Time Healer Ceres

It was the same for everyone else.

Cheion had only just arrived in the meeting room, just five minutes ahead of the Emperor and the Crown Prince. However, he was acting like he had been there from the beginning.

What’s gotten into him?

Aseraian found his presence rather puzzling. No matter how many invitations were sent or how often he personally went to persuade him, Cheion had always let everything go in one ear and out the other. This sudden change felt out of place.

Could it be because a Black Forest had appeared in the capital, making him feel a sense of urgency?

No way.

That simply wasn’t like him.

Cheion was the type to stand back with his hands behind him, telling others to do their best at defending while he watched from a distance like it had nothing to do with him.

Emperor Devrica also looked at his son with bewilderment.

Just who did he inherit that shamelessness from? Now that I think about it, my late father was the same.

Even so, as the Emperor watched Cheion smiling so brightly and innocently, a chuckle slipped out. It had been a while since he last saw his son, but nothing had changed. He was still as willful as ever, showing no fear of his father or his older brother.

Perhaps that was exactly why he couldn’t help but dote on him.

“Welcome, Cheion.”

“Yes.”

The other nobles also couldn’t take their eyes off Cheion.

Earlier this year, he hadn’t even shown up at the Emperor’s birthday banquet and had only sent a gift. It had caused quite a stir in the palace.

Rumors spread that his relationship with the Emperor had soured, but they didn’t last long. Emperor Devrica was seen wearing the brooch Cheion had gifted him every single day, which put those rumors to rest.

In any case, beyond being the Second Prince, Cheion also held the more appealing title of Magic Tower Master, so there were many people who wished to get close to him.

The problem was that despite his gentle appearance, Cheion never allowed anyone that opportunity. He always wore a kind smile, but that smile also kept people at a certain distance.

As Cheion greeted the staring nobles with his usual bright smile, his eyes suddenly widened as he caught sight of someone. A different kind of smile appeared on his lips.

“It’s nice seeing you again like this.”

The person Cheion greeted while giving a small wave was none other than Grand Duke Kainel Persia.

“......”

Kainel, who had been silently lowering his gaze, glanced at Cheion. Without showing any particular reaction, he just closed his eyes again.

“Ah, that’s a bit much. We’re both regulars.”

...Regulars? Regulars of what? Are they acquainted?

At Cheion’s sudden remark, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.

There were many who had yet to exchange a proper conversation with the Grand Duke of Persia. The idea that Cheion was familiar enough to speak like that was hard to believe.

Ignoring the nobles’ burning gazes filled with curiosity, Cheion clapped his hands and looked toward Crown Prince Aseraian.

“Aren’t you going to start? I’m busy.”

“...We will now begin the meeting.”

Aseraian shook his head like he found him impossible to deal with. But his gaze was softer than usual, showing that he was pleased by his brother’s attendance.

The Emperor noticed this as well and smiled to himself in satisfaction.

***

This place has changed a lot.

Near the meeting hall, there was a separate space prepared for the secretaries and aides of high-ranking officials to rest.

When Ceres stepped into the spacious room, she looked out the window and once again sank into nostalgia.

The Imperial Palace was also a place she had often come and gone from long ago. Back then, the Emperor was such a peculiar man that he refused treatment from anyone except Grace herself.

“It’s quite difficult to even catch a glimpse of you.”

“What use would that be?”

“I suppose just seeing your face makes me feel like all my ailments will disappear.”

“Stop talking nonsense and take the medicine I gave you. Why exactly did you not finish it this time?”

“It was too bitter.”

“...Then mix it with honey.”

Because he was the Emperor, she couldn’t exactly beat him into compliance. If he were merely a prince, she would’ve forced his mouth open and shoved the medicine down his throat without hesitation.

In any case, unlike the Magic Tower which had remained much the same, the Imperial Palace had changed quite a bit from what she remembered.

The overall layout and structure seemed similar, but there were new buildings here and there. Even the surrounding scenery felt different.

“The garden is beautiful, isn’t it?”

