Animal Therapy.

I’d been staring at the kingdom’s state through the water mirror for ages. Since then, the capital had descended into chaos.

The antibiotics distributed by the Vanklyft Family were being called “Divine Medicine,” “the Spirit’s Blessing,” and people were swarming to get their hands on them.

Amid all this, a scandal erupted when the Vanklyft Family’s daughter was kidnapped by heartless folk, desperate for the medicine.

Rumors spread that it was the royal family itself—come to inquire about the medicine’s details—that had put a stop to the chaos.

Sauvel’s furious voice, shouting as he kicked open the inn’s door, was loud enough for everyone inside to hear—making the rumors seem even more credible.

Afterward, it was said that the royal family had helped resolve the kidnapping, and in return asked for the remaining medicine. The lord had no choice but to agree.

Upon hearing that, the ones who had the medicine erupted in fury.

The kidnapping of the lord’s daughter had indeed been caused by the medicine—but they’d been in the middle of negotiating how to redistribute the dwindling supply to the critically ill.

Outraged voices rose from healers and patients alike, furious at the royal family’s methods.

“Everyone, I’m sorry… I couldn’t protect my daughter… she’s gone…”

“Please, my lord! Don’t lower your head like that!”

He was a father, too. He felt the same ache as everyone else. He’d stormed into the inn, screaming like a demon, demanding Raffilia be returned.

The lord had decided the kidnapping was about the medicine and had rushed to resolve it before the demands were even made.

Then, he learned—through stealthy inquiry—that royal agents had been calling the girl out in secret. He didn’t care about disrespect, not even a little. Sauvel charged straight into it.

But okay, sure, royal agents stepping in to help—fine. It was clear they were just trying to clear up the suspicion of kidnapping. But then, after that, actually *looking* at the ground and demanding medicine? Seriously, who even *does* that? Anyone with ears would’ve been stunned.

The Vanklyft Family had already been wary of the royal family ever since the Agiel incident four years ago. Now, with this, it all came boiling over. The rumor spread like wildfire, carrying that deep-rooted distrust of the crown with it.

＊＊＊

The king’s decision came fast. By quickly imposing entry restrictions on the capital, they managed to keep the number of infected low. But now, the country’s borders were completely surrounded by people demanding medicine.

The people living in the capital were utterly baffled—what on earth was going on? And then they heard the rumor.

For a while, the royal family’s actions toward the Vanklyft Family had just been a quiet mystery that made the neighbors scratch their heads.

If such a medicine really existed, it made perfect sense that everyone would want it. But I’ve heard the lord of Vanklyft distributed it fairly—prioritizing the gravely ill, women, and children, with no distinction.

There were even riots over the dwindling supply. And then came the kidnapping of the lord’s daughter—something that left the royal court utterly pale.

Whispers spread. Rumors began to circulate that the royal family had orchestrated the abduction just to get their hands on the medicine.

The king, for his part, had prepared solid proof—directly denying any involvement.

I saw it in the water mirror. And I couldn’t help but think: *Of course.*

But day by day, the outskirts of the capital overflowed with the sick. The disease spread further, crept into the gatekeepers, and now, quietly, it’s slipping into the city itself.

The gates being sealed shut had disrupted supply lines, and discontent was quietly simmering even within the capital.

The King and Prince argued over restoring trust, but the simmering resentment only grew stronger.

Only my father and I could resolve this crisis. Members of the royal family, desperate, kept sending messengers to the Vanklyft Family—but when they learned my father and I had left to gather medicine supplies and hadn’t returned, even they could only fall silent.

My parents kept glancing at me with worried faces, watching me stare at the water mirror without expression.

***

The spirits, concerned that I’d stopped smiling altogether, had started showing up out of nowhere, clinging to me like some kind of unwanted pet.

“……”

Surrounded by little creatures rubbing against me like they’d never stop, Van—still in his tiger form—pressed his head against my back, bumping gently.

