Erka didn’t really want to ask Rohiriel for a favor.
She felt indebted to him, yet kindness also came her way from Liliana, a beacon of light in her life when she was once an outcast. However, Liliana was a devil disguised as light.
‘The crown princess is Cassian, too. I don’t know what she’s hiding.’
So she was constantly on guard, observing, and asking around. She knew it wasn’t polite, but the scars of the past carved into her bones wouldn’t let her go easily.
It made her instinctively suspicious of everyone. Especially if they were kind and gentle to her.
To gain certainty, Erka circled around Rohiriel.
She was surprised to discover that the maid who was serving Rohiriel was Hemion Martin, the one who threw eggs on her wedding day.
‘They said she had lost her memory.’
She wondered if she was keeping her around to deal with her as soon as her memory returned.
Whatever the case, Erka intended to take her time getting to know Rohiriel while she was in the capital.
“Your ladyship, Lord Harkiel! ”
If only Harkiel hadn’t suddenly taken a turn for the worse.
“Call for a physician immediately!”
The butler’s words startled Erka, who rushed to Harkiel’s side. Harkiel’s entire body was rotting and blistering; his skin was melting.
“……Sis…….”
Harkiel struggled to lift his eyelids; his pink eyes, resembling Erka’s, were hollow and vacant.
“Harkiel, it’s okay. Everything will be okay.”
Erka swallowed hard and took Harkiel’s hand.
The decaying, withered hand no longer felt like normal skin. Nevertheless, Erka held onto Harkiel’s hand like a dry branch, caressing and shedding tears.
“Hang in there a little longer, Hark. Hm? Just a bit more, please.”
Erka’s earnest whisper caused clear tears to gather in the corners of Harkiel’s eyes.
Harkiel also wanted to live; he wanted to endure a little longer, to be a strength to his sister, who would be left alone, carrying a heavy burden.
But now it was too late.
His instinct told him he couldn’t endure any longer.
“Sis……. I’m so…rry. I’m a little… brother who lacks… a lot of things…… I’m so sorry…….”
Harkiel forced himself to roll his stiffened tongue to express his feelings.
All he could do now was convey his feelings to his beloved sister, who would be left alone.
“……I’m sorry for being harsh… for leaving you to… carry the burden alone… sorry…”
“Please, Hark. The physician said he can treat you. He’s a skilled one. We came all the way to the capital to get treatment. If you don’t give up, you can survive. So don’t be weak…”
Erka enveloped Harkiel’s tear-streaked cheek.
Although the physician had advised her not to touch him, at this moment, Erka wanted Harkiel to feel her warmth.
Harkiel’s pink eyes formed a crescent moon shape, creating a smile.
“Sister, you’ve always been my pride.”
With those words, Harkiel’s eyelids closed heavily.
Looking at the disappearing pink irises, Erka felt her world sinking.
“Lord Harkiel, Countess.”
Upon hearing the physician’s voice, she quickly composed herself and urged him to examine Harkiel urgently.
everything to make him better. Isn’t that your job!”
“For now, I’ll check his condition.”
The physician examined Harkiel with a serious expression.
However, after putting the tools back into the bag, he shook his head.
“He’s still breathing. But he’ll probably die soon…….”
“What does that mean? He’s alive. You said he was still breathing!”
“Countess, no physicians will be able to cure him. He’ll only last a week at the most. Prepare yourself…”
“I didn’t pay you a huge medical fee for that nonsense!”
“……I apologize.”
The physician bowed deeply, expressing regret.
Even the most skilled physician had given up on Harkiel. Erka felt despair.
She returned to Harkiel’s bedside, holding her brother’s hand.
[Sister, I’ll find a groom for you later. So, don’t let yourself be deceived by any hateful guy!]
[Then, should I find a bride for you, Hark?]
[Sure! It’s a promise!]
A memory from the past, a promise made with intertwined fingers, floated in her mind.
Harkiel’s bright, smiling face.
[Sister, it seems like I brought too much. Let’s eat it together!]
Whenever she was too timid to eat the food she wanted to eat at the banquet, Harkiel somehow knew and would hand it to her with a mischievous smile.
“……No.”
She can’t lose him forever like this.
She can’t give up.
Even if everything was taken from her, as long as she could save him.
“Butler.”
Wiping away her tears, she composed herself and called the butler.
The butler stood by her side, answering her call.
“I’m going to the palace. Prepare for it.”
“You mean now?”
“Yes. Right now. I need to go as soon as possible, so prepare a horse instead of a carriage.”
Rohiriel healed the Empress, whom the palace physicians had already given up treating, and the Emperor, whom they were just waiting to die, was also undergoing treatment.
Even if she was wearing a mask, it didn’t matter anymore.
If saving Harkiel meant giving up anything, even the entire county, Erka was willing to do it.
With that, Erka made her way to the palace with one last hope.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
Having heard a rough summary of the situation from Countess Rivolain, I immediately made preparations.
I gathered the necessary tools in the pharmacy and collected various medicines that were difficult to make on the spot.
“Zenid, I’ll be out of the palace for a while. Take care during my absence.”
Fortunately, Zenid seemed to have rested well during the day, showing an improved complexion.
After entrusting full authority over Garnet Palace to a bewildered Zenid, I left the palace.
After careful consideration, I decided to bring Hemion with me.
Just as we were about to depart, a familiar figure swiftly approached.
“Rohiriel! Where are you going?”
It was Julion.
Come to think of it, the sun had set.
He must have come for dinner, which, unfortunately, was not possible today.
Upon explaining the situation briefly, Julion’s expression darkened.
“I’m really sorry, Julion. But I’m in a hurry…”
“No, it’s fine. I also had something to discuss about Rivolain, so this works out well.”
“Something to discuss?”
“I’ll come with you; is that okay?”
The last question was directed towards the Countess.
She nervously bit her lip and replied,
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“Then we’d better get on our horses, too.”
Before waiting for a response, Julion commanded the stable to bring two horses.
When Hemion expressed hesitation about riding, Julion summoned Ares.
“Ares, take Hemion Martin.”
Ares appeared in front of him in an instant and spoke in his now-liberated voice.
“I’m thinking of changing careers.”
Julion shrugged it off, mounted his horse, and held out his hand to me.
“Please, ride with me.”
I also know how to ride a horse, though it seems like he assumed I couldn’t.
Nonetheless, I quietly took his hand.
I know how to ride, but Julion’s horse would be faster.
Countess Rivolain mounted her own horse, and Hemion got on the one Ares was riding.
The three horses briskly exited the palace, galloping energetically.
Fortunately, Rivolain’s townhouse wasn’t far from the palace.
The front gate opened wide without any special restrictions, allowing us to enter the courtyard while still on horseback.
We were able to mount our horses and ride straight into the garden.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“Your Highness, the Crown Princess!”
The butler bowed his head in astonishment as he recognized our faces.
The other servants, surprised, quickly followed suit.
“This way, Your Highness.”
Countess Rivolain led us straight to the bedroom without acknowledging them.
As the bedroom door opened and we stepped inside, a faint scent of almonds wafted in.
Puzzled, I walked to the bed and saw a patient whose entire body was decaying and falling apart.
The moment I saw him, I was certain.
It was Liliana’s poison.
It was a poison developed by Liliana Cassian herself.
It was a terrible poison that could never be cured by conventional detoxification methods but only made worse.
Thank you for the translation!❤️