CHAPTER 72………………………………
How Do You Know That Name?
Mick, Millie, and I had been riding together in the same carriage for several days now, heading toward Pritan Castle.
When I traveled to the Kingdom of Malau before, Millie hadn’t been with us, so Mick tended to all my needs himself. But now, even though Millie was here, Mick insisted on sharing the same carriage with us. He sat right next to me the entire time, hardly leaving my side.
The problem was that even with Millie watching, his “bad hands” kept finding their way toward me. Since he was used to constant physical affection when we were alone, he sometimes forgot Millie was present and acted out of habit.
The one suffering most from this was, of course, poor Millie.
“Um… if it’s all right, Your Majesties, perhaps I could move to the baggage wagon?”
“Excellent idea,” Mick said instantly, his hand still twirling a lock of my hair.
“What are you saying? Millie, the baggage wagon’s cramped and uncomfortable! Why ride in that when there’s plenty of space here?”
I pulled Mick’s hand down and tried to stop Millie. Her eyes welled up.
“I’d rather be physically uncomfortable than mentally anxious…”
“We’ll reach Baron White’s estate in an hour. Just hold on a bit longer. Mick, you too—stay still, please.”
He caught my hand as I pushed his away and kissed my palm lightly.
“Do we really have to stop at Baron White’s? Can’t we just go straight to Pritan Castle?”
“I promised the Baron and Baroness we’d visit on our way back. Besides…”
“Besides what?”
“To be honest, I’ve been craving Harron food.”
When I visited Baron White’s manor last time, I’d tasted Harron cuisine for the first time in ages. Before that, I’d managed fine without it—but once I had a taste, I couldn’t stop longing for the flavors of home.
“The Baroness is from Harron, isn’t she?”
“Yes, and I think she even brought a chef from there. The food was incredible.”
“Then maybe I’ll just bring that chef to Pritan Castle.”
I was used to Mick’s tyrannical way of speaking by now, but Millie turned pale.
“Instead of that, please send a few royal chefs to learn from Baron White’s cook. That way, we could enjoy Harron food at the palace now and then.”
Mick nodded easily. Millie looked at me with newfound admiration—she couldn’t believe how deftly I handled him.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Your Highness Micklock, we’ve arrived at Baron White’s estate.”
When the carriage stopped, Mick helped me down.
But the atmosphere of the estate was entirely different from our last visit. Back then, the Baron, Baroness, and all their servants had lined up at the entrance to welcome us. Now, only two terrified servants stood there, looking lost.
“Sir William, you did inform them of our arrival, right?”
“Of course, Your Highness. They must have received word four days ago.”
William scowled, barely suppressing his irritation, and grabbed one of the flustered servants.
“His Highness Micklock and Her Majesty the Queen are here. Where are the Baron and Baroness?”
“T-they’re in the manor, sir…”
“Then why didn’t they come to greet us?”
William’s voice grew sharp, and the servant fell to the ground, trembling.
“Y-your lordships’ only son—he suddenly came down with a high fever this morning. The master and mistress have been beside themselves since dawn… sob…”
The servant burst into tears.
At that moment, the Baron and Baroness came rushing out, bowing deeply before us.
“We greet His Highness Micklock of great Pritan, and Her Majesty the Queen!”
“Please forgive us for not greeting you sooner. We’ve committed an unpardonable sin.”
The Baroness’s eyes were swollen, and her once-glossy hair was disheveled. The Baron didn’t look much better.
I took the Baroness’s trembling hand. “I heard your child is gravely ill?”
“He’s been feverish since dawn, seizing now and then, and the physician can’t determine the cause…” She broke into sobs again.
The Baron held her, his own eyes glistening. Their grief spread, and soon even the servants were crying.
That this would happen on the day of our visit left Mick and me stunned—but I also felt relieved that I might be able to help.
I looked at Mick. Seeing the resolve in my eyes, he nodded slowly.
“Compose yourselves,” I said gently. “Take me to the child.”
