Chapter 83: Townsperson A Helps the Villainess with Her Rehabilitation

Starting the morning after Ana’s birthday, I threw myself into my work while spending every spare moment helping her with her physical therapy.

Being bedridden for so long had left her body incredibly weak. Initially, she couldn't even stand on her own, but she had since recovered enough to walk with some support.

I wasn't sure how long it would take for her to swing a sword or manipulate magic like she used to, but seeing her condition improve day by day brought me a joy that was hard to put into words.

Ana seemed determined to master the Sword of the Sky Knight I’d given her. I planned to help her, of course, but a part of me felt conflicted. Ideally, I didn't want her in any more situations where she’d actually need to use a blade.

Still, just having her here, alive and smiling by my side... that was enough for me. No, it was enough for all of us.

Fortunately, she seemed to have almost no memory of the period after she’d been forced to hold the Magic Sword. It was a blessing in disguise; at the very least, she’d been spared any deep psychological trauma from the sword's mental interference.

She was, however, afraid of being alone in the dark. She kept a light by her side whenever she slept, and Elizaveta-san stayed with her until she drifted off. I want to be the one watching over her while she sleeps soon, I thought.

I eventually filled her in on everything that had happened since her kidnapping. I told her how the King had shielded the Crown Prince despite the mountain of evidence against him, and how the Prince himself refused to admit any guilt. I told her how I’d killed the man who actually took her, and how the Est Empire had used her "failure to marry into their line" as a pretext to start a war. I even mentioned how the academy had been suspended and students were being mobilized for the front lines—though technically voluntary.

As I expected, a deep sadness clouded Ana's face as she listened.

As the daughter of House Ramslett and the future queen of the Sentlaren Kingdom, Ana had always displayed a level of self-sacrifice that seemed almost excessive to me. It was all rooted in her fierce sense of noble responsibility. But realizing that everything she’d built was going unrewarded—that the country was hurtling toward collapse—clearly pained her.

She was also furious on my behalf when she heard how they’d tried to pay off my achievements with a mere title of Knight.

"If they cannot properly reward someone who has accomplished such feats, they have no right to rule," she spat. "Besides, bringing the entirety of Bruseni under our control... has that ever even happened since the founding of this nation?"

"Now that you mention it, you're right. It's been a disputed territory since the start."

"Exactly. I wonder when the Royal Family became so... diminished. The founding king stood at the front lines to protect his people. He became king because he crushed his enemies. If a ruler cannot fight for their people, they should step down."

She shook her head in disappointment.

"And to think the Crown Prince didn't even volunteer for the front... The Royal Family is finished."

Ana stared off into the distance. I couldn't sense that "for the sake of the country" resolve she used to have; she looked at the situation almost like it was someone else's problem now.

As I gazed at her, I found myself thinking of nothing but how cute she was. I was being ridiculous.

"Hmm? What is it? Is there something on my face?" Ana asked, noticing my gaze and looking suspicious.

"Eh? No. I just thought you looked cute staring into the distance like that."

"Wha—! You idiot! Where did that come from?!"

"The way you turn bright red is cute, and you're cute when you're angry, too."

"H-Hey! Allen! What’s gotten into you?!"

"Well... how should I put this? I think I've come down with something."

"What?! W-We must get a doctor at once!"

Seeing her turn pale with worry made me chuckle.

"I've got the 'wanting to look at Ana all day' sickness."

Her face flushed crimson again.

"D-Don't say such stupid things! I... I was actually worried!"

"Sorry. But I was hundreds of times more worried about you. That's why seeing you give me such cute reactions makes me so happy."

Ana seemed taken aback. Still blushing, she looked down and murmured softly.

"……I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You're back now. That's all that matters."

"Allen……"

"I'm never letting you go again. Never."

"Yeah. I'll never leave you behind again, Allen. I promise."

I pulled her into a gentle embrace, and she squeezed back tightly. As I felt her warmth, I took a deep breath. Her sweet scent filled my senses, and my heart swelled with gratitude. She was finally back.