Side Story: The Miracle (Alexis's POV)

I still can't help wondering whether what I saw earlier was just a dream.

My daughter, Martine, fell ill around winter, and we were even told that she might not last more than a few days.

Indeed, when I went to her room, Martine was so weak that it seemed her life might go out at any moment.

However, when Leon-sama used healing magic and Martine's entire body was enveloped in a gentle light, her complexion gradually began to improve.

A few minutes later, when the light vanished, her breathing was steady, and she no longer looked visibly weak. She was still as thin as she had become, of course, but perhaps one could say that her vitality had returned.

After sleeping for a little while, she recovered enough to converse cheerfully with us. It could only be called a miracle.

When Richard told me about it, I was only half-convinced. However, since she would not survive otherwise, I decided to take one last gamble and ask Leon-sama for help.

I can never thank Leon-sama enough. Someone with that much power is bound to become a source of conflict. I will do everything I can to help Leon-sama.

That night, I slept soundly, both because I had not been sleeping well lately and because I was relieved that Martine had been saved.

I woke in the early morning, but word that Martine had recovered had not yet reached me. It should be any time now, so I would have to pretend I knew nothing, too.

As I pretended to be asleep in bed, things outside grew hectic after a while, and my attendant hurried over to my bed.

"Your Majesty, it is still a little early, but I have an urgent report."

"What is it?"

"I have been informed that Martine-sama has recovered from her illness!"

"What!?"

I sprang out of bed as though in a panic. I hope that didn't look unnatural...

"Is that really true!?"

"Yes. Shall I have you change clothes at once and go to Martine-sama's room?"

"Yes, please. Quickly."

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

They don't seem to have noticed. What a relief. Perhaps I'm better at acting than I thought.

After my attendant quickly helped me change, I went to Martine's room, where my wife, Elisabeth, the First Queen, and Martine's twin elder brother, Stephan, the First Prince, had just arrived.

"Elisabeth, Stephan, is it true that Martine has recovered!?"

"I only heard about it a moment ago myself, so I don't know."

"Father, we'll know once we see Martine."

"Indeed."

After that exchange, we entered Martine's room and found her sitting up in bed.

After a night's sleep, her complexion looked even better. Thank goodness.

"Martine, is it true that you've recovered?"

"Father, Mother, Brother. When I woke up this morning, my body felt much better. I'm all right now."

"Martine! Is it true!? You're not suffering anymore?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Martine... Thank goodness..."

Elisabeth said that and burst into tears. Stephan also seemed to have tears in his eyes.

Thank goodness... If Leon-sama had not been there, these would have been tears of grief at losing Martine. It was thanks to Leon-sama that they had instead become tears of joy...

As relief softened my expression, Elisabeth stared intently at me. She looked suspicious.

What could it be? Had I said or done anything strange? I thought I had played my part well.

"Alexis, I have something to discuss with you later. Let us have breakfast together. You too, Stephan."

"Certainly, Mother."

"That's fine, but... What is it about?"

"I'll tell you over breakfast."

After saying that, Elisabeth turned her attention back to Martine and began talking with her about various things.

Could she have found out about yesterday...?

Well, I had intended to tell Elisabeth and Stephan about Leon-sama eventually anyway, so I didn't mind, but I couldn't quite accept that my own behavior had given it away.

I am the king of a country, after all. No matter what I think inside, I can keep it from showing on my face, and I am accustomed to keeping secrets, yet...

After talking with Martine for a while longer, the three of us left the room.

Once we left the room, Elisabeth, who had been smiling happily moments before, suddenly gave me an accusing look.

"Then, shall we have breakfast in your room?"

"...Yes. Then shall we go to my room?"

Though I was a little flustered inside, I kept it from showing on my face and invited them to my room with a cheerful smile.

When we arrived, I immediately ordered the servants to prepare breakfast. The atmosphere felt awkward, and I wanted to explain everything as soon as possible.

Elisabeth and Stephan were both tight-lipped, and I might need their cooperation from now on, so it would be better to tell them. Martine, in particular, would be interacting with Leon-sama from now on.

Once breakfast was ready, I sent all the servants away. Information about Leon-sama was a state secret; the fewer people who knew about him, the better.

"Shall we eat breakfast first?"

"Yes. Afterward, you will answer my questions."

"I know."

We finished our somewhat awkward breakfast and went straight to the main subject.

"So, Elisabeth, what is it you want to ask me?"

"It's about Martine. The apothecary told me that Martine did not have long to live. There is no way she could have recovered so suddenly."

"Why are you asking me about that?"

"I heard that you visited Martine's room with Richard-sama last night. For her illness to be cured the very next day is far too convenient. And your behavior in Martine's room was clearly that of someone with a secret. You may be able to fool everyone else, but you cannot fool me. Now, explain everything you know to me."

As expected of Elisabeth. I had acted perfectly just now, yet she had noticed.

"I'll tell you everything... The reason Martine recovered is that I asked a healer who can cure illnesses with healing magic to help her. The healer was the boy named Leon, who came with us yesterday as Richard's attendant."

"No way! Does someone who can really use such magic actually exist?"

"Yes. It is a long story, but..."

From there, I told Elisabeth and Stephan the whole story, from the moment I first learned of Leon-sama's existence, without hiding a thing.

"No way... He has every attribute...? Leon-sama is the Apostle-sama, isn't he?"

"No, he says he is not the Apostle. Richard and I are nearly certain that Leon-sama is the Apostle-sama, but since he denies it, we should avoid saying so too much. Perhaps he has some reason he cannot reveal his identity."

"That makes sense. I will be careful as well."

Elisabeth nodded deeply. I was relieved that she understood.

"Yes, and Leon-sama is in grave danger: if his abilities become known, he may be targeted. You must not tell anyone else about Leon-sama."

"Understood."

"Stephan, you must not tell anyone, either."

"I understand. But Leon-sama will be my classmate, won't he?"

"Yes, he will."

"In that case, I will have many opportunities to interact with Leon-sama, so would it be all right if I tell him that I know about his abilities?"

She was right. There was no need to keep it hidden from Leon-sama himself.

"That's fine. I'll tell him myself the next time Leon-sama comes to the royal palace."

"Please do."

"Then, is that all for now regarding Leon-sama?"

"No, I would very much like to thank Leon-sama as well. He saved Martine's life, after all. Could you arrange an opportunity for me to meet Leon-sama?"

"I would like to meet him, too!"

Hmm... Perhaps I could arrange a brief meeting after Martine's magic lesson the next time Leon-sama came to teach her.

"Then, the next time Leon-sama comes to teach Martine magic, I'll arrange for you to meet him after the lesson."

"Thank you! We must prepare a gift for Leon-sama. Do you know what he wants?"

"No, I don't. Jewelry or clothing should be a safe choice, shouldn't it?"

"I suppose so. I will prepare something befitting Leon-sama."

Elisabeth is very enthusiastic... She might give him something extravagant, but he was Martine's lifesaver. No matter how expensive a gift we gave him, it would be a small price to pay.

"I'll let you know once the date for Leon-sama's visit is set."

"I look forward to it."

"I'm looking forward to it, too."

It was a relief to see my family smiling again. I truly must thank Leon-sama.