Chapter 71
“Your contribution was significant. I sincerely thank you.”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing. This was only possible because Your Highness offered full support.”
The royal physician bowed deeply, unsure how to act.
His words were not mere flattery. Indeed, much of the progress was thanks to Havin’s assistance. He had allowed temporary access to the royal library, which was normally restricted to the royal family. He had also enabled research on Dunphers disease alongside some of the kingdom’s most skilled healers, including those serving the royal household. Without his full support, it would have been impossible to achieve such results in such a short time.
“Now, we have gained leads to cure Dunphers disease, and we even have a case of a fully recovered patient. Everyone in this land has received Your Highness’s grace.”
Illness comes to everyone, regardless of status, age, or wealth. Praise from all was well-deserved.
But Havin did not seek recognition. He smiled faintly at the physician’s words and stepped closer to the bed. The physician quickly stepped aside.
Flita, lying in bed, sat up and looked at him with clear, bright eyes before speaking.
“…Daddy.”
“Yes, Flita.”
“Am I… really all better?”
“Yes.”
Havin nodded without hesitation at the child’s question. Roze, witnessing the scene, felt a surge of emotion and discreetly pressed her fingertip to her nose. But Flita, still looking at him with clear eyes, spoke again.
“Then… I don’t have to do this anymore?”
Flita was referring to the handkerchief covering her face. Havin glanced at the physician, who quickly nodded.
“Of course, Princess. You’re fully recovered now.”
No sooner had the words left the physician’s mouth than Flita lowered the handkerchief from her face.
“Phew…”
The child drew a deep breath. Even an adult would feel stifled keeping their nose and mouth covered all day; yet the little girl had endured it so far.
Havin looked at Flita with pride and removed the handkerchief that had covered his own face. The physician and Roze followed suit. Seeing this, Flita grinned, finally realizing she was truly well.
“You’ve worked hard, Princess. You may leave the annex now.”
The physician smiled warmly, as if praising Flita, pleased that she no longer needed the handkerchief—and even more so that she could return to the main building.
“Uh… okay…”
However, Flita flinched at the physician’s words and dragged her response as if reluctant. Everyone looked at her in surprise.
“Well, you’ve done well. You may go now.”
At that moment, Havin turned to the physician. The physician, glancing at Flita with curiosity, bowed and left the bedroom.
Now, only Havin, Flita, and Roze remained.
“Why… don’t you want to go back?”
After the physician left, Havin asked Flita quietly. Flita rolled her eyes for a moment and carefully replied instead of answering directly.
“Can I be honest?”
“Of course.”
“The truth is… I don’t want to go back.”
Flita hesitated before revealing her feelings. This was a major change for her. A child who usually held back her desires and thoughts to avoid trouble was now openly saying she didn’t want to return.
Havin found the change both fascinating and heartening. Yet he remained calm and asked quietly.
“Why is that?”
Perhaps sensing his genuine curiosity, Flita spoke clearly, a little louder this time.
“Here… I got to make bread with Roze, add syrup, and all sorts of things. We played house too. I could lie on the bed, look at picture books, and eat cookies without getting scolded. Usually, the nanny would scold me if cookie crumbs fell, but… Roze said I could do whatever I wanted here.”
Havin glanced at Roze while listening. She lowered her eyes in embarrassment but then looked back at him.
She could have reprimanded the child for being spoiled or acting improperly for a princess. Yet she did not regret it. She had acted fully prepared for the consequences.
From an educational standpoint, her methods might have been criticized, especially for someone of noble blood.
But to Roze, Flita was just a sick child—her own child. She didn’t want the child to feel restricted even here, as freedom and happiness aid recovery.
Beyond that, she wanted Flita to live as a child—innocent, carefree, without worrying about others’ expectations.
Havin looked at Roze, then turned back to Flita.
“If you want to live like this here, you may continue the same way in the main building. If you want to bake bread, that’s fine too.”
“…!”
It was unexpected. Both Flita and Roze widened their eyes in surprise. Feeling their gaze on him, Havin cleared his throat and continued.
“Of course, you shouldn’t bake too often. Once a week is fine.”
Seeing Flita’s excitement fade when he said “this week,” he corrected himself to “once a week.” Flita clapped her hands in delight.
“Wow!”
Watching the child’s sparkling eyes made him feel awkward, as if he’d accomplished something grand as a father. Havin cleared his throat again and added a caution.
“But if you want to go to the kitchen to bake, remember to ask the chef first. The kitchen isn’t your playground… Actually, I’ll give you the annex to use as your playground instead.”
“Really?!”
Flita’s eyes went wide, and Havin nodded.
Even though everything in the Grand Duke’s domain was under his authority, he still needed to respect those who worked there.
“Great! I like the annex better! Right, Roze?”
Flita clapped in delight. It was refreshing to see her express joy so openly.
Seeing the child’s happiness, Havin felt a warm surge in his chest. He calmed himself and spoke again.
“Let’s go now. Everyone will be waiting.”
“Yes!”
Flita quickly stepped down from the bed, forgetting her previous reluctance. Havin extended his hand. She looked at it, then smiled and held it gently.
Her small, warm hand reminded him of the day they had first come to the annex. He never imagined he would return with her now. Despite promising her she could recover, the situation had been dire.
Yet the little girl had overcome it—the terrifying illness.
Havin felt deep gratitude and held her hand a bit tighter. He turned to Roze, who looked at their joined hands with tears in her eyes, then quickly bowed when their eyes met.
“…Roze.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You did well… thank you truly.”
“No, Your Highness. I did nothing.”
Roze blinked at his praise but spoke modestly, genuinely believing her words. Havin shook his head.
“You saved the child. Three times already.”
She had saved Flita from drowning, from a falling chandelier, and now from a deadly disease.
The physician called her full recovery a miracle and said it would have been impossible without divine help. But Havin knew it wasn’t just a miracle.
Most of it was Flita’s strong will and Roze’s devoted support.
At least, that’s how Havin saw it.
“Thank you for saving her.”
“…No, thank you, Your Highness.”
Roze, flustered, bowed. Watching quietly, Flita smiled and said,
“Oh, I have to hold Roze’s hand too.”
“…?”
Both Havin and Roze looked at her in surprise. Flita continued,
“Daddy said I’d get better. That I’d recover and come back. So I want to hold Roze’s hand, together.”
