Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior – Chapter 134

“You made me wait this long after all.”

Inside the royal audience room of the Noden Palace.

I had come to the palace after quite a while to see someone who had been eagerly waiting for me to regain my memory, though not as much as Zion.

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

That someone was none other than King Baroah.

Previously, when he conferred a noble title upon me, I had declared that I would receive it a year later, but due to the outbreak of the Hope War and my amnesia during that year, it became impossible.

“Anyway, congratulations. So, when are we doing this?”

“What?”

When are we doing this? Does he mean to bestow the title upon me right now?

King Baroah wanted to elevate me to the nobility of Noden because I was an influential figure in the world as the head of the Rehabilitation Center.

But it has been more than seven years since I quit as the director, so I’m not in that position anymore.

“Uh… thank you, but I should probably discuss this with Zion first.”

“Ah, yes, that would be wise. It’s a significant matter after all.”

Noble title…

Speaking of which, last time, Zion went to Little Academy dressed like other parents, and upon returning home, he said it was uncomfortable to work.

If I became a noble, Risen could share an equal standing with the other children at Little Academy, and I could hire a maid to lessen Zion’s burdens.

Should I accept it then? But I also need to think about my own position.

I am going to start working as a rehabilitation expert again, but I won’t be the director.

If I were to become a noble now, would I be able to work at the Rehabilitation Center like before?

It wouldn’t be impossible, but wouldn’t it become a burden for the current director and other rehabilitation experts and staff?

And also, suddenly becoming a noble like this seems unreasonable in terms of justification.

Thinking this way, it seems right to decline after all.

I said I would talk to Zion, but it doesn’t feel right to raise the King’s hopes only to disappoint him, so I should refuse now.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hm?”

“I thought about it a bit, and I believe it’s best to consider that matter as if it never happened.”

“What?”

King Baroah looked utterly perplexed, as if he couldn’t understand.

“Uh… I’m sorry, but I currently feel a bit inadequate to receive that.”

“What? What do you mean? Are you really okay with this?”

“Yes. While it seems like a hasty decision, I’ve thought it through thoroughly before reaching this conclusion.”

“Oh my… then I suppose it’s not my place to interfere, but with a child, you truly aren’t going to do it?”

“Yes?”

Why are we suddenly talking about Risen?

Could it be that the King is considering my daughter’s life at Little Academy?

I knew he cared a lot about me, but to this extent is surprising.

“Of course, it might make things a bit easier for the child, but if I’m lacking, I can’t just force myself to receive a title.”

“What? A title?”

King Baroah’s expression suddenly twisted in shock.

What’s going on? Did I say something wrong?

“The fact that you decided not to accept it… does that mean talking about receiving a title?”

“Yes. Wasn’t that the plan?”

“Of course not! What title after everything?”

“Then what was your question about when I would do it?”

“What do you mean by ‘when?’ It’s about your wedding ceremony!”

Wedding ceremony? Ah…!

“When are you planning to leave Zion single for this long? Do you know how severely the nobles criticize calling her Mrs. Harvey? It was all my idea!”

I see. We still haven’t actually gotten married!

So I’ve been living together with Zion, making her a single mother now?

Our situation must be shocking to those medieval nobles he mentioned.

Several times, I’ve realized that the nobility in this country are truly polite, considerate, and dignified.

“I-I apologize. I didn’t even think about having a ceremony. I just regained my memory, so I’m a bit overwhelmed…”

“Anyway, all you need to do is pick a date and let me know. This time, I’ll take care of everything. I’ll make it the most splendid occasion. The third princess of Keroa is eagerly waiting for your wedding!”

“Understood. Thank you very much.”

And King Baroah’s thoughtfulness is the same.

I nearly overlooked the fact that I needed to get married.

I owe the King endless gratitude.

In any case, it was crucial to hold a wedding ceremony as soon as possible to normalize our family situation.

To do that, I need to…

***

“What are you pondering so deeply about?”

While I was lost in thought on the bed, Zion tilted her head and spoke.

“Nothing at all.”

In order to get married, I first needed to propose.

And for the proposal, I needed a wedding gift.

Zion would be happy with whatever I gave her, but I wanted the wedding gift to carry some special meaning.

Since I have more than enough money, I really hope it would hold significance.

And I couldn’t discuss this dilemma with Zion, the recipient of the gift.

“Teacher, are we going to do it again today?”

Zion quietly sat next to me and snuggled up close once more.

