Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Mage of Summer Vacation (3)
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*Cough, cough!*
Severe coughs poured out from the morning.
Getting a cold in the middle of summer, of all things.
To think I'd catch that legendary summer cold that even dogs don't get.
"Ugh..."
My head throbbed as if it might split open.
Fever raged through my body, cold sweat pouring like rain, my pajamas soaked and clinging to my skin.
I pressed the back of my hand to my forehead and let out a groan.
Why couldn't magic cure something as simple as a cold?
At times like this, being an upper mage or whatever felt utterly pointless.
"Cough...!"
"I knew this would happen after the stunt you pulled yesterday, miss."
A sigh-mingled voice accompanied a damp cloth placed on my forehead.
"It's cold..."
The wet, cool sensation soothed my burning brow.
Ah, the fever's finally starting to ebb a bit.
"From now on, please use the observatory annex for your experiments. Linea Hall isn't your personal magic workshop."
"Ugh... enough nagging... Odette, my head's pounding..."
"Understood. Here, miss. Have some of this."
Odette propped up my favorite pillow and helped me sit up.
Then she carefully brought a spoon of soup—cooled by her gentle blowing—to my lips.
Even as she scolded me, every action brimmed with concern and care for me.
I swallowed the soup half-heartedly, then suddenly looked up at Odette's face.
Beads of sweat dotted her forehead up close.
Only then did I notice her outfit.
Her usual prim maid uniform, unchanged.
It looked stifling and hot just to see.
"Aren't you... hot, Odette?"
A pang of guilt tugged at my heart, so I asked subtly.
"It feels like you're suffering because of me..."
Honest words slipped out that I'd normally be too shy to say.
Odette paused mid-motion with the spoon, then wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve.
"This is nothing."
"Still..."
"If you're worried about me, get better soon, miss."
She brushed it off casually.
With practiced hands, she replaced the lukewarm cloth on my forehead with a fresh, cold one.
Her fingers gently swept aside my sweat-matted bangs—such tender care.
Once I'd finished most of the soup and my complexion improved slightly, Odette laid me back down and tucked me in.
"Don't go causing trouble just because you're feeling a bit better. Rest quietly."
Before leaving the room, the head maid impressed upon me earnestly.
"You're the best in the world at that—sleeping soundly."
Her pointed joke carried subtle affection, drawing an involuntary chuckle from me.
Odette checked my forehead one last time before departing.
Click.
The door closed, silence settling over the room.
My body felt limp, eyelids growing heavy almost immediately.
I pulled the blanket up to my chin and sank into the cozy bed.
As soon as I closed my eyes gently, deep sleep overtook me.
"Luna."
...How long had I slept?
A soft voice tickled my ears from the haze of my dim consciousness.
"You must be feeling really awful..."
A distant yet familiar voice.
Caught between dream and reality, I kept my eyes shut, ears perked.
Soon, a warm touch glided over my forehead.
Someone removed the haphazardly placed cloth and checked my temperature with their own hand.
The drowsy fog began to lift gradually.
"Mm..."
I slowly opened my eyes, golden waves shimmering into my blurry vision.
Blinking a few times, the image sharpened—
"Princess...?"
Violet eyes beneath long lashes blinked with eyes full of worry.
"Ah! You're awake?"
Princess Celestina confirmed I was up and smiled gently in relief.
"I didn't wake you, did I?"
If it had been Claire or someone else asking, I'd have nodded without hesitation, but since it was the princess...
I just gave an awkward smile.
Lying there indefinitely felt wrong, so I tried to sit up, but my head spun suddenly.
"Don't push yourself."
The princess quickly pressed my shoulders, easing me back down.
She adjusted my pillow for comfort and straightened the rumpled blanket.
Her touch was so gentle and careful.
Each time I shifted, her golden hair swayed, brushing my shoulder.
A pleasant fragrance pierced my stuffy nose, calming my heart.
"Um... Princess, when did you get here?"
"Just now."
Princess Celestina smiled as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
"I heard. You had a magic experiment mishap in your room?"
She giggled mischievously.
