouldn’t recover, but whatever. Illyae was never one to help me. If she could ruin my wedding, she would.
“It will be all right,” Dante whispered softly.
“Yes, it will be fine,” I replied.
After all, I had a special cheat key of my own.
Illyae hummed a tune. Everything was unfolding just as she wanted. The Count and Countess of Tirania celebrated Illyae’s success together with her.
“They caught a sudden skin disease and need your help, is that it?” asked the Countess of Tirania.
“Yes, Mother! Because of that, His Highness the Crown Prince agreed to go on dates with me!” Illyae exclaimed, cheeks flushed.
Illyae giggled as she blushed.
“You clever child!” The Count of Tirania praised Illyae.
Nodding as if it were obvious, Illyae agreed.
“I was feeling uneasy since the Imperial Family never contacted us and I’m getting older. Now, this worked out very well, didn’t it?”
“That’s true. The Imperial Family was quite neglectful. How long were we supposed to wait?” The Countess sighed, touching her cheek.
“Ah, and I noticed the temple sent money again,” the Countess added.
Illyae puffed out her cheeks. Everyone here knew what that meant. Illyae’s holy power was useful in many areas. It was even known to preserve youth. Because of that, many people donated large sums so they could receive her holy rejuvenation. Illyae secretly called it a “holy power shower.”
“I’ll stop by the Petros estate tomorrow and then take care of that.”
“Oh, my kind daughter. If only Chloe were half as good as you,” her mother lamented.
From the couple’s point of view, Illyae was like a goose that laid golden eggs, maintaining the Tirania household. Meanwhile, Chloe, who had never once invited her parents over after going to the Duke’s family, hadn’t even sent them an invitation to her wedding.
“That ungrateful Chloe. She doesn’t even invite her parents over after joining the Duke’s family. Not even to her wedding?”
“Mother, don’t be too upset.”
Illyae narrowed her eyes into a gentle curve.
“Actually, it’s better this way. Now we don’t have to spend a fortune on Chloe’s wedding.”
“That’s true,” the Count agreed.
Illyae laughed richly, satisfied as she watched her parents dance happily to her tune.
