Chapter – 02
Even Though I Love You
I had a nostalgic dream.
I was still a student, and Cecilio from the Knight Corps was in a mock battle.
He was very popular. Not only was he skilled as a knight, but he also had beautiful silver-thread hair and violet-blue eyes. Many women were captivated by his good looks, and whenever there was a match, women would flock to see him.
“Lucia, you came to watch me?”
Even with all those beautiful women around, he came straight to me. As if he didn’t even see anyone else.
“Good work. You were so cool! But are you hurt? Let me heal you.”
“Hmm~ well, I’m tired, so soothe me. If Lucia’s here, I’ll feel better.”
He said that and hugged me tightly.
“Geez, you’re all sweaty!”
I complained, but really, I was happy, and I hugged him back. Back then, I had no worries at all.
—
I woke up, and the gap between the dream and reality left me feeling weary.
He hasn’t changed. He still treasures me now, and he truly just didn’t want to be apart from me. That feeling makes me happy. But unease flickers through me about how he views my work.
He used to support me too. It’ll be fine, right?
*’No matter what injuries you get as a knight, I’ll definitely heal you!’*
I promised him that when we were students. That feeling hasn’t changed at all. I love him, and I want to be the one who heals him.
…But I don’t want it to end there. As a medical mage, I want to help many people. I believe I was given this power for that very reason.
Is that way of thinking too arrogant, I wonder…
—
“Lucia, the director said he wants to see you.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
A summons from the director first thing in the morning. Could it be that the offer from the royal palace to go to Eldia has already come through? I haven’t even agreed yet!
I hurried to the director’s office.
“Lucia, this has become quite a situation.”
“Director, I’m very sorry.”
“No, what’s the real story here? From above, we received a messenger saying that, as a special case, though you’re not yet married, you’ll be permitted to accompany him as a spouse, per Lord Cruz’s request.”
So they really do intend to have me accompany him not as a medical mage, but simply as a woman who can use healing magic. Whose idea was that?
“…No, I only heard about it myself yesterday evening and haven’t given an answer yet. I was planning to discuss it properly today.”
I never expected the notice to reach my workplace this quickly.
“I see. But unfortunately, this is an official directive. It will likely be difficult to cancel the trip to Eldia.”
“…What will my position be?”
“At this rate, you’ll truly just be Lord Cruz’s companion. But I can’t stand for that, so I’ll negotiate to have you go as a medical mage. It’s a loss for us here too if you leave. We won’t give you up for nothing. Perhaps we can frame it as a one-year training period. Please bring back Eldian medical techniques.”
“Thank you so much!”
“But you know, Eldia still has very few working women. I think it’ll be quite difficult for you to operate there.
What will you do? You can also choose to remain just a companion. The decision is yours.”
That’s right. Eldia still has strong patriarchal values. There are many men in the workforce, and women’s roles are centered around managing the household, bearing and raising children. Even in politics, the Queen rarely appears in public. That’s probably why a delicate princess like Claudia is acceptable.
Can I really work as a medical mage in a place like that? But I hate the thought of spending my days just waiting for Cecilio.
“Please let me go as a medical mage.”
I’ll do it. I want to live as myself.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn Eldian techniques. If I can go to improve my own skills, I’ll gladly go.
—
“Cecilio, I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. I wasn’t thinking about your feelings. You have your work, after all. I’m really sorry!”
Good. He apologized. I was worried he might say something like it was only natural for me to come with him.
“No, I was happy that you didn’t want to be apart from me. One year really is a long time, after all.”
“Yeah, it is. I’m sorry I always drag you around on my account. But really, it’s just one year. As soon as we’re back, we’ll get married. I’ll definitely make you happy!”
“Okay, I’m happy.”
I really do love him. It’ll be fine. Cecilio loves me too.
Just one year. A detour of that length is no big deal.
“We’ve only got a month left, so we need to hurry with preparations. Have you started yet, Cecilio?”
“No, not at all. Lucia, when’s your next day off? Let’s go shopping for what we need together. It’ll be a date for the first time in a while.”
“Hehe, that sounds nice. As an apology for all this, you’ll treat me to a nice meal?”
“Alright, leave it to me. Where should we go? Oh! Before that, I have to go greet your parents!”
“Yeah, I forgot I haven’t told them yet.”
“It’d probably be a bother if we went today, huh.”
I wonder. Given that this trip to Eldia is happening because of him, it’s probably better if I break the news to them first.
“I’ll explain it to them for now. Let’s talk properly over the weekend.”
“…I’m really sorry.”
“No more apologizing. I’m interested in Eldian medicine too, so I’ll study hard for a year. So it’s okay.”
“…Thank you. Lucia, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
A gentle, fleeting kiss.
I can feel his feelings for me. I hope my feelings reach him too. I love you.
Even though I love you…
I just couldn’t bring myself to ask him how he truly felt about my work.
