(161) Old woman with golden eyes (2)
Shini stared at the old woman nervously. The old woman wore a gentle expression, but Shini felt as if she would shrink back from the suffocating intimidation.
However, she could not escape. Ariana, having encountered the old woman, displayed an unprecedented demeanor before fainting. It was clear that this old woman had done something to her.
Unlike Shini, who was nervous, the old woman chuckled.
"My dear, why are you so nervous?"
“You did something bad to my master. You must come with me.”
"Was that person from earlier your world?"
“That’s right. She is my world and my good weather.”
Even though she couldn't possibly know about the relationship between Ariana and Shini, the old woman laughed as if she knew everything. Shini didn't like that.
As Shini tried to draw her sword, the old woman spoke.
“You are of our clan.”
"So it was Paganus after all. Paganus is an enemy."
"Whose enemy is it?"
"My Master's enemy."
“But even though you are a Paganus, do you not serve your master?”
"I am different."
"In that case, I could be different too."
Since it was the right thing to say, Shini did not draw her sword. However, she glared at the old woman with her hand still on the hilt.
“What have you done to my master?”
"I haven't done anything yet."
“Not yet? Then, are you planning to do it in the future?”
“No. Your master and I will never face each other in the future. However.”
The old woman looked at Shini's face with curiosity.
“Seeing that you, who ought to die, are still alive, something seems to have changed. Surely, I must have done something to your master in the past.”
“From the past? When my master was young?”
The old woman did not answer and smiled meaningfully.
Shini drew her sword and aimed it at the old woman, but the old woman showed no caution at all.
“What did you do to my master?”
“Was it four years ago? I suddenly felt all my strength vanish.”
Instead of answering, the old woman told an incomprehensible story.
“I couldn’t understand why my strength had vanished, but now I do. What kind of grace did I receive back then that I poured everything out to your master?”
“What on earth are you talking about...”
“My child, your master surely has those she hates.”
Shini wondered how the old woman knew such things.
"If she lives harboring only hatred, this opportunity won't be very enjoyable for her either."
“Master... harbors many things besides hatred. He loves his family and loves the Northern Lord.”
The old woman laughed. Her cheerful and hearty laughter, like that of a young woman, filled the alleyway.
At that moment, the old woman looked very young.
While Shini watched the incomprehensible sight with wide eyes, the old woman stopped laughing.
"That’s good. If she harbors that much, it must be a joyful life."
“Things will get even happier from now on. I saw it. Master, you will sit in the noblest place and smile brightly. I will make that happen.”
At Shini's words, the old woman opened her eyes wide, then soon smiled sadly.
“Yes, you will be able to do so. Although there is no longer any connection between your master and me, you and I will meet once again. Remember, my name is Pilouette.”
Before Shini could even answer, the old woman vanished. Thinking she might have gone into hiding like the people of the North, she strained her eyes and looked around, but she could not find any trace of her.
It felt like she was dreaming.
Cyrus picked up the parasol Sini had left behind, handed it to Louis, who had been by his side for a while, and used stealth. He quietly made his way through the bustling crowd toward the mansion.
As she carried the unconscious Ariana inside, Isaac made a huge fuss. He pushed the frantic Isaac away and laid Ariana down in his bedroom.
While Isaac checked on Ariana's condition, Cyrus looked down at her with a somber gaze, lost in thought.
What was that earlier?
Hw saw Ariana heading somewhere? He tried to follow her, but he couldn't move, as if his ankles were being caught by something.
When he barely managed to escape and ran over, Ariana looked like she was about to faint, and she actually did faint.
What on earth happened?
He saw a figure wearing a cloak and a hood disappear. It was clear that he had done something to Ariana, but he hadn't seen it clearly.
It's his fault.
He separated Geor and Averaster, saying he wanted to talk to Ariana alone. In that case, Cyrus had the responsibility and duty to protect Ariana.
I should have protected her...
Ariana barely breathed. Her pale complexion made his heart ache, as she looked like someone on the verge of death.
Why does this woman get hurt and faint every time, squeezing my heart?
“What happened? You were right by her side, so why has the Princess ended up in this state?”
Isaac's words made his heart sink once again.
"Is she in very bad condition?_
"I don't know about that."
The fact that Isaac doesn't know means it is dangerous.
Isaac knew most diseases and could cure most poisons. Yet, he says he doesn't know. Cyrus was just as clueless.
Why couldn't I move? I should have moved faster than anyone else to protect her.
Shini moved. But why couldn't I move? Am I weaker than Shini?
No, that can't be true.
Shini became stronger, but she was not as good as Louis. Louis was strong, but she was not as good as Cyrus.
Isaac said, looking perplexed.
