I Thought I Healed the Villain's Sickly Younger Brother - Chapter 18

During this time, Forcite remained silent, seeming to understand her meaning.

“……”

“……”

After a long silence where many people waited for Forcite to speak, he finally removed Merrien’s hand.

“…!”

Just as Merrien’s eyes were about to widen, he began looking between her and Ariel with an expression completely different from before – one of seriousness.

“I apologize for breaking the treaty with House Hartez and coming unannounced, as a prince. Actually, I came today because I have something to give to both the Duke and Saint Merrien.”

He then calmly pulled out a thick paper from his br*east pocket and handed it to them. Even his voice had changed, becoming low and deep, like a different person.

‘…What’s this suddenly? Why did he change so much?’

As Merrien stood there with a bewildered expression at this surprising situation, Ariel accepted the paper with a slight smile.

He also didn’t forget to subtly take and pat Merrien’s hand that had been holding Forcite’s arm.

Finally coming to her senses, Merrien gave Ariel an exasperated look before shifting her attention to the paper Forcite had handed over.

It was an invitation stamped neatly with the imperial golden seal.

“Saint Merrien has been officially invited to the upcoming imperial banquet. Both I and His Majesty the Emperor desire your attendance. After all, as Merrien said, she is my precious friend in private matters.”

Forcite added these words as if explaining the invitation. Though his words were somewhat threatening, his tone was so polite it almost didn’t seem that way.

Moreover, the affectionate “Merri” was gone, replaced by “Saint Merrien.”

‘…Wait, even though I’m a Saint, I’m not nobility, yet I have to attend an imperial banquet?’

What kind of unreasonable invitation was this?

Was this really the same man who had been crying out “Merri” so desperately just moments ago?

Merrien suppressed a laugh of disbelief as she stared at Forcite, but he maintained unwavering eye contact as though he had truly become a different person.

Even so, being commanded to attend the banquet by an irrefutable imperial order was nothing short of coercion.

And this invitation was personally delivered by the Second Prince to House Hartez.

Sharing Merrien’s thoughts, Ariel glared at Forcite. Noticing the look, Forcite said “Ah” before continuing.

“Since Duke Hartez has a contract with the imperial family not to leave his residence, it’s fine if only Saint Merrien comes. You’ll get along well with the Saint I rescued – you might make a good new friend.”

“No, this is precisely when I should attend. Thank you, Your Highness.”

While Ariel was smiling pleasantly, Merrien, standing beside him, heard the terrifying sound of his teeth grinding. Forcite must have heard it too.

“So this will be Duke Hartez’s first outing? Haha, well then, I shall take my leave.”

But Forcite laughed heartily as if nothing was wrong and mounted his horse with a demeanor completely different from when he first arrived.

He vanished into the mist. He seemed like such a different person that one might believe he had a split personality.

The people of House Hartez left behind maintained their silence for a while, watching each other cautiously.

The awkward atmosphere gradually dispersed thanks to Merrien’s muttering.

“That went… well, right? He understood what I meant, right?”

“……”

For the first time ever, Ariel didn’t respond to Merrien’s words.

Merrien didn’t particularly mind. She hadn’t been seeking anyone’s response, just voicing her concerns to herself.

She didn’t want to get entangled with Forcite in any strange way anymore.

‘Well, I wouldn’t mind meeting him as a friend, but since he’s a prince, I’d rather not meet him at all.’

Her current life was too comfortable.

She would have to return to reality once she fulfilled her healing quota anyway.

Until then, she just wanted to stay at House Hartez with Ariel.

“Looks like we have no choice but to attend the imperial banquet, tsk.”

Beside her, Ariel burned the invitation without even opening it.

Did he burn Forcite’s letter the same way…? Merrien quickly read her invitation, worried he might burn hers too while she awkwardly smiled at his action.

The imperial banquet was two months from now.

‘Forcite said I might become friends with the new Saint.’

She tapped the invitation with her index finger, recalling Forcite’s words. That meant she could meet the original female lead.

‘Maybe I can get new information then. There might even be progress with Ariel’s healing.’

“Ah!”

Merrien let out an exclamation at her sudden realization.

‘If I become friends with the female lead, I can help set her up with Forcite – this might actually be better!’

Though it wasn’t really her fault, the original story had gotten twisted because Merrien was alive, so she resolved to fix it herself. Yes, think positively! Think positively!

As Merrien’s mood rapidly improved from its previous gloom, Ariel tilted his head and stared at her intently.

He didn’t seem interested in asking what had caused the change.

And Merrien had no idea that starting the next morning, she would become incredibly busy.

***

“Saint, the dance instructor has arrived.”

“…Huh?”

Merrien was just about to take her first spoonful of soup that the servants had prepared, having barely rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

She had fallen asleep late after imagining how to match Forcite with the female lead, and had been nodding off, but…

The butler’s unexpected voice accompanied by a cheerful knock immediately chased away her drowsiness.

“Dance instructor? Haha, I must have heard wrong?”

Merrien lifted the corners of her mouth in an awkward, almost spasmodic smile as she looked desperately at the surrounding maids, seeking confirmation.

However, they all simply lowered their heads and avoided her gaze.

“You heard correctly, Saint. Duke Hartez specially invited them for the imperial banquet. Once you finish breakfast, please proceed to the drawing room.”

“……”

The butler who had just entered answered instead, responding to Merrien’s pitiful question.

Merrien dropped her spoon before she could even take a bite of her soup.

‘…Wait, we just received the imperial banquet invitation yesterday, and they already found a dance instructor in less than a day?’

And dancing first thing in the morning? Stop lying…

While Merrien was trembling visibly, the butler casually added more information.

“Since outside visitors are prohibited after six in the evening, everything must be completed before then. The schedule will be quite tight until the imperial banquet.”

“W-what?”

The butler spoke rapidly as if reading Merrien’s mind. Then he calmly took out his pocket watch to check the time.

“Ah, after dance practice, you’ll move straight to healing the Duke.”

Though a maid tactfully placed the spoon back in Merrien’s hand, she dropped it again.

‘…Where did my peaceful and leisurely daily life go?’

Her sad question simply disappeared into her heart.

Merrien finished her meal so hurriedly she couldn’t tell if the food was going down her throat or nose.

Even then, she thought this must be a mischievous prank by Ariel or the butler, but…

“Saint, I’ll escort you to the drawing room now.”

It seemed the talk about the dance instructor was true after all.

The butler led Merrien straight to the drawing room attached to her chambers.

‘Sigh… Well, I suppose I’ll need to dance at the banquet. But I’m not mentally prepared for this yet.’

While Merrien was lamenting silently, the butler who had placed his hand on the drawing room doorknob suddenly paused and turned around.

“Saint.”

“Yes?”

“As you may have noticed while staying at Duke Hartez’s mansion, this place is rather secluded and somewhat different from ordinary noble residences.”

“……”

What was he trying to say with such an introduction?

The butler continued seriously, even forgetting his habit of adjusting his monocle.