Proofreader: somnium

Welcome, Lady Artizea.

Its been a while, Sir Keshore.

Artizea greeted him politely.

Henry Keshore was one of the Emperors most trusted Guard Knights.

He had the virtue of a soldier who looked after his subordinates and obeyed his superiors. And he had a reputation not only among the subordinates of the Guard, but also among military personnel and officials.

The Emperors confidence naturally brought him power.

Speaking of the power he possessed, he was the best among the six generals.

When he was young, he was the best military commander in the empire, and even now in his old age, he has not lost his skills.

He used to be that kind of person, but now hes very different.

The last time Artizea met him was at her wedding. It had not yet been a year since then, and he seemed to be aged by fifteen years.

The energy drained from his strong body, and a deep tiredness piled up under his eyes. It was as if he had lost some weight as his cheeks had become thinner.

You look unwell. I heard that you have been resting for over a month with the permission of His Majesty the Emperor.

I am okay. I am just a little tired.

said Sir Keshore.

My wife should have come to greet you, but I gave her medicine and forced her to sleep.

That. Lady Mielle looks really bad, doesnt she?

Yes.

Sir Keshore said faintly.

He led Artizea to the south room where Mielles bedroom was.

Lady Hazel said she was okay until winter.

Yes. Rather, she was in good condition. Shes been like that all winter.

Sir Keshore carefully opened the door to Mielles bedroom.

A nurse was sitting by the bedside, and the maid opened the window to ventilate. Mielles bed was covered with a thin curtain woven with lace.

She was in a coma.

She was in hospital two months ago. But until last week, she was able to sit up, laugh and meet people.

Sir Keshore sighed.

It happened three days ago.

Alice covered her mouth with one hand.

Artizea cautiously approached Mielles bedside.

Even though she was still breathing, Mielles face looked like she was already dead.

The doctor told me to be prepared. Even if she ever wakes up again, it will be difficult for her to pass this year.

Sir Keshore revealed his despair.

He had only one child, Mielle. She was the only child born when he was thirty.

Considering that the average person gets married before the age of twenty-two and has children right away, the Keshores had children quite late.

The two struggled tirelessly to have a child, but only Mielle was born, and no children were born after her.

Sir Keshore, who was a commoner and became a Guard Knight, was a new aristocrat who started his own family.

But he did not try to establish the Keshore family, but lived in gratitude for what was given.

He didnt deny wealth, but he thought it was enough to make his wife and daughter comfortable.

Although he was originally frugal and not ambitious in nature, thats not the only reason. To him, Mielles life was much more important.

He had no intention of making his daughter the victim of an arranged marriage. He didnt even want to raise up his ailing daughter to become the heir to the family.

He didnt want to spend too much time rushing for his ambitions, and spend less time with his daughter.

She was such a precious child.

My wife and I were both trying to stay quiet. So we didnt even tell the relatives. I am grateful that Lady Artizea came to visit me, but I would have rejected it usually.

Sir Keshore.

What is the way to save Mielle, the one you wrote in the letter?

Sir Keshore asked Artizea with bloodshot eyes.

Artizea beckoned lightly. When Alice saw it, she whispered to the nurse that they should leave quickly.

The Keshore maid and nurse were bewildered. However, it seemed like the high-ranking people were having an important conversation, so they quickly followed Alice.

Only two people remained in the room, Sir Keshore and Artizea.

Artizea placed her hand lightly on Mielles pale forehead. Contrary to how she looked, there was still warmth in her skin.

Said Sir Keshore.

Its fine whether its medicine or just a name. I want to do everything I can. Even if it doesnt work, I will be grateful and never forget it.

Perhaps he thought Artizea got some precious medicine somewhere.

Artizea said.

10 years.

What?

Mielle, I will let your daughter live another ten years.

Keshore blinked his eyes. He didnt think Artizea would say so definitively.

Artizea looked at Sir Keshore in an upright position.

She is not going to be healthy. Probably not much different from now, always sick and lying in bed for no reason. Living like other people can be difficult. Like now.

Lady Artizea.

But she can live for another 10 years. What would you do?

He didnt even have to think. It didnt matter what the method was. Sir Keshore responded immediately.

I will give her 10 years of my life. Just let her live one more year.

