That Person… Could It Be?

Unfortunately, she still didn’t manage to die in the end.

Ellie survived.

Of course, in truth there had never been any real danger to her life—at most, her stomach had just been a bit uncomfortable.

“Her Highness the princess… should be fine.”

The doctor arrived very quickly and came before the royal siblings.

As soon as he entered, he smelled a sharp sour odor.

With one glance, he could tell it had come back up from the stomach, so the smell was far from pleasant.

But since neither of the two royals cared about it, the old doctor certainly wouldn’t either.

His main task was to check Ellie’s condition.

After confirming that there was no threat to her life, he finally let out a breath of relief.

“No serious issue?

Really… there’s nothing wrong?

But look at her state right now…”

Hearing the old doctor’s words, Solor relaxed a little.

Still, faced with such a vivid scene of red, he couldn’t simply pretend not to see it.

“These stains should be vomit caused by Her Highness’s stomach discomfort.

She must have eaten something red-colored, which led to this appearance.

Her Highness’s constitution has always been weak.

After vomiting, the bodily reaction will naturally make her even more frail.

For now, please take Her Highness back to rest properly.

I’ll have the maids prepare some salted water.

Drinking it will help her feel better.”

While the old doctor was speaking, Ellie narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced in his direction.

She knew this old man.

He was one of the palace’s senior physicians.

His personality leaned toward being a sly old fox.

Not exactly treacherous—just well-polished from years in the palace.

So as soon as Ellie gave him a look, he understood exactly how this matter should be handled, and what should be said.

There was no need to lie.

He simply needed to emphasize that Ellie’s health was poor, and that she currently looked very weak.

Everything else—like tomato ketchup—could be glossed over.

As long as Solor understood that she looked frail right now, that was enough.

In a sense, this also gave Ellie a way out.

After all, it wouldn’t do for her to be exposed outright as someone pretending to die.

The old man naturally picked up on all these subtle cues.

So he said exactly what Ellie expected.

Ah well—what’s a little fuss between siblings?

If the princess wanted this kind of effect, then let it be said that way.

And what he said wasn’t even false.

The second princess’s body had always been in poor condition.

She relied on supplements to barely maintain her health, rather than eating normal food.

On top of that, her mood had long been low.

Some time ago, she’d grown so thin it looked as though the wind could blow her away.

Although she’d been slowly recovering lately, she was still frail.

She hardly looked like a pampered princess from legend.

Anyone seeing her might think the royal family was abusing her.

But now—

The princess looked better than before.

Despite having been injured not long ago, after recovering somewhat, she actually looked healthier than she had previously.

Sigh…

After all, it was medicine prescribed by that person.

In order to properly treat his daughter, His Majesty the Emperor had invited that legendary alchemist—

The one said to be able to revive even the dead.

Since that person had taken action, the princess’s health should gradually improve.

As for small disturbances like this, it was best to indulge her.

After all, every physician in the palace could tell—

What the princess needed was a more relaxed state of mind.

Only when her mental state improved would her body improve as well.

【—Her Highness’s body may not yet be able to handle more concentrated therapeutic potions.

Given her physical foundation, she must be nurtured carefully.

After all, medicine is poison to some extent.

Only once she can withstand the toxicity within the potion can she continue receiving my treatment.】

At the time, His Majesty had asked that alchemist to hold a small meeting with several of the most respected royal physicians.

This was the key point she emphasized.

Since the Emperor himself had intervened, that person naturally showed some courtesy.

Most likely because the payment was generous, her actions were quite efficient.

Although she didn’t explain alchemy itself in detail, she thoroughly analyzed the princess’s current condition.

What the palace staff needed to do was simple—

Take good care of their little princess.

Help her feel a bit happier.

Improve her basic physical condition.

Only then would she be able to endure that person’s potions and grow healthier.

And so, everyone in the palace planned to spoil her a little.

Including her maids.

Including this old doctor.

That was precisely why, when Ellie reacted so strongly, the young maid had been frightened into sprinting away.

“…I see…”

Listening to the doctor’s explanation, Solor paused for a moment.

But since these were the words of the palace’s most esteemed physician—

And since Ellie’s reaction had already eased, and she was still breathing normally—

Solor finally relaxed.

He lowered his head, and the sound of his sigh was clearly audible by Ellie’s ear.

“…You scared me to death… Ellie.”

“…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Ellie weakly leaned against Solor.

Her sore throat forced her to respond in a hoarse, broken voice.

“I didn’t…

Do it…

On purpose…”

“It’s fine.

It doesn’t matter what you do.

As long as nothing happens to you, that’s more important than anything.”

Ellie had intended to soften herself so Solor wouldn’t be angry about this incident.

But she hadn’t expected him not to be angry at all.

He only cared about his sister’s safety.

Everything else meant nothing to him.

He didn’t care whether it was a prank or not.

He just wanted his sister to be alright.

“……”

For someone like Ellie, sincerity alone was enough.

Ellie was someone who always wore a mask.

She constantly played the role others needed her to play.

Just as a hero needed a dragon—

Ellie played the dragon.

All to make her brother appear as a great hero.

People only cared about the villain who became the dragon.

But only Solor saw the person beneath the mask—

And he never hesitated to express his feelings toward her.

…Hah…

…That’s really unfair…

It had been so long since she’d heard words like these.

Ellie couldn’t help curling in slightly, as if trying to hide her entire self within Solor’s embrace.

“You’re not in good condition right now.

Let me take you to rest for a bit.

I don’t have much else to do today anyway.

I’ll stay with you.”

Solor’s voice was soft, as though afraid of disturbing her rest.

Ellie seemed to respond in kind.

She buried her head against his chest.

And he didn’t care at all about the ketchup stains smearing his clothes.

“Mm.”

Ellie’s voice was muffled—

As if it had been hidden within the thump of his heartbeat.