Leticia sighed. If even someone as oblivious as Banessa could see it, it couldn’t just be ignored.
‘It might be because the curse is worsening my condition.’
Although it didn’t happen in the past, the present had changed, so it was highly possible that the manifestation of the curse had also changed from the past.
“How about seeing a doctor?”
“Kailas has been looking after me.”
“Oh, if that sister is taking care of you, then it’s probably fine.”
After experiencing his broken shin healing instantly, Banessa had become a devout believer in Kailas. After a moment of thought, Leticia said,
“Still, it would be good to get a proper medical examination. There is a doctor in the mansion.”
To ease the concerns of the Wings, Leticia decided to definitely get a proper examination from a doctor.
* * *
“The doctor went out?”
“Yes. He was anxious about leaving the clinic for too long. He went out with Ahwin a while ago.”
At Noel’s words, Leticia looked at the clock. It was quite late. She blinked with a worried expression.
“It’s too late. It will get colder at night. There will be a lot of snow too.”
“Ahwin can handle it with the power of the wind. A little snowstorm is nothing. It’s nothing for the Spirit of Wind.”
Noel grinned.
“In my opinion, the doctor’s anxiety seemed more dangerous than the cold. He was so anxious, I thought he might have a seizure.”
The doctor was the most sensitive person Noel had ever seen. Despite living in the safest house in the empire, guarded by the four Wings, he couldn’t hide his anxiety. Leticia, who knew his obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder, perfectionism, and timid personality, nodded.
“Well, considering the doctor’s nature, it’s better for him to handle the clinic work quickly. I’ll rest in my room. When the doctor returns, tell him I was looking for him.”
“The doctor?”
Noel’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Why the doctor? Are you sick? Was there a bad incident at the palace? Is it the princess? Or Josephina? The emperor?”
Then, she quickly turned her head and glared at Banessa, who was right next to her.
“Hey! You became the third wing, what were you doing until Lady Leticia needed to find a doctor!”
Banessa, who had experienced Noel’s temper several times, didn’t blink an eye and used his trump card.
“Sister, Her Highness is watching. Not the shin. You know that, right?”
As Banessa expected, Leticia quickly stepped in front of Banessa.
“Noel, no violence.”
When Leticia protected him, Banessa grinned broadly and feigned pain.
“Ugh, Lady Leticia, my broken shin seems to be acting up again. It hurts. I feel like crying… Ugh!”
“Oh dear, really? Let me see. Does it really hurt?”
“Gasp! Lady Leticia, Sister Noel is glaring at me. I’m traumatized…”
“…I won’t glare.”
Feeling guilty, Noel finally declared surrender. Elated, Banessa wiggled his shin and acted even more dramatically.
“Sister, my shin. Ugh, my shin…!”
“…I’ll go get Kailas. Hey, Banessa, Lady Leticia needs to rest. Come on, let’s go.”
“Hehehe.”
Thoroughly enjoying teasing Noel, Banessa couldn’t stop fooling around even as he was dragged out by his collar. After a moment, Kailas came rushing into the room.
“Lady Leticia! I heard you’re in pain!”
Leticia, who was organizing jewelry in a box, widened her eyes in surprise and then burst into a bright laugh.
“Noel exaggerated again.”
“I heard you were looking for the doctor.”
“Ah, people keep saying I look tired these days. Just in case, I thought I might get a check-up. I also thought Kailas might be overdoing it.”
Leticia smiled warmly as she spoke.
“You’re using your healing powers on me every day. If the doctor says I’m okay, there won’t be a need for you to use your power.”
“…Lady Leticia.”
Kailas bit her lip with an anxious expression. Leticia didn’t notice anything and just smiled warmly.
‘What should I do? Should I tell Lady Leticia about the baby?’
For the past few days, Kailas had been examining Leticia’s body whenever she got the chance. Because of this, she had almost confirmed her suspicion.
‘Lady Leticia is indeed pregnant.’
Perhaps it was because of the healing power Kailas had been infusing. The life force had been growing stronger every day. It was so awe-inspiring that it brought tears to her eyes. Yet, Kailas couldn’t feel entirely happy.
“Kailas, why do you look so serious? I really am fine. Goodness, I don’t understand why my Wings worry so much.”
Leticia, clueless, smiled as if amused. Kailas, who had been looking at Leticia with a pale face, clenched her fists tightly. She closed her eyes tightly, then opened them and approached Leticia with firm steps. She knelt down.
“Kailas?”
“Lady Leticia, I have something urgent to tell you. Please, listen without being alarmed.”
Kailas held Leticia’s hand and looked up at her desperately. Perhaps because of her earnest feelings, a deep healing power flowed naturally to Leticia.
“Kailas?”
“There is something I haven’t been able to tell you.”
Kailas couldn’t be sure if her choice was right. But Leticia would find out after the doctor’s examination anyway. In fact, not only Leticia but all the Wings in the mansion would know.