The Baron and Baroness looked startled—and afraid. They feared that if we approached the sick boy and something went wrong, they’d bear the blame.
“We wish to bless the child,” I assured them. “You needn’t worry.”
Even if the child were to pass, parents would want him to receive a royal blessing. Calming themselves, they led us to the nursery.
The boy, not yet three, lay in bed. His nanny had been wiping his small body with a damp cloth, her own face swollen from crying.
Rashes bloomed red across his limbs and cheeks, and his breath came in weak, wheezing gasps. His tiny chest rose and fell with difficulty.
My heart clenched. I knew I had to stay calm, but anxiety clawed at me—if I delayed, this fragile life might fade like a candle flame.
I took a deep breath and asked everyone except the Baron and Baroness to leave.
Placing both hands on the child’s forehead, I felt Mick’s steadying arm wrap around my waist. With him supporting me, I could focus.
Closing my eyes, I summoned my healing power. A golden light spread from my fingertips, encircling the boy in a gentle radiance.
“By the heavens…!” gasped the Baroness behind me, but I stayed focused.
The energy surged stronger than ever before, rushing through me and streaming out through my hands. My head tilted back, my arms spread wide. The golden light enveloped not only the boy, but Mick and me as well.
Moments later, the glow sank into the child’s body. My strength gave out, and I collapsed into Mick’s arms.
As the darkness closed in, I faintly heard the Baroness cry out—
“Lady Yurahel!!”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Lea, please—open your eyes. Please…”
A desperate voice called to me from beyond the haze. I clung to it, fighting to wake.
A warm hand clasped mine; soft lips brushed my skin. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Mick’s tearful face above me.
“Mick…”
“Lea! You’re awake! Thank the goddess!” He kissed my hand again and again, overcome with relief.
“The boy?” I asked weakly.
“He’s fine. The fever broke, he’s eaten some broth, and he’s sleeping peacefully.”
“Thank goodness…” I smiled faintly.
“I haven’t fainted from healing in a while. I must’ve overexerted myself. You were frightened, weren’t you?”
“…No matter how many times it happens, I never get used to seeing you collapse like that.”
He brushed my hair gently, but his fingertips were trembling. I caught his hand and kissed it lightly.
“You don’t know how much your presence steadies me.”
His eyes filled with a strange mix of love and sorrow.
“Is this how you feel,” he murmured, “each time you watch me ride into battle? Wanting to stop me, but unable to?”
I understood then. He hated watching me use my powers, but couldn’t bring himself to forbid it.
I opened my arms. “Mick… hold me.”
He pulled me into his embrace, and I clung to him. For a moment, we simply drew strength from each other’s warmth.
“Mick,” I said softly, “please call for the Baroness.”
After regaining my strength, I needed to ask her something.
The Baron and Baroness soon arrived, their child in their arms. Upon seeing me, the Baroness immediately fell to her knees, sobbing silently.
“Please rise,” I said. “I don’t have the strength to help you up.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. We can never repay this grace…”
“You’ve done the royal family a great favor,” the Baron added, kneeling beside his wife. “We pledge our lives and loyalty in gratitude.”
Mick raised a hand to stop them. “Keep the healing’s true nature secret. It will come to light eventually, but for now, I don’t want the Queen’s power widely known.”
“Understood. We’ll make sure no one speaks of it.”
“How is the child now?” I asked.
“Healthy, Your Majesty. Eating, sleeping, and playing as if he’d never been ill. All thanks to you.”
Once they had calmed down, I finally asked what had been weighing on me.
“When I collapsed earlier,” I said, “you called me ‘Lady Yurahel.’”
The Baroness froze.
“I… I wasn’t in my right mind then…”
“Answer me, Baroness. How do you know my mother’s name?”
The Baroness stared at me, stunned.
“Yurahel… the priestess? You mean she was Your Majesty’s mother?”
“Wait—what did you just say? My mother was a priestess?”
I had never imagined that my mother’s past held such a secret.
