120. New Angel
“Phew.”
With a long sigh, Grojean came out of the bitter memories.
After a while, the carriage stopped. It was in front of a small two-story house with ivy growing along the wall. It was an ordinary house, as one might see anywhere, but mercenaries were stationed in the warehouse, stables, and other unseen locations, maintaining a tight guard.
Grojean followed the guard's instructions and stood straight in front of the bedroom.
Knock knock.
Kalia Bern opened the door right away.
"Excuse me."
Grojean, who greeted her politely, first examined his master's arm. Like a doctor, he noticed a faint bandage beneath his shirt and stroked his chest.
After checking his master's condition, he immediately turned his gaze to the woman on the bed. Her eyes were tightly shut, but a faint hint of color was returning to her cheeks.
Grojean sighed in relief again and approached his master.
"Master."
Hardius stared into space for a few seconds, then slowly turned around. Their eyes met.
Grojean felt a chill run down his spine as he stood before his colorless pupils, now completely covered in darkness.
“Just go outside for a moment...”
During the brief moment he left the bedroom, the master did not even glance at the woman at the bedside.
Grojean felt his heart tightening in front of the dangerous face that seemed to say he couldn't even look at it.
The two people who came out faced each other in front of the large fireplace in the living room.
“I spoke with Miss Bianca.”
Young Meyer was frighteningly unresponsive, which only made Grojean's heart ache even more.
He needs to talk quickly. Before that man, who must be out of his mind, adds the famous daughter of the Leichnen family to his blacklist.
“It doesn’t seem like Young Lady Bianca is deeply involved in this incident.”
Contrary to expectations, the dry murderous feeling in his pupils did not subside at all.
"Young Lady secretly visited Sitmer. It just so happened that the mask festival was being held there. She happened to see the young master and Miss Bern together there."
There was no significant response from the owner. Only his slightly narrowed eyes showed that he had clearly heard and understood.
"Fortunately, Young Lady wasn't sure if the woman she saw was Miss Bern. She only suspected it was her and went to see Madame Meyer and Councilor Richard. However, she said her pride prevented her from revealing what she had seen."
"...so?"
Grojean's heart sank at the still cold tone of voice.
"Your Excellency, didn't you say that Lady Bern's safety was paramount? We can't wage an all-out war against the Leichnen family. His Majesty the King would absolutely not approve."
“...”
"Please think rationally. Young Lady truly doesn't know. She acted without knowing. She even cried in front of me. I mean, that proud person burst into tears in front of me. She was in agony, not knowing who that woman was or what to do."
“...”
“It didn’t seem like she was lying. Not at all.”
Bianca Leichnen must not be added to the Master's list. That alone must be prevented.
Grojean had a conviction that innocent people should not be harmed. Because the man before him had so far adhered to this rule, he was able to diligently pursue the unsuitable role of double agent.
"I'm not trying to take Young Lady's side. I'm simply asking you to refrain from making any rash moves until we have solid evidence. If Young Lady was truly involved in this and had colluded with Richard, she wouldn't have acted so sloppily. She would have been much more thorough."
“...”
"I even deliberately revealed my identity to her. I said I was the last remaining watcher left by Mrs. Meyer. If she had been involved, she would have said something then."
“...”
"I don't know about anything else, but one thing is certain: she doesn't know exactly who 'that woman' is. I told her that as soon as I find out who 'that woman' is, I'll let her know. That's how I've bought some time, so you can rest easy for the time being."
Hardius stared silently at the log fire in the fireplace. The silence felt too long to Grojean.
After a moment, he turned to face Grojean. His expression wasn't as reassuring as he'd hoped, but at least he wasn't overtly murderous. He had to be content with that for now.
“What about Kramwitz?”
"I've sent Hutton and Pip to keep an eye on Mrs. Meyer. You don't have to worry."
“Have you met His Majesty the King?”
"Yes, I stopped by the Palazzo Riccardi before coming here. His Majesty the King promised to do his best to help. He also said he would make arrangements in time."
