shc42C42__CHAPTER 42 Overturning a Fatal Illness

Chapter 42: Overturning a Fatal Illness

The water had arrived earlier that morning, brought to Maria-san’s dressing room under the cupola. She had been using the room for costume fittings and rehearsals all day. It came labeled as a gift from the Second Prince.

Apparently, the situation wasn’t unusual—Maria-san often received high-quality water from the Second Prince before concerts. So her maid hadn’t found it suspicious.

Simply put, the water contained poison.

Fortunately, it wasn’t lethal. But it was enough to burn her throat.

For a singer, this could be considered a fatal consequence.

What happened next was swift.

As Maria-san writhed in pain, clawing at her throat, Viktor-san immediately cast a magic of analysis to determine what was happening to her body.

At the same time, Romanov-sensei raised a protective barrier—and as soon as the analysis was complete, layered it with a soundproofing ward as well.

The analysis revealed that Maria-san was suffering from poison and severe damage to her throat.

Viktor then used a detoxification spell to neutralize the poison. She was no longer in danger of further poisoning.

While that was happening, Romanov-sensei relayed the magical analysis results to the guards who had rushed in.

But even after the detox, Maria-san’s condition remained grave.

“Her throat’s badly burned. She’s in shock... and can’t speak.”

“No…!”

Maria sat stunned, eyes wide, unable to respond. Her maid collapsed to her knees in tears, blaming herself.

Apparently, healing magic doesn’t help in these cases—it forces wounds closed, which can make long-term damage worse. That’s why they hadn’t tried it.

As expected of someone ranked among the top ten mages in the world, Viktor’s analysis even identified the culprit.

The motive? Jealousy.

Maria-san had plenty of rivals—people who wanted to take her place.

But by the time the culprit was to be arrested, they were already dead—found hanged.

“The time from Viktor identifying them to capture was maybe thirty minutes. Far too fast.”

“Yeah,” said Romanov-sensei grimly. “It was planned. ‘In the event of discovery, do this’... they already had the end in mind.”

Disturbing as it was, the two adults implied this wasn’t just about hurting Maria personally.

Clearly, something deeper was at play—something I didn’t understand.

Adults are scary sometimes.

But right now, I was more worried about Maria herself.

She lay on the simple cot they’d brought in, pale as porcelain, tears streaming from her lifeless fox-like eyes. She looked nothing like the dazzling woman I’d met before.

I offered her a handkerchief, but she didn’t even look at me.

My chest tightened. I knew it was probably presumptuous, but I gently dabbed the tears from the corners of her eyes myself.

The fabric soaked through quickly—but what shocked me more was the heat of her skin.

“She’s burning up…”

“The poison’s gone,” Viktor said, “but the damage to her throat probably caused a fever.”

“I could try summoning ice, maybe…?”

Before I could finish, the maid ran out, shouting that she would bring a doctor.

A singer’s throat is their life. And this was supposed to be Maria’s grand debut.

Why did she have to suffer something so cruel on such a day? What could possibly justify it?

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. It was metallic and sharp—enough to snap me out of my emotions.

Now wasn’t the time to be angry.

I rummaged through my waist pouch and pulled out the gift I had brought: the frozen peach sorbet.

If she had a fever, then maybe this would help cool her down.

As I opened the lid, Romanov-sensei’s eyes widened.

“You brought some for Maria-san too?”

“Um, yes. I thought maybe… it could help cool her throat?”

“It’s not a cold, A-tan…” Viktor began, sounding uncertain.

But Romanov-sensei shook his head.

“Viktor, you tasted it, didn’t you? That sorbet was made with peaches—a gift from Her Highness.”

“Wait—what!?”

“Yes. It contains 仙桃 (Sento)—‘Divine Peaches.’/'Heavenly Peaches' Maybe, just maybe…”

 

Maria flinched as Viktor raised his voice in surprise. I gently rubbed her back to calm her. She was still hot—maybe her fever had risen further.

I scooped up a spoonful of sorbet and held it to her lips.

“Maria-san… just a little, please…”

It was probably weird to take food from some strange kid right now. But after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and accepted the spoon.

Her throat worked slowly. I waited, then scooped another spoonful. This time, she took the spoon from me and fed herself.

And then—her eyes flew wide open.

“It doesn’t… hurt!”

“Eh?”

“My throat… doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Her voice was precisely how I remembered it—clear, beautiful, and powerful. Life had returned to her tear-filled eyes.

“Is… is this the power of the Divine Peach?”

“Indeed,” Romanov-sensei nodded. “And, believe it or not, this is already the second time A-tan has received one.”

They spoke quietly nearby, but I remembered now—Her Highness had said her peaches could heal wounds and restore strength. So that must be what this was.

Whatever the case, Maria-san was clearly better. Her grip on my hand no longer burned.

“Oh, your fever’s gone too!”

“Yes… in fact, I feel better than I did before I was poisoned!”

She swung her legs off the bed and stood, then gave a graceful twirl—and finished with the most stunning curtsy I’d ever seen.

The three of us clapped in delight.

Moments later, the sound of heavy footsteps approached. The maid returned, breathless, dragging a man in a white coat—likely the doctor.

Seeing Maria standing proudly, the maid froze.

“M-Milady!?”

“Elza, I’m fine now. I’m so sorry for worrying you.”

“Y-You’re really okay!?”

“Yes! My little friend here cured me. Please thank him too. will!””

“I—I will! Thank you, thank you so much! I’ll never forget this kindness!”

Elza dropped into a deep bow, tears in her eyes. She looked close to Maria’s age, maybe a bit younger. With her freckles and red hair, she was striking in her own way.

“Um… really, I didn’t do anything. I just happened to have something useful on hand…”

“A-tan,” Romanov said with a smirk, “no one just ‘happens’ to carry miracle fruit.”

“Well, I did receive it as a gift. And delicious things are best shared.”

“You were probably given it to help with your illness,” Viktor added. “But now that you’ve shared it, won’t Her Highness scold you?”

“No way. She’s not like that.”

I puffed my cheeks, only for both Viktor and Romanov to pinch them playfully and stretch them out.

The doctor, startled by the display, quietly began examining Maria-san.

His conclusion: perfect health. There were no signs of damage anywhere.

Judging by his silence and the way he glanced at the adults, I figured he must’ve realized something—but he simply bowed and said, “Take care,” then left.

“Now, Sir Shostakovich,” Maria declared, turning her eyes toward the stage below. “It’s time for our final rehearsal. I will sing. And I will show those who tried to disgrace me—and His Highness—the truth!”

Her gaze burned with resolve.

EUN: GO MARIA!!!!  SHOW THOSE BISHES WHATS UP!!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHHAHA

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