Chapter 19

After returning to the hotel, Adela’s fever began to rise in earnest after dinner. Because of this, Adela went to bed earlier than usual.

“What should I do? She still has a slight fever.”

Joy spoke as she came out of Adela’s bedroom.

“Why on earth does she have a fever?”

“They say it can happen after your first time together.”

“It didn’t happen to me.”

Alexa scratched her cheek.

“You can’t compare yourself to her when you’re someone who uses aura.”

“Is that so?”

“Her Highness said she’ll be fine soon, but should we call a healer just in case?”

Joy looked to Alexa for help.

“Don’t look at me. If Her Highness did something she shouldn’t, how am I supposed to handle the aftermath?”

Adela rarely gets angry. Even when she does, she doesn’t show it.

But that doesn’t mean she’s generous to those who defy her words.

“I’ll go get some ice.”

Just then, Logan entered the room with a woman in her mid-thirties, neat in appearance.

“This way, please.”

Alexa and Joy looked at them.

“She’s a healer sent by Duke Shutal.”

“Is that so?”

Alexa welcomed the healer warmly.

“My name is Anne. According to the aide, the Princess has a fever, correct?”

“Yes, we were just worrying about what to do.”

“This way, please.”

Joy led Anne to the bedroom.

Left in the sitting room, Alexa and Logan finally looked relieved.

“Duke Shutal is really thoughtful. He even sent a healer. Is the Duke married?”

“He is.”

“Really, why did the Duke marry so early? Her Highness should have met someone like him and married right away. Then none of this trouble would have happened.”

Alexa lamented, but Logan was lost in other thoughts.

“How did Duke Shutal know to send a healer?”

“Good question.”

“Doesn’t that mean that insolent gladiator told him about being with Her Highness?”

Logan, who had never liked Braden, furrowed his brow. Alexa’s face hardened at his words.

“That b*stard, should I kill him?”

“When was it that you said their scandal was romantic?”

Logan looked at his wife with eyes full of blame.

“Did you think it would trouble you this much?”

Gossip is best enjoyed as gossip. She’d been excited, chatting with Joy about how to create a scandal, but now that it was happening, Alexa felt uneasy.

Not long after, Joy and Anne came out of the bedroom. Alexa and Logan jumped to their feet.

“How is Her Highness?”

“She only has a slight fever from fatigue and mild inflammation. She’s been treated and will be back to normal by tomorrow.”

“That’s a relief.”

Logan let out a sigh of relief.

“The bigger problem is that her energy flow throughout her body is quite disrupted.”

“What do you mean?”

“She seems to have a lot on her mind.”

“Oh, yes.”

Anne’s words made the three feel heavy-hearted.

“Physical ailments can be cured, but mental fatigue will return soon even if treated today. She needs regular exercise, rest, and sleep, and most importantly, peace of mind.”

“I can get her to exercise, but rest and sleep aren’t easy. And telling someone to relax doesn’t make it happen.”

Alexa sighed deeply. Adela was a serious workaholic.

“Of course. I’ll send a potion that boosts vitality and calms the mind and body. It should help.”

Anne smiled softly.

“Thank you.”

“And the Princess asked me to check on you as well, Dame Alexa.”

“Me? Why?”

Suddenly pointed out, Alexa looked bewildered.

“She said you’re expecting.”

“Oh, I’m fine, but Her Highness….”

Even while sick, Adela’s thoughtfulness for her knight moved Alexa deeply.

“Our Princess is really so considerate.”

Little hearts popped from Joy’s eyes.

“Where’s your room, Dame?”

“This way.”

“I’m her husband. May I come in as well?”

“Please do.”

The healer smiled gently at the tense Logan.

After finishing the checkup, Anne left.

“How was it?”

Joy asked Alexa.

“She said I’m very healthy.”

“But your belly’s growing by the day—are you sure you’re okay? Didn’t you say your clothes don’t fit anymore?”

Joy looked at Alexa’s growing belly with concern.

“It’s just because I’ve been eating a lot. Food here is so good. Isn’t it delicious, Honey?”

“It is.”

Logan nodded.

“Can you still guard Her Highness with your belly like that?”

“Who knew my belly would pop out so suddenly? Once this is over and we return to the Kingdom, I’ll assign a new guard. For now, I’m fine.”

