SPWHC 20

Chapter  20

“It doesn’t seem like it’ll dry properly with just a towel.”

I’d known this kind of situation would happen sooner or later once we got back.
Knowing it and being unable to prepare for it—that was the worst part.

“Your Highness?”

Everyone was looking at me as if it were obvious I’d use magic. For René, something like this would’ve been child’s play.

“……”

I stiffened my face and stood up, turning to Elza.

“Why should I have to do that?”

“……Pardon?”

At my cold tone, Elza looked genuinely taken aback—a rare sight. The other maids were just as surprised. They’d all assumed I’d naturally use magic.

“I’m tired. I don’t want to waste mana on something like this. Call a court magician.”

I waved my hand dismissively and left Friedrich’s room.

“Oh, and bring me some cocoa.”

When I got to my room, Elza brought me a cup of rich cocoa topped with four marshmallows. I drank it all in one go and collapsed onto the bed.

“The prince is being examined by the palace physician.”

“Good. I’m going to sleep now, so don’t disturb me.”

Elza quietly withdrew, and as soon as I was alone, I screamed silently into my pillow.

‘Wow. There’s garbage, and then there’s me.’

I sank into self-loathing.

‘But… it won’t seem too strange. Even if René had a lot of mana, spell activation is still exhausting.’

Relieved that I’d managed to avoid suspicion, I felt a bit of comfort—then the guilt came rushing back.

‘Still… I’m trash.’

More than anything, I felt awful about Friedrich. He must’ve been really hurt…

‘He’d just started opening up to me recently. Guess that’s all gone now.’

The thought of trying to get close again felt daunting. Honestly, my entire future looked bleak.

‘What if something like this happens again? I’m screwed.’

I suddenly realized just how precarious my situation really was.

‘I need to either get my magic back soon… or leave the capital.’

After dozing off for a while, I woke up to find it was already evening. Rain was still falling outside the window.

‘I wonder how Friedrich’s doing.’

I thought about asking Elza but decided I’d have to see his face myself to judge if he was recovering. So I headed to his room.

I quietly opened the door and slipped inside. A faint, uneven breathing sound reached me.

As I approached, I saw Friedrich asleep, his face flushed from fever.

‘If I’d used a drying spell earlier, maybe he wouldn’t have caught a cold.’

Ugh, I felt even worse.

‘But why was he collapsed on the floor in the first place?’

Before I could dwell on the question—

Suddenly, Friedrich’s eyes opened.

Remembering what had happened earlier, I flinched and started to rise in embarrassment.

But then something tugged urgently at my sleeve.

“……Please don’t go.”

I turned. Friedrich was looking up at me with a pitiful, pleading expression.

A beautiful, sick man asking like that—how could I walk away?

“I just came to check on you.”

I said it reflexively, my voice awkward. But Friedrich still didn’t let go of my sleeve.

“I won’t trouble you,” he rasped, his voice hoarse.

“I won’t be so insolent as to ask Your Highness to use magic for me again. Just… please…”

“……”

“Could you stay here… just for a little while?”

His voice trembled as he finished, his eyes anxious as he waited for my response.

I looked at him silently for a moment, then slowly pried his fingers off my sleeve.

For a second, despair flickered in his eyes.

“All right.”

I sat back down. Friedrich’s eyes wavered. He still looked uneasy.

“I’ll stay. But you should sleep more.”

I placed the back of my hand on his cheek; it was hot to the touch.

He flinched slightly and let out a faint groan—probably from the contrast with my cool skin. I started to pull away in surprise—

“……Just a moment.”

Friedrich quickly grasped my wrist with both hands. Heat radiated through his palms.

“Please… stay like this for a bit. Your hand feels nice and cool.”

His voice, heavy with fever, made it impossible to refuse.

With a sigh of resignation, I gently cupped his cheek again. He still didn’t release my wrist.

I felt like a human ice pack.

“You should try to sleep again.”

The silence after our earlier fight made the air thick and awkward.

Friedrich shook his head. “I can’t sleep.”

“You need to. You’re sick.”

I sighed, debating whether to apologize or not, and finally forced the words out.

“If what I said earlier upset you, I’m sorry. I was just tired from reading too long.”

…Even I didn’t believe that excuse. But if I didn’t say something, our relationship might never recover.

Friedrich bit his lip, then whispered, “It’s all right.”

“I don’t want to be a bother to you, Your Highness. Just being allowed to be your husband is already more than I deserve…”

“……”

“I’d hate to become someone you find troublesome.”

“You’re not troublesome.”

I’m just powerless. I’m sorry.

I swallowed the words I couldn’t say and exhaled quietly.

“Go to sleep.”

“If I fall asleep… will you leave?”

I met his trembling, anxious eyes and shook my head.

“I won’t. I’ll stay here tonight. If the maids come in trying to fuss over you, that’ll be even worse.”

“……Would that bother you?”

“You? Of course.”

I answered without thinking—and Friedrich suddenly smiled.

After that melancholy expression all day, the sudden smile startled me.

What’s so funny…? Did he think I was lying?

“I’m not just saying that.”

At that, his smile deepened.

He’s definitely laughing at me.

Well, if he’s well enough to smile, he must be feeling better.

Frowning, I pressed my palm gently over his eyelids.

“Enough talking. Sleep.”

Friedrich obediently followed my words—still holding my wrist even as he drifted off.

Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious, and Friedrich gradually recovered over the next few days.

During that time, I continued sleeping in his room. Elza, meanwhile, looked increasingly puzzled.

“Given how much he’s improved, I suppose all you did was nurse him through the night.”

“……Pervert. What kind of thoughts are you having?”

“Did I say anything strange?” Elza replied with shameless innocence.

“In any case, it seems he’ll be able to attend the ball tonight.”

Tonight, the court was hosting a ball to mark the end of my unmarried days before the wedding.

“What a bother. I’d rather spend that time reading in the library—it’s far more productive.”

“……Of course, no one would be surprised if you didn’t attend,” Elza said, looking startled. “But if you spent the evening in the library instead, they might think you’ve gone mad.”

So in the end, I decided to go. I’d just dance the waltz with Friedrich—the one we didn’t finish last time—and leave early.

I wore a deep indigo silk-velvet gown embroidered with subtle starlight patterns along the sleeves and hem. Every movement made the dress shimmer like a moving galaxy.

Friedrich, dressed in a matching indigo tailcoat, stared at me in stunned silence for a moment.

“What? Am I too beautiful?”

I nudged him playfully. His face flushed, and he lowered his gaze.

“No, it’s not that you’re beautiful…”

Ah. Guess I got ahead of myself. I was about to feel embarrassed when he continued—

“You’re radiant. Like a star shining in the night sky.”

It was such a polished compliment that I blinked. His shy face and earnest eyes completed the effect.

Fortunately, thanks to my damage control earlier, it didn’t seem he was too upset about what had happened before.

“Good. Just keep that up at the ball.”

I nodded approvingly, then asked in concern, “You’re sure you’re feeling all right now? Don’t push yourself.”

“I’m fine.”

“Glad to hear it. Still, we won’t stay long.”

I said it lightly—completely unaware of what was about to happen a few hours later.