After meeting with Yeffa, I had several more discussions with Julion.
I resumed taking a new batch of medicine made from fresh apherium. The uncertainty of when the side effects might occur kept me tense for days.
And another thing.
“Rohiriel? Did you just hear what I said?”
“……Ah, yes. What would be good for lunch?”
Julion consistently monitored my condition whenever he had the opportunity.
Once again, when he realized I was a little distracted, he stopped talking as usual.
Even though I responded properly, Julion wrinkled his forehead in dissatisfaction.
“Perhaps we should take a break.”
“What kind of complicated conversation is this that we need a break for? Well, I feel like having lamb stew today and a garlic baguette!”
Even as I detailed the menu, I felt like I had no idea why I was saying this.
Moreover, ever since I woke up after being sick, he insisted on having lunch together at Garnet Palace. So, twice a day, I had to think about what to eat.
‘Why are we spending so much time discussing lunch menus?’
Honestly, I couldn’t focus on such conversations. Nevertheless, Julion, with a serious expression, issued orders to the servant.
“Prepare lamb stew and garlic baguette, and…”
He continued to list complicated food names beyond what I mentioned. If he was going to decide everything himself, I didn’t understand why he bothered asking.
“Well then, see you at lunch later.”
Julion politely greeted me and left the office.
Finally, I slouched on the sofa and let out a long sigh.
“Haa……. It’s crazy, really.”
I couldn’t remember what tasks were still pending for today.
Yesterday, the Emperor had another seizure, causing us to abruptly halt everything and rush to Tishrit Palace.
Fortunately, we successfully prevented the seizure this time too. However, his speed toward death would increase with each recurrence.
‘I need to develop the cure quickly.’
Although I’ve tried various concoctions, there hasn’t been much progress.
Soon, the Golden Garden restoration will be complete. I planned to try making medicine with the rare herbs there.
Also, the water lilies in the Emerald Palace seem to have a lot of use. The Empress had given me permission yesterday to use them to my heart’s content.
“I have a few candidates, but I don’t know how they’ll turn out.”
There were a few things I had tried to obtain for my mother’s treatment but had to give up because I couldn’t get them.
Once this matter is settled, I intend to focus on developing a cure for the Emperor.
As I was organizing my plans for the future, I heard a knock on the door.
“Your Highness, it’s Countess Rivolain.”
It was Countess Rivolain, who had been visiting every day for the past few days.
She had come to meet me, even sharing a cup of tea, and I heard she inquired about me to others when I wasn’t in the palace due to my busy schedule.
‘Perhaps I can spare a few minutes today.’
Instead of inviting her in, I opened the door myself.
“Welcome, Countess.”
“Ah… greetings, Your Highness.”
The Countess raised her eyebrows in slight surprise but quickly regained composure and offered her greetings.
“I was planning to take a stroll, so this worked out well.”
“A stroll…?”
“Yes. Would you like to come with me? The gardens of the Imperial Palace are exceptionally beautiful.”
The Countess seemed taken aback by the unexpected invitation; she hesitated before nodding.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
The Countess seemed to have something on her mind, but she continued to engage in small talk without getting to the main point before leaving.
I patiently waited, not asking her directly, trusting that she would share when she felt ready.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Time passed quickly, and ten days later.
Although slightly delayed from the original date, Yeffa boarded the procession heading south as planned. However, the carriage carrying Yeffa struggled to leave the Imperial Capital easily.
The news of Lady Cassian being sent into exile had gathered a crowd at the gates, making it difficult for the procession to proceed.
“Stand back!”
Despite the efforts of the escorting knights and soldiers, clearing the path was challenging.
Some fervent individuals even stepped forward, throwing various things towards Yeffa.
“Go and die!”
“All the evil Cassians must die!”
These people probably didn’t have anything against Yeffa personally. Nevertheless, they were cursing at her because of her name.
Some of them had been directly harmed by Cassian.
But there are likely many who simply vent their anger after hearing rumors.
While Yeffa has undoubtedly done many wrongs, witnessing her being treated more villainously than necessary left me feeling bitter.
“Let’s go back now, Julion.”
Currently, I was standing on top of a tall tower after asking Julion to confirm Yeffa’s progress from afar.
Julion placed his hand on my waist and lifted me up.
“Please hold on tightly.”
There was nothing to hold on to.
In a stable position, I was securely nestled against Julion’s chest.
That’s how we returned to Garnet Palace. Now, all that remains is to wait for the outcome while sipping tea.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
A hundred kilometers south of the Imperial Palace, there was a rugged mountain.
The path that crossed the mountain was called Leboam Bawitgol, and to go south, one had to pass through this path.
And today, a group was passing through the entrance of Leboam Bawitgol.
“Summer has truly arrived. It’s unbearably hot.”
“Hang in there. Once we pass through here, we’ll reach a big town.”
“By the way, who would’ve thought I’d end up following a Lady of Cassian into exile?”
“Neither did I. What a surprise.”
“I even got hit by an egg earlier! If they’re going to throw something, throw it properly; why do it half-heartedly?”
“Puh-ha-ha! No wonder you smell. Go away; you’re carrying the stench with you.”
The soldiers, adorned with golden belts, symbolizing the imperial family, continued their idle chatter. The journey to the south was long, so they had to find ways to alleviate the boredom.
“Didn’t you say you were going to show us your son’s portrait this time?”
“Now that I think about it, I heard that your wife gave birth to twins. How are they?”
“Of course, they’re doing well. Last week, one of them called me ‘dad’! I was so moved that tears welled up in my eyes…”
They continued chatting for a while longer. When the procession reached the midpoint of Bawitgol, it happened.
“Let me show you the picture… Right here… Ackk!”
The soldier, who had been fumbling in his pocket to show his child’s portrait, suddenly collapsed forward.
He fell to the ground, and a long arrow pierced his back.
“Huh……! Fe, Ferom!”
“Gasp! Ambush! It’s an ambush!”
Leboam Bawitgol, which was always quiet with swirling dust, was suddenly filled with unexpected chaos.
Yeffa, who seemed lifeless inside the carriage, suddenly lifted her head. Her eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings. The soldiers guarding her fell to the ground in a heap.
‘Is this for real?’
The words Rohiriel spoke in prison echoed in her mind.
[Roxis is going to attack you; our father ordered it.]
She didn’t think he’d actually attack. Yeffa, engulfed in a sense of betrayal, gritted her teeth.
‘I can’t die like this.’
Several knights who were ahead rushed urgently, but black-uniformed men hidden throughout Bawitgol emerged and blocked the knights.
“Protect the sinner!”
“Yeffa is targeted by Cassian; protect her!”
In an instant, Bawitgol was in chaos. Taking advantage of the chaos, Yeffa exerted all her strength to untie the ropes binding her hands.
‘Now is the chance!’
She had to escape somehow.
Due to the ambush, the imperial soldiers quickly fell into disarray.
The moment Yeffa completely untied the ropes, she saw a soldier who had been hit by an arrow and fallen earlier, struggling to get up.
She couldn’t believe her eyes, so she looked again and again. Even as she wiped her eyes, the soldier, who she thought was dead due to the arrow in his back, was indeed alive.
“Hey, spit out the dirt, you!.”
The one called Ferom spat heavily on the ground and dusted off his hands.
But that wasn’t the end.
Other soldiers who had fallen beside him also began to rise, one by one.
“What, what is this? Gyaaaah! What’s going on?”
Yeffa involuntarily screamed in fear as the supposedly dead soldiers inexplicably started getting up.
