episode_0069

Northern Territory in November.

Logan Winterfell, looking down on my land as the moon arrives, preparing for winter as everything that had melted freezes solid.

He was standing by the window, holding a wine glass in his hand.

It had been a long time since he had been drinking wine, having never had time to drink a glass of wine due to his busy official duties and the many responsibilities he had to bear as the king of the snowfield.

It had been over 80 days.

Eighty days had already passed since the day when the decision to uphold the family tradition, and the complacent assistance that was not done with a little more caution, brought about the worst outcome.

also.

This meant that the search had been unsuccessful for 80 days.

[Please, don’t come looking for me. I’ve lost someone precious to me twice. I don’t want to lose or hurt anyone anymore.]

Lemian, who fled from the siege that night like Daron Kellid, leaving behind a note.

The moment he received the urgent note from Gelwood, he saw his daughter galloping away through the window on horseback, but he did not give chase.

If Lumiang can’t accomplish what he sets his mind to, he withers away.

It may have been a curse, but I had no intention of blaming him for something he couldn’t control.

From the moment he stopped wanting to go to the academy, Lumiang had been suffering from anxiety, and the one thing he wanted to delve into was Lumiang’s obsession with it, even to the point of losing sleep.

It must have been an extreme obsession that had resulted from having to learn how to hide since infancy due to the curse of the chieftain of monsters, and having to spend his entire life hidden in the shadows, so Logan had no intention of rebuking him for that.

The pain of having to live hiding your name and face without even knowing English, and having to swallow loneliness while others were laughing together in the sunshine, must have been incalculable.

Looking back now, I wonder if the curse had already started a long time ago and was driving my daughter into a corner.

That’s why I didn’t catch it.

Even if they had held him back by force, Lumiang would have suffered in the place where he was held.

Just like back then.

And if a massive search reveals that even the note’s plea has been rejected, Lumiang will go into hiding even deeper.

Into a deep pit from which there is no escape, from which there is no return.

So, I had no choice but to follow quietly.

This is Lumiang, who has lived in hiding all his life.

It was my daughter who had to learn how to hide earlier than anyone else, and the secret method she had naturally acquired was making tracking her difficult.

-dripping.

“Come in.”

Gelwood nodded as he entered the office following the knock on the door.

Logan asked, looking out the window at his land where the tranquil night’s peace had found its way.

“Is there any progress?”

“They say they found the horse that Princess Le Miang rode.”

“… I guess there was no Lumiang.”

“Yes.”

Still, there was one reason why he was carefully following Lumiang.

It was to correct what was written on the note: ‘I lost someone precious.’

If that loss was the deciding factor in your decision to run away, it was to show you that you don’t have to.

“Derron, that guy.”

“He was discovered in Eltorn Village, but it is said that he threw himself down the waterfall. His body was not found downstream, so he seems to be still alive.”

“That insolent bastard must be captured alive. I will rip his mouth off myself.”

“Okay.”

A guy who betrayed expectations even though he was given a chance.

It would be okay to execute them summarily by hunting them down rather than capturing them alive, but it would be impossible to make a hasty judgment or judge them before examining their crimes.

Because, aside from the postmortem testimony of the guards who arrived late, there was no clear witness or evidence of the crimes that were secretly committed that night.

That’s why it was Logan who asked again.

“What about the maid?”

“Your body is slowly starting to respond. Lord Demir says you may wake up in a few days.”

“Is that so… .”

[chambermaid]

She was a maid who had personally experienced the sin of that night, and whose pulse, which had been lost, miraculously returned just before she was sentenced to death.

Unfortunately, Lumiang had already left.

If that maid were to awaken, it would more than prove Deron’s guilt, and it would also relieve my youngest daughter of the guilt she was forced to endure.

That is why Logan Winterfell was using the best medical supplies in the Northern Territory and even had his own personal doctor to help revive Marien, the exclusive handmaiden of Lumiang.

“Hmm… … .”

Logan sighed and took another sip of wine.

**

Lumiang lay there blankly for a while, unable to believe that he had woken up.

I couldn’t believe that I had finally fallen into a deep sleep, so I stared blankly at the sky for a while.

I sat there blankly for a while, unable to believe the warmth that enveloped my skin.

I sat there blankly for a while, unable to believe the sound of a bonfire burning.

and.

I stared at the face in front of me for a long time, unable to believe it.

Before I closed my eyes, I clearly saw the face of a messenger I thought was the guardian of death, but when I opened my eyes and looked again, it was the face of Elden Raphelion.

The pitch-black hair that looked like it had been struck by death and the red eyes that seemed to thirst for blood were those of Elden Raphelion.

“Thank goodness you’re awake.”

It was confusing.

He suddenly appeared before my eyes.

When I opened my eyes, the first person I saw was Elden.

It was a relief to see him open his eyes.

Everything was so confusing, it felt like a dream, a ridiculous delusion.

