Chapter 17 (1/2)

Chapter 17

But her body was shaking, so she couldn’t tell whether someone actually held her or it just felt that way.

Suddenly, it felt like she could hear murmurs in her dream.

“Is it not the duty of the head maid to take care of these matters?”

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Is this called being managed?”

“I’m very ashamed of my carelessness.”

“It’ll be enough if you stay alert.”

“I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness.”

“And isn’t it the duty of the medical officer to treat people?”

“…….Please forgive me, Your Highness. I’m very confused as to why my healing spells are not having any effect on her body. But, from what I heard from the others…..I think this is a special condition.”

“You must remember that you’re being paid, so prepare to justify your incompetence.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please allow me to make a couple of health supplements for the Miss.”

“Yeah. I hope you will not give any more excuses this time.”

Van murmured, a glint of anger hidden in his voice. Celestia felt like she was having a nightmare. It felt so real, but it couldn’t have been. The Emperor was on a business trip, and even if he had returned, he would have called for her instead of visiting her, she thought.

She kept on losing and gaining her consciousness again and again. After a few minutes, she felt a warm hand touching her forehead.

Then, she slipped into another dream in which the voice of the Duke of Thiaheb, who was the friend of the Emperor, floated in. It was set with the voice of the Emperor. The Emperor’s attractive face and the Duke’s hard-to-remember face were in her mind to match their voices.

“Is it the Lady from before? I wonder why she is so obsessed over her Academic results.”

“Well….”

“Is she that competent? Why does she need to study in that Academy? Wasn’t she already attractive enough to everyone?”

“I had to solve the problem that the Empress Dowager has created. I can’t live when the aristocrats of the kingdom have such views about their king.”

The Duke snickered.

“Don’t let anyone hear that. When did you ever say that you were alive?”

“Sounds funny to you, doesn’t it?”

“Yawn…So, do you want me to interfere with the Academy? Wouldn’t it be faster to just mark her passed in all her examinations?”

“I had the same thoughts as well, but this talented girl also has dreams.”

“……How did you even think about that? Are you a fake?”

“If you’re going to spat any more nonsense, please be my guest to leave this room.”

“Hmm, there must be something in her you really like. Ah, if you really have that ability.”

“That’s right. She’s very proficient.”

“Hmm…..If she’s that good, why don’t you reward her? Isn’t she worthy of that?”

The Emperor groaned as he knew the Duke was going to continue.

“Rather, it’ll be the best way to honor her when she earns her title the honest way.”

“I don’t know who developed those methods, but it takes a long time. Besides, it’s very annoying.”

“That’s what she wanted.”

The Emperor sighed.

“I’ve never had a proper rest since I inherited the throne.”

“Come on, you’ve got the whole world in your hands. You will be dead if something happens to it.”

“Where is it?”

“Here, right before your eyes. Your most valuable servant.”

“……Is that so?”

And she lost her consciousness again.

Time passed as she began to recover from her fever. The bed she was lying on felt so relaxing that she thought she was floating on a soft cloud. Her headache was also getting better.

But something felt wrong as she slowly gazed at the ceiling of her room.

‘What….?’

Confused, she raised herself.

Removing her blanket, she looked down at herself and found out she was soaking wet. Her eyes roamed around the room. The straw bed was nowhere to be found, and instead, there was a small but soft, luxurious wooden bed.

And the blanket she was covered in? It was not of inferior quality compared to the blankets in the rooms of the imperial palace or the quilt she had seen in the Emperor’s room.

‘Eh? Why am I lying here……? But I slept—’

Knock, Knock, Knock

Rearranging her dress, she answered.

“Come in.”

It was Luana who appeared behind the door. There was a warm porridge in her hand.

“You’re awake? How are you feeling?”

“Uh…..I feel like I’m dreaming?”