MHHASCD 39

From time to time, a thought crosses my mind.

Why am I working?

When I was alone, it was to earn money, to expose the injustices of the world. I threw myself into it recklessly.

But now?

When I tell Sheila I love her, she tells me she loves me too. When I come home, she greets me with a smile and says, “Welcome back.”

For this person, I feel like I could do anything. Like there’s nothing I couldn’t accomplish.

So I work.

…At least, that’s how it should be.

Working is what puts smiles on Sheila’s and Ralph’s faces.

“All right, let’s head home.”

“Wait, Asti, we’re not done yet.”

“If Asti leaves, we can’t finish compiling the semiannual report on illegitimate children.”

“Why is this even happening at this time of year? I don’t want to waste a single second that could be spent glimpsing Sheila’s future.”

The more I work, the more moments of Sheila and Ralph slip through my fingers.

My real job is being an adventurer, so I should only have to come when absolutely necessary.

“We’re almost there, so let’s push through.”

“I’m going to tell His Highness to reduce my workload. I won’t survive like this.”

I pulled out Sheila’s recovery potion from my storage magic and drank it.

It’s the same formula as the one sold in the capital.

This was a leftover from Alstrail, but the quality is no different from what’s sold here.

When I opened the bottle and downed it, the others around me stared in surprise.

“Would you all like some as well? It takes the edge off fatigue and restores stamina. It’s the strongest stuff there is.”

I heard a collective swallow.

“May I have one?”

The timid voice belonged to the usual clerk.

I handed it over, and he drank it without hesitation.

“…It goes down easily.”

“Right? My fiancée made it. It’s well regarded among common folk and adventurers.”

“Huh… my fatigue’s… gone…”

The clerk’s complexion, which moments ago had resembled that of a walking corpse, returned to normal, and those around him began reaching out, asking for some too.

“Then let’s finish strong.”

Revitalized, the staff picked up speed. If even the usual recovery potion has this effect, then Sheila truly is incredible.

“…Why is everyone so energetic?”

A resentful, feeble voice reached my ears. When I turned around, something wobbly and trembling—something that looked suspiciously like His Highness the Crown Prince—had entered the room.

…No, not something. Looking closer, it really was His Highness.

The Crown Princess was still constantly at their child’s bedside, unable to tend to her duties.

The burden had shifted to the Crown Prince, likely under the assumption it would only last a few days.

But while the child’s condition hadn’t worsened, it also hadn’t improved.

Being confined to bed day after day, it’s only natural for a mother to worry and lose focus at work.

I’d be beside myself too if anything happened to Ralph.

And when recovery doesn’t come, anxiety only grows with time.

The Crown Princess, of course, but even the Crown Prince was wearing down. Arguments could break out, and… if His Highness were to seek comfort elsewhere, that would be disastrous.

Affairs and infidelity often begin over trivial things.

It’s said they can take root when someone slips in through the cracks of a worn-down mind.

To prevent misplaced empathy or a sense of camaraderie from forming elsewhere, I offered Sheila’s recovery potion to the Crown Prince.

“My fiancée made this recovery potion. As you can see, everyone who drank it looks like this now. Would you care to try one as well, Your Highness?”

He accepted the clear liquid with suspicion and held it up to the light.

“…A potion made by a commoner?”

“…Yes.”

For a moment, my eyebrow twitched. Surely His Highness wouldn’t look down on commoners—

But it was needless worry. He uncorked it and drank it immediately.

The Crown Prince, who moments ago looked like a cursed doll carved from withered branches, transformed back into his usual sharp-eyed, untrustworthy self.

“What is this potion…?”

“A recovery potion made by my beloved fiancée.”

“…What… did you say…?”

“With your son’s condition stagnant, and to prevent friction between you and the Crown Princess, I asked my fiancée and she agreed to part with it.

It was sold through the guild, and until a few months ago, it was also supplied cheaply to the Royal Knight Order, so it’s a potion known among those in the know.”

“Then that explains it. The reason the knights suddenly became absurdly resilient.”

“You’re sharp as ever. I admire that.”

We exchanged grins.

“This is excellent. Do you still have more? I’d like my wife and child to take it as well.”

“We do, but I don’t believe it will be effective enough to cure your son’s illness.”

“Even so, I want to give him anything that might help, even a little. To be honest, the court apothecaries’ medicine is bitter, and he doesn’t like taking it.”

In the end, His Highness is a parent too. His feelings for his child are no different from mine.

“Very well. In return, if I may—”

“What is it? A reward? Say whatever you like.”

Good. I have his word.

“I want you to approve my marriage to my fiancée.”

His Highness froze. He looked upward, brows drawn together.

“Your partner is the woman who divorced while pregnant with her former husband’s child, correct?”

“Yes. Because she is provisionally considered to have borne a child out of wedlock, that law preventing remarriage until six months after birth still applies. That is why she is still only my fiancée.”

He folded his arms, humming softly.

“Even knowing the child was conceived within marriage, we must clearly distinguish such cases from illegitimate births. Confirming that the child truly belongs to the former husband is important.

There have been cases where a woman claimed it was her husband’s child, only to give birth to her lover’s.”

“I can state without hesitation that my fiancée would never do such a thing. Given the circumstances, shouldn’t an exception be allowed? Moreover, it seems the former husband attempted to submit a marriage registration without consent. I want to prevent that. I want to protect my fiancée and the child.”

Still, His Highness hesitated, letting out a low groan.

“If I grant this to you alone, others may protest later. That’s why—”

“If we wait until something happens, it will be too late. And no one knows when they might die. I want her to have the right to inherit my assets. So please, Your Highness, approve this.”

I bowed my head.

It’s true this likely hasn’t been discussed before, nor formally debated.

Changing the law would require the nobles’ approval, and normally such matters would be handled with great caution.

But His Highness is a prince of the kingdom. When necessary, he can issue orders.

“When do you intend to use the authority and connections of the Crown Prince, if not now?”

When I said it plainly, he slumped with a long sigh.

“Using royal authority for personal matters breeds rebellion.

…However. If there is urgency, such as concern over what the former husband might do…”

“Thank you very much! As expected of His Highness, you’re wonderfully understanding.”

I thanked him with a radiant smile, and the Crown Prince gave a wry laugh.

“I feel like I’ve been skillfully maneuvered… Still, this recovery potion is undeniably valuable.”

“If you run low, please let me know. And… this is just a thought, but my fiancée appears to be testing a new recovery potion. However, we’re concerned its effects may be too strong. It may be potent enough to require management by the royal palace.”

The Crown Prince looked down at the potion in his hand, his gaze sharpening.

“I see. …A recovery potion with excessive efficacy is certainly of great interest. If it could instantly cure the gravely ill… then a commoner possessing such a thing would be exceedingly dangerous. Even if the chance is small, if it exists, we would need to consider countermeasures.”

Seeing that my intent had landed, the corner of my mouth nearly lifted.

Connections and authority exist to be used.

I will raise Sheila beyond Leon’s reach.

“I am confident it can be done. Now then, I must return to my duties.”

I bowed, and His Highness turned and left the room as well.

Some days later, a document bearing a royal decree approving Sheila’s remarriage arrived, accompanied by a personal letter from His Highness.

‘You understand, of course, that you must formally propose.’

Clutching a bouquet and a ring, I hurried to Sheila.

I was glad I made it in time—

Before setting out to gather the ingredients for the panacea.