Chapter 7: Farewell

The deep night, where even the moonlight had grown faint.

Exhausted, Renate and Fiona returned to the villa with heavy steps.

Today too, was a fruitless endeavor.

They couldn’t find even a shadow of the legendary medicinal herb.

“Renate, try to smooth out your expression. If you go in with a face like that, Her Highness will only become more anxious.”

Fiona advised softly from her side.

“…Yes, you’re right, Fiona. Haaah… But it’s not easy to hide my emotions.”

Renate sighed deeply, rubbing her dry face.

Feeling hope gradually disappear was a terrible agony.

“Well… I suppose it can’t be helped. There’s not much we can do either.”

Fiona, too, couldn’t hide her bitterness.

The mysterious medicinal herb, whose name was unclear and whose descriptions of appearance varied wildly.

The guild’s alchemists had all dismissed it as mere rumor, a waste of time, but there was nowhere else to turn.

But time was not on Anya’s side.

Her life was fading away with each passing day.

“…Just as Her Highness’s mother passed away without receiving proper care simply because her status was lowly, I cannot let Her Highness end her life so futilely. Absolutely not…”

Renate’s voice was laced with grief and anger.

“Renate…”

“Her Highness is someone who… might bring a new light to this rotten empire. Yet, merely because… merely because her mother was of low birth, it’s as if it’s natural for her to contract such a terrible illness…! How can the gods be so heartless…!”

Thinking of her young master suffering amidst the cold neglect and indifference of the imperial palace, Renate felt as if her heart was burning.

Carrying such heavy hearts, they arrived in front of the villa and stopped, met with an unexpected sight.

Bright light was leaking from beyond the villa’s windows.

Normally, at this hour, all lights should have been extinguished for Anya’s health, and the villa submerged in silence.

Furthermore, since her condition had worsened to the point of coughing up blood yesterday, she should have been resting even earlier.

“…It seems your disciple isn’t doing his job properly. Instead of ensuring Her Highness rests early…”

Renate said, her voice a mixture of suspicion and displeasure.

“Renate, I know you’re upset, but don’t be unreasonable. Logan isn’t that kind of kid.”

Fiona retorted firmly.

“…We’ll know if it’s unreasonable or not when we go inside.”

Renate opened the villa door with a stern expression.

And the next moment, they froze on the spot, doubting their eyes at the scene unfolding before them.

Anya was sitting on the living room sofa.

However, her appearance was completely different from that of the dying patient just a day before.

Her pale cheeks now had a healthy color, and her eyes overflowed with vitality.

And she was…

“Ahaha! So what happened to that goblin, Logan?”

“Ah, after that, I immediately…”

…sitting opposite Logan, laughing brightly and chatting cheerfully.

She looked so energetic it was hard to believe she had been ill for a long time.

---

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Renate? And Fiona, too. You both worked very hard today.”

Anya noticed the two people standing at the door and greeted them with a radiant smile.

That smile was not the weak, faint smile of before.

It was a bright, healthy laugh, stemming from genuine feeling.

However, Renate, rather than accepting the change with joy, approached Anya with eyes full of shock and suspicion.

“Wh-what in the world is going on! Your Highn— No, Lady Anya!”

Renate asked in an agitated voice, unaware of it herself.

And her gaze naturally fell upon the half-empty fruit basket on the table.

Wild strawberries and berries remained in the basket.

“Surely… you haven’t eaten such things? I told you how careful you must be! Such lowly things, whose effect on your body is unknown…!”

Renate’s eyes glinted with killing intent as she looked towards Logan.

She was enraged at the thought that those things might have worsened Anya’s health.

“How dare you scoundrel recommend such trivial things to Her Ladyship?!”

With a menacing aura, as if she would draw the sword at her waist and strike Logan’s neck at any moment, Fiona hastily stepped in front of Renate, trying to calm her down.

“Hey, Renate! Calm down! Why are you trying to attack someone without even hearing the full story!”

“Move aside, Fiona! Even if it’s you, I will no longer tolerate you shielding this brat!”

A touch-and-go situation.

Tense suspense enveloped the living room.

Just then.

Anya’s calm yet dignified voice resonated.

“Renate.”

“!!!”

At that single word, Renate froze on the spot as if under a spell.

Then, she reflexively knelt on one knee and bowed her head.

Logan and Fiona were momentarily startled by the completely different aura emanating from Anya.

It was not the appearance of a frail girl, but that of someone with noble status and innate authority.

Anya glanced briefly at the two slightly bewildered individuals, then calmly continued speaking to Renate.

“To show such rashness, attempting to condemn another before I even explain the situation. That is unlike you, Renate.”

“…I apologize. However…!”

“Enough. I will not tolerate any further disrespect. Can you not see my current state?”

“…That is…”

Renate lifted her head and looked at Anya again.

Her appearance had changed to an almost unbelievable extent.

Could a person change this much in just half a day?

