Chapter 19 – The Witch and The Prince (8)

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“Leo’s not in trouble, is he?”

Even though she could barely move in bed due to overusing her mana, Josie was busy worrying about someone else.

It had been a week since the flowers blooming all over Josie’s body began to regain their vitality.

While Josie straightened her clothes, Estelle checked her condition by channeling mana onto her.

“Josie, worry about yourself first. How’s your body now?”

“My condition is good, and my body feels fine.”

After circulating mana to check Josie’s condition, Estelle found no major issues.

If it hadn’t been for her help, Josie would have also been affected by the curse.

It was worth noticing the strange signs and using her ultimate skill. The power to momentarily interfere with the divine realm and overturn the laws of the world. She had thought she wouldn’t use it for another 200 years, but life was unpredictable.

Who would have thought Josie would choose to save Leo? It was a choice Estelle would never have made.

When Josie regained consciousness, Estelle had wondered how to scold her.

How could you risk your life to save someone who tried to kill you?

Didn’t you almost die because of the curse?

Using someone else’s mana is so dangerous…!

She didn’t want to imagine a world without Josie.

‘I’m sorry… Hehe. Did you help me, Mom? I felt like you were by my side.’

When Josie peeked out from under the blanket, her eyes smiling through her bangs… Estelle almost softened, but as a mother, she had to do her duty.

“What about Leo?”

“Leo’s dead. I’m going to kill him now.”

“Mom!!!”

They say raising a daughter is pointless.

How many times had Josie asked about Leo… 

‘I only teased her a little, yet she reacted this strongly.’ thought Estelle, feeling disappointed.

It was true that Josie had desperately blocked the curse, but conditional curses take effect immediately upon activation. Leo’s heart had taken a significant blow.

An ordinary person would have died, but…

Whether it was his body, strengthened by potions, or the power of the Holy Eye protecting him… he was breathing just fine now.

“Mom, can’t you even joke? It sounded like you meant it. Please don’t joke around like that…”

Josie finished dressing by putting on her robe.

Her chest seemed more pronounced, and Estelle wondered if it was time to increase her bra size. As Josie fixed her hair in front of the mirror, she looked every bit the young girl she was.

“What do you think of Leo?”

With his rare blond hair, tall stature, and slightly rough skin from lack of care, Leo’s muscular build could easily stir a young girl’s heart. Moreover, Josie’s desperate efforts to save him would make anyone think she was in love.

Estelle asked, half-joking, half-serious, if Josie had feelings for Leo.

It felt like she was watching a morning drama.

“He’s like a disobedient younger brother.”

“If you say so.”

Josie’s cold response dampened Estelle’s mood. As mother and daughter, they should’ve talked about all sorts of things, love being one of them.

When they reached Leo’s room, Josie took a deep breath and knocked twice.

“Leo, can I come in?”

There was no answer.

Since Leo had arrived, he seemed to spend more time asleep than awake. After Josie had spent a week bedridden because of him, he was still lounging around, sleeping.

“Don’t worry. Your efforts weren’t in vain. He’s just unconscious because of the shock to his body.”

“When will he wake up?”

He could wake up at any moment now.

After a week of checking Leo’s condition at Josie’s request, Estelle found his heart functioning perfectly.

He should have been on his knees, hands raised, waiting for Josie to recover.

Honestly, it was infuriating.

“Who knows? Maybe he doesn’t want to wake up.”

Or maybe he was already awake and pretending to sleep.

Given Leo’s past behavior, it was a reasonable suspicion.

She had told him to sort out his feelings. A week should have been more than enough.

What was the best way to wake up a cowardly, timid fool?

She sighed.

“Mom, do you dislike Leo?”

Josie, noticing Estelle’s cold attitude toward Leo, cautiously asked while gauging her reaction.

“Considering what he did, he’s at negative one million points. What about you? Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“Regret?”

