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~Chapter 22~
“Sorry, but I don’t think that’s possible. I need to go outside the imperial palace for a few days to handle something.”
“Again? You went out today too.”
I wasn’t scolding him for going out today—I was just curious why he had been leaving so often. But Cassian seemed to think I was blaming him.
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone so often. I don’t want to, but there’s some family matter I have to deal with.”
“Family matter? Your family?”
I never expected an answer like that. Cassian had always been extremely reluctant to talk about his family background.
“Yeah. My father sent me several letters, which I kept ignoring. Then, when I went out to get food, I ran into some family members again. It seems the situation isn’t good. I’m sorry, but I need to go home for a bit.”
Cassian’s expression was dark. I wondered if a beast being dragged to the slaughterhouse would look like that.
I felt bad comparing my beautiful Cassian to an animal being led to slaughter, but honestly, that’s what he looked like—reluctant yet forced to go.
Why didn’t he want to go home? Why does he keep wandering outside? Why… why?
A question I had never dared to ask before got stuck in my throat. I thought asking might make me feel better, but seeing Cassian’s gloomy face, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“If you need to go, then go. But, Cassian… you’re not in a situation like mine, right?”
I meant, like me, fleeing from my stepmother and stepbrother—was he wandering outside to escape something too?
He stiffened at my question.
“Cassian?”
He laughed awkwardly after a moment.
“No, nothing like that. I’m not like you. I don’t have a stepmother, and I don’t have step-siblings either.”
His smile looked strangely forced, like he didn’t really want to explain more. I decided to let it go.
“That’s good. Don’t forget I’ll be waiting here when you get back.”
“Of course. How could I forget you’re waiting? Should I make sure you don’t move until I return?”
His tone was unusually tender. Suddenly, I remembered how he had acted toward Mikhail earlier.
“Of course. Don’t worry about it and go. But Cassian, remember—I won’t be staying here for long.”
Once my mana circuits recover, my location could be traced through Vivace Palace’s magic artifacts.
If Krita finds me, I don’t want to cause inconvenience to Mikhail and Ensu in the process.
Besides, I’ve already told Mikhail I plan to leave Creras, and the same goes for Ensu and Joshua.
I don’t want to be a liar to them.
“Alright, I got it. I was thinking of seeing some places with you while I go out this time anyway.”
Cassian’s eyes softened. I worried he might hesitate to leave Mikhail behind, but thankfully, he didn’t need convincing.
“Really? You’ll do that?”
“Is there anywhere special you want to go?”
“Somewhere far from Vivace.”
“Far from Vivace, huh…”
Cassian rubbed his chin thoughtfully, looking serious as he tried to find a suitable location.
I added, sensing he was pondering carefully:
“Honestly, anywhere is fine. As long as it’s a place where my stepmother can’t easily send people, that’s enough.”
“Alright, understood. I’ll check properly. It’ll also be good to check Vivace’s situation while I’m at it, right?”
“You’ll do that?”
“Yes. But since we don’t know when we’ll return, I think we need to leave you in the emperor’s care while we’re gone.”
Was that really necessary? I was about to question it when I suddenly realized—Cassian might just want an excuse to see Mikhail’s face once more.
“If you want to do it that way, fine. You can use the excuse of getting my new medicine.”
Cassian’s expression brightened immediately at my suggestion.
Perfectly pleased, he didn’t even try to hide it.
“Exactly. But it’s too late to meet the emperor now, isn’t it?”
It was indeed late, but it wasn’t impossible. Mikhail had mentioned the palace move would happen in about two hours.
“Ah… no, it’s possible. The time Mikhail mentioned for moving the palace is almost up, so someone will come soon…”
As I spoke, there was a knock at the door. I shrugged and said:
“I was going to say someone sent by the emperor has come, but it’s already here?”
The visitor was none other than Mikhail himself. His previously relaxed gaze hardened the moment he saw Cassian. Cassian frowned, as if tasting something bitter.
Of course, both of them were aware of each other but pretending not to be.
I smiled and intervened, explaining that, as agreed with Cassian, he would need to leave briefly to obtain my medicine.
Mikhail’s tense expression gradually softened.
“I see. So there’s nothing in Creras that could serve as medicine for Lin?”
I glanced at Cassian for confirmation and answered.
“Yes, unfortunately. The recent shipments of medicinal herbs aren’t in good condition, so he has to go in person. Right, Cassian?”
“Right.”
Cassian offered a terse response but stared at Mikhail intently. Mikhail did the same. Their harsh stares seemed to crackle with electricity.
I chuckled softly and added words to support Cassian’s case.
“Since the herbs are so expensive and many are counterfeit, he has to go himself. I hope Your Majesty won’t think badly of him.”
I worried Mikhail might resent my personal physician’s frequent absences, but he responded cheerfully.
“Of course. If it’s necessary to obtain medicine, then it’s justified. Lin’s condition won’t worsen in the meantime?”
“Yes, not yet. That’s why he’s going to get the medicine.”
Cassian matched Mikhail’s tone appropriately, even though it was gruff.
“I see. Then what should I remember—what medicines Lin needs or precautions?”
Cassian narrowed his eyes, reached inside his chest, and slowly pulled something out to hand to Mikhail.
“Give this to her whenever she vomits blood. If she vomits often, she’ll lose a lot of strength, so be careful. The amount is about a teaspoon. It’s not much, but handle it with care.”
Cassian handed a small pouch to Mikhail, who held it carefully, as if it were extremely precious.
I wondered what was inside. Until now, there hadn’t been any medicine for my blood vomiting. Cassian had told me that vomiting blood was part of adjusting my mana flow, and the blood expelled was unnecessary, so there was no need to worry.
Confused, I stayed silent and listened as Cassian continued explaining.
“This is Lin’s emergency medicine. If I can’t return within two weeks, give this to her. She already knows how to take it.”
Next, Cassian handed Mikhail something I recognized well.
A small transparent vial, about the length of two adult male knuckles, half-filled with green liquid—the mana suppressant I had been taking.
I already had two bottles from Cassian, enough for two weeks, as I took it once a week.
Seeing him prepare for a potential delay made me feel unexpectedly emotional. I called to him softly:
“Cassian.”
He looked at me and smiled.
“I didn’t give it to you today because I was worried you might faint like earlier. You know what I mean, right?”
“……”
“I’ll try to be back within two weeks.”
Cassian gently stroked my hair and smiled, then turned back to Mikhail.
“The things I gave you can’t be obtained outside, so please keep them safe. Lin may faint from vomiting blood, as today. Please pay special attention to her vulnerability to stress. Extreme changes in environment or pressure can be dangerous, so be careful.”
Mikhail’s expression grew very serious.
“I’ll be careful.”
“Then I trust only you with Lin.”
“Of course.”
They looked like comrades preparing for a huge battle. I couldn’t understand the strange dynamic between them.
Just recently, these two had glared at each other and snapped harshly, yet now this was their demeanor.
I found it hard to adapt to their changed behavior. Above all, Cassian speaking politely to Mikhail was extremely odd.
But it was better than constant bickering.
Mikhail prepared the carriage so Cassian could leave the imperial palace comfortably, even ordering the palace gates opened despite the late hour.
I stayed in my room and said goodbye to Cassian.
‘Nothing should happen while he’s gone, right?’
The next day, I immediately regretted that thought.