Anya, who had struggled to breathe, was now nowhere to be seen; she had regained clear eyes and a healthy complexion.

To Renate, who was confused by the incomprehensible situation, Logan cautiously began to speak.

“Ah, Lady Renate. I apologize, but may I explain for a moment? It seems that Anya… no, Lady Anya, has had too little intake of vita… I mean, vegetables or fruits.”

“…What did you say?”

Renate’s brow furrowed at Logan’s words.

He pondered for a moment how to explain.

This world likely had no concept like vitamins.

He concocted a suitable story to explain it in a way they could easily understand.

“Actually… I once heard a story from an old herbalist I met by chance while carrying out a request.”

“He said that if one doesn’t eat fresh vegetables or fruits for a long time, one can become weak and contract an illness that causes bleeding.”

“Lady Anya’s symptoms were so similar to the story I heard then… so on the off chance, I took the liberty of gathering berries from the forest for her.”

“I sincerely apologize for not consulting you beforehand.”

While listening to Logan’s explanation, Renate’s face grew progressively paler.

Past memories flashed through her mind.

‘…Maintaining her figure… a meager diet… meals centered on grains… salted meat… Yes, vegetables or fruits were almost… no, completely absent…’

When her health deteriorated, why hadn’t she suspected the diet?

She had only considered the possibility of poisoning, and since no toxins were detected, she hadn’t suspected anything.

She had never imagined that nutritional imbalance could be induced in this way to slowly lead to death.

To think it was a cunning plot to slowly take Anya’s life without leaving a trace.

‘Ah… How could I have been so foolish and ignorant…!’

Renate trembled at her own ignorance.

It was merely an excuse that none of the imperial physicians or scholars had advised her about such basic nutritional imbalances.

She reproached herself for having allowed Anya to consume such an absurd diet without suspicion.

She had the means to save Anya right beside her but failed to recognize it, instead wandering in search of a non-existent legendary herb.

“…I am truly sorry… Due to my ignorance…!”

Renate prostrated herself on the floor, sobbing and apologizing to Anya.

And she also bowed deeply towards Logan.

“And Logan… I am truly ashamed before you as well. For my rashness, I misunderstood and threatened you… I am truly sorry…”

At Renate’s sincere apology, Logan was rather flustered and waved his hands.

“I-it’s alright, Lady Renate! I think it’s natural that you misunderstood!”

“Yes. Renate… Without you, I would not have been able to endure life in the imperial palace. So please, don’t blame yourself too much.”

Anya also comforted Renate.

As Renate was too overcome with emotion to speak, Fiona interjected as if to lighten the mood.

“Now, now! Anyway, it’s all resolved well, isn’t that good? Enough of that… So, Logan, can our young lady’s health be completely restored now? Are you sure?”

“Yes, Fiona. I heard from that old man that if she consistently consumes fresh fruits and vegetables, she can fully recover in 2 to 3 weeks, or even within a week if it’s fast.”

At Logan’s confident answer, bright hope bloomed once more on Anya’s and Renate’s faces.

Fiona listened to Logan’s words and thought to herself.

‘Hmm… He wouldn’t have received a request from an old herbalist who would tell such a story… This kid?’

However, she didn’t bother to delve into Logan’s words.

Whatever reason he had for concocting such a story, the fact was that Anya’s condition had noticeably improved, and that alone was enough.

“Really? That’s great! Then we can worry a little less now. Logan, you should head back now too. It’s gotten too late, hasn’t it?”
“Ah…”

Logan hesitated for a moment at Fiona’s words.

Looking at the clock, it was indeed very late.

But for some reason, he felt Anya looking at him with what seemed like disappointed eyes, making it difficult to leave.

Anya, as if noticing Logan’s feelings, forced a smile and said.

“Yes, Logan… It’s late, so please head back. And…”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Truly… truly… thank you…”

Clear tears welled up in Anya’s clear red eyes.

Seeing that, Logan felt a pang in his heart and respectfully bowed his head.

“Not at all. Rather, I am only sorry that I didn’t realize it sooner.”

“Not at all! That’s not true at all! Thanks to Logan, I…”

‘…was saved.’

Anya couldn’t bring herself to utter those words.

The moment she said it, she felt it would place too great a burden on this boy.

And… she felt she might cling to him like a child, begging him not to leave her side even for a moment.

Anya struggled to compose her emotions and spoke again.

“…Anyway… please go home safely… And tomorrow… you can come, right?”

“Yes, of course. I will come every day until the request is over.”

“Yes… Then, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes… Well then…”

Logan turned and left the villa.

Anya watched him disappear through the window for a long time.

Fiona and Renate watched the two of them.

Fiona quietly nudged Renate and whispered.

“Hey, Renate. Manage your expression a bit.”

Renate replied, unable to take her worried gaze off Anya.

“B-but… that look…”

“I told you not to worry. How many times do I have to say it? The kind of thing you’re worried about will never happen. That kid already has someone.”

