Chapter 43 - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

I heard news about Sierra that afternoon. After negotiating with her, it was decided that Ruwellin would hire Sierra as a healer for the ducal castle.

But Ruwellin firmly refused, saying he would not receive Sierraundefineds treatment.

Did he really intend to live his entire life suffering from magic rampages? Even though I was there…… still, I couldnundefinedt help but feel uncomfortable. Because I didnundefinedt want Ruwellin to be sick.

undefinedWouldnundefinedt it be fine to just hold hands with Sierra……?undefined

Perhaps because Ruwellin had shown his sincerity toward me by dedicating the Oath of the Heart, I had become much more generous than before.

Now I was confident that he would never betray me, no matter what. Ruwellin Rashiane had earned that hard-to-get trust with his very life.

undefinedShould I call it amazing, or should I say heundefineds insane…….undefined

Well, anyway, Ruwellinundefineds decision to hire Sierra was the right choice.

Because…….

undefinedThe original storyundefineds villain, Killian, also has Ruwellin as his target.undefined

Ruwellin was a unique case, possessing both divine power and magic.

He was a very tempting target for Killian, a villain of the mad scientist variety.

undefinedAnd Killian is also interested in Sierra.undefined

If Killian knew the secrets of Ruwellin and Sierra, he might be planning to capture them both and conduct various experiments…….

undefinedCrazy. Gives me chills.undefined

I shuddered and rubbed my arms. Before Killian tried to capture Ruwellin, I had to either make him a complete divine user with Sierraundefineds help, or find and eliminate Killian first……. I had to choose one of the two methods, but…….

The problem was that Killian was a master of stealth and very difficult to find, and the means to kill him were elusive.

undefinedIf Sierra awakens quickly and becomes stronger, eliminating Killian would be nothing.undefined

But the development of the original story had been twisted because of me, so I wondered if there would be any variables. That was what worried me most.

Changing the original story, I think, is similar to a time traveler changing the past.

By changing the past, the future becomes a mess…… something like that.

undefinedI should prepare thoroughly, just in case.undefined

Because I never knew when or what variables might occur.

Now that I was deeply involved with Ruwellin, I had to be prepared. Still, I wanted to avoid rolling around like Sierra in the original story. They say even rolling in a dung heap is better than dying, but I donundefinedt want to roll! I donundefinedt want a dung heap either!

undefinedAnyway, I need to meet Sierra first.undefined

She was the heroine, after all, so I needed to pay attention to her. ……I was also a bit worried. Because Sierra had lost all her family overnight and become alone.

I too knew what it was like to lose a family.

undefinedI should comfort Sierra and become friends with her……. Then Sierra can find her resolve and become stronger, right?undefined

For the sake of what might happen in the future, Sierra absolutely needed to become much stronger than she was now. Only then would there be a way to defeat the original storyundefineds villain!

Currently, Sierraundefineds divine power was limited to healing. To use divine power more broadly and freely, she needed a lot of practice and training.

And as a reader of the original story, I knew the most efficient training method. It was a training method that Sierra only realized in the latter half of the original story.

undefinedMy plan is to become friends with Sierra and teach her the training method.undefined

If Sierra was taught by someone close to her rather than a complete stranger, she would trust and follow her, right?

undefined……Good, letundefineds go. I need to see her quickly before Ruwellin or Adrian Hyll bother me.undefined

Even though their business was finished, Father and Adrian Hyll were still staying at the Rashiane Ducal castle.

No matter how much I thought about it, they were definitely keeping an eye on Ruwellin. Probably, they wouldnundefinedt feel at ease and leave until after the engagement ceremony…….

Ruwellin had even made the Oath of the Heart! Anyway, both of them were severely suspicious.

"Do you know where Sierra Oscar is right now?"

I asked the maid who was following me around and attending to me, and she bowed her head and answered politely.

"Miss Oscar is currently organizing the infirmary on the Dukeundefineds orders. She is to receive patients there in the future."

The infirmary. She said she would work as a healer at the ducal castle, and it certainly seemed quite official. I smiled at the maid and said.

"Is that so. Could you take me to that infirmary?"

"Of course, milady."

The courteous maid readily guided me to the infirmary.

Come to think of it, this maid seemed to be my personal attendant, but what was her name again? I had been so distracted I had forgotten.

