Chapter 3
Ulysse’s outrageous remark went on.
“From the day he seized the crown prince’s seat, the Empire turned into a bloodbath.” At his own words, Ulysse’s eyes were sunken low.
“Those who dared to go against him wind up dead. His hands are always stained with blood.”
That couldn’t be true. It was too unthinkable, so I pulled up all my strength and got up from my seat.
“You can’t get up yet!” I pushed myself to stand up despite his dissuasion.
“Navian!”
“Miss!”
The wrists that grazed the floor were sore. I only got up for a split second, but my legs trembled and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead.
“Lie down, quick!”
Ulysse came in an instant and hugged me. In a blink of an eye, my body was already returned to the bed.
“No, but….”
“Miss, uhuuh…please don’t die!”
My urgent words were completely hushed up among the cries of young maids whilst Ulysse delicately massaged my wrists with tears in his eyes.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. Your muscles are only startled. Trust me and put yourself at ease.”
‘Yes, but why are you looking at me like I’m about to die?’
“Oh Great Avita, please protect and take care of our miss…”
Eerily, Anna’s prayer sounded somewhat similar to an exorcism ritual now.
‘I only wanted to walk, that’s all.’
As the vice-general of the Knights, there was no way I was clueless of this body’s state. Her stamina was nearly depleted, her muscles were non-existent, and her strength was poor.
No matter how much I took a stroll or went on an outing, I highly doubt it was possible.
‘I’m not even exaggerating now.’
My head was tangled in a chaotic mess, so I laid down and closed my eyes.
I bet my whole life on Signus.
I swore to God that I would protect him.
It’s true, death was my own choice. But the fact that I lived right now was neither my will nor my fault.
Truth be told, I wanted to live. I wanted to avoid death.
Signus and Ayaran, my teacher, and the knight’s order. I wanted to live alongside my precious people. I sacrificed my life for a great cause and believed in Signus. I thought I could leave the rest to him.
‘But what have you become? A Tyrant?’
Such an amazing role, wasn’t it?
‘This is ridiculous.’
I shared 10 years of my life with him. I shouldn’t judge others by their words.
Did they say an aide sent by The Crown Prince was waiting?
‘Let’s see if I can ask the aide.’
Then I saw Ulysse and the maids were anxiously looking at me.
‘Same goes for these people.’
I wanted to confirm it myself, but my main obstacle was this weak body that couldn’t even walk. So I could only sigh at my helpless future.
“Are you surprised? Don’t worry, as long as you don’t go outside, you won’t bump into him.”
He wanted to prevent me from bumping into Signus at all cost.
‘Just how much has he changed?’
I couldn’t fully trust what they had said, nor could I imagine such a thing.
Because the Signus in my memory….
-Flashback-
“Li.”
Signus ran to me after my patrol duty.
“Did you return safely? Are you hurt anywhere?” He frowned as I shook my head.
“Let me see. You look tired. You look pale, and you have wrinkles on your white forehead.” He said, with a worried expression on his face.
“Just pick someone else to do the patrol.”
“Then what else should I do?” At my word, Signus’ golden eyes bent to half a moon.
“You have to stay by my side and protect me.”
“But you’re strong enough by yourself.”
“No way, I’m just the third prince.”
“Rather than that,” the gloomy-faced Signus grabbed my arm and murmured, “Can’t you just stay here?”
-End of flashback-
Thus, I closed my eyes quietly.
‘What am I going to do if I think of this? I can’t do anything right now.’
Not long after, I heard a kind voice from the bedside.
“Are you tired? Of course, you are. You’ve been through a lot.”
Then Ulysee opened his bag.
“Please wait. You need to take the medicine before you sleep…”
“Should I prepare the rice gruel?”
How timely!
“No, not rice gruel. I would like something that I can chew properly.”
My body has been troubling me, so I might collapse if I eat rice gruel.
***
“I’ve prepared your favorites as well today. Please eat a lot.”
I opened the lid, thinking it would be soft bread. And I’m at loss for words.
‘Is this grass?’
It was a dish full of grass.
‘Red grass, yellow grass, white grass, green grass…’
The color was different, but it was all grass. Furthermore, there was a small dish filled with clear honey, which made me even more wordless.
Anna, who saw me staring blankly at the dish, said.
“I want to give you something else, but I can’t help it. Except for vegetables, you’re allergic to fruits and raw food.”
My mouth dropped open.
You’re weak, and you’re allergic to something?
Come to think of it, Ulysse said something about it before. Her airways were swollen because of allergy, and she was put between life and death.
‘This isn’t right. It will take a lifetime to recover if you’re being picky with your food despite your impaired body.’
So I lifted my head while clasping my fork.
“Ulysse,”
“Just now…did you just call me?” He replied with a shocked face.
