"Whether someone’s an Awakener or not, you shouldn't judge based on appearances alone. You're absolutely right."

Mayra didn’t get angry in the slightest. When someone isn’t feeling well, they tend to get extremely sensitive over even small comments. Yet, for her to maintain such composure even in a state like that—wasn’t something just anyone could manage.

You could say it was the quality of a good leader.

‘And yet, in my previous life, no one ever knew that. She was forgotten in some corner of the imperial palace.’

Yuder looked at her face and recalled the Mayra from the past, whose memory was now so faded he could barely remember her.

If she and Kachien hadn’t had love but had at least developed the typical kind of respectful relationship expected of noble couples, she would’ve been able to demonstrate that leadership quality. Even if she hadn’t gotten the dukedom she desired, she might’ve accomplished something even greater.

‘Well, but if we’re talking about Mayra as a person, she’s clearly much better off now.’

Thinking that, Yuder knocked on the Medical Division door and pushed it open.

"Mr. Yuder? Is something wrong?"

"What the hell? Why are you here? We’re dying from how busy it is."

Lusan and Inon were there, just like always. The only difference was that this time, there were two guests who had arrived before them.

“Uuuung…”

Or rather, perhaps there was one more guest—someone, or maybe something—that was hard to classify as either a person or a creature.

The guests of the Medical Division were Pruelle and Reblin, holding the cat Nipollen in their arms. They looked pleasantly surprised to see Yuder appear so suddenly, but then their eyes widened in shock when Mayra entered behind him, dressed in black.

"I'm not here for myself. This is Mayra, First Princess of House Hern, who visited the Commander. She's feeling unwell, so I brought her here. Could you see her right away?"

"Right now? We haven’t even finished examining this cat yet."

Inon replied flatly, then turned his gaze toward Mayra. Even though her face was partially obscured by a black veil, his bright yellow eyes pierced straight through, leaving Mayra briefly flustered. But before she could respond, urgent voices burst out beside them.

"Oh no, if the Princess of House Hern is unwell, of course she should go first. Don’t worry about our Nippy—it's not an emergency. Please go ahead, Pharmacist."

"Yes, I think that's definitely the better choice!"

At Pruelle and Reblin’s words, Inon narrowed his eyes and let out a sharp “Huh?”

"What the? Just a minute ago, you two were clinging to my sleeve saying you wouldn't leave until I looked after your baby brother. Now suddenly you're all generous?"

"...That was because we didn’t know Nippy had just overeaten snacks. Who could’ve guessed this picky little thing would eat so well when someone else fed her? Anyway, we know now it’s not serious."

Pruelle answered seriously. But Yuder didn’t miss the slight delay in his tone, or the subtle reddening around his ears.

‘He’s embarrassed.’

Seizing the moment when Pruelle’s grip loosened, Nipollen jumped out of his arms.

“Ah! Nippy!”

The small cat darted past Mayra and rubbed up against Yuder’s leg.

Nipollen had an uncanny ability to recognize Awakeners and showed a natural comfort around them—but especially with Yuder, to whom it was unusually affectionate. Yuder, recognizing that this was Nipollen’s way of saying hello, nodded silently in greeting as usual.

“…Yeah. Hello.”

Only then did the cat get caught by his older brother who came running over. Pruelle apologized with a sheepish look on his face.

“I’m sor—no, my bad. Your pants are probably covered in fur now. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He’d had filth far worse than fur on him before. This was nothing.

“Nippy, please. Can you stop giving me heart attacks? I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve startled me today.”

While Pruelle let out a sigh, Inon seemed to come to a decision and stood up.

“Well, anyway, if that’s the case, I’ll see her first. She really does look like she’s about to collapse. Kid, you come too.”

“Yes.”

Lusan calmly accepted the label “kid” and stepped forward. Still slightly stunned, Mayra sat down, ending up wedged between the pharmacist and the priest.

“I appreciate the consideration, ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) but I’m really fine. There’s no need to see me first. I don’t want to take up the time of those who arrived before me.”

“Too bad. You should’ve said that earlier. You know what I hate the most? Being told to undo something I’ve already decided. So let’s just get this over with.”