"It doesn't seem like there are any problems. The breathing is a bit weak, but everything else is normal. It doesn't seem like poison, nor does it appear to be due to a weak constitution. Just looking at her, she seems to be asleep without any issues."
"Try doing something."
“Do what? You need to know something first. If you mess with the wrong thing, it could turn into a much bigger disaster.”
Cyrus swallowed a sigh and reached out toward Ariana, but stopped. Since he had been rejected by Ariana, he couldn't just touch her as he pleased, simply because she was asleep.
“Louis.”
"Yes."
"Couldn't you move either?"
“Yes. I couldn’t move an inch.”
"You don't know the reason?"
"Yes."
Cyrus gently closed his eyes and then opened them.
“Louis. Go and inform the Little Lord of the Princess’s condition.”
Cyrus stood motionless beside the bed, watching Ariana, desperately hoping she would open her eyes, even now.
Meanwhile, Isaac continued to check on Ariana's condition, but he could not figure out the cause until the White family members burst in.
Cyrus quietly accepted the accusation that he had been there. He also felt a little relieved to see them looking at Ariana as if he were the one in more pain.
That's a relief. So many people care for her.
Cyrus was standing there, lost in thought, when Shini returned.
"I couldn't catch her."
It was hard to believe she couldn't catch a being who was merely staggering from being pushed around by people, but he couldn't blame Shini. Cyrus and Louis couldn't even move with that person right in front of them.
"You didn't hear anything either?"
“She said a lot of strange things. But she told me that she didn’t do anything to my master.”
"And?"
"And..."
Shini hesitated about whether she should say everything they talked about, but soon made up her mind. It seemed that the issue between the old woman and Ariana was something she shouldn't mention.
"She was an old woman with white hair and eyes the same color as mine. Her face was full of wrinkles, but when she smiled, she looked like a child."
Geor, who had been quietly listening to Shini, spoke to Averaster, Isabelle, and Wiona.
"You guys go back."
“Why? We need to move Ariana to our mansion.”
Geor shook his head at Isabelle's words.
“Since Isaac is here, it is better for Ariana to stay here as well. If we are all here, the Emperor might suspect that the Northern and Eastern Territories are joining forces to plot something wicked.”
Isabelle was about to say that she wanted to stay here too, but seeing the expressions on Geor and Cyrus's faces, she closed her mouth and nodded.
Geor looked back at Averaster.
“Averaster.”
“Alright. I’ll look for that old woman on my way.”
“No, yoy won’t be able to find the old woman. Just tell people to keep quiet. Not that anyone saw Ariana faint because they were busy watching the elephants, though.”
Averaster nodded and took Isabelle and Wiona out. Only then did Geor approach the bedside and look down at Ariana.
Seeing her, looking as if she might breathe at any moment, he was reminded of the moment they first met. Back then, she also looked this anxious, as if she might scatter or fly away.
He wanted to ask.
Why is your life so desperate? What are you carrying that you seem to be walking alongside death? With so many people loving you, why do you still appear enveloped in a lonely night?
If I stroke her cheek and tell her that it's okay now, and that I'll take care of everything, will her darkness lift a little?
That can't be true.
Geor now knew for sure that there was someone else who could light up her night.
Only that man, who shines like the moon even in moments filled with worry and anxiety, could dispel the darkness from this small and weak woman.
As Geor knew just how cold Ariana could be when she was cold, he could tell that she was not cold only to Cyrus.
“Little Lord, it seems you have a hunch about that old woman.”
At the sound of a low voice, Geor turned his head.
Cyrus had a look in his eyes as if he were about to run out and kill the old woman at any moment. His fierce gaze took his breath away.
The gaze of the man, who had had to fight without rest since childhood, was ferocious. He felt he understood why he was called the Iron-Blooded Lord.
Like a small beast facing a wild animal, he felt he should meekly confess everything, but Geor swallowed the words in his head.
He doesn't know if this will be to Ariana's advantage.
Once, on his way back from fighting Paganus in the eastern region, he reached a small village hidden deep in the forest. It was a village where fugitives lived.
The one whose entire family was on the verge of death after falling for a nobleman's scheme, the one who lost all his possessions and nearly became a slave after falling for a moneylender, and the survivors of Paganus.
The reason he did not weed out and kill the Paganus was that he knew that not all of them shared the same will as the current King, Bwissel Crown.
Paganus was divided into a radical faction that wanted to build a vast empire and swallow up the continent, and a moderate faction that wanted to live quietly, believing in God.
The Paganus gathered in that village were moderates.
"They say the late King will return someday."
The child with dark brown skin sat fearlessly next to Geor and said that.
"This war will end when the late King returns."
It has been over 100 years since the radicals seized power in Paganus. During that time, the Kings of Paganus changed several times. Nevertheless, the Pagans referred to a King from the generation before last as the former King.
