Chapter 104
“While I’m away, the Emperor will handle things, so don’t worry. Just focus on your training.”
“Understood. I’ll pass the message to the squad. But… can I rest here for a bit before heading back?”
“Go ahead.”
Hendrick Grazley was the vice-commander of the Holy Knights.
Despite his carefree and disheveled appearance, his skill and sense of justice were something you could trust.
He typically trained two to three times harder than anyone else, so allowing him to take a break today wouldn’t hurt.
“By the way, about the Saintess. I’ve always wondered—does she know that the monster war will happen?”
Hendrick glanced around the room before grinning and pulling out a pile of snacks. He tossed out the question casually, prompting Sihat to rub his eyelids and nod.
“When they brought the Saintess, they showed her a vision of the future seen by the prophet. She doesn’t know the specifics, but she’s aware that a war will come.”
“I see. On my way here, the birthday party was so extravagant I nearly got dizzy.”
“If I could, I’d keep things this peaceful forever.”
“That’s why we’re putting ourselves through this grueling training, isn’t it?”
The restriction imposed by the Dragon Lord on time travel was that they were not to inform Cherishe. It didn’t matter if they told others.
The only issue was whether others would believe what he saw in the future.
Of course, there was the risk that a spy planted by the South Emperor might overhear, or that Pabel could find out, so they couldn’t just tell anyone.
If it became known that someone on their side had knowledge of the future and was aware of the South Emperor’s schemes, it would be disastrous.
However, Hendrick was crucial in rallying the other members of the Holy Knights, so Sihat made sure to share everything with him.
“I hope this peace lasts,” Hendrick said, laughing as he munched on the cookies provided.
“My sister is about to become the heir, and if the monster war breaks out, our family will go broke. I didn’t play the fool all these years just to see that happen.”
“You seem to enjoy it, though.”
“Well, maybe a little. But still, everyone has their reasons for wanting to keep the world safe, so they’re all working hard.”
The Holy Knights had already studied the traits, weaknesses, and information of each monster.
Additionally, the Emperor had distributed new sword techniques and strategies to the army that would be useful when facing large monsters. He hadn’t explicitly mentioned that they’d be fighting monsters, but it would prove helpful when the time came.
‘With the preparations moving steadily along, the monster war might end more easily than expected.’
Hopefully, within a year.
Sihat pressed his throbbing temple and smiled faintly as he glanced out the window.
‘I wonder if Cherishe has seen her gift yet.’
Or perhaps she was too busy dealing with Princess Alexandra and would check it later.
This birthday gift was significant for Sihat.
Even if Cherishe didn’t understand its full meaning… he still wanted to give it to her.
It was something he had always wanted to give.
“Ah, there’s that romantic look again.”
Hendrick, who had been sucking on a candy, couldn’t help but tease, tossing a piece toward Sihat.
And thus, the playful scuffle between them began, as expected.
“I didn’t see the gift!”
“What?”
The next morning, I sat up and clutched my cheek, shouting in frustration.
Sihat’s gift!
I should’ve gone to the Dragon Marketplace to check it out, but after finishing everything, I ended up falling into a deep sleep.
Rubbing my well-rested, plump, and glossy cheeks, I energetically got out of bed.
Sophia, looking a bit down, brought in today’s dress. I felt a little bad and thought about forgiving her.
“How about this emerald dress that looks like the sea?” she asked.
“Or maybe the gold one?” Shami and Hanna each held up a dress, offering their suggestions.
‘Since it’s such a hot place, a lot of the designs show the shoulders.’
After some thought, I chose the gold one.
Princess Alexandra was coming aboard the cruise today.
I wanted to leave an impression, so I decided to wear her signature color.
With my hair down and dainty shoes on, today was a perfect 10 out of 5 stars!
Now, let’s see if Idsys has caught the culprit who poisoned the jelly.
“A tasting event for supplements? That’s quite interesting.”
After receiving an invitation to the lavish cruise party, the nobility of South Castalia were naturally curious about the star of the event—the young Princess.
They wondered if she would be arrogant.
With so much affection directed her way, surely she must be insufferably conceited.
After all, spoiled noble children tend to grow more haughty the more they’re indulged.
Especially royalty.
No one had ever seen Cherishe Wynn Castalia in person, so their speculations ran wild.
“I heard she founded the Imperial Health Office,” someone remarked.
“But I heard the Prince handled everything for her.”
“No matter how precious one’s child may be… They must’ve pulled some strings to make sure she didn’t fail the aptitude test.”
“You’re probably right.”
Thus, the initial public opinion wasn’t very favorable.
