A Miracle.

I was about to respond to the king when Queen Fortuna turned, catching sight of us. She stopped what she was doing and asked, "May I stand beside my husband?"

Those words stung. But she was right—he was her husband.

"Of course, my queen," I said, bowing as I stepped aside. I walked over to Marissa and whispered, "Queen Fortuna has a problem with me, don't you think?"

"You did double-cross her," Marissa replied.

"Yes, but she's taking it too far," I murmured, watching Fortuna with the king.

Marissa nodded. "Ignore her, especially now that you have the king's favor. Show respect to her no matter what. It'll help you in the end."

She was right. I had to secure the king's trust first. Only then could I face Queen Fortuna's jealousy.

The king began to address the crowd, promising the complex would be ready in a month and pledging an abundant harvest for the coming season.

Then he mentioned the games, set to begin next week. Most of the crowd cheered, but I noticed some women looked uneasy.

Suddenly, a woman from the crowd stood up and pointed at me. "Who is she, Your Highness?"

My heart skipped a beat. Had I done something wrong?

King Karl glanced at me before turning back to the woman. "She is my new concubine, a princess from Everia."

The crowd murmured among themselves, their whispers like a storm I couldn't hear clearly.

A heavy tension settled over me as I wondered what they were thinking.

"She is beautiful!" the woman exclaimed, and the others quickly agreed, murmuring their approval.

A blush crept into my cheeks, and I smiled at them, surprised by all the attention.

Queen Fortuna rolled her eyes and turned to the king. "Can we start distributing?"

"Sure. I'll go around and meet a few people," he replied.

I felt a pang of uncertainty. What would I do all alone here?

Later, Marissa and I wandered over to a group of children, and they lit up at our arrival.

I chatted with them, and their mothers smiled, clearly pleased. I listened to their worries, hoping to find ways to help. If I couldn't, I could always take their troubles to the king.

"My child is not feeling well. Can you come see him?" One woman approached me, tears in her eyes. I couldn't ignore her pain.

Marissa looked worried, but I insisted we ask a guard to follow us. The woman told us her son was not far from the complex, so we hurried after her.

When we arrived, I saw the boy lying in his sister's arms.

At first, it looked like he was lifeless, but the mother quickly assured us he was still breathing. My heart raced as I knelt beside them, determined to help.

"He hasn't opened his eyes for days. No physician can help him," she added, her voice trembling with pain.

"Have you tried taking him out of Xylonia? You might find someone who can help," I suggested, my heart aching for her. It must have been unbearable to watch her child fade away.

"Bring him to me," I said, extending my arms. The sister placed him gently in my hold, and I felt how cold his body was.

"God, please don't let him die in my arms," I whispered. I wanted to check if he had a fever, but my hopes sank—he was too cold.

Just as I was about to hand him back to his sister, the boy suddenly coughed. Fear gripped me, and I looked at his mother.

"He's never done that since he got sick," she gasped, her shock matching mine.

I watched as his hands moved, clinging to me as if I were his mother. His eyes began to flutter open. When his mother saw this, she shouted, "You healed him!"

"N-no…" I stammered, surprised she thought that.

The boy had just woken up, and his body felt warmer. This was a miracle, but it wasn't my doing. It must be the work of the gods.

Before I could explain, people around us began to sing and dance, chanting that the red-haired goddess had brought the boy back from the dead.

They were all exaggerating. I wanted to tell them I had done nothing, that he woke on his own.

 But my gaze met the king's. He had a proud smile on his face. When I shook my head, he joined in the clapping.

He thought I was a healer.

Oh no, this was spiraling out of my control!