Of course. You were the only Ulysse here.
“Yes, tell me. I’ll listen to everything.”
Why did you have to make it as if I’m about to bequeath my final words? I was a little upset, but I forgave him as I had a request.
“Can you come up with a diet that suits me?”
“A diet?”
“Yes, please include everything that’s good for my body and remove everything that didn’t fit my body. You know my body better than I do, after all.” At my resolute words, Ulysse looked puzzled.
“That’s not a problem but…there are a lot of things you hate. You hate the texture of bread or meat, and you hate the fishy smell coming from an egg or dairy products.”
Only now I finally understood about this body’s state.
‘It’s only natural to get sick when you refuse to eat anything.’
I quickly regained my distorted face and asked sternly.
“I’m okay now. I don’t want to be picky about my food anymore.”
I opened my mouth, looking at my slender forearms.
“Now that I’m alive, I want to be healthy.”
The room fell into deep silence at my resolute voice.
“Yes, trust me. I’ll discuss it with the chef and prepare the best meal.”
Ulysse, whose eyes had turned moist, jumped up from his seat.
“I’ll be right back. Rest well!”
I made up my mind as I watched his disappearing back.
‘Let’s be healthy enough to walk.’
An average person who could take a walk, That was my current goal.
***
Elaine ran down the stairs from the room on the second floor.
‘Just how did you hold out running back and forth like this?’
Elaine, who was unable to fathom the butler’s mind, asked with a nervous look.
“Are you sure he’s not upset?”
“It seems so.”
“You never know. What if he pretends to be okay and rat on us later?”
“I’m sure it’ll be alright.”
Elaine, who went down like a madman, raised his head. There was someone standing at the end of the stairs.
The dragon insignia, the symbol of the empire, was stuck in his chest. He was the Crown Prince’s aide. At the sight, Elaine and the butler only looked at each other before whispering in low voices.
“Why is he waiting in here?”
“I’m not sure, either. I’m certain I’ve led him to the parlor.”
Elaine quickly arranged his disheveled clothes and greeted the guest.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Despite his lip service apology, the aide calmly responded.
“Pardon my discourtesy. It’s an urgent matter.”
How urgent it must be for him to wait on the stairs instead of the parlor. Then the aide spoke, as if he read Elaine’s mind.
“His Highness was looking for the Marquis, but you didn’t come, so I have come to find you in person. I beg your understanding.”
There was a subtlety in his word, which put the blame on the Marquis for making him come all this way.
‘Where do you want me to go when my daughter is in trouble? Anyway, I have to hear what urgent matter that you want to deliver since you came all the way here.’
“Then let’s go to the parlor and have a talk.”
Elaine’s attitude was very relaxed. Solely because his precious daughter was alive. Even if he was dealing with an aide of the Crown Prince who set this empire ablaze and turned it into a bloodbath, there was nothing to be afraid of.
“Please don’t trouble yourself .”
The aide put his hand on the Marquis’ arms.
“I’m here to deliver The Crown Prince’s edict to the Marquis.”
The splendid parchment paper with a brilliant golden seal.
“The head family of house Yeronimo, stand upright and listen to His Highness’ words with sincerity and fervency.”
Elaine hurriedly kneeled down at his words.
“I see The Sun of the Empire.”
Not only the butler, but also all the servants who were hiding in the mansion to witness the scene, bowed down. Because the handwritten letter of the ruler of Avita, was the same as facing him directly.
“Elaine Lu Yeronimo. I’m ready to hear His Highness’ words.”
The aide opened the parchment wide and read it out loud.
“By the order of Signus D. Avita, The Crown Prince of The Empire. The royal family will accept the esteemed daughter of Yeronimo as the Crown Princess.”
The servants were shocked. And Elaine’s head slowly rose.
“This is to return to the family who supported the Empire’s founder and my forefather, Creavo D. Avita, and a stepping stone to return the glory of the past.”
The aide lowered the parchment with an expressionless face. The aide’s voice swept the whole mansion like a typhoon and rendered everyone speechless.
“What does that mean….!”
Elaine’s vision became blurred before he was able to spit out a harsh curse. Instead of Elaine, the butler went closer to the aide and said,
“Pardon me, but right now, miss…”
The aide who was looking at the watch, cut him off.
“I’ve heard she’s awake.”
The butler’s level-headed face crumbled away in an instant.
“We’ll proceed with the engagement first. Marquis, please visit the palace and follow the procedure.”
The aide, still holding the parchment, looked at Elaine. His warning gaze made Elaine’s face distorted.
“I believe you’ll make a wise choice.”
Then the aide left the mansion. Elaine only looked up at the tightly closed room on the second floor.
“Navian…”
His voice trembled anxiously.