“By the way, what are you always writing down?”
“Oh, you mean this?”
Mirabel replied with a bright tone.
But Neo definitely felt a strange discomfort. Clearly, Mirabel seemed burdened by having to explain what it was.
Being naturally timid means one is quite quick at picking up on cues.
It’s only natural. You have to gauge others’ intentions and feelings as swiftly and accurately as possible to minimize unnecessary friction and conversations.
Of course, Neo is a princess. In her position, she could act on whims without considering others’ feelings…. However, the girl’s nature didn’t allow that.
Neo spoke a beat too early, “Honestly, I’m not that curious. It’s fine.”
“Hahaha….”
Mirabel awkwardly scratched the back of her head.
“I’m really sorry. It seems I’ve been rude to you today, Your Highness. Touching you without permission and not answering your questions….”
The woman truly seemed at a loss for what to do. She was clearly apologetic towards Neo.
“This is something I’ve dedicated my life to. It’s work I need to finish even if it kills me. In a way, it’s the purpose of my life….”
“It’s okay. As long as you’re healthy.”
Neo waved her hand, signaling it was fine.
“Thank you always. Really.”
In fact, it should be her thanking the person who saved her life long ago. The princess thought the differences in status between people can be quite strange.
Neo gradually moved towards the door.
“I’ll be going now. Don’t overdo it. You’re a patient, after all.”
“Yes! Please take care!”
Neo left the infirmary with Mirabel’s farewell.
Typically, she would have immediately gone back to the library to read books, but right now, her mind was very unsettled.
The reason was simple.
Clearly, Ezekiel’s name was written on the paper.
‘Ezekiel, huh….’
Isn’t that the name of Neo’s teacher?
Mirabel had completely erased the records in the imperial family. Therefore, Neo had no idea what kind of relationships she had built up until now.
But Ezekiel, what connection could that have?
She couldn’t help but be curious. Ezekiel was one of the few people Neo had opened her heart to.
‘…Maybe I should have asked more persistently?’
Neo was vaguely realizing how high her position as a princess was. Maybe she should have asked at least something regarding Ezekiel.
The girl was born timid and gentle. The most wicked thought she could muster was just that.
But then…
“Hmm?”
Thud thud thud….
Sounds of footsteps came rushing down the hallway,
“Be quick!”
“Faster, hurry!”
Suddenly, the staff at the infirmary began rushing frantically down the hall towards Neo.
Their expressions and actions were anything but normal. It was clear something urgent had occurred.
‘What happened?’
And she soon realized what was causing all the commotion.
“Prepare holy power! Hurry!”
The people rushed past Neo and burst into the familiar infirmary room. Right into Mirabel’s room.
“….”
Neo immediately turned around and entered Mirabel’s room. In this moment, she forgot her timidity.
As she entered the infirmary swiftly, she saw Mirabel collapsed weakly on the floor.
Neo, who had always seen her with a bright smile, didn’t realize this. Seeing her unconscious like that was unmistakably the shape of a skinny corpse.
“…W-What happened? Are you okay?”
“It’s no good, Your Highness!”
The priests in the infirmary blocked Neo’s approach.
“Please step back. We need to take immediate urgent action with holy power. The patient’s condition is….”
“What….”
Thinking a familiar person might really die made tears well up in Neo’s little eyes.
“Why is this happening all of a sudden….”
But then…
Through the crowd of priests, a hand reached out and firmly grabbed the wrist of the 5th princess, Neo.
Who could dare commit such rudeness? Once again, it was Mirabel.
“Your…. Highness…. Cough! Cough!”
Neo could only look at Mirabel without being able to say anything. The sight of the woman collapsed and spitting blood was truly terrifying.
“My records… I must….”
Mirabel spoke desperately.
“They must be… kept… please….”
With those words, Mirabel completely fainted.
Just how severe were her internal injuries? Blood was now leaking from her eyes and ears.
“Increase the intensity of the holy power!”
“The patient is unconscious. Concentrate!”
The urgent voices of the priests rang out in the infirmary, and Neo stood there dazed for a while.
…
Time passed.
Neo was only able to meet the head priest half a day later. He said there had been no breaks in treatment.
“….”
As Neo faced the head priest, she instinctively sensed bad news would follow. The other’s expression was too grim.
“You must prepare yourself.”
Speaking as if he had no face to show, the head priest kept his eyes on the ground.
“A tremendous curse is upon her. It’s a curse placed by someone at least of a greater hierarchy than a demon in the demon realm….”
Neo quickly interjected.
“I thought the head priest’s holy power could handle most curses. With magic potions and trying various things, shouldn’t it be possible?”
Not used to asking others anything, her tone sounded extremely awkward, but Neo firmly pressed on. For the few people close to her.
“That is….”
The head priest weakly shook his head.
“To finally say this, it wasn’t the curse’s power but the timing that was the major issue. From the moment she first arrived at the infirmary, the curse’s encroachment had already been completed.”
“That means….”
“Yes.”
The head priest nodded weakly.
“From the start…. it was destined for her to die.”
“It can’t be….”
Ripples formed in Neo’s blue eyes.
“Then, is there no way to save her?”
“I’m sorry. There isn’t.”
“…”
The short truth pierced deeply. Neo stood there frozen, not knowing how to respond.
Perhaps hoping to offer her a little comfort, the head priest added a bit more.
“If there’s a small miracle, it’s that she has briefly regained consciousness. If you have something to say, it’s best to do it now. In the end… you’ll have to let her go.”
“…”
Why did the idea of having to let her go feel so painful? Being young, she felt disappointment more strongly.
How should one say goodbye to someone who is about to die? She couldn’t figure out what to do. All she knew was magic scrolls.
Yet she clenched her fists tightly.
‘At least I want to make the last farewell….’
She wanted to do it sincerely. To do her best, no matter what.
Inside the infirmary.
Mirabel sat on her bed as usual.
It felt as if the events from half a day ago were just a dream. She looked perfectly fine.
“Are you feeling well?”
Neo contemplated asking that, but bit her tongue.
She knew she wasn’t fine. Because she was someone who would soon be sent away.
“I’m back.”
That was all she said.
Mirabel slowly looked at Neo.
“Haha…. I’m sorry.”
The woman smiled awkwardly.
“You must have heard everything from the head priest, right?”
Neo couldn’t respond. Faced with such a situation, even kind lies couldn’t come out.
“There’s no need to look at me with such eyes. I’ve been prepared for this for quite a while.”
“Um.”
“There are these things called demon gods in the demon realm, and among them is a particularly nasty one called Han-shin. If you’re cursed by him, you’ll end up like me.”
She spoke calmly even when facing death. Neo couldn’t fathom Mirabel’s feelings.
“I won’t be in my right mind soon. I’ll be driven mad by the very things I possess. I’ll become quite ugly, so you can pretend not to know me then. Keeping me close will only bring you embarrassment.”
And with that, she chuckled and smiled.
Neo genuinely didn’t know how to respond. She just felt gloomy.
“Right, you asked about my records, didn’t you?”
“….”
“I’ll let you know.”
She began rummaging through her records.
“Uh, if you could…. I would appreciate it. Normally, it’s something I should finish, but… because of my condition….”
“…A request?”
“Yes. Just keep this safe for me.”
Mirabel handed over the records she cherished as if they were her life.
Neo suddenly remembered the sight of Mirabel fainting. Even in that moment of losing consciousness, she’d requested that her records be kept safe.
The handwritten document that bore Ezekiel’s name.
After receiving it, Neo cautiously asked, “Um, can I read it too?”
And the reply came back immediately.
“Of course. But you must read it alone.”
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