Chapter 7

ㅤIn the end, we ended up going out that day after I soothed Chelsea, who had started crying, and even at our destination, she seemed to want to go home after just stopping by a craft store.
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ㅤ”It’s written all over your face that you want to go home and embroider.”
ㅤ”Ugh.”
ㅤ”I went out to clear my head too, you know.”
ㅤ”I-I’m sorry……”
ㅤ”I’m kidding, let’s go home.”
ㅤ”Really?”
ㅤ”Yeah. I guess my stamina is still low.”
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ㅤI’m more tired than I expected, even though we only walked around a crowded area for a bit. Well, it can’t be helped since I’ve barely left the room for the past two months.
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ㅤ”I’ll take a nap when we get back. You too.”
ㅤ”Huh? No, um, I……”
ㅤ”I don’t think you need to be so enthusiastic about embroidering.”
ㅤ”Huh?”
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ㅤThe miasma is probably quite loose now. It might be able to accept strong magical power now. My magical power is gradually recovering even without constantly increasing the number of items imbued with Chelsea’s magic, and it will eventually return to a level where I can use healing magic. If I cast holy magic simultaneously at that time, both the wound and the miasma should disappear completely, and at that point, Chelsea’s magical power probably won’t be enough. When I explained this, Chelsea squeezed my hand tightly.
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ㅤ”……Should we call……my sister?”
ㅤ”……I don’t have any aptitude for holy magic, you know.”
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ㅤIt would be quicker if I could do it myself, and I wouldn’t need to call the Saint. It’s generally believed that men are less likely to possess holy magic. By the way, Lily can use other types of magic quite skillfully, but using holy magic requires concentration, so she can’t use it simultaneously with advanced healing magic.
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ㅤ”Well, there are others who can use holy magic. I’ll think about it later.”
ㅤ”……Okay.”
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ㅤThere are some holy magic users, even if they’re not as powerful as Lily. If we take our time, we could ask them to dispel it.
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ㅤ”Besides, where else are you going to add more embroidery in my room? If you become able to embroider even the carpet, I’m afraid you’ll be taken away as a skilled needleworker.”
ㅤ”I wouldn’t go as far as the carpet……But I was thinking of trying the curtains.”
ㅤ”Before that, embroider another shirt for me.”
ㅤ”Huh?”
ㅤ”We’re going to go out more from now on. I have to make the most of my leave.”
ㅤ”Hehe, okay…….Going out is fun. I haven’t done it much before.”
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ㅤThen all the more reason to take her to various places.
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ㅤ”Lord Oswald, you look well.”
ㅤ”Yes, thanks to my lovely fiancée.”
ㅤ”Is that so? When are you getting married?”
ㅤ”Maybe after I recover a bit more and return to work. I can’t let my wife starve.”
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ㅤDuring one of our outings, the owner of a shop I know called out to me. Chelsea is blushing beside me.
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ㅤActually, I’m still getting paid even though I’m on leave, and I’m even thinking of enjoying my vacation a little longer. My magical power has recovered to about 70%.
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ㅤ”……Lord Oswald, do you……think it’s okay to marry me as I am?”
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ㅤWhen we returned home, Chelsea suddenly asked me that.
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ㅤ”Of course…….Do you dislike the idea?”
ㅤ”No……No.”
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ㅤI take her hand as she shakes her head and looks down, and lead her to the sofa. I sit next to her, still holding her hand, but her expression doesn’t brighten.
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ㅤ”Chelsea. You saved me. Not just with the miasma, but more than that. Your honesty and bright smile have unraveled my heart.”
ㅤ”……But I can’t completely heal you, Lord Oswald. And even after you’re healed, I don’t think I’m worthy of the strong and beautiful you.”
ㅤ”……You mean Lily would have been more suitable?”
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ㅤShe nodded slightly and fell silent again.
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ㅤ”……You’ve been putting yourself down from time to time. I haven’t asked you about it in detail, but is it because of Lily?”
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ㅤChelsea’s body stiffens.
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ㅤ”I don’t want to speak ill of your sister, but I can’t love someone who treats you poorly. Even if she completely dispelled my miasma, I don’t think it would have worked out between us as fiancés. She seems to be desperate to win over the Crown Prince, so he would probably reject her too.”
ㅤ”……”
ㅤ”Chelsea. I’m sorry I haven’t said it properly until now. I love you. I want to cherish only you…….Will you accept my feelings?”
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ㅤTears welled up in Chelsea’s large eyes. However, the fact that they don’t seem to be tears of joy makes my heart ache.
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ㅤ”……I……I……”
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ㅤI tighten my grip on her hand and wait for her to continue. That’s when it happened. The doorbell rang, signaling a visitor. A moment later, the butler enters the room.
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ㅤ”Master, you have a visitor.”
ㅤ”……Who is it? If it’s a well-wisher, tell them I’m not seeing anyone.”
ㅤ”Well……it’s the Saint, Lady Lily.”
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ㅤTears streamed down Chelsea’s cheeks. I don’t know what she’s suddenly up to, but it might be a good opportunity. I pull Chelsea’s trembling shoulders closer as I reply,”Let her in.”I resolve to protect her, no matter what.