Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Ball
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Social gathering, day three.
A day after my sparring match with Zeil.
I was holed up in Elysia's room.
Lying on the bed she'd been using, I extended my right arm.
Then Elysia would stroke my hand with utmost care.
"Is it okay? Does it move properly now? Any pain when you flex it?"
"Yeah. No issues."
"That's a relief. Eek. My, my treatment helped a little, right? Right?"
Elysia's fingers trailed over my wrist.
A pale, milky light poured from her fingertips, enveloping my wrist.
A warm, gentle energy.
It felt like some special force was flowing into my wrist, the wound knitting closed as fresh skin grew over it.
Elysia's healing magic.
'Who would've thought I'd end up owing this girl one.'
Of course, even before the sparring, she'd told me to let her know if I got hurt during our meetings.
But I never imagined I'd actually get injured and have to rely on Elysia for treatment.
Let me recap what happened after the sparring ended yesterday.
At first, I was caught off guard.
Most of the palace staff had gone to handle 'Eight Wings' duties anyway, so only basic remedies were left.
I figured I'd just apply some and call it good, but the moment the match ended, Elysia came rushing over.
- Y-Young Master Kline. You're hurt. Hehe.
Her face was flushed, impossible to tell if she was thrilled or just eager to help.
With excitement written all over her, she grabbed my hand and dragged me straight to her room.
- Lady Elysia, calm down. What if someone sees us like this?
- Treating a patient comes first. H-Hehe. Come to my room quick. It'll be fine. You'll even feel better.
- Don't say weird things. People will misunderstand.
Since I needed treatment anyway, I had no choice but to follow her into the room.
Elysia immediately guided me to her bed and made me lie down.
- Hey. Isn't this moving a bit fast? I could've just lain on the floor.
- How could I put a patient on the floor? No more chatter. Just feel my touch. Hee.
- You're choosing your words on purpose, aren't you?
I decided to block out any stray thoughts since she was offering treatment.
Yeah, Lady Elysia was always like this.
She wasn't the type of girl to make rational appeals over minor things.
So I lay on the bed and silently offered my hand.
Elysia stroked my wrist with utmost seriousness.
- The wound's deep. A little deeper, and you wouldn't have used the hand for a while.
- Lucky break, then. Honestly, I threw caution to the wind back there.
- Ehehe. You can't do that. Hurt yourself recklessly, and this is what happens? Then you end up getting treated by a girl like me.
- What are you, a witch?
Truth be told, I didn't fully trust her at first.
I'd never experienced healing magic before, and I had no idea how good Elysia was.
But her healing skills were exceptional.
The moment she sprinkled that pale light on my hand, the pain eased, and I felt it mending.
- It should feel better now. Right? Hehe.
- Yeah. Thanks. Didn't expect you'd treat me so readily.
- Hehehe. I said I'd heal you. Right? See? Hee.
- I won't forget this favor. Guess I'll head out.
- Huh? Where do you think you're going?
Elysia's expression turned icy as she said that.
The goofy smile vanished in an instant.
The second I mentioned leaving her room, she put on a stern face and gripped my wrist tight.
A girl's hand, clearly weaker than mine, yet it clamped down with surprising strength.
- You need more treatment. You can't go.
- Come on, I can't stay here forever. I need to go back to my room.
- Stay in my room. You need ongoing treatment.
- What if someone sees?
- Treatment is more important.
- ......
No talking sense with her.
Was some healing-obsessed ghost possessing her? She had no intention of letting me off the bed.
'Whatever.'
Fine. Whatever rumors fly, it's on you.
Your loss, not mine.
So I stopped caring and focused on recovering in Elysia's room.
- Hehe. Want some? I brought soup.
- No thanks. I can feed myself.
- Oh... Really...? Heh.
- Nah, just feed me. Suddenly feeling like I need the help.
- Ehehehe. Right? Right? You need me?
I had no clue why she was so desperate to help me.
Anyway, a day passed like that, bringing us to now.
My hand was in pretty good shape.
"Thanks. You sped up my recovery."
"Ehehe. Of course. I'm, I'm pretty good, right? Right?"
"Yeah. I ought to hire you as my personal healer."
"Ehehehehe. D-Don't say what you don't mean! But thanks anyway."
Finally getting her permission, I rose from the bed.
She twisted back and forth, grinning ear to ear at the praise.
What an odd girl.
Mentally unhinged, or just innocently pure?
Either way, she seemed timid.
She could stand to have a bit more confidence in herself.
"Don't say that. I mean it."
"Huh? Wh-What?"
"Better to get treated by you than some stranger. Plus, chatting with you is fun."
"Uh, uhehe. D-Don't say stuff like that......"
If it's troublesome, stop blushing like that.
"By the way, aren't you joining the sparring? Don't you have a spot to fill?"
"Oh. Th-That? Of course not. I had to treat you, Young Master Kline."
"You didn't just use this as an excuse to skip, did you?"
