Chapter 67: Removing the Curse

"Lord Orlan, are you sure this is the right decision?"

Outside Alicia’s room, Jisha turned to Orlan with a doubtful, confused look.

She had tried to convince herself otherwise, but it all felt pointless.

She simply couldn’t imagine a prince with a reputation as bad as Nolan’s being capable of something like this.

Besides, the curse on Alicia was powerful—terrifying, even. She herself had yet to find any way to break it.

Orlan crossed his arms and let out a long sigh.

"Don’t worry, Jisha. Prince Nolan can cure Alicia," he said in a calm, reassuring tone. "I know you’ve heard all kinds of terrible rumors about him, but I promise you—they’re not true. Prince Nolan is incredibly smart... and intimidating. Even I wouldn’t dare make an enemy of him."

A hint of helplessness crossed his face as he recalled how sharp, observant, and impressive Nolan had been in the Imperial Palace parlor just the other day.

In his entire life, only Aldric and Cedric had ever left a strong impression on Orlan—but even they fell short compared to Nolan.

Seeing the admiration in Orlan’s expression, Jisha fell silent. She didn’t know how to respond.

It was the first time she’d ever seen Orlan look up to someone—especially a young man who hadn’t even turned twenty yet.

Is what Lord Orlan said true? Have I misjudged Nolan?

She wondered, still filled with doubt.

If it had been anyone else, she would have dismissed it without a second thought. But this was Orlan—someone she knew better than anyone.

Nolan might be a prince, but it didn’t make sense for Orlan to praise him so highly without reason.

After all, he was just a prince—not the crown prince, let alone the emperor.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps and the soft squeak of trolley wheels echoed in the corridor.

The two instinctively turned their heads and saw a petite, beautiful maid walking toward them.

"Nina?" Orlan looked slightly surprised but then smiled. "Are you here to bring Alicia’s lunch?"

Nina also looked surprised to find Orlan and Jisha standing outside Alicia’s room.

She immediately bowed and responded respectfully, "Yes, Lord Orlan. I’ve come to deliver Young Lady Alicia’s lunch."

Then, lifting her head with a curious expression, she asked, "By the way, why are you and Miss Jisha standing outside Young Lady’s room? Did something happen?"

Orlan let out a long breath before explaining, "Just now, the curse in Alicia’s body suddenly flared up. She went into convulsions for half an hour. Thankfully, Jisha managed to suppress it."

"What? The curse reacted out of nowhere?" Nina covered her mouth with both hands, her expression one of shock and disbelief. "But... doesn’t it usually only act up at night?"

"I’m not sure either," Orlan replied with a wry smile.

An awkward silence fell over them, thick with tension. But it didn’t last long. Orlan spoke again, his voice calm. "Just leave the trolley there. I’ll bring it to Alicia myself."

"Ah... I—" Nina looked startled and slightly nervous, though she did her best to hide it.

"Hmm? Is something wrong, Nina? Do you have something to say?" Orlan asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

"No, my lord," Nina replied with a smile and a slow shake of her head. "Since it’s your order, I’ll leave the trolley by the door."

With that, she pushed the trolley over and carefully positioned it beside the room.

"Then I’ll take my leave, my lord," she said with a polite bow.

Orlan gave her a faint smile and a small nod.

Nina turned and walked away, leaving Orlan and Jisha in silence.

"By the way, Jisha..." Orlan began, turning toward her. But his words trailed off when he noticed her moving toward the food trolley, a sharp, focused look in her eyes.

Orlan’s brow furrowed. "What’s wrong, Jisha? Did you find something in the food?"

Jisha stayed silent for a moment before softly shaking her head. "No, Lord Orlan. There’s nothing."

Although still suspicious, Orlan didn’t press the issue and gave a small nod.

Even so, Jisha’s eyes stayed fixed on the food trolley, sharp and unblinking.

Am I just imagining things?

She wondered in silence.

***

"Four talismans, huh? The culprit really is ruthless."

Nolan stared at the four talismans in his hand—identical to the ones he had found in the garden earlier.

His expression turned cold and full of fury—a sharp contrast that would have stunned anyone familiar with his usual demeanor.

Normally, he looked lazy and unconcerned. But now, he was terrifying... like an entirely different person.

And yet, his reaction was justified. Four talismans had been discovered in Alicia’s room, making her the center of the curse formation cast upon this mansion.

"No wonder Alicia’s condition keeps getting worse," Nolan muttered, his eyes narrowing with hate.

Gazing at Alicia’s innocent, sleeping face, he slowly reached out and gently stroked her cheek.

"Don’t worry, little girl. I’ll save you soon," he whispered, his voice solemn and steady.

Then he closed his eyes. A soft black light began to flow from his palm, gradually spreading throughout Alicia’s body.

***

Half an hour later...

"Marquis Orlan, you may enter."

Nolan’s calm voice came from behind the door, instantly sweeping away the anxiety that had weighed on Orlan’s heart.

Without hesitation, he opened the door to Alicia’s room—and was greeted by a sight that left him both stunned and relieved.

His daughter, who had been unconscious just moments ago, was now awake.

Alicia sat up in bed, resting against the headboard, while Nolan sat beside her, gently patting her head.

"Thank goodness you’re awake, Alicia," Orlan said, letting out a deep sigh of relief.

Earlier, although Jisha had managed to suppress the seizures, Alicia hadn’t regained consciousness. No one had known when—or if—she would open her eyes.

But now, after Nolan’s treatment, she was fully awake. A tired but genuine smile returned to Orlan’s face.

"Father!" Alicia called out, her innocent smile as bright and sweet as ever.

Orlan returned the smile and stepped closer.

"Are you feeling better, my dear?" he asked softly, gently brushing her hair.

"Mm! I feel much better, Father!" Alicia replied cheerfully. She then turned to Nolan with a grateful look. "It’s all thanks to Brother Nolan. He cured my curse!"

"What... How is that possible?!"

Jisha’s stunned voice came from behind the door. She stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief, unable to comprehend what she had just heard.

Nolan glanced at her casually and asked in a light tone, "Why not?"

Jisha shot him a sharp look, clearly upset, but said nothing. Instead, she stepped quickly toward Alicia and began examining her condition.

The moment her hand touched the girl’s small arm, her body froze. Her fingers trembled slightly.

The curse... it’s really gone?

Her mouth parted in silent shock, forming an O. It felt like she was dreaming in broad daylight.

The curse that had tormented Alicia for years—the one she had never been able to break—was gone, just like that?

And the person who cured it was the very prince she had always dismissed as a fool?

For the first time, Jisha felt her pride and certainty shatter. It all felt like a cruel joke.

Without a word, she turned and strode toward Nolan, who was still sitting casually on the edge of the bed.

She stopped directly in front of him, arms crossed over her chest, her breathing uneven with emotion.

"How did you do it?" she asked sharply.

Nolan crossed one leg over the other and looked up at her with a playful glint in his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Why should I tell you?"