BPFP 46

Chapter 46

“Come here.”
As Noah approached, Austin poked him in the chest with his index finger.
“Don’t think about anything right now. Just watch. And… I have a favor to ask.”
“Huh?”
Noah froze in surprise as his wrist was grabbed.
“The person who can solve this is the one lying over there.”
“Is the tower master incapable?”
“I may be a great magician, but I have no power to heal sickness. Besides, this is a very chronic disease. A vengeful spirit with a deep grudge has attached itself to your body and cursed you.”
“What do you mean…”
“This means it’s eating away at your life even now. If left untreated, it will completely drain your lifespan and you’ll die young. Whoever did this, they put something truly malicious into a child’s body.”

He knew.
He had suspected it.
That he might not live long.
So he looked away.
Facing it directly would only deepen his despair.
He hadn’t eaten the food given by Empress Marianne because he knew it contained something that would worsen his condition. It was poison.
He realized it because eating it caused him severe pain. That’s why he feared food.
It was only at the duke’s mansion that he could eat without fear. His only complaint here was that Elia monopolized the duke’s attention.

“Try to live well this time.”
“Huh?”
“Remember what I said.”
Austin stroked Noah’s head once, then vanished as if he had never been there.

At that moment, someone opened the door.
It was Alexis.
“Your Highness?”
Noah hesitated but approached Alexis.
“Were you worried too, Your Highness?”
Noah didn’t answer.
“Don’t worry. Ellie is just sleeping; she’ll wake up in about two weeks. You should go back and rest too.”
“And the duke?”
“I’m going to read her a storybook.”
“Huh?”
“Elia really likes this storybook.”
Noah looked at the book in Alexis’s hands.
“‘The Dragon’s Rare Escape’?”
“You know it?”
“I saw Serhi carrying it around. I haven’t read it, though.”
“Would you like to hear it together?”
Noah hesitated, and Alexis smiled warmly, taking Noah’s hand and seating him in a chair.
“Let’s listen together. I’ll read it very well.”

The two sat side by side next to Elia.
Alexis opened the book and began reading.
Noah thought the duke’s deep yet gentle voice was very pleasant to hear.
The story was simple: a girl who was to be sacrificed to a dragon becomes friends with the dragon and escapes.
Alexis smiled softly as he watched Noah fall asleep, leaning back in the chair.

Zirk eagerly sought out Austin, expecting praise. Austin was staying in the guest room Alexis had prepared.
“Tower master! I’m here!”
“You seem to have cleaned well.”
“Yes, very thoroughly.”
“Well done.”
Austin smiled gently and patted Zirk’s head.
“So… when can I meet the guardian?”
Zirk had wanted to meet Elia since before coming here.
“The guardian has fallen into a deep sleep. She’ll remain asleep for about two weeks, so let’s wait quietly until then.”
“I haven’t even properly greeted her yet…”
Because he had been fighting monsters with Austin on the castle walls, he hadn’t had a chance to greet Elia. He seemed genuinely disappointed.
“I also have business with the guardian, so I’ll stay here for now and wait for her to wake.”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Tower master, can I see the guardian’s face while she sleeps? I can’t talk to her, but I want to see her.”
“We’ll make time. Let’s go together.”
“Yes, tower master!”

Austin looked at Zirk’s youthful face with pity.
‘If she’s the guardian, maybe she can help us find a clue.’
Even after a long time since meeting Zirk, he was still a child. Helping him grow was another task for Austin.
He had come to the duke’s mansion hoping that through Elia, he could meet the World Tree and find a solution.
He hadn’t expected Elia to be so young.
Austin was genuinely curious about what the World Tree was thinking.
After living for so many years, one could see things others couldn’t—like the secrets of a soul.
For now, the most important thing was that Elia wake up.
Austin looked forward to meeting her in two weeks.

Elia stood beneath a large golden tree.
The sun warmly enveloped her, the fresh wind caressed her, and the fragrant scent of grass filled the air.
“Mother…”
[You were reckless.]
“But this time, I protected it.”
[You look proud.]
“I’m really proud. I managed to protect it this time.”
A large branch lowered to gently stroke Elia’s head.
[Don’t overdo it.]
“You’re worried about me?”
[I’m always worried.]
“Don’t worry, this time I’ll live well.”
[Very well.]

Elia cherished this touch more than any words of reassurance.
[It’s time to return.]
“Already?”
[Hurry back before it’s too late.]
“I’ll come again.”
Elia bowed politely to the World Tree and turned to leave.

Blinking, she opened her eyes fully.
The sunlight was dazzling, probably because it had been so long.
“Elie?”
The first person she saw was Alexis.
“Duke?”
“You’re awake.”
As she tried to get up, Alexis gently pushed her back down.
“Lie down. You’ve been sleeping for two weeks, so your body’s stiff.”
“Two weeks?”
“This time, it was a bit long.”
Elia smiled.
“Is the duke’s mansion safe?”
“…Thanks to you, it is.”
“I’m not angry that I broke my promise, am I?”
“I want to be angry, but I can’t bring myself to when you’re lying there.”

Alexis placed his hand on her forehead.
“Fortunately, your fever has gone down. Felix had a hard time last night because of it.”
“I see…”
“First, let’s eat something.”
“But I’m not hungry at all.”
“The tower master fed you a nutritional supplement while you slept. It’s a special medicine for patients who can’t eat food.”
“Oh, so that’s why…”
“He made sure you ate so you wouldn’t starve.”
“How could I take that while asleep?”
“It was liquid, like medicine, so it worked fine.”
The tower master must have been worried.

Alexis pulled the cord and called Meril.
Meril hugged the awakened Elia and cried for a long time. She must have been very worried.
“Meril, please bring food for Elia.”
“Yes, I’ll go right away.”
Meril left happily.

“Everyone was very worried about you.”
Looking around, the room was filled with dolls.
“The knights and servants prayed for your awakening. All these dolls carry their hearts.”
Thanks to the dolls, the room felt even warmer.
Seeing all those hearts gathered in the room, Elia’s chest felt full.

The dolls came in all shapes: bears, dogs, rabbits, cats, pandas, lions, tigers, ducks, chicks… she could tell who had given each by their unique appearance.
Most importantly, she was happy and sad to realize so many people cared for her.

A while later, Felix came to examine her. Of course, Austin, the tower master, accompanied him.
Felix held Elia’s wrist and examined her.
“Thanks to the tower master’s treatment, your internal injuries have healed quickly. But you should avoid going outside for now.”
Elia looked disappointed.
“Even if you look disappointed, it doesn’t change what must be done.”
As a doctor, he was firm with his patients.
“I’ll go prepare medicine now.”
After saying this, Felix left the room.

“Elie, I’ll go to the study for a bit. Rest.”
“Okay, please go.”
Alexis stroked her head before leaving the room.
Elia gazed quietly at Austin.
He had helped her in so many ways.