Inon answered with a scowl as he examined her. Mayra was taken aback yet again—not by the rudeness of his tone, but by the strange aura he gave off that made it hard to argue.

Whether she was shocked or not, Inon and Lusan questioned her with the same expressions they wore when dealing with any Cavalry member.

“Princess. Did you sleep well last night?”

“I had a lot of work… I fell asleep just before sunrise and woke up again after.”

“And the day before that?”

“That day was… about the same.”

“You’ve been sleeping way too little. Any chest pain or headaches?”

“I often get headaches, so it didn’t feel unusually bad. Though before bed today, I did feel some chest pain…”

“Hmm.”

After finishing all the questions, Inon gave his conclusion.

“Looks like you were born with low vitality and pushed yourself too hard. What do you think?”

“Yes. I’d say the same.”

“Eating well, sleeping, and resting would be ideal—but based on experience, the kind of people who actually follow that advice don’t show up like this in the first place.”

Yuder had the odd feeling Inon was staring straight at him when he said that.

“I’ll give you some medicine. Take one now, then continue for about a week. And once the kid over here gives you some light, you should feel better.”

“Excuse me for a moment, Princess.”

While Inon went to prepare the medicine, Lusan gently channeled healing energy into Mayra. She was startled by the immense divine power flowing from the young priest’s hands.

“Are you perhaps a high-ranking priest from one of the dioceses?”

“Haha, not at all. I’m just an ordinary low-level priest assigned to the Cavalry.”

Even as he poured out that much divine energy, Lusan didn’t even break a sweat—he remained relaxed and composed. Color quickly returned to Mayra’s previously pale face. As soon as Lusan stepped back, she let out a long breath and murmured in awe.

“You’re truly amazing. I’ve felt divine power from many priests before, but never like this. It felt as though I were being embraced in an angel’s arms.”

“Oh dear, that’s far too much praise.”

Lusan was flustered, but he couldn’t hide the smile that spread across his face from the compliment.

“Mmh. You definitely look better. Here’s your medicine.”

Inon returned and handed the medicine to Mayra. She hesitated a little as she looked at the container filled with several white pills.

“What is this medicine made of?”

“Cuculip root, Alabacho leaves, and a bit of honey.”

“All of those are good for restoring energy. Cuculip must be a particularly hard herb to acquire in the wild…”

As soon as she heard the names of the ingredients, Mayra recognized them immediately, and Inon looked at her with a surprised expression.

“Huh. Most nobles don’t give a damn about herb names.”

“My older sister, whom I respect dearly, enjoys growing herbs. That’s the only reason I studied them. Anyone can learn if they study.”

“That’s true. It’s just that no one bothers.”

Inon’s demeanor noticeably softened. Yuder assumed that this “respected older sister” was likely the Empress.

‘I knew Mayra was one of the Empress’s contacts in House Hern… but it seems they’re closer than I thought.’

Without any hesitation, Mayra took one of Inon’s pills, placed it in her mouth, swallowed it, and then rose to give a polite farewell.

“Thank you. The Duke of Pelleta once told me the Cavalry’s Medical Division possesses a level of skill you won’t find anywhere else. And now I can say with certainty that his words were true. I also thank the two of you who kindly gave up your turn for my sake.”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing, really.”

Reblin, who had been watching Mayra El Hern with sparkling eyes full of fascination now that he was finally facing her directly, flinched and shook his head quickly. But Mayra wasn’t done speaking.

“By the way, pardon me, but I’ve been wondering since earlier… that cat in your arms—might it be a person?”

“……”

An awkward silence briefly descended over the room at her bold question.

“You called it your younger sibling, and I tried to think of why, and that’s the only explanation I could come up with. If that was an inappropriate question, I apologize. I just have a personality that can’t leave things I’m curious about unanswered.”

A moment later, Pruelle let out a laugh and nodded.

“You’re right. This kid’s my younger brother. He was originally human and has the ability to transform into a cat.”

“That’s incredible. I’d love to exchange greetings, but… I suppose it’d be difficult since this is our first meeting. Thank you for answering.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you. You’re actually the first person who figured it out just by seeing him. Usually, even if I call him my little brother or anything else, no one gives it a second thought.”