The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 26

I, Eleanora Narcissus, have become engaged to Lord Fels Lotus, the son of the Margrave of Lotus, and am now busily preparing for our marriage, which is to take place in about a year.

Though I had been educated since childhood to be fit to marry into a family of marquis rank, I temporarily lost the opportunity to study when I participated in the Twenty-Year War. To make up for lost time, I have come to the Lotus Margraviate to learn various things.

The Lotus family warmly welcomed me, who had suddenly appeared before them, and my days have been busy yet peaceful. Of course, Lord Fels, who is to be my future husband, has also been kind to me, patiently teaching me whenever there is something I don’t know.

Since I had once lost a marriage prospect, I am deeply grateful for this, and wishing to give something in return, I asked the Lotus family for permission to visit the church in the capital city.

The chapel of the church is crowded with believers. According to the sisters and the priest, there are especially many visitors today, making it livelier than usual. And no wonder, I had asked the Lotus family if I could perform medical treatments using magic for the people of the capital at the church.

At first, the Lotus family seemed to have doubts about me using magic to heal. There is a significant gap between nobles and commoners, and there are aspects where noblewomen are not encouraged to touch commoners.

The Lotus family was likely hesitant about today’s event out of consideration for me. However, I have experience going to the battlefield and healing soldiers with magic. There was no barrier between nobles and commoners there; I was simply desperately trying to save lives slipping away by using magic. Perhaps because of that experience, the sense that nobles must not touch commoners has faded within me.

Lord Lotus… no, Lord Fels, I am still not used to calling him by his name seems to share the same feeling as I do, and he helped persuade his future parents-in-law alongside me.

Using the church’s pews, I am meeting with those who have come. Behind me, several guards from the margrave’s family are standing by, casting stern glances around. They are exuding an intimidating presence to protect me, so I shouldn’t mind it.

Though I feel sorry for those who are startled by the pressure, the church staff have explained today’s arrangements to the people of the capital. Even if I am called an insolent woman for doing this, I will confidently use magic and perform healing. That is why I am here today, and with a nod, I cast a spell on the man sitting before me.

“The pain should be suppressed, but if you overexert yourself, the symptoms may return.”

The man sitting before me had an injury on his side. He said he was struck by an enemy soldier’s sword near the end of the war. Though he managed to be taken by a medic and retreat from the front lines, receiving treatment in the rear and narrowly escaping death, the pain from his wound never went away.

Thanks to the Twenty-Year War, the technology for treating injuries and fractures has improved dramatically, but there are still many mysteries regarding such pain, and the causes have not been fully understood. However, if there is someone who possesses magical power and can use spells, it can sometimes be resolved. Magic is truly a convenient skill, though it would have been troublesome if the enemy could use it.

The man I healed had a pained expression from enduring the pain, but it gradually softened. Placing his own hand on the gouged flesh of his side, he stroked it curiously and met my gaze.

“Ah, thank you! For someone like me to receive treatment from a noble lady. And I apologize for showing you such an unsightly wound.”

He removed his hand from his side, briskly straightened his disheveled clothes, and bowed his head deeply to me. When he raised his face, tears were welling in the corners of his eyes.

“Not at all. I’m sorry, but the pain relief is only temporary. The duration of the effect is uncertain as well.”

I couldn’t offer words of comfort to the man before me. Even if I can heal wounds and injuries with magic, completely eliminating pain is extremely difficult. A renowned magician might be able to do it, but I am just an ordinary magician. I averted my gaze from the man and looked down at the floor. He then stood up energetically from the pew, bowed deeply again, said, “Thank you very much!” and left.

As I watched the man’s retreating back, Lord Fels appeared from the entrance at the side of the chapel. The light streaming through the stained-glass windows above illuminated his silver hair, giving it a strangely beautiful hue. Lord Fels noticed me watching and gave a small smile, then walked over to me with calm steps.

“Eleanora. Are you not overdoing it?”

Lord Fels asked in a composed tone. His voice is a low, masculine one, but it carries no intimidation and is pleasant to the ears. Looking up at his tall figure, I naturally broke into a smile.

“I’m fine! My magical power hasn’t run out yet, so I can see to others.”

