Witch – Chapter 35 – The Two Witches (15)

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“Leo… don’t come. It’s dangerous….”

Josie muttered in her sleep, as if trapped in a nightmare. Despite the shock of Emily’s interference, her obsession with Leo remained.

While everyone else was worried sick, she was peacefully lost in her dreams.

I told her not to push herself.

If she ever acts this stubborn again, I won’t indulge her, I thought, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

The mana flowing through Josie’s body had stabilized, and there were no unusual signs, so I let out a sigh of relief.

If I had been even a little later, it could have been dangerous.

Whether it was the Death Worms or the mana overload… she could have met a terrible fate.

After setting up recovery and nightmare-dispelling magic circles to help Josie rest comfortably, I carefully left the room.

“Is your daughter alright?”

Derrick, who had been waiting outside the door, asked with concern.

He seemed tense, as if worried I might lash out at him.

His son and granddaughter are watching, so I should maintain some dignity.

Besides, there was no reason to be angry with anyone.

This was just a small mishap caused by Josie pushing herself too hard and being stubborn.

“She’s just exhausted. Don’t worry. She’ll be fine after a few days of rest.”

“Perhaps we should call a doctor…”

Even if we called a doctor, they wouldn’t have much to say that I don’t already know.

The mana overload had caused external injuries all over her body, bleeding profusely and tearing her muscles. Her internal organs were so heavily damaged that it was a miracle she was still alive.

If she really were close to death, I planned to use an Elixir to restore her to peak condition.

I could easily handle the Death Worms that had tried to attack Josie, but her body was already in such a state that I would’ve had no choice but to administer the Elixir immediately.

“It’s fine. A miracle seems to have happened.”

I glanced at Leo, who was fidgeting anxiously in the corner. Emily, realizing there was no benefit in staying close, had distanced herself.

It was Leo who had healed Josie.

A light from the Holy Eye had enveloped Josie, healing all her wounds.

It seemed the Holy Eye’s power had activated unconsciously. Leo, holding Josie, who was now free of injuries, wept uncontrollably.

“The farmland work will take a bit longer. Is that alright? If you want it done quickly, I can handle it, but you’ll have to give up this year’s harvest.”

“If you take care of it, Lady Estelle… wouldn’t we have to start from scratch? It’s not urgent, so don’t worry. I’m more concerned about burdening your daughter.”

Starting over would be a blessing. If they had rushed me, I would have made them redraw the map.

“Anyway, I’m sorry my daughter caused you trouble. She’ll be fine after a good rest.”

“I see. We’ll take our leave so she can rest comfortably.”

Derrick left with his family.

Emily seemed to want to stay by Leo’s side, but after a glance from Derrick, she obediently followed.

“You must be shaken too. Why don’t you go back to your room and rest?”

“…….”

I shrugged, unsure if Leo hadn’t heard me or simply had no intention of leaving.

He’ll figure it out.

Just as I was about to go back to nursing Josie,

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not staying by Josie’s side….”

Was it really Leo’s fault?

This happened because Josie was stubborn, so I couldn’t understand why Leo was apologizing.

“What do you have to apologize for?”

If anyone was to blame for Josie’s condition… it was my fault for not stopping her.

If anything, I wanted to cheer Leo on.

With his princely looks, he and Emily made a good pair.

If they ended up getting married, I might even officiate.

If he drifted away from Josie, he could focus on training and studying his Holy Eye, saving myself some trouble.

I could spend the rest of my time enjoying a happy trip to Venetia with Josie.

Whether he knew about my happy thoughts or not… Leo’s expression showed no intention of letting Josie go.

“Josie ended up like this because of me. If I had explained properly yesterday….”

Yesterday?

I remembered Josie running to her room in tears.

And Emily emerging from Leo’s room in her nightgown.

If Derrick hadn’t explained, I might have been surprised, but I was more impressed by Emily’s boldness.

Though it hurt to see Josie cry.

“But do you really need to explain all that to Josie?”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“You two are not even dating, are you?”

“…….”

It’s not like Leo was caught cheating by his girlfriend.

Josie might have an unusual attachment to Leo, but it’s not like they’re in a relationship.

There hasn’t been any significant event to advance their relationship, and it doesn’t seem like anything happened.

If something did happen without my knowledge, that would be unforgivable.

They haven’t even held hands properly.

“Or… do you have feelings for Josie?”

Surely not.

The guy who once decided to kill Josie to cover up his mistakes….

If he had the nerve for that, I’d want to peel off his face and see what kind of thick skin it is made of.

This was also a kind of warning.

Even if Leo had feelings for Josie, I wouldn’t allow it.

I’ve tolerated it for Josie’s sake, but there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at Leo.

You’d better answer carefully.

“That day… I lost my reason to live, and Josie gave it back to me. I vowed to use this life for her. If I can spend my life ensuring her happiness, that’s enough for me.”

“Is that so? Then that’s fine.”

Since he healed Josie with the Holy Eye’s power, I’ll let it slide for now.

If I push further and he becomes self-aware, it’ll only cause more trouble. It’s better not to provoke him unnecessarily.

“But what happened yesterday did hurt Josie. So I must explain. I don’t want her to be hurt because of me ever again. I want to see her happy.”

Leo, perhaps motivated in a different way, was making resolutions on his own. I sighed.

Well, if he maintains this attitude, it might not be so bad to keep him around.

Not that I want to meddle in their affairs.

“I don’t know what happened yesterday, and I don’t want to know. That’s something you should discuss directly with Josie, not me.”

One thing was clear: it wasn’t my place to convey his feelings or the truth.

“You’re not blaming me?”

Blaming?

Who does he think I am, someone who blames others?

“Why would I blame you?”

“Josie ended up like this because of me.”

This guy is really frustrating.

Is it stubbornness?

In some ways, he’s strangely similar to Josie, which irritates me.

Just like Josie said, he’s a disobedient younger brother.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I have no intention of blaming or scolding you.”

If anything, I want to praise him.

If he spends his life being hated by Josie and ends up with Emily, wouldn’t that be better?

As a prince, Leo would have an easier life with Emily.

Staying with us would only bring him endless hardships.

Mostly trials I’d put him through, but still.

With the Holy Eye and a way to return to the Holy Kingdom, Leo has plenty of options.

Choosing to stay with Josie is the worst option for both him and me.

But I didn’t want to pour lies or harsh words on someone who wished for Josie’s happiness.

“Josie probably doesn’t blame you either.”

“What do you mean…?”

“If anything, she might apologize to you. For making you worry or something.”

Given how she kept calling for Leo in her sleep.

It reminded me of those internet posts about raising daughters being futile.

I’m more worried that Josie will rush to find Leo as soon as she wakes up. She should worry about herself first.

She’s always had a tendency to put herself last.

If she falls for a bad guy, she might give away both her body and heart. As a parent, that worries me.

“So you should rest and sort out your thoughts. Don’t ramble and cause more trouble.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and…”

I called out to Leo as he finally seemed to understand and headed back to his room.

“Thanks for healing Josie. That eye of yours is useful after all.”

Even if it’s a thorn in my side, I should acknowledge it.

As a witch, that eye is deeply unsettling, but it did heal Josie. It’s not a loss, and it saved me from using one of my few Elixirs.

Leo, who didn’t expect gratitude from me, looked wide-eyed as I ignored him and went back into the room.