Chapter 61

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"Why do I have to take a bath too?"

Luna was sulking in the large bathtub of the Rodenvalt family, her arms crossed.

In the bathroom, there were Luna, her younger sister Mina, the lord's wife Gabriella, and her sister Valerie, as well as the lord's two daughters.

Gabriella had invited everyone to take a bath together, and Luna couldn't refuse and was brought here.

"Mina is so playful. Well, it's fine."

Mina, who is still young and is adored as "big sister" by the younger girls, seemed happy to act older and was taking care of the two of them diligently.

Thanks to Mina, Gabriella was having fun making Valerie all foamy.

Luna alone was sulking in the bathtub, her elbow resting on the side.

Luna had heard about Valerie's situation.

As a woman, she felt sorry that Valerie had suffered from severe burns for a year, and she was proud that Retha, her husband, had successfully saved her when the incompetent healer couldn't.

She glanced at Valerie.

"Hmm, the one who worked hard to treat her until Papa collapsed, was that person, hmm. Hmm."

She was a very beautiful person.

A charming and lovely beauty with freckles.

(Being cute and beautiful is so unfair, isn't it?)

Though she didn't say it out loud because she was jealous, Luna felt a jealousy-like emotion towards Valerie, who could make anyone, even other women, stare in admiration.

If she were to become a waitress at a restaurant, her fans would probably come every day. If she were to become a guild receptionist, even the tough adventurers would lose their dignity and try desperately to get closer to her.

She was that beautiful.

"What's wrong, big sister?"

As she stared at Valerie, the younger girls, who were tired from playing, were led out of the bathroom by a maid and came over to her.

"Nothing, just... I was thinking that Papa helps a lot of people."

"Of course, Dad is great!"

"That's right. He's our proud Papa."

For Luna and Mina, Retha is a source of pride.

They are grateful every day for being part of a family with such a kind person.

Sometimes, she wonders what she would do if all this were just a dream.

When she feels anxious, she can just hug him. He seems to sense her feelings unconsciously and holds her tightly.

—Luna loved Retha so much.

"I wish I could have seen Papa heal Valerie."

"Right. He must have looked so cool... Wait?"

"Big sister? What's wrong?"

"...Hey, Mina, haven't we always been together?"

"Yes."

"Then, didn't the effect of Papa's blessing not work on you?"

"...I don't know. But I've been told that it doesn't work if I'm not close."

"Of course, that's right. Then, Papa—"

If Luna's memory is correct, the people who had captured Mina to use her powers had said that her power was not very strong.

The effect would disappear if she was too far from the target, and even if she was close, the blessing wasn't always active.

Therefore, Mina's blessing had nothing to do with Valerie's treatment.

Retha must have healed her with his own power alone.

"It seems he didn't realize it, but Papa must have a talent as a healer. No, he definitely has talent. He couldn't be a healer without it. It means he's even more amazing. And Mina's blessing is just a bonus, right?"

Still, there was no clear answer.

Having talent in that type of magic is generally considered to be having talent if you can use it.

The quality of a mage is determined by the amount of magic power and the strength of the spells they can cast.

Retha has the potential to be a healer. That's for sure.

He can use recovery magic that surpasses the average healer without Mina's blessing.

Furthermore, he learned to use a spell from a magic book borrowed from the adventurer's guild in just a few days, so he must be very talented.

"Big sister?"

"Yes?"

"Dad is amazing!"

"...You're just saying that without understanding, aren't you? Well, it's fine. Whether Dad is an excellent healer or not, I'll just support him as his cute wife."

"Mina will work hard for Dad too!"

"Right, we'll support Dad together."

"Okay!"

Luna, who had been looking at her sister with a fond smile, subtly shifted her gaze to Valerie without being noticed.

"...The problem is... I hope she doesn't fall in love with Papa."

She was afraid that, like herself, once someone knew Retha's kindness and the passionate feelings he kept hidden in his heart, they might easily fall in love.

Luna had heard that Valerie was unconscious during the treatment, but if she had been conscious and saw Retha's earnest efforts, it would have been a problem.

(Still, I can't feel at ease. The lord's sister calls Papa 'Lord Retha,' and the fact that he healed her long-suffering burns so easily must have raised her approval rating.)

Luna, who was watching Valerie's smiling face with caution, sank into the water with a frown, feeling unamused by the possibility of a new rival.