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Chapter 14
Dunken and Roel laughed heartily, saying the nicknames suited them well.
Glenn scolded them sternly.
“Ugh, how can you say such frivolous things in front of the teacher? Show proper manners, you two.”
“Oh, of course! Teacher Aril, would you please sit next to me?”
Ariletti was sweating nervously.
Teacher? No one has ever called me that before!
Moreover, over the past few days, the way others looked at her had changed.
“Thanks to the Sage stopping the snowstorm…”
“Shh, shh.”
Dunken poked Mion’s chest with his elbow. The slight shake of his head clearly meant she was not to bring up that story.
Why?
“The kid’s uncomfortable, you fool. Pretend you don’t know, pretend you don’t know.”
Dunken seemed to be trying to lower his voice, but everything was still audible.
“….”
Ariletti felt strange, like when she discovered her animal friends lined up on her bed.
Soft, fluffy, ticklish.
“B‑brother…”
“Hmm?”
“…Th‑thank you…”
She said it in a voice as tiny as a mosquito. Everyone smiled broadly. Ariletti shyly hid behind Dr. Sergio’s cloak.
“I… I want to sit next to the doctor.”
“Of course, teacher. Tanesa, bring the baby chair.”
It was unclear whether they were trying to treat her like a sage or simply ignore her. Either way, it didn’t feel bad.
For some reason, she felt a little confident, a little proud. She straightened her back to sit properly.
“Here, a chair specially prepared for our little teacher.”
Tanesa easily lifted Ariletti into the chair. It was a baby chair made specifically for her by the lord’s castle blacksmith. The legs were much longer than an adult chair.
Focused on sitting up straight, Ariletti didn’t notice the hearts forming in the eyes of the people around her.
So cute, so cute. But if they fuss over me too much, I’ll curl up like a hermit crab again.
She’s so tiny… how could a sage have gone through all kinds of hardships?
If I act uncomfortable, she might get scared and disappear again. Then I could really freeze to death.
Unable to know the thoughts of others, Ariletti bowed to Dr. Sergio, who was sitting across from her.
“Thank you for saving me, teacher.”
“Yes. You still have a slight cough, so for now, drink plenty of warm water, Ariletti. Let’s endure just a little until you’re fully recovered,” Dr. Sergio said kindly.
Ariletti rolled her eyes and lightly tapped her toes against the floor.
“Luckily, herbs were growing abundantly near the castle. I can finally put my minor in herbalism to use. The White Forest, mother of all things, has helped.”
Well, as for the blessing of the White Forest… in a few years, you’ll become a doctor renowned across the Empire.
Moreover, Dr. Sergio Anus had treated Ariletti in her second life as well.
At first, he had been pulled in to make a deadly poison to kill the first prince. Later, he took responsibility for examining Ariletti as she grew weaker.
The reason she survived until nineteen in her second life was all thanks to Dr. Sergio. The true healing potion he made partially restored Ariletti’s mana heart, which got damaged every time she used her powers.
He was a good person. He hated me a lot, though.
A doctor saving lives wouldn’t look kindly on someone like her, at the center of a bloody power struggle.
His hands were meticulous, his prescriptions excellent, but his gaze held no warmth. He often left immediately after placing the healing potion by her bedside.
“I thought you only cared about other people’s lives, but you regard your own life as worthless too. How could a young patient like you have lived such a life to think that way?”
Bitter memories made her mood sink. She didn’t need to survive, but in the end, she had been helped by Dr. Sergio again.
Ariletti adjusted her neck awkwardly, aware of the people around her.
“Teacher, Mandrake for pneumonia. Hmm, hmm.”
“Huh?”
“Hmm… hmm. Especially effective for viral pneumonia. Hmm… if combined with thistle, even a small amount can produce a large batch. Hmm hmm.”
This was actually the treatment method discovered by Dr. Sergio. It would become a recipe that would earn a fortune in the future.
Kind teacher, get rich.
But it wasn’t enough. Ariletti, clumsily dipping the spoon into the soup, worried.
I owe so much.
There were more and more people to repay.
Tanesa, who nursed her day and night for five full days; the knights who brought gifts to keep her entertained while she lay down; and Glenn Hezeight, who took time to check on her and generously provided precious herbs.
And five dolls, and five cards…
Her collar was tied! Confused, Ariletti ate the soup without noticing where it went.
Glenn didn’t call her Sage. He didn’t kneel before her like in the snowfield. Choosing “teacher” seemed to be his compromise.
But it was too early to relax.
Look at that burning desire in his eyes!
He’s watching me. He’s definitely watching me.
Hundreds of unlucky possibilities unfolded in Ariletti’s mind.
Will they ask about my true identity after melting my defenses with good clothes and food?
Or will they first hint it to my sister or uncle to convince me? I owe these people so much, I can’t refuse properly.
Albert did the same. Lucio and Tenencia too.
Everyone was kind at first. They all said they liked me.
Ariletti firmly rearmed her weakened caution.
Don’t let your heart soften. After I recover, I must leave without looking back…
“Teacher Aril, eat a lot.”
Small pieces of meat were piled on Ariletti’s plate.
At some point, Glenn had moved beside her and poured his share of meat onto her plate.
“You need to eat well to recover quickly.”
His plate, which hadn’t seemed touched, was now empty.
“…Thank you…”
“I’m not going to eat you, so don’t be so cautious.”
Rough hands, uncharacteristic for his age, ruffled Ariletti’s bangs. Her straight pink hair stood up in every direction.
“Oh, sorry, sorry.”
Glenn combed her bangs neatly again. Ariletti shivered without realizing it. Ticklish.
“Eat and rest comfortably. You can stay as long as you want and leave anytime.”
“….”
“The promise to escort you is still valid, so think about it. You may not realize it, but you’re still a soft five-year-old, teacher.”
I know, I know. So stop with the warm hands already.
Glenn chuckled and got up.
“The students have a land inspection today, so I’ll take my leave. Go ahead, Sir Tombel. It’ll take a full day to check the entire territory.”
“We’ve been waiting for a while. Only the lord needs to arrive.”
Glenn exchanged light jokes with the knights and left the table.
Ariletti sat silently in front of the mountain of food on her plate.
Don’t let your heart weaken. I must leave quickly… leave…
Sigh. They gave me dolls, cards, meat… how can I leave?
Ariletti shoveled the meat Glenn had given her into her mouth.
She emptied her plate, cheeks plumping, and tried to get up, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stand from the baby chair.
“Ugh…”
Meanwhile, Glenn and the knights had moved toward the exit.
Ariletti pounded the tray with her tiny fists urgently.
Bang bang bang.
“Lord!”
I want to go too!
