Chapter 39

A moment passed, and the king made his decision.

"Let's summon that girl to the palace. If she lives here, it will prevent her from being kidnapped."

"No, that won't do. The range of the rain she brings is currently less than 3,000 meters in diameter. If she stays in the palace, she won't be able to bring healing rain to the farm, which is about 5 kilometers away."

"Does that mean the range of the rain can change?"

"Yes, it changes with her growth. So, it's expected to expand over the next few years. According to her father, the range has been expanding by about 200 meters per year recently."

"Hmm. To have hidden such power for fourteen years. It's quite impressive that they managed to keep it hidden."

"To avoid being recognized as the cause of the rain, she was moved around in a cart and made to sleep in it twice a week."

"To go to such lengths to avoid being taken in by the authorities. ... How pitiful. The royal family must be seen as imposing unreasonable demands. I would like to meet her and thank her for saving my life, but that seems impossible, doesn't it?"

"Markus, this is a very serious matter. Whether to protect the girl from Faril or to proceed without meeting her, we cannot act rashly."

"I will have Gil inform her about the meeting."

"Let's also call the person who has been investigating for the past three years. I want to hear the results."

"Father, she is, in a sense, a treasure of our country. Please do not force them to do anything they do not wish to do. I beg you."

"Markus, I am not so foolish as to further frighten those who have hidden their daughter for fourteen years out of fear of authority."

That morning, the head maid Eitana, who manages the secondary palace, received instructions from the king's attendant.

"We are to summon the people who grow the queen's favorite fruits to the secondary palace. Prepare to welcome them."

Eitana, judging that (it is unprecedented to prepare the secondary palace for commoners. This must be someone the queen particularly favors), gave instructions to the cleaning women.

"Clean every corner thoroughly. Decorate with flowers. You will prepare the tea, and you will prepare the tea snacks. There must be no mistakes."

In the afternoon, Alesia, her parents, and Isabelle arrived at the secondary palace in a carriage sent from the palace. They all wore their best clothes and shoes, but unfortunately, their attire stood out in the opulence of the palace and the secondary palace. They were all aware of the mismatch and were tense.

"Why do I have to come? Wouldn't it have been enough to just hand over the summary?"

"Isabelle, I'm not happy about this either. Don't say such things now that we're here."

"Both of you, follow your mother's example. She's calm and composed."

The three of them looked at Ilda.

"Unfortunately, my legs are shaking."

Ilda straightened her back and smiled wryly.

Soon, the king and queen, along with Prince Markus, entered. Alesia and her family stood and bowed, waiting to be addressed.

"Raise your heads. Try to be comfortable."

The king and queen and the prince took their seats, and a meeting with Alesia and her family began. The tea and pastries were served, and the maids and guard knights were dismissed.

The queen, Berna, was the first to express her gratitude.

"Alesia, thanks to the cloth you gave me, I was saved from a painful illness. I am truly grateful. You are my savior."

Queen Berna spoke politely, and the king also expressed his gratitude. Alesia's parents were extremely tense.

Alesia's parents were so tense that Alesia, who was the calmest, took the lead in the conversation. Isabelle did not speak at all.

Alesia's demeanor was so composed that later, Ilda confided to her husband, Serio:

"She seemed like a seasoned adult. I almost didn't recognize her as my own child."

Meanwhile, that morning, Helrod, who had failed in his late-night exploration, went out to stroll around the city. However, he soon noticed the presence of multiple people. Just by turning his head, one of the guards stepped up beside him.

"We are being followed, Your Highness."

"Yes, did something happen last night?"

"I just went for a walk, but I was discovered."

The leader of the guards who had accompanied Helrod from Faril looked displeased.

"Your Highness, we told you not to go out alone."

"Okay, I won't do it again. But it seems they have found the hiding place of the treasure. The fact that they sent this many people means they don't want me to get too close. In that case, we'll have to change our approach."

Helrod had requested a leisurely educational trip, but unexpectedly received a command that felt like a test. He was anxious to succeed.