CFCF 24

Rurik frowned.

“It changes color depending on your mood? Your eye color, I mean.”

So, it seemed he himself was unaware of it. But then he continued, sounding baffled.

“Are you talking about that rumor, the one that says your eyes turn black when you’re angry? Are you repeating the nonsense those soldiers spout about me being possessed by a demon?”

My eyes widened.

“The soldiers… said that?”

“It’s what they say among themselves behind my back. Fools who think I can’t hear them. Not even worth dealing with.”

A sigh escaped me. Perhaps Rurik had been precarious since the battlefield.

‘The more that’s the case, the more we need Helena…’

Unaware of my anxious thoughts, Rurik chuckled softly and released my hand.

“Seeing your hand has warmed up, you seem to be feeling better. It also doesn’t look good for an older brother to linger too long in his grown sister’s room.”

“Are you leaving?”

He nodded.

“I’ve sent for a physician. He’s not one stationed within the monastery, so it’s taking some time for him to arrive. I’ll have the diagnosis reported directly to me, so you needn’t worry.”

A physician!

Just as I had barely managed to control his outburst, another problem piled on. Having no choice, I simply nodded for now.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Brother.”

The moment Rurik left, Phoebe entered the room with a tearful face.

“You didn’t get into too much trouble with His Highness, did you?”

I tightly grasped the hand of Phoebe, who must have been on edge.

“I’m sorry. You were scared too, weren’t you?”

“Did you really faint? You seem to be really unwell lately… Instead of some country doctor here, we should return immediately and have you examined by the palace physician! It’s too much to stop by Babenberg like this!”

Come to think of it, Phoebe might have been counting the days until my next cycle.

‘I wanted to postpone confessing the truth to Phoebe until after we left the imperial capital…’

But now, firmly caught by Rurik, it seemed difficult to keep her in the dark until then.

‘Anyway, Phoebe is in the same boat as me.’

If the pregnancy is discovered, Phoebe, having always been by my side, cannot avoid responsibility. Even if I manage to slip away from the imperial capital safely, the only one who will ultimately accompany me is Phoebe.

I swallowed hard and looked at her.

“Phoebe, you’re on my side, right? No matter what happens? Hmm?”

Then Phoebe looked at me with resentful eyes.

“Is that even a question? I’m sorry for daring to strike a maid in front of His Highness earlier. But if I hadn’t, Prince Rurik would have done it.”

Just as I expected. Phoebe retorted boldly.

“And would it have ended with just a slap then?”

“…I know, I get it.”

As I readily agreed, Phoebe asked with a pout.

“Then tell me now. Why did you lie to me? That maid girl isn’t stupid enough to confuse His Highness’s orders.”

Of course.

While thinking the inevitable had come, I had to say something else.

“Before that explanation, I have a favor first. Please call Ren for me.”

“At this hour? If Prince Rurik finds out…”

“Tell him to come without being seen. Quickly.”

Phoebe looked like she wanted to complain, but perhaps because my voice was so serious, she just nodded.

“You promise you’ll explain everything?”

“I promise.”

The moment she heard my answer, Phoebe hurried out of the room. Only a brief moment passed after she returned before a pop sound came from the fireplace.

When the physician arrived a short while later, I, having swapped clothes with Phoebe, stood by the doorway listening.

Ren’s voice came from outside the door.

“I am the Lord of the Imperial Magic Tower. Before you see His Highness, you must be searched. Stand and spread your arms.”

“Oh, yes…”

Even though the physician had already passed the imperial guard’s search, he floundered under the man’s high-handed command.

‘Ren has probably already attached a magic device to him, though.’

Soon the door opened. The physician appeared looking paler than the patient and bowed to me.

“I have come to examine Her Highness the Princess.”

“This way.”

Hiding my hair under an indoor bonnet, I skillfully imitated Phoebe. My poor maidservant was lying in the bed, her complexion as bad as a seriously ill patient’s.

‘Though it’s surely just due to the devastation of the reality of lying in her superior’s bed…’

Not that the physician would know that.

“A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I am the physician who often comes for examinations here… Gernas Noera.”

The physician was trembling. He seemed very tense after going through multiple searches. I wondered if he could even examine her properly.

‘For me, it’s a relief that no renowned doctor who might see through Phoebe’s feigned illness has come.’

He began examining Phoebe. My one and only maidservant was usually very healthy, but now she was trembling due to the distress of her current situation.

“You fainted… is that correct?”

The physician carefully confirmed, applying his stethoscope. Phoebe, seemingly afraid he might discover her identity, answered curtly.

“I was just a little dizzy.”

The physician nodded.

“You must be tired from the long journey. You likely used gates and other magics on the way here; that can also be a burden for those who are sensitive.”

Phoebe shut her eyes tightly and recited the lines I had given her.

“Indeed, it’s nothing serious, so please report appropriately to my brother.”

After finishing the examination, the physician prescribed painkillers, fatigue relievers, and tonics.

“Ah, it’s best to avoid hot springs when experiencing dizziness. I’m not sure how long you’ll be staying at this monastery, but please get some rest.”

I answered on behalf of Phoebe, who was just nodding vaguely.

“She will rest. Thank you.”

Before the physician could leave the room, Ren suddenly entered, putting an arm around his shoulder familiarly.

“Is the examination over? How is our Princess?”

The physician shrank back with an uncomfortable expression.

“There is… nothing majorly wrong.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Pretending to pat the physician’s shoulder, Ren removed the magic device he had attached earlier. The moment the door closed, Phoebe rubbed her shoulder with her palm and shook it off.

—Tap.

With a light sound, the small device Ren had attached fell onto the bed. Phoebe glared at it and said.

“If you don’t explain what all this is about right now, I will run straight to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

A lie… Even if I didn’t explain, Phoebe wouldn’t go to Rurik first, but I couldn’t let that happen.

Then Ren approached and similarly deactivated the magic device on my shoulder.

‘With just a simple device like this, he can make our faces appear swapped?’

I marveled at the small gem-like object in Ren’s palm. Of course, it was thanks to Ren’s ability, which not everyone possessed, but it was still amazing. Then, finally letting out a sigh of relief, I looked at Ren.

“Thank you, Ren. Now, I need to talk with Phoebe.”

He turned to look at Phoebe and grinned.

“Be gentle with her, Phoebe.”

While Phoebe was glaring at him, Ren opened the door and disappeared. After carefully locking the door, Phibi began taking my clothes off. All the while, she never took her eyes off me, shooting sharp questions.

“Tell me quickly, Your Highness. I feel like I’m going to die of frustration.”

“It’s true that I’m pregnant.”

The moment I blurted it out, silence fell. Then, a stifled scream was heard, followed by the sound of crying. My poor maidservant collapsed to the floor.

“I’m sorry, Phoebe…”

Hanging onto Phoebe like that, I had to apologize for a long time for something I hadn’t even committed.

“Is it Lord Ren’s child?”

Phoebe asked after she finally stopped crying. Seeing how Ren had helped avoid the physician, she seemed to think so. I shook my head for now, but I couldn’t spit out an answer like not knowing who the father was.

“The child’s father is…”

So I said in a grave voice.

“…I cannot reveal yet.”