◆ Ms. Eliza’s Reflection
PRINCE Faisal returned to the Holy Palace to clean up the mess after the war and had left for the holy city before I’d woken up. Lady Layla stayed behind as Faisal had told her to “Sit tight and stay here in Puerta until I return.”
As for King Shesif, he was being treated in a hospital ward in the Holy Palace. His condition wasn’t life-threatening, but…
“King Shesif was truly a kind man,” Layla said. “When the queen passed away after giving birth to Princess Minne, the previous king died soon after. Young Shesif had to ascend the throne.”
It’d been a few days since I’d recovered within Puerta Research Center. I was totally fine now, but Mr. Julius would get angry with me if I wandered around, so I was still lying in bed. He’d often leave to check up on Helios, and I had my complaints about not being able to leave, but I decided to forgive him. He seemed very worried about me.
Lambda and the rest of the Dragon Knights, who weren’t badly injured, returned to the holy city with Prince Faisal. Ruto and Jahala were summoned to the Holy Palace, and Ms. Natalia suddenly left without a word.
I was a bit sad to see her go after finally reuniting with her, but she’d said, “I think I’ll return to Astria. It’s been a while, and there’s something that’s bothering me.” I was sure that she’d return eventually.
Layla had apparently decided to help out with the medical treatments within Puerta. It seemed she was the type who couldn’t sit still for long. Between her work, she’d visit me. She was here today too, sitting on a chair by my side and being my talking partner.
“King Shesif became a father of sorts for Princess Minne and Prince Faisal,” she explained. “He must’ve been mentally exhausted, constantly surrounded by so many adults, but not once did he complain or make it seem that way.”
“King Shesif simply wanted to save Princess Minne, right?” I asked.
Little by little, Layla had divulged the series of events that had led to this messy situation. I was a bit confused because so many things had occurred at once, but as I talked it out with her, I was able to slowly reorganize my thoughts.
“I’m sure that’s the case,” Layla replied. “Princess Minne was in a precarious position. She was so sickly that simply being under the sun would cause her skin to be burned badly, and she could never venture outside. I remember playing with her in her room when she was little, but as she got older, her illness worsened, and she’d often be stuck in bed with a fever.”
Her voice held a hint of loneliness and nostalgia as she gazed into the distance. I sat up on my bed to listen.
“Many adults called the princess’s illness a curse,” she said. “Some even claimed that standing beside her would cause you to be infected as well. Others stated that she had incurred the wrath of God, and it was best to kill her to prove our devotion to the deity. Prince Faisal told me these horrifying stories.”
“An illness with an unknown cause must be terrifying to others,” I remarked.
“I agree. My parents had also told me to no longer meet with the princess. I don’t know much about Salim, but Prince Faisal always happily told me how preciously his younger sister was being treated.”
“Yet, I couldn’t save anyone.” I hugged my knees, covered by the white sheets. I could easily reach out to them had I stretched my arms, and yet I couldn’t do a single thing to spare their lives.
“If you’d like to go there, I’m far more powerless than you,” Layla said. “Thank you, Chloe. I know we’ve only just met, and yet you worked so hard and became so tattered for our sake. Thanks to you guys, Prince Faisal was able to return alive.” She leaned forward to hug me; she felt soft, and a nice, floral scent wafted off her. “I can’t thank you enough,” she said. “You saved our nation. There’s nothing for you to be so down about. Puff your chest out and hold your head up high.”
“Thank you, Lady Layla,” I replied.
Only now was I finally able to say these words.
My chest grew tight, and it became hard to breathe. I was desperately doing what I could. And despite giving it my best efforts, I could only really do very little. It was difficult not to feel glum as I thought about the lives that had slipped through my fingers and been lost forever.
With Layla’s kind words, I was finally able to form a bright smile in her arms.
“If Julius finds me hugging you like this, I’ll surely get scolded,” she said.
“I don’t think he gets jealous of ladies,” I assured her.
“Oh, you mustn’t underestimate the jealousy of a possessive man. Prince Faisal is a bit troublesome in his own way, so I can sort of empathize with you.”
“He seems very honest and diligent,” I said.
“A bit too much of both, if you ask me. He tends to overthink all by himself and then suddenly explodes on you one day. Julius might not be the type who mulls over things for long, but I’m guessing he’s just as jealous as Prince Faisal.” She pulled away from me and placed a finger over her plump lips pensively.
“Prince Faisal suddenly explodes on others?” I asked incredulously.
“Oh, he does. He’ll go, ‘Layla, who was that man?’ and will constantly question me about them. And it comes out of nowhere! I don’t even know what man he’s talking about, nor do I remember that person anymore.”
“You’re a beautiful lady. I’m sure you’re very popular with the men, Lady Layla.”
“It’s been bothering me, but there’s no need to be so polite with me. Just call me Layla. Besides, you also hailed from the house of a duke, did you not, Chloe? And you’re the savior of our nation. Truth be told, I should be the one who should be more mindful and respectful toward you…”
“Lady Lay— I mean, Layla, I’d be happy if you stayed the way you are with me. I’m just an alchemist and beautiful maiden who happened to pass by.”
Her mannerisms and appearance made it clear that she was a gorgeous noble lady of high standing. I couldn’t possibly imagine her being respectful toward me and I hastily shook my hands in front of me to decline her offer.
Layla hid her mouth behind a fan and happily laughed, her voice sounding like the ringing of bells. I assumed this research center was fairly safe, but she still kept an iron fan with her at all times. Perhaps that fan was an irreplaceable part of her, much like my apron dress.
“If possible, I’d like to be friends with you, Chloe,” Layla said.
“Really?” I asked.
“Of course. We’re the same age, aren’t we? Julius said that you were a twenty-year-old beautiful young maiden.”
“What has he been saying behind my back?”
I was a bit curious to know. He wasn’t lying, but there was no need for him to tell others that I was the beautiful young maiden, Chloe Sagrid.
“You’re beautiful and so mature,” I said. “I honestly thought you were older than me.”
“If you’re the beautiful young maiden, perhaps I should be the lady of bewitching beauty,” Layla mused. “Ah, but that seems like a common nickname.”
As she pondered over introducing herself in the future with a, “Hello, I’m Layla, a sexy, bewitching lady who’s good at seducing men,” I stopped her, stating that it wasn’t her best idea.
I had no doubt that Prince Faisal would overthink those words and end up erupting one day. We giggled together. Friends, huh? I thought. I haven’t had one for so long. It’s a bit embarrassing, but it makes me feel so giddy.
“Ah, speaking of which, I’m actually here to relay two messages today,” Layla said as though she’d just remembered, snapping her fan shut. “First is from Prince Faisal. He asked if you could stay in Rasheed for a while. He wants to thank you for protecting our nation and fighting for our sake. And another is about your acquaintance, Eliza, was it? She finally woke up, it seems.”
My eyes widened. “She’s safe?! I’m so relieved!”
Thank goodness. When Ms. Eliza and Mr. Coldman had been carried into Puerta, they had apparently used much of their stamina, and their conditions weren’t good. They’d been transformed into a horrific state by the demons, after all. Jahala, who kept me updated, stated that it was a miracle that they weren’t dead. I breathed a sigh of relief.
“And she said that she wants to see you,” Layla said. “What do you want to do?”
“I’ll go, of course,” I replied. “I’m brimming with energy, so I can go and see if she’s doing all right.”
I’ll probably get in trouble with Mr. Julius for wandering around, so I might ask for his permission first.
As Layla left the room, Mr. Julius immediately entered.