After thinking for a moment, I casually asked the maid.

"By the way, what did you say your name was?"

The maid smiled faintly and answered politely.

"Dillien, milady."

"Ah, Dillien."

Remembering now, I nodded with an awkward smile. Forgetting someoneundefineds name like that……. Fortunately, Dillien didnundefinedt seem to mind.

undefinedThereundefineds no benefit to ruining my reputation before I even marry Ruwellin, so I need to act more decisively from now on.undefined

An elegant, noble, and intellectual image…… is probably already ruined, though.

"Here it is, milady. This is Miss Oscarundefineds infirmary."

After walking for a while following Dillien, we arrived at the infirmary.

The door to the infirmary was half open, and a sign on the door read in large letters: undefinedHealer, Sierra Oscar.undefined

I realized anew that the original story had changed. Because in the original, Sierra had never set up an infirmary at the ducal castle.

undefinedFrom the Dukeundefineds lover to fiancée, and then to Duchess…… that was the development.undefined

But Sierra Oscar had become a healer.

What kind of chain reaction would this change cause? With mixed feelings, I took a step toward the door.

Thinking it would be rude to just enter, I knocked on the door a couple of times, and I heard Sierraundefineds flustered voice.

"Who is it? Itundefineds not fully organized yet…… I canundefinedt see patients yet, eek!"

Crash!

Along with Sierraundefineds scream, I heard something break.

I exchanged a bewildered look with Dillien. It seemed this was not the time for formalities.

As I hurried into the infirmary, I saw Sierra trying to pick up broken glass with her bare hands.

I thought she might cut herself, and sure enough, Sierra dropped a piece of glass and let out a small groan.

I knew that would happen. Sierra was staring blankly at the blood flowing from her cut finger.

"Miss Oscar, are you alright?"

"Huh? Ah……!"

When I approached and asked, she flinched greatly. She seemed clearly intimidated by me, which left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Well, I was the only one who knew the heroine well, and she didnundefinedt know much about me. She probably knew me as undefinedthe Head of the Magic Towerundefineds sister, the Princess of the Magic Tower, a terrifying mage from the Hyll familyundefined…….

"Iundefinedm sorry to show you such a state……. Iundefinedll clean up the glass right away, so please wait a moment."

Sierra said in a trembling voice and bent down again as if to pick up the glass. Without even treating her hand. I was so flustered that I grabbed her wrist and shouted.

"What are you doing? With your injured hand!"

And whether Sierra flinched in surprise or not, I brought her hand to my eyes and checked the wound.

Fortunately, the wound wasnundefinedt deep, so it seemed she could easily heal it with her own healing divine power.

undefinedBut if she touched the glass with her injured hand, something bad might happen.undefined

Looking closely, what Sierra had broken was an unidentified medicine bottle. Probably, it had been left there for a long time because the infirmary hadnundefinedt been organized, but if the deteriorated medicine seeped into the wound, all sorts of side effects could occur.

Sierra should have known at least that much common sense, but was she so afraid of me that she forgot and tried to pick up the glass?

This was all Adrian Hyllundefineds fault. Because of Adrian Hyllundefineds notorious reputation, I was probably being regarded as something like a henchman of evil!

"Um, milady……."

"Ah."

I had been holding Sierraundefineds hand tightly without realizing it. I laughed sheepishly, released her hand, and spoke.

"Treat your hand first. Iundefinedll clean up here."

"Pardon? You, milady?"

Sierra blinked rapidly, greatly surprised by my words. I smiled at her and spoke as if it were no big deal.

"Iundefinedm a mage, you know."

And then, I immediately cast a spell.

With my gravity distortion spell, objects flew around and began to find their places.

Dusty books were dusted off and placed on bookshelves, old medicine bottles were put in collection boxes, ink and quills were placed on the desk, and medicines still within their expiration date along with new ones were neatly lined up in the cabinets for easy viewing.

undefinedAnd put herbs and medicinal ingredients in baskets by type…… in the cupboard…… good, all done!undefined

After organizing all sorts of other odds and ends and putting the trash in bags, the scenery of the infirmary had noticeably changed.

A moment ago, it had been a complete mess, but now it looked like a fairly decent infirmary.

