I Became A Wretched Extra In A Healing Story - Chapter 23

“I like……”

Reibella was about to answer “I like it!” as usual without thinking, but she hesitated and chose her words carefully. She had said she now knew he was His Grace the Grand Duke, so she had to change her way of speaking.

“I just like it.”

At Reibella’s answer, his eyebrows furrowed slightly. As if he couldn’t understand.

Right, it would be strange. Where else would you find someone who just smiles and says they like it even when treated coldly?

Even she found it amusing as she thought about it, and when she smiled again, he let out a laugh in disbelief.

“Well. Someone who keeps coming to a place like this can’t be in their right mind.”

How bothersome.

He added, muttering. She couldn’t help but smile at those words too. After all, despite her visiting several times, he had never once driven her away.

Not only that. He would just quietly listen when she chattered away beside him. Recently, when she said she had to go, he even slightly followed to see her off.

At first, he would just stare blankly at the ground whether she came or not, whether she talked or not, but this was a big change.

‘Have we gotten a little closer?’

That would be nice.

It’s not that she didn’t have doubts about coming back here. She had confidently said, “You’ll be happy too,” but to make that happen, she had to deal with the Emperor.

Moreover, her visiting this place could become a big burden or risk factor for him.

But the boy’s existence kept pricking the back of her throat like an accidentally swallowed thorn. He was the person who had saved her life, and she didn’t want to leave him alone in this desolate palace.

So after much consideration, Reibella came back. She brazenly showed her face, smiled at him, and spoke to him.

Even while receiving suspicious looks, even knowing he was acting sensitively like a hedgehog with all its quills raised, she stayed by his side as if nothing was wrong.

Like the past ‘Reibella Felicity’ whom no one helped.

Just as she had gained the will to live from the kindness of Duke Vicheravali, she wanted to convey that feeling to him.

Of course, if she had still been in a situation where she was hated by everyone like before, she wouldn’t have had the leisure to visit this place.

But Reibella had become close to the princess, and she thought she wouldn’t be a big obstacle to him, so she was able to come.

Even so, this meeting was still being monitored by someone, and reports were being made.

Do you know?

The boy probably doesn’t know how intensely Reibella had agonized over coming here.

“What did you do today?”

He looked at Reibella, who had been asked the question, with an expressionless face. As if to say, what could there be to do in a place like this? To this, Reibella answered excitedly,

“For Your Grace who is like that, I brought a book. Ta-da!”

Reibella held out the book she had been holding. He glanced at the book cover with disinterested eyes.

“Another travel book?”

“It’s interesting, isn’t it? The vast sea! The fresh wind brushing against your cheeks!”

“It would be a salty wind.”

“Even if it’s salty, it would be a refreshing wind! Make sure to check if I’m right later. Okay?”

Reibella suddenly handed him the book and continued speaking.

“When you’re bored because I’m not here, go to the bookshelf in the room across. I’ve collected interesting books on the second shelf of that bookcase.”

“They’re probably all like this.”

“That may be true, but…”

Reibella hoped that the boy would go to that bookshelf at least once.

She had gathered stories that could make one laugh, hoping that the boy, who was helplessly waiting for the day he would be killed in this desolate palace, would gain hope.

And one more thing.

Among those books, Reibella had inserted a note. So that if the child starts dreaming of the future, it could help.

‘I want to tell him right away, even now, but…’

She couldn’t tell him right away. The current boy would consider any information given to him unnecessary.

Because he had no desire for life at all.

Even now, it was the same.

He had shown a bit of interest for a moment, but soon he turned his head away to look outside like that.

Always sitting at the same window, looking somewhere, but the direction of his gaze wasn’t clear, and he didn’t seem to be thinking about anything. He would stay like that for a long time.

That appearance sometimes looked like completely burnt ashes, and sometimes like a candle flame that would go out with a gust of wind.

It was so precarious that even she felt anxious just looking at him.

So she hoped that when he felt even a little desire to be happy, he would discover it with his own strength.

