Chapter 91 ….
“A note?”
“Here, take it. Read it.”
She took the note out of the wrapping cloth and handed it to Richard.
He read it with a calm expression, then let out a long sigh.
Afterward, shaking his head, he handed the note back to me.
“This is a reply meant for me.”
“A reply? You were the one who sent a note to Ricardo first?”
“On the day of the debutante ball, I went to the palace too. I left a note in Ricardo’s room then.”
“Wha…?”
Without realizing it, my face hardened. Surprised by my reaction, Richard quickly offered an apology.
“Sorry for not telling you beforehand. But I knew you would definitely oppose it if I told you.”
“Of course! No wonder both Ricardo and the Empress seemed so certain that you were in Valienor. I was the only fool caught off guard.”
“No, sister. They’ve actually known for a long time that I was in Valienor.”
“What?”
“How many families do you think could hide the Crown Prince from Eldrian and Nepirion? Besides, the assassins chasing me disappeared near Valienor. Even without physical proof, they probably had their suspicions.”
“That may be true… but sneaking into the palace just over a single note was reckless.”
At my scolding, Richard made an awkward face and confessed with a sigh.
“Honestly, the note to Ricardo was bait, and I had something to check in his room.”
“What was it?”
“Ricardo’s records about the southern desert. Just before I was deposed, he went alone to the desert under the pretext of training. He was curious about what he saw there.”
“Mikhail? Why would he care about that?”
“I don’t know either. Anyway, I memorized the records and gave them to Mikhail. It’s written in an ancient language like a code, so we haven’t deciphered it yet. I doubt Mikhail knows either.”
“…Hmm.”
I gave Richard a disapproving look and asked, pressing him.
“Fine. I won’t ask more about that. Just tell me what note you sent to Ricardo.”
“I told him I’m doing well and that he should forget me and live well. Oh, and that I hope he becomes a great emperor too.”
“…?”
What the hell does that mean?
Why are these half-brothers, fighting over the throne, being so affectionate? Neither of them seems normal.
Or maybe… this is what’s normal? Maybe my idea of sibling relationships is just too bleak.
By the way, this guy doesn’t seem interested in actually becoming emperor. What is he planning to be when he grows up? A big cat?
My chaotic thoughts left me speechless.
Taking advantage of the silence, Richard tried to diffuse the situation with an innocent smile and his most charming look.
For a cat, his behavior was surprisingly snake-like.
“Sis… I won’t do dangerous things anymore. Don’t worry. I’ll never go meet Ricardo again.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then at least tell me the exact same time and place as before.”
“It’s the place where we watched the sunrise last time. The time is before 9 a.m., when the morning schedule starts.”
“Got it. If you disappear, I’ll come find you immediately.”
“That won’t happen. Don’t worry.”
I exhaled and finally recalled the original flow of the conversation.
I had completely forgotten about the Nepirion Spring because of the note.
“So, why did Ricardo tell us not to go near Nepirion Spring?”
“Knowing Ricardo, I’m sure his warning was sincere. But people can change depending on the situation, so I can’t be certain.”
“Alright, I get it. I’m tired. Let’s sleep and think about it later.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve talked properly, sister, so I want to keep talking. But since you look tired, I’ll hold back.”
Richard whined cutely for a moment, then transformed into a cat and snuggled into my arms.
I held the warm bundle of fur and quickly fell asleep.
Am I dreaming again? This feels so real…
Why is Ariel’s body in front of my eyes?
I jolted awake, aghast at this impossible situation.
I was floating above, looking down at Ariel’s body, as if having an out-of-body experience.
At first, thinking it was a dream, I remained calm, but it didn’t feel like a dream.
Ariel was lying in bed exactly as she had fallen asleep yesterday, and Liri was also quietly nestled in her arms.
‘Liri!’
I called out her name as loudly as I could, but no sound came.
Finally realizing the seriousness of the situation, I desperately called out everyone’s names.
