Chapter 8

※ Second Chapter of the Day

The next day, after a week of wearing simple dresses, I put on a day dress. I wouldn’t need to climb a stool or stomp to do the laundry anymore.

"That’s right, I should take this with me."

I took a small jar of ointment from the shelf and slipped it into the pocket of my dress. As usual, I was picked up by Lord Aslan and entered the Green House, where I noticed something was off.

"Oh, was the entrance this bright before?"

Even though no lights were on, the room was less dark than it had been yesterday.

"It must be because the windows on the second floor have been cleaned, allowing more sunlight to come in."

Looking up, I saw that the glass was indeed spotless, unlike the previous day. Perhaps the knights cleaned it after I left.

"I must thank Lord Aslan and all the knights."

"No, it wasn’t us."

"Then who...?"

"Prince Clovis will tell you."

I couldn’t imagine that it was the prince—such an impossible thought—and went upstairs to knock on the door of the study.

"Good morning. Nadia Masquar, I have arrived."

"Come in."

With a soft voice, I entered, relieved that yesterday’s events were not a dream. But my heart soon leaped, and I doubted my eyes.

"Y-Your Highness... your face...!?"

"Surprised?"

Prince Clovis smiled smugly, as if his scheme had succeeded. His face was incredibly beautiful, and the burn scars were completely gone.

"I was using special makeup to fake the burn scars. I thought I wouldn’t need it in front of you anymore, so I took it off."

"Is that so..."

I had seen him up close and hadn’t noticed at all. I couldn’t even imagine how the makeup could be applied to look so realistic. I was both surprised and greatly relieved, placing my hand on my chest and letting out a small sigh.

"Did it scare you? I’m sorry."

"No, Your Highness often touched the burn scars, and I was worried that you were in pain or discomfort. It’s a relief to know it was all for nothing."

Burn scars can leave strong aftereffects. If the skin doesn’t fully recover, it can stretch with every expression and become painful when dry.

It’s a relief that they were fake.

"Hehe, I brought the ointment, but if the burn scars were fake, it’s not needed, right?"

"Ointment?"

"It’s something I use. I brought a small sample for you to try... here it is. It works for burns and scrapes, so if you’d like..."

I took it out of my pocket, opened the lid, and placed it on the desk in front of Prince Clovis. Suddenly, many small balls of light gathered around the jar. Pearl isn’t here, so she shouldn’t be around.

"Clovis, I sense the presence of companions."

"Companions?"

A voice came from the light, and I couldn’t help but ask. I quickly covered my mouth, but Prince Clovis was looking at me with a shocked expression.

"Miss Nadia... can you hear their voices?"

"Yes... cute voices from the balls of light."

"Unbelievable..."

Prince Clovis’s expression changed to one of delight, and he whispered, "I found it."

"Where did you get this ointment?"

From his reaction, I could tell he could see them too. I believed it was safe to tell him.

"I made it. I grow herbs in my greenhouse and mix them myself. I live with beings similar to these lights, and they share their light powder with me, which I mix in at the end. But I can’t hear their voices. What are these lights?"

"These are fairies. The light powder is the scales from their wings, which have magical properties and are very valuable. You made it without knowing about fairies... I need to explain a bit more."

Fairies are invisible to ordinary people and are whimsical, with strong likes and dislikes. It’s rare to be favored by them, and even rarer to gain their cooperation. Those who can recognize fairies are called "Fairy’s Beloved" and are highly valued and protected by the state.

Those who manage green spaces like gardens and forests, and those who can gain the fairies’ cooperation, use the scales to create secret remedies.

The presence of a Beloved in the country makes it easier to receive the fairies’ blessings, so even living in this country is enough, according to Prince Clovis.

"I’ve never heard of this."

"Only the royal family and a few others know. Even in a ducal family, some know and some don’t. It’s a state secret. Since they’re invisible, some don’t believe even when told. They’re sometimes mistaken for ghosts, and there are secret agreements that prevent easy disclosure... However, Beloveds are supposed to be privately informed by a priest after their baptism. Were you not told?"

"My baptism was held at the mansion, not the church. Perhaps my family was nearby, so they couldn’t tell me."

"Hmm, a baptism at the mansion with a priest called in."

Prince Clovis folded his arms and closed his eyes, tapping his fingers on his arm for a few minutes before looking at me again.

"Let’s redo the baptism now."

"Are we going to the church? What about Your Highness’s work?"

"Managing fairies is my job. The baptism will be held at the Green House, and I will act as the priest. Follow me."

He extended his elbow. Is this an escort? Tentatively, I placed my hand on his arm, and he led me to a door at the back of the study and opened it.