Shini stared at the old woman nervously. The old woman wore a gentle expression, but Shini felt as if she would shrink back from the suffocating intimidation.
However, she could not escape. Ariana, having encountered the old woman, displayed an unprecedented demeanor before fainting. It was clear that this old woman had done something to her.
Unlike Shini, who was nervous, the old woman chuckled.
"My dear, why are you so nervous?"
“You did something bad to my master. You must come with me.”
"Was that person from earlier your world?"
“That’s right. She is my world and my good weather.”
Even though she couldn't possibly know about the relationship between Ariana and Shini, the old woman laughed as if she knew everything. Shini didn't like that.
As Shini tried to draw her sword, the old woman spoke.
“You are of our clan.”
"So it was Paganus after all. Paganus is an enemy."
"Whose enemy is it?"
"My Master's enemy."
“But even though you are a Paganus, do you not serve your master?”
"I am different."
"In that case, I could be different too."
Since it was the right thing to say, Shini did not draw her sword. However, she glared at the old woman with her hand still on the hilt.
“What have you done to my master?”
"I haven't done anything yet."
“Not yet? Then, are you planning to do it in the future?”
“No. Your master and I will never face each other in the future. However.”
The old woman looked at Shini's face with curiosity.
“Seeing that you, who ought to die, are still alive, something seems to have changed. Surely, I must have done something to your master in the past.”
“From the past? When my master was young?”
The old woman did not answer and smiled meaningfully.
Shini drew her sword and aimed it at the old woman, but the old woman showed no caution at all.
“What did you do to my master?”
“Was it four years ago? I suddenly felt all my strength vanish.”
Instead of answering, the old woman told an incomprehensible story.
“I couldn’t understand why my strength had vanished, but now I do. What kind of grace did I receive back then that I poured everything out to your master?”
“What on earth are you talking about...”
“My child, your master surely has those she hates.”
Shini wondered how the old woman knew such things.
"If she lives harboring only hatred, this opportunity won't be very enjoyable for her either."
“Master... harbors many things besides hatred. He loves his family and loves the Northern Lord.”
The old woman laughed. Her cheerful and hearty laughter, like that of a young woman, filled the alleyway.
At that moment, the old woman looked very young.
While Shini watched the incomprehensible sight with wide eyes, the old woman stopped laughing.
"That’s good. If she harbors that much, it must be a joyful life."
“Things will get even happier from now on. I saw it. Master, you will sit in the noblest place and smile brightly. I will make that happen.”
At Shini's words, the old woman opened her eyes wide, then soon smiled sadly.
“Yes, you will be able to do so. Although there is no longer any connection between your master and me, you and I will meet once again. Remember, my name is Pilouette.”
Before Shini could even answer, the old woman vanished. Thinking she might have gone into hiding like the people of the North, she strained her eyes and looked around, but she could not find any trace of her.
It felt like she was dreaming.
***
Cyrus picked up the parasol Sini had left behind, handed it to Louis, who had been by his side for a while, and used stealth. He quietly made his way through the bustling crowd toward the mansion.
As she carried the unconscious Ariana inside, Isaac made a huge fuss. He pushed the frantic Isaac away and laid Ariana down in his bedroom.
While Isaac checked on Ariana's condition, Cyrus looked down at her with a somber gaze, lost in thought.
What was that earlier?
Hw saw Ariana heading somewhere? He tried to follow her, but he couldn't move, as if his ankles were being caught by something.
When he barely managed to escape and ran over, Ariana looked like she was about to faint, and she actually did faint.
What on earth happened?
He saw a figure wearing a cloak and a hood disappear. It was clear that he had done something to Ariana, but he hadn't seen it clearly.
It's his fault.
He separated Geor and Averaster, saying he wanted to talk to Ariana alone. In that case, Cyrus had the responsibility and duty to protect Ariana.
I should have protected her...
Ariana barely breathed. Her pale complexion made his heart ache, as she looked like someone on the verge of death.
Why does this woman get hurt and faint every time, squeezing my heart?
“What happened? You were right by her side, so why has the Princess ended up in this state?”
Isaac's words made his heart sink once again.
"Is she in very bad condition?_
"I don't know about that."
The fact that Isaac doesn't know means it is dangerous.
Isaac knew most diseases and could cure most poisons. Yet, he says he doesn't know. Cyrus was just as clueless.
Why couldn't I move? I should have moved faster than anyone else to protect her.
Shini moved. But why couldn't I move? Am I weaker than Shini?
No, that can't be true.
Shini became stronger, but she was not as good as Louis. Louis was strong, but she was not as good as Cyrus.
Isaac said, looking perplexed.
