(74) I wanted to live. (10)
After riding a carriage for several days, they arrived at Maho Castle.
Although it had been a long time since he had returned home, Cyrus felt uneasy.
Somewhere in this castle, or in this city, or in this country, there are still those who seek his life.
As soon as Cyrus sat on the throne, he gave orders to Duke Hern.
"Let's begin another purge. Arrest anyone suspicious. Do whatever it takes to make them speak up."
“Yes, Your Excellency. But...”
It was the first time Duke Hern had added "but" to Cyrus's order. Cyrus raised an eyebrow.
“A telegram has arrived from Princess Ariana White of the East.”
Duke Hern clearly witnessed Cyrus' expression soften as he heard the name Ariana White.
'I can't believe it! What Isaac said was true!'
Although his expression was almost expressionless, Duke Hern, who had always been by his side, could clearly sense the change. It was the first time Cyrus had looked so generous and affectionate since the unfortunate incident with the former Northern Duke and his wife.
“Bring it.”
“Oh, but... that...”
Cyrus stared at Duke Hern, who trailed off.
Duke Hern hesitated and then spoke cautiously.
“Because it came to Isaac.”
Duke Hern observed Cyrus's actions with his head slightly bowed.
Cyrus slowly crossed his long legs, crossed his arms, and tapped his forearm with his index finger. After a while, he slowly stood up and spoke leisurely.
“Weed out the chaff. I need to rest.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Cyrus descended from the throne and walked slowly down the long carpet. Duke Hern was certain his lord was headed for Isaac's chambers.
Isaac, who was reading the telegram, was startled by a voice coming from behind him.
“You look happy, Isaac.”
"Cyrus, my heart just dropped. Can you help me find where it went?"
A mischievous smile appeared on Isaac's lips as he turned towards Cyrus.
“You, surely... You didn’t drop everything and come running because you heard that the Duchess sent me a telegram, did you?”
“Why did Ariana send you a telegram?”
"She rescued a slave child, but she's in terrible condition. She sent me a request for a restorative. She promised to compensate me adequately, of course. She even sent me a promissory note."
Cyrus's brow furrowed.
“Why is Ariana asking you for help directly?”
"Why would she go through someone else to ask for my help? Besides, she has no intention of using you, so it would be easier for her, as the Princess, to communicate directly with me."
Isaac added, narrowing his eyes.
“You, I hope you won’t interfere with the close and intimate relationship between the Duchess and me out of jealousy?”
Cyrus's brow furrowed. He smiled leisurely and spoke.
“If you, my person, become intimate with the Princess of the East, it will be of help to me, so there is no reason to interfere.”
“Oh, then you’ll allow me to leave for the East now.”
Isaac watched with amusement as Cyrus's lips hardened.
“Why do you want to go to the East?”
“That’s because the Duchess needs me.”
“Wouldn’t it be okay if you made a few bottles of stamina recovery potions and sent them to her?”
"Looking at the telegram, it seems like stamina recovery alone won't do the trick. Want to check?"
Isaac waved the telegram in front of Cyrus. Cyrus stared at the paper in Isaac's hand, oblivious to the rudeness of his actions.
Finally, Cyrus snatched up the paper and read its contents.
I rescued a child who had been locked in a small cage for a long time, but she was not very strong, and her bones were bent and hardened, so I would be grateful if you could make her a stamina restorative. And do you know of a good way to straighten her bent bones?
Isaac said as Cyrus read the telegram without blinking.
"If her bones are bent from being locked in a cage, she must have been locked up for more than a year or two. Forcing her bones to straighten could be life-threatening, so I think it's best to go and check it out for myself."
“Why would you take such a precious step for a slave?”
“Yes. My father always said that there should be equality in practicing medicine.”
Cyrus, indebted to Isaac's father, stared at the telegram silently, unable to refute it. It seemed as if Ariana might appear before him if he stared at it long enough.
Either way, Isaac was packing his bags.
Cyrus said.
“You just got here. Why don’t you take a break?”
"Hey, you know this is the first time you've shown concern for me? I was so touched I almost cried. Look at this."
Cyrus couldn't figure out what was causing the emotion he was feeling right now.
Isaac was Cyrus's man, but he often left his post to help the sick or gather strange herbs. This time, it was just that.
But why do I feel so bad?
Cyrus reread the telegram Ariana had sent. It only spoke of a sick slave. There was no mention of Cyrus's well-being.
But even this was no reason to feel bad.
Sending a telegram was expensive, and the longer the message, the longer it took for it to arrive. It was natural to keep telegrams short and to the point.
Isaac's safe arrival at the North Ridge and the telegram he received meant that his companion, Cyrus, had also arrived safely. So there was no need to ask him about his well-being.
