𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒𝟑: 𝐊𝐲𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕
The journey to the border with Kokodia was harder than I thought.
Without staying in an inn even once, without even camping, the carriage kept running with only brief breaks.
Not the royal carriage that I always use, but an inconspicuous ordinary carriage.
As we kept driving on unpaved roads, something wrong started happening to my body.
ㅤ
Still, we couldn’t afford to rest on the way.
We have been notified by Kokodia that war will break out in a week.
We had to succeed in our strategy before that.
ㅤ
Neither Chris nor I wanted to push Sofia too hard.
But we had given up, knowing that stopping her this time would be useless.
There were things that only Sofia could do.
And Sofia herself understood that well.
ㅤ
We safely cast a barrier and returned to the palace, and Chris and I returned to the waiting room.
We also needed a bath, just like Sofia, who had gone to take one.
I’m covered in sweat and dirt, and because I’ve been going back and forth through the grass,
Grass stains have ended up everywhere.
ㅤ
After Chris and I take turns bathing and getting ready,
Ruri rushes into the waiting room with a pale face.
ㅤ
“It’s terrible! Sofia-sama has!”
ㅤ
“Ruri, what happened?”
ㅤ
“Sofia-sama has lost consciousness while taking a bath,
It seems she has a fever!”
ㅤ
“. . .!”
ㅤ
Lost consciousness? She was so lively just a while ago.
Was she overdoing it after all. . .?
ㅤ
“I’ll examine her right away. Where’s the Princess?”
ㅤ
“She’s been put to bed.”
ㅤ
“Understood, let’s go.”
ㅤ
Chris and I headed straight to Sofia’s bedroom.
When we entered the room, Lisa and Yuna were around Sofia, who was lying down.
ㅤ
“I’ll examine her.”
ㅤ
“Understood.”
ㅤ
From here on, it’s Chris’ job as Sofia’s personal doctor.
Lisa and Yuna stepped out of the room, saying to call if anything was needed.
ㅤ
“Is Sofia going to be okay?”
ㅤ
“She’s been pushing herself all this time.
She was probably using her magical power to compensate for the physical discomfort.
She probably stopped pushing herself when she got to the palace and felt relieved.”
ㅤ
“It was hard for us too.
I think she held up well.”
ㅤ
“For now, let her rest and give her a medicinal bath when she wakes up.
Rest is what she needs the most.”
ㅤ
“I see.”
ㅤ
She seems to be struggling to breathe, maybe because of the fever.
When I put my hand on her forehead, her expression softened a bit.
ㅤ
“The Princess is too used to overdoing things on her own.
I thought it was because she was abused growing up.
Her being shy around people, her habit of not relying on others.
That wasn’t all, was it?”
ㅤ
“That’s right. Fifty years. . . It would be like that if she’s been alone all that time.”
ㅤ
I thought the same as Chris.
I thought Sofia’s reluctance to rely on others was because she was abused.
It’s not unreasonable to think that, being neglected by her parents and oppressed like that.
. . .I didn’t know it was because she had been alone in the tower for fifty years.
ㅤ
“Hey, Kyle.”
ㅤ
“What?”
ㅤ
“I figured out why the Princess is lacking in knowledge about intimacy.
When she was a witch, she probably wasn’t given that kind of knowledge.
She doesn’t have reproductive functions. There’s no reason for others to tell her.
They must have made sure she didn’t know.”
ㅤ
“. . .If she can’t have children, she doesn’t need to know about intimacy, huh?”
ㅤ
“That’s also why only witches can be taken to the battlefield.
The princess didn’t seem to notice, though.
There’s a possibility she might be attacked if the young lady is on the battlefield.
If witches have a child’s body, they might be less likely to be victimized.”
ㅤ
“. . .You can’t speak nobly on the battlefield.
Certainly, that must be the case.”
ㅤ
I somehow understand how the witches were treated back then.
A child’s body is easier to take around.
It requires less food, and being lighter makes it easier to carry.
It’s probably true that being preferred to eat was better than nothing.
ㅤ
. . .So maybe that’s why Sofia says she wants to protect this country.
She knows what will happen if war breaks out, if the country falls.
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“But man, Kyle is going to have a hard time.”
ㅤ
“Huh?”
ㅤ
“Princess, she’s probably unconsciously avoiding anything related to the bridal chamber.
Maybe it’s a remnant of when she was a witch.
. . .The first night will be a struggle, won’t it?”
ㅤ
“What??”
ㅤ
“No, I mean, it’s less than half a year away, right?
You should at least think about it a bit.”
ㅤ
“. . .Think about it.”
ㅤ
“Kyle, even if you know about it, you have no experience.
I’m worried if you’ll be alright.”
ㅤ
“. . .”
ㅤ
“Well, we can think about that later.
I’ll go make a medicinal bath. Please watch over the Princess.”
ㅤ
“. . .Understood.”
ㅤ
Seeing me sigh, Chris grinned and left.
He’s not saying it to annoy me, but there’s no doubt he’s enjoying it.
ㅤ
The fever keeps rising, and I stroke the bright red face and hair of Sofia.
She seems to be having a bad dream, moaning and looking in pain.
There’s nothing I can do as Chris heals Sofia.
Gently stroking without channeling any magical energy, Sofia’s eyes opened slightly.
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