Princess Hisui

As soon as Riyao finished speaking, he raised his palm without further hesitation. Pale green magical light burst forth, spreading into a circular emerald-green magic circle before him.

Tiny points of light flowed through its patterns, carrying a gentle but unmistakable healing power that instantly dispelled the strange chill in the inner chamber.

"First, I'll clear the lingering poison and curse from this young lady. Consider it a little test."

As he spoke, he released his Healing Magic. A strand of soft green light separated from the magic circle and wound around the frightened maid's wrist like a ribbon.

The moment it touched the bluish-black markings, the maid couldn't help letting out a soft sound. She felt no pain, however, and her expression relaxed.

Everyone watched as the nearly invisible markings faded bit by bit within the green light, then vanished completely. Some of the deathly pallor left the maid's face as well, and color returned to her cheeks.

"All done. The residue in your body has been completely cleared out. It won't flare up again."

Riyao drew back the green light, though the magic circle remained suspended in midair.

"Just don't come into direct contact with Leo again for the time being. It'll be fine once he's fully recovered."

The maid stared for a moment, rubbing her wrist over and over. Once she was sure the dreadful markings had really disappeared, her eyes reddened with excitement, and she hurriedly bowed.

"Thank you, Mr. Riyao! Thank you!"

Much of the worry on Toma's face vanished at once, and his voice trembled with excitement.

"That's—that's wonderful! You really are amazing, young man!"

Arcadios breathed a sigh of relief as well, his tense shoulders relaxing slightly. There was a little more genuine admiration in the way he looked at Riyao.

Riyao didn't stop, however. He tapped a finger again, and the magic circle before him abruptly expanded. Its light grew much stronger, yet remained as gentle as ever.

He walked slowly to the bedside and laid his palm against Leo's pale forehead.

"Leo is the source of the curse and the poison. I can't just force them out; I have to suppress them first, or his little body won't be able to take it."

Green light poured into Leo's body through his palm. The bluish-black markings that had been winding around the boy's arm began to writhe violently, as though they had met their natural enemy, but the green light held them firmly in place, preventing them from spreading any farther.

Leo's brow eased slightly, and his previously faint breathing grew somewhat steadier. His face was still pale, but no longer that lifeless gray.

Riyao maintained the flow of magic, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. After about fifteen minutes, he slowly withdrew his hand, and the magic circle dimmed and vanished.

He wiped away his sweat, his tone a little lighter. "Done. The curse's activity has been suppressed, and the poison has been sealed temporarily in the outermost ends of his meridians. He won't get any worse for a while, and he should be able to sleep soundly tonight."

Toma hurried to the bedside. Seeing his nephew breathing steadily, his eyes reddened, and he thanked Riyao repeatedly. "Thank you, young man! Thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet."

Riyao waved a hand, his expression growing somewhat serious again.

"He's the source, and the curse and poison have already penetrated deep into his soul and body. Forcing them out would tear his meridians apart. I'll need three days to treat him in three sessions, and I'll also need a few key ingredients: moonlight flower petals, stardew grass juice, and a small amount of obsidian powder."

"The moonlight flower can neutralize the curse's dark attribute, the stardew grass can nourish his damaged meridians, and the obsidian powder can absorb the deep-seated poison. Only by mixing all three into a potion and combining it with my Healing Magic can I slowly pull the source out completely."

"His body is too weak right now, like a piece of wood that's almost been eaten hollow. If I force the poison out without using the ingredients to prepare him first, even if he survives, he'll be left with a lifelong ailment. He might even lose the ability to use magic forever."

As Riyao spoke, he glanced at Leo on the bed, a trace of sympathy in his voice.

"The boy wasn't particularly strong to begin with, and he's been through this for half a month. He can't withstand it a second time."

Toma nodded at once and instructed the attendant beside him without hesitation.

"Go to the storeroom immediately! No, I'll go myself! Whatever the cost, we must find all those ingredients!"

"There's no need to rush, Your Majesty."

"The palace storeroom should have moonlight flowers and stardew grass. You might have to look for obsidian powder at a magic item shop, but Crocus is the capital, so you're sure to find some. Just have everything ready before dawn. I'll come back early tomorrow morning to begin the first proper treatment."

Arcadios stepped forward and said gravely, "Leave the ingredients to me. I'll make the arrangements now and make sure they're delivered before dawn."

Toma looked at Riyao, his eyes full of gratitude and relief.