Feeling mischievous, Estelle leaned in and whispered in Josie’s ear.

“What if he puts you in danger again? Like forcibly grabbing your hand…”

“Eek…!”

Josie’s face turned bright red, and Estelle couldn’t help but laugh. If holding hands got this reaction, what would happen if she told her the truth?

“Leo wouldn’t do that…!”

As if. He had almost done worse. Whether Josie was unaware of what could have happened or knew and still defended him… it was worrying as a mother.

It was amusing to see Josie hastily defend Leo without really knowing him, but unlike someone who just slept all day, Josie’s determination was admirable.

Estelle couldn’t interfere with Josie’s decisions. The future was unpredictable, and she could only hope Josie’s efforts wouldn’t be in vain.

While Josie hid her hands in her robe, Estelle prepared one last act of kindness for her adorable daughter.

“…He chops firewood well, prays for those deceased people, and…”

Estelle calmed Josie down as she started listing even the smallest things. It seemed she was about to write a Leo observation journal.

“Alright, alright. Mom didn’t know.”

“Anyway, I think this is what it feels like to have a younger brother…”

A younger brother. Estelle had thought Josie was just dodging the question earlier, but it seemed she genuinely saw Leo as a brother.

Josie was about three years younger, but she acted more mature.

“Then why don’t you get some water for your sleepy little brother? If his throat is dry when he wakes up, it’ll be hard to talk.”

“You won’t do anything weird to Leo, right?”

“Weird? When have I ever done something weird?”

The worst she had done was plant a bomb in his heart.

Perhaps because of her past actions, Josie left the door slightly ajar to keep an eye on things.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Only after Josie’s footsteps faded did Estelle let out a small sigh.

“You’re awake, aren’t you?”

“…….”

She didn’t expect an answer.

If he had answered, he would have opened his eyes and gotten up by now.

From what she saw in his mind, Leo’s life could be summarized in three lines.

A coward who had no will to live and spent his life running away.

A fool who wanted recognition without putting in any effort.

A troublemaker who, as a prince, caused problems everywhere.

“You have nowhere to run now, do you?”

His blind faith in the Heresy Inquisitors, his last bastion, had been shattered. He had nowhere to return to or escape to.

“Unlike someone who keeps running away from his problems, our Josie will stay by your side until you wake up.”

Befitting of a child raised by a witch, she was relentless. Sometimes it was hard to tell who the real witch was.

“If you don’t know what to do anymore… why not try looking forward? See the world with your own eyes, feel it, and maybe… you’ll find an answer.”

“And… you need to tell Josie the secret you were so afraid to tell her.”

Leo still had something he needed to do.

To face Josie and properly apologize.

“…….”

Why was she talking to someone who might not even be listening?

She suddenly felt drained.

Josie’s footsteps approached, likely returning with water.

“When Josie comes back, I’ll step out for a bit. So face her properly.”

Whether Josie slaps him or whatever.

Running away won’t solve anything.

Estelle hoped Josie’s first act of stubbornness wouldn’t be something she regretted. She couldn’t depend on Estelle forever.

“This is my last act of kindness. For you… and for Josie.”

She opened the curtains, and morning sunlight streamed through the window.

Outside, a blue butterfly landed gently on a dew-covered flower, reminding her of Josie. Estelle smiled.

“Time to wake up, Mr. Negative One Million Points.”

A twitch.

Leo’s finger twitched.

See? He was listening all along.

Estelle considered punishing him for his audacity, but Josie, his biggest punishment, burst into the room, panting.

“That was really quick. What if you get hurt running around the house?”

“Haa… Haa… I’m… I’m fine.”

She must have been really worried, as half the water in the cup had spilled from her running.

“I’ll step out for a bit. Take care of him, okay?”

“What are you scheming about now…”

Not listening. Not listening.

Estelle left the room, ignoring Josie’s protests.

She thought she should make a potion to keep him from running away next time.