Chapter 68
She didn’t know how many days had passed, but she finally opened her eyes after a long time. Her body was still limp, and the throbbing headache hadn’t gone away.
“Sigh…”
Her clothes were soaked with sweat, and she pushed the towel off her head, slowly rising from the bed. To her side, there was a basin filled with water, and several cloths hung nearby.
‘How long have I been lying down?’
She could see the white ceiling and the floral wallpaper. Green vines climbed up and surrounded the window frame. Leticia got out of bed and headed toward the window.
When she opened the door, a warm breeze entered, cooling the sweat on her face. Every time the wind passed, a strong floral scent entered her nose. Taking a deep breath, she felt much more at ease. She gently rubbed her stomach with her hand and sighed.
“I’m glad… I’m okay…”
She had worried that something might have gone wrong, but fortunately, it seemed the child had strong life force. Leticia felt relieved. However, her mind was still a mess.
There was no guarantee that it was safe to stay here. She too had to make a decision.
A month had passed, but there was still no news about Brivante from anywhere. Perhaps Arden had already forgotten her.
‘I should ask Kavita.’
Asking for news wouldn’t be much. Or maybe it would be better to remain unaware? She couldn’t decide, and all she could do was look at the sky.
Gray clouds started gathering in the clear sky. Only then did she gaze at the now hazy sky with a more peaceful expression. As she slowly stretched her hand outside the window, she felt the moist air.
The wind, much different from before, made her slowly close her eyes. The damp air seeping into her wet clothes made her feel a chill. It was probably because her body hadn’t fully recovered yet. But she didn’t close the window and kept her hand stretched out.
The view outside the window always made her feel good. Flowers bathed in sunlight swayed in the breeze, and the dense forest gave a refreshing feeling just by looking at it.
Pitter-patter, plop.
Suddenly, raindrops fell onto her palm. The damp air carried the smell of rain, and she silently watched the drops fall. The raindrops entered the room with the breeze. After feeling the rain on her palm for a while, she finally closed the window.
Soon, the priest entered to check on her. Leticia quietly accepted their touch and went to where Seongha was.
Knock, knock, knock.
The priest announced her arrival, and the pope happily allowed her visit.
“How are you feeling?”
“Yes, I feel much better after a good rest.”
“It seems that your body is strained because of the child.”
Leticia awkwardly smiled and nodded. As the child grew, her fragile body seemed to be struggling, and she felt her strength draining away.
“You need to be happy for your body to recover quickly. For elves, being loved is not enough. You must be happy for your body to endure…”
Dandelion’s words reminded her of what Erin had once told her. Back then, he had said something similar.
“Even if you’re loved, does that mean your body won’t be healthy if you’re not happy, but just won’t die?”
“Right, for elves, love is important, but happiness is also crucial. That’s why we want you to be happy.”
Only then did Leticia understand why she hadn’t died, but still felt unwell.
“It seems like you’ve been lying down for a week. It must have taken a lot out of you, or maybe you just relaxed too much.”
“…I’ve been lying down for that long?”
A week. It had already been a month and a week since she left Brivante.
She was somewhat surprised at how much time had passed. No one had told her how much time had passed. They must have let her rest without worrying, allowing her to recover. It had been a while since she came here, and she needed to send news to her father soon.
‘He must be worried.’
With her mother gone, he must be concerned about her disappearance without a word, just like her mother had vanished. He might even be blaming her for disappearing like that.
In any case, she needed to ask Dandelion to send news to Brivante. She had thought of asking Kavita, but since the pope would eventually hear it, it would be better to ask him directly.
“Your Grace, I have a favor to ask.”
“Tell me. It’s been a while since it rained in Arserion.”
Dandelion smiled warmly while looking out the window. Leticia sat down and spoke to him.
“I need to send news to my father. With my mother gone, he must be worried.”
“If I inform Duke Castain about your news, Arden will find out as well. Are you sure you’re okay with that? I’m asking because it seems he dislikes hearing news.”
Leticia hesitated for a moment. Was he still looking for her? That was uncertain. When the image of Arden’s last face came to her mind, her chest ached.
“He might not care. By now, he must have heard that I’m pregnant, and he won’t be able to forgive me. He doesn’t believe me.”
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
“We’re a relationship full of mutual resentment… This isn’t what Elosha wanted.”
“…Your mother?”
At Dandelion’s words, Leticia narrowed her eyes. He always spoke vaguely about her mother, never giving her clear answers. She had suspected her mother made a deal with him, but what exactly did she ask for, and what did she give in return for him to help her so much?
“Yes, Elosha didn’t want you to repeat the same life. If you knew what she sacrificed for you, you too would understand…”
He closed his mouth as if trying to hold back his words.
“If you want, I will send a letter to Duke Castain. If we use a spirit, it won’t be detected. But you can’t hide forever. I’m sure you know that.”
Leticia nodded. She planned to leave for somewhere far away when she had been forgotten by him. If she went to a quiet land far away, then… What about the child?
The curse-like fate that had already started continued. She was still dying.
“Your Grace, I’m dying. If I die… may I ask you to take care of the child? It may be an unreasonable request, but I have nowhere else to turn. If the spirits take care of them, at least they won’t be alone.”
Spirits don’t die. Even those with the power of elves live much longer. Leticia’s child would be born with a lifespan no different from that of a human. She didn’t ask for much. Just having someone by the child’s side to watch over them as they grew would be enough.
“Why are you thinking of the end already?”
“It’s because I’ve seen the end. The process of reaching that end may be different, but the outcome will be the same. The only thing that has changed is that life has arrived.”
“If you truly believe that, there’s nothing I can do. But think carefully. Even back then, you lived longer than the doctor said. Doesn’t that seem strange to you?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Well, it’s been raining sadly today. It would be better if it poured, but I hope the raindrops don’t knock the petals off the flowers.”
Leticia got up from the sofa and stood next to Dandelion. The blue roses visible outside the window caught her eye. The deep blue roses, visible from anywhere, still radiated their presence even in the rain.
“I’m curious about one thing. Why did you decorate the fence with blue roses instead of red ones?”
It was a random question, but she wanted to ask. She had never seen so many blue roses. In fact, this was the first time she had truly seen them. Unlike red roses, which were common, blue roses were rare.
“It’s hard to see blue roses. I wanted this place to be where miracles happen.”
“…A miracle.”
“You can’t imagine how much effort went into getting these roses. The blue rose, which doesn’t exist anywhere, is also a symbol of Arserion’s determination not to give up. If you saw them in another country, you would think they were roses exported from Arserion.”
“It’s so similar to someone.”
Arden never gave up on anything. Except on her. That made her feel even more miserable. If he hadn’t given up on her so easily, she wouldn’t have resented him this much. She hated that hand that had let go so easily.
“Leticia, what would you do if things were different from what you know?”
“What do you mean, different from what I know?”
“I’m talking about everything. If everything you believe in isn’t the truth, would your heart change?”
Dandelion opened the window. The wind and rain rushed in. Leticia blinked as raindrops stuck to her face, preventing her from opening her eyes properly.
“Think carefully. Ask yourself if your sorrow and emotions have caused you to miss something. Is there something you’re overlooking?”
“…”
“A letter has come from Arden. It’s up to you whether you want to read it.”
He handed Leticia an envelope sealed with Brivante’s insignia. She looked at the blue envelope in her hand.
“If you stay like this, you won’t even check the contents of the envelope.”
Only then did Leticia snap back to reality. Seeing the paper getting wet, she quickly wiped it off with her handkerchief in surprise.