Hardius nodded.
The two men walked back out of the house. Maesen and Beppy Dilson were waiting for them in the small courtyard.
Beppy, with one leg wrapped in a bandage, had a gloomy face and tears still hanging from her eyes.
“Beppy is a bad servant. I am a bad servant.”
Hardius stared at Beppy silently, then placed a hand on one of his shoulders. Beppy burst into tears again.
Grojean felt more sorry for his master than for Beppy.
When did it start? It must have been when he was asked that irritating question: "Do you love your wife?"
From then on, he could see into his master's mind strangely clearly.
Hardius Meyer now blames no one else. He likely holds the entire blame for this situation entirely on himself.
“Your Excellency, I am truly sorry.”
Maesen came closer as if he was about to kneel down at any moment.
He, too, could not raise his head in front of his master.
How could someone make such a ridiculous mistake?
The most fatal error was the misjudgment of the scouts patrolling the forest. Even if the mercenaries waiting at the farm were forced to put out the fire, the scouts should have rushed to the cabins as soon as they spotted the wandering vagrants.
Everyone was strangely off guard.
Maesen was so focused on protecting Hethel that he even took his guard dog, Brave, with him.
If they had been official knights rather than mercenaries, they would have been severely punished.
But he couldn't just blame himself. He had to somehow resolve the situation before it got worse. The owner, too, was probably unable to hold anyone accountable right away because of this.
"We've caught the last one. He's currently being held captive on the farm. He's so tiny, he's ready to give in even with the slightest threat. As expected, he's been instigated by William Richard. What should we do?"
There was no answer from the owner. The face staring into space was not human, but rather like an inanimate object, bloodless.
After a while, a calm and composed voice came out.
“Keep him alive. I can use him as bait.”
Maesen answered by lowering his head.
Grojean, who had been thinking quietly, came to the conclusion that everything was now ready.
“So... when should we put it into action?”
The bright sunlight fell gently on the heavy silence.
“Tonight.”
The silver-gray pupils shone coolly.
'Mom!'
Emilia shouted.
It was definitely her mother. Shr thought she'd forgotten everything and couldn't even remember her, but she recognized her at a glance.
Dark hazel hair and light sky blue eyes, the gentle scent of lavender that filled her heart when she held her in her arms...
'My love, Emilia.'
The warm voice that always soothed her heart brought hot tears to Emilia's eyes.
'My daughter, how have you been?'
What she could hear softly was her father's voice.
Her father, who had blond hair and blue eyes like Emilia, was wearing a striped jacket and a stylish bowler hat.
Except when he was cleaning pig manure in the barn, her father was always that cool in her memories.
"Mom, Dad! You came to see me? Can we all live together now?"
Emilia asked, rubbing the tears that kept seeping out between her eyes.
Contrary to expectations, Mom shakes her head.
It was a strange face, clearly as sad as shr was, but at the same time smiling brightly.
'I came to give you a gift.'
'Gift?'
The view is blurry again.
"No, I don't need that. Just stay by my side. We've finally met again... Just stay by my side."
When her parents died, Emilia had no time to grieve, as she had to care for Charlotte and Mitch.
Caring for two young children can sometimes be a bleak and dry task, robbing one of even the most human emotions: longing.
That's why she thought she'd forgotten everything. She thought it was just a memory that had faded with time, so she didn't feel that sad or long for it.
But her parents, who suddenly appeared in such a beautiful way, opened the tightly locked door and completely destroyed the dam.
'Stay by my side. Please...'
'No, that can't be.'
Emilia felt that her mother's answer was too harsh.
'Then just for a moment. Just for a moment...'
Her mother's hand brushed her cheek. It was so soft, like a spring breeze, so unbearably warm, that tears streamed down her face again.
"Remember, Emilia? Mom said Charlotte was an angel. She'll make your life much more difficult, but please don't forget that she's an angel."
Emilia nodded vigorously, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and pressing her fist against her eyelids.