In response to my reply, Lord Fels raised one eyebrow slightly and gave a wry smile. Then, he reached out with his dominant hand to touch my hair and seemed about to kiss me, but ahem!—a guard’s cough made him start, and his face flushed slightly. Seeing him like that, I could feel heat rising to my own face. A feeling of slight regret and embarrassment at being in public wrestled within me, leaving me with an indescribable mood.

“Ahem! It seems there are no sick children at the orphanage. And the priest was deeply grateful for today’s events.”

Lord Fels coughed awkwardly and returned to his usual expression. He had been visiting the orphanage attached to the church earlier. As part of their noble duties, the Lotus Margraviate provides support to the church. He was likely checking whether the church was misusing funds or if there were any deficiencies in the orphanage or other facilities.

While I was performing healing, I could hear the lively voices of children, so perhaps Lord Fels had been playing with them. It honestly makes me happy that they, who have lost their parents, have not lost the light of hope to live.

“I’m glad the children at the orphanage are doing well. Um… Lord Fels.”

“Yes?”

When I looked up and met Lord Fels’s gaze, his silver eyes narrowed. It wasn’t the stern gaze I had seen on the battlefield, but one filled with gentle, sweet warmth.

“I know this is selfish of me, but could I regularly have opportunities to use magic for the people of the capital, like today?”

“May I ask why?”

“Even though the war is over, the wounds everyone has suffered have not healed. There are people like the man earlier who must carry their pain with them forever. It might be self-satisfaction, but I think that even a brief respite from pain could bring them something valuable. Of course, I’ll treat not only injuries but illnesses as well!”

As I was about to bow and say, “So please,” Lord Fels lightly placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. When I made a puzzled face, he slowly shook his head as if to say, “That’s not necessary.”

“The number of magicians has decreased, and there are fewer who can heal injuries and illnesses. Also, it can’t be said that there are many doctors. I am grateful for your offer, but there is no benefit for you, Eleanora.”

Lord Fels furrowed his brow, perhaps thinking that the healing fees collected from today’s visitors would be donated to the church. The reason I accepted fees from everyone was to reduce the number of people who might come out of mere curiosity.

Therefore, receiving treatment from a healer like me is cheaper than having a doctor treat an illness or injury. And I had decided to donate the money I received to the church. I had originally planned to give it to the Lotus family, but they told me I should use it as I please, so I decided to donate it to the church.

Though today’s event came about because I wanted to give something back to the Lotus family. In the end, I have only had my selfish requests indulged by the Lotus family and Lord Fels.

“Benefit… I have been treated so well by the Lotus family. Lord Fels is also by my side, and I have been given opportunities to learn. So, I thought about giving something back to everyone, but it seems I’m only increasing the burden…”

For a noble to go out into the city, a carriage and guards are necessary, which costs money. Since I haven’t been able to do anything for the Lotus family yet, a feeling of helplessness wells up from within my heart.

“Think of it in the long term. Eleanora, you are my fiancée. Everyone understands that you are acting for the sake of the people of the territory. I do, and the Lotus family does as well. So, Eleanora, please don’t belittle yourself.”

Lord Fels narrowed his eyes as if to say it would make him sad and placed a hand on my cheek.

“Thank you! I’m happy to hear you say that.”

I placed my hand over his on my cheek and smiled. He opened his mouth to speak.

“I decided to walk alongside you, so it’s only natural.”

Lord Fels relaxed and gave a soft smile. Occasionally, Lord Fels calmly says things that make me terribly embarrassed. But I’ve only recently come to understand that, though it’s embarrassing, it warms my heart.

It must be a reflection of his gentle nature, but seeing the guards behind us smiling fondly at us puts me in an indescribable mood. Of course, there are also guards dispatched from the Narcissus family, so my younger brother and mother will probably hear about this. I removed my hand from Lord Fels’s.

—Oh? So, she’s Lord Fels’s fiancée, huh?

Suddenly, I thought I heard a voice from somewhere and looked around restlessly. I couldn’t make out what was said, but I could feel a gaze piercing my back. However, there was no one there, and the guards showed no reaction, so I shook my head, thinking it was my imagination.

“Eleanora, what’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. I’ll continue with the healing!”

Lord Fels gave a wry smile at my determined “Alright!” and said, “Take it easy,” then stood guard beside me, indulging my selfishness for a while longer.