I know I’m causing trouble. Because I can’t bring myself to abandon humans, some spirits have grown annoyed. And since it was humans who put me in this state, others were furious at humanity itself.

I know I shouldn’t be like this, but… I was too down in the dumps to pull myself up.

Spirit creatures shaped like rabbits and squirrels rub against my knees, practically begging to be stroked.

As I’m completely absorbed in petting the one sitting on my lap, a sudden weight settles on my right shoulder.

I glance sideways—Van, resting his chin on my shoulder, is peering over my hand from behind.

I give a wry smile and keep rubbing his neck just like that, and he lets out a deep, rumbling purr, then flops sideways with a dramatic *thump*, rolling onto his back and showing his belly.

I can't help but chuckle, thinking how thoroughly cat-like Van really is, and Van twitches at my smile.

I’m so touched by the spirits’ thoughtful care that I laugh, but then a tear slips out anyway.

Van licks it away with his tongue—slow, deliberate, *be-rol*.

He’s got such a big face that nearly half of it gets licked clean.

“Mmmph…”

I’m not exactly fond of animals licking my face, but this time it caught me off guard—right in the face, no warning.

“Ugh…”

I rub my face hard with my handkerchief, and Van looks flustered, like he’s about to get scolded. Then—*gao!*—he pounces.

I scratch his neck frantically, and we roll around together, tumbling and laughing, just like that.

Laughing softly as I play with Van, I gradually notice my parents peeking at us from behind cover.

"Papa, Mama."

I look up, startled, and they both seem relieved.

Ah. I finally realize just how much I’ve worried them.

"Finally smiled, my princess."

"Of course. Elen-chan’s not Elen-chan without that smile."

Caught between them, I get kisses on both cheeks. I almost cry—these two, who’ve always doted on me, this warmth, this love—it’s too much.

"I’m sorry… Papa, Mama."

I leap into my father’s arms, and he catches me tight. The hug is fierce, and suddenly, everything feels right.

"...We’ve already talked about it, you know."

I tilt my head, confused by his words, and he just smiles wryly, stroking my hair.

"The method Elen used dealt a heavy blow to the Emperor. But she must have regretted it, right? People are dying needlessly now."

"...Yes."

There was no other way to corner that scheming bastard. But the people swept up in rumors—just victims, nothing more.

They won't get the medicine. And from there, the infection will spread to others.

Once the sick start gathering, secondary infections among them are inevitable. It’s only a matter of time before someone goes from a simple cold to full-blown pneumonia, like a fever turning to bacterial infection.

People who shouldn’t die… are dying. That’s why I couldn’t help but feel so low.

"I don’t want to say this, because it’ll make Elen act—but I’ll say it anyway. You’ll see it the moment you look in the water mirror."

The words my father spoke next wiped my mind clean.

＊＊＊

The palace of Tenbair was now thick with tension—so tight you could feel it in your teeth.

Like a crowd of people holding their breath, stifling the low murmur of discontent.

Rumors had spread far and wide about what the royal family had done to the Vanklyft Family, and the stories were growing wilder by the hour.

Enough to shake the crown’s credibility, no doubt.

Some nobles, desperate for a taste of the rumored elixir, had begun practically crawling to the king’s feet.

The king claimed he’d received the potion only to mass-produce it.

But the court healers hadn’t yet figured out what it was made of.

And everyone knew full well the royal family wasn’t exactly eager to hear the Vanklyft Family’s side of things—no matter how hard they tried to ask.

When someone else tried to listen, they were told the ones who knew the medicine’s formula had gone off to find missing ingredients—because the royal family had taken the medicine with them. There was nothing anyone could do about it.

Everyone realized they were utterly dependent on the Vanklyft family.

And that’s when the anger set in—furious that it was the royal family’s fault that they were stuck like this.

Then, the strain took its toll. The king and Prince collapsed. The kingdom trembled.

