The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 78

The incident of the monster horde appearing during the jousting tournament shocked the entire capital.

 

Thanks to the efforts of the Imperial Knights, the mages among the audience, and the Armento, the number of casualties wasn’t huge compared to the crowd gathered—but still, dozens of people lost their lives. Among the victims were some of the knights’ family members.

 

A joint funeral was held at the Imperial Palace to honor and mourn the deceased.

 

Another major topic of discussion was the Duchess of Winstaine.

 

She had healed all of the seriously injured among the evacuees. Some of them would have certainly died if they hadn’t received timely treatment, so the prevailing opinion was that she had cut the number of casualties in half.

 

Those who witnessed the scene said it was like the return of a saint. A white light had burst from her hands, and people’s wounds were healed as if washed away—just like the saints described in the scriptures.

 

Stories about Grace spread far and wide, and eventually reached Grace herself.

 

‘I’m not quite a saint, though.’

 

Grace felt a little embarrassed. She could feel how differently people were looking at her in Panbion. Before, the attention was because she was the Duchess of Winstaine. Now, she herself had become the center of attention.

 

A few days later, she met Lord.

 

“Quantum is the basic component of elements and the fundamental unit of all things, right? I started wondering if it might have the power to heal wounds.”

 

Lord offered a new interpretation of her healing abilities.

 

“I also don’t know yet how far your power can go. There’s still so much we don’t know about divine beasts. Let’s keep observing for now.”

 

“Yes… I understand.”

 

After the conversation with Lord, Grace went to meet the Crown Princess. It had been a while since the Princess had invited her for tea, just the two of them.

 

“I heard you healed the wounded during the jousting tournament, Duchess of Winstaine.”

 

“I was just lucky, I think.”

 

“It really made me realize how incredible your power is.”

 

“I’m honestly so embarrassed by all the attention…”

 

Grace responded with a faint smile. She still hadn’t adjusted to everyone showing interest in this topic. She didn’t even fully understand the cause herself.

 

“So, I was wondering—would it be all right if I asked you for a favor?”

 

“Of course, please go ahead. If it’s something I can help with… of course, I’ll cooperate.”

 

“If someone in the Imperial family falls gravely ill, would you be able to heal them like you did that day?”

 

The Crown Princess asked sincerely. Grace hesitated and couldn’t answer right away.

 

“Well… it’s just that…”

 

“……”

 

“I don’t know what kind of illness or condition I’d be able to cure, so I can’t make any promises.”

 

“It doesn’t have to be guaranteed healing. I’m simply asking if you could try.”

 

Just giving her energy to the patient might be enough—if it’s something she can do.

 

‘Her Highness has been kind to me…’

 

Thinking of the kindness the Crown Princess had shown her, Grace couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

 

“Understood.”

 

“Thank you, Duchess of Winstaine.”

 

She smiled brightly. Grace smiled back.

 

‘This… should be a good thing, right?’

 

Surely, this meant she was seen as someone useful to the Empire. Grace felt shy but proud.

 

But Frederick didn’t quite see it that way.

 

“She asked you to treat the Imperial family?”

 

“Yes. Her Highness the Crown Princess brought it up after hearing about the tournament.”

 

“And you accepted?”

 

“She’s the Crown Princess—I couldn’t say no.”

 

Frederick’s expression hardened at Grace’s words. She could sense something was wrong.

 

“Why are they doing this to you?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“This doesn’t feel right. I need to have a word.”

 

“I-it’s okay, Frederick. She didn’t demand a miracle, just asked me to try. She even said not to feel pressured.”

 

“Giving you that kind of responsibility is the problem.”

 

Frederick’s tone dropped low.

 

But Grace didn’t understand. The Crown Princess had asked her for a role based on her abilities.

 

So why is that a problem?

 

“Frederick, do you not like me working for the Empire?”

 

“What?”

 

“I mean, I’m a member of Panbion, and an Armento. Armento go through training and are then sent to places where the Empire needs them. I’m just trying to use my abilities where I’m needed.”

 

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

 

Frederick sighed quietly.

 

“I don’t want to stop you from doing what you want to do. But I don’t want you getting too entangled with the Imperial family.”

 

“……”

 

“Try not to get too close to the Crown Princess. She seems to be putting you in positions where you can’t refuse.”

 

“So I should only do what you tell me to do?”

 

Frustration suddenly spilled out of Grace’s mouth.

 

“…What?”

 

“You always tell me what to do or not do. You were like that even in Winstaine.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“I won’t deny that you’ve helped me a lot, Frederick. I’ve learned a lot from you. But now I know enough to make some decisions on my own.”

 

She always felt like Frederick had the final say in her choices.

 

Even if she wanted to do something, she needed his approval. And when he opposed it, it felt like overprotection. It didn’t sit well with her.

 

She was a fully trained Armento too—didn’t Frederick understand that?

 

“If you wanted me to live quietly, I shouldn’t have come here from the estate, right?”

 

“I…”

 

“I know you dislike the Imperial family. But does that mean I have to avoid them too?”

 

Her words of protest kept pouring out.

 

“I don’t want to have to ask for your permission for everything I do.”

 

“Grace. I’m just saying…”

 

“If all you’re going to say is ‘No, you can’t,’ then I hate it even more.”

 

Grace glared at him and continued.

 

“Why exactly shouldn’t I get close to the Crown Princess? Tell me. I need to hear it.”

 

“I…”

 

“Honestly, you don’t even know for sure, do you? It sounds like you’re just assuming things.”

 

Frederick pressed a hand to his forehead. His eyes were filled with conflicting emotions.

 

“You don’t understand the weight behind her words.”

 

“……”

 

“You attach too much meaning to people needing you. So if anyone asks, you just say yes, no matter what the request is.”

 

“I… I…”

 

She couldn’t argue with that. Grace fell silent like someone who had swallowed honey.

 

“When you feel useful, you throw yourself into things. You even work yourself into exhaustion. That’s what I’m worried about. Whether it’s actually a good choice or not, you don’t stop to think—you just act.”

 

“……”

 

“I know your past experiences have shaped you. But I can’t just agree with everything you do. As your husband, I think I have the right to say this much.”

 

Grace bit her lip. She wanted to argue—but the words wouldn’t come out.

 

“If you touch the royal family, you have to take responsibility for the outcome. Even if the Crown Princess says otherwise. You need to think carefully. You can’t just nod and say ‘yes’ to everything.”

 

“……”

 

“Sigh… this is a mess. I’m going to get some air. Just rest for a bit.”

 

Frederick opened the door and left. Grace felt like crying.

 

She had excitedly shared the news with him, thinking he’d be proud of the important role she had been given. But his cold reaction left her feeling crushed.

 

‘This is so hard…’

 

What is the right thing to do? She lay awake, deep in thought that night.

 

 

“…That’s why I left without saying anything.”

 

Grace let out a heavy sigh.

 

“Oh no, that must’ve been really upsetting.”

 

“I guess the Duke of Winstaine just cares about me a lot, which is why he says those things.”

 

“I understand… but it’s still upsetting.”

 

She hadn’t meant for it to turn into an argument—but their views were just so different.

 

“I’ll talk to the Crown Prince about this. For now, let’s just leave it at that.”

 

After going out for some air, Frederick returned and told Grace, as if giving her a final notice. Grace said nothing in response and fell asleep. For the first time, the two of them greeted the morning in silence.

 

“…Listening to all this, I’m curious about something.”

 

“Yes?”