TPGV 23

1. Chapter 23
   

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3. “Larisha! What are you talking about?”

Judel burst into Larisha’s room and asked.

“My heart is beating really hard. But it doesn’t hurt.”

Larisha’s voice was completely different from earlier. The harsh rasp was gone, and she didn’t sound weak anymore.

The child carefully got down from the bed. Then she bounced on the floor a few times.

“Larisha, don’t run! What if you collapse again?”

“No, I’m really okay, Sis.”

Larisha spread her arms like wings and spun in circles. She bounced like a rabbit. Her cheerful laughter filled the room.

“This can’t be real. Larisha, stop. You could get seriously hurt.”

When Judel tried to stop her, the girl ran behind Elliche and hid, clutching her dress and bouncing again.

“Sis, I want to go outside too. To see if I’m really okay.”

“No. You’ll collapse before you even take a few steps.”

“Then you can just carry me back in.”

Larisha darted out of the room and ran down the stairs.

“Larisha!”

Judel, startled, hurried after her.

The child was as quick as a squirrel. With a wide grin, she ran up and down the stairs, playing around.

Judel stood frozen, shocked by what she was seeing. No—she was so overwhelmed, her eyes welled with tears.

“Larisha! Come here. Let me hug you.”

Her voice quivered with emotion.

Giggling, Larisha bounded up the stairs and leapt into her sister’s arms like a baby bird flying into its nest.

Judel hugged her tightly and finally broke into sobs.

“Thank you, my lady. Truly, thank you. I’ll never forget this kindness for as long as I live.”

Elliche, her eyes stinging unexpectedly, rubbed them gently.

In truth, she hadn’t been sure. She knew Sauruca was a powerful herb, but she had never used it on someone with a heart condition before.

She had only hoped it might help at least a little—but she hadn’t expected such immediate results.

Cecile confidently claimed she knew it would work because it was Elliche’s medicine. Perol blinked his large eyes in disbelief.

The three of them took Larisha outside.

It was a spring afternoon, with blossoms in full bloom and warm breezes blowing gently.

—

“What did you say? The princess did what again?”

Lexius slammed the folder he was holding onto the desk with a bang as he received the report from Perol.

“It’s about Judel’s younger sister. Larisha has completely recovered from her illness. They took her to a doctor, not believing it themselves, but her pulse has returned to normal. Her heart showed no signs of trouble.”

Oblivious to Lexius’s growing scowl, Perol continued speaking eagerly.

“Not even Charlson, the top physician in the capital, could cure her. Apparently, he’s in a frenzy now—calling it an unbelievable miracle.”

“What’s Judel doing now?”

“She said she’ll return to the duchy as soon as her mother arrives, now that her sister is healed.”

Even though he hadn’t been asked, Perol kept talking excitedly.

“Hahaha! I never imagined my lady was this amazing. I had doubts even after she cured the Cholun disease, but this—this is a real miracle!”

“Enough. Starting tomorrow, you’re off the princess’s guard detail. I’ll assign Teruel instead.”

“Why? Who’s better than me?”

Perol immediately protested.

“I need someone who can view the princess objectively.”

“No knight is more rational and objective than I am.”

“More like no knight is as clueless as you.”

At Lexius’s jab, Perol scratched his head sheepishly.

“But it doesn’t seem like she has any hidden agenda…”

“Just leave. I don’t want to hear any more praise about her.”

“Yes, well… I’m sure Teruel will do a good job.”

Perol bowed awkwardly and turned to leave, but suddenly stopped to ask another question.

“By the way, what’s happening with the subjugation of Cherné Forest?”

“It’ll proceed within the week. Awen and Simon are drawing up the plans.”

“Great. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good fight. I’ve been itching to hunt some beasts.”

Perol cracked his knuckles confidently.

Lexius shot him a sharp look.

“Don’t get cocky. That’s exactly when the beasts eat you alive.”

“Yes, sir. But… Calix will be joining, right?”

“He will.”

“Then there’s no real danger. There aren’t even high-level monsters in Cherné Forest—just mid to low-tier ones.”

“Haven’t you noticed the beasts growing stronger lately? You never know when some mutated species might appear.”

“That’s true, but still…”

Knock knock.

Their conversation was cut off by a sudden knock at the door.

“Come in.”

At Lexius’s response, the door opened cautiously. Elliche entered.

“My lady!”

Perol greeted her brightly with a bow, and Lexius frowned at the sight.

“You can go now.”

“Yes. I’ll leave you to talk.”

Perol bowed again and left with an odd look on his face.

A moment of silence passed in the study. Lexius gestured toward the sofa, and Elliche sat down awkwardly, glancing around.

“What is it?”

When Lexius asked, Elliche hesitated before answering.

“I’d like to use the library.”

At her unexpected request, Lexius narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t tell what she was planning.

“Why the library?”

“I heard the Ernhardt family has many old books. I thought there might be useful information on herbs.”

“The royal library has plenty of that.”

“No, I need ancient texts. The palace doesn’t have many of those.”

“The old texts are all written in the ancient language.”

“I know a bit of it. Enough to interpret what I need.”

That surprised him. She wasn’t formally educated at the academy.

“Very well. If you wish, use it as much as you like.”

Lexius smiled gently, reminding himself of the enchantment spell. What was this woman’s true intention?

“But I heard you’re going on a monster hunt soon?”

“Yes.”

“Can I come too?”

“No. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?”

Lexius’s face hardened. Elliche hesitated but didn’t back down.

“I heard there’s an herb that only grows in Cherné Forest. I wouldn’t dare go alone, but if I stay with the knights, I’ll be safe. I’ll only collect from secure areas.”

“I can’t guarantee your safety. It’s not uncommon for beasts to swarm.”

“So I can’t go? That’s unexpected—hearing you worry about me.”

At her playful words, Lexius fell into thought.

He still wasn’t sure if she could use dark magic. She seemed like a simple herbalist, but who knew what she might be hiding?

If danger arose, perhaps she’d reveal her powers—or perhaps the dark magic the Emperor had transferred would manifest.

Lexius abruptly changed his stance.

“Fine. It’s dangerous alone. I’ll assign two knights to accompany you. Only gather herbs in safe zones they approve.”

Elliche smiled brightly.

“Thank you. Can I bring Cecile too?”

“Do as you like.”

Lexius grumbled, trying to erase the thought that her smile was beautiful.

Was the enchantment spell gradually taking effect?

He frowned, suspicious of the growing fondness he felt toward her.

Elliche didn’t seem to notice. She simply thanked him and left the study cheerfully.