Chapter 142: Blushes and Bandages
The knights carried Dila carefully through the grand entrance, their steps measured and respectful. She still lay on the velvet cloth-like stretcher, her silver hair spilling over the side, catching flickers of light from the chandeliers above. Her blue eyes, though calm on the outside, darted left and right as she tried to take in every detail of her new surroundings.
The academy’s interior was breathtaking.... wide marble floors polished until they reflected the golden glow of lanterns, towering archways decorated with silver runes that shimmered faintly, and walls lined with portraits of past legends in elegant frames. Yet, what struck her most was not the beauty, but the people. Students passed by, glancing at her with wide eyes before quickly turning away, muttering among themselves as they walked off. None dared to come close.
Dila tilted her head slightly, watching them leave. A heavy sigh built in her chest. This academy is strange... she thought, her heart sinking. Even though they already know who I am, even though my father’s name alone shakes kingdoms... why do they still avoid me? Please... just let me interact with you. I don’t want this distance.
Fran, walking beside her while still clutching Dila’s Archane staff tight against her chest, peeked down at her sister. She noticed the way Dila’s lips curved into a faint frown, her brows knitted with quiet frustration. Fran leaned closer, her tail twitching softly as she whispered, "Sister, are you okay? You look... troubled."
Dila blinked, then forced a small smile, though her eyes betrayed the weight she carried. "Yes, Fran... I’m fine. I just... I hope we can have friends in this academy. I don’t want us to train while being outcasts." Her voice was soft, almost breaking at the end.
Fran giggled faintly, trying to lift the mood, but her grip on the staff only tightened. She smiled warmly, her blue eyes shining with sincerity as she leaned closer. "Yeah, sis, you’re right. We are new here... but maybe, in time, we’ll fit in. People just need to see who you are, not only what your name means."
That made Dila’s chest ease a little, and she turned her head to meet Fran’s playful grin. A genuine smile broke across her lips. "Yeah... what could go wrong?" she whispered.
The stretcher finally stopped, and the doors before them swung open. They had arrived at the infirmary... but not just any infirmary. This one was different.
The space felt like a sanctuary. The floor was laid with white stone that gleamed like crystal, and soft curtains of pale blue and gold billowed with the gentle breeze of enchanted air vents. The scent of fresh herbs lingered, carried by the faint crackling of glowing incense in the corners. A great glass dome above allowed the morning sunlight to stream in, filling the room with warmth.
And waiting there was not an ordinary healer, but a special nurse. She wore pristine white robes trimmed with silver, her hair neatly tied back, her aura calm yet firm like someone trained to handle the highest standard of patients. Her eyes, steady and professional, immediately settled on Dila with both respect and concern.
Fran’s jaw dropped slightly, her ears twitching with awe as she spun in place to take it all in. "Wow... this place is awesome! It’s even more beautiful than what we passed through in the academy halls." She giggled, her voice echoing faintly in the serene chamber.
Dila, still lying down, let out a small laugh, her cheeks flushing from embarrassment at all the attention. But deep down, she felt a spark of comfort at how special this room seemed... and that maybe, just maybe, this place could be the start of something new.
The knights carefully shifted Dila from the stretcher onto the wide, soft bed at the center of the infirmary. The mattress was so plush that it seemed to swallow her small frame, the silken sheets glowing faintly under the filtered sunlight pouring through the dome above. The air was fresh with the scent of lavender and mint, a magical calmness filling the chamber.
But Dila... her face was burning red. She pressed her lips together, eyes darting nervously toward the walls, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Fran, standing right beside her, couldn’t hold it in. She clutched Dila’s staff tighter, leaned forward, and giggled softly into her sleeve.
Dila puffed her cheeks, finally blurting, "I can transfer myself, you know!" Her hands flew up to cover her face as she turned her head away in utter embarrassment.
The knights, standing tall and disciplined, bowed deeply in unison. "No, Princess. It is our sworn duty to serve the Princess and Princes of the realm. We cannot allow you to trouble yourself with such things."
Fran snorted at that, trying and failing to hide her laughter, her cat ears twitching playfully. "Sister, they’re treating you like a porcelain doll," she whispered teasingly.
Dila peeked through her fingers, groaning softly. "Oky... fine... oky.. now go." she muttered, her voice muffled behind her palms. She wished the bed would just swallow her whole.
The knights bowed again, their armor clinking softly. "We shall take our leave now, Your Highness."
"Y-yes, yes... go now," Dila answered quickly, still hiding her red face.
