Flora seemed to have fallen asleep, and I could hear her quiet breathing.

　I adjusted the futon and looked at her tired face.

　If she hadn't been ill, my younger sister would have been celebrating her youth as a proper knight by now. Flora, delicate and sweet, had been popular even among her peers, but ever since she contracted the Demon Fever, almost no friends came to visit her.

　Older people believed the Demon Fever was caused by being shunned by spirits.

　The doctors say it's complete superstition, entirely different from being born a "hated one," but many people in the town still believe this old myth.

Moreover, some even believe that the illness is contagious. Because of this, the number of guests visiting our home has dwindled since Flora fell ill.

If I pass the Holy Knight Examination, I must stand as a proper knight and support this household.

Take a husband—just like my mother did.

I'm the eldest daughter, and I'll have to look after my younger sister from now on.

When I'm with Hikaru, I've pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind, but now they've become—reality.

I protested when Hikaru said he couldn't stay with me, but I, too, had no choice but to return.

That's why I didn't want to come back.

Because once I return and face the reality, I won't be able to leave again.

I won't be able to abandon my family anymore.

"Hikaru... me... what should I do?"

Sitting beside the bed, I mutter softly.

If I were just a simple explorer with no entanglements, I wouldn't be hesitating at all.

Would Hikaru come as my husband?

If he came here, everything would be resolved—but

(It's probably impossible…)

He's beloved by many.

My home is right next to the Great Temple. The Great Spirit of Light dislikes men, but surely a beloved one would be an exception.

"Haa…"

A painful sigh escapes me, and I sink into deep thought for a while, until I'm pulled back to reality by a voice from downstairs.

The voice grows closer, then a knock at the door. Sasha, the maid, peeks in.

"Lady Refreia, Lady Flora, the doctor has arrived."

Hearing this, I rise to my feet.

The doctor who comes for home visits is someone who has long studied the mysterious illness, traveling across the continent in search of medicine, and while the treatment is quite expensive, their skill is unquestionable.

Still, my sister's condition hasn't improved much, but the fact that it hasn't worsened is proof that the treatment is working.

After all, the mysterious illness gradually immobilizes the body as the patient grows older.

"Hello. It's been a while, Miss Refreia."

"It's been a long time, Doctor."

"Now then, let's begin the examination right away—Flora, please wake up—"

The doctor paused mid-motion, sitting down on the chair beside the bed.

His gaze fixed on the everlasting flower given by Hikaru.

"……Eh? T-this flower…? H-how did this end up here…?"

"Is something wrong with this flower?"

"C-can I… take a look at it for a moment…? It's… it has roots… properly…"

The teacher is carefully examining something with trembling fingers.

Not just their fingers, but even their voice trembles, and the attending nurse covers their mouth with both hands, eyes glistening.

(W-what's going on…?)

Something clearly out of the ordinary.

"There's no doubt… This eternal glow, the circulation of spirit energy… It's the Silver Sand Grass of the Blue Moon…"

Holding the flower received from Hikaru with both hands, as if venerating a divine statue, the teacher wears an expression of ecstatic wonder.

"Miss Reflair! Is this the flower you obtained!?"

"E-eh, yes. Well, more precisely, I received it."

A look of pure joy spreads across the teacher's face.

"Got it!? Who from!? I mean, no—where, where did you get it!? I had a lead that might have worked, but I couldn't manage it at all!"

"Well, I just received it from someone..."

"Did that person not know its value!?! Or—wait… did they give it to me knowing about Flora's illness!?"

"W-What on earth is going on?! Explain it to me!"

The teacher is flushed red and visibly excited, talking to themselves. I have no idea what they're talking about.

"The root of this flower is a cure for Luminous Plague! Flora can be healed!"

"Eh!?"

"Moreover, if it's such a healthy specimen, it could save ten people suffering from the Luminous Plague! Please, give it to me! I'll pay you, of course! I beg you!"

I didn't catch the last part of what the teacher said.

— Will it cure her?

Is this flower a miracle cure?

My sister's illness… Could the incurable illness known as Luanma Disease… really be cured?

"S-sir… You're joking, right? How could something like this flower… possibly do something like that—?"

"This isn't a joke! This flower… the Azure Moon Silver Sand Grass, is the only medicine in this world capable of curing Luanma Disease!"

"So… so my sister… Flora… will really be… just like before?"

"She will be cured. She will be cured, I assure you—she should recover completely in just a few days."

"No… that can't be…"

The final line was spoken by her sister.

She must have quietly gotten up and been listening all along.

"It's not a lie. Thanks to Lady Reflair, you'll be healed. I've traveled all over the world searching for this herb, never imagining my older sister would find it. It must be the will of the Spirit King."

"W-wait... am I really... going to get better...? Really?"

"It's true. You've got a wonderful older sister."

That day, the second time the younger sister cried, her voice carried not sorrow but joy.

　

◇◆◆◆◇

From then on, things became quite hectic.

Though the flower doesn't wither, it truly dies if its roots are completely removed, so we cut only a single portion and gave it to Flora to consume.

The teacher took out tools from her bag and carefully ground the severed roots. Then, she placed the ground roots into a small medicinal kettle and set it over the fire, filling the room with a distinctive sweet fragrance.

"Smells nice, doesn't it? They say this scent is the same one spirits feel toward the 'Beloved One.' I think I'm starting to understand why the Great Spirit desires the Beloved.

A little trivia from the teacher.

I wonder if I smell like this too. I should check next time.

Pour the well-boiled medicine into Flora's mouth.

According to the teacher, this should gradually restore the flow of spiritual energy.

Now then, as for the remaining nine portions, I'd like you to hand these over.

With a renewed demeanor, the teacher spoke.

