Holy Maiden Hina’s Handshake Event (2)

“Ahh… I’m exhausted…”

That night, as the battered Cordelia collapsed onto the couch sofa, a polite knock sounded and Isaac entered. Cordelia hurriedly straightened her posture, but Isaac said, “It’s fine, stay relaxed.” His own face looked somewhat worn and lifeless.

“You saved us today. Without you, it would have become disastrous… And I’m sorry for involving you.”

“No, it isn’t your fault, Your Highness. Please don’t worry. —By the way, how is Hina?”

At Cordelia’s question, Isaac sighed and shook his head. She could already guess from his expression.

“She remains shut in her room and refuses to speak to anyone. Even Count Lavori was furious about losing face, and it took time to calm him.”

“That sounds difficult…”

Even in her previous life, Hina had always been a troublemaker. Cordelia felt no sympathy for Count Lavori, who used Hina for ambition, but Isaac caught in the middle was truly pitiable.

“More importantly, are you all right? You were terribly exhausted after the last healing gathering. Any abnormalities? Any pain?”

“I’m fine! I’m just a bit tired, but I’ll recover in a few days.”

“Several days to recover… You’re pushing your body that much?”

Isaac’s face clouded. She meant to reassure him, but it had the opposite effect. As she scrambled for words, Isaac signaled to the attendant behind him. Looking closer, the attendant held a large bundle of items.

“These are all things you told me about… I gathered everything said to help fatigue and mental strain. Tell me if you need anything else.”

Inside were relaxing herbal teas, vegetables rumored to restore vitality, fruits, and sweets piled high.

“And drink this as well.”

Isaac pulled a small bottle filled with peacock-blue liquid from his chest pocket.

“I made this elixir. It has some magical power recovery effect. Please drink it.”

“My! An elixir made by Your Highness!? I want to preserve such a precious thing forever— I mean, I gratefully accept.”

Seeing his odd expression, Cordelia obediently drank it.

She cautiously took the bottle, twisted the glass stopper, and after the pleasant pop, touched it to her lips. The gentle mellow sweetness flowing in felt just like Isaac himself. Feeling it spread through her tired body, she sighed softly.

“It’s delicious… I feel warm all over.”

She said dreamily at the taste that hardly felt medicinal. Seeing that, Isaac suddenly produced many identical bottles from various parts of his clothing and pressed them into her hands.

“There are plenty more. If it isn’t enough, I’ll make as many as you need.”

“O-one is enough, Your Highness!”

“No. Keep them. You may distribute them to others or use them in the healing gathering.”

Though she tried to refuse, his rare firmness left her holding multiple elixirs in both hands. In truth, medicine that restored magical power was extremely rare, so it was invaluable.

“Then I will gratefully accept them. …Also, Your Highness, I intend to properly speak with Hina once.”

“Are you sure? You would rather avoid involvement with her.”

“I can’t say that anymore. Something like today could happen again…”

Cordelia paused briefly.

“—Besides, perhaps I shouldn’t keep running from Hina. As two who are called Holy Maidens, I think we should speak properly once.”

In a sense, their relationship was a tie carried over from a previous life. Perhaps there was a reason the goddess reincarnated them into the same world.

(I must confirm one thing before speaking…)

Thinking that, Cordelia decided to write a letter to Sphida.