Dere And Dere (1)

“…An anti-establishment faction, a religious organization, or extremists targeting the Holy Maiden. In any case, an immediate investigation is necessary. Tonight will be long. Also, double the guards for the Holy Maidens.”

“Yes, sir.”

Isaac spoke in an unusually stern voice, and Jean responded. As she stood unable to say anything in the tense atmosphere, Isaac removed his jacket and gently draped it over Cordelia’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry you had to hear such disturbing matters. For safety, return to the palace for today. You must be tired as well. …I heard all the seriously injured survived. Thanks to you. You did well.”

The moment he said that, her body began to remember its exhaustion. Perhaps it was also because she was wrapped in the faintly warm jacket. Feeling her eyelids suddenly grow heavy, Cordelia obediently accepted the suggestion.

“Then I will take your words and head back first. Hina will come with me—”

As she searched for Hina, her eyes widened. Hina, having finished treatment, was curled up asleep at the edge of the relief headquarters.

(I did wake her up after all. And she used a lot of Holy Magic…)

“Jean, sorry, but could you carry Hina to the carriage? Try not to wake her— wait…?”

The moment she turned toward Jean, her vision warped.

Her strength left her legs, and like a puppet without support, her body tilted.

“Cordelia!”

She vaguely realized Isaac caught her, but she was pulled into darkness and lost consciousness.

When she awoke, her body felt as heavy as lead.

(Am I… running a fever…?)

Her joints ached all over with the familiar heaviness of fever.

Turning her head slightly, she saw Isaac collapsed beside the bed, still tightly holding her hand.

Was it daytime? Gentle sunlight streamed in from outside.

“My lady! You’ve awakened!”

Lily’s tearful voice reached her ears, and she rushed to Cordelia’s bedside and began sobbing.

“I-it’s alright, Lily.”

(Come to think of it, when my past life memories first returned, Nanny cried like this too…)

The memory overlapped with Lily, making her feel oddly nostalgic. Perhaps Nanny was currently at the mansion energetically scolding her father.

“Cordelia!”

As if led by Lily’s voice, Isaac jolted awake. His eyes were bloodshot.

“Are you alright!? Does anything hurt? Are you in pain!?”

“I am fine. Just a slight fever.”

She kept quiet about her joint pain — saying it would only cause a fuss.

Seeing her calm face, Isaac finally exhaled the breath he had been holding.

“I had several specialists examine you. They all said it was a cold caused by exhaustion. …However, healing magic seems to work poorly on the Holy Maiden. I tried casting magic several times, but it had little effect…”

“Eh? Is that really part of the Holy Maiden’s settings?”

Perhaps due to the fever, she accidentally spoke her thoughts aloud.

(Resistance to recovery magic is troublesome. Perhaps it’s the price for constantly using miracle-like Holy Magic…)

Between Fenrir’s security function and the Holy Maiden’s resistance to healing magic, this world still held many unknowns.

While she idly thought about it, Isaac’s face twisted with frustration.

“…I’m sorry. I pushed you too far. Not just today — ever since that day, I’ve kept forcing burdens upon you.”

“Your Highness?”

Not understanding his meaning, Cordelia asked in confusion. In response, Isaac tightened his grip on her hand.

“Cordelia. I want to stay with you forever. If I am to live my life with someone, I have decided it will be you alone.”

“Eh!? Y-yes! Gladly!?”

Startled by the sudden confession, Cordelia panicked.