Only my mother and I are here. Father ran off shouting about throwing a celebration.

I've heard this flower was given to Reflai. What do you say, Reflai?

"That's true, but of course I don't mind. You've looked after Flora well, and if this helps people suffering from an incurable illness, the person who gave it to us will likely forgive us for taking it."

When he gave me the flower, he did say it could help with some illness, but it was a different name from Luanma Disease, so he probably didn't think it would work on that.

Given his personality, if it were truly a miracle cure, he'd probably insist we use it properly, wouldn't he?

"Thank you. Then, about the payment—"

"Payment?"

"Yes. It's a precious item, so naturally I'll purchase it at a fair price."

"Huh."

At that moment, both my mother and I probably thought we'd be lucky to receive enough to cover Flora's medical expenses.

But the amount the teacher presented far exceeded such predictions, and at first, both my mother and I thought it must be a joke. Yet it seemed the teacher was serious.

"It's a generous offer, but wouldn't such a high amount mean many people couldn't afford treatment?"

I voiced my concern.

Our family is already struggling financially due to Flora's medical expenses. Honestly, more money would always be better. Because we've had to put off home repairs, the house now feels quite run-down.

But if only the wealthy or nobles can receive treatment, that would be turning things upside down.

"No, I'm not trying to recoup the cost through treatment. You see, this flower sells for a high price to nobles. I use it as medicine just before it dies, then sell the remaining portion to nobles at a premium. That's how I break even. So it's not so much that I'm buying the flower myself, but rather acting as an intermediary to sell it to nobles, receiving the medicinal roots as my commission. That way, everyone benefits."

"Do nobles really pay that much for this, just as a flower?"

"Yes. A flower that glows without withering is seen as a symbol of 'eternal prosperity.' It's highly prized as a gift for royalty, and many nobles desire it. Since such flowers are extremely rare, I've only handled three in total myself."

"So it was that valuable... Even though Hikaru gave it to me as a farewell gift, I had no idea it was so precious."

He gave me something like that.

Isn't that proof that he truly cares about me?

Even during such an important conversation, I can't help but smile.

"Reflia. Are you listening?"

"Ah, yes. I'm fine."

"Thank you. I'll bring the money next time I visit."

The conversation ended, and the teacher left.

He was headed to administer medicine to his patients scattered across the country.

As Flora should be fine by now, he only instructed me to gradually start moving her body.

"Reflia. Where did you get that flower? You said you received it as a farewell gift, didn't you?"

"Yes. I received it as a farewell gift when I left Meltya."

"I see."

From my mother's perspective, the person who gave up the medicine that saved her daughter's life.

And to me, Hikaru is a lifesaver. I doubt even Hikaru imagined they'd become a savior to my younger sister, or even to this entire family.

"Do you remember our family's motto, then?"

"Of course. 'Return every kindness received.'"

"Exactly. This debt must be repaid. But it cannot be repaid with half-hearted measures. After all, we've received something so precious. You understand, Reflair?"

Once Floria is revived, all our family's problems will be solved.

We won't need to pay for treatment anymore, and not only that—we'll even be able to cover the costs of all past treatments, and still have money left over, thanks to the price of that flower.

The house can be passed on to Floria as originally planned, and I’ll be able to return to Hikaru with a clear conscience.

Regardless of how I express my gratitude, I can’t have him come here.

He’s a beloved one.

Since this house is right next to the Great Temple, the Great Spirit will surely notice.

"He can’t leave the city due to circumstances, so we’ll have to go to him."

"I see… There’s nothing we can do about it then."

In any case, we’re the ones offering thanks, so it wouldn’t be proper to summon Hikaru all the way here.

"Sometimes, Refreia. You said… him, right? Is the person who gave us this flower, a nobleman?"

"E-eh, yes… that’s right…"

"A lover you made on the other side?"

"W-well… yes…"

"Single?"

"Y-yes… but surely you’re not implying—"

"You're quick to understand. Reflia, you shall marry that nobleman,"

the mother calmly, deadpan.

"Marry him, dedicate your body and soul, and repay this debt for the rest of your life."

"H-hey, are you serious...?"

"If you're unwilling, then Flora would do just as well. No, actually, Flora has a more direct connection to the favor, so it would be better if you chose her—"

"I'm not refusing! I welcome it, I welcome it, I welcome it wholeheartedly! Reflia will repay this kindness with honor!"

I never expected this turn of events.

But it's exactly what I wished for.

Still, my mother truly is something. She thinks just like me.

Or rather, I've probably already been influenced by her way of thinking without even realizing it.

Still, since my mother doesn't know Hikaru, I'll have to think carefully about how to handle this.

Approaching him directly would definitely result in refusal.

I had to gradually create a fait accompli and win him over step by step.

Still, the fact that his mother seemed willing to cooperate wasn't bad at all.

I no longer needed to become a Saint Knight, and I could return to Meltya without worrying about my family.

Perfect.

At that moment, my brain was working at its fastest pace ever.

I had a vague understanding of Hikaru's personality, even after only a short time together.

If I told him his mother forced him into marriage and he no longer had a place to return to, he'd likely end up letting me stay by default.

All I'd need to do then was find ways to make him agree—this could work!

As for what he said about being watched from his original world, who cares?

What does it matter if I'm seen? You can look all you want. You'll never truly feel it. It's wrong for someone who can't even interfere with me to take away my life.

What matters more to me is being with Hikaru.

I want to show him that this moment is far better than anything from the original world.

Maybe I'll be called self-centered, but I want to share the beauty of life with him, right here, right now.

No matter how much he tries to avoid me.

No matter how hard he runs away.

I'll chase him to the ends of the earth and stay with him forever.

Even if it's a burden. Even if it's selfish.

Because he's worth every bit of it.