＊＊＊

A handful of healers were stationed in the royal bedroom.

All faces were grim, staring at the king, burning with fever, unconscious.

“Isn’t there any of that medicine left?”

“Other healers said they were checking… by the time we noticed, almost none was left…”

“What kind of nonsense is this?! That medicine was entrusted to us by the king himself…!!”

Each one tiny, like a grain.

No one else knew that it was crushed into powder for testing purposes—there were just so many of them, tiny like grains.

No precise machinery for analyzing ingredients like in Japan—what else could you do?

The entire Spirit World was summoned to investigate, yet every spirit shook their head in confusion.

And all of them said the same thing, in unison.

‘This isn’t from the human realm.’

When asked if it was from the Spirit World, they replied, no.

No one could help but wonder—what exactly was this medicine? Yet in Vanclift’s clinic, it was prescribed, even curing fatal illnesses.

If rumors spread that this was divine medicine, people would start sneaking it out in secret.

The head physician of the court was clutching his head in frustration. Two bottles of the inherited medicine had been delivered. Yet, despite having used an entire bottle for testing, the word hadn’t gotten through—so the one that was supposed to be saved was mistakenly opened, while the one that was meant to be used was left untouched. It was enough to make your head hurt.

"Why on earth did this happen?"

The head physician groaned, utterly dumbfounded.

The dosage was supposed to be at least three times a day, for three days. That made eighteen pills total—two for the Emperor, two for the Prince. But the bottle didn’t have nearly that many left.

"Ahh… what a mess…"

From behind the flustered head physician, two shadows suddenly appeared.

The Emperor’s bedroom should’ve held only the sleeping Emperor, the head physician, and a few assistants. Everyone else had been strictly forbidden from entering, to prevent infection. So how had they gotten in?

"Was that medicine, in the end, just wasted?"

"Looks like it, huh."

"Should've sent someone we're used to, you know?"

"Couldn't believe it, treated them like toys, huh? Honestly, I keep wondering if these people even know what a cutting-edge healer is."

The two voices, casual and carefree, made Long freeze in place.

The assistants beside him had their eyes wide, utterly silenced.

"...Lovell-sama?"

"Oh my, oh my, this sight—such a rare one, seeing the Emperor like this, fast asleep."

In Lovell's arms was a small girl. About eight years old, Long thought—could this be the spirit princess of the Vanklyft Family?

"You're a healer, right?"

The girl's tiny voice made Long nod without thinking. A chance to ask about the medicine—his voice trembled as he spoke.

"Lord Lovell! You don’t have that medicine on you, do you!?"

"...Well, that's a bold opener. Still, if His Majesty's like this, I can't really blame him. But really—should we be doing this? We're technically trespassing, you know."

Lovell said it casually, but Long was pale with worry. If they were kicked out now, and the medicine was never found, wouldn't that be grounds for punishment?

"Ah... that is... I mean..."

"If they kicked us out, we'd never hear about the medicine again... Well, whatever. So, when did you start feeling ill?"

Trembling slightly, Long answered Lovell’s question about the King’s condition.

As he spoke, I handed Long the two bottles.

"These are two separate medicines. Take one tablet three times a day. Don’t mix them."

Each tiny bottle held fifty pills. Long stared at them, tears welling up in his eyes from sheer relief.

"L-lovell-sama...!!"

"Seriously. Prescribe the same amount to the Prince. And don’t turn it into a toy this time."

With that, we vanished, leaving only the promise of payment.

Next, we headed toward Sauvel.

I handed him a little extra medicine and talked him through slowly taking on patients.

Back in the Spirit World, I faced my parents.

"...Was this really okay?"

"Ah, he got a taste of his own medicine, didn’t he?"

Father chuckled. I couldn’t help but smile a little too.

After the King’s health improved, I’d made a quiet promise with Father to finally discuss the price of the medicine.