"No! ...No. F-For real. Yeah."
Anyone could tell she did.
Elysia averted her eyes, rolling them around.
Looked like the sparring arena made her uncomfortable.
The moment she had an excuse to skip, she took it.
"Be honest. You didn't want to heal me—you just used me as an excuse not to go."
"Nooo! Of course I wanted to treat you, Young Master Kline! Don't dismiss my feelings!"
"Kidding. I know your heart better than that."
"Hehe. W-Well, if you say so......"
Her attitude flips way too fast.
I shook my head and left the room.
Elysia chased me to the door, scanning my body up and down.
"All good? No fever, dizziness, blurry vision? Nothing like that?"
"Nope. You'll end up following me all the way to my room at this rate."
"Sh-Should I? Aftercare's important too......"
"See you."
Keep this up, and she'll crash in my room for the night.
I was already hyper-aware after spending the night in her room.
This could get messy.
"Y-Young Master Kline!"
As I walked away from Elysia's room, she called out from behind.
"The ball starts tomorrow...... um......"
She trailed off, fidgeting and twisting her body.
Hard to parse at first glance.
But after dealing with my nightmare little sister Ariel so often, I got it right away.
"Shall we dance?"
"......! F-For real?"
"Yes. If you'll allow it."
"Of course! Gladly! Let's do it!"
Elysia beamed from ear to ear, waving her hands furiously.
Hmm......
Maybe because we shared a room.
My resolve wavered a bit, so I waved vaguely and left.
**
Day three drew to a close.
Starting tomorrow, day four: the ball.
Cluster of Stars. The highlight of the social gathering was this ball.
An event where you ask someone of the opposite sex to dance and share the floor.
Especially since many nobles decide on fiancés here, it was the schedule everyone targeted.
Thus, it was crucial to dance with at least one person.
Failing to dance with anyone proved your lack of appeal as a noble.
Plus, they judged your charm by who you danced with. Nobles were such a hassle.
Anyway, with Elysia, I was set.
Thinking that, I returned to my room.
"Long time no see."
Adelheit was right outside my room.
With her attendant beside her, she approached with measured steps.
I blinked and asked,
"Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes. Can't I?"
"Just surprised. No need for Your Highness to wait on me."
"Everything has a reason. And questions."
Adelheit snapped her fan open with a flick.
Fanning herself, she continued.
"First question. You did that on purpose in the sparring, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"Using aura against Zeil on purpose."
She went on with her theory.
That I'd gone easy on Zeil.
And that I'd kept my promise to her before the match.
Hearing it all made me feel awkwardly sheepish.
'She noticed.'
I hadn't tried to show it.
Wasn't hoping anyone would catch on.
I just didn't want yesterday's memory to scar Zeil for life.
If we were sparring, better to end on a high note.
Instead, I felt a strange vibe from myself that day.
'Didn't need to brace for injury.'
Sure, I'd planned to disarm him before his aura gave him away.
But I didn't need to take the wrist cut. Could've parried more.
Spending the night in Elysia's room, I mulled over why I'd gone that far.
'Feels off.'
Some trait inside me had shifted subtly.
My intent to end the match well or spare Zeil hadn't changed.
But the execution—the how—felt more violent.
I'd hurt myself, but worried this edge might harm others.
The prophet's words crossed my mind.
'Said I was taking after Ariel.'
I'll ask her next time.
"Yeah, you're right. Just as Your Highness guessed."
"Knew it."
Admitting it straightforwardly, she huffed and hid her smile behind her fan.
Blushing again. No idea why.
Cheeks bright red, Adelheit spoke haltingly.
"Hey."
"Yes."
"Why do you think I went out of my way to find you?"
"To confirm that theory?"
"And once I did, how do you think I'd treat you?"
-......?
Treat me how?
Didn't need to ask. That was her call.
She hid even more behind her fan and continued.
"......You've kinda grown on me."
"Pardon?"
"I'm interested in you. More than anyone at this social gathering."
It bordered on a confession.
Not direct, but skirting around 'I like you.'
"......??"
I blinked, then turned away.
Adelheit's attendant, Sara.
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously.
As if affirming her lady's sincerity.
"......So, anyway."
Ahem. Adelheit cleared her throat awkwardly.
Her face was fully flushed now.
Fan covering up to her eyes, she said,
"......W-Wanna dance with me?"
Ah.
That's why the long talk.
Inviting me to the ball starting tomorrow.
Hmm......
Seemed more sincere than I thought.
Her earlier 'come to me if no one else' was half-joking.
Like, 'no one better, so you'll do.'
But now, she genuinely wanted to dance with me.
I pondered briefly, then replied.
"I have a prior engagement."
"Wh-What?!"
"Kidding. How could I refuse Your Highness? Let's dance."
"......Jeez. You're annoying."
Sorry, Elysia.
How could I turn down a princess?
I'll dance with you after her. Just this once.