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Chapter 39
Helga, a maid working in the Cartellani Ducal Estate’s kitchen, spent her days happily. She commuted daily, learned cooking from the head chef, and enjoyed her time.
“Helga, get home safe.”
“Yes, Chef. See you tomorrow.”
When she stepped outside after saying her goodbyes, it was already night.
“It’s so late. I need to hurry.”
She was the breadwinner of her family, taking care of her two younger siblings.
“They’ll be so happy when they see this, right?”
Before she left, the chef had packed some bread in a basket for her to share with her siblings. He often gave leftovers to the maids.
She exited the castle gates and headed toward the village.
Helga still couldn’t live in the outer castle, so she stayed in the fief village outside.
It was said that you had to work at least ten years for the ducal family before being allowed to live inside the outer castle. Helga’s goal was to someday be as capable as Head Maid Meryl, and live there with her family.
The village itself wasn’t bad though.
After Elia finished repairing the outer castle village, she also had the houses in the fief village repaired, so living conditions had improved greatly.
No more leaking roofs, no more cold drafts sneaking in. And with food rations sufficient, no one had to worry about starving to death.
Life had become much better thanks to Elia.
That was why Helga adored her deeply.
Lately, she understood well why everyone in the ducal household cherished Elia so much.
The road to the village was safe since the Iron Eagle Knights regularly patrolled it, so her steps were light.
“Helga, heading home now?”
Two knights on patrol recognized her and called out.
“Yes, looks like it.”
“Shall we escort you to the village gate?”
“That won’t be necessary. It’s safe here thanks to you knights.”
“Still, it’s night. Aren’t you scared to be alone?”
“I take this road all the time. Besides, I can’t keep busy knights tied up with me. And don’t worry, I have the protective necklace the young lady gave us.”
She lifted the necklace to show them. The knights smiled.
“All right, then. Get home safe.”
“Yes!”
Helga smiled brightly and quickened her pace.
It was a path she had walked hundreds of times.
So familiar that she wasn’t afraid at all.
She even began humming.
After walking a while, she spotted the village entrance sign.
“Finally here.”
Her house was just past the gate.
But just as she was about to pass the sign, a shadow leapt out and grabbed her.
“Mmmpf!”
Her mouth was covered, the basket dropped to the ground, and the shadow dragged her away with overwhelming strength.
Helga instantly sensed disaster if she let herself be taken. With trembling hands, she pulled out a capsule hidden in her necklace and hurled it at the assailant.
Pop!
The capsule burst, spreading powder into the air.
Helga held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Ugh, what is this—cough, cough!”
The grip on her loosened. She shoved the shadow away and broke free.
“Gah… urk. You…!”
The figure staggered toward her, then collapsed.
“Haah… haah…”
Helga’s legs trembled as she cautiously approached to check.
It was a man in a black robe.
She noticed a rose emblem embroidered on the robe’s sleeve. Then his fingers twitched—startling her into bolting from the scene.
The next morning.
While serving breakfast, Meryl reported the incident to Elia.
“As you predicted, young lady, there was indeed an attempt to kidnap our servants last night.”
“Is everyone safe?”
“Thankfully, yes. The protective necklaces you gave us helped avert disaster.”
“That’s a relief. I’ve already made more, so give replacements to those who used theirs.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Truly, your foresight is remarkable.”
Meryl bowed deeply, her waist bent at ninety degrees.
“Thanks to you, my fellow servants are safe. We are truly grateful, my lady.”
“Meryl, raise your head. I should be thanking you. I’m just glad no one was hurt. I don’t want anyone to suffer.”
“Young lady…”
“I’m hungry. Can we eat now?”
“Ah, forgive me! Please eat before it gets cold.”
“But this dish is new, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Helga, one of the kitchen maids, made this meat pie herself. She wanted to thank you for saving her life with the necklace.”
“It looks delicious.”
“I’ll cut it for you.”
Elia spread jam on a slice and took a bite. Perhaps because it was made with such care, it tasted truly wonderful.
“Mmm, it’s so good. Make sure she knows I really enjoyed it.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After the meal, dessert was served—refreshing blueberry yogurt, perfect for cleansing the palate.
Once finished, Elia headed to the Blessed Land.
The land blessed by the World Tree was a secret place, known only to the ducal household.
It also served as protection for Elia’s existence.
That was why massive trees had been transplanted around it, forming a barrier like a wall.
Beyond that wall stretched the vast Blessed Land. When Elia appeared, the fief’s farmers greeted her warmly with bright smiles.
She walked around, inspecting the fields. Thanks to the blessing, crops grew at an astonishing rate.
The wheat sown just two months ago was already nearly ready for harvest, and the vegetable fields were thriving.
Sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn, and other staples flourished, as did cabbages, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and peppers.
The farmers’ faces radiated happiness. The first harvest seemed likely to come much sooner than expected.
Watching them work diligently, sweat glistening as they tended the fields, Elia felt her chest tighten with emotion.
Two weeks later.
Alexis arrived secretly in the capital.
The emperor had requested his presence in utmost secrecy.
Alexis followed the address given in the emperor’s letter. He left his horse at a nearby stable, paid the keeper, and asked for discretion.
The place was an old but elegant mansion, though it looked abandoned for years.
Moss covered the walls, and the unkempt garden was filled with dead branches and withered grass.
When Alexis opened the gate, the emperor’s chief chamberlain awaited him.
“Welcome, my lord.”
“Is His Majesty inside?”
“Yes. I’ll guide you. But your knights must wait on the first floor.”
“Very well.”
Leaving Dmitri and the Iron Eagle Knights downstairs, Alexis followed into a room on the second floor.
In the spacious room, a round table stood with two chairs. The emperor sat in one of them.
“I greet the Sun of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor.”
Alexis bowed low, but the emperor raised his hand.
“Rise, and sit, Duke.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
He seated himself opposite the emperor.
“You must be curious why I summoned you here.”
“I have some guesses.”
“Oh? You do?”
“Prince Noah. Entrust him to me, Your Majesty.”
Alexis spoke before the emperor could.
“You would ease my burden? Your thoughtfulness moves me.”
Alexis did not reply.
“You are correct. I want to place Noah in your care.”
“…”
“I had to meet you in secret, away from the palace, to avoid the nobles’ eyes.”
“…Is your health well enough?”
The emperor’s complexion looked worse than before.
“As you see, I endure. For now…”
Alexis’s eyes sank with concern.
“Are you truly all right?”
“You worry for me?”
He gave no answer.
The emperor’s face turned solemn.
“Take care of Noah for five years.”
Alexis understood the implication.
“You don’t mean… to use him in the struggle for the throne, do you?”
“Do you think that cruel?”
“Honestly, yes.”
Considering how Noah had been treated within the royal family all this time, how could he not?
