Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who's the Witch of Fate’s Great Call - Chapter 28
“As expected of a witch, you have impressive insight.”
Though it was more about perceptiveness than being a witch, Kalynia thought, yet didn’t bother to correct him. Instead, she asked him directly what his business was. It was frustrating how he kept circling around the main topic.
“The truth is, my daughter, Harriette, is ill.”
Duke Hamilton placed a hand over his heart, clutching his chest as if in pain.
“Well, they say I cursed her out of jealousy over her beauty. Is that right?”
Speaking as though it was just a rumor, Kalynia felt strange. Was he really here to ask her to lift a supposed curse, thinking she had cursed Harriette out of jealousy?
If he had truly come to ask her to remove a curse, that would be problematic. Explaining herself would be annoying and far from enjoyable.
“For the record, I haven’t done anything.”
She waved her hand dismissively, as if to send him away, but Duke Hamilton shook his head.
“I know! I know that Your Majesty hasn’t done anything. I know it’s just a ridiculous rumor!”
It seemed he hadn’t come for an explanation. Kalynia, who was about to dismiss him, decided to hear him out a bit more.
“The reason Harriette is ill is because of a condition she has had since birth.”
She was relieved not to be suspected. But if that wasn’t the issue, then why had he come to her because his daughter was unwell?
Perhaps he wanted to ask for an extension of her leave. If that were the case, her father wouldn’t have needed to come in person—Harriette could have simply sent a letter, and Kalynia would have granted it immediately.
Just as she was considering this, Duke Hamilton suddenly fell to his knees with a loud thud, and her eyes widened.
“Your Majesty, please save my daughter. I beg you.”
This was his story: Harriette had suffered from heart issues since she was young. Every doctor they consulted had told them it was incurable. Even expensive treatments only prolonged her life without providing a cure, and recently, those treatments had stopped working. Now, her life was in grave danger.
This was the summary of the long, tearful tale Duke Hamilton told her. After listening to him patiently, Kalynia tilted her head in confusion. She still didn’t understand why he had come to her about his sick daughter.
“You want me to heal a daughter that even the doctors have given up on? I’m a witch, not a doctor.”
“I’ve heard that witches sometimes perform miracles that even doctors cannot.”
“Well… that does happen occasionally, but…”
“Please! Please, just take a look at my daughter’s condition!”
Duke Hamilton pleaded earnestly.
Kalynia hesitated. She was inclined to help if she could, especially since she wasn’t a stranger to Harriette. She had been right next to her when Harriette collapsed.
However, it wasn’t a problem that could be solved by willingness alone. Kalynia wasn’t sure if there was anything she could actually do for Harriette.
“Even if I look at her, I might not be able to do anything. It would be wise not to expect too much.”
“That’s fine. If Your Majesty also says she cannot be cured, I will prepare myself for the worst.”
From his words, it seemed Harriette’s condition was indeed severe. Kalynia pondered for a moment, then nodded.
If something happened to Harriette, she would feel uneasy about ignoring the situation. Even if she returned empty-handed, the duke wouldn’t be able to blame her. After all, even the doctors had given up.
Besides, familiarity is the best choice. Having gone through multiple ladies-in-waiting recently, Kalynia realized that Harriette was one of the few who had been genuinely kind to her.
She was also tired of being alone. If, by some chance, she managed to heal her, Harriette would return as her lady-in-waiting and would surely treat her well out of gratitude.
“I warned you not to expect too much.”
Kalynia repeated, trying to temper his expectations, before heading to the duke’s estate with him.
* * *
It had been two hours since Vylon heard that the queen had left the palace with Duke Hamilton.
What business could they have together?
Vylon wondered but thought it was probably nothing serious.
However, when Kalynia returned with Duke Hamilton, clearly in a fury, he began to doubt that assumption.
“Your Majesty, listen to me!”
“Your Majesty, please hear me out!”
The two of them, glaring at each other, both called out to Vylon, demanding he listen to their side first. In such arguments, the one who spoke faster and louder usually won.