'Yes, an angel. A very bad angel who calls herself a monster.'
Mom laughed at Dad's words. "Huh," Emilia laughed along with him, her face twisted.
"Thank you for keeping your promise. Really... thank you, Emilia."
'Mom...'
Mom smiled brightly again, her vision blurry.
'I'll give you another angel. A new angel filled with nothing but laughter and happiness.'
'Another... angel?'
'Yes, that is our gift.'
A bright light enveloped Emilia's body. It was a breathtakingly warm and ecstatically beautiful light.
'A new angel will give you courage. He will give you the strength to live.'
So, cheer up. Live hard like you always have.
Mom and Dad laughed. Their eyes filled with laughter, they walked away toward another light.
'Don't go!'
Emilia shouted.
"Please don't go! Why are you leaving me alone again? Why won't you stay by my side?!'
Despite their screams, which were almost desperate, the two disappeared into the light. All that remained were faint voices.
'Mom and Dad won't go. We've always been by your side.'
Where? Where is it?
'Look to the side.'
Before she knew it, the world was filled with flowers. They were small, round, purple flowers.
'I will bloom again as a flower and be by your side. I will always speak to you with my fragrance.'
'No, absolutely no!'
Emilia sat down and cried.
'Wake up, Emilia.'
'The person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with, the person you are meant to love, is right next to you.'
The last voice faded away amidst the dazzling light.
"Don't go..."
Emilia sobbed.
“Don’t go...”
An unbearable lump of guilt surged like a gigantic tidal wave, waking me up.
"Please!"
It was a moment of screaming.
"Calm down."
Something warm, like a light in a dream, enveloped her shoulder. A familiar scent washed over her, and a warm sensation enveloped her entire body.
Emilia rushed into it like she had discovered an oasis in a dry desert.
“Calm down. It’s just a dream.”
The tight-closed eyes slowly relaxed at the sound of the man's low, deep voice.
Under the dim light, the moment Emilia faced the man's face looking down at her, hot clots flowed out from her eyes like a waterfall.
“Phew.”
With a long sigh, Grojean came out of the bitter memories.
After a while, the carriage stopped. It was in front of a small two-story house with ivy growing along the wall. It was an ordinary house, as one might see anywhere, but mercenaries were stationed in the warehouse, stables, and other unseen locations, maintaining a tight guard.
Grojean followed the guard's instructions and stood straight in front of the bedroom.
Knock knock.
Kalia Bern opened the door right away.
"Excuse me."
Grojean, who greeted her politely, first examined his master's arm. Like a doctor, he noticed a faint bandage beneath his shirt and stroked his chest.
After checking his master's condition, he immediately turned his gaze to the woman on the bed. Her eyes were tightly shut, but a faint hint of color was returning to her cheeks.
Grojean sighed in relief again and approached his master.
"Master."
Hardius stared into space for a few seconds, then slowly turned around. Their eyes met.
Grojean felt a chill run down his spine as he stood before his colorless pupils, now completely covered in darkness.
“Just go outside for a moment...”
During the brief moment he left the bedroom, the master did not even glance at the woman at the bedside.
Grojean felt his heart tightening in front of the dangerous face that seemed to say he couldn't even look at it.
The two people who came out faced each other in front of the large fireplace in the living room.
“I spoke with Miss Bianca.”
Young Meyer was frighteningly unresponsive, which only made Grojean's heart ache even more.
He needs to talk quickly. Before that man, who must be out of his mind, adds the famous daughter of the Leichnen family to his blacklist.
“It doesn’t seem like Young Lady Bianca is deeply involved in this incident.”
Contrary to expectations, the dry murderous feeling in his pupils did not subside at all.
"Young Lady secretly visited Sitmer. It just so happened that the mask festival was being held there. She happened to see the young master and Miss Bern together there."
There was no significant response from the owner. Only his slightly narrowed eyes showed that he had clearly heard and understood.
"Fortunately, Young Lady wasn't sure if the woman she saw was Miss Bern. She only suspected it was her and went to see Madame Meyer and Councilor Richard. However, she said her pride prevented her from revealing what she had seen."
