Did I Just Make a Friend?!
Did I... just make a friend?! Cecilia was the saintess born in the humblest of places, and my absolute favorite character.
Other readers trashed her as some concubine's daughter or whatever, but to me, she was the true legitimate wife.
"Cecilia... you mean, the Saintess...?"
I was overflowing with inner affection for her, but since this was our first meeting, I played it off like I'd only heard the name somewhere.
Unlike me, she was pretty famous across the continent.
"That's what they call me, but I prefer just Cecilia. The title of saintess feels too grand for someone like me."
Yeah, that's the grace of a true legitimate wife. Neither frivolous nor venomous.
Yet not overly soft either—she shows her firm side when it matters.
If this isn't legitimate wife material, then who is?
"In that case... may I call you Cecil?"
I wondered if it was okay to get so familiar right off the bat, but I had to try calling her that at least once.
Cecil.
"If that's what you prefer, then by all means."
"...Thank you, Cecil."
My favorite character giving me one-on-one care, and even allowing a nickname? Isn't this paradise?
I felt so light and floaty, like I was drifting on clouds.
...Ah, or is it because my body actually feels lighter?
Something about me felt unusually light today.
Like a heavy burden on my shoulders had lifted a bit.
There was no way my body had suddenly improved, so Cecilia must have done something extra during the healing.
"Cecil, my body feels so much lighter... was that you?"
I wanted to hear it straight from her lips, so I asked outright if she'd done it.
Her voice was just too pleasant—I wanted to keep listening.
"...It's only a temporary measure, but yes. After healing your wounds, I paid a little extra attention. Your condition, Lady Ilisha... it was quite severe."
As expected of a saintess—she'd gotten a rough idea of my insides just from one treatment.
She knows, doesn't she?
That holy power can only heal wounds. Anything more is just fleeting relief at best.
That made me even more grateful, even happier.
Even knowing it was meaningless, she'd poured her holy power into me, hoping I'd suffer a little less.
Even if it was just a momentary comfort.
I didn't know exactly what she was thinking when she infused me with it, but knowing Cecil, it fit her perfectly.
Praying devoutly that my hopelessly broken body wouldn't torment me... just for me...
Kuh...
Dangerous. I might start drooling.
To calm myself, I took a deep breath.
It came easily, without pain.
A smile bloomed naturally from the comfort.
"...Yeah. My body's not in great shape."
"You mustn't throw your life away, Ilisha."
As I surrendered to that ease for a moment, she said something out of the blue.
"Pardon...?"
"Ilisha. No matter how much your house was insulted, you don't need to throw your life away for it, do you? At least, that's what I think. Honor is for the living, after all—what use is it if you're dead?"
Only then did I realize she was scolding me.
I shifted to kneel properly and respectfully.
Couldn't just lie there while getting lectured.
"Lady Ilisha. If you keep pushing yourself like that... you truly won't last long. I want you to live as long as possible."
Not that I'll last past twenty no matter what.
I didn't voice that.
"And what you did to Lorenzo... I understand your feelings, but it was a bit much."
"How badly was he hurt...?"
I wasn't really curious, but I asked to keep talking with Cecil.
"He suffered severe frostbite internally. I managed to fix it, but he'll need rest today."
"Impressive, Saintess."
I wondered if I should clap, but she shook her head.
"I didn't do it for praise. I did what I could. And you should apologize to Lorenzo, not thank me."
"Ah... ehehehe... you're right..."
With those words, she told me to come back if anything hurt and that I could go now.
"See you next time, Cecil!"
As I said goodbye and turned to leave.
"...I'll pray that we meet again somewhere other than a sickbed."
Ahaha. That might be... tricky.
Lucia was waiting.
"Ha. Fuck, seriously..."
Lucia de Belmont made no effort to hide her irritation.
She'd been annoyed from the moment the Northern Duke's daughter landed in her class, and then the girl had publicly beaten her brother in a duel.
And so effortlessly, too.
That scene kept flashing before her eyes.
She hadn't even properly seen what happened before Lorenzo went flying.
She scowled at the memory.
"What the hell is that bitch anyway...?! And you, bro—why the fuck did you lose to a wench like that?!"
She grumbled nonstop, venting her frustration at her brother.
"Now the South has to eat the shame... Arghhh!!!"
Even Lucia, who hated Lorenzo, had to admit he'd coated his sword in aura at that age.
The fact that he'd lost even after striking first was twisting her guts.
How the hell did that pale freak take down bro in one shot...!