"It'll take more than ten days to get to the East, even if we hurry, so I'm planning to leave right now. I'm scared to go alone, so please send Ruina or Noah with me."
After riding a carriage for several days, they arrived at Maho Castle.
Although it had been a long time since he had returned home, Cyrus felt uneasy.
Somewhere in this castle, or in this city, or in this country, there are still those who seek his life.
As soon as Cyrus sat on the throne, he gave orders to Duke Hern.
"Let's begin another purge. Arrest anyone suspicious. Do whatever it takes to make them speak up."
“Yes, Your Excellency. But...”
It was the first time Duke Hern had added "but" to Cyrus's order. Cyrus raised an eyebrow.
“A telegram has arrived from Princess Ariana White of the East.”
Duke Hern clearly witnessed Cyrus' expression soften as he heard the name Ariana White.
'I can't believe it! What Isaac said was true!'
Although his expression was almost expressionless, Duke Hern, who had always been by his side, could clearly sense the change. It was the first time Cyrus had looked so generous and affectionate since the unfortunate incident with the former Northern Duke and his wife.
“Bring it.”
“Oh, but... that...”
Cyrus stared at Duke Hern, who trailed off.
Duke Hern hesitated and then spoke cautiously.
“Because it came to Isaac.”
Duke Hern observed Cyrus's actions with his head slightly bowed.
Cyrus slowly crossed his long legs, crossed his arms, and tapped his forearm with his index finger. After a while, he slowly stood up and spoke leisurely.
“Weed out the chaff. I need to rest.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Cyrus descended from the throne and walked slowly down the long carpet. Duke Hern was certain his lord was headed for Isaac's chambers.
***
Isaac, who was reading the telegram, was startled by a voice coming from behind him.
“You look happy, Isaac.”
"Cyrus, my heart just dropped. Can you help me find where it went?"
A mischievous smile appeared on Isaac's lips as he turned towards Cyrus.
“You, surely... You didn’t drop everything and come running because you heard that the Duchess sent me a telegram, did you?”
“Why did Ariana send you a telegram?”
"She rescued a slave child, but she's in terrible condition. She sent me a request for a restorative. She promised to compensate me adequately, of course. She even sent me a promissory note."
Cyrus's brow furrowed.
“Why is Ariana asking you for help directly?”
"Why would she go through someone else to ask for my help? Besides, she has no intention of using you, so it would be easier for her, as the Princess, to communicate directly with me."
Isaac added, narrowing his eyes.
“You, I hope you won’t interfere with the close and intimate relationship between the Duchess and me out of jealousy?”
Cyrus's brow furrowed. He smiled leisurely and spoke.
“If you, my person, become intimate with the Princess of the East, it will be of help to me, so there is no reason to interfere.”
“Oh, then you’ll allow me to leave for the East now.”
Isaac watched with amusement as Cyrus's lips hardened.
“Why do you want to go to the East?”
“That’s because the Duchess needs me.”
“Wouldn’t it be okay if you made a few bottles of stamina recovery potions and sent them to her?”
"Looking at the telegram, it seems like stamina recovery alone won't do the trick. Want to check?"
Isaac waved the telegram in front of Cyrus. Cyrus stared at the paper in Isaac's hand, oblivious to the rudeness of his actions.
Finally, Cyrus snatched up the paper and read its contents.
I rescued a child who had been locked in a small cage for a long time, but she was not very strong, and her bones were bent and hardened, so I would be grateful if you could make her a stamina restorative. And do you know of a good way to straighten her bent bones?
Isaac said as Cyrus read the telegram without blinking.
"If her bones are bent from being locked in a cage, she must have been locked up for more than a year or two. Forcing her bones to straighten could be life-threatening, so I think it's best to go and check it out for myself."
“Why would you take such a precious step for a slave?”
“Yes. My father always said that there should be equality in practicing medicine.”
Cyrus, indebted to Isaac's father, stared at the telegram silently, unable to refute it. It seemed as if Ariana might appear before him if he stared at it long enough.
Either way, Isaac was packing his bags.
Cyrus said.
“You just got here. Why don’t you take a break?”
"Hey, you know this is the first time you've shown concern for me? I was so touched I almost cried. Look at this."
Cyrus couldn't figure out what was causing the emotion he was feeling right now.
Isaac was Cyrus's man, but he often left his post to help the sick or gather strange herbs. This time, it was just that.
But why do I feel so bad?
Cyrus reread the telegram Ariana had sent. It only spoke of a sick slave. There was no mention of Cyrus's well-being.
But even this was no reason to feel bad.
Sending a telegram was expensive, and the longer the message, the longer it took for it to arrive. It was natural to keep telegrams short and to the point.
