Episode 54
“Roo…”
Ignoring Rurik’s regretful eyes, I added.
“I will go to Flavi. It’s the warmest and safest place, and it has a Gate.”
Four days later.
“His Imperial Majesty has granted his permission. We would be honored to host you in Flavi.”
Ernst’s voice was smooth as satin, but Rurik was undoubtedly frowning.
Even though I couldn’t see it because the bed curtains were drawn.
“Cough! Cough, cough, cough!”
I regretted it a little as my incessant coughing tore through Rurik’s chest.
‘Whether I leave the Imperial Palace because I’m this terribly ill, or because I’m pregnant, perhaps Rurik would be equally upset either way.’
But the latter would severely damage my position in the Imperial Family, so there’s no helping it.
My position is also Rurik’s, after all.
Unexpectedly, Rurik spoke words that seemed to worry about Ernst.
“As you can see, her condition isn’t very good. The medicine from the Magic Tower doesn’t seem to be working well either, and the physician says it’s highly contagious.”
Of course, Ernst knew I wasn’t really sick, so he probably wouldn’t care.
‘But even if I were truly ill, Ernst would have acted the same.’
I had confirmed that fact to overflowing in countless letters and diaries.
…I found out that Erni skipped class because of me.
That foolishly kind boy…
My grateful friend, Erni.
The way Ernst’s name appeared in the diary was always the same, and the frequency was higher than anyone else’s.
…My beloved friend Erni.
And every time I saw his name, I thought:
‘Is this what friends are like? If this is friendship, then Ryu Yi-ji from South Korea had no friends at all.’
My beautiful friend Erni.
Really, I thought that every single time.
I even wondered if Louise prefixing his name with ‘my friend’ every time was a form of self-hypnosis.
In any case, Ernst replied courteously.
“The physician will be accompanying us, and the Magic Tower Lord will assist with the move, so please do not worry excessively. Once her symptoms show improvement, we will make preparations so that Your Highness may visit whenever you wish.”
Rurik asked bluntly.
“You’re going to Edessa, not the capital, I hear? You plan to stay at a hotel?”
“Yes, that is what Her Highness the Princess desired.”
Ernst skillfully omitted the fact that the hotel was owned by the Grand Duke of Babenberg.
That wouldn’t be a pleasant fact for Rurik, and Ernst probably didn’t want to upset my brother’s mood any further at this moment.
“Don’t go thinking of incurring unnecessary debts; send the bill for the expenses.”
“I will, Your Highness.”
However, Rurik would soon learn that the hotel was Babenberg property and that the Grand Duke would never, ever bill him for my stay, even if it killed him.
For Rurik’s psychological stability, I prayed that while it’s good for the baby to resemble its father, it would be okay if it took after me a little too.
Rurik asked another question.
“Will you be ready in three days?”
“The facility is fully equipped, so three days is actually unnecessary. However, I scheduled it loosely, concerned that a rushed move might cause you unease.”
I worried that if Rurik kept probing, it might disrupt our plans, so I coughed violently.
“Cough, cough! Cough, cough!”
Finally, their conversation ended.
“Louise seems to be struggling, so I’ll let you have the room now. If you encounter any difficulties, be sure to ask for help.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
After the sound of the door, I wheezed, patting my chest.
My throat was nearly sore from the forced coughing.
‘Please leave, quickly, quickly…’
Our secret community was all wishing with one heart.
Three days later, near the Duros territory coastline.
Helena spotted the pilgrimage group passing on the opposite side of the curved bay and let out a cry of joy.
“Look there! We finally caught up!”
Weeks ago, she had to send the pilgrimage group ahead first while waiting for a mage who was later than promised.
The wizard returned belatedly about four days after the group had left, but upon arrival, he not only helped Zarya’s recovery but also insisted on helping the two rejoin the group.
“I failed to keep my promise, causing you to be separated from the group. It’s only right.”
Helena felt terribly apologetic.
Zarya had recovered and they had received so many expensive magical potions; they were truly deeply indebted to the mage.
But no amount of refusal worked.
“Even if we followed this coastline, I could catch up in an instant using magic, but I know that would diminish the meaning of your pilgrimage.”
Thus, the wizard had cared for and guided the two women all this time, managing to catch them up to the pilgrimage group.
“Thank you so much, wizard. Will I ever be able to repay this kindness in my lifetime…?”
With rejoining the group imminent, Helena expressed her gratitude to the mage, her eyes even welling up with tears.
The wizard let out a hearty laugh.
“It seems the innocent sister doesn’t know yet, but among the things mages do, there’s no such thing as free. Sister, you possess a special ability. If this old man has a request someday, please grant it.”
“I hope that day comes.”
Helena smiled faintly, the reality of helping someone with her ability—whose nature and use she still didn’t know—not quite sinking in.
Just then, a monk came rushing over from the pilgrimage group, having spotted them.
“You’ve caught up safely! We were so worried after leaving you two behind, our steps felt heavy the whole time. Seeing you recovered like this brings me such joy!”
Zarya quickly bowed her head.
“I’m sorry for causing concern. The wizard here helped with wound recovery and travel.”
“What a relief. Thank you, wizard.”
The monk bowed tearfully before Moghold, then with a somewhat hurried air, began rummaging in his robe.
“But…”
He held out an elegant letter sealed with wax to Helena.
“After we parted ways with you two, letters arrived from several monasteries. This was among them.”
The reason the monk had rushed over so hastily to deliver it was the Imperial seal stamped upon it.
Helena swallowed hard and accepted the letter.
Meeting royalty had attracted the wizard’s interest before, but she never dreamed she’d receive a letter from the Imperial household right in front of him.
“He said it was urgent. From the Youngest Princess, entrusted to the Caesarea Monastery.”
To think she would send a letter first, to Helena who had left without even saying goodbye after receiving such kindness.
Without hesitation, Helena opened the letter immediately.
If it was from the Youngest Princess, she thought it couldn’t possibly bring her harm.
Helena, congratulations on becoming a sister.
I know you’re on an important journey, but I have something I must tell you.
When you see this letter, will you come to the Imperial Palace?
Louise.
The letter was short, but its contents were bewildering to Helena.
‘Come to the Imperial Palace? Suddenly?’
She had never been to the Imperial Palace, and it was a place too far for her to go alone.
‘But is it okay to refuse a Princess’s command? If I must obey, how do I even get to the Imperial Palace?’
As Helena pondered, the mage asked.
“What does Her Highness say?”
Clearly, the mage had mentioned seeing the Youngest Princess since childhood.
“Ah, wizard. Actually…”
The wizard took the Youngest Princess’s letter, scanned it, and then chuckled.
“My, my…”
Then, handing the letter back, he added.
“Truly, I had no intention of having you repay the debt this quickly.”
“…Pardon?”
As Helena stared blankly, the wizard threw off the black robe he had been wearing all this time.
As his mysterious white hair swayed in the wind, the old Wizard’s gray eyes gleamed strangely.
“The truth is, this person is Narses Moghold, the former Magic Tower Lord.”
The monks who had begun gathering one by one gasped in surprise, their mouths agape.
“Her Highness the Princess would not summon a sister lightly to the Imperial Palace. Will you accompany this person?”
