TWMP 43

Chapter 43

“It’s Only Right to Pay a Sick Visit”

‘When someone without mana tries to use magic, there are a few limitations and a few side effects.’

‘But since the person you asked for help is me, the greatest wizard in this world—Laperre Wizard—you only have to deal with one side effect, Lady.’

When I first heard that, I thought it wasn’t a bad deal. One side effect for this giant con game? Totally acceptable.

**‘The side effect isn’t even that big. On nights with a full moon, your hair color will return to its original color.

As long as you don’t get caught, it’ll be fine.’**

‘I mean, even if you do get caught, it’s not a big deal… but wouldn’t anyone find it strange if your hair suddenly changed color?’

I never imagined the side effect would be my hair turning back to its original color.

“Ugh, seriously! How is that not a big deal?!”

Unlike Laperre, who made it sound trivial, I knew the second Carriaire noticed my hair wasn’t naturally gold, things would go downhill.

If he realized my true hair color was purple—and that he had met Levelia Piace in Zeros before—he could easily piece together that I was impersonating Heidi.

“…What was I even thinking back then?”

It’s only an excuse now, but maybe at the time, I really believed it wasn’t a big deal.

Or maybe… I just wanted to believe that this was the best solution with the masquerade ball right around the corner.

“…If Laperre had told me it would help, I’d probably have bought a snake oil remedy too.”

I sighed and shook my head. It wasn’t like I trusted Laperre blindly.

“But in the novel, Delphian saved Heidi on a full moon night…”

It wasn’t Delphian I was afraid of discovering my identity—it was Carriaire.

Delphian, the righteous male lead, wouldn’t kill me for being kidnapped in Heidi’s place. But Carriaire… Carriaire wouldn’t hesitate.

I had destroyed his plans from the start and deceived him all this time.

If the side effect only appeared after Delphian saved me, I wouldn’t have to worry about it.

But now…

“I didn’t think my plan would fall apart from this point…”

I sighed deeply, rubbing my face as I looked out the window.

Seeing the sun already high in the sky made my chest tighten.

“Honestly, if it weren’t for that stupid tea time after dinner, I might have figured out a way…”

According to Laperre, my hair would change back when the moon rose.

The best solution was to skip dinner and tea time altogether and just lock myself in my room…

“…But Carriaire isn’t someone who’d let that slide.”

Just thinking about time slipping away made my face pale.

At that moment, there was a knock, and May stepped into the library.

“My Lady, I brought your lunch.”

“Oh? Ah… thanks.”

I mumbled my thanks, leaning my head against the bookshelf, staring blankly out the window.

May set the plate down on the table as usual.

“Today it’s an open-faced sandwich on a toasted bagel, topped with crispy bacon and a sunny-side-up egg. The head chef made it himself.”

“…He made it himself?”

“Yes. He said he wanted to personally prepare it. I think he’s very grateful to you, My Lady—he always cares deeply about the meals of the people of Esperos.”

I had heard that Laifan, the head chef of Esperos Grand Castle, rarely cooked himself unless it was for Carriaire’s meals.

I straightened up from the bookshelf, surprised by her words.

The salty aroma of the perfectly cooked bacon made my mouth water.

Even though I had just been thinking about how disastrous tonight might be, I couldn’t help but feel hungry.

May quickly cleared the books cluttering the desk. Now the open-faced bagel sandwich and apple juice sat neatly before me.

I sat down and gave May a grateful smile.

“Please thank Laifan for me, May. Tell him it’s delicious.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

I carefully picked up the sandwich and took a bite.

The chewy bagel, salty bacon, and creamy egg blended together perfectly in my mouth.

Even though I’d been eating sandwiches for lunch ever since I arrived here, good food was still good food.

While I ate, May quietly refilled the half-empty teapot.

Then she spoke softly,

“And… His Grace asked if you could join him for dinner tonight.”

“Cough!”

“Are you alright?!”

I choked hard, hastily grabbing a napkin to cover my mouth and putting down the sandwich.

The sandwich, which had been so delicious a moment ago, now felt like it was lodged in my throat.

May handed me a glass of water in a panic.

“Here, drink this!”

“Th-thanks…”

I gulped it down, finally calming my coughing fit.

May’s face was full of worry as she asked,

“Are you sure you’re okay? Should I bring more water?”

“No, that’s fine. But… what did you just say? Dinner… together?”

Please, let me have misheard.

Just when I had promised myself to stay out of Carriaire’s sight tonight, I was hearing this.

May, oblivious to my inner turmoil, smiled brightly.

“It’s not a banquet or anything formal. I think His Grace just wants to thank you personally about the preventive medicine plans while having dinner.”

A… banquet?!

I was relieved it was only “talk,” but the thought of a real banquet made my head spin.

Maybe I could fake being sick and avoid dinner and tea time entirely?

“Then I’ll come back for you at dinner ti—”

“M-May!”

“Yes?”

“About dinner… I don’t think I can join. I’m not feeling well.”

“You’re sick? Where does it hurt?”

“Um… I thought I was fine, but I’m not. My stomach hurts, and I think I might have a fever.”

I even pushed away the half-eaten sandwich as proof.

May looked at me with worried eyes.

“Should I call a doctor?”

“No! I’ll be fine if I just rest. I was planning to turn in early tonight anyway.”

Lying while looking into May’s worried face made my conscience sting, but I ignored it.

“Please tell His Grace I’m really sorry, but I can’t join him for dinner tonight.”

“…”

“Please, May.”

She hesitated for a few seconds that felt like years to me.

“…Understood, My Lady. I’ll let His Grace know.”

“…Really?”

“So don’t worry and rest. Should we head back to your room now?”

I nodded carefully.

Even as May accepted my excuse without a single doubt, I couldn’t believe it had worked.

Was… was it really that easy?

A smile tugged at my lips, and I bit them to keep from grinning.

Later…

“So, how is Heidi now?”

“She refused the doctor, so I don’t know for sure, but she said she’s fine.”

“…”

“But… she didn’t even eat dinner. I’m a bit worried.”

Carriaire quietly listened to May’s calm explanation.

He tapped the table lightly with his fingers, then looked at her.

“And lunch?”

“She only took a bite or two. She must have been feeling pretty sick.”

Carriaire’s brows furrowed.

The timing felt suspicious… but not impossible to understand.

After all, no matter how comfortable he acted, to Heidi, this was still enemy territory.

‘…It’s reasonable that she’d be under stress.’

But something still nagged at him.

Why had she refused a doctor and locked herself in her room?

As he tapped the table again, Carriaire remembered Heidi’s smug expression from yesterday.

Yesterday she had been perfectly fine, and now she was so “sick” she couldn’t eat?

That was suspicious.

“If someone is sick, it’s only right to pay them a visit.”

“Excuse me?”

“She’s in her room now, correct?”

When May nodded, Carriaire rose from his seat.

And on his lips was a smile whose meaning was impossible to read.