＊＊＊

I slipped away to a certain place, unnoticed.

I already knew, from the water mirror, that he was awake.

He blinked in shock, eyes wide, when I suddenly appeared before him.

"Wha— Elen...? Am I dreaming...?"

"Even if it is a dream," I said, "it’s fine."

Leaning my head to the side, Gadiel pinched his own cheek. A quiet, “Ow…” escaped him.

“…Don’t you think this situation feels familiar? Just like back then?”

I murmured it, and Gadiel sucked in a breath.

The spirit’s curse. The memories shown by the black mist.

“Back then… if we’d been able to talk like this beforehand… could anything have changed…?”

“…At the very least, I think the royal family wouldn’t have resorted to such measures.”

The terror of the Monster Tempest. The fear of an invisible sickness.

It gnawed at the people’s hearts, turning them into madness.

“Prince, please stop forcing yourself into our lives. If you do, I’ll listen.”

My offer left Gadiel wide-eyed.

“…I understand why you’re desperate to reach out to us. Because there’s no other way to hold hands. We gave up on you—lost hope in you.”

"...but we couldn’t help wanting you. The power of that spirit. The power that name brings. Every time we tried to seize it by force, we only hurt you..."

Gadiel’s face was flushed, still burning with fever.

I nearly reached out to check his temperature before remembering the curse and stopping myself.

"...I’ve taken care not to let the sickness spread further. Once you’re healed, we can talk about the medicine."

"...You’ll tell us the recipe!?!"

"No. I’m speaking of a trade. The medicine comes with a price."

Gadiel’s shoulders slumped at my words.

"Of course it wouldn’t be handed over easily."

I huffed, puffing out my cheeks in mock indignation—then realized how ridiculous I must’ve looked, because Gadiel’s eyes softened and he laughed.

"Yeah... we’re not exactly trustworthy, are we?"

He said that, then suddenly seemed to notice something.

"Hey, Elen."

"...What is it?"

"If... if I could somehow earn even a little of your trust... would we be able to talk like this again?"

I blinked, wide-eyed at Gadiel's words.

"...We’d have to do it at this distance, though."

"Doesn’t matter!!"

Gadiel lunged forward from the bed, sitting up with a sudden burst of energy—then immediately started coughing, as if he’d swallowed something wrong, hacking up a storm.

I felt a little guilty for not being able to help.

After waiting for his coughing to subside, I asked if he was okay, and he answered with a happy little smile, “I’m fine.”

For now, I told him I’d be back with my father, then left. Gadiel smiled back and said, “I understand.”

I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I just said, “See you later, take care,” and bolted back home.

Gadiel stared at the spot where Elen had vanished.

I was overjoyed—just overjoyed—that he’d actually agreed.

Gadiel took a single sip from the water jug, poured a single sip into a glass, then took a single sip of water.

The crisp coolness slid down my throat. That chill told me—this wasn’t a dream. This was real.

“Hah…”

I exhaled deeply, trying to push out the heat trapped in my body.

My body should’ve hurt. And yet, Gadiel’s face was completely relaxed.

＊＊＊

I marched briskly down the castle’s corridor, heading straight for my room. Then, from around the corner, Van—shaped like a person—appeared, searching for me.

“Ah, Your Highness. What’s wrong?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

I tilted my head, puzzled. Van dropped to his knees and cupped both my cheeks in his hands.

Your face is red.

……eh?

I blinked, frowning slightly.

(Has he caught a cold…? Or did I?)

Gadiel had been flushed too, feverish.

I’m not entirely human, so I can’t say I’m immune to illness.

……I’m sleepy.

Oh? Is that so?

As I muttered some half-hearted excuse and headed toward my room, Van followed, clearly worried.

(I should take some medicine and go to bed…)

Maybe I caught a cold from Gadiel, but honestly… I’m glad we met.

For the past few days, that fog in my chest—clearing up, finally.