Episode 14: I’ll Grant Your Wish Next Time
The second hurdle I had to overcome: Delphirow was thoroughly checking the condition of my body.
*Cough!*
I stopped my mana completely in fear that he might detect it through the stethoscope, and that made a dry cough burst out. Delphirow, who had been listening with his eyes closed, turned toward me. Our eyes met exactly. I spread both hands as wide as I could. Of course, they weren’t big enough to cover even half of Delphirow’s face.
“I’m not sick. I’m just thirsty.”
That cough was *not* because I was unwell, okay? So write a good report. Got it? When I widened my eyes at him, Delphirow raised his brows. After studying me for a long moment, he finally took the stethoscope off.
“Can I go then?”
I asked, eyes sparkling. Delphirow opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“It seems your heartbeat is still unstable—”
HOLD IT. That’s a terrible start! I slapped my hand over his mouth.
“I’m healthy, right?”
“Mmghh-mmmph.”
He looked troubled. Carefully, he pulled my hand away.
“Your condition is unstable, and your stamina is not suited for long-distance travel—”
“Stop!”
This man is hopeless! I *told* him I’m fine! Sure, I know listening to doctors is the key to a long life, but the Duke of Iter said that soon the mist would surround the mansion. It was clearly dangerous, and I didn’t know how long I’d be stuck inside. That meant I wouldn’t be able to meet someone my age either! I ran to a drawer and pulled out my secret weapon: a seashell necklace.
“What’s this…?”
Even as I placed the necklace on his head, Delphirow looked sour. I poked the hand holding his stethoscope and stared up at him with pleading, sparkling eyes. Come on—you know what I want.
“Uh…”
He stammered, then removed the necklace. He examined the shimmering seashells. I could almost hear the gears in his head grinding. After a long internal struggle, he looked at me.
“Miss… thank you for this. Truly.”
He smiled. Wow. He actually looked younger when he smiled—was he really not an old man?
“But if you want my medical opinion to change, that’s a bit—”
“I’m *really* healthy.”
I held up my hands again. I’m telling the truth! My physical issues were originally because of low stamina and the powerful mana surrounding my heart. But after living here, my—*ahem*—stamina improved and I became healthier, so obviously my body should be better.
“Of course, compared to when you first arrived, you’re much—”
“That’s all!”
I slapped a hand over his mouth again. If I’m better, that’s what matters! Why so many words?
“I’m seriously healthy. Okay?”
I stepped closer. Bribery didn’t work. Time for a deal.
I whispered, very quietly:
“If you say I’m healthy… I’ll grant you a wish next time.”
Delphirow froze. I smiled brightly.
“Well?”
“Uh…”
He massaged his head like he was carrying the weight of a thousand years.
“You’ll be with me anyway. If you feel sick, we can come right back. Okay?”
If not now, I won’t be able to go out for a while! My desperate voice finally made him sigh.
“You have to promise. If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me immediately.”
“Yes!”
Yesss!! I clenched my tiny fist victoriously. But Delphirow narrowed his eyes.
“Do *not* pretend you’re fine. If you do, I’ll tell His Grace and ensure you don’t take a single step outside your room.”
“…!”
Okay, that’s terrifying. I backed away. Delphirow stood up, placed the medical report form on the table, and began writing quickly.
[Miss Nasia is—]
I leaned forward to read, but he casually covered it with his hand. His adult male hand covered the entire page, naturally blocking my view.
“You’re writing nice things, right?”
He gave an awkward smile.
“Of course.”
“You’re not lying, right?”
He nodded repeatedly.
“I assure you, Miss. You will be able to go out. Don’t worry.”
“Good!”
I grabbed Azelta’s hand tightly.
“Let’s get ready!”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Azelta peeked at the report.
“What is he writing?”
I poked her and whispered anxiously. It was long—too long. Azelta leaned closer and whispered back:
“He’s writing how healthy you are.”
“Really?”
…That sounded suspicious. But Delphirow handed the report off, and soon after, permission from the Duke arrived.
“His Grace wishes you a pleasant trip.”
“YES!”
I cheered—and clutched my chest.
“Young Lady?”
Delphirow grabbed me, startled.
“Probably lifted my arms too fast.”
Ow. Gotta calm down. I suppressed the mana around my heart.
—
**[Medical Report]**
Ain read Delphirow’s report.
[Opinion: Miss Nasia is fit to travel by carriage to House Deas.]
That sentence should have been the end.
But underneath—outside the designated form—he had written an entire essay:
[Miss Nasia’s heartbeat is significantly weak compared to other children her age. It’s as if something is suppressing it. Her stamina is also inadequate for long travel. Even in a carriage, she will likely experience severe fatigue.]
“…”
Anyone could see that was negative.
Then why did the line above say she was fit to travel?
Ain narrowed his eyes. The essay continued:
[However, Miss Nasia has been unable to go outside for a long time, resulting in severe mental fatigue. Mental fatigue affects heart health, and I’m losing my mind—]
A line crossed through part of the sentence, but it was still readable.
