Chapter 104
“Under the Fireworks”
“How is his condition?”
“He’s past the critical point. But of course, he mustn’t overexert himself.”
The physician wiped thick beads of sweat from his forehead as he stood up.
Ban finally let out a sigh of relief when he saw Arthur’s face looking noticeably healthier compared to before.
But the physician, watching Ban’s relieved expression, suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him out of the room.
“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?” Ban asked, frowning.
The physician looked around carefully, making sure no one else was nearby, and then lowered his voice.
“Just one question.”
Ban nodded for him to continue, though his eyes narrowed with suspicion at the physician’s strange behavior.
After hesitating for a moment, the physician leaned close and asked:
“That noblewoman lying in the next room… who exactly is she?”
Ban’s gaze sharpened instantly.
“What do you mean by that question? Why are you asking?”
The physician, frustrated by Ban’s evasiveness, raised his voice.
“I managed to identify the poison that affected the knight and gave him an emergency antidote. That’s why he survived Girnen’s poison. But that woman in the other room—it’s not the same case.”
“What are you saying?”
“She’s been poisoned by something unknown for a very long time. More than half of her organs are already beyond saving.”
“…Poison?”
“Yes. Even if she never consumes more poison again, she won’t live longer than three months.”
Ban’s face hardened at the words.
He had mocked Edwin earlier, saying the Marquess must have done anything to kidnap her, but hearing this truth was different.
To poison a wife—someone he had lived with for over ten years—so badly that half her organs were destroyed?
And they even had a child together…
‘Ah… or maybe because she wasn’t really his daughter, he could go this far?’
Whatever the reason, one thing was clear: Crocan Piace was beyond redemption.
Ban’s eyes lingered briefly on the door where Anna was resting, then shifted back to the physician.
“Is there a way to cure her?”
The physician sighed. “Honestly, it’s almost impossible. Even the Emperor’s personal physician would struggle to guarantee anything.”
“This is an order from His Grace, the Grand Duke. No matter what, she must be saved.”
The physician groaned at Ban’s firm words. After biting his lips in thought, he cautiously spoke.
“For now, detoxifying her is the only option. But medicine alone won’t be enough. We’ll need help from the Mage Tower.”
“The Mage Tower?”
“Yes. There’s someone there skilled with magical medicines. He could identify the poison and make an antidote.”
“……”
“Of course, I’m not sure that arrogant Mage Tower will agree to help us.”
The physician sighed deeply, already feeling overwhelmed. But Ban’s face suddenly brightened.
Ban gave him a sly smile.
“If it’s the Mage Tower you’re worried about, then you don’t need to.”
“What?”
“I’ll make sure to discuss that part with His Grace.”
The physician stared, speechless. Did this man not know that the Tower Master had stormed out in anger at the Grand Duke not long ago?
Ban patted the physician’s shoulder.
“So please, make sure that knight and the lady survive the journey to Esperos. Don’t let them die on the road.”
“W-wait, Ban!”
“I’ll go report this to His Grace now.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Ban waved a hand and left.
The physician just stood there in shock, staring after him.
‘Does he not know… that the Tower Master left after being enraged at the Grand Duke?’
Completely baffled, the physician shook his head helplessly, then turned back and re-entered the room.
“When Mei told me, I thought this place would just be a little better than the others. But look! You can see the whole town from here! Do you see it? It feels like the fireworks will be right in front of us.”
Unlike the other spots where the castle towers blocked the view, the bell tower offered a completely open panorama.
I gazed at the wide, refreshing scenery, and Calliere, who had followed me up, smiled faintly.
“You’re right. I never knew there was such a perfect place in the Grand Duke’s castle to watch fireworks.”
“I should thank Mei. She recommended a spot even Your Grace didn’t know about.”
At my teasing, Calliere chuckled with mischief.
“Should I give her a reward then?”
“That wouldn’t be bad. Ah—could you help me up here?”
I pointed to the stone railing that came up to my waist. Calliere frowned with worry.
“That looks dangerous.”
“It’ll be better to sit. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”
At my stubbornness, he reluctantly lifted me onto the railing. I patted the space beside me.
“Would you like to sit too?”
“So this was your plan all along.”
Smiling at my playful grin, Calliere shook his head and hopped up next to me.
The scenery before us was breathtaking.
Colorful lanterns lined the streets, and tents scattered around looked like pieces of cut paper tossed in the wind. The sound of laughter drifted through the air like music.
“Peaceful, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.”
The sun had just set, leaving the sky painted with shades of blue, red, and yellow. It felt like we had been given a gift—an unexpected moment of beauty before the fireworks.
I couldn’t help speaking softly.
“Come to think of it, I always thought my plans never worked out the way I wanted. Even today—who would’ve guessed I’d end up watching fireworks from the bell tower with Your Grace?”
“True.”
Hearing his quiet laugh, I turned my head toward him.
“At first, I hated when things didn’t go as planned—when unexpected troubles appeared, or when I had to face unforeseen dangers.”
“……”
“But now… it feels a little different. Facing the unexpected, meeting moments I never imagined…”
“……”
“If everything had gone according to my plans, I wouldn’t be here with you, waiting for fireworks. I wouldn’t be seeing this beautiful view either.”
“……”
“So I think it’s okay now, even if things don’t always follow my plans. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll stop making them.”
At that, Calliere’s warm laugh reached my ears. I smiled and continued.
“And earlier today, when we brought the puppies from the village…”
“…?”
“You told me that you’d guard me yourself, and the puppies would guard my smile.”
“I did.”
His voice was quiet, as if remembering.
I looked at him gently.
“From the moment I heard those words, I wanted to tell you this: you don’t need to ask the puppies. As long as you’re by my side, my smile will never fade.”
Night had fully fallen.
The faint sunlight that lit his face vanished, leaving his crimson eyes glowing dark like the night sky.
“In Babylon Forest, that week we spent together—I pretended it was awkward, but in truth, I loved it. My heart trembled at your confession, and when you asked me to stay with you, I wanted to say yes right away. But back then, I didn’t have the courage. Asking you to hold my hand was the best I could do.”
“……”
“But the more time I spend with you, the more I want to stay by your side. Just as you said you’d protect me, I want to protect you too.”
“……”
“That’s why I don’t want to hide behind you anymore. I want to walk beside you, hand in hand.”
From the distance, voices began to count down for the fireworks.
I met his deepened gaze and whispered:
“I love you, Cal.”
“……”
“Maybe I’ve loved you for a very long time already.”
And just then—bang, bang—fireworks exploded across the sky in brilliant colors.
I closed my eyes as his lips met mine.
Under the dazzling fireworks, the kiss we shared was one I knew I could never forget for the rest of my life.
