With John’s help, Juno returned to her room. After he left, Juno ran to the bathroom and vomited. She sat on the floor, still feeling unwell. A long time passed before her nausea subsided.
“Ugh…”
She stood up, approached the mirror, and removed her makeup. In the reflection, a sickly woman stared back at her.
“It’s all right. You did great.”
Tears were about to fall again. She didn’t like that. Juno washed her face with cold water which got onto her clothes.
“I’m fine… I’m fine…” Her hands that were clenching the sink began to hurt.
It was only a week since she found out about Jupiter’s death. The despair still ate away at Juno and was waiting for the moment it could devour her whole. Juno didn’t want to give it a chance. The greater the sorrow, the more she worked. I can’t take a moment to rest. Unbeknownst to her, she started to talk to herself. “It’s all right. I’m fine. I’m not sad. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.”
As if giving an order to herself, Juno repeated those words. She didn’t care. She was fine. She can get through this. Didn’t she do a good job today? She recalled the dinner with the high-ranking officials and what she’d get from it. Juno will be known as an alchemist in the future. People will doubt her at first, but once the war starts, they’ll change their minds. Juno will have the reputation she wanted. She’ll be someone no one can ignore, someone who doesn’t falter or bow down to anyone.
Yes, Juno would be happy. She can be happy. That’s why she shouldn’t cry. She shouldn’t stop working. With a little more effort, Juno will be so happy to erase all this sadness.
She’ll be able to move on, and everyone will bow at her feet.
“I’m an alchemist. The empire will move at my whim. I can avenge Jupiter. Please, don’t cry.” She continued to speak to herself, saying the same thing until dawn.
Surely, she’ll be happy, right? She’ll be happy.
***
Less than two months after Peter Sergien’s death, the door to House Sergien’s mansion opened again after two years. For the first time in decades, people flocked to the dinners held by House Sergien. What could one get from Juno Sergien? What will be the future of the empire?
Dolls made a lasting impact on people’s lives, and Peter Sergien was dead. Many couldn’t imagine a life without dolls; they visited House Sergien to get information. Then, they heard outrageous rumors. Despite their ridiculousness, they continued to spread. When two or more people gathered, whether on the streets or in a ball, they talked about the same thing. It was the same as today. A young man made eye contact with a noblewoman.
“Have you heard the rumor?”
“About Countess Juno Sergien?”
“Yes!”
“Goodness, I was so surprised to hear about it the first time.”
“Is the rumor true?”
“My father said it’s true. I’m acquainted with the man who was invited to a dinner held by House Sergien.”
People began to crowd around him one by one, and he wasn’t unaware of the noblewoman’s attitude as he began to boast about his family connections.
“So, it is true?”
“She’s an alchemist!”
“She really doesn’t know anything about people.”
More and more voices joined the conversation.
“Who knew she’d be like that?”
“A pathetic, useless woman kicked out by a mistress.”
“What a pity. Can she do anything by herself?”
“The thorn in Marquis Trish’s side is gone.”
“Yes, but the daughter he drove away became an interesting person.”
“Would it be okay for him to step down? Wasn’t there someone else who could be the heir besides his daughter?”
One of the nobles spoke. “Didn’t you know? It’s said he died.”
“What?”
“He was one of the nobles in that incident with the Kingdom of Darnan.”
“Oh, that handsome man?”
Some of the younger people sighed, recalling his beautiful face.
“He was quite intelligent.”
“That’s too bad. But if he’s dead, then…”
Now, there was something more interesting than the death of a handsome nobleman.
“Yes, he’s the only person of House Trish who was known to be acquainted with Countess Sergien. Now House Sergien has nothing to do with House Trish.”
“Will the countess attend the ball?”
“I wish I could go. I’d get to know her then.”
“Shall I send you an invitation?”
“Yes!”
Thus, the story of Juno Sergien, who became the wife and widow of the alchemist Peter Sergien, spread without end. Some shook their heads, saying the rumors were nonsense. Then, Juno was invited to the Imperial Palace, and supplies were sent to the army. Dolls began to be repaired.
A new alchemist was born. Juno Sergien
***
A new alchemist who met with high-ranking nobles put the empire on edge. Specifically, war was just around the corner. After confirming the power of the Protective Barrier, the royal family prepared to wage a full-scale war against the Kingdom of Darnan. Juno, who had been summoned by the royal family and met privately with the emperor, worked day and night to produce the required number of Protective Barriers.
“Countess Sergien, you made this thing?” Holding the slightly lower-quality Protective Barrier in his hand, the emperor had asked, “With this, our empire will have victory. Will you help the royal family and the empire?”
Juno lowered her head.
The emperor, with an eager look, said, “If you do…”
Their eyes met.
“I shall have you recognized as Countess Sergien.”
It was exactly what she wanted.
After returning to the mansion, Juno continued to make more Protective Barriers for the upcoming war, two weeks after learning about Jupiter’s death.
“Aren’t you tired, my lady?” Standing next to her, Hebe was worried.
However, Juno needed to be busy. She was tired that she couldn’t think of anything else. “It’s all right. Thank you for worrying about me.”
“Drink this.”
Juno took the cup of warm tea and stroked Hebe’s head. Hebe gave one last look at her before leaving the workshop. She pretended not to hear Peter click his tongue.
Crash!
There was a loud noise from the garden. Juno looked out the window in surprise. Before long, Peter got in front of her as if to protect her.
“My lady! My lady!”
Juno doubted her ears. It was Pi. “Teacher, am I dreaming?”
She wondered if she fell asleep. Juno stared at the window.
Peter replied, “No, this isn’t a dream. Pi has returned.”
Juno stood up; the sudden movement made her dizzy, but Peter made sure she didn’t fall. Juno staggered to the window. There was Pi with much of her body damaged.
“How did you fly all the way here?” Juno murmured.
Pi, who was now very large, had one of her wings completely smashed to pieces. With Peter’s guidance, Pi, the most complicated doll Juno made, could change her size at will. If this child is here, then Jupiter…
“My lady, help! The human won’t open his eyes!”
Pi had returned with Jupiter. The hope that he was alive and Pi’s words caused a mix of contradictory emotions to stir within Juno’s heart.
John, along with the other dolls, was in the garden when Juno arrived. The dolls made way for her.
“John?”
“He’s here.”
John stepped to the side. There was Jupiter. He had a lot of dried blood on one of his eyes, but it was Jupiter. His face and body were horribly injured.
“…Is he dead?” Juno asked.
John quickly supported her. “He is alive. Just unconscious.”
Juno’s legs gave out. Thanks to John, it didn’t hurt; however, she fell to the floor. Slowly, she crawled toward Jupiter.
“There’s so much blood…”
“Pi used the medicine,” John said.
Her eyes widened. Yes, she gave her the medicine. Juno looked at the bird. “Pi?”
“The carriage blew up. The explosion was so big that… I’m sorry.”
Why was she sorry? Juno appreciated Pi’s effort.
Juno shook her head. “No, Pi. Well done.”
“I used all the medicine on him, but he didn’t wake up. I wanted to come sooner, but my wings…”
All the medicine Juno had given Pi was used on Jupiter. Thanks to that, Jupiter was alive. Juno was so proud of Pi who managed to get here without giving up.
She comforted Pi before saying to John, “Take Pi to the workshop. She needs to be fixed.”
“Understood.”
“Also tell Teacher to come to the garden.”
“I’m already here.”
Juno touched the large hand that was on her shoulder, full of hope.
