ENGDB 21

Chapter 21

“My Lady, are you alright?!”
“Lady Irene, are you hurt anywhere?!”

Luke and Sebastian, who were nearby, also rushed over with pale faces at the sudden accident.

Especially Luke—who had tried to give her mana—looked even more shocked than Irene. His face had turned completely white, and cold sweat ran down his forehead.

He had always avoided getting close to her or even looking directly at her, but now, it seemed he couldn’t think of anything else.

“Sir Luke, I’m fine. Kalid blocked it quickly, so I’m not hurt at all. Look!”

Irene stepped out of Kalid’s arms and showed them that she was unharmed.

Only then did they let out a small sigh of relief.

But Kalid noticed her slightly trembling body and clicked his tongue softly.

“Where is Doctor Cure right now?”

“He should be inside the castle.”

“I’ll bring him immediately!”

“Yes, bring him here—”

“N-no, wait!”

Irene quickly stopped Kalid from calling someone who clearly sounded like a doctor.

She was still half a ghost—would a doctor even be able to examine her properly?

“Kalid, I’m really fine. Look, I’m not hurt at all!”

Now that her trembling had calmed a little, Irene stood in front of him and spun around once.

“Still, it would be better to have you checked.”

Kalid glanced at her hand and gestured to Luke again.

“No, really, I’m fine!”

Irene started to worry. Kalid had said he would only tell Sebastian about her existence, but now more and more people seemed to be finding out.

However, contrary to her concerns, she never ended up meeting Doctor Cure.

No one knew how someone so faint-hearted became the Grand Duke’s physician of the North, but the moment Doctor Cure saw Irene—

he fainted on the spot.

“Hm… it seems Doctor Cure is more timid than I thought.”

“He is a bit like that for someone from the North. Still, he’s very skilled. I’ll explain everything to him once he wakes up.”

“Do that.”

“Lady Irene is completely fine. There are no injuries.”

Sebastian, who had some medical knowledge, carefully examined Irene in place of the unconscious doctor. He even asked her proper diagnostic questions—though, of course, he judged her based on human standards.

“See? Kalid, I told you I’m really fine.”

“Still, if you feel even the slightest discomfort, call Doctor Cure immediately.”

“Seriously, you worry too much.”

Seeing Kalid worry about her—even though she was a ghost—made her heart tickle slightly, and she complained playfully.

“Since we’re at it, Your Highness, how about you also get a check-up before going to the capital?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me. Why would I?”

“That’s right! Last time I saw, you had a wound on your side… and your back too. It looked like it would leave a big scar. You should get it treated!”

“…When did you see that?”

“Well, last time when you came out after washing—”

As Irene continued speaking, the atmosphere became strangely awkward.

Only then did she realize her words could be misunderstood.

“N-no! That’s not it! Your robe was open! Your chest—n-no! I mean, I saw the scars!”

Irene, flustered, lightly smacked her own mouth.

“….”

“…Ahem. Since Lady Irene is this concerned, perhaps you should get checked.”

“…Fine. I’ll stop by before going to the capital.”

Kalid casually touched the back of his neck, pretending nothing was wrong, but his ears had turned red.

Normally, no matter how much he was cut or stabbed, he would say, “It’ll heal on its own,” and never call a doctor.

But at Irene’s single comment of concern, he agreed so easily.

Sebastian secretly smiled.

“My lord, I’ve escorted him back.”

Luke returned after taking the unconscious Doctor Cure away, but he looked confused at the strange atmosphere in the room.

“Good. Before we talk about what happened earlier… Luke, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. More importantly, My Lady was almost in danger.”

“Irene is fine too. It seems my judgment was wrong.”

Kalid had thought Irene had a special ability after seeing her receive his mana.

He believed she might be able to receive others’ mana as well—but…

“But is it really true that My Lady can receive your mana, my lord?”

Luke looked at them with pure curiosity.

Sebastian was no different.

Feeling their expectant gazes, Irene felt like she should show them.

She glanced at Kalid, signaling him to release some mana.

Kalid understood immediately, sighed, and gathered mana in his palm.

Golden mana, shining beautifully, formed into a small sphere in his hand.

Irene slowly reached out and lightly touched it.

The golden mana naturally climbed up her hand and began to seep into her.

“Oh…! This is really possible?!”
“Indeed… this is truly astonishing.”

Luke and Sebastian stared in amazement at Irene, now wrapped in golden mana.

As all of Kalid’s mana entered her, her form became slightly clearer than before.

“This is unbelievable, even seeing it with my own eyes. Then why couldn’t you receive Sir Luke’s mana?”

“That’s what I’m wondering too. So, Sebastian… can you try?”

“Of course. Even at my age, I can manage that much. I’m just worried Lady Irene might get hurt.”

“It’s okay! If I use Kalid as a shield…”

Irene quickly jumped behind Kalid and peeked out from behind his arm.

“If I stay like this, Kalid can block it from the front, right? He’s strong enough. Right?”

She looked up at him, blinking playfully.

Her eyes were full of trust in him.

For some reason, that made Kalid’s heart feel ticklish.

And the warmth he felt from her behind him gave him a strange sense of satisfaction.

“Haha. Indeed. His Highness can certainly protect Lady Irene.”

They both snapped out of their daze at Sebastian’s amused voice.

“Then, I’ll try.”

“…Alright.”

Sebastian focused and slowly gathered green mana in his hand.

It was smaller than Kalid’s, but still formed into a sphere.

From behind Kalid, Irene carefully reached out toward it.

Unlike her calm expression, Kalid looked tense as he watched her hand move forward.

The moment her hand touched the mana—

“Ah!”

A small spark burst out again, and Kalid instantly pulled her back.

“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. This time, I didn’t even feel any pain.”

Irene waved her hand casually in front of him.

But Kalid still wasn’t reassured and carefully checked her from head to toe.

“Sebastian.”

Sebastian quickly withdrew his mana and examined her hand.

“Thankfully, you’re unharmed. It seems… only His Highness can exchange mana with you.”
“Yes… it seems that way.”

Kalid let out a sigh of relief.

“For now, until Your Highness leaves for the capital, the only option is for you to give her enough mana.”

Kalid nodded.

“It seems the two of you need some time alone. Sir Luke and I will take our leave.”

“Yes. Please rest well.”

“Good work, both of you.”

Luke and Sebastian quietly left the room.

Now, only the two of them remained in the silent room.

Still in Kalid’s arms, Irene suddenly became aware of his breath near her ear—

and how close his voice was.

Startled, she quickly stepped away.

Only then did she feel embarrassed by her bold actions, and her cheeks turned red.

Kalid, feeling the sudden loss of warmth in his arms, unconsciously clenched and unclenched his empty hand.

An awkward silence filled the space between them.

“Ahem… Irene.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I’ll return as quickly as possible. Before you turn back into a white lump again.”

“…Okay. If I receive a lot of mana before you go, I should be fine for a few days. Even if it’s annoying, just endure it!”

Irene joked to ease the awkwardness.

“Alright. Then… give me your hand.”

“Huh? My hand?”

Still used to being treated like “Whitey,” Irene grabbed his hand without thinking.

But when their fingers intertwined tightly—

she froze slightly.

“W-why are you holding my hand like this…?”

“Didn’t you say you’d receive a lot of mana and stick close, even if it’s annoying?”