I know she was lonely and struggled during that time…

“Every time Zion sucks the life out of me, Risen thinks I’ve been possessed by a monster. How about we hold back for a while?”

If this continues every day, there won’t be any body left for a wedding or anything.

Since Risen caused a commotion just yesterday morning, it should serve as a good excuse.

“Ugh. Having a child does indeed make the couple’s relationship tougher.”

Once I used Risen as an excuse, Zion inevitably returned to her place and laid down.

Thank you, Risen. You’re saving your dad…

Now that Zion had closed her eyes, I had to reconsider the wedding gift.

Zion and I… finally getting married.

It seems a bit strange to say “finally” when we already have a child, but anyway… marriage…

***

I was tossing and turning in bed contemplating the wedding gift, but after a lot of hard work, I finally managed to settle on something.

Honestly, I believe there’s nothing else but that.

With a bit of preparation and refinement, it should be sufficient as a wedding gift.

And there was more to do…

“Ugh…”

Maybe it was due to my restless night, but my under-eye bags felt tight, and my skin seemed somewhat rough.

First, I need to wash my face…

Ah, right! Risen.

I hope I don’t look too terrible right now.

I went out to the living room and ran into Risen. I hoped my face wasn’t in the same half-destroyed state it was in yesterday.

Hastily checking the mirror, thankfully, I looked somewhat tired, but it wasn’t as bad as the day before.

Still, just in case, I tidied up and made myself presentable before heading into the living room.

“Dad!”

Just as I expected, Risen was there in the living room.

Looking closely, Risen, for a child, really does wake up and get things done all by herself?

Did my influence while I was amnesiac make her grow up too quickly?

“Did Risen sleep well?”

“Yep! Today, it’s not Red Cass!”

“Haha. You won’t face a monster anymore. Mom will protect you.”

“Thank goodness! Dad, are you a doctor today?”

“No, today I’m going somewhere else.”

After discussing the matter of returning to work at the Rehabilitation Center with the current Director, we concluded that the center wasn’t overwhelmed with patients, nor was it short on professionals. Therefore, it wasn’t necessary for me to return to the field.

Instead, I was requested to serve as an advisor at the Rehabilitation Center and contribute as an authority in rehabilitation medicine by writing books and inspecting and improving centers worldwide like before.

By accepting that request, I was able to step back into a role I had once held.

In this manner, I could consider receiving a title again someday.

Since it really was a noble’s job.

“Right. Risen is going to Little Academy.”

“Do I have to listen to the teacher today too?”

“Yep! I’m good, so I listen to the teacher. Praise me!”

“Of course you should. Aww, our Risen is so good~”

“Hehe.”

After sitting on the sofa and having Risen on my lap, she seemed delighted as I tousled her hair.

She really was just like a little kid.

According to what Zion told me, Risen actually likes me much more than Zion, to the point where she gets upset sometimes.

A bright and healthy child with beautiful golden eyes, just like her mom.

A name that Zion gave her, representing all we yearned for and exchanged with each other.

Thinking that I can finally be a proper father to her now causes a mix of remorse and gratitude since she has grown so cheerful and bright. It must be because of Zion’s efforts.

“You’re up early, Teacher! Where are you going?”

Soon after, Zion came into the living room to greet me.

She probably thought I’d be home since I had mentioned what kind of rehabilitation specialist I would become.

“I’m heading to the Seongbeok Kingdom, to the Hanamana Center.”

“Oh, you’re going there first. Have a good trip. Risen, come here. Dad needs to get ready to go.”

“Yep!”

When Zion called her, Risen confidently got up from my lap and headed toward her mom.

Zion will probably believe I’m going to inspect that center.

In fact, I do have a bit of that purpose today, but there was an additional motive for going.

That is…

***

“You want the sphere?”

“Yes. You have it, right? The Hero Party’s sphere.”

“I do have it, but…”

I came to see Hanamana today to retrieve the Hero Party’s sphere she holds.

When I demanded it at the Rehabilitation Center of Seongbeok Kingdom, Hanamana wore a somewhat troubled expression.

“I left it at home. I don’t carry it everywhere.”

“Then I’ll wait until you finish work.”

“But is it something you really need? You already have one, don’t you?”

“I really do need it.”

“Why is that? It’s not that important for you, but… can I ask for an explanation, given it’s a significant item to me?”

Well, that’s a reasonable response.

And even without being asked, I intended to inform Hanamana about what I planned to use it for.

The task I was attempting to undertake required her consent.

“Of course. That is…”