Chapter 19
“Can you actually recognize what this is? That’s amazing. No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t resemble a human being at all…”
The Duke tilted the drawing this way and that, examining it from various angles.
Watching his expression, I recalled Alicia’s reaction.
‘How on earth did you figure out what that drawing was?’
‘I just knew at a glance… Didn’t you, Alicia?’
‘Of course not! They’re both just yellow blobs—how is one a cat and the other a troublemaker? I don’t get the standard at all!’
Was the drawing really that bad?
Why couldn’t other people recognize it? I didn’t understand.
“Anyway, I was kind of in a tight spot when I got caught saying any yellow blob must be me. But thanks to you, I was saved.”
When the Duke asked me to look after Miss Bell whenever she brings a drawing, I nodded.
“But… are you two close? The Duchess didn’t seem to think so…”
“She just doesn’t want to understand. That woman thinks it’s only natural for me to hate the child.”
“Why?”
“Good question. I wonder why?”
The Duke smiled with his eyes and then suddenly changed the subject with an unexpected question.
“But Airy, have you ever thought about finding your parents?”
“Me? Hmm… not really…”
When Grandma’s treatment bills were urgent, I had wished for rich birth parents to suddenly show up. But aside from that, the thought never seriously crossed my mind.
“If I ever do find them… I’d want to wait until Grandma gets better, then introduce her as the person who raised me so well. That’s all I really want for now.”
“I see. Got it. Then here’s a gift for that Airy.”
The Duke handed me a letter envelope.
“What’s this?”
“A letter from the capital.”
And it really was a wonderful gift.
“Grandma has arrived safely in the capital.”
To Airy Unnie,
Unnie, it’s me, Daisy. You’re doing well, right?
It feels like we just left Pennington yesterday, but when I came to my senses, ten whole days had already passed. It was my first time on such a long journey, and I was nervous the entire time, but thankfully, Grandma and I arrived safely in the capital.
Grandma was admitted to the magic clinic yesterday morning and started treatment today. Everything moved smoothly thanks to the letter of introduction the Duke gave us.
The doctor said Grandma’s condition is quite serious, so it won’t be cured right away. She’ll need at least half a year of treatment.
Still, they said if she receives steady care, she’ll recover completely—and that they’ll make sure nothing bad happens, if only for the Duke’s sake. Isn’t that such a relief?
Maybe because of the letter of introduction, I was also given a place to stay, even as her caregiver. Apparently, the VIP ward assigns a professional caregiver by default.
Thanks to that, I think I’ll be able to pick up some extra work here and there. Grandma’s introduction also helped me get a sewing job at a dress shop.
I used to think Pennington was a pretty big city, but the capital is so much bigger and busier that I’m still scared to go outside alone.
But now that I’ve come all the way here, I want to try doing whatever I can.
I’ll write again once there’s progress with Grandma’s treatment. For now, we’re doing fine, so don’t worry about us.
I believe you’re doing well too, Unnie. But if anything’s troubling you, please don’t hesitate to tell me. We may be far apart now, but I can still listen anytime.
I’ll be waiting for your reply. Until then, stay healthy and well.
—Daisy
After reading Daisy’s letter twice, even three times, I pulled out a piece of paper and began writing my reply.
To Daisy,
I received your letter well. Thank you so much for the good news. I’m really glad that you and Grandma are safe and doing well.
I’m also doing fine here. I was worried helping the Duke might be too hard, but thankfully, I’ve met some good people.
Yesterday, I became friends with the Duke’s little sister. She just turned five this year, and her name is Veronica. She’s really pretty—she takes after the Duke. Or more accurately, the Duchess, I suppose.
Miss Bell really loves drawing. To me, it looks pretty decent, but I guess others don’t think so.
Every time she draws something new, she shows it to me. When I guess what it is, she lifts her chin proudly—it’s so cute.
We’re going to meet again tomorrow to play together. For the time being, I think I’ll be playing the “guess what Bell drew” game a lot.
Once I get closer to her, I’ll ask her to draw a picture of me and send it to you. I wonder how you and Grandma will see Miss Bell’s drawing?
I’m already looking forward to your reactions. Honestly, I’d love to carry this letter and go straight to the capital, but I think that’s not possible for now.
Still, I truly am doing fine here, so don’t worry!
Daisy, I hope you meet good people in the capital and spend joyful days.
Even though you left for a strange place without knowing anyone, I hope it becomes a new opportunity for you.
If you ever feel uncomfortable or have any trouble, just tell me honestly. Like you said, we may be far apart, but we can still talk through letters!
I’ll be waiting for your reply.
Wishing luck to you and Grandma.
—Airy
“The weather’s really gloomy today…”
Looking up at the sky filled with pitch-black storm clouds, Marquis Penian let out a deep sigh.
“I thought we’d finally have some clear days…”
Summer had long passed, taking its storms and monsoons with it. But the dark clouds rooted in Pennington’s skies seemed to disperse briefly, only to quickly gather again and block out the sun.
The cause was clear: the lingering resentment of the water dragon that had died long ago in Pennington.
After massacring tens of thousands of innocent people, the beast had the nerve to leave a curse on this land as it perished.
As a result, Pennington overflowed with water energy. The skies darkened with clouds, and the land began turning into a swamp.
Pennington wasn’t the only place tainted by such resentment. In the lands where the fire and earth dragons had fallen, lava bubbled up, water dried out, and the ground cracked.
Thus, the First Emperor—who had slain all three evil dragons and was called a hero—sought help from the spirit of the World Tree.
The spirit agreed and birthed three sacred beasts from the fruits hanging on the World Tree’s branches.
The three comrades who aided the emperor in defeating the dragons were granted dukedoms and became contractors of the sacred beasts. Each took charge of the cursed lands as their own domain.
The first Duke of Rudian came to Pennington with the Fire Sacred Beast. The Fire Beast not only suppressed the water energy by its mere presence but also evaporated the moisture from the ground and scattered the clouds above.
But it couldn’t completely purify the evil dragon’s grudge—it could only suppress it. Until the grudge is truly cleansed, the sacred beast remained essential.
Unfortunately, when its contractor died, the sacred beast would die too—as if following in their master’s footsteps.
Luckily, within a month or at most half a year, a new sacred beast would be born, form a contract with the new Duke, and suppress the grudge once more.
Over the centuries, the Duke of Rudian and the Fire Sacred Beast had protected Pennington through countless crises. It was only possible because they had always been together, no matter the generation.
But now, with the Fire Sacred Beast murdered and no successor born, Pennington’s peace was trembling to its roots.