But it felt a bit empty somehow…… Hmm…….

undefinedThere should be a patient chair and a cot……? Iundefinedll have to tell Ruwellin.undefined

Because Sierra would probably be too shy to say anything and would just hesitate for over a week.

Shaking my head, I turned to look at Sierra. She was holding her bleeding finger, staring blankly.

What, she still hasnundefinedt treated it?

"Miss Oscar, you should treat it quickly. The bleeding hasnundefinedt stopped."

"Ah……."

Only after hearing my urging voice did she seem to come to her senses, blinking blankly.

She blushed as if embarrassed, then carefully used her divine power to heal her finger.

Only after confirming that Sierraundefineds finger was completely healed did I sigh in relief.

undefinedWhat a troublesome young lady…….undefined

If sheundefineds like that…… how is she going to deal with Killian……? The future looks bleak.

"Thank you so much, milady. How can I ever repay this kindness……."

"Pardon? No, itundefineds not that big of a kindness―."

At Sierraundefineds words as she bowed her head deeply, I couldnundefinedt hide my disbelief and laughed helplessly.

A kindness? I just helped clean a room, whatundefineds the big deal…….

……But Sierraundefineds eyes as she looked at me were quite serious.

Whatundefineds this? She must be genuinely touched.

undefinedIundefinedve been touching a lot of peopleundefineds hearts today.undefined

"If itundefineds not an imposition, Iundefinedd like to do something for you too……. If thereundefineds anything I can do……."

"Uh, um, well then……."

After hesitating, I belatedly remembered why I had come here. I had almost forgotten because Sierra cut her hand on the glass.

As I had planned, I smiled at her as kindly as possible and made my request.

"Then, how about becoming my friend?"

"Pardon? Me…… be your…… friend……?"

Sierra looked flustered, blinking rapidly.

Was asking to be friends too abrupt? But it had been so long since I had made a friend my own age…… I couldnundefinedt think of a good way.

I smiled awkwardly and spoke.

"Donundefinedt feel pressured. Iundefinedm the same age as you, so just think of it casually. Call me by my name, not undefinedmilady.undefined"

"Th, that, I couldnundefinedt possibly―."

"No, really, itundefineds fine. Call me by my name. You will be my friend, right?"

I sweated profusely trying to persuade Sierra, who kept refusing. After about ten minutes, Sierra finally opened her heart and called my name in a timid voice.

"Lady Rosnia……."

I wished she would call me without the undefinedLady.undefined But Sierra seemed unwilling to concede that much. Well, I had no choice. Going from undefinedmiladyundefined to my name was already a great improvement.

I smiled and called her name in return.

"Sierra."

"……!"

Seeing Sierra flinch just from me calling her name, I had mixed feelings…….

Even though we had become friends, it still felt like only in name. It seemed it would take time to get closer to Sierra and earn her trust.

undefinedI can only hope the original storyundefineds villain doesnundefinedt appear until then.undefined

I swallowed a sigh inwardly and casually asked Sierra something I had been curious about.

"By the way, why are you organizing the room alone? Didnundefinedt the servants help you?"

"Ah, well……."

Sierra stammered with a troubled expression.

Only then did I realize that things were going strangely.

"……Surely, no one offered to help you?"

I asked, half-convinced, and Sierra flinched slightly, her face crumpling.

Seeing her fidget with her hands and not answer, it seemed I was correct.

I sighed in disbelief.

Surely they werenundefinedt bullying Sierra?

"Dillien?"

"Yes, milady."

When I called Dillien, she quickly approached. I looked at her and asked clearly.

"There are servants assigned to help organize Sierraundefineds infirmary. Right?"

"Yes, thatundefineds correct."

"Then why donundefinedt I see them anywhere? Sierra is organizing it all alone."

"……."

"Could you bring them here? Iundefinedd like to hear what urgent business they had that they neglected their assigned work."

"Yes, Iundefinedll bring them right away. Please wait a moment."

After a while, Dillien returned with three servants. Two women and one man. I could easily see that their eyes toward Sierra were unusual.

undefinedCome to think of it, I think there was an episode like this in the original too…….undefined

A refreshing episode where servants of the ducal castle who held a grudge against Sierra bullied her, and Ruwellin punished them.

