I Secretly Healed the Illness of the Twin Princesses While Wearing a Mask, and Now the Entire Kingdom Is in an Uproar ~Please Stop Trying to Expose the Street Healer~ - Chapter 22

After seeing the faces of the students from the Hero Academy and taking it easy for a bit in Whistle Village, I returned to the Magic Academy.

For some reason, my sister caught me and made me kneel on the floor.

“Do you know why you’re kneeling?”

“Because I told Lucan-senpai all of your plans?”

“That’s not it, though I guess that’s why you’ve been invited to hang out so much lately. I’ll scold you for that later.”

Looks like I guessed wrong. I’d dug my own hole.

“You disappeared for days without telling anyone.”

“But I told Garu? I just said I was going home for a bit.”

“…Of all people, you asked that first year to pass the message? That kid’s scared of me and wouldn’t come near.”

“Then it’s not my fault, right?”

When I tried to stand, my sister lightly placed her hand on my shoulder.

The pressure was so intense that I couldn’t move.

“So, why did you suddenly go home?”

Well, I went just to see the faces of the students coming from the Hero Academy…

If I told her the truth, she’d scold me.

“Big sister, now might not be the best time to explain―”

“Just say it. It’s an order from your big sister.”

“Ah, yes. I wanted to see what the Hero Academy students are like.”

I told her everything, leaving nothing out.

“So that’s what happened.”

“…Yeah, so Veltica from the White Church is a student of the Hero Academy…”

“Big sister. She’s trying to hide her middle-school syndrome side. Don’t touch that topic at all.”

“Alright.”

“Then, can I stop sitting like this now?”

“No.”

Eh, not yet?

My sister continued lecturing me for about an hour. I emptied my mind and let her words wash over me.

“You left the academy without permission for days. Do you know how worried I was? Don’t think I always have an angelic face.”

“You’ve always been more like a demon anyway―”

“Did you just say something?”

“Nothing.”

“Yeah, that’s good… By the way.”

After the lecture, my sister calmed down, and she noticed a girl lying on her back next to me, stretching out.

“Asuku, who’s this girl?”

“Hm? I’m Ruu!! Who are you?”

“She’s Ruu. Everyone in Whistle Village found her, but she kind of followed along.”

“Whistle Village? …Wait a minute!? Since when did that village get that name!?”

Even if you ask me, I don’t know either.

My sister muttered, “There must’ve been a better name…” while Ruu let out a low growl.

“King Asuku. This woman, she’s higher than you.”

“Not just higher, she’s actually above me.”

“Eh!? She’s above King Asuku!?”

“That’s right. My big sister is a being above the clouds.”

“Above the clouds? Higher than the king? Then, a god?”

My sister’s eyebrows twitched.

“Yeah. My big sister is a goddess.”

“A goddess!! Amazing!! Goddess!! What’s your name!!?”

“…Franc.”

“Goddess Franc!!”

Ruu called my sister’s name with a pure and happy smile.

And just like that, my sister, who had been frowning before, brightened up.

She gently stroked Ruu’s chin.

Somehow, Ruu looked like a cat being petted by a villainess from an evil organization.

“Asuku, this girl’s pretty cute. Do you want to work under me?”

“Work?”

“Yeah, as a maid.”

“A maid? What’s that? Is that tasty?”

“It’s not food. You’ll take care of me and my things.”

Since the Magic Academy is full of nobles from all over the kingdom, many students have servants to help them. My sister and I usually do everything ourselves, but most nobles have someone to look after them.

Still, my sister wants to make Ruu a maid… she must really like her.

“Will I get yummy food? Can I sleep in a warm bed?”

“Of course. You’ll have three good meals a day and sleep in a soft and comfy bed.”

“Then I’ll work!!”

And just like that, Ruu became my sister’s maid.

“Oh, right. The students from Hero Academy will arrive this afternoon. The student council will welcome them.”

“Ugh, such a hassle.”

“Just get ready.”

“Yees.”

After getting ready, we went to the front gate of the Magic Academy to welcome the students from Hero Academy.

The student council president, Christina, and Victoria were there, along with a few other high-ranking noble students who weren’t part of the council.

Among them was the young heir of the Duke Arnall family.

“Huh? Why is Duke Arnall here, the one whose engagement with Princess Christina was canceled?”

“Y-You!! Are you trying to pick a fight with me and the Arnall family?!”

“Oh, sorry. I just got confused.”

“Tch, since when have you caused so much trouble! Do you know how hard I worked to erase the rumors?! I’ll never forgive you!!”