"...so?"
Grojean's heart sank at the still cold tone of voice.
"Your Excellency, didn't you say that Lady Bern's safety was paramount? We can't wage an all-out war against the Leichnen family. His Majesty the King would absolutely not approve."
“...”
"Please think rationally. Young Lady truly doesn't know. She acted without knowing. She even cried in front of me. I mean, that proud person burst into tears in front of me. She was in agony, not knowing who that woman was or what to do."
“...”
“It didn’t seem like she was lying. Not at all.”
Bianca Leichnen must not be added to the Master's list. That alone must be prevented.
Grojean had a conviction that innocent people should not be harmed. Because the man before him had so far adhered to this rule, he was able to diligently pursue the unsuitable role of double agent.
"I'm not trying to take Young Lady's side. I'm simply asking you to refrain from making any rash moves until we have solid evidence. If Young Lady was truly involved in this and had colluded with Richard, she wouldn't have acted so sloppily. She would have been much more thorough."
“...”
"I even deliberately revealed my identity to her. I said I was the last remaining watcher left by Mrs. Meyer. If she had been involved, she would have said something then."
“...”
"I don't know about anything else, but one thing is certain: she doesn't know exactly who 'that woman' is. I told her that as soon as I find out who 'that woman' is, I'll let her know. That's how I've bought some time, so you can rest easy for the time being."
Hardius stared silently at the log fire in the fireplace. The silence felt too long to Grojean.
After a moment, he turned to face Grojean. His expression wasn't as reassuring as he'd hoped, but at least he wasn't overtly murderous. He had to be content with that for now.
“What about Kramwitz?”
"I've sent Hutton and Pip to keep an eye on Mrs. Meyer. You don't have to worry."
“Have you met His Majesty the King?”
"Yes, I stopped by the Palazzo Riccardi before coming here. His Majesty the King promised to do his best to help. He also said he would make arrangements in time."
Hardius nodded.
The two men walked back out of the house. Maesen and Beppy Dilson were waiting for them in the small courtyard.
Beppy, with one leg wrapped in a bandage, had a gloomy face and tears still hanging from her eyes.
“Beppy is a bad servant. I am a bad servant.”
Hardius stared at Beppy silently, then placed a hand on one of his shoulders. Beppy burst into tears again.
Grojean felt more sorry for his master than for Beppy.
When did it start? It must have been when he was asked that irritating question: "Do you love your wife?"
From then on, he could see into his master's mind strangely clearly.
Hardius Meyer now blames no one else. He likely holds the entire blame for this situation entirely on himself.
“Your Excellency, I am truly sorry.”
Maesen came closer as if he was about to kneel down at any moment.
He, too, could not raise his head in front of his master.
How could someone make such a ridiculous mistake?
The most fatal error was the misjudgment of the scouts patrolling the forest. Even if the mercenaries waiting at the farm were forced to put out the fire, the scouts should have rushed to the cabins as soon as they spotted the wandering vagrants.
Everyone was strangely off guard.
Maesen was so focused on protecting Hethel that he even took his guard dog, Brave, with him.
If they had been official knights rather than mercenaries, they would have been severely punished.
But he couldn't just blame himself. He had to somehow resolve the situation before it got worse. The owner, too, was probably unable to hold anyone accountable right away because of this.
"We've caught the last one. He's currently being held captive on the farm. He's so tiny, he's ready to give in even with the slightest threat. As expected, he's been instigated by William Richard. What should we do?"
There was no answer from the owner. The face staring into space was not human, but rather like an inanimate object, bloodless.
After a while, a calm and composed voice came out.
“Keep him alive. I can use him as bait.”
Maesen answered by lowering his head.
Grojean, who had been thinking quietly, came to the conclusion that everything was now ready.
“So... when should we put it into action?”
The bright sunlight fell gently on the heavy silence.
“Tonight.”
The silver-gray pupils shone coolly.
