“Since then, the Count has been in this state. The Duke of Toskur seemed very angry.”
“Didn’t Franz say anything about Celeste’s condition?”
“Yes. He didn’t say anything. He calmly carried the Count outside and instructed that when Celeste wakes up, she should not disregard his warning lightly, as it will continue to be difficult for her.”
Disregarding his warning will lead to continued difficulty…. Does that mean that the current pain is not something he caused himself? It could be repeated in the future.
“After that, without looking back, he left the mansion and got into his carriage. I asked the Count why he was in this state, but he didn’t even acknowledge my question.”
“Clovis.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Also, contact Kasell and have him come here.”
“Do you mean Major Kasell?”
“Immediately.”
Clovis hesitated. Karl decided to call upon Kasell, who commanded the troops of the capital, Altera. It seemed that he was ready to deploy defensive forces around the Count’s estate to counter any threats.
However, moving the army was not a simple matter. Despite temporarily holding military authority on behalf of the Emperor, moving the troops without a clear justification might challenge the Emperor’s authority.
Ascending to the throne was a matter for later. The important thing now was that he was not the Emperor.
“Your Highness, moving the troops without… ”
“It’s not without reason. Celeste is the mother of my child. Any harm to her should be considered a threat and an attack on the imperial family.”
“How do you intend to prove that the Count’s collapse was due to an attack?”
“Why do you think I called for Duke Linke?”
“Ah….”
By calling upon Linke, who was the head of the Magic Bureau, Karl intended to officially confirm that Celeste’s collapse was caused by dark magic. If it was proven that forbidden dark magic had been used on someone, it would be considered a direct attack on the heir to the throne.
The heir facing threats was a dire situation. With the Emperor’s permission as the acting military authority, Karl could move the army.
Currently, the Emperor’s seat was vacant, and Karl was acting as the deputy military authority. With confirmation from Duke Linke regarding the use of dark magic, Karl could immediately mobilize the army to protect Celeste.
“I will contact Major Kasell right away to move the army and investigate the user of dark magic. This could be a critical situation.”
As expected, Karl had a foresight that looked several moves ahead. Clovis, impressed internally, got up from his seat to contact General Kasell.
***
Blink, blink. The world in front of my eyes darkened and brightened repeatedly. Finding it difficult to keep staring at the flickering world in front of me, I closed my eyes.
However, even with my sight blocked, my mind continued to spin and my insides twisted painfully. It felt as if I were not just dealing with a mere hangover but rather experiencing a pain akin to crashing my head fiercely somewhere while being haunted by a fierce hangover… No, not just a hangover but a sensation of being thrown somewhere and hitting my head violently.
It felt like riding a similar amusement ride in a theme park I had visited with a group when I was young. It was like being inside a centrifuge spinning so fast and vigorously that I couldn’t gather my thoughts at all.
While I was lost in dizziness for a while, I heard a voice calling my name.
“Celly, lovely Celly.”
Although it was a voice I had never heard before, it felt strangely familiar and comforting. Who could be calling me?
“Celly, try opening your eyes a bit.”
A voice filled with affection called out to me. The voice was so endearing that it almost brought tears to my eyes.
As the spinning world gradually slowed down, it eventually came to a halt. When I opened my eyes, a hazy world spread out before me. Where am I?
“Celly. Yes, that’s right. Good girl, our baby.”
A man with a face strikingly similar to Celeste’s was looking down at me. His short purple hair perfectly complemented his distinct features.
Seeing his purple hair, I realized he was from the Louisette family. Who could he be?
“Don’t be in pain. Our baby, help me keep your father from hurting.”
The man’s large hand gently caressed my face. His hand was so big that it almost covered one side of my face.
The warmth of his hand as he brushed my cheek was incredibly comforting. A familiar and cozy scent and warmth sent shivers down my spine, gradually calming my anxious and fearful heart.
Then, the smiling man suddenly pulled me into his arms. My body felt so small compared to his, almost slipping in effortlessly.
“He’s your father, Celly.”
Ah, this voice belonged to Celeste’s father.
Was Celeste’s subconscious longing for her father’s voice dragging me in? If so, was this sadness Celeste’s emotion?
The warmth of his embrace made me not want to break free. Overwhelmed by the powerless feeling of not being able to move a single finger and the comfort from his warm embrace, I was completely enthralled.
“Now the fever will go down, and all the pain will disappear.”
At first, it seemed like words directed at me, yet at the same time, they felt like words of self-commitment.
The man held me tightly and rocked me slowly. My eyes gradually closed in the rhythmic and soothing sway, as if lying on a rocking chair.
It felt too vivid to be just a dream. It was not a figment of the brain’s imagination but a recollection of past experiences, reliving moments that were truly lived.
Ah, I understood then. These were the real memories of Celeste. It seemed like a memory from a time when I was very young, perhaps when I couldn’t even speak properly. It was a memory of a caring father watching over his sleeping, sick daughter.
“To my beloved Celly. My jewel more precious than my life.”
Celeste had such a loving father. But why did she grow up so twisted? Typically, the growth of villains is accompanied by an unfortunate family environment, providing justification for why they turned out that way.
As the hand that caressed my cheek moved downward, gently touching my shoulders and brushing down my arms, it seemed like a gesture of warming me in fear that the little girl might be cold. In those delicate movements, I felt the father’s love for Celeste.
“Father, you made it happen.”
The phrase “Father, you made it happen” felt vaguely unsettling. It didn’t seem to imply the context of calling a doctor to examine and heal the father, but something more complex.
After murmuring a few more words, his voice fading as he moved away, I couldn’t make out his final whispers. It was almost a mere murmur.
As he exhaled those sounds and then left me, slowly rising from his seat, the warmth that had been close to me rapidly dissipated, replaced by a chilling coldness engulfing my body.
“Please don’t go, stay with me.” A voice, unsure if it belonged to me or Celeste, burst out. However, the man continued to move away.
How could you show such tender care and then withdraw so coldly? Regret and sorrow mingled within me.
“Father…”
Finally, the choked-up feeling in my chest subsided. With a sigh, I called out to the man who had distanced himself.
“Please don’t go. Father.”
Strangely, his touch became warm again. Did the man who had gone far away return to hold my hand? Slowly, I raised my eyelids.
As I opened my eyes this time, the world before me was entirely different from before. It was Celeste’s space, unfamiliar yet strangely comforting.
The familiar ceiling pattern, the welcoming bed and curtains greeted me. Ah, this is the bedroom. For some reason, it brought relief.
The chaotic thoughts in my head settled slightly. I was relieved that the ceiling wasn’t spinning when I opened my eyes. Even my rapid breaths had returned to normal now.
What had just happened? I lay still, trying to recall the events of today.
I managed to avoid the dreadful sex education class and ran errands for Mrs. Pulcheria, then had tea time with Laila. But just as Laila was about to leave, Franz barged in, looking terrifying.
As we conversed, Franz suddenly exploded in anger, causing me to gasp for breath as I stared at him, then everything went black…
“Are you okay, Celly?”
Whose voice was that? I blinked, still gazing at the ceiling. Was I still dreaming?
