Chapter 16
Father’s worrying didn’t stop until we returned home—
He kept making dramatic declarations like, “Without Natalie, I can’t breathe. If Natalie isn’t here, I’ll be so lonely I’ll just die.”
I heard so many of them that my ears practically developed calluses.
So of course, after that, there was no way I could still enjoy the ball.
In the end, I returned home safely with my family. Mother looked down at my feet and her eyes sparkled as she exclaimed, “Oh my! My, my!” But she carefully covered it up so that Father wouldn’t notice.
The next day after the ball, the newspapers that drew the whole nation’s attention carried the headline:
“Chancellor’s Faction Imprisoned on Suspicion of Plotting to Overthrow the Royal Family!?”
The articles were filled with praise for Second Prince Edward’s achievements—
and the tone made it clear that people now expected him to be the next suitable king.
(…The world I know is changing more and more.)
Holding the paper in her hands, Natalie felt the nation’s transformation firsthand.
All that was left now was to overcome the coming war with the enemy country—
She clenched her fists with renewed determination. Just then, a knock sounded at her door, and a servant’s voice followed:
“My lady. It seems Mina has returned to the estate.”
“Oh…! Really? I’ll go greet her right away.”
With her heart racing at the thought of giving the medicine Mina had hopefully obtained to her mother, Natalie hurried toward the entrance.
“Mina, welcome back! And so—oh?”
“Ah! My lady, I’ve returned! And with me is…”
“Ho, ho… It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How have you been keeping?”
Standing beside Mina was Dr. Franz. The last time she’d seen him was before the ball—so about one or two months ago.
“The doctor kindly said he would come to examine Madam in order to properly prescribe the medicine!”
“Yes, yes! Of course, I could have simply handed over the medicine, but without seeing the patient, it’s hard to determine the right dosage.”
“Sir Franz… I’m truly grateful.”
Natalie’s chest grew warm at his offer. He must have had business of his own, yet he had accompanied Mina all the way here just for her mother’s sake. And Natalie knew very well how skilled he was.
“Now then, I’ll just straighten my clothes a little… and if it’s all right, may I examine the patient right away?”
“Yes…! Please, I’m counting on you.”
Saved by his smile and his kindness, Natalie asked Mina to show Franz inside. A short while later, they went together to her mother’s room.
Natalie gently knocked on the door.
“My, what is it?” came her mother’s hoarse voice.
“Mother, it’s Natalie. I’ve… brought a doctor to see you.”
“Oh my! Whatever for… please, come in.”
After the ball, Mother seemed to have exhausted her strength—she hadn’t even come to breakfast, staying in bed the entire day. Natalie glanced at Franz, encouraging him, and stepped into the room together with him.
“Excuse me… I came at Lady Natalie’s request. My name is Franz.”
“Oh, how courteous of you. Forgive me for greeting you from bed…”
“Not at all, not at all. Please don’t trouble yourself with formalities. Even speaking wastes your strength—what matters most is that you put yourself first.”
“My… thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Seeing how weak her mother looked only deepened Natalie’s worry. At the ball, she had seemed lively and joyful—but now it was clear she had been forcing herself.
“Hehe, Natalie? Don’t worry so much. I was surprised you went so far as to bring a doctor.”
“Ho ho ho, Lady Natalie truly treasures her mother. Don’t worry, I’ll examine you thoroughly. You can sit and rest.”
Guided by their gentle words and Mina’s help, Natalie took a seat.
“Hmm… as I suspected, Madam has Black Spot Disease.”
“…Eh? Black Spot Disease?”
“Oh? You didn’t know?”
Franz explained the condition to her mother. While he was examining her, Natalie noticed a dark bruise-like mark on her mother’s wrist—it looked darker than before.
“My…! I never even realized such an illness existed.”
“Yes, it’s true that there’s no fully established treatment yet… but as luck would have it, a medicine has just been developed.”
“Oh…! Truly…! You have my deepest gratitude.”
Her mother looked astonished, as if scales had fallen from her eyes, and spoke with Franz. The doctor smiled kindly.
“No, Madam… the one you should thank is not me. It is Lady Natalie.”
“…! Natalie?”
“Yes. She sought me out in a remote region, all for the sake of helping you.”
Her mother turned toward her, eyes brimming with tears. Calling Natalie’s name, she beckoned her over. As Franz began preparing the medicine, Natalie went to her mother’s side.
“…Mother, I acted without asking you first.”
“Natalie, thank you. I would never call this acting selfishly.”
“…!”
“I shouldn’t have just assumed it was something trivial. I kept thinking it was only a cold…”
Her mother pulled Natalie into a tight embrace. That warmth was something she had always loved.
“…I can’t bear it if you’re not here, Mother. I need you healthy…”
“Natalie… thank you, thank you so much. I promise I won’t make you worry again.”
“…Mm.”
“Hehe, yes. After all, if I were gone, there’d be no one left to stop your father’s wild outbursts—”
As they spoke, her mother stroking her head, hurried footsteps thundered down the hall. The door flew open with a crash.
“Is—is she all right?!”
“Oh my, dear, what’s the matter?”
“Y-you… I heard you were gravely ill, that a doctor had been called—”
It was Father, out of breath, sweat dripping, tears welling rapidly in his eyes.
“They said calling a doctor meant it was serious… you said you were fine, but… but…!”
“There, there…”
“I can’t bear the thought of a world without you!”
“My, my… Natalie called the doctor, and now I’ll be fine—ah, he’s not listening, is he?”
Father’s eyes were overflowing with tears. Natalie gently whispered, “Mother, I’ll let Father have this spot,” and stepped aside. Surprised, her mother then laughed softly, amused.
“Natalie truly understands her father well.”
“I can’t stand this~~ I can’t do anything~~”
“Darling! Come here.”
“I love you more than anything… ugh…”
Father instantly took the place Natalie vacated, clinging to Mother’s side possessively. Normally, such displays of affection would be heartwarming, but for a moment, Father looked like a giant child. …No, best not to dwell on that.
“Ho ho ho. You two certainly get along well.”
“Y-yes…”
Natalie could only give a wry smile. While the family exchanged words, Franz finished preparing the medicine and explained the dosage schedule to Mina and the butler.
“Yes. This should cure her. I’ll return for another check-up soon.”
“Sir Franz, thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. …Ah, that reminds me. Lady Natalie, I have something to discuss with you…”
But in the corner of his vision was still Father, clinging tightly to Mother. So Franz suggested, “Shall we step outside to talk?”
“Yes, let’s.”
“My thanks.”
Following his suggestion, they left the room and stood together in the hallway—just Natalie and Franz. Lowering his voice, he began to speak.
“…I’ve heard something rather suspicious…”