***
'Mom!'
Emilia shouted.
It was definitely her mother. Shr thought she'd forgotten everything and couldn't even remember her, but she recognized her at a glance.
Dark hazel hair and light sky blue eyes, the gentle scent of lavender that filled her heart when she held her in her arms...
'My love, Emilia.'
The warm voice that always soothed her heart brought hot tears to Emilia's eyes.
'My daughter, how have you been?'
What she could hear softly was her father's voice.
Her father, who had blond hair and blue eyes like Emilia, was wearing a striped jacket and a stylish bowler hat.
Except when he was cleaning pig manure in the barn, her father was always that cool in her memories.
"Mom, Dad! You came to see me? Can we all live together now?"
Emilia asked, rubbing the tears that kept seeping out between her eyes.
Contrary to expectations, Mom shakes her head.
It was a strange face, clearly as sad as shr was, but at the same time smiling brightly.
'I came to give you a gift.'
'Gift?'
The view is blurry again.
"No, I don't need that. Just stay by my side. We've finally met again... Just stay by my side."
When her parents died, Emilia had no time to grieve, as she had to care for Charlotte and Mitch.
Caring for two young children can sometimes be a bleak and dry task, robbing one of even the most human emotions: longing.
That's why she thought she'd forgotten everything. She thought it was just a memory that had faded with time, so she didn't feel that sad or long for it.
But her parents, who suddenly appeared in such a beautiful way, opened the tightly locked door and completely destroyed the dam.
'Stay by my side. Please...'
'No, that can't be.'
Emilia felt that her mother's answer was too harsh.
'Then just for a moment. Just for a moment...'
Her mother's hand brushed her cheek. It was so soft, like a spring breeze, so unbearably warm, that tears streamed down her face again.
"Remember, Emilia? Mom said Charlotte was an angel. She'll make your life much more difficult, but please don't forget that she's an angel."
Emilia nodded vigorously, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand and pressing her fist against her eyelids.
'Yes, an angel. A very bad angel who calls herself a monster.'
Mom laughed at Dad's words. "Huh," Emilia laughed along with him, her face twisted.
"Thank you for keeping your promise. Really... thank you, Emilia."
'Mom...'
Mom smiled brightly again, her vision blurry.
'I'll give you another angel. A new angel filled with nothing but laughter and happiness.'
'Another... angel?'
'Yes, that is our gift.'
A bright light enveloped Emilia's body. It was a breathtakingly warm and ecstatically beautiful light.
'A new angel will give you courage. He will give you the strength to live.'
So, cheer up. Live hard like you always have.
Mom and Dad laughed. Their eyes filled with laughter, they walked away toward another light.
'Don't go!'
Emilia shouted.
"Please don't go! Why are you leaving me alone again? Why won't you stay by my side?!'
Despite their screams, which were almost desperate, the two disappeared into the light. All that remained were faint voices.
'Mom and Dad won't go. We've always been by your side.'
Where? Where is it?
'Look to the side.'
Before she knew it, the world was filled with flowers. They were small, round, purple flowers.
'I will bloom again as a flower and be by your side. I will always speak to you with my fragrance.'
'No, absolutely no!'
Emilia sat down and cried.
'Wake up, Emilia.'
'The person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with, the person you are meant to love, is right next to you.'
The last voice faded away amidst the dazzling light.
"Don't go..."
Emilia sobbed.
“Don’t go...”
An unbearable lump of guilt surged like a gigantic tidal wave, waking me up.
"Please!"
It was a moment of screaming.
"Calm down."
Something warm, like a light in a dream, enveloped her shoulder. A familiar scent washed over her, and a warm sensation enveloped her entire body.
Emilia rushed into it like she had discovered an oasis in a dry desert.
“Calm down. It’s just a dream.”
The tight-closed eyes slowly relaxed at the sound of the man's low, deep voice.
Under the dim light, the moment Emilia faced the man's face looking down at her, hot clots flowed out from her eyes like a waterfall.
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