Chapter 43
The healer of the Fifth Knight Order had been a noble child from a marquis family. His skills were average, but because he was a marquis’s son, he entered Helderioz. He looked down on the knights who came from commoner backgrounds and did not even treat them properly.
His work attitude was not good either, so many complaints had piled up among the knights. Then I appeared—a mere intermediate healer—and started using long-distance healing magic and all kinds of healing spells. The dissatisfaction reached its peak.
One day, he got into an argument with a knight who had already been unhappy with his attitude. When he was told, “You don’t even have the skill of an intermediate healer like her, yet you’re working here,” his pride was badly hurt. He resigned on the spot.
On top of that, though no one knew if it was true, there were rumors that the “salary thief” had transferred to Rosevelier.
Since the advanced healer exam was coming up, there were no healers left in the hiring market. They were barely holding on with help from other knight orders’ healers, but on days when schedules did not match and monster training overlapped, situations like today happened.
“Then I’ll help you until you hire a new healer.”
At my words, the members cheered.
“You don’t have long before the advanced healer exam. Are you really sure it’s okay?” the captain asked with a trembling voice.
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Passing the practical exam would be easy. Winning first prize might be close, though.
I smiled brightly.
“I’ll treat you right now.”
For light, close-range healing, I didn’t even need the healing wand.
I raised my hand and chanted the spell.
‘Healing!’
A bright light shone, and the knights’ wounds slowly began to close. When the light faded, their injuries had completely disappeared.
“Wow! Healer, you’re amazing!”
“It doesn’t hurt at all anymore!”
They expressed their gratitude happily.
“Captain, please send the detailed schedule to the mansion. I’ll help as much as I can.”
“Yes, understood!”
After sending them off, bowing repeatedly, I turned back toward the mansion with a proud heart.
“Oh? So you’re a healer.”
Yutias appeared in front of me and blocked my way.
His eyes were full of curiosity, like he was looking at a rare animal.
“So that’s why you had the healer’s textbook. I see you in a new light.”
I didn’t want him to see me in any light. I ignored him and walked past, but he grabbed my arm.
“You possess the power to rule not only this empire, but this entire continent. You know that too, don’t you? So why are you wasting it in a place like that?”
His grip tightened. I shook his hand off and answered,
“My goal is to live long and peacefully. Ruling a continent or the world sounds like a headache. I refuse.”
For a moment, his eyes shook.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
This time, he didn’t stop me. He just stood there blankly in the middle of the path.
While helping the Fifth Knight Order, I continued studying for the exam.
Time passed, and finally the exam day arrived. I occasionally ran into Yutias at the mansion, but he didn’t speak to me anymore. He was busy struggling over incomprehensible documents with Dabien.
“Kae, today’s your exam, right? Do well!”
As I was leaving the mansion, Dabien’s voice called out. She stood on the second-floor terrace, dark circles under her eyes, sipping coffee and waving.
“Thanks. You hang in there too.”
She had barely slept, dedicating herself to the conference work. Her passion was amazing.
After saying goodbye, I turned my eyes to the carriage the old butler had prepared—
It was huge and ridiculously fancy. If I stepped out of that carriage, everyone’s attention would focus on me instantly.
I had asked for a smaller, modest carriage, but the butler firmly refused.
The moment I entered this mansion, had my wish to live quietly and normally crossed the point of no return?
As I approached the large carriage, someone was standing in front of it.
“Oh? Lloyd, aren’t you going to work today?”
Recently he had been so busy that it was hard to see his face. He left early for the imperial palace and always looked exhausted at home. Whenever I tried to ask how he was, he avoided my eyes or stuttered before disappearing.
“Ahem. I had some time today.”
His blunt face looked strangely red.
“You’ve worked hard lately. Rest well today. I’ll go take my exam.”
Just as I stepped onto the carriage, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
“This is a bouquet for your exam success.”
He held out a large, colorful bouquet he had hidden behind his back. It was as big and flashy as the carriage.
When I took it, it was quite heavy. It was so big I couldn’t even see Lloyd’s face properly.
“Looking at this bouquet, it feels like I already passed. Thank you, Lloyd.”
As I awkwardly stepped onto the carriage—
“Ah!”
I lost balance under the bouquet’s weight and slipped backward.
“Careful!”
Thud. I almost fell to the ground, but a firm body caught me tightly.
Right in front of my eyes were Lloyd’s thick lips. His cool purple eyes and his breath were so close.
For a moment, there was silence.
“Uh… thank you, Lloyd. Can you put me down now?”
My face burned with embarrassment. His hands trembled slightly as he set me down.
“I didn’t think the bouquet would be that heavy. I’ll put it in your room.”
His face was as red as a ripe carrot.
“Ahem! Young Duke, it’s about time to depart,” the coachman said politely, checking his pocket watch.
I quickly got into the carriage and waved.
“Th-Then I’ll be back!”
“Travel safely.”
Inside the carriage heading to the exam hall, Lloyd’s breath kept replaying in my mind.
The scenery outside changed from the quiet Helderioz estate to the capital. Before I knew it, the carriage arrived near the imperial palace.
The streets were crowded with people who came to take the exam. If I stepped out here, I might suffocate from the attention. I begged the coachman to let me get off somewhere less crowded.
Though he said it was against Lord Lloyd’s orders, he eventually stopped at a quiet place away from the palace after I gave him my tearful look.
“Good luck on your exam, my lady!”
I waved back. Carriages were not allowed inside the palace grounds except for a few people, so everyone had to walk from outside.
Holding my thick healer’s textbook, I followed the other examinees toward the palace.
What should I say to Lloyd after the exam?
“Thanks to you, I did well”? “Thank you for the bouquet”?
When I remembered his face so close to mine, my face heated up again. I fanned myself quickly.
“Lady Kae.”
Someone called my name softly.
Who is it?
I looked up. Yutias was standing in front of me again. He wore the official uniform that only Magic Tower magicians could wear, looking like an ambassador for the Magic Tower.
People passing by blushed and glanced at his fairy-like beauty, but he paid them no attention. His gaze was fixed only on me.
“Today’s your exam, right?”
“Yes…”
“I’m here today as technical support. My subordinates would have been enough, but I suddenly felt like seeing you.”
He smiled shyly.
He looked innocent like a child, but I wasn’t fooled. I knew he didn’t mean that he wanted to see me for innocent reasons.
“I’m busy, so excuse me!”
Just as I tried to pass him—
“Lady Kae.”
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer. His beautiful face came near mine.
“You’re the first person to reject my offer like that. And of course, the first to reject me and still be alive.”
Goosebumps rose on my skin. What does he mean? That he tried to kill me but spared me?
While I was frozen in fear, he suddenly burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! I’m joking. Your scared expression is so cute. It makes me want to tease you more.”
A crazy man is forever crazy.
I quickly shook off his hand.
“I have an exam to take. Goodbye!”
Run. Quickly.
The best strategy was to stay far away from crazy people. I glanced back in case he followed, but he had already disappeared.
Thank goodness.
I hurried toward the exam hall inside the imperial palace. Magicians from the Magic Tower and healers were seated at desks, and a long line of people stood before them. I joined the line.
“Please submit your exam slip.”
People handed over their slips and received exam cards.
When it was my turn and I handed mine over—
“Are you Kae Jeronia?”
The magician flipped through the documents and asked bluntly.
Huh? What? I have a surname now…? And Jeronia at that?