“No… What I’m worried about right now isn’t Logan…”

Renate couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence and fixed her gaze on Anya, who was still wistfully looking out the window.

Because Anya’s eyes clearly held emotions beyond simple gratitude.

---

A week later.

Thanks to the fresh fruits and berries Logan brought every day, Anya’s health recovered at an astonishing speed.

Color returned to her pale cheeks, and she improved noticeably.

Having regained her strength, she could now even take light strolls in the villa garden.

Healthy Anya enjoyed increasingly joyful conversations with Logan each day and spent happy times together.

However, contrary to her wishes, now that she was healthy, she could no longer stay in such a rural place.

Therefore, one day, Logan was suddenly informed by Renate that today was the last day of the request.

“Today is the last day?”

Logan asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

The time spent with Anya had been special for him too.

“That is correct.”

Renate replied in a calm voice.

Her face, instead of its previous anxiety and impatience, was filled with relief and gratitude.

“You’ve worked very hard during this time. And…”

Renate stood before Logan and bowed deeply, showing a knight’s respect.

“I sincerely thank you, Logan. I will never forget this debt of gratitude.”

“Ah, no! I merely fulfilled the request…”

Logan, flustered, tried to help her up.

However, Renate maintained her posture and continued.

“No. The kindness you have shown us is by no means light. I will surely repay this debt. Whatever you desire…”

“It’s truly alright, Lady Renate. I have already received more than enough, not only the request fee but also additional payment. I desire nothing more.”

Logan sincerely declined.

Renate was once again impressed by his humble and selfless attitude.

‘…He truly is an amazing boy.’

Even if he didn’t know Anya’s true identity, even if she was just a noble lady, he could have demanded a much larger reward.

He could have demanded a fortune for saving her life.

But instead, he tried to decline even the additional payment, saying it was too much.

Therefore, Renate realized further persuasion was pointless and offered a heartfelt blessing instead.

“……Alright. If that is truly your wish, I will not insist. I pray that your path ahead is filled with good fortune.”

“Thank you, Lady Renate.”

“Um, by the way… Anya… no, Lady Anya… has she already left?”

Logan asked cautiously.

He had wanted to say a final goodbye, but he couldn’t see her at all.

“Ah… I apologize. News of the young lady’s complete recovery reached her family, and they contacted us to return as soon as possible.”
“Unfortunately, she left early this morning. However, she earnestly asked me to convey her gratitude to you.”

“Ah… I see…”

Logan couldn’t hide his disappointment but soon accepted it calmly.

“Then… please convey my regards as well. I wish her continued health.”

“…Yes, I will surely tell her. Then, I shall take my leave as well. And Fiona, I owe you a great deal too.”

Renate also gave a brief farewell to Fiona.

“Hmph, this much is nothing. If you need help again next time, feel free to contact me anytime. Of course, finding this kid, Logan, would be faster and more certain than finding me!”

Fiona said playfully, patting Logan’s shoulder.

“Ouch! Fiona, again!”

Watching the two bicker, Renate chuckled genuinely for the first time since arriving here and began to walk away.

Trudge, trudge…

A short distance from the villa, a sturdy, though not extravagant, carriage was waiting.

When Renate boarded the carriage, Anya was already inside, sitting and gazing out the window.

“…Truly… are you sure you don’t need to say a final goodbye, Your Highness?”

Renate asked cautiously.

No matter how one looked, her face was full of lingering attachment.

“…Yes. If I didn’t… I wouldn’t have the courage to leave. Perhaps… I might have even pestered you, Renate, to just stay and live here.”

Anya’s voice trembled faintly.

“……”

Renate couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

She even thought that perhaps doing so might be a happier path for Anya.

Here, where there were peaceful and warm people, even if they had nothing, rather than the imperial palace where dirty and hideous conspiracies lurked…

However, Anya, as if reading Renate’s mind, spoke, her red eyes flashing.

“…But I can’t run away like this. The fact that I suffered like this… means my deceased mother also…”

Her voice contained strong anger and determination along with sadness.

“…Yes, I know, Your Highness.”

“…Then, please depart at once.”

“Yes. I will obey your command.”

Thus, the carriage carrying them slowly began to move.

Anya silently shed tears as she watched the receding villa and village scenery from the window.

In truth, she wanted to reveal Logan’s identity and force him to go to the imperial palace with her.

She wanted to keep him by her side and monopolize his tenderness and warmth forever.

But she couldn’t.

Because she knew all too well how much he cherished the girl named Irene, and how devotedly he lived for her.

She couldn’t ruin his life with her selfish desires.

Drip…

She didn’t even think to wipe the tears streaming down her cheeks.

‘Please… stay healthy, Logan…’

‘Thank you. Truly… I… I will never forget your warmth…’

‘Someday… even if it’s in the very distant future, if we can meet again…’

‘If, at that time… the place beside you is empty…’

‘Then… surely…’

Anya smiled faintly even amidst her flowing tears, deeply cherishing in her heart the day they might meet again.