Chapter 47

From the next chapter, it is the Epilogue of Part One.

Claudia called out to him as if exhaling.

Karlheinz, who had shattered the barrier, instantly assessed the situation and issued orders to the magicians he had brought with him.

"Go and rescue the prince, as well as the young lords and ladies! I will treat the princess and her attendant. Senior magicians, check for any traces of the curse."

"Yes, sir."

(These are indeed the magicians of the royal castle. They all seem to be capable, even in this situation...)

In her fading consciousness, Claudia thought this. Noah, who had run up to Karlheinz, whispered the situation to him.

"The princess has used too much magic and is bleeding..."

"Princess. I will take the liberty of touching your hand."

Karlheinz took Claudia's hand and began to cast a healing spell. Noah, who could not yet use healing magic, looked on with frustration.

"Mm... Karlheinz. In the courtyard, there's also Lady Emilia..."

"Princess Emilia?"

"The princess is resting inside a small barrier she set up. There are some complications with the curse."

Karlheinz must have grasped the general situation from Noah's whispered words. At that moment, a shout came from the entrance of the hall.

"Her Highness, Queen Ilmela! You cannot enter yet...!!"

"Let go...!! Ah, ah, Emilia...!!"

Queen Ilmela, the principal queen, was struggling and thrashing about, trying to push past the magicians who were trying to stop her.

"Your Highness, please step back!!"

"I'm sorry...!! What have I done...!!"

Noah had relayed to Karlheinz what had happened in the hall. Ilmela must have learned that the curse, which was supposed to target only Claudia, had failed and put many children in danger.

"I don't care what happens to me...!! I will accept any punishment, in exchange for my life...! Please, please save that child...!!"

(...Such a heart-wrenching cry...)

In her drowsiness, Claudia thought vaguely.

(...The voice of a mother worried about her daughter...)

With that thought, she slowly closed her eyes. While healing Claudia, Karlheinz said in a serious tone.

"We will question Queen Ilmela. ...It may not be possible for you to see Princess Emilia when she wakes up."

"..."

For a mother who was so worried about her daughter, not being able to confirm her safety must be excruciating. Imagining this, Claudia's consciousness began to fade. She couldn't seem to respond properly.

(I'm so sleepy... But no, I have to stay awake a little longer...)

While being carried by Noah, she thought drowsily.

"Sir Karlheinz. The princess is..."

"Rest assured, she will surely recover soon. ...But you are in a bad state yourself."

"I don't mind. More importantly, the princess..."

"Mm..."

Hearing Noah's words as she had imagined, Claudia opened her mouth with a frown.

"No, Noah..."

"...Princess?"

"You promised to always stay by my side..."

In her sleepy, cozy state, she placed her hand on Noah's cheek with a pat.

"That's true, but..."

"Take care of yourself too. If you call yourself mine, I won't allow you to neglect yourself."

"That's..."

Noah looked embarrassed as she said this with a pout. Claudia reached out with both hands and peered into his obsidian eyes.

"Adorable attendant."

With her young body and soul, she had fought desperately to live with Claudia. Thinking of this, Claudia next hugged Noah tightly.

"...My Noah."

"...!!"

The name Noah means 'rest.'

They had met in the forest, and the name was given as a playful idea from the thought of 'wanting a dog.' In her previous life as Adelheid, she could never seek rest from others, which is why she did this.

Originally, it was a name given with the intention of letting go soon. Yet, Noah, with his straightforward and sincere nature, gave Claudia what she desired.

"Princess..."

His voice sounded somewhat troubled, and she felt dissatisfied, thinking he still didn't understand.

"It's fine now, mm, put me down. Noah should also receive treatment soon..."

"Alright, alright!!"

Noah, who had been trying to move, held her tighter.

"I will receive treatment. But I won't put you down yet."

"Why not?"

With her sleepy, grumpy mood, she asked, and Noah replied with a serious face.

"Only I am allowed to carry the princess, right?"

"!"

It was what Claudia had told her father the day before. 'Only Noah is allowed to carry Claudia,' she had declared clearly, almost as a declaration of war. Noah seemed to have a troubled expression, but he must have accepted it.

"I won't let you go until I bring you to a safe place."

"..."

Noah said this and smiled, squinting his eyes.

"...There's no helping it, I guess."

Seeing his expression, she genuinely felt that way. Claudia yawned softly and pressed herself against Noah.

"I'm sleepy... Karlheinz, please take care of Noah..."

The overwhelming fatigue and the rapid relief from the healing magic made it impossible to resist the drowsiness. She could no longer speak and pressed her forehead against Noah's.

In response, Noah patted her back helplessly.

"---Please, rest well."

(Good night, my rest.)

And Claudia fell into a deep, drowsy sleep.

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To be continued in the Epilogue