Chapter 23

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕭𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

I couldn't talk back at that moment. When the emperor announced my engagement with Caliere, he had decided about my official debut in the society. I talked to my parents about being an heir to our household title, even my father talked to the emperor, but it was no use.

Then was all of my effort of learning to wield a sword for nothing but fun? I shook my head, I couldn't let this happen. Not when I've been this far ahead.

"Milady, please drink this tea," I had forgotten that there was Anna in my room. Her voice sounded concerned and I smiled at her. I looked at the tea she brewed and it was warm.

It was indeed nostalgic. This must be a perfect day to be at ease and forget about that moment when I felt like my castle crumbled. However, no matter what I think, the emperor's words would get out of my mind.

"Anna, how's Claudius and Henry doing?" I asked as I took the comforting warmth from my cup. The sweetness of its honey collides with how the scenery portrays the outside. I waited for her response and yet, silence overwhelmed me.

I put the tea down, and gaze at Anna whose body is shivering. Were my words enough to startle her? I wanted to seek apologies, but she managed to speak.

"M-Milady, t-they've been in the same condition for three days and Doctor Brian is doing his best----"

"I know," I sighed. I continued to gaze at her and felt responsible for her shivers. I didn't know back then that she would collapse, the night I sought her help.

I hugged her for a few minutes before calming her down and then dismissing her to rest.

I know that Doctor Brian is one of the household's trusted physicians and he would never reveal any client information to others except when needed.

This couldn't just be any coincidence, not when I managed to save Henry but I also endangered Claudius.

Three days ago, the night after the emperor announced my engagement with Caliere, was also the time when Sir Francis saw Henry and Claudius lying in the forest where our household resides.

He immediately reported everything to me since Father had taken a temporary leave due to business matters, while Mother was already sound asleep.

I ordered Sir Francis to keep the matter close and secret. He first asked why and all the reason I could give him was the matter of how badly the two were injured.

I know I can trust Sir Francis that's why I said those words, but when Anna saw the scenery, she immediately collapsed on the ground. It was harsh for her to see them in that situation, and even for me.

I remembered how Claudius promised me with his life to bring back Henry but I never thought he would do everything for that promise. That night after Doctor Brian took care of the two of them, I cried alone in my room.

I almost ruined the papers that contained the events for the future, the plans I wanted to make, despite having been able to go back in the past, my hands shivered throughout that night for some familiar sense.

All I thought I could protect the ones who cared and cherished me but I never expected that there would be a great cost of changing the past, and the people I've learned to cherish would be hurt like this.

I poured everything I got for my emotions to calm down and it took me just two days after that incident to finally reclaim what I thought I wouldn't do again.

"Of all the people that I permitted to keep their promise, you are the only ones I couldn't lose," I looked at the two. They were soundly asleep, but the bandages from both of their bodies corrupted their appearance. And yet, here I am, with my vision blurred.

As I caressed their hair, I could feel their warmth. Like before, when we could still be this close.

"Doctor Brian, is there any way for them to recover faster?" I asked. When I looked at our physician, he was an old man with a brown mustache. All his life, he had been wearing a brown hat, and like my father, they had the same figure.

He sat beside Henry checked his pulse and did the same thing to Claudius. I heard him sigh and looked in my direction.

"There is Milady but it would be a great deal to claim the blue rose of the Clamorians"

"Tell me more about it"

Then he spoke of the words that widened my eyes.

"The blue rose was used to recover anyone whose badly injured and could revive a person who had died only for one minute. It was the miracle plant of the Clamorians clan."

"Where could I find it?"

***

I know I've heard that rose from the past. It used to be a miracle plant until it was also used as a dangerous poison. The thorn of the blue rose was used as a venom to trigger someone's heart to collapse, and the petals would be the ones to heal them.

It doesn't make sense until I've discovered the use of the thorns. If it was mixed with other ingredients that produce tonic, it would cause danger to one's health.

"Hey, fix that thing there, or we will be punished by the grand master"

"I know, I know. Well, kidding that aside, don't you think that the things to be auctioned tonight would come in our master's favor?"

"What do you mean? Do you mean some problems would arise, is that it?"

"No, no of course not, but don't you think that it was going too smoothly?"

"It would be a good thing for now since the grand master is very pleased. That's what matters that most"

"Pleased? He couldn't have been pleased when he learned about the crown prince's engagement with the Monsiore household's only daughter"

"Why? Is there anything for him to meddle with?"

"You should know this... when I went to his office, he was reading a letter that came from another household. I wasn't planning to look at it but considering how he reacted, he looked angry then after a few seconds he began to throw the things from his desk and screamed. You don't know how terrified I felt that day as if he could kill me that instant..."

The conversation continued, but I didn't pertain any importance to it until I heard about my engagement with Caliere.

Any normal people, who would host auctions from underground would come from noble households, but they wouldn't reveal their identity, they would use aliases, or even cover their faces with masks.

The reason why is because these servants they have, also don't know their master's true names. It already become a custom for our empire since the previous emperors found enjoyment from the auctions.

Some nobles would gather as well, concealing their identities, with masks and other names but when it came to payment, they would present their seals and stamp a contract or deal.

Becoming the grand master wasn't permanent either. I've learned this in the past, and it was because of Caliere. He used to be in this gathering but it wasn't until he turned fifteen years old.

I don't know more about the information why he was here at that young age, but I know the one thing that he claimed back then. It was the time of Heldenburg. A pocket watch that said that was created by the very first witch named Helden.

But it was only a legend, no one has any proof of that being real, since within the empire or in the entire world, there wasn't any magic at all.

Yet, this scenario I've had where I came back to the past, was evidence of a magic, perhaps, a lost magic.

Shaking my head with those unnecessary thoughts, I proceeded through the tunnel-like place until I found the underground place.

When I looked around, I could smell the strong scent of mixed perfumes coming from the nobles even at this far distance. It was indeed dark, but there were already dim lights blinding my vision.

The coldness of the night circulated everywhere making me shiver, the grayish walls, the fake laughter, the dim lights, and the entrance, everything corrupted my senses for a moment before I bumped into someone.

"S-Sorry," I said

"Are you all right?" I heard the person ask and looked to see it was indeed a young man. Since coming to the auction, any young man had to conceal even their appearance other than masks, to avoid unnecessary rumors.

"Y-Yes, thank you," he offered to help me and I spoke of my gratitude, but his eyes never left mine. I looked at him again and this time he smiled.

"You have beautiful long blonde hair, Milady," My eyes widened when he suddenly spoke of those while holding the strands of my hair.

Since having blonde hair was common in the empire of nobility, I decided not to dye it for another one.

"I am grateful for your compliment, Sir but I think we should part ways here now," I said and was about to step back but he gently grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him

"I have a favor to ask," he said. I felt shivers when the strong wind suddenly came in our direction. He managed to cover my body with his brown coat and that's when I looked at how he appeared.

He had beautiful brown hair and eyes that weren't common for the nobles and yet it was common for ordinary people.

Then he chuckled, "I know you've been mesmerized but can you do me a favor?"