“Father! Jeremiah! Davina! Mikhail! Hayden! Someone, please hear me! Damn it!!”
I reached out, trying to return to my body, but it pushed me away like two magnets of the same polarity.
Waves of unease crashed over me.
Could it be… she’s dead? Am I going to witness her soul being guided to the other world by the reaper?
Just as despair overwhelmed me, Liri awoke with a start, as if from a nightmare.
Her golden eyes scanned my face. Her soft little cat paw tapped my arm.
But my arm fell helplessly onto the bed.
“Mya!! Myaa!! Myaaaa!!!!”
At Liri’s frantic cries, the door flung open as if anticipating this moment.
“Liri! What’s wrong?”
“Nua! Nuaaa!!”
“Why, sister?!”
“What’s happening to her?!”
“Myaa!! Mya!!”
“Davina, go quickly and call Father and Mikhail. Hayden too!”
At Jeremiah’s words, the pale Davina disappeared in an instant.
Soon after, three men burst into my room faster than the wind.
“Jeremiah! What’s going on?”
“Father! Something’s wrong with sister again! It doesn’t look like she’s just asleep this time!”
Hayden approached Ariel’s body with a serious expression, bypassing the pale Meterio.
He placed two fingers on her neck, wrist, and the tip of her nose, letting out a deep sigh.
“Hayden! How is Ariel?”
“She’s not in immediate danger… but treatment is urgent. We should have the children step out first.”
“Jeremiah, Davina, go outside.”
The children reluctantly left, their anxious eyes fixed on Ariel.
After Mikhail closed the door, Hayden placed his hand on Ariel’s forehead and spoke calmly.
“Duke, have you heard of a catatonic state?”
Meterio’s knees buckled at Hayden’s words. Mikhail quickly approached to support him.
“Does this mean Ariel is… dead?”
“No, no. Not dead. She’s in a catatonic state. Haven’t you heard of this condition in high-ranking mages?”
Meterio’s eyes widened. I was equally shocked, listening intently to Hayden’s explanation.
“A high-ranking mage cannot die as long as their innate magic remains, even if their body ceases to function. Just like the ancient Nephertians.”
“You mean like the Nephertians’ catatonia?”
“Yes. Her soul is likely wandering near her body. She might even be observing the situation now.”
‘Right, Hayden! I’m here!’
I silently thanked Hayden for accurately assessing my state, though he couldn’t hear me.
Meterio’s head turned sharply, scanning the room. Yet he couldn’t see me, right beside him.
“So she can be brought back to life?”
“Once her body is stabilized, her soul will naturally return. But if the body’s problem isn’t solved before her magic fades…”
Hayden trailed off, and a heavy silence filled the room.
Even without finishing, the grim conclusion was clear to everyone:
Ariel’s death.
A conclusion no one could speak aloud.
“How can we save Ariel? What’s the problem? Mikhail, Hayden, say something!”
Meterio’s voice, soaked in grief, fell hopelessly.
Meanwhile, Hayden and Mikhail remained relatively composed.
“Duke, stay focused. Her body was unstable from the start. She possesses the potential of a high-ranking mage but hasn’t manifested it properly. This could happen.”
“So this is why she’s in trouble?”
“That’s the first possibility. Her body couldn’t handle the magic and went into a sort of strike. In this case, only Nepiti-exclusive treatment will work. A simple shake won’t be enough.”
“Hayden, what’s the second possibility?”
“She could have been poisoned. A highly sophisticated toxin, one I might not even detect. She went to the Empress’ palace yesterday. She didn’t drink anything there, did she?”
“She definitely drank nothing.”
“Then the first possibility seems more likely. We should take her to Lapas immediately.”
“There’s one more method.”
Meterio’s desperate voice lowered. Hayden and Mikhail looked at him, wary.
Hayden cautiously spoke.
“Duke, you don’t mean Nepirion Spring, do you?”