“Can I say something back? If I shout again, ‘Kyaa!! I’m being attacked by Duke Arnall!!’ It might help?”

“!? N-No, don’t, absolutely stop!! You’ll spread more rumors!”

I was only joking, but Duke Arnall actually looked scared.

Ah, so he’s really worried about rumors. Makes sense.

Well, in a world without TV or smartphones, gossip is a big source of information. Being the subject of rumors must be tough.

Next time he bothers me, I’ll use this joke to shut him up.

Huh? Did I start this fight?

Ah, who cares? Worrying about little things will only make my head bald.

As I was thinking that, my sister stepped in.

“Duke Arnall, please forgive my brother’s rudeness.”

“Hm. Franc-sama… no, it’s fine…”

For some reason, the moment my sister joined the conversation, he went all meek.

No way?

No, that can’t be it. If it were, I’d seriously question his sanity.

But wait, didn’t Duke Arnall lose an arm during the recent academy incident? And I heard my sister treated that injury. She always treats the wounded and sick like a saint…

…Hmm.

“…Hey, why are you silently casting healing magic on my head?”

“Um, I just felt like it. I’ll also heal your eyes, just in case.”

Then Princess Christina appeared, her smile looking more serious than friendly.

“Please don’t get close to Franc-sama, Duke Arnall.”

“Princess Christina… I don’t think you have the right to tell me what to do.”

“But I am Franc-sama’s ‘friend.’ We can’t let bad bugs cling to the light.”

Whoa, things are getting intense.

Everyone could learn from Victoria, quietly munching snacks in the corner.

Also, my sister is glowing.

Maybe I should heal Christina’s eyes, too.

“So, why is Duke Arnall, whose engagement with Princess Christina was canceled, here?”

“Y-You… still asking!? …Fine, haven’t you heard? High-ranking nobles were ordered to attend the welcome for Hero Academy students.”

“Oh, that’s why?”

As I tilted my head in confusion, Princess Christina nodded.

“Yes, it’s true. The Rudelhardt Empire is now a good neighbor, but you know that long ago, the Xylica Kingdom fought a large-scale war with them, right?”

“Did we?”

“Haah, Asuku. I’ve told you so many times.”

“History’s not really my thing.”

No matter how hard I study, I usually forget it in three days. But somehow, I always remember it when a test comes. Weird.

“A few years after that war ended, while tensions were still high, students from Hero Academy came to study at the Magic Academy. To intimidate them, all the high-ranking nobles came to welcome them…”

“Oh, so that just became a weird tradition that stuck around until now?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

History really does explain a lot.

While we were talking, the carriage carrying the Hero Academy students that I saw a few days ago in the Medix Viscount territory arrived at the Magic Academy’s main gate.

People got out one by one.

Finally, Veltica stepped out and bowed to Christina.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Veltica. The representative of Hero Academy and the top Hero candidate.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Christina Astia Xylica, first princess of the Xylica Kingdom and president of the Magic Academy student council.”

As they exchanged greetings, the atmosphere became calm and friendly.

Then, Veltica suddenly looked toward the high-ranking nobles’ attendants and froze when she saw Ruu quietly mixed in with them.

What’s wrong?

“Th-Three months ago, the missing divine child… how could it be…? No, it’s just someone who looks like them. The divine child wouldn’t have horns or a tail… it must be someone else?”

Wait? Does Veltica know Ruu from before she lost her memory?

Could they have been fellow middle-school syndrome friends?

Maybe the world isn’t as big as I thought. While I was thinking about that, one of the Hero Academy students stepped forward.

It was Lio. His mane looked super soft and fluffy.

“Hey, Princess.”

“Lio-san, please don’t speak disrespectfully to Princess Christina.”

“Haah, Veltica, stay out of this. I only show respect to the strong. If you want respect, prove your strength!!”

Facing a princess with that attitude… The Hero Academy really did send some troublemakers.

However, Princess Christina responded calmly―

“Hero Academy is based entirely on strength. Then, for the friendship between our countries, let’s hold a mock match as part of the welcome ceremony.”

Ah, she’s smiling, but her eyes aren’t smiling.

She’s so annoyed.

◇　◇　◇

Afterword

One-Point Story

Author: “By the way, the rumors about Jiluo Arnall’s love haven’t been cleared up yet.”

A: “Poor guy…”

If you thought, “Ruu being liked by his big sister,” “That Lio looks so fluffy,” “Who are you calling poor,” please leave your thoughts, bookmarks, ★ ratings, or reviews.