Let’s Begin Public Relations (2)

Cordelia continued.

“After the first event, depending on the response and results, I plan to announce ‘By popular demand, a second event!’ and continue holding them regularly. In between, I will visit monasteries and clinics.”

Hearing “regularly,” Isaac reacted slightly.

“Is it wise to make it recurring? If you do it two or three times, then once the Grand Holy Maiden is decided, it will become an official duty.”

“I do not mind. That is precisely noble etiquette.”

Holding it too frequently would be difficult, but she could simply maintain a reasonable pace. In a sense, this too was noblesse oblige, something Cordelia should do regardless of becoming the Grand Holy Maiden.

When she answered firmly, Isaac blinked for a moment, then said admiringly,

“That is admirable thinking. I am proud as your fiancé.”

“Thank you… how embarrassing.”

(Compliments out of nowhere are surprisingly powerful!)

Cordelia fanned her face with her hand. She was unused to being praised so directly, and her face had turned bright red.

“I will help as best I can so as not to fall behind your efforts. Leave the investigation of noble movements to me. Also, I will supply my elixirs to clinics and licensed water mages across the nation.”

““Elixirs!?””

Not only Cordelia but Jean also exclaimed.

Elixirs were universal medicines only water mages bearing the Sage title could produce. They did not cure every disease but were effective for an extremely wide range of illnesses and injuries. Moreover, saying “my” meant Isaac intended to distribute ones he personally created.

Jean hurriedly confirmed,

“Your Highness… nationwide would be quite a number.”

“I already have reserves produced between official duties. If insufficient, I will make more.”

Hearing him say it so casually, Cordelia panicked.

“That may be so, but I cannot place such a burden on you!”

“I told you, it is support for you. Let me assist at least this much. Besides, it will be convenient for you as well.”

“…Well, that is true.”

Most likely, once Cordelia freely used holy magic, clinic patients would drastically decrease, leaving water mages without livelihood. Supplying valuable elixirs would temporarily ease dissatisfaction.

“Thank you very much. …And may I boldly ask one more favor?”

“Go ahead.”

“I would like to borrow a room in the palace. From both security and management perspectives, holding the healing assembly in the palace would be safest.”

“Understood. Matters concerning the Holy Maiden concern the royal family as well. I will ask His Majesty for cooperation in all areas. As for security, I appoint Jean.”

Isaac looked at Jean. As a royal guard, Jean was a skilled swordsman and held high rank in the knight order.

“Leave it to me. Guarding ‘Holy Maiden Cordelia-sama’ doesn’t excite me, but if it’s Your Highness’s order.”

Emphasizing “Holy Maiden,” Jean stood and gave an elegant bow.

Rolling up her sleeves, Cordelia gripped the quill firmly.

“Alright! Since things are lining up, I must draft the news release at once. I need an effective headline and disclaimers…”

“‘News release’? What is that?”

“Ah! No, just a slip of the tongue! Please do not worry about it, haha…”

She hastily covered it up after being questioned. Excited, she had used a term from her past life. Isaac narrowed his eyes.

“Now that I think of it, you have often used strange words since long ago. Is it related to Lady Hina calling you ‘Kana’?”

The unexpected question made Cordelia nearly jump. His lapis-colored eyes stared at her searchingly.

“That… is…”

(What should I do… should I tell him about my past life…? But that might turn into a rant about Hina! I want to avoid that.)

Seeing her hesitate, Isaac lowered his gaze softly.

“…Forgive me for asking something difficult. There may be things only a Holy Maiden understands. If you ever wish to speak of it, tell me then.”

“Your Highness…”

(He truly is kind not to force me…)

Feeling her heart flutter at his gentleness, Cordelia added a large note to her mental task list: “Summarize past-life story without turning it into badmouthing.”