"It doesn't seem like there are any problems. The breathing is a bit weak, but everything else is normal. It doesn't seem like poison, nor does it appear to be due to a weak constitution. Just looking at her, she seems to be asleep without any issues."
"Try doing something."
“Do what? You need to know something first. If you mess with the wrong thing, it could turn into a much bigger disaster.”
Cyrus swallowed a sigh and reached out toward Ariana, but stopped. Since he had been rejected by Ariana, he couldn't just touch her as he pleased, simply because she was asleep.
“Louis.”
"Yes."
"Couldn't you move either?"
“Yes. I couldn’t move an inch.”
"You don't know the reason?"
"Yes."
Cyrus gently closed his eyes and then opened them.
“Louis. Go and inform the Little Lord of the Princess’s condition.”
Cyrus stood motionless beside the bed, watching Ariana, desperately hoping she would open her eyes, even now.
Meanwhile, Isaac continued to check on Ariana's condition, but he could not figure out the cause until the White family members burst in.
Cyrus quietly accepted the accusation that he had been there. He also felt a little relieved to see them looking at Ariana as if he were the one in more pain.
That's a relief. So many people care for her.
Cyrus was standing there, lost in thought, when Shini returned.
"I couldn't catch her."
It was hard to believe she couldn't catch a being who was merely staggering from being pushed around by people, but he couldn't blame Shini. Cyrus and Louis couldn't even move with that person right in front of them.
"You didn't hear anything either?"
“She said a lot of strange things. But she told me that she didn’t do anything to my master.”
"And?"
"And..."
Shini hesitated about whether she should say everything they talked about, but soon made up her mind. It seemed that the issue between the old woman and Ariana was something she shouldn't mention.
"She was an old woman with white hair and eyes the same color as mine. Her face was full of wrinkles, but when she smiled, she looked like a child."
Geor, who had been quietly listening to Shini, spoke to Averaster, Isabelle, and Wiona.
"You guys go back."
“Why? We need to move Ariana to our mansion.”
Geor shook his head at Isabelle's words.
“Since Isaac is here, it is better for Ariana to stay here as well. If we are all here, the Emperor might suspect that the Northern and Eastern Territories are joining forces to plot something wicked.”
Isabelle was about to say that she wanted to stay here too, but seeing the expressions on Geor and Cyrus's faces, she closed her mouth and nodded.
Geor looked back at Averaster.
“Averaster.”
“Alright. I’ll look for that old woman on my way.”
“No, yoy won’t be able to find the old woman. Just tell people to keep quiet. Not that anyone saw Ariana faint because they were busy watching the elephants, though.”
Averaster nodded and took Isabelle and Wiona out. Only then did Geor approach the bedside and look down at Ariana.
Seeing her, looking as if she might breathe at any moment, he was reminded of the moment they first met. Back then, she also looked this anxious, as if she might scatter or fly away.
He wanted to ask.
Why is your life so desperate? What are you carrying that you seem to be walking alongside death? With so many people loving you, why do you still appear enveloped in a lonely night?
If I stroke her cheek and tell her that it's okay now, and that I'll take care of everything, will her darkness lift a little?
That can't be true.
Geor now knew for sure that there was someone else who could light up her night.
Only that man, who shines like the moon even in moments filled with worry and anxiety, could dispel the darkness from this small and weak woman.
As Geor knew just how cold Ariana could be when she was cold, he could tell that she was not cold only to Cyrus.
“Little Lord, it seems you have a hunch about that old woman.”
At the sound of a low voice, Geor turned his head.
Cyrus had a look in his eyes as if he were about to run out and kill the old woman at any moment. His fierce gaze took his breath away.
The gaze of the man, who had had to fight without rest since childhood, was ferocious. He felt he understood why he was called the Iron-Blooded Lord.
Like a small beast facing a wild animal, he felt he should meekly confess everything, but Geor swallowed the words in his head.
He doesn't know if this will be to Ariana's advantage.
Once, on his way back from fighting Paganus in the eastern region, he reached a small village hidden deep in the forest. It was a village where fugitives lived.
The one whose entire family was on the verge of death after falling for a nobleman's scheme, the one who lost all his possessions and nearly became a slave after falling for a moneylender, and the survivors of Paganus.
The reason he did not weed out and kill the Paganus was that he knew that not all of them shared the same will as the current King, Bwissel Crown.
Paganus was divided into a radical faction that wanted to build a vast empire and swallow up the continent, and a moderate faction that wanted to live quietly, believing in God.
The Paganus gathered in that village were moderates.
"They say the late King will return someday."
The child with dark brown skin sat fearlessly next to Geor and said that.
"This war will end when the late King returns."
It has been over 100 years since the radicals seized power in Paganus. During that time, the Kings of Paganus changed several times. Nevertheless, the Pagans referred to a King from the generation before last as the former King.
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