As they left the room in perfect formation, the echo of their boots fading into silence, Dila finally dropped her hands and let out the longest sigh of her life. She stared blankly at the wall, her silver hair fanned across the pillow. Her face deadpanned as she thought, Highness this, Highness that... I still can’t move on from this highness... highness... sigh.
Fran burst out laughing, holding her stomach. "Pfft—sister! You looked like a scared squirrel just now!"
"Fran!" Dila hissed, throwing the blanket halfway over her head to hide her glowing cheeks. But even as she buried her face in the sheets, a little smile tugged at her lips, her embarrassment softened by Fran’s teasing warmth.
The room itself seemed to join in on the lightness... the curtains swayed gently as if laughing too, and the golden sunlight above glimmered like a quiet reassurance that this place wasn’t so bad after all.
The door clicked shut softly after the last knight left, and the air in the infirmary grew still. The faint lavender scent lingered, mixing with the morning sun that streamed through the glass dome above. The room was quiet except for the faint rustle of sheets as Dila shifted nervously, still half-hiding under the blanket.
Then, the nurse approached. Her steps were slow, graceful, almost like floating across the polished floor, her long hair tied neatly, her presence calm yet warm. Fran, who had been standing guard at Dila’s side like a small cat warrior, tilted her head, then shuffled sideways to make space. Her tail flicked idly as she peeked over her shoulder, curious.
The nurse stopped at Dila’s bedside, leaning forward just enough to meet her hidden face under the blanket. She gave a gentle smile, her voice soft and kind. "Hmmm... Princess, what has troubled you?"
From under the blanket came a tiny squeak. "N-nothing..." Dila’s muffled voice was so small it was almost pitiful. She pulled the blanket tighter over her head like a fortress, silver hair spilling out from the edges.
The nurse let out a thoughtful hum, still smiling. "I see... so, did you perhaps have your period?"
The words dropped like thunder.
Dila shot upright in the bed, blanket tumbling down around her waist. Her face turned crimson as she waved her hands frantically, eyes squeezed shut. "N-noooo! No, no, no!" she cried, her voice breaking in sheer panic. Her silver hair whipped around her shoulders, her movements so frantic she looked like she might take flight at any moment.
Her thoughts spun wildly. It can’t be... no way... could it? What if it is? Ahhh, no, no, no! It won’t happen! Is it?! Her blue eyes snapped open, wide as saucers, the panic written all over her delicate features.
Meanwhile, Fran stood at the foot of the bed, both hands gripping Dila’s staff like she was guarding a princess from unseen foes. But instead of panicking, she burst into giggles, her cat ears twitching wildly. "Hehehe... Sister, your face is so red! You look like a tomato at this point!"
"F-Fraaan!" Dila cried, flapping her arms even harder, her embarrassment reaching unbearable levels.
But the nurse only closed her eyes sweetly, covering her mouth with one hand as she giggled softly. Her voice was light, almost musical. "My, my... such innocence. Forgive me, Princess, I did not mean to startle you."
Dila froze, chest still heaving from her little outburst. She slowly turned to look at the nurse... and her heart skipped.
W-wow... she’s so cute... Dila thought, her cheeks glowing even redder. The nurse’s smile was soft, kind, almost glowing under the morning light. For a moment, Dila forgot her panic entirely, simply staring in quiet awe.
Fran caught the dazed look on her sister’s face and smirked mischievously. "Sister... are you blushing even more now? Ehhh~?" she teased, tail swishing like she’d found a new toy.
"Sh-shut it, Fran!" Dila stammered and lay, throwing the blanket back over her head to hide again, though her ears betrayed her, twitching furiously outside the fabric.
The nurse just chuckled warmly, her voice soothing. "It’s alright, Princess. No need to be embarrassed. I only wish to make sure you are well."
The atmosphere softened... the embarrassment still lingered, but now it was wrapped with warmth, laughter, and a strange fluttering in Dila’s chest she couldn’t quite name.
The nurse tilted her head gently, her soft smile never fading as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Umm... Princess, I’ve been wondering..." she said sweetly, her voice like a calm breeze, "why are you so embarrassed? Is this perhaps your first time being treated by a nurse... Princess?" Her words were careful, almost teasing, but her expression stayed innocent and kind.
Dila yanked the blanket higher, nearly hiding her entire head again. Only the tips of her silver hair spilled out. "Y-you know, ma’am... please, let’s not dwell on it," she muttered from beneath, her voice muffled, trembling with embarrassment.
The nurse chuckled softly, closing her eyes as her smile brightened. "Oky, Princess... as you wish," she replied, her tone so light and cute it almost melted the air around her.