Alexa remained carefree. Worry was her husband’s job.

***

“How is the Princess?”

Braden asked Anne.

“She had some fatigue and a slight fever, so I treated her.”

“She’s weak, tsk.”

Braden frowned, displeased. He’d sent Anne just in case, and it was a good call.

“She’s not weak. She’s just mentally exhausted. Insomnia, fatigue, and a heavy feeling in her chest.”

“Insomnia, chronic fatigue, stress. Every politician has those. I’ve got all of them myself.”

Shutal agreed strongly.

“It’s not something that built up in a day or two. She’s been pushing herself for a long time. She’s only lasted this long because her body’s healthy.”

“She’s like a porcelain doll. Looks fine on the outside.”

Anne kept insisting Adela wasn’t weak, but Braden didn’t seem to hear it that way.

Well, compared to Braden’s stamina, the Princess would seem weak—purely subjective.

“She’s well-nourished. If she rests and enjoys herself, her health won’t be an issue. Still, I sent potions to boost her vitality and calm her mind.”

“Good. You can go now. Keep everything that happened here a secret.”

“If you’d told me earlier, I would’ve given a potion to prevent fever and pain after her first time. Captain, it’s not very gentlemanly. Fever and fatigue—she must’ve suffered.”

Anne looked at Braden pointedly, with clear reproach.

“How was I supposed to know about that?”

Braden looked at Shutal.

“Didn’t I mention it? Maybe I forgot, since I got married so long ago.”

Shutal scratched his cheek and looked away.

“It’s too late now, but there’s a very effective aphrodisiac. Want me to give her some?”

Anne revealed her true nature and grinned slyly.

Ten years as a healer in the monster hunting grounds had left its mark. Her neat healer’s uniform was just for show.

“I don’t need that.”

“It’s for the Princess. Captain, you lost your bachelor status today, right? The aphrodisiac is to cover for lack of experience.”

“I did just fine without it, so mind your own business. If you want to give something, work on the taste of the contraceptive potion.”

“You drank it?”

Anne gasped in surprise.

“Anne, isn’t that surprising?”

Shutal spoke.

“What a remarkable Princess. To get the Captain to drink that. I’m really impressed.”

Anne whistled.

If not for a mage who could teleport, Liber might have died on the spot the day Braden was tricked into drinking the contraceptive potion.

“Unfortunately, only Sir Liber can fix the taste.”

“D*mn! That blasted Liber!”

Braden was truly annoyed. No wonder, since he had to drink that awful stuff for a whole month.

“If you say you drank it, Captain, Sir Liber would drop everything and come right away. Should I go tell him? I’ve got a hotline.”

“No thanks. I don’t want to see that madman. You can go now.”

Braden waved his hand, clearly bothered.

“And….”

“And what else?”

Braden looked like he wouldn’t let anything trivial slide.

“This isn’t directly related to the Princess, but I thought you should know.”

“What is it?”

“Her Highness’s knight is pregnant.”

“She’s pregnant and still guarding the Princess? Does the Princess know?”

Braden’s eyebrow twitched.

“Of course. The Princess asked me to check the knight’s health.”

“A good Princess is different, for sure.”

Shutal’s face was full of respect.

“She’s an aura knight, so both mother and child are healthy. She can still do her guard duties for now, but her belly’s starting to show. She may not be able to perform as well as before.”

“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Any other potions you need? Like a stamina potion?”

Anne’s eyes sparkled.

“Please, just go. Mages, honestly… tsk.”

“Hehe, yes. Call me if you need anything else.”

Anne waved cheerfully and left.

“How come Hanon’s the only decent mage?”

“That’s why he’s a candidate for Mage Tower Master.”

“Don’t call Anne again. She said she was focusing on potion research after leaving the hunting grounds, but she’s gotten weirder.”

“She’s the best healer, must be a woman, and can’t leak information, right? There’s no one else but Anne. Thanks to her, we know about Adela’s insomnia, fatigue, and stress. Mental healing isn’t easy.”

“Are you being sarcastic?”

“Yes. All this fuss over a little fatigue from her first time. A healer, really.”

“At least I’m not so weak I need a stamina potion like you.”

“Hey! That’s not it. Anne wanted to test her new potion, so I volunteered to help.”

Shutal protested.