At that moment, someone approached her side and spoke. When she turned, a man in his early thirties stood there with a gentle smile.

Why does he look familiar?

There was something oddly familiar about his face, yet she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before.

“My name is Del. I visited your shop once before.”

“My shop?”

Was he a customer?

Still, unless they were regulars, she didn’t usually remember faces. So why did he seem so familiar?

“I came for takeout.”

“Ah... the pot.”

“Haha. Yes, that’s right.”

Only then did Ceres understand why he seemed familiar. She had only seen him once, but he had left a quiet impression.

There was a rare takeout customer at her shop, someone who came to buy a bowl of stew and even brought his own pot.

The image of him standing there in a neat, expensive-looking suit while holding a small pot was memorable.

An aide, perhaps?

It was a little surprising to run into a customer in a place like this.

“I serve Grand Duke Persia.”

“—!”

At Del’s next words, Ceres’s eyes widened slightly.

This man was Kainel’s aide? Then the stew he took back then could it have been...?

“...Ah.”

At last, one lingering question was answered. She had always wondered how Kainel had known about her shop and found his way there.

So he was the one who brought it to him.

She didn’t know why he had gone out of his way to take the stew with him, but Kainel must have recognized the familiar taste after trying it, and that was likely what led him to visit the shop himself.

Realizing that he was Kainel’s aide, Ceres’s gaze softened.

“You must have it hard.”

“...Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

Just the fact that he served that prickly man made her want to give him credit.

Del, whose eyes had widened briefly at the unexpected remark, soon broke into a gentle smile again.

“Are you working as a secretary?”

“Yes.”

“Will you be continuing in this role?”

“I’m only doing it for a month.”

“I see.”

“....?”

For just a second, a sense of relief flashed across Del’s face before disappearing.

Catching that, Ceres tilted her head.

Why would he react like that just because I said I’d only be working for a month?

“So after a month, you’ll be returning to the shop, correct? That’s a relief...”

“That’s not it.”

“...Pardon?”

“I only helped out temporarily because an employee was injured. There’s no reason for me to keep going back to the shop now.”

Mark’s arm had already healed. It wasn’t that she would never return to the shop, but she certainly wouldn’t be there every day running the kitchen like before.

“Ah...”

Del couldn’t hide his dismay. Seeing that, Ceres was puzzled again.

Does he want me to keep working at the shop? Why?

“Is there a problem?”

“Th-that’s...!”

—Kiiiiiiieeeek!

“....?”

Everyone’s gaze snapped toward the door.

“W-what was that sound?”

“Isn’t that an alarm?”

“Why is that?!”

“Don’t tell me—”

As soon as both Ceres and Del realized what it was, they rushed out the door.

Could a Black Forest have appeared inside the palace?

That sound was unmistakable. It was the alarm used to signal the appearance of monsters.

—Kiiiiiiieeeek!

Once outside, the noise grew louder. Terrified nobles came pouring out of the meeting hall, scrambling in panic.

BANG!

“It’s a monster! A monster!”

“...Cheion.”

A moment later, Cheion and Crown Prince Aseraian stepped out of the meeting hall as well.

Ceres finally realized where the sound was coming from. In Cheion’s hand was a red alarm device, still letting out that dreadful screech.

Why on earth did he bring that into the meeting?

“Aseraian! It’s a monster, a monster!”

“......”

“Even the palace has a monster appeari—”

“Enough.”

“Yes.”

At Aseraian’s brief command, Cheion immediately shut his mouth.

“You set off the alarm on purpose, didn’t you?”

“You figured it out?”

The urgency that had been on Cheion’s face vanished, replaced by a carefree smile.

“Cheion.”

“Why? They looked like monsters to me. Isn’t the nonsense they were spouting far worse than any monster’s cry?”

“......”

Unable to refute that, Aseraian let out a long sigh. What am I supposed to do with him?

“What exactly were you trying to accomplish by setting off the alarm like that, you punk?”

—Kiiiiiiieeeek!

Even as the nobles stumbled about in confusion, the shrill cry of the alarm continued to echo through the palace.

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