Chapter 26
“So the healer in the room next door only heals twice a day, right? Then why do I have to do it three times? That’s why my nails and hair are completely ruined.”
The number of daily healing sessions was decided once a month after considering the healer’s ability, compatibility efficiency with the mage, and overall health.
Healing three times a day could mean lower efficiency compared to someone who healed twice, but it could also mean better stamina and ability.
Even when that explanation was given, the healers stubbornly demanded lighter workloads.
Thinking about those complaints, Eloise let out a sigh.
Not everyone was like that, but…
Just imagining being pestered again for a while after Healers’ Night made her head ache.
Then she suddenly remembered that she was no longer part of the Support Team and smiled brightly.
She didn’t have to attend Healers’ Night anymore, and she wouldn’t be harassed either.
Freedom! Hooray!
But Gerard didn’t let her off so easily.
“Eloise, you’re now the Forecast Team Leader. You’re more than qualified to attend this party. So… would you become my partner? That day is, frankly…”
Dark clouds gathered on Gerard’s face as he trailed off.
To healers, Gerard was like a lottery ticket guaranteed to win first prize.
If he sought them out, if they could heal him—
It was obvious their standard of living would skyrocket as they became special management targets of the Mage Tower, the Imperial Family, and the Magi Administration.
It was widely known that Gerard, despite suffering from miasma, was reluctant to receive healing.
That alone was enough to give the Disaster Response Headquarters a headache.
An S-rank mage needed to fight without worrying about miasma poisoning for Rainbow Holes to be cleared quickly.
Eloise lamented the way people treated both Gerard and healers as tools, but that was the true face of the Disaster Response Headquarters.
There were always clear reasons behind kindness and corresponding compensation.
For those reasons, Gerard became the target of the healers.
Whenever he appeared at the Healing House, where healers gathered, everyone scrambled to greet him at least once and try to form a connection.
Eloise didn’t want to judge their actions as right or wrong.
Their lives were simply that harsh.
Perhaps that was why Gerard kept a strict distance from them while still maintaining etiquette by having a partner.
Our mage really is kind, she thought.
He only looked cold on the outside. Inside, he was warm and soft.
Gerard dragged a dry hand down his face.
The tragic smile of a handsome man poked at Eloise’s heart.
“It helps in many ways to have an officially accompanying partner. That’s why I’m asking.”
According to Gerard, what he needed from Eloise that day wasn’t a partner in the romantic sense, but strictly speaking, an escort.
If he had a clear partner, fewer people would approach him.
Since it was a rare chance to help Gerard, Eloise saw no reason to refuse as long as she could confirm one thing.
“Can I bring one friend with me that day? She’s neither a mage nor a healer.”
“Of course. The Imperial side will issue me one additional invitation.”
There was someone Eloise wanted to invite with that extra invitation.
Merlin.
She remembered Merlin once saying she wanted to attend Healers’ Night properly at least once, back when they stayed up late preparing together in the Support Team.
Merlin deserved to enjoy the dazzling Healers’ Night as a participant, not as staff.
“Will you go with me?”
Eloise lifted her lowered gaze.
Clear blue eyes sparkled brightly.
“Yes. I will.”
****
On the day of Healers’ Night—
The Imperial Grand Banquet Hall was packed with guests from various countries, along with healers and mages.
Everyone moved around in search of notable figures.
Healers gathered around Natalija Duna, an A-rank healer often mentioned as a potential marriage partner for Gerard Norvark.
Even before Natalija awakened as a healer, serious marriage talks had taken place behind the scenes.
That was because she was the youngest daughter of Duke Duna, regardless of Gerard’s own intentions.
After she awakened as an A-rank healer, their union had even been mentioned at official events.
However, Gerard had firmly and clearly declared that he had no intention of marrying Natalija Duna.
Right in front of her, at a dinner attended by royalty.
Strictly speaking, it was rejection before a relationship even began, but Natalija Duna remained composed.
Instead of clinging pathetically, she chose silence.
It was a wise choice to avoid earning Gerard’s dislike.
But did that mean she gave up on him?
Absolutely not.
Natalija sought out Crown Prince Noah, emphasizing her status as an A-rank healer and invoking a prophecy.
“In times of chaos, the gods shall punish fallen humans.
Yet the goddess shall watch over mankind and bestow a golden sword and a blue shield.
When the two truly become one, salvation shall come.”
In truth, Natalija firmly believed that the prophecy referred to herself and Gerard.
From that point on, Natalija and Noah were in the same boat. Noah agreed to support her both openly and behind the scenes.
Next, Natalija visited the Magi Administration.
“I will not do anything beyond holding hands when healing a mage. And I will personally choose the mages I heal.”
The Magi Administration, severely lacking high-level healers with good efficiency, accepted her conditions without hesitation.
Moreover, Natalija’s voluntary entry became a turning point for nobles who avoided healer awakening.
Public interest in Natalija steadily rose.
The Magi Administration’s PR team seized the opportunity and made her a hot topic.
Natalija Duna became a celebrity overnight.
A noble healer.
Natalija, who gave up noble privilege and chose sacrifice for the continent.
The public regarded her as a symbol of noblesse oblige.
Newspapers portrayed her as if she had made some great devotion.
And the healers projected themselves onto Natalija Duna.
But Natalija’s decision to become a healer for the Magi Administration wasn’t driven by noble ideals.
Gerard Norvark.
I want him. I will have him.
Her obsession with Gerard was frightening.
In her world, the two of them were a pair chosen by the gods.
I am the shield. Gerard is the sword. We must become one.
Otherwise, how could someone with such noble blood awaken as an A-rank healer?
Her emotions had transformed into justification.
Gerard simply hadn’t realized his role yet and was wandering.
With Noah and Duke Duna’s help, she was confident that if she just waited for the right time, Gerard would become hers.
Then an impurity appeared.
“Lord Gerard Norvark, Master of the Mage Tower, is entering!”
Natalija snapped out of her thoughts and lifted her head.
My Gerard.
As she murmured, something unfamiliar entered her vision.
Gerard wasn’t entering alone.
Beside him stood a woman with striking blue eyes.
Natalija’s gaze turned icy.
Eloise Rubelia.
One of the healers recognized her immediately.
“Isn’t that Rubelia from the Support Team next to Gerard? Or was she in the Forecast Team now?”
“Rubelia? Oh my, you’re right. I almost didn’t recognize her. She doesn’t look inferior to Gerard at all.”
The guests glanced between Eloise and Gerard.
Gerard looked as impressive as ever.
His jet-black hair was neatly swept back, revealing a handsome face, and his perfectly fitted tailcoat emphasized his strong physique.
The white fabric symbolizing the Mage Tower, embroidered with gold representing the Imperial Family, was dazzling—but the finishing touch was his face and the gentle smile he showed his partner.
If fairy tales had princes and novels had male leads, then this continent had Gerard.
Several women clutched their chests as they gazed at him.
And beside him stood Eloise, the embodiment of loveliness.
Men watched in silence as her cotton-candy-pink hair was pinned with a peony-shaped ornament.
She wore a pure white dress to match Gerard, accented with the same pink as her hair.
Unaccustomed to such attention, Eloise blushed.
Her flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes, and small white hand holding Gerard’s arm made men’s hearts shake.
“Is that… Miss Rubelia? Right? Should we go say hello?”
Many forgot their own partners and wanted to speak to Eloise.
But none actually did.
Because their eyes met Gerard’s.
And he looked deeply displeased.
