Chapter 9
But that wasn’t the important part.
To cheer Aria up, I linked arms with her and said brightly,
“No way! Today you’re my partner, Aria! I like you more than Prince Leonit!”
“…Really?”
“Of course. You’re my best friend, Aria. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s right!”
Aria’s mood improved instantly, and I let her pull me along.
Wearing cute clothes, holding hands, and showing off our awkward little dance steps, we drew soft laughter from the people around us.
Still, I hope Leonit will be happy too.
I glanced in Leonit’s direction for a moment, then looked away.
After all, sometimes you need to stand on your own to grow.
***
I was bored.
Really, terribly bored.
I took some basic classes with Aria, but other than that, I was stuck in my room. The doctor had insisted on strict rest, saying no one knew when my “symptoms” might appear.
The Duke and Duchess of Maynard bought me all sorts of things so I wouldn’t feel bored, but none of that really solved the problem.
What’s the point of knowing the cause of my illness if I can’t fix it?
Haah…
A sigh escaped me. If I just kept lying here, I felt like I’d turn into a giant ball. So I got up and went to the window.
The season was warm now, even at night, and the sun’s touch on my cheek felt gentle.
I was spacing out when there came a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
A maid entered, and my face twisted the moment I saw what she was carrying.
“Young Lady, it’s time for your medicine.”
On the tray was a dark, bitter herbal drink, with a big piece of candy placed beside it. The candy was there to chase away the awful taste—so bitter it made my jaw ache.
Staring at the pitch-black medicine like it was my enemy, I groaned.
“…I don’t want it.”
That was my honest feeling, but the maid only smiled as if I were just being childish.
“But you have to drink it if you want to get better. Today’s candy is from your favorite shop. Young Master Daniel bought it for you himself.”
“From Lil Carman?”
“Yes. It’s a new kind of candy—they say you can taste several flavors from one piece.”
My body, still a child’s, was desperate for that sweet candy. After a bit of hesitation, I braced myself and picked up the bowl.
I gulped it down quickly, face scrunching, and then opened my mouth wide to show it was gone.
The maid immediately slipped the candy into my mouth.
“Ugh, gross…”
I guess no matter the world, making medicine taste good is impossible.
Rolling the candy around to erase the bitterness, I heard another knock.
“C’ome in.”
My tongue was numb, so the words came out funny.
This time it was Aria. She was hugging a large book to her chest. The maid quickly left with the tray.
“Did you take your medicine? Must’ve been awful.”
I nodded in sympathy.
“Mother said I need to take another lesson. But I’m so tired, what do I do…”
Aria sighed, tapping her little shoulder with her fist like an exhausted adult. She looked so cute I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
“Want this?”
I held out the candy.
She snorted and turned away.
“No. Brother bought it for you. I don’t want it then.”
But her eyes kept sneaking glances at it.
I shoved it into her hand.
“It’s really good. It tastes like apple and grape at the same time.”
“…Really?”
“Yup. I saved it just so we could share.”
Sometimes a little white lie was fine.
Aria looked like she was about to cry, then nodded seriously and popped the candy in her mouth.
“In that case, I’ll eat it.”
Her cheeks puffed up as she chewed, and she looked adorable. Watching happily, I noticed the book she’d brought.
“Can I read that?”
The title was The First Steps of Theology Made Easy.
She nodded.
On the first page was a big illustration, probably to make the content easier to understand.
It all matched what I already knew, so I skimmed lazily—until I spotted something new.
“Riela… Maynard?”
I’d read it without thinking, but Aria’s face turned red, and she let out a shy laugh.
“I was just thinking… it’d be nice if you were my sister! I only have a brother, so I wondered what it’d be like to have a sister.”
She fidgeted nervously with her fingers, and I had to clench my fists tightly—otherwise, I might’ve hugged her and kissed her on the spot.
“And it might really happen soon!”
But then she said something I didn’t understand.
“What do you mean?”
Was she saying I’d really become Riela Maynard?
It was rare for a noble child’s family name to change, unless their parents gave up their rights—or something happened to them.
Could it be something happened to Riela’s parents?
As I tried to figure it out, Aria grabbed my hand suddenly.
“I-I only heard it! That you might end up with the same name as me. I was just excited, that’s all…”
Her voice trailed off, unsure.
I felt strangely heavy inside. My eyes fell to our joined hands.
She didn’t even realize it, but pure, clean holy power was flowing out of her.
Which meant soon… my holy power allergy symptoms would kick in.
Ah, wait… I need to think this through—
“Riela?”
My face was going pale fast, and Aria’s eyes shook with panic.
“Are you sick? Is it the medicine?”
I wanted to say, If you’d just let go, I’d be fine, but the dizziness was too much.
I tried to pull away, but she only hugged me tighter in panic.
This time I might really die!
I wasn’t wearing my magic stone necklace either—it always felt weird against my neck, so I’d taken it off. That meant I got hit by her holy power directly.
Ahh… my vision was fading…
“Riela!!!”
Aria’s scream rang in my ears as I collapsed.
Even as my vision blurred, I could see her overflowing holy light.
“Riela, don’t die!!!”
I’m not dying, so stop acting like I am…
***
“…We’ll have to, then.”
Voices reached me as I slowly regained consciousness.
My fingertips were still cold and numb, but at least there was no pain.
Ugh, my life…
I blinked slowly, adjusting my eyes. Someone noticed I was awake, because warmth wrapped around my hand.
“Riela! You’re awake?!”
Ah—it was Daniel.
He was holding my hand tightly, like he was afraid I’d vanish.
I nodded weakly and looked around. There stood the physician, face pale as a ghost.
“I-I’ll… I’ll run another diagnosis.”
He sounded terrified. Clearly, I’d worried him while I was unconscious.
I stayed still as he worked. But—Aria was nowhere to be seen.
Daniel noticed my searching eyes.
“Aria’s sleeping. She awakened her holy power, so she has a bit of a fever.”
Oh, right. I remembered the part in the story where she couldn’t leave her bed after awakening.
It couldn’t be helped, but knowing she was sick still pained me.
“How is Riela’s condition?”
Daniel’s sharp question made the doctor flinch.
“You still don’t know the cause?”
His tone was harsh. The poor doctor stammered, throwing out flowery words to soften the blow, but in the end…
“So you don’t know. Am I wrong?”
“…You’re right.”
“Then today’s your last day here. I’ll ask Father to write you a letter of recommendation—you won’t be left empty-handed.”
“Y-Young Master!”
Daniel clearly wanted him gone right away.
The tension was suffocating.
“Daniel.”
I had no choice but to speak up.
Until now, I was the only one who knew the real cause of my condition. But since Aria had awakened her holy power, a new idea had come to me.
“You want something? Should I get you chocolate cake from Lil Carman?”
I shook my head. The doctor looked like he was about to faint.
He wasn’t at fault, so I forced my sore throat to work.
“The truth is… when Aria held my hand, it hurt. Like stinging, and it made me feel nauseous.”