Lumiang stared at her for a long time, unable to believe her shiny, jet-black hair and her ruby-shining red eyes.

It was difficult to tell whether it was an illusion seen just before death or a reality that escaped death.

It was just a feeling of dazedness that came with waking up from a deep sleep.

I tried to move my body, but it was like a broken cart that wouldn’t listen to me.

Still, something felt refreshing.

“I’ll help you.”

Elden noticed the small movement and supported Lumiang, who raised her upper body and leaned against the wall.

“Drink it. It will help you recover your energy.”

And Elden handed him a metal bowl, but Lumiang stared blankly, not having the strength to hold it.

Elden had to come closer and hold the bowl to Lumiang’s lips.

“Even if it’s hard, swallow it.”

As Elden tilted the cup, Lumiang began to drink little by little.

Like a baby bird receiving food.

I felt warm water flowing down my esophagus, and I felt warmth filling my empty stomach.

It was a warmth that I couldn’t even remember when I felt it.

And because of that warmth, I began to think that perhaps this moment was not an illusion.

Of course, it was still difficult to determine whether it was a dream or reality.

“If I had been even a little late, it could have been a big problem. Since only emergency measures were taken, it would be better to get a diagnosis from a specialist.”

“… … .”

The wind blowing, the sunlight pouring down, the senses gradually becoming clearer, tell him that it is not an illusion, but Lumiang finds it hard to believe, so he just looks at Elden with blank eyes.

What on earth happened?

At the moment of death, what are the odds that I will run into the person who left the Grand Duke six months ago in this nameless land?

That too, with someone who has a deep sense of humor.

Whether it’s fate or fate.

It would probably be a figure so small that it would be impossible to calculate, and the probability would be nothing short of a miracle.

If this current reunion is not an illusion or a hallucination.

“If you have anything to say to me, please write it here.”

Elden put the things he wanted to write in his hands.

My whole body felt so heavy that I could hardly move my fingers, but I picked up the pen.

And asked.

(Elden… right?)

The name of the black-haired and red-eyed man who is relieved of his recovery.

Elden nodded.

“That’s right.”

“… … .”

I have to believe it because I heard it myself, but it still doesn’t feel real.

The current reunion was absurd both in terms of timing and circumstances.

Lumiang showed me the paper on which he had written something again.

(how…?)

It was an implicit question about the truth of this whole situation.

“I was planning to stay here for a night on my way to the Marquisate of Eris when I happened to hear the Archduchess crying. Immediately after, I brought the Archduchess who had collapsed to the campsite and looked after her.”

“… … .”

I see.

Is it really true that we met again by chance in this vast land?

And, did you receive unexpected help from an unexpected place?

If so, why?

When I want to live, you don’t even give me a glance, but when I want to die, why do you offer me help?

When I want to live, they don’t let me live, but when I try to die, they suddenly appear and don’t let me die.

Of course, now that I had nothing to hold onto, no intention of denying the changes in him, and no intention of dwelling on the past, there was only one thing I could say.

(Don’t help me.)

I was in no position to receive help, and I had come too far to do so.

Because helping someone who only hurts those who are precious to them is too much.

After the sudden death of his maid Ronika, he also lost Marien.

According to the words of those standing next to me, it all ended miserably.

It was Lumiang who said this, regretting not having realized sooner that the cursed one was undeserving of help.

“… Why are you telling me not to help?”

(I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore.)

“Are you saying that simply receiving help can hurt the other person?”

To Elden’s question, Lumiang nodded weakly.

And wrote.

(If Deron is alive, he’ll come kill me.)

About a crisis that is not over yet.

When the crisis began, it was Lumiang who showed what he had written on paper, hoping that no one would be by his side, and Elden could guess from those last words.

About what happened over the past six months.

Deron Kelly, about the things that he did.

If he were alone, he would have wanted to help her, but he couldn’t answer rashly without hearing the opinions of his companions. The campsite became a little noisy as the companions returned after each taking their share while Elden hesitated.

“Gah! Grand Duchess! Are you awake? Thank goodness… !”

Ariel clapping her hands with a bright smile, rejoicing at her own revival.

“Huh-! I thought the weather was nice today, and I guess the Grand Princess is about to wake up.”

Elden’s old butler blesses his own revival with a moved face.

“… … .”

Even Elden’s escort knight, who bows with a blunt face and then adds kindling to the dying embers to give them some warmth.

Six months ago, at the wedding parade, they were still together, sharing their energy, and Lumiang, who did not understand why they were rejoicing, relieved, and blessing the revival of his own life that should have been his, was spending the day in a daze, unable to run away with his weakened body or say anything with his closed mouth.

Gulp.

The moment Ariel began to boil the soup with the cobalt flesh she had prepared yesterday and the vegetables she had gathered today, a sound echoed from Lumiang’s stomach.

It was a truly disgusting and shameful sound that could not be stopped.