[She bribed me and promised to grant a wish if I wrote she could go. If I don’t write nice things she won’t even look at my fa—]
The handwriting trembled, as if someone had shaken him mid-sentence.
Even so—could he let a sick child leave?
Ain leaned toward rejecting the request, until he saw the *last* sentence:
[If you deny her this trip, the emotional damage to your father–daughter relationship will be severe.]
“…”
Ain massaged his forehead. The greatest dilemma since becoming Duke. And yet… he couldn’t win against that last line.
“Grant permission. But—”
He added:
“If there is any health issue, she must return immediately.”
He muttered again:
“Surely that’s simple enough.”
“Understood.”
The servants would simplify his wording anyway.
Ain looked toward the mist forming in the distance.
*I want to go with her.*
But not yet—not when he didn’t know how she’d react if he closed the distance too quickly.
—
The carriage ride was both short and long. And for one simple reason—
“Whoa.”
The moment I looked inside the carriage, I gasped. Was this a carriage or a mobile bedroom? No wonder preparation took forever. The floor was covered in a fluffy carpet with bear patterns. Instead of seats, there was a small children’s bed. Even the walls were decorated with bears. My favorite pillow was already set on the bed.
“Am I supposed to sleep on the way?”
Across from the bed was a standard adult seat.
—*Plop.* Azelta set me down on the bed.
“You may look outside or sleep if you wish, My Lady.”
“I’m not sleeping!”
I slapped the bed excitedly and hugged the pillow.
—*rumble.*
Behind us, the Duke’s escort unit—around ten knights—formed a protective formation around the carriage.
“Is it far?”
“About three hours by carriage.”
Azelta replied. I scratched my chin. So by horse it would be faster.
“Then I’ll look outside the whole time!”
“And if you feel sick, you must tell us right away.”
Delphirow spoke sternly, arms crossed.
“Okay.”
Even if he was pretending to be strict, he was still a doctor. And all doctors I knew were stubborn. If I got sick, one word from him and the carriage would turn around.
*Deep breath.* Calm down. This is my first real trip since arriving in this life, so of course I was excited, but excitement would make my heart race, and that would cause pain. Calm! I peeked at Delphirow.
He glanced out the window… but every time our eyes met, he widened his eyes in warning. With each glare, his dark circles deepened.
“Want to lie down?”
He looked like the one needing the bed, not me. I patted the bed.
“Huh?”
He blinked stupidly. Maybe it was too small for him. I lay down to check.
“Oh wow…”
I only meant to test it, but it was *so soft*. And with my pillow—pure bliss.
And the bed was placed perfectly so that all I had to do was lift my head slightly to see the scenery outside.
They definitely expected me to fall asleep in the fresh breeze.
As soon as I realized that intention, I hugged the pillow tightly.
There was *no way* I would sleep!
“The wind feels so nice.”
Just a *little* close my eyes…
—
“Miss, we’ve arrived.”
“…Huh?”
What—?
The scenery had completely changed. A strange house stood outside. Wait—that was Deas? They said it would take three hours!
—*WHAP!*
I leapt up, throwing the pillow into the air.
“Puugh—!”
Delphirow made a weird sound—probably because the pillow hit him—but I rushed to the window. My first trip—gone in my sleep??
“You slept very soundly, Miss.”
Azelta chuckled. I puffed my cheeks.
“You should’ve woken me!”
“You looked too peaceful. I couldn’t disturb you.”
That was the plan from the beginning, wasn’t it?! I glared at her with my hands on my hips.
“Still—look. We’re almost there.”
Azelta redirected my view outside. *And just like that,* my anger melted.
—*swoooosh…*
Below the hill stretched a vast field. A massive tree stood tall.
“Wow!”
For it to look that big from here… how enormous was it?
—*neigh…!*
The carriage slowed.
We had arrived.
—
**At that same moment, in House Deas—**
Frey Deas was not an easily excited child.
“Haa…”
But recently, after hearing a peer his age was at the Iter mansion, he had become overly excited. Now he could barely breathe.
*Are you alright?*
His older brother rushed in, startled.
Frey watched a maid disappear after bowing. Because sudden appearances startled Frey, the household behaved as if no servants existed. The maid must have informed his brother about his condition. Frey knew she had only done her duty. Still, it hurt.
*Frey!*
His brother, Rotia, ran in, face pale.
*Are you okay?*
Even Rotia—who never lost his breath—was panting. Frey could imagine how fast he had run.
*I’m fine. It was just a moment.*
He had tried walking around the room to build stamina. Perhaps that triggered another fit. Rotia left to greet the guests, but—
“…?”
“…No, wait—”
Voices came from beyond the door.
—*thud.*
A stranger’s voice. His heart pounded painfully. If he got scared by this, how could he visit the estate?
“Ugh…”
He bit his lip, body trembling. The pain was dizzying.
“…hey!”
A cheerful voice echoed. A child’s voice—not an adult’s.
Tiny footsteps approached rapidly. Not like Rotia’s firm strides—more like Frey’s own pace.
The doorknob turned.
—*click.*
“Is it here…?”
A small girl’s voice spoke.