But her voice overflowed with concern for me.
"How's your body? You were groaning even in your sleep."
Her palm rested on my forehead again.
The cool, soft sensation felt oddly comforting.
Feeling embarrassed, I averted my gaze.
"A little better, I think. Just a little..."
Whether from the deep sleep or the care, I felt refreshed.
Of course, my body still felt heavy and my head fuzzy.
"But, well... my head's still ringing, and my throat's scratchy."
A frail voice, uncharacteristic of me, spilled out.
The princess's eyes lit up brightly.
Was she secretly pleased by this clingy situation?
"Here, wait a sec."
Her cheeks faintly flushed as she stood and gestured lightly to the guard knight by the door.
"Want to try drinking this?"
"Haaah..."
The princess took the cup and held it to my lips.
Leaning into her, I swallowed the lukewarm water.
My clogged throat eased bit by bit.
Once the cup was empty, she dabbed my lips carefully with a prepared handkerchief.
Pat, pat.
Her meticulous care made my chest feel warm and fuzzy.
In the daze, a very old memory flickered faintly.
A tiny single room.
The night I finally collapsed, writhing alone.
Turning over revealed only moldy wallpaper.
My throat parched and burning, arm stretched out—but the distant water bottle was out of reach.
Eyes closed or open, darkness always enveloped me.
Shivering in cold sweat alone, anxiety suddenly gripped me.
If I lost consciousness like this, would anyone wake me?
'No one to wake me, that's why I'm here.'
Or would anyone even find my cold body?
'Maybe when the lease ends.'
...Scary.
No, lonely.
Clutching the blanket, eyes squeezed shut.
A kind voice seeped in from beside me.
"Need anything else?"
Barely opening my eyes, worried violet eyes were right there.
Cool yet warm hands patted me.
This warmth felt so alien.
And so desperately missed...
I slowly closed and opened my eyes.
Embarrassed, I looked away.
Unaware or not of my feelings, the princess just smiled kindly, gently stroking my hair.
"I'm glad you're a bit better, at least."
She beamed and stood.
"I feel like I disturbed your rest... Ahaha. W-well, I'll head out then?"
At those words, I instinctively grabbed her sleeve.
"...?"
"...!"
Her steps halted.
Violet eyes widened in surprise.
In the awkward silence, I flinched a beat late.
Wow, am I crazy? What did I just do?
"Uh, um, I mean..."
Before I could let go in panic, she sat back down—closer this time.
And gripped my wrist with both hands.
"Don't you want me to stay?!"
"N-not exactly..."
I avoided her gaze, lips twitching.
"If you're busy... you can just go..."
"No, I'm not busy. Not busy at all."
She glanced slyly at the knight.
The guard shook his head in refusal, but she just grinned.
"If Luna wants me here, I'll stay as late as needed."
Princess Celestina smiled softly and pulled her chair right up to the bed.
"W-well then..."
I blinked dazedly, then voiced what I didn't mean to—or rather, what I'd bottled up inside.
"Just until I fall asleep..."
"Great!"
She nodded eagerly, beaming.
"Should I just sleep here?! I can nurse you all night!"
"Th-that's a bit..."
I shook my head vehemently.
"More importantly, what if you catch my cold staying here?"
"Hehe, don't worry. I've never had a cold in my life."
She puffed out her chest proudly with an ahem.
"I'm tougher than I look, you know?"
Idiots don't get colds, I thought, but kept it to myself.
"And even if I did."
She continued with a soft eye-smile.
"Then you could nurse me instead, right?"
Her innocent smile left me speechless, staring blankly.
"That'd be... such a hassle..."
"What?!"
I giggled at her mock-pouting face, then slipped my hand free.
I pulled her hand—the one that had held mine—to my cheek.
The cool touch on my burning skin drew a lazy sigh.
"Feels so cool..."
"Lu-Lu-Luna?!"
Steam whooshed from the princess's forehead.
See? I knew you'd catch it.
Still, for today.
Having decided to indulge a little.
I used her hand as a cold compress and drifted back to sleep.