Chapter 173
After Helena was revived, the children began to make plans for the future—things like going on a trip or hiking together. Though those plans had to be set aside for a while since she hadn’t fully recovered, they dreamed of the day they could make them come true.
But if she wasn’t by their side, all of it would become meaningless. If she decided not to return to Frantor, they would have no choice but to let her go. Joshua understood that physical distance eventually leads to emotional distance. Jeremy had declared that he would stay by Helena’s side no matter what, but even he knew it wasn’t going to be easy in reality.
He wanted to ask her to stay. But what if she didn’t want that? Holding on to such worries, Joshua quietly studied her face.
“Yeah… I guess I need to think about it.”
Though they had anticipated this moment would come someday, they hadn’t expected her identity to be revealed so soon. Still, she had hoped to enjoy an ordinary life for just a bit longer. A time to live fully as herself, forgetting about Eskel and revenge.
She secretly wished this moment would never come. But she couldn’t postpone the decision forever. Now was the time to choose.
Joshua gave her some space, perhaps to allow her time to think.
In truth, Helena had many options. She was no longer trapped under the shadow of her father. Now, she could choose however she wished. If she wanted a normal life, she could move abroad with enough money to start fresh. Or, like Joshua suggested, she could go public with what she did in the capital and gain fame.
…But she had never even considered those options. From the beginning, she just wanted to be with the three of them. Frantor in the North now felt like home. The place that made her feel she had somewhere to return to for the first time in her life. People who welcomed her with warmth and kindness. She missed that place. She wanted to go back.
But would it be okay?
Though House Eskel had fallen, her father had vanished, and some called her a hero—blood ties weren’t so easily severed. Her father, who killed Caligo’s brother. Even if she wanted to deny it, he was still her father.
Unlike a scab that falls off when healed, emotional wounds could suddenly resurface. What if that hidden pus of pain burst out again and tore them apart? Maybe it would be better to part ways now, while things were still good. Their wounds ran deep, and everything had been tangled from the start. How could they ever untangle this? It could even get worse, twisted by new prejudice. Reconciliation and persuasion were hard, but misunderstandings and biases were all too easy—as it had been before.
She didn’t want to be hurt again. What if the day came when she had to leave the mansion after another fight with Caligo? Then she’d truly have nowhere left to go.
She was afraid.
She had so desperately wanted to shake off the label of Eskel and live a new life. But now that the moment had arrived, she was scared. Could she really escape that label? Start over completely? With him, with the children?
***
Due to the swarm of reporters, Helena had to leave Horion and relocate to a nearby city. The new place she stayed in was, strictly speaking, more spacious and comfortable than the house in Horion. It was an entire villa, secure and suitable for walks in the garden.
While Helena was spending time alone, Caligo appeared—dressed not in his usual shirt, but in formal attire. He descended the stairs with long strides, like a soldier, and approached Helena quickly. But as he got close, he stopped at a respectful distance and spoke with his hands behind his back.
“I need to go to the capital for a bit.”
“I see.”
“There’s still unfinished work. Some matters that need handling.”
“Are those matters related to me, by any chance?”
Helena asked.
“If it’s the reporters, don’t worry too much. Their interest will naturally fade over time. I’m also planning to divert attention in other directions.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because you’re going through all this trouble because of me. Coming all the way out here, handling your work in such an inconvenient way…”
“You think I’m suffering down here in Horion?”
“…Huh? But it’s true, isn’t it?”
She responded in a small voice.
“It’s not.”
“…What?”
What did he just say? Did she hear that right? Her eyes widened in surprise, but Caligo continued speaking, back still turned.
“You don’t need to be so anxious or sorry. Wherever you decide to stay, I’ll simply follow.”
“…Even if I say I’ll stay in Horion forever?”
He paused for a moment before replying.
“If it’s not possible to return right away, then I’ll make sure you can live there safely. I’ll have to assign proper security personnel.”
“Security? Don’t tell me… you’ll also be staying in Horion?”
Helena’s lips parted slightly in disbelief.
“At this rate, you’ll end up moving your entire territory to Horion.”
“Well. I’ll have to think about that.”
It sounded almost believable coming from someone who rarely joked. …Could he really be serious? No way.
“But do whatever you want, Helena.”
“Why are you doing all this for me? Why do you keep saying it’s all okay?”
“Because I made up my mind.”
“…”
“To the point where none of this feels like a burden.”
It was a blunt answer. Unadorned, just like him. But it certainly stirred something small in her heart.
“Take care of the kids.”
After they had said all they needed to say, the usual awkward silence followed. Caligo left with a brief farewell, but then Helena, moved by impulse, grabbed the hem of his coat.
Sensing her touch, Caligo froze like wax. Helena, equally stiff, noticed her own hand trembling. Still, she didn’t let go. She spoke softly to him.
“…Hey.”
“…”
“I hope… we get to see each other soon.”
She didn’t know why she said it. But one thing was certain—she meant it.
“We will.”
Finally releasing his coat, Helena hid her trembling hand with the fabric. His quiet gaze felt embarrassing and awkward.
***
But things didn’t go as they hoped. The restlessness in the kingdom of Kelimban worsened, and hostile military forces began to make moves. As a result, Caligo had to return to Frantor to stand by.
Snow was falling when he went into battle in Frantor. That’s when he realized—it had already been a year, and winter had returned. Even then, he hadn’t seen Helena. Joshua had once brought word that she had caught a cold again, but beyond that, there was no news. Joshua’s steady letters had suddenly stopped.
Time continued to pass. Snow piled up in Frantor, melted into sludge, and piled up again. Caligo lived through it all. Repetitive battles, ongoing duties.
One day, looking out the window, the world seemed gray, as if covered in ash. The cold was damp, and the entire city looked like it was blanketed in volcanic dust. He had seen countless northern winters, but this one felt especially bleak.
That’s when he realized—he was hoping she’d return. Even knowing she wouldn’t.
Helena had longed for peace, and ironically, that’s what Caligo had once wished for, too. She had no reason to come back. He didn’t even feel worthy to have her by his side. Still, he found himself gazing out the window.
As the season deepened into winter, the thought crept in—’Maybe she really won’t return to Frantor.’
If she chose to stay away… there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t stop someone who had finally taken flight.
In the silent north, with not even a breeze, a sudden gust of wind blew through the open window. It swept past his dazed figure, knocking papers off the desk.
As he bent to pick them up, he felt a tremor. Caligo paused and looked out the window.
In the distance, the flag of Frantor came into view.
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