“Oh, no! I’m really fine!”

I instinctively stepped back, waving my hands frantically.

There was no way I could let someone like the Duke of Pluto—let alone the Cardinal—carry me on his back. It wasn’t as if I was his granddaughter or anything. That would be absurd.

And why would Reuben even offer to carry me in the first place?

If I were truly injured to the point of being unable to walk, calling a servant would be the obvious solution.

“It’s no trouble for me. You’re a child who’s just returned from suffering in the Demon Realm. It’s only right for an adult to offer help.”

“But you’re His Eminence the Cardinal!”

“Just think of me as the grandfather you live with.”

“!”

My jaw dropped.

Think of him as just a grandfather?

Was this really the same Reuben Pluto, the Duke who had maintained an impenetrable wall of formality from the moment we first met?

When I hesitated, Reuben prodded me gently.

“My knees are starting to hurt. Come on, hurry up.”

“Uh, yes! Yes!”

Flustered, I quickly approached him.

He didn’t need to carry me, but refusing such kindness would feel even ruder.

“Thank you, then,” I said softly as I climbed onto Reuben’s back.

He stood effortlessly and began walking. The realization that I was actually being carried by the Cardinal himself left me bewildered.

‘Reuben is one of the most renowned holy knights… and he’s carrying me?’

Even though we’d endured hardships in the Demon Realm together recently, this still felt excessive.

Yet, despite my discomfort, Reuben’s back was warm and steady.

Was this what a grandfather’s back felt like? It was different from the younger, energetic support of a father.

Having grown up without grandfathers, the experience felt novel and comforting.

‘Hmm, it feels like riding on a cloud….’

While I was lost in the strange satisfaction, Reuben and I entered the mansion.

The moment we stepped inside, several servants spotted us and rushed over, their eyes wide with surprise.

“Your Grace! We can take care of Miss Crescent! Please put her down immediately!”

It was clear the servants thought this was far too much, just as I did.

Feeling burdened, I squirmed slightly.

“They’re right. I can walk now! I’ll get down!”

“Please, come this way, Miss,” one footman said, extending a hand toward me. The other servants hovered nervously, unsure of what to do.

After all, the Duke of Pluto himself was carrying an orphan ward on his back.

Reuben, however, turned sharply, pulling me away from them.

“How dare you behave so presumptuously. This child has endured a great ordeal. Her well-being is the priority, so cease this fuss at once.”

“!”

The servants clamped their mouths shut.

I, too, was left speechless, wide-eyed at the unexpected scene.

Before I could process what was happening, Reuben was already ascending the stairs. He carried me to my room on the second floor and only set me down once we were inside.

Still a bit dazed, I looked up at him.

“Th-thank you, Your Eminence. I mean, Your Grace.”

“It’s nothing. The healing priests will attend to you shortly. You’ve likely strained your bones, so lie down and rest.”

“Yes.”

With a curt nod, Reuben turned on his heel and left the room.

I stared after him, stunned.

For someone who had personally carried me to my room, his demeanor was remarkably businesslike. But that wasn’t the point.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his retreating figure.

“…Wow. He actually carried me. I never would’ve imagined that.”

Ding!

<‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ comments that honey practically dripped from Reuben’s eyes just now.>

‘Huh? When?’

I didn’t notice anything like that.

<‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ says that Reuben only has sons and grandsons—no daughters or granddaughters.>

‘Oh, now that you mention it.’

The Pluto family was indeed lacking in daughters. Even Lady Rearwin had adopted me because she hadn’t been able to have a daughter herself.

But what did that have to do with Reuben carrying me?

<‘Dragon Slayer Sylvester’ adds that Reuben was deeply moved by your resilience, surviving the Demon Realm three times. He believes he might have been so impressed that he now sees you as a granddaughter.>

‘…Sure, but it’s not like that changes anything.’

Shaking my head at Sylvester’s exaggeration, I dismissed the idea.

The Pluto family and other noble houses valued bloodlines too much to ever accept someone like me, who wasn’t related by blood, as a granddaughter.

That kind of thing had never happened in the Pluto family’s history.

‘Still… I suppose he might’ve wished for a granddaughter like me.’

After all, having a girl with divine power was considered an honor by any family.

Feeling a bit smug, I shrugged my shoulders.

In the meantime, the servants bustled around me, helping me out of my clothes, wiping me down with a damp cloth, and dressing me in fresh garments.

Soon, the healing priests arrived to examine me. Their ability to assess health with divine power was fascinating.

“Hmm. It’s fortunate your bones aren’t broken, though there are several fractures. It’s like an old tree in winter—splintered all over. Didn’t it hurt?”

“Huh?”

It was that bad?

“Well, sometimes severe emotional shock can dull physical pain. But starting tomorrow, you’ll likely feel intense pain. We’ll administer bone-healing potions and painkillers in the meantime. First, I’ll treat you with divine power—it won’t hurt, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you.”

The healing priest took my hand and closed his eyes.

What would it feel like to be healed with divine power?

It felt as though every hidden ailment in my body was being eliminated—a sense of perfect restoration.

Though I doubted it was actually that thorough, the sensation was extraordinary.

Before I knew it, the priest opened his eyes.

“All done.”

“Already?”

“Yes. Most of the fractures have healed, but you’re not fully recovered yet. Please take the potions we’ve provided and rest for the next few days.”

“Yes, I will!”

Divine healing was incredible!

In the blink of an eye, my bones were mended, and it didn’t hurt at all. I even felt lighter, though it was probably just my imagination.

Before the priest left, I cautiously asked, “By the way, have you checked on Lord Meteor? How is he?”

“There’s no need to worry. He’s safe.”

“Has he woken up?”

The priest shook his head.

“No, not yet. But he should wake up after a good night’s rest.”

“I see… Thank you.”

Given how much he had overexerted himself, it was better for him to rest than to wake too soon.

I considered going to check on him but ultimately decided against it.

Though I lay down after taking the potion, sleep didn’t come easily.

Images of everything that had happened in the Demon Realm flooded my mind.

I had seen Dad—the Dad I thought I might never see again.

Not only that, but he had saved me from Aldred and the Demon King.

Without him, I wouldn’t have made it back to the Pluto estate. Meteor wouldn’t have been safe either.

Tears welled up as I thought about how hard Dad was fighting for me, just as I was for him.

But how long could he hold on?

And how much longer could I endure?

No.

I had to endure no matter what. I had to survive to the end. There was no other choice.

Deep into the night, I was still wide awake.

Finally, I got out of bed and left my room, carrying a single candle.

I quietly entered Meteor’s room. He was still lying in bed, fast asleep.

His serene face looked peaceful.

“….”

Though it didn’t quite suit the situation, I found myself thinking that his silky white eyelashes resembled those of a doll.

Looking at him, a heavy weight settled on my heart.

‘Sigh. He’s gone through so much because of me… He’s never been in such a state before.’

This was probably the first time he’d amplified his divine power to such an extent.

Feeling guilty, I gently placed my hand over his, hidden beneath the blanket.

“Meteor, you’ll wake up tomorrow, won’t you? I’m sorry if it’s my fault that you haven’t yet. Please rest well and wake up soon.”

I stayed by his side for a while.

During that time, a thought occurred to me.

Had Meteor overheard anything while we were in the Demon Realm—specifically my conversations with the Demon King, or rather, my dad?

Even if he’d been unconscious, nothing was ever certain.

If he had, then he might already know my secret.