An episode that showcased the male leadundefineds coolness.

undefinedBut why am I in the male lead position?undefined

It felt strange that I was doing what the male lead should have done originally…….

Anyway, I looked at the three people lined up in front of me and asked.

"You were assigned to clean Sierraundefineds infirmary this afternoon, correct?"

"……."

But the three didnundefinedt answer, only keeping their mouths shut.

Dumbfounded, I laughed dryly, discarded what little kindness I had left, and asked sharply.

"Why arenundefinedt you answering? Do you think Iundefinedm a joke?"

"……!"

Startled, the three looked at me. They exchanged glances, then spoke in turn, as if they had coordinated their answers.

"Weundefinedre sorry, milady. But we did it for your sake."

"Thatundefineds right, we heard that Sierra dared to try to seduce the Duke……."

"Weundefinedre on your side, milady. Please believe us."

……Bullshit.

I cursed inwardly and glared at the three. When our eyes met, they flinched greatly. I stared coldly at them as they glanced at me in fear, then smiled with only the corners of my lips and asked.

"What are your names?"

The three looked at each other in confusion, then one by one cautiously opened their mouths.

"Iundefinedm Valerie, milady."

"Iundefinedm Adele……."

"Harrison."

Valerie, Adele, Harrison.

As expected, the same names as the servants who bullied Sierra in the original story. I spoke coldly to them.

"Valerie, Adele, Harrison. Donundefinedt lie."

"……!"

"Have you heard of lie detection magic? Iundefinedve had it cast since earlier, and itundefineds been busily telling me that youundefinedre lying."

At my words, the three turned pale. They seemed to have finally realized that their lies had been exposed.

"Tell me the truth. Why didnundefinedt you help Sierra organize the infirmary? If youundefinedre thinking of making excuses, donundefinedt bother. Youundefinedre all guilty of neglect of duty."

Then the three, looking flustered, hesitated, glancing at me, then confessed their wrongdoing.

"The truth is……."

* * *

As I had expected, the reason the three hadnundefinedt helped Sierra was due to personal grudges.

Actually, it wasnundefinedt even grudges. The stories were so childish that it would be embarrassing to call them grudges.

I laughed hollowly in disbelief and briefly summarized the stories the three had told.

"So, youundefinedve known Sierra since the time when the physician Oscar was working at the ducal castle, and you got into a fight with her for some reason, and after the three of you were the only ones scolded, you started to dislike her?"

"……."

The three nodded silently. They seemed quite ashamed. Hearing it through a third party, they seemed to have realized how childish they had been.

I shook my head in disbelief. Adults over twenty acting so childish……. I really couldnundefinedt understand it.

"For disobeying the Dukeundefineds orders for personal reasons, you all must be punished. Your salaries will be cut. In the worst case, you could be fired."

At the word undefinedfired,undefined the three flinched greatly and looked at me with nervous expressions.

But I felt not a shred of sympathy. If I hadnundefinedt caught them today, they would have bullied Sierra in even more vicious ways next time.

"And, you three."

I slowly approached them and spoke in a low, deep voice.

"Donundefinedt you dare disrespect me. Thereundefineds no way you donundefinedt know who I am."

It wasnundefinedt that they shouldnundefinedt disrespect me because I was about to be engaged to the Duke of Rashiane.

I was the second master of the Magic Tower, of the Hyll family. Meaning that no noble, not even a member of the imperial family, should treat me carelessly.

The three flinched at the blue magic rippling around me and quickly lowered their gaze. I glared coldly at them as they trembled, then slowly took a few steps back. Then I spoke to Dillien.

"Take these three to the Duke and report what happened today. And tell him that Iundefinedm going out for a while with Sierra."

"Yes, milady."

Dillien, answering as politely as ever, left the infirmary with the three problematic servants. Sierra was looking at me with a bewildered expression.

I smiled at her and asked.

"Are you alright?"

"Pardon? Ah…… y, yes."

Sierra hesitated, then cautiously added.

"I…… Lady Rosnia…… thank you so much. For helping me……."

Sierraundefineds eyes, gazing at me, sparkled with emotion. That hadnundefinedt been my intention, but it seemed I had scored points with her.

Thinking this was good, I quickly asked.

"Since the infirmary is all organized, would you like to go out with me?"