Sir Keshore never wielded power.

But he knew what his position was.

He is not the Emperors most cherished favorite*. However, he is the person the Emperor has the most confidence in.

The Keshore was not loyal to the power or wealth of the Emperor. He is also not loyal to an individual named Gregor.

He was loyal to the Emperors authority.

His allegiance is towards the Crown itself. A servant must be loyal to the Emperor, so he was loyal. Such people are a few among the Emperors favorites.

Sir Keshore was well aware of the Emperors personal flaws.

He also felt sorry for the Empress, and he did not think it was right for the Emperor to enter Mirailas house.

But he was also a conservative. He thought that a stable reality would be better than throwing the world upside down, even with some injustice.

Therefore, that was not a reason to be disloyal to the throne.

Therefore, he was not interested in the succession battles. For Sir Keshore, it was always clear what he had to do. Either way, he only had to be loyal to the Emperor.

The Emperor trusted the Keshore because he knew it. Thats why the trust he receives is even more important.

But his loyalty would never be sustained at the cost of abandoning his childs life.

He was more than willing to go to Hell for doing what he believed was right for Mielle.

Whatever Artizea asked for, Sir Keshore knew it was all he could pay with.

She already had more money, more power, and more than Sir Keshore could give.

Dont say that.

Artizea lowered her eyes and spoke softly.

When I was at the Rosan Manor, Lord Keshore was pretty much the only one who still tried to be a grown up for me.

Lady Artizea.

I didnt see Lady Mielle very often for various reasons, but she was one of the few people of my age who was kind to me at the time.

Artizea said softly. Of course, that wasnt the real reason.

Sir Keshore burst into tears.

Thank you for your kind words. I havent really done anything.

They both knew things wouldnt actually turn out that way.

If Mielle survived, of course, Sir Keshore had to repay Artizea for her favor.

But he was at least comforted a little by her kind words. Because it felt as if she was saying that this was not a matter of power, but in return for Mielles kindness.

It sounded like a reason for Mielle to live.

However.

Artizea said quietly.

You must keep it a secret.

Secret ?

Yes.

Artizea raised her lowered eyes and said to Sir Keshore.

The fact that I saved Lady Mielle. And Im not going to tell Lord Keshore how I do it.

But .

Sir Keshore must believe that I have not done anything dangerous to Lady Mielle. You must also keep it a secret.

Lady Artizea.

Today, I visited Lady Mielle, but it is simply a coincidence that she is getting better. Can you do that?

Confusion crossed Sir Keshores face. The word magic wouldnt even be in his mind.

But one thing could be certain.

I can keep a secret. Lady Artizea.

You shouldnt even tell your wife. I dont think Lady Mielle herself needs to know. Its not because I dont trust the two, but because its better if they dont know the story at all.

No one in the world will ever hear from my mouth anything that would threaten my daughter and her benefactor.

Sir Keshore is trustworthy enough. I believe you.

Sir Keshores oath was heavy. Even if he doesnt offer sacrifices like the Altar of Oath or swear it on the River of Death, his oath will be kept.

Artizea lowered her eyes, not wanting to show her feelings.

You dont have to mention it. Could you please leave for a moment?

Sir Keshore hesitated for a moment.

But he had already pledged to keep the secret, believing in Artizea. There was nothing that could get better if he were curious or anxious about how.

Keshore left the room.

As he left, Alice entered. Artizea looked around the room and ordered Alice.

Draw the curtains. We have to make sure that there are no light leaks outside.

Yes.

Because it was the sick persons room, there were several clean cloths. There was also a basin with clean water. Although the weather was mild, it was warm enough with a fire in the fireplace.

Artizea took a white cotton cloth and spread it on the table.

She was going to use magic.

If it was Lysia, just holding her hand would have made Mielle healthy. But to Artizea, it was impossible.

She took off the gloves she was wearing. She then pulled out a small knife and stabbed the tip of her left index finger.

Blood was dripping down. Alice cried out in surprise when she saw it one step later.

Madam!

-

Note:

*) Please dont get confused on most cherished favourite. The term favourite here doesnt mean the same as saying Pizza is my favourite food, but the favourite here is actually a term for a close companion of the Emperor.

The term was first used to describe Amalie Harper.