Slowly, Dila peeked out from the safety of her blanket fortress, her blue eyes locking on the nurse’s delicate face. The sunlight through the window haloed her features perfectly. My god... she’s so beautiful in every way, Dila thought, her heart skipping again, cheeks still burning like fire.
Fran, who had been watching everything with wide, playful eyes, leaned closer, her tail swishing with curiosity. "Sister... are you perhaps hitting on—"
"Ahhhh!" Dila suddenly let out a dramatic cry, clutching her back like she’d been struck. "M-my back... it hurts... ahhh... so much!" Her voice wobbled, clearly overplayed, her legs even kicking lightly under the blanket for extra effect.
Fran blinked once... then twice. Her cat ears twitched. "You faker..." she deadpanned under her breath, but her lips curled into a mischievous grin.
The nurse, however, immediately leaned closer with concern, her hands hovering carefully over Dila’s back. "Oh no, Princess! Where? Where does it hurt?" she asked softly, panic flashing in her eyes. She was so sincere, her warm touch already preparing to heal.
Dila froze, realizing her fake act had worked too well. She waved her hands frantically, face burning. "N-no, no, it’s... um... it’s... not that bad!" she stammered, her heart racing as the nurse’s presence leaned closer.
Fran burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. "Pffft—hahaha! Sister, you’re soooo busted!" she giggled, falling onto the bed beside Dila, tail flicking wildly. "You only wanted her attention! I knew it!"
"F-Fran!" Dila cried, hiding back under the blanket again, muffling her squeals while her ears twitched furiously outside the fabric.
The nurse only blinked in surprise... then covered her mouth as she let out the cutest little giggle. "My, my... Princess, you’re full of surprises," she said warmly, her smile shining brighter.
Dila groaned from under the blanket. Why is my life like this...
Then with a shy voice again...
"Actually... my body is a bit hurt, ma’am... because of the fall," Dila admitted, her voice quiet and hesitant. Her silver hair slipped down over her cheeks as she avoided direct eye contact, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the edge of the blanket.
The nurse’s expression softened, but her brows furrowed slightly with concern. "Really...? So that’s what startled everyone earlier. It must hurt a lot, doesn’t it?" she said, her tone filled with genuine worry.
Dila nodded quickly, biting her lip as if admitting it embarrassed her. "Ye... ye... yes, ma’am. It hurts like hell from the fall." Her words tumbled out awkwardly, and she gave a little laugh, scratching her cheek to hide her flustered face.
The nurse puffed her cheeks slightly, pouting in a way that looked far too cute for someone scolding. "Hmmm... those knights didn’t take care of you properly, did they?" she said, her soft voice edged with playful disapproval, her eyes narrowing just a little.
Dila’s heart jumped in her chest. She flailed her hands nervously. "No, no, ma’am, they didn’t mean it! I was just... off balance and fell, hehe..." Her forced giggle came out awkward and high-pitched, her blue eyes darting anywhere but at the nurse’s captivating face.
Fran, watching from the side, had to press her hand against her lips to stop herself from bursting into laughter. Her tail swayed lazily, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she took in her sister’s struggle.
The nurse bent a little closer, her golden hair brushing her shoulders, and her soft gaze met Dila’s. "Princess... your health is important. Even if it’s only a minor injury, you mustn’t ignore it. Am I right?" she asked gently, her voice carrying the weight of someone who truly cared.
Dila’s chest tightened, her embarrassment softening into something warmer. Slowly, she extended her delicate arms out from under the blanket, her pale skin almost glowing under the light. "Yes, ma’am," she whispered, her voice more fragile than before.
The nurse nodded with a smile that lit up her face, then placed her hands just above Dila’s arms. A faint hum filled the room, and golden light began to bloom softly from her fingertips. The glow spread like a ripple across water, wrapping around Dila’s body in a tender warmth.
Dila inhaled sharply, her lips parting as the healing energy seeped into her skin. The pain dulled, replaced by a comforting warmth that made her chest ache in another way. Her silver hair shimmered under the golden glow, and her blue eyes widened, reflecting the light like stars in water.
Fran leaned on the bedside with a grin. "Ooooh... glowing Princess Dila... she looks like a holy maiden now." She giggled mischievously, earning a muffled groan from Dila, who quickly pulled the blanket over her face again to hide her blush.
The nurse only chuckled softly, her eyes still closed as her hands glowed. "There... you’ll feel better soon, Princess."
Dila peeked out from the blanket shyly, her heart fluttering uncontrollably as she thought... the god has given me divine gift..