Side Story: The Princess's Condition (Richard's POV)

Yesterday's events were truly astonishing. I never imagined I would witness such a miracle...

The apothecary had told me that Alban might have four weeks left at most. To cure him in that instant...

There is no doubt that Leon-sama is the Apostle-sama. To accomplish a feat on par with a god's... I still can't believe what I saw with my own eyes.

Yesterday's events shocked me so badly that I couldn't sleep a wink. No, anyone who witnessed such a sight would probably have reacted the same way. In any case, I had to get to the royal palace and inform His Majesty as soon as possible.

Perhaps the princess's life could be saved, too.

I had gotten up early and quickly prepared myself, and was just about to leave for the royal palace when someone knocked on my room door.

When a servant opened the door, Alban was standing there.

"Good morning, Master. I'm sorry to bother you so early in the morning."

"No, it's all right. More importantly, how are you feeling?"

"I have come to report on my condition. I have made a full recovery. Though my strength has not yet returned, I am well enough to work starting today. Thank you very much for your concern. I intend to continue serving you faithfully."

Astonishing... He was well enough to work starting today!?

He had been so weak yesterday... What an effect.

His lost weight had not returned, of course, but his complexion was good, and if he could eat normally from now on, he should regain it soon.

"No, if you want to thank someone, thank Leon-kun. I did nothing."

"Understood."

"I am about to report yesterday's events to His Majesty, but he may ask to hear the details directly from you. If that happens, would you be willing to come to the palace?"

"Yes. I have no objection."

"I understand. Then please be prepared for that possibility."

Afterward, I arrived at the royal palace and hurried to His Majesty's office.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. There is something I must report to you immediately. Please clear the room."

I said this as soon as I entered His Majesty's office.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you this agitated, Richard. Everyone, could you leave for a moment?"

With the room cleared, I sat on a sofa facing His Majesty.

"So, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Your Majesty, please listen calmly. Leon-sama came to the residence yesterday, and it seems he can use healing magic to cure even illnesses."

"Illnesses!? Is that true!?"

His Majesty involuntarily stood up in shock. It was only natural that he would be so surprised. Until now, all we could do for illnesses was treat them with herbs and the like, and many illnesses were incurable once contracted.

"It is true, Your Majesty. Our butler, Alban, had been weakened by a high fever and persistent coughing, and the apothecary said he had about four weeks left to live. However, when Leon-sama used healing magic on him last night, Alban made a complete recovery. His strength has not yet returned, but this morning he was already saying that he could work."

"What... He can really do that?"

It was only natural that His Majesty would have doubts. I still could not fully believe it, even after seeing it with my own eyes.

"I understand why you would doubt it. However, I saw it happen with my own eyes."

"Then... could Martine's illness be cured, too!?"

"That is precisely why I came to report this to Your Majesty. When I asked Leon-sama about it, he said he had no objection to using magic if requested."

"Really!? Then where is Leon-sama? If word of such power got out, Leon-sama would be in great danger, since he does not even have any official standing yet."

"Yes. To minimize the danger to Leon-sama, I told him not to use his magic indiscriminately. However, given the power Leon-sama displayed yesterday, there is no doubt that he is the Apostle-sama, so I feel he may be able to handle matters himself without our help. Even so, he could be caught off guard, and something unexpected could happen, so I have tightened his protection further."

"Yes, if it became known that he could cure illnesses, we would have no idea when or where someone might kidnap him. We should strengthen his security and put guards on Leon-sama's family and relatives as well."

"I understand. Now, what is Martine-sama's condition?"

Martine-sama is the First Princess of this kingdom, and she is the same age as Leon-sama. Her twin elder brother is First Prince Stephan-sama.

I had heard that Martine-sama had fallen ill around winter and was now so weak that she could hardly even get out of bed. I hoped Leon-sama would be able to cure her...

"Martine has had a persistent high fever and severe nausea, and apparently she can barely eat these days. The apothecary says she doesn't have much longer to live..."

His Majesty spoke with tears in his eyes.

I had not realized her condition had progressed so far... I had thought we still had a little more time, but we needed to have Leon-sama see her as soon as possible.

"Your Majesty, why not have Leon-sama see her immediately?"

"Yes, but can she really recover from that condition...?"

"How can you lose heart like this, Your Majesty!? You must encourage Martine-sama!"

His Majesty was not acting like himself at all. Did that mean Martine-sama's condition was truly so dire?

Perhaps Leon-sama should come today, without delay. As I was thinking that, His Majesty spoke with a look of determination in his eyes.

"You're right. I would like to invite Leon-sama to the royal palace. Could he come immediately?"

"Understood. Then let us have Leon-sama come at once. I will go to the residence now and return with him."

"But how will we get him into the palace? We must avoid attracting as much attention as possible. Entering the North Palace will attract attention no matter what."

The North Palace is where the members of the royal family reside.

The royal palace is divided into the Central Palace, which contains the king's office and audience chamber; the East Palace, where most officials work; the West Palace, where the knights primarily work; and the North Palace.

Of these, the North Palace has the strictest security, and its servants are rarely replaced, so any outsider is noticed immediately.

"To avoid attracting attention, I will have him accompany me as my attendant-in-training. If Martine-sama's illness is cured, we cannot avoid attracting some attention. Those who investigate may eventually trace it back to Leon-sama, but we will protect him no matter what."

"Yes, let us do that. First, bring Leon-sama here to this office. Then guide him to the North Palace as my guest."

"Understood. I will return to the residence and bring Leon-sama here."

"Yes. Thank you, Richard."

His Majesty bowed his head to me.

"Your Majesty, you can bow to Leon-sama like that once Martine-sama has recovered."

"Yes. I'm counting on you."

I hurried out of the office and returned to the residence. It was only a little past noon, so Leon-sama should still be there.

That was what I thought, but when I returned to the residence, I was told that Leon-sama had already left. Roger had apparently taken him back in a carriage from the ducal household.

"When did Leon-kun leave the residence!?"

"It hasn't been very long."

"Go after him and bring him back immediately. Send someone on horseback rather than a carriage. Tell Leon-kun I have a request for him, and he will understand."

"Understood."

It seemed that a servant had already gone after Leon-sama. Please hurry.

But no one could travel very quickly through the city. Even though a horse was faster than a carriage, it would still take a fair amount of time.

I waited for Leon-sama at the residence, growing increasingly restless.