No matter how much she told herself he'd let his guard down, Lucia couldn't accept he'd go down that easily. She decided the girl must have cheated somehow.
Otherwise, it made no sense—so for her peace of mind, she settled on that.
Northern barbarians would do anything to win, after all.
"If I get my hands on her, I'll shake her down and make her spill every damn trick she pulled...!"
Steeling herself like that, but after a few steps, Lucia's face twisted.
...Can I really grill a girl who was puking blood about what bullshit she pulled?
She remembered Ilisha being carried out with blood trickling from her mouth.
That image layered something else over her seething anger.
Is it right to jump her straight-up? When she got carted off puking blood?
"...Who gives a shit if that pale bitch coughs blood or collapses."
Yeah, none of my business.
Whether she pukes blood or drops dead.
Lucia steeled her resolve—it was irrelevant.
She was the one who'd left her brother in that state; why should she have to tiptoe around?
Even so, her steps didn't quicken.
No—they slowed further.
What am I even gonna do if I go?
Whine about cheating to someone who lost fair and square, just to disturb a patient's rest?
Imagining how she'd look, she figured it'd be utterly pathetic.
But skipping the temple because of Ilisha felt off too.
She had to check on her brother—see if he was badly hurt.
And if that girl was really messed up bad?
Her brother shared some blame for things escalating that far, so Lucia raked her hair roughly and muttered.
"Fuck, this pisses me off... Seriously. Bro and that bitch, honor this, honor that—can't you just apologize and call it even...?"
Not out of worry—just checking his condition.
She had to see.
Just a quick look.
For real.
Repeating excuses in her head, Lucia arrived at the temple where her brother and Ilisha had been taken.
And there she met Ilisha von Airvalt.
"Uh...?"
Lucia froze and blurted out something dumb the moment she saw me.
Hm.
Shouldn't you be in magic class right now?
Why are you here?
"You... why the hell are you walking around...?"
She couldn't believe I was on my feet, jabbing a finger at me like she couldn't form words.
"Can't I walk around?"
She looked stunned, like she hadn't expected the question, and answered blankly.
"Uh... not that you can't."
Her showing up was a total surprise, but in a way, good timing.
She had tons of friends, so I'd planned to catch her alone.
Luckily, opportunity knocked on day one.
Time to build some rapport.
Sure, her fanboys annoyed me, but she was a heroine too.
"Anyway, must be fate or something. Nice to meet you. What's your name...?"
I approached with feigned innocence and asked her name.
But she took it wrong, scowling with open hostility.
"Oh, playing dumb? You know Lorenzo but not me? Don't get cocky just 'cause you won."
Her already rough features looked even fiercer, and even I felt a bit thrown.
Ah.
She's in a really bad mood right now.
Because I beat her brother.
I wanted to get along with her, so I scrambled for words.
"N-no, I really don't know... I've spent so much time bedridden, I'm clueless about the world..."
Luckily, it worked—she eased up and muttered.
"Ah... right. Uh, ignore what I just said."
"Got it."
I beamed back, and she scratched her head, then continued like whatever.
"...Lucia de Belmont. Lorenzo de Belmont's little sister—the one you beat."
I know.
Couldn't say that, so I faked surprise.
"What? You're his sister?! W-wait... you're not here for revenge, are you...? I heard the South has revenge customs...!"
"Hey, hey. Think we're barbarians like you lot? We respect duel outcomes."
She showed her palms to calm me, then sighed deeply and grumbled.
"What the hell am I even doing...?"
Seizing the moment, I took in her appearance.
Taut brown skin that looked great on anyone, golden hair like ripe wheat.
And red eyes to boot—her looks were flawless.
Personality, though... regrettable.
"...Fuck. Whatever. Hey. You didn't pull any shady shit fighting my bro, right?"
After grumbling forever, she finally asked if I'd cheated in the duel.
Ah, that's why she's here.
Because I took him down too easily.
Hm.
Should I show her the aura blade again?
Ainshel might actually faint for real.
What to do... Ah, got it.
"On the honor of House Airvalt, it was a fair fight."
"That damn honor talk again... Ugh, whatever. Fine. If no tricks, then bro just misjudged you. Scram. I gotta check on him."
She waved me off like go away.
Hm.
Can't let her leave just yet.
Should I play crazy and charge in?
"Lucia. Could we... maybe be friends?"
"What?"
She scowled at my question, staring like she doubted my sincerity.
I met her eyes silently, conveying I meant it.
"...Do what you want."
She grumbled reluctantly and vanished into the temple.
That... counts as okay to be friends, right?