It was the afternoon of my second day at the castle's guesthouse. I stepped out into the courtyard.

Previously, when I visited the castle, it was for a ball held in a different venue, not this guesthouse.

This courtyard featured a small grove and even a pond. Vibrant fish swam in the water, and as soon as they noticed me, they swarmed toward the edge of the pond. They probably thought I was there to feed them.

“Sorry, I don’t have any food,” I said apologetically.

“Here you go, young master,” Pal said, handing me some fish food.

As expected of Pal. Not only does she have a generous figure, but she’s also incredibly thoughtful.

“Whoa!”

When I tossed the food into the water, the fish gathered so frantically that the water seemed to boil. The splashing was almost chaotic.

There was a pond at the Ardeck estate too, but it didn’t have nearly this many fish. Despite all the money spent on the gardens, the number of fish dwindled after the current duke took over.

Even as the highest-ranking duke, he couldn’t even spare to keep fish in a pond—such a miserly man. That’s the Ardeck Duke for you.

Finished feeding the fish, I decided to head back to the guesthouse. As I walked through the grove, I noticed several figures up ahead.

“Princess Lucia,” I said, bowing politely.

She stood there, her alabaster skin radiant and ethereal. Lucia, the second princess.

“It’s been a while, Saijar,” she said with a warm smile.

I’d danced with her once during a ball at the castle.

We were the same age, and so we debuted into society at the same time. Although Monoglok was close in age as well, as a second son, he didn’t attend social events back then.

The previous Duke of Ardeck, my grandfather, was a man of great character. He never judged people solely by their talents or blessings. A true noble.

How such a great man could father such a miserable successor remains a mystery. Come to think of it, I share that blood too... If only I could change it entirely.

Back then, there was even talk of me marrying Princess Lucia.

Given our respective statuses, the match was perfect. With no other dukes’ heirs of matching age, our engagement seemed inevitable.

However, that didn’t happen. My stepmother and her family, the House of Marquis Doran, intervened. It couldn’t have been easy to block an engagement between a duke’s heir and a princess. They must have pulled some serious strings.

“I heard you’ve left the Ardeck household,” Lucia said gently.

“Yes. I now go by Sai and live as a commoner, Your Highness.”

“Living as a commoner... Isn’t it difficult?”

“I seem well-suited for it. I find my days far more fulfilling now than I did as a noble.”

“I see...”

Even if someone offered to restore my noble status, I’d refuse. Nobility, as I see it, is nothing but a burden.

Besides, I have dreams—like exploring the far reaches of this world.

Thanks to the blackface disease incident, my Life Magic proficiency reached SS+. I’m ready to embark on that journey whenever I wish.

Lost in thought, I noticed Lucia looked hesitant, as if struggling to say something.

“Your Highness, is there something you wish to ask of me?” I prompted gently.

She hesitated a moment longer before finally speaking.

“Yes, actually. Sai, I’ve come to request something of you.”

“A request? What is it?”

“I would like you to treat my mother’s illness.”

Ah, so that’s what this is about. But why the hesitance?

“We’ve already had the High Priest examine her, but there has been no sign of recovery.”

Ah, now I get it.

It’s because asking me to treat an illness the High Priest failed to cure would mean openly defying the temple.

Still, it’s not like that’s new to me. The temple already holds a grudge against me for the blackface disease cure. And thanks to the High Priest, I’d recently experienced what it’s like to rot in a cell.

“If the High Priest couldn’t cure her, there’s no guarantee I can succeed either,” I replied cautiously.

“I understand. Even so, I beg of you to try.”

“What does His Majesty think of this?”

After all, this was the queen we were talking about—the king’s wife. Treating her without his consent would be unthinkable and could even get me executed.

“My father has already given his approval. Here is his written permission.”

Lucia accepted a document from her maid and handed it to me.

I examined the letter. While the signature appeared to be the king’s, I had to confirm its authenticity.

“Your Highness, I’ll need to use magic to verify this document. Is that acceptable?”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Analyze.”

A golden glow enveloped the parchment, prompting Lucia to murmur in awe at its beauty. The spell confirmed the letter’s authenticity—it was indeed signed by the king.

“With His Majesty’s approval, I have no reason to refuse. I will gladly treat the queen,” I declared.

“Thank you, Sai,” she said, visibly relieved.

Guided by Lucia, I made my way to the royal family’s private quarters.

Her entourage of two maids and four knights accompanied us, and as we entered the inner palace, four additional knights joined.

Given the restricted nature of this area, it was clear the extra guards were there to keep a close watch on me.