‘No matter what, Lady Leticia should make the decision.’
Whether to see the doctor or to tell her about the baby should be Leticia’s choice.
“What is it that you haven’t told me?”
“The truth is.”
Even though she had resolved to do it, Kailas couldn’t continue easily. The smile faded from Leticia’s face.
“Kailas, is there something seriously wrong with my body? Is that why you’ve been examining me so often?”
Kailas still didn’t say anything.
“Is it because of the curse? Is the end of the curse approaching faster…?”
“It’s nothing like that!”
Kailas shouted like a scream and looked up at Leticia. Her eyes were on the verge of tears.
“It’s good news.”
Kailas quickly blinked away her tears. She couldn’t deliver this good news while crying. She gathered all her strength and smiled brightly as she spoke.
“A little angel has come to visit you, Lady Leticia.”
“…What?”
Kailas whispered very softly.
“You are expecting a baby, Lady Leticia.”
* * *
“Lady Leticia asked for the doctor?”
Ahwin, brushing off the snow from his hood, immediately looked serious.
“The Saintess asked for me?”
The doctor standing next to him began to pant.
“She, she asked, huff, why, why is she asking for me?”
The doctor, a severe anxiety sufferer, quickly imagined catastrophic scenarios and began to shake like a leaf. Noel spoke in exasperation.
“Doctor, seriously, why are you like this? Did I say I was going to eat you or something?”
Kailas, who had been standing with a somber expression, approached the doctor.
“Sit down. I’ll use my healing power on you.”
“Huff, thank you…”
Thanks to the healing power, the doctor recovered from his hyperventilation and staggered to his feet.
“Where is the Saintess?”
“She is waiting in her room. And there’s no need to be anxious. She just wants to get a check-up.”
Kailas led the doctor to Leticia. Noel shrugged at Ahwin, who was watching them closely.
“It’s nothing serious. She just seemed worried because we all looked tired. She wants to get a confirmation that she’s fine.”
“Ah, I see.”
Ahwin nodded, not thinking much of the doctor’s situation anymore. If something were truly wrong with Leticia, Noel wouldn’t have such a calm expression.
* * *
“Lady Leticia, the doctor is back.”
Kailas knocked on Leticia’s door. After a moment, a small voice was heard from inside.
“…Come in.”
As the two entered the room, Leticia, sitting primly on the bed, looked up. She reflexively smiled faintly and said,
“You went to the clinic with Ahwin.”
“Yes, we did, but…”
The doctor, true to his anxiety disorder, quickly became uneasy in response to external stressors.
‘Why does the Saintess look like that?’
Although it had been a short time, the doctor had realized a crucial fact while staying in the mansion. Leticia must be happy. She must always smile. Nothing bad should ever happen to her! Even something as minor as sand getting into her shoes must never, ever happen! The Wings would go insane!
Young Irene, unaware of the true nature of the Wings, only admired them. The doctor, who knew that a mad Wing threatened the peace of the continent, found his daughter’s innocence frustrating.
“Wh-What can I do to help?”
“I’ve been feeling a bit tired lately. I keep getting sleepy and my stamina seems to be dropping, so I wanted to get a check-up. Oh, and I had a fever recently. It was mild, though.”
“Tired and constantly sleepy…”
The doctor, trembling as he listened to Leticia, flinched. He then looked at Leticia.
‘A married woman feeling fatigued and sleepy without reason? And she had a fever too?’
A hypothesis flashed through his mind. The anxiety that had filled the doctor’s mind disappeared in an instant.
‘This smells like pregnancy! It might be!’
Some sensitive pregnant women exhibited such symptoms in the very early stages.
‘Please let it be pregnancy, let it be true!’
The doctor fervently hoped for Leticia’s pregnancy. The pregnancy of the Saintess would be the greatest joy for the Wings. Then even those inhuman individuals would surely calm down.
“Saintess, have you had your period this month?”
“Not yet. It’s been a few days late.”
“Oh!”
The doctor’s eyes sparkled. Leticia, with a pale face, quickly added,
“It’s irregular. So, I haven’t paid much attention.”
“But isn’t the Wing of Healing taking care of you now?”
“What does that have to do with healing power?”
“A woman’s menstrual cycle can vary depending on her health condition. Even those with irregular cycles can return to normal once their health is restored.”
The doctor explained.
“Since you’ve been receiving healing power continuously, any abnormalities in your body should have been resolved. Your menstrual cycle should have returned to its original state.”
“Is that so?”
“I specialize in gynecology, you know. I can tell just by looking! My accuracy rate is remarkably high! There must be good news!”
The doctor said, smiling broadly.
“Still, just to be sure, let’s confirm it.”
Leticia’s hand, clutching her skirt, turned white from the pressure. After a moment, the doctor beamed.
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