My Second Engagement: Loved by the Duke’s Son and Thanked for My Healing Magic ~ My Selfish Sister Took My Fiancé, but Gave Him Back Because She Didn’t Want Him Anymore~ - Episode 8

The Second Day of the Temporary Engagement

Today’s schedule is to go to the royal palace and heal His Majesty the King with healing magic for some kind of illness.

Nene seems to have the day off, so Coco will be attending to me today.

Coco helped me change clothes and even did my makeup.

“Is this… me?”

“Fufufu. Madam, your beautiful face has become even more radiant.”

“Thank you!”

I had never worn makeup before.

It must be because Coco is skilled.

I wonder if I’ve gotten a little closer to Lord Gress ideal.

Feeling excited, I headed to the room where Lord Gress was waiting for breakfast.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

Lord Gress blushed and seemed somewhat distant.

“Good morning, Lord Gress. I can’t thank you enough for all your kindness!”

“No, no. Ahh… I am such a lucky man…”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing. Now, after this, we will head to the royal palace. Please eat well.”

Just like dinner, breakfast was also filled with dishes I liked.

“Ahh… it’s so delicious!”

“I’m glad. I’m sure the cooks will be happy to hear that.”

“Why do you always prepare meals that suit my taste?”

“That is only natural. My duty is to make you happy, Miss Falrune.”

Hmm… While I am happy, I feel like this isn’t quite right if we are to live together as a married couple in the future.

“Lord Gress, what kind of food do you like?”

“Me? Let’s see… something that gives me strength. For example, lean meat.”

So, he likes meat. And he’s health-conscious.

However, there was no meat in either yesterday’s dinner or today’s breakfast.

“I would love to try a meal you like as well.”

“Huh?”

He looked surprised.

Seeing his expression, I panicked.

Did I just say something that could make him cancel the engagement?

“Give me meat!”

He might have thought I was making a selfish demand.

I phrased that poorly.

I just wanted to know what kind of food he liked.

But Lord Gress chuckled again.

“Then, I’ll ask the cook to prepare what I usually eat for tonight’s dinner.”

“Ah… I’m sorry for being so selfish!”

“Selfish? Not at all. In fact, I thought you were being very kind, and that made me happy.”

It seems I have avoided the crisis of having the engagement revoked.

I’m already getting too comfortable and letting my true self slip out.

I really need to be careful.

♢♢♢

We arrived at the royal palace by carriage.

Several guards stood watch, and Lord Gress stepped down from the carriage, greeting them with a familiar ease.

“Thank you for your hard work. This is a sudden visit, but I am here for an audience.”

“Understood. Please proceed.”

Lord Gress was respectful even toward the guards.

The guards also seemed to respect him, smiling and nodding as they let us pass through the gates.

“You don’t have to be so nervous… though, I suppose that’s difficult.”

“I’m nervous about whether I can truly heal His Majesty with healing magic.”

“You don’t need to worry. After all, you cured my illness, which was supposed to be incurable.”

I had only used healing magic a few times before.

I wanted to test it more, but since the king was suffering, I needed to act before I could experiment.

I just hoped it would go well.

With that thought, I stepped into the reception room where the king was waiting.

“Julite, my apologies for the lack of preparation due to this sudden meeting. …Ahhhh!!”

The man who suddenly raised his voice upon seeing me—was he the king!?

I had no idea why he was so shocked.

“Miss Falrune… Ahem, Lady Reina, are you acquainted with my uncle?”

“We are not acquainted, but you…!”

“It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Reina Falrune.”

“I-I see. The eldest daughter of Viscount Falrune. I am Belfred Gress. I have heard about you from Julite and my younger brother, Galga.”

But that reaction seemed far too surprised for just hearing about me.

Had we met before? If so, saying “Nice to meet you” might have been a mistake.

“I may be mistaken, but yesterday, near the checkpoint connecting Royal Street and Noble Street, did you help someone?”

“Y-yes…”

I never expected that His Majesty had seen me.

I couldn’t lie, so I could only tell the truth.

“Thank you!”

“Huh?”

“So it really was you who helped me. I cannot thank you enough.”

Only Lord Gress seemed to understand the situation.

“Ah, I see… so that’s what happened.”

Lord Gress nodded with a smile.

“You may not believe me, but the man who collapsed yesterday was actually me in disguise using magic.”

“What!?”

I had left immediately after healing him, wanting to avoid revealing my magic.

But that meant I had rudely run away from the king.

Panicking, I dropped to the floor in a deep bow.

“I had no idea you were His Majesty! I deeply apologize for leaving so abruptly!”

“Please, raise your head. As I said before, I am grateful to you.”

“Y-yes…”

When I looked up, King Belfred was smiling.

“I had an illness that was deemed terminal, and yesterday, I suffered an attack and collapsed. But for some reason, I am perfectly healthy now. Even the doctors confirmed that my terminal condition is gone. Could you explain how this happened?”

I glanced at Lord Gress to see if it was okay to tell the truth.

“She seems to be able to use healing magic.”

“What!? The legendary attribute magic!?”

“I only found out yesterday as well. I brought her here today in hopes that she could heal your illness as well.”

“I see… Julite, I must thank you as well. You brought the very person who saved me.”

With that, His Majesty bowed his head.

“I want to properly thank you. You saved my life.”

“Not at all! I was happy to be able to use my magic.”

“You find joy in using magic… You truly are remarkable.”

Honestly, I felt a little guilty.

I enjoyed using healing magic.

Of course, I wanted to heal others, but more than that, I felt a sense of accomplishment in successfully casting it.

I honestly told Lord Gress and King Belfred how I felt.

“There is no need to overthink it. I no longer suffer from pain or fatigue. I feel as though I’ve been given a new life. No matter how you feel about using magic, my gratitude remains the same.”

“Healing magic usually causes fatigue, and frequent use can lead to dizziness. The fact that you feel joy despite this is impressive.”

“Maybe it’s because I haven’t felt any fatigue so far.”

“To use such powerful magic without exhaustion… Is it because healing magic is unique, or is your magic simply exceptional?”

More than anything, I just loved using magic.

I could cast it all day if I didn’t get tired.

“Lady Reina, as my lifesaver, I would like to reward you. Is there anything you wish for?”

“Oh, no! That’s not necessary! I just wanted to use magic, and His Majesty is healthy now. Isn’t that enough?”

For me, it was already a win-win situation.

I had no material desires, and my temporary engagement had already given me more than enough.

However, King Belfred looked troubled.