Chapter 64
Startled, the duke and I leapt forward at the same time.
Supporting her and checking her condition, I pressed my lips together, careful not to let my shock show.
—“A magician doesn’t show it outwardly. I’ll tell only you, Miss Feyrunt. In fact, even this appearance is altered by magic.”
Suddenly, I remembered what she had once told me.
As if to prove those very words, Countess Simorre’s appearance after finishing the healing magic was different from just moments ago.
Her once healthy complexion had turned ashen; her moist lips were now cracked and parched like a drought-stricken land.
Dark shadows hung beneath her eyes, and her body looked like a withered branch.
Meanwhile, those who had been crying out in pain were suddenly healed. Even those trapped by injured legs managed to push aside the rubble and escape.
I stood in a daze, staring at the miraculous scene, awestruck.
The duke quickly examined the countess’s condition. With a sigh of relief, he spoke.
“She’s merely lost her strength and fainted. A good rest will bring her back, so you needn’t worry.”
“That’s a relief.”
“While she sleeps, I’ll send a letter to the ducal house and see to the aftermath here.”
“I’ll help you.”
The duke shook his head.
“I’d like you to watch over her instead. We don’t know when she’ll wake. Would that be alright?”
He asked cautiously. I nodded without hesitation.
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
He gave a faint, aching smile.
As he handled the situation, I stayed by the countess’s side.
With her magic dispelled, she truly looked like a gravely ill patient.
Watching her in deep sleep, I recalled the story from the original novel.
‘In the original, Countess Simorre was said to have died of unknown causes.’
Now I understood.
‘Countess Simorre was murdered by Vincente.’
I lowered my gaze.
‘Because of this Aeternum.’
Aeternum.
Even in the original story, little was revealed about it.
All that was known was that five Aeternum stones existed, and gathering them all granted enough power to destroy the world.
‘In the end, Chloan obtained four of them.’
Leaving just one.
‘But the last one was never revealed.’
“Mm… Miss Ciela…?”
At that faint voice, my thoughts broke. I quickly checked her condition.
“Are you alright? You suddenly lost consciousness.”
She looked down at her own hand.
Without magic, her hand had become lifeless in color. Deep wrinkles etched her skin, and dryness had caused it to crack.
“…My mana is all gone.”
“Ah…”
I could guess why. That miraculous healing magic—she had spent her very last power on it.
I looked at her with worry, but she raised her gaze and gave me a gentle smile.
“Don’t make that face. I’m alright.”
She closed her eyes, her voice low and lulling like a lullaby.
“The reason I kept my youthful appearance with magic… it was because I wanted to return to the days when I was with them. But after hearing of Frit, I realized time had passed far too much without me. I was the only one left behind, rotting away in that old time.”
She slowly opened her eyes again.
“I have to accept it. Changing appearances doesn’t change anything. Still, I’m glad. At least I didn’t waste my last magic.”
“…Would you come with me to see Jack?”
At my words, she smiled softly and shook her head.
“My body won’t last until then. Neglecting my illness has made it far too advanced. And there are still people here I must take responsibility for. As countess, I must fulfill my duty.”
Then she gave a small laugh.
“Besides, if I show up like this, the child will be shocked.”
“Jack won’t be.”
At my certainty, her eyes curved in a tender smile.
“He must truly be a dependable child, then.”
Her voice grew weaker. She closed her eyes and murmured slowly.
“I’m tired. I’ll rest a little longer.”
“Yes, I’ll stay by your side. Sleep well.”
“…Thank you.”
With those last words, she drifted off again.
Listening to her faint breathing, I lifted my head.
Dawn was breaking.
“Will she really be alright?”
I broke the silence first in the carriage on our way back. The duke nodded.
“She’ll be fine. I left skilled physicians and attendants with her.”
Not long after Countess Simorre had fallen asleep, aid from House Creyman had arrived.
Leaving her household in their care, we departed.
I fiddled with the ring on my hand.
Ordinary mana stones glowed amethyst, but this special stone—called Aeternum—held a strange crimson hue.
“No matter what, you must never remove that ring.”
The duke, watching me closely, spoke. I nodded.
“Of course. If I take it off…”
Vincente would immediately find me. And he would try to kill me.
‘If I’m lucky, he might kill me in one strike.’
The thought sent a chill down my spine.
I clenched my fist.
‘I must never take it off.’
‘And this…’
I pulled out the pendant I had kept safe in my bosom. It was what Countess Simorre had entrusted to me.
‘Is it really alright to deliver this?’
I worried it might cause needless turmoil.
The duke, noticing my troubled look, spoke.
“You seem burdened.”
“Ah…”
I turned toward him at the sudden words. His eyes held concern.
Hesitant, I began carefully.
“The truth is, someone entrusted me with something important to deliver. But I’m not sure if it’s right to give it to the person.”
I left out many details, unsure if I’d explained it properly.
When I looked at him, he was deep in thought. Then he asked:
“Is there any reason you shouldn’t deliver it? Any threat involved?”
“No, nothing like that. It’s more of… a matter of the heart, I guess.”
“Then the question is whether the receiver can accept it.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“If it were me, I would decide based on what that person means to me. If I trust them, I would give it. If not, I wouldn’t. What do you think?”
“I…”
I sank into thought.
‘What about Jack?’
The answer came quickly. I trusted Jack more than anyone.
Relieved, I lifted my head. The duke was watching me with steady eyes.
“Thank you. That helped.”
“Then I’m glad.”
He smiled at my reply.
I stared at him blankly. Sometimes it felt like the duke was a problem-solver sent to me—he listened warmly to my troubles and always gave me answers.
‘That’s why I rely on him so much.’
From small worries to the safety of the children.
‘If he weren’t here…’
I would’ve crumbled long ago. Life would have been far harsher.
Realizing that, I felt grateful for his presence. I spoke earnestly.
“Thank you. For everything.”
He looked a little taken aback at my sudden words, but I just smiled and turned away.
By then, the carriage had descended the mountain and was entering the capital.
“Then please get home safely. You’ve worked hard.”
I bowed to the duke after stepping down in front of the orphanage.
He looked at me quietly before speaking.
“You’ve worked hard as well. I’ll wait until you’re inside before leaving, so go on ahead.”
“You don’t need to…”
“It puts me at ease.”
Ever since Vincente cast a tracking spell on me, the duke’s protection had only grown stronger.
‘I barely managed to refuse when he wanted to assign guards.’
Right before departure, I had convinced him that with nullification magic and Ho-yeon present, there was no need.
Of course, having guards would’ve reassured me, too.
‘But it would inconvenience the children and Ho-yeon, and risk leaking something about Jack.’
If word reached the emperor, things would only grow more troublesome.
I glanced at the duke. When our eyes met, I deliberately smiled brighter.
“Then I’ll go in now. Safe travels.”
I bowed and entered the orphanage. Only after closing the gate did I hear the carriage depart.
“You’re back, miss.”
Sensing movement, Ho-yeon appeared.
“Yes, I’m back. Nothing happened overnight, right?”
It was just a routine question, but his expression was grave.
His unusual look made me stop mid-step and turn toward him.
“What’s wrong?”
“…It’s Jack. His condition isn’t good.”
