◇20 Holy Power
Bathed in the fading light of the sunset, the "Kitchen Car" summoned by Sakuraile-sama sped toward the Euphonium Territory.
It was incredibly fast. It was running at a speed several times faster than an ordinary carriage. Truly an amazing vehicle.
As I watched the scenery passing by, I recalled everything that had happened so far.
Sakuraile-sama, with whom I became friends, was an unusual noblewoman.
Though she was the daughter of a duke, the highest rank among the nobility, she never acted haughty or spoke arrogantly.
Even though I was from a commoner’s background, she treated me as an equal from the very start. How happy I was because of that.
Having suddenly become a noble, I was filled with anxiety. I hadn’t wanted to become a noble, but in order to get my sick mother proper medical treatment, it required a certain status and wealth.
My father became a noble for my mother’s sake. Therefore, as her daughter, I had to do my best as well.
I worked hard to learn how to dance and practice etiquette so that I wouldn’t embarrass myself as a noble lady. Though clumsy, I slowly improved, and eventually, I managed to maintain the basic dignity required of a noblewoman... but still...
I wasn’t used to the life of a noble. At a birthday party for the crown prince, I was mocked as a country bumpkin by the noble daughters I met for the first time.
Being called a country bumpkin didn’t bother me. It was true, after all. But I couldn’t forgive the fact that they mocked the dress my mother had painstakingly made for me. What hurt the most was that I couldn’t say anything back.
Just when I was about to burst into tears from the frustration, Sakuraile-sama appeared and helped me. She even called me her friend... I was so happy.
She complimented the dress my mother made for me and encouraged me, saying that my "gift," which I thought useless, was okay.
She was truly kind. I thought someone like Sakuraile-sama was what it meant to be a true noblewoman.
Sakuraile-sama also gave me lots of sweets. Every one of them was delicious. My father and mother were both astonished too.
However, I never imagined that through those sweets, I would meet princesses from other countries.
Princess Lucari from the Prelude Kingdom and Princess Tifania from the Menouet Kingdom.
I never thought I would be sitting with such exalted people and playing together. After the party, when I told my father about it, he questioned me with a pale face, asking if I had done anything inappropriate. I think it was fine though. Both of them didn’t seem to care about small details.
Then, when I mentioned that I had greeted the Emperor, my father immediately collapsed into bed.
Sakuraile-sama was so kind, cute, and wonderful. I'm sure when she grows up, she will captivate many gentlemen’s hearts. ...Wait, why does that make me feel uneasy?
Sakuraile-sama is an honest person, so I hope she doesn’t get deceived by sweet-talking noblemen... No, I must protect her from such vile men. After all, she’s my... best friend!
Maybe I should learn to sword fight from my mother... I want to be strong enough to defeat any man who tries to hurt her.
My mother was once a legendary adventurer. Though she hasn’t gone outside much since falling ill, her swordsmanship was said to be the best in the frontier.
I wonder... will my mother’s illness really be cured?
I looked at the Holy emblem of Lady Holly on the back of my hand. Sakuraile-sama promised that she would definitely be able to cure her...
No, it will definitely be okay. There’s nothing wrong with what Sakuraile-sama said. Just as she helped me, now it’s my turn to help my mother.
The sun had set, and even though it had gotten completely dark outside, the Kitchen Car kept going.
It was as if the Kitchen Car itself was lighting the way with light magic. With that, there was no chance of losing the path.
Eventually, the Kitchen Car entered the capital of the Euphonium Territory, and finally arrived at the lord’s residence... my house. We had arrived in less than a day.
The servants were shocked by the sudden, unfamiliar vehicle, but when my father and I appeared, they hurried to us and informed us that my mother was in critical condition.
"Mother!"
When I rushed into the bedroom, my mother was lying on the bed, pale and sweating, looking as if she was about to collapse. I felt as if I might burst into tears seeing her in such a weak state.
"Es...tel..."
"Mother! I’m here! I’ll save you now!"
I took my mother’s feeble hand and prayed to Lady Holly, the Holy Goddess.
Please, save my mother! I beg you! My "gift," Sakuraile-sama... Please lend me your power!
Suddenly, a hot surge of power erupted from my whole body, flowing through the hand I held, directly into my mother.
"This light...!"
The doctor who had been attending to my mother let out an exclamation of surprise.
My mother’s entire body began to glow, and the room was filled with blinding light. As the light gradually faded, there she was, lying on the bed, breathing steadily. She looked completely different from the frail state she had been in just moments before—she appeared to have regained her health, as though she had returned to her former, vibrant self.
The doctor placed his hand on my mother’s forehead and checked her pulse.
"Incredible... There’s no abnormality... It's as if time itself has reversed... Is this a miracle?"
Upon hearing the doctor’s words, I felt my strength drain away, and I collapsed to the floor. Thank goodness...Sakuraile-sama... I was able to save my mother...
"Ugh... Hmm? Esteller?"
My mother opened her eyes. The moment she saw me, she smiled, looking completely restored to her healthy self.
"Mother!"
"Yuria!"
My father and I rushed to embrace my mother. It was her. My healthy mother had returned. My... my beloved mother was right here. I was so happy. So happy that I couldn’t stop my tears.
Father was crying too, so it must not have been strange.
My mother was crying as well. The servants, and even Tanya, who had brought us here, were all crying.
My "gift" wasn’t useless. This power must have been granted by Lady Holly to save my mother.
Sakuraile-sama had taught me that. If I hadn’t met her, my mother might have died.
Sakuraile-sama was the one who saved my mother’s life. What can I do to repay her?
For now, I’ll write her a letter of thanks. I need to express my gratitude.
And then, I have to work even harder as a noblewoman. I need to be someone who isn’t embarrassed to stand beside Sakuraile-sama. Someone who can be of help to her.
I swore this as I looked at the Holy emblem of Lady Holly on the back of my hand.
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