"Good! We'll do everything as you say, young man! Stay here in the palace tonight, and if you need anything, just tell an attendant!"

Riyao grinned, looking like a mischievous boy again, and rubbed his stomach.

"I can stay, but Your Majesty, could you have someone prepare something tasty? I was so busy treating him that I ate all my dried strawberries, and now I'm starving~"

Toma was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and quickly gave an order.

"Quick! Bring out the palace's best pastries and dishes! Make sure young Riyao eats to his heart's content!"

The small round table in the side hall was covered with exquisite pastries.

Fluffy cream puffs, berry tarts dusted with powdered sugar, and honey-coated nut cakes filled the air with their fragrance.

Riyao held a cream puff in his left hand and a tart crust in his right, his mouth stuffed full. He hadn't even bothered to wipe the cream off his cheek, looking just like a little squirrel sneaking a snack.

Knock, knock~ A soft knock sounded, and before anyone could answer, the door was gently pushed open a crack.

A little girl with green hair in twin ponytails stood in the doorway, a pink lace dress setting off her upright posture. Unlike an ordinary playful child, her eyes were lively yet composed, and her fingertips rubbed the Celestial Spirit Key hanging at her waist without thinking. It was Princess Hisui as a young girl, already wearing a Celestial Spirit Key.

"Are you Riyao, the wizard from Fairy Tail?"

Rather than peeking inside, Hisui stepped openly through the door. Her voice was clear and carried the politeness befitting her status, without a trace of timidity.

Riyao looked up as he chewed his pastry. Catching sight of the key at her waist and her distinctive green hair, he raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Oh, Princess Hisui? That green hair really stands out. I didn't expect you to have a Celestial Spirit Key when you're so young. Pretty impressive!"

He swallowed his food and held up the berry tart in his hand toward her.

"Want a taste? Palace pastries really are better than the guild's sweet bread."

Hisui shook her head and stopped a short distance from the table. Her gaze fell on the cream at the corner of his mouth, but she said nothing about it and went straight to the point.

"I heard you can treat Brother Leo. Is that true?"

Her tone was serious, and her eyes were full of concern. There was no childish innocence in them, only a maturity beyond her years.

"Of course it's true."

Riyao thumped his chest, unconcerned when cream rubbed onto his clothes. A faint green glow appeared at his fingertip.

"I've already suppressed the curse and poison in his body. Once the ingredients arrive, I can gradually clear them out."

Hisui's eyes lit up, and she instinctively touched the Celestial Spirit Key at her waist. "I asked my Celestial Spirits, and they said dark-attribute curses are very hard to deal with. Can your Healing Magic completely counteract that dark power?"

Rather than dwelling on what the magic looked like, she focused on its essential effect, showing caution beyond her years.

"Don't worry. I'm confident I can handle this."

Riyao grinned and pushed a small cookie toward her.

"But I'll need the ingredients to prepare him first. He's too weak, and forcing it out would damage his meridians."

"I've already had the attendants check on the ingredients. The storeroom has both moonlight flowers and stardew grass, and arrangements have been made with a magic item shop for the obsidian powder."

Hisui answered in an orderly manner, nothing like a child who knew only how to play.

"I came to ask whether you need me to summon my Celestial Spirits to help during the treatment. My Celestial Spirits are good at support magic, so perhaps they could be of assistance."

Riyao paused, then laughed. "The princess is even more anxious than the king. No need. Save your Celestial Spirits to protect yourself, and leave the healing to me."

He pushed the cookie a little closer to her.

"Have a cookie to tide you over. Even a princess will get tired if she's always thinking about serious business."

Hisui hesitated, then picked up the cookie and took a small bite. The ends of her emerald-green hair swayed gently with the movement, and her gaze softened a little.

"Thank you. Brother Leo always practices Celestial Spirit summoning with me. I want him to get better soon."

"May I stay and watch during the treatment tomorrow? I'm very curious about Healing Magic. After all, wizards skilled in Healing Magic are extremely rare."

"No problem."

Riyao bit off half a cream puff.

"But you'll have to stay quiet and not disturb the treatment."

Just then, an attendant's voice came from outside the door. "Your Highness."

Hisui nodded, then inclined her head slightly to Riyao.

"Then I'll take my leave. See you tomorrow, Mr. Riyao."

With that, she turned and walked briskly away. Her green twin ponytails swayed gently behind her, and the Celestial Spirit Key at her waist swung with her steps, reflecting the young princess's composure and vitality.