Isaac's safe arrival at the North Ridge and the telegram he received meant that his companion, Cyrus, had also arrived safely. So there was no need to ask him about his well-being.
"It'll take more than ten days to get to the East, even if we hurry, so I'm planning to leave right now. I'm scared to go alone, so please send Ruina or Noah with me."
“Those guys are busy with training.”
Isaac narrowed his eyes and brought his face close to Cyrus's.
"Why? Why do I see in your eyes the image of you trying to interfere with me?"
“It’s not a bother.”
Cyrus pushed Isaac's face away with his palm.
"That's the truth. I realized it this time, when I was ambushed by Paganus. We're still incredibly weak. There's no time to waste."
“Yes, then. I guess I’ll have to go alone.”
Isaac slung his bag over his shoulder as if he was determined to go to the East no matter what obstacles stood in his way.
"If I go alone, I'll just die, I guess."
“Then Your Excellency, I will go...”
Isaac was about to offer a quick greeting when the door burst open. Isaac and Cyrus turned to see a handsome young man with shiny black hair standing there.
It was Andrei Hern.
Andrei said, his eyes sparkling like amethyst.
"I'll accompany you. I've worked hard while His Excellency was away, so I deserve a vacation, don't I?"
***
Eventually, Cyrus assigned several knights as an escort for the journey to the East.
Cyrus watched Isaac and his party leave with a very displeased expression. Andrei watched Cyrus through the carriage window and said.
"Wow, it's true. It's been a long time since I've seen Cyrus show his emotions like that."
“Right? I told you it was a mess!”
"Wow..."
The reason Andrei decided to join this journey was because of what he heard from his father, Duke Hern.
-“Rei, it seems Isaac was right. We’ll have a mistress soon.”
-“What are you talking about, all of a sudden? Were you dreaming?”
-“Do you know that His Excellency is very upset by Paganus’ ambush?”
-“Yes, it looked scary when he came in earlier.”
-“His Excellency’s expression softened as soon as I mentioned the name, Princess Ariana White.”
-“Could it be that he yawned because he was just tired?”
-“Besides, when I said she had sent a telegram to Isaac, he got anxious and ran to Isaac’s room.”
It would be an exaggeration to say he ran off in a hurry. But it was odd that Cyrus, despite the incident on the way, didn't address it and instead headed to Isaac's room.
So he ran to Isaac's room and ended up overhearing Cyrus and Isaac's conversation.
“How is the Duchess? She’s pretty.”
“She's pretty.”
“Compared to the Princess?”
"I think the Princess is Prettier, but His Excellency doesn't seem to agree. He's absolutely certain. The Duchess is the most beautiful in the world."
“I expected that the moment the Duchess appeared in high society, the whole world would be in an uproar.”
Andrei couldn't believe it at all.
“That Cyrus said that?”
"He said so. It wasn't a dream. You heard it before. He was jealous and refused to let me go. I had to go with Your Majesty, that's all."
Andrei kept laughing.
Cyrus, Andrei, and Isaac were born just months apart and have been together ever since. Andrei remembered Cyrus as a child.
Cyrus Carha, who had a lot of laughter and tears.
When the former Northern Duke and his wife died, Cyrus's emotions also died. He frowned and smiled, but these were merely expressions created to suit the situation.
It had been a long time since Cyrus had shown such raw emotion.
Andrei muttered, folding his hands behind his head and leaning back.
"The East is a wonderful place. I'm looking forward to meeting the Duchess there."
***
“That’s ridiculous!”
Helena threw the newspaper away.
The front pages of the Empire's newspapers detailed the beginning and outcome of Ariana's custody trial.
The article, which detailed everything from the abuse Ariana suffered to what led her to decide to run away, was so long it took up several newspaper pages.
Rachel, Helena, and Victoria's real names weren't revealed. They were Ariana's mother and two sisters, but anyone who knew who they were would know.
But there was something else that made Helena angry.
“Why on earth did the Northern Duke help Ariana!”
At her shout, the maids shrugged their shoulders.
In their eyes, it was clear that Helena was pathetic for only caring about the appearance of the 'Northern Duke' even in this situation.
“What is Ariana saying that even the Northern Duke and His Majesty the Emperor are stepping forward to help her? Who on earth is Ariana?”
Helena was so angry that she couldn't stand it.
Despite the fervent pleas of many women, Cyrus Carha, the Northern Duke, never showed up. Known as the Moon God, he never attended any parties, as if he were a mere phantom, leaving only rumors rife.
Cyrus, who was actually at the Duke's castle, ran into Ariana on his way back and helped her. He even protected her on her way to the East.
The newspaper reporter devoted half a page to Cyrus's picturesque appearance at the trial.
As Helena was gritting her teeth, someone knocked on the door.
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