Chapter 49
“Ah, n-no! Really, I’m fine!”
I took a small step back, waving my hands frantically.
There was no way I could let the Duke Pluto—who was also a cardinal—carry me on his back. I wasn’t even his granddaughter.
That was absolutely out of the question.
Besides, why would Ruben carry me in the first place?
If I really couldn’t walk because of my injured leg, I could have just called the servants.
“I’m fine. A child has gone through hardships in the demon realm. As an adult, isn’t it only natural for me to carry you?”
“But you’re a cardinal!”
“Just think of me as a grandfather living in the same house.”
“!”
I gaped in disbelief.
“Just think of me as your grandfather?”
Was this really Ruben Pluto, the man who had been so strict with me from the very first time we met?
Hesitating, I was urged by Ruben.
“My grandfather’s knees hurt. Hurry and get on my back.”
“Y-Yes! Y-Yes!”
I blurted out a loud reply and approached him.
Even though it wasn’t necessary for him to carry me, refusing such kindness here would probably be more rude.
“Then, thank you.”
I gently climbed onto Ruben’s back.
He stood up lightly and started walking. I couldn’t believe I was on the back of a cardinal.
‘Ruben is renowned as one of the best among paladins…’
How could someone like him carry someone as insignificant as me?
Of course, we had endured hardships together in the demon realm recently, but still, this felt excessive.
Yet, despite my discomfort, Ruben’s back was warm and comforting.
Was this what a grandfather’s back felt like, different from a young father’s?
Having grown up without a paternal or maternal grandfather, it felt surprisingly fresh.
‘Hmm. Solid as if riding on clouds…’
While feeling this strange satisfaction, Ruben and I entered the mansion.
The servants inside spotted me and their eyes widened as they rushed over.
“Your Grace! If it’s Miss Crescent, we’ll take care of her! Please let her down immediately!”
I guess even the servants thought it was excessive.
I, already feeling a bit burdened, squirmed.
“Right. I’ll get down! I can walk now!”
“Come here, miss.”
One footman reached out to me, while several servants fidgeted, unsure of what to do.
After all, Duke Pluto was carrying his orphaned ward on his back.
Then, Ruben swiftly turned and pulled me away from them.
“What kind of disrespect is this? She’s a child who has been through great hardship. The child’s safety comes first, so don’t make a fuss.”
“!”
The servants immediately fell silent.
I, too, widened my eyes and couldn’t say a word.
Meanwhile, Ruben headed straight for the stairs. Only after entering my room on the second floor did he set me down on the floor.
I looked up at him, a little dazed.
“Th-thank you, Your Eminence, or rather, Your Grace.”
“Yes. The healing priests will take care of you soon. Your bones must have suffered strain, so rest comfortably.”
“Yes.”
With a swift motion, Ruben turned and left the room.
I stared, wide-eyed, at his retreating figure.
Even though he had personally carried me here, his demeanor was extremely businesslike. But that wasn’t important right now.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Ruben’s back.
“…Wow. He even carried me on his back. I never imagined this.”
Ding!
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ just reported that honey dripped from Cardinal Ruben’s eyes.>
‘Huh? When?’
I didn’t see that at all.
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ also says that Ruben only has a son and a grandson, and no daughters or granddaughters.>
‘Ah, that’s true.’
It was rare for the Pluto family to have daughters at this time. Leaarwin also hadn’t had a daughter, which is why I was brought in.
But what did that have to do with Ruben carrying me?
<‘Dragon Slayer Silvester’ says Ruben was deeply moved by your surviving the demon realm three times. He must have been so touched that he might have wanted to take you as his granddaughter.>
‘…Yeah. But I’m still just a stranger to him.’
I shook my head at Silvester’s excitement.
How could the major noble houses, including the Pluto family, who placed great importance on bloodlines, ever want to take someone like me—without any relation—as their granddaughter?
It had never happened in the history of the Pluto family.
‘Ahem. But he must have thought it would have been wonderful if a granddaughter like me had been born.’
It was an honor for any family to have a woman with divine power.
I shrugged lightly.
Meanwhile, the servants hurriedly approached, helping me remove my clothes, wiping me down with a damp towel, and dressing me in fresh clothes.
Finally, the healing priests carefully examined my condition. Remarkably, they had the ability to check my health using divine power.
“Hmm. The bones weren’t broken, fortunately, but they are cracked. They’re split like an old winter tree. Didn’t it hurt?”
“Eh?”
That bad?
“Well, if the mental shock is great, you may not feel pain. But from tomorrow, you will feel intense pain, so we’ll administer a large dose of bone-healing potions and painkillers. For now, we’ll heal using divine power. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt.”
“Yes, thank you.”
The healing priest held my hand and closed his eyes.
What would it feel like to be healed with divine power?
It felt as though every tiny germ and ailment inside my body would be eradicated.
Of course, that was probably an exaggeration.
Soon, the priest opened his eyes.
“All done.”
“Already?”
“Yes. The cracked bones have mostly healed. However, it isn’t fully cured yet, so please take the potion we provide and rest for several days.”
“Yes, understood!”
Divine healing is amazing!
My bones were healed in an instant without any pain! It even felt somewhat lighter.
Before the healing priest left, I cautiously asked,
“Did you check on Prince Meteo as well? How is he?”
“No need to worry. He’s safe.”
“Has he woken up?”
The priest shook his head.
“No. He isn’t conscious yet, but after a good night’s sleep, he should wake up tomorrow.”
“Okay… understood.”
Considering how much he had overexerted himself, it was better for him to rest than to wake up immediately.
I debated briefly whether to go see him but decided against it.
Even after taking the potion and resting my eyes, sleep wouldn’t come.
Events in the demon realm kept flashing through my mind.
I met my father—no, someone I might never have seen again.
He even saved me from Aldred and the Demon King.
Without him, I wouldn’t have returned to the Duke’s mansion. Meteo might not have survived either.
Tears welled up as I realized that my father, just like me, had struggled for my sake.
But how long could he hold on?
And how much longer could I endure?
No.
I had to survive no matter what. There was no other choice.
Even deep into the night, I could not sleep.
Eventually, I got out of bed and left the room.
Holding a single candle, I quietly entered Meteo’s room. He was lying in bed, as expected.
His sleeping face was serene.
“….”
Though the situation didn’t match, his silky white eyelashes made him look like a doll.
Watching him made my heart heavy.
‘Sigh. Because of me, he went through something he didn’t have to. He’s probably never collapsed like this before…’
It was probably the first time he had amplified his divine power several times over.
It troubled me to think that such a trial had been forced upon young Meteo.
I gently placed my hand over Meteo’s hand, hidden beneath the blanket.
“Meteo. You’ll wake up tomorrow, right? I feel sorry that you can’t wake up quickly because of me… Rest well and be sure to wake up tomorrow.”
I stayed by his side for a while.
During that time, I considered one possibility.
Could Meteo have overheard my conversation with the Demon King—meaning my father—while in the demon realm?
Even if he lost consciousness, there’s never a guarantee.
If he did, he would have learned my true identity.