The image South Castalia’s nobles had of Cherishe was of a foul-tempered, spoiled child running wild with her father’s power.
The rumor that Prince Vikal had gone to Lady Vincent with a hefty sum to commission thirty dresses for Cherishe only reinforced that image.
Receiving such special treatment, despite not even being Lady Vincent’s daughter, made her seem even more distant to the South nobles, perhaps sparking a touch of envy.
But to everyone’s surprise, the Cherishe they met at yesterday’s party didn’t match their expectations at all.
Her posture was poised, her steps were lively yet not overly light.
Her speech was playful and youthful, but her crimson eyes held a mature air, creating a strangely captivating impression.
Though everything she wore was undoubtedly luxurious, it never felt gaudy.
That was probably because Cherishe, in her demeanor, didn’t try to flaunt her wealth in the slightest.
Nor did she look down on anyone despite the grandeur of the party.
Cherishe simply enjoyed what was given to her, radiating happiness like a child.
That kind of natural glow had a calming effect on those around her. Soon, the nobles found themselves relaxing, laughing softly as they mingled.
“I overheard something interesting about Lady Vincent’s granddaughter,” someone whispered.
“Oh, the one who’s always ill and rarely attends social gatherings?”
“Yes, that’s the one. Apparently, she had a severe case of boils. Lady Vincent was desperate to find a doctor.”
“And?”
“Well, I heard Princess Cherishe spoke with Lady Vincent yesterday. My maid told me this morning…”
The women leaned closer, hiding their conversation behind fans, eager to spread the latest gossip.
“Apparently, Lady Melissa Vincent was treated last night by a renowned surgeon from the Imperial Health Office.”
“Oh my! Did Princess Cherishe introduce them?”
“Yes, and I heard she even suggested involving the Pope for additional healing with divine power.”
“My goodness! But doesn’t Lady Vincent detest the temple and all its clergy?”
“She does. But here’s the thing. While undergoing surgery, Lady Melissa screamed and cried, saying she’d rather die than have her boils cut open any further. In the end, they had to use divine power to heal her.”
“Heavens! So, did it work?”
“It did! Today, Lady Melissa Vincent is wearing a dress that shows off her back!”
Despite her disdain for divine power, even Lady Vincent couldn’t resist the Pope’s authority.
And with her granddaughter in such agony, she had no choice.
The surgeon had explained that the only way to cure the boils was to cut them open and drain the pus.
So Lady Vincent had a decision to make.
Would she allow them to cut open her granddaughter’s back, or opt for the quick, painless healing of divine power?
The outcome would be revealed today.
“She’s so young, yet already remarkable, isn’t she?”
“No royal has ever achieved anything quite like Princess Cherishe.”
As their whispers continued, the doors swung open, and the host of the tasting event appeared.
Her golden hair fluttered, gleaming in the light.
While she may not have been the type to shake the world with her beauty, Cherishe was undeniably lovely.
That kind of charm couldn’t be bought or mimicked, whether one wore jewels or rags. It was an innate talent, a radiance beyond price.
“Thank you for attending the jelly supplement tasting hosted by the Imperial Health Office.”
The man who entered with Princess Cherishe spoke, his eyes dark and shadowed from a lack of sleep.
Some of the noblewomen recognized him and nudged their companions, whispering.
“That’s Myerden! The surgeon.”
“Ah, I see.”
But where were Lady Vincent and her granddaughter?
They hadn’t arrived yet.
“Thank you so much, Your Highness!” came a voice from the back.
That morning, I was relieved after hearing the results from Myerden about last night.
‘Thank goodness!’
Lady Vincent would surely be pleased that her granddaughter’s back was healed.
‘Honestly, if she had agreed to divine power from the start, none of this pain would’ve been necessary.’
Still, it was probably a good thing that Melissa experienced the pain of surgical treatment firsthand.
That way, she would take better care of herself in the future, being cautious about what she ate and wore to avoid another outbreak.
This was a one-time miracle from Sihat’s divine power. If she didn’t take care of herself, she’d be facing excruciating pain again.
And now…
“I only ever wished for Melissa to wear one of the dresses I’ve made for her, even just once.”
Lady Vincent, tears glistening in her eyes, hugged her granddaughter close.
“Now, Melissa can wear all the dresses I’ve designed.”
“Congratulations, Lady Vincent.”
“What did you say those supplements were? Send them to my estate. I’ll personally ensure they get distributed!”
Lady Vincent, clearly moved, dabbed her tears with a handkerchief and expressed her gratitude profusely.
“Thank you, Lady Vincent. Would Melissa like to join us for the tasting?”