And she hoped he would believe it.

There was only one way for the boy to become happy.

That the only way was to participate in the war between the Empire and the allied nations centered around Perilsete, which would continue for nearly 10 years from now.

* * *

After a long time, the imperial palace was filled with the laughter of young girls.

The protagonists of that laughter were Donna Jacqueline, who had regained her family thanks to the princess’s wit, and…

“No matter how pretty the fish are, they’re just lowly creatures. They can’t even compare to the tip of Your Highness’s toe when it comes to beauty and fashion sense.”

The girl with a gorgeous appearance who spoke primly was Michelle Talia. She was a lady from a marquis family like Donna Jacqueline, and had turned thirteen this year. She was an eternal ally who had come to follow the princess, captivated by her fashion sense.

The two, who had been invited by the princess to the imperial palace, had spent a pleasant time boating on the palace lake called the Spirit’s Tears with the princess.

Then, to replenish the energy they had spent laughing, they sat around a round table.

“Of course, they can’t compare to Your Highness’s toe, but still, maybe because they live in water blessed by spirits, they were very mysterious.”

“That’s true. They were quite iridescent.”

“I’m curious about the blessed tree that spirits are said to have raised. Would it be as mysterious as those fish?”

“You mean the tree in Louvindisi? I’m curious about that too! I’m planning to go see it soon. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.”

At the princess’s words, Donna’s eyes sparkled brightly as she giggled, saying if possible, she would love to be taken along.

“Are you Reibella?”

Michelle, who had been chatting with the princess, suddenly asked Reibella, who was standing beside the princess.

Surprised by the sudden attention, Reibella’s eyes, who had been quietly tasting food like a shadow, widened.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Her Highness the Princess. That you’re very clever.”

The scrutinizing gaze that looked her up and down while going “Hmm” was as strict as an interviewer’s. She became more careful about chewing her food.

At that moment, Donna, who was nearby, nodded her head vigorously.

“Me, me too. I’ve heard a lot! And I also saw you at the tea party.”

“I couldn’t attend then, but I heard from Her Highness the Princess about how active you were. And Lady Donna kept talking about it too.”

At Michelle’s words, Donna’s cheeks turned red with shyness. Then she smiled broadly.

“I was envious of how well you got along with others… Because I only caused trouble for Her Highness then.”

Donna’s expression turned gloomy as she recalled the friction she had with the young lady from the Brown family on the day of the tea party. Then Michelle, who had been acting more mature than her age, spoke primly.

“That’s why I’ve told you so many times to act more confidently, haven’t I? If you get caught up by such people, it lowers the honor of the marquis family.”

Although she spoke as if displeased, her eyes towards Donna, who was younger than her, contained warmth rather than rebuke.

“It’s a shame the Brown family returned to their territory. If it weren’t for that, I would have taken revenge.”

They said it was because the Brown family’s business had completely collapsed after that day. They tried to reach out to others for help, but no one was willing to help those who had fallen out with the princess.

“It’s fortunate that His Majesty cares so much for Your Highness.”

“Do you think Dad did it?”

“Who else in this empire could ruin such a large business in such a short time?”

“…Dad, really.”

The princess sighed deeply and muttered, “I can’t live like this,” but there was a smile on her lips. It was a face that didn’t seem to dislike newly confirming her father’s love.

Seeing the princess’s smile, the faces of those watching also showed a pleased expression. Everyone in the room clenched their fists at the lovable figure that made them want to cherish and protect her, with feelings of affection welling up.

It was truly a warm atmosphere.

Except for one person, Reibella, who was staying in her seat to taste the food.

‘These kids are really scary.’

Clearly, the atmosphere was like a warm flower garden, but the content of the conversation was truly shocking.

Is this really a conversation for seven-year-olds, ten-year-olds, and thirteen-year-olds?

Watching them talk about taking down a person with such innocent faces right in front of her, the children didn’t look entirely lovable anymore. They were very frightening children.