Chapter 2
ㅤThere was only one bad rumor about the Saint. That she abused her own younger sister, calling her a failure.
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ㅤIn fact, it seems her sister didn’t have any talent for holy magic, and she barely had any magical power to begin with. It was quite rare for a noble in this country where even commoners could use magic to some extent, but it wasn’t something to be criticized for. As long as a Saint was born, the Count’s family’s reputation was maintained, yet for some reason, Lily often spoke disparagingly of her sister.
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ㅤI say”it seems”because I myself have never heard her talk about her sister. However, I occasionally heard such rumors among the nobles and at the royal court.
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ㅤThat her sister was a failure and couldn’t be brought to social gatherings, or that she was useless on the battlefield because she had no magical power. Some people frowned, saying that it was unbecoming of a Saint to speak that way, but since it was Lily, who was usually well-behaved, they also said that if she said so, her sister must be truly incompetent. Poor thing, they wondered if she was actually being bullied by the Saint, but surely not, not Lily. In this way, the rumors about the Saint’s sister would occasionally surface and then quickly disappear.
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ㅤThis is why I didn’t refuse Chelsea, who was offered to me as a replacement. When I met her as Lily’s fiancé, I didn’t think she was being abused or mistreated to a terrible extent, but she was quite timid, so I couldn’t be sure. Then, I thought it would be good to let her live freely under my care. I can’t say there wasn’t also a calculation that having a connection with the Count’s family would be beneficial if, by any chance, my magical power didn’t return as expected. If she disliked her family, she could stay here, and if she wanted to go back, she could. I accepted her with that kind of feeling.
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ㅤApparently, the rumor in the streets is that I stepped aside for the sake of the Saint’s future, and Chelsea’s reputation has risen because she volunteered to take care of me in her sister’s place. Meanwhile, Saint-sama seems to be chasing after the Crown Prince, so I really think you can’t judge a Saint by her cover. Judging from Chelsea’s timid behavior earlier, the story about her being bullied by her sister might not be a lie after all.
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ㅤI woke up to the sound of a discreet knock, knock knock. It seems I had dozed off. My awareness of people’s presence has also dulled, so I think my magical power is truly depleted. This is just a guess, but I feel like the miasma remaining on my face is delaying the recovery of my magical power. I was thinking of having Lily purify it while I cast healing magic on myself once my magical power fully recovered, but at this rate, I don’t know when that will be.
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ㅤAfter I said”Come in,”the door slowly opened. Since it was completely dark outside, I assumed it was dinner. My prediction was correct, but it wasn’t a maid who brought the meal, but Chelsea.
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ㅤ”I’ve brought your dinner.”
ㅤ”……Why you?”
ㅤ”Uh, well……I asked if I could do what I can.”
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ㅤAsked the maids, huh. She’s a noble lady, after all, she doesn’t have to go so far as to do such menial tasks.
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ㅤ”Is it……a bother?”
ㅤ”No.”
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ㅤLooking relieved, Chelsea placed the tray on the bedside table. On it was a single plate with pot-au-feu. Due to the fatigue from the depletion of magical power, I have no appetite, and this has been my only meal for the past week. I’ve gotten tired of it, but I have no energy to eat anything else, so it can’t be helped. As I tried to slowly raise my upper body, Chelsea supported my back.
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ㅤ”Sorry.”
ㅤ”No.”
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ㅤI’m a little surprised that she touched me without hesitation. Most servants were afraid to touch me after seeing the scar and the remnants of miasma on my face, a faint haze, fearing they would be cursed.
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ㅤMy new fiancée might be unexpectedly brave. Well, she might have been told that it’s not contagious. Anyway, just as I thought I was going to eat the same pot-au-feu as yesterday……
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ㅤ”……Actually, I have enough strength to eat by myself.”
ㅤ”Eh?”
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ㅤChelsea was eagerly holding a fork and brought a bite-sized piece of potato to my mouth. Even though I can’t stand or walk on my own yet, I can still eat. When I told her that, she immediately blushed and lowered her head, saying,”I’m sorry.”
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ㅤ”No, I appreciate the thought, but……”
ㅤ”I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
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ㅤLooking at Chelsea, who was looking down with her eyes tightly closed, either out of embarrassment or apology, a faint sense of guilt welled up within me. She’s seven years younger than me. It makes me feel uncomfortable, like I’m being mean to a child.
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ㅤ”Well, alright…….Here.”
ㅤ”……Huh?”
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ㅤWhen I opened my mouth wide, she looked bewildered.
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ㅤ”Po……tato.”
ㅤ”Y-Yes.”
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ㅤWhen I urged her, she hurriedly brought the potato to my mouth. I chewed, swallowed, and opened my mouth again. Carrots, onions, sausage. And then back to potatoes.
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ㅤ”……Is it……delicious?”
ㅤ”It’s not bad, but honestly, I’m tired of it. The ingredients are always the same.”
ㅤ”Maybe just using sausages with herbs would make a difference.”
ㅤ”Tell the chef.”
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ㅤIt felt like I was playing along with a child’s pretend game, but the mealtime wasn’t bad. Chelsea, who was timid at first, started talking a little more, and I responded to her, comfortable with speaking as my true self.
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ㅤ”Thank you for the meal. Sorry, you must have had unpacking to do.”
ㅤ”No, I’ve already finished.”
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ㅤShe arrived at this house in the evening. Considering that a noble lady moved into her fiancé’s house, she unpacked surprisingly quickly. I wonder if she didn’t bring much luggage.
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ㅤ”……If you need anything, tell me. If you’re uncomfortable telling me, you can ask the servants.”
ㅤ”Thank you for your concern.”
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ㅤAfter replying softly, Chelsea stood up with the empty plate. I called out to her as she was leaving the room, saying,”Excuse me.”
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ㅤ”Chelsea.”
ㅤ”Y-Yes!”
ㅤ”Thank you.”
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ㅤPerhaps surprised at being called by her name, Chelsea stiffened, blinked her large eyes several times, and then smiled softly. It was the first time I saw the corners of her mouth lift like that when she said”Yes,”so I simply thought, purely, that she was cute.
