🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 57
Hider realized he had surpassed the limits of human ability.
He no longer felt the weight of his body.
He was no longer bound to the earth—no longer shackled by the gravity of this world.
He understood now. Nothing in this world could bind him unless he willed it.
He finally understood why the Emperor was so submissive toward Tyburn.
Tyburn had always had the option to leave this place whenever he wanted.
“Haa…”
Hider stepped forward slowly. The sensation was foreign. Even his sword felt light.
He realized it now—this blade was merely a tool.
Unless it was a masterpiece like Exilon, no sword could truly match a Sword Master.
Anything in his hand could become a weapon.
“So this is what it feels like…”
A gentle smile bloomed on Hider’s lips.
He finally felt like he’d taken one step closer to Rani.
But the bliss lasted only a moment.
“Rani!!”
A blood-curdling scream sent his heart plummeting.
His body may have transcended human limitations, but his heart and mind were still tethered to this world.
Tethered by his own will.
Hider stomped down.
There was no need to take the stairs.
He soared upward and landed cleanly on the balcony outside Rani’s room.
As he flung open the balcony doors and entered, he saw Dania clutching Rani tightly in her arms.
Dania—a maid of similar age who was close to Rani.
“What happened?”
“She collapsed, young master! What should we do? I knew she was overworking herself… She hasn’t looked well lately, and now…”
“Give her to me.”
Without hesitation, Dania handed Rani over into Hider’s arms.
“Then I’ll go fetch Madam Luella right away!”
Dania gathered her skirts and dashed out of the room.
Hider exhaled, holding the burning-hot body in his arms.
“I knew this would happen… You’re so stubborn.”
He had told her to rest several days ago, but Rani had ignored him completely.
Did she think her body was made of steel?
But knowing the reason behind all her effort made his heart ache even more.
She was doing this for the household—and for him.
“This is for me too, young master. I’m part of this household, after all!”
That’s what Rani had said.
But he couldn’t help but wonder—if she were alone, how much easier her life would’ve been?
It broke his heart.
There was nothing Hider could do for her.
He gently laid Rani on the bed.
So small and precious.
She looked even more fragile than usual.
“Don’t be sick.”
You promised you wouldn’t get sick.
“Don’t suffer, Rani.”
If you suffer, I suffer.
If you can’t endure it, maybe I won’t be able to either.
Rani was his cane—his pillar.
Hider let out a soft sigh.
He could hear footsteps outside.
People burst into the room in a flurry of murmurs.
Madam Luella stepped forward and checked Rani’s condition.
“…This is bad. She has a high fever. There are medicines I can give her, but…”
Her expression clouded.
The mansion had everything—food, herbs, leather, silk.
Not a single item was lacking.
Except one.
A doctor.
The Cattieron safehouse had no physician.
When the estate was sealed off, all the doctors had been dismissed.
Any connection to the Duchess of Kiera’s faction had been severed.
“There’s no one to prescribe her medicine.”
The servants began murmuring.
They had all gotten by so far without serious illness, but the uncertainty of how long this isolation would last made them anxious.
“Maybe now’s the time to hire a doctor. We’ve been uneasy for a while.”
One servant cautiously suggested.
Luella looked at the unconscious Rani and nodded grimly.
“I agree. But… is it even possible?”
She let out a deep sigh. Her hand, gently brushing Rani’s hair, was trembling.
“Now that Rani’s collapsed, who could even leave to go find one? And bringing a doctor back unnoticed…”
“I’ll do it. Rani needs a doctor. That’s what matters, right?”
Hider spoke with quiet determination.
There was something eerie about the smile on his face.
“I’ll bring one, no matter what. Until then, please take care of Rani.”
Perhaps it was his force of will, but Luella found herself nodding.
Hider rose to his feet and vanished out the door in the blink of an eye.
Watching his retreating figure, Luella let out a quiet breath.
“Dania, bring some herbs. We need to lower her fever.”
“Yes, madam!”
“And you—fetch some lukewarm water and towels. The rest of you, soak towels and hang them around the room.”
At her command, the servants scrambled into action.
They all looked at Rani’s unconscious figure with sympathy.
She had carried the burden of the Cattieron estate on her tiny shoulders.
Perhaps this was inevitable.
Maybe they had expected too much from her.
And so, a day without Rani began.
Early the next morning, Viscount Aros opened the door and was startled to find Hider standing there.
It was the first time he’d come without Rani.
“I’ve come to ask a favor.”
There was a chilling dignity in his face.
He seemed to have grown, not just in height, but in presence.
There was an unmistakable air of strength and command.
It’s like facing Lord Tyburn…!
Something extraordinary must have happened in the Cattieron mansion.
Viscount Aros swallowed hard. He dared not pry—but his curiosity burned.
“You’ve reached a new level, young master. My congratulations.”
“…Thank you. But for now—”
“Of course. I swear I’ll keep your secret, even if a blade is at my throat.”
Hider gave a small chuckle.
“No need to go that far.”
“What is your request? Whatever it is, I shall fulfill it.”
There was no doubt in Aros’ mind—Hider would be the next wielder of Exilon.
He wasn’t like Carte, who depended on medicine and made no progress in swordsmanship.
Hider had already proven himself worthy. He was far more likely to become the next head of House Cattieron.
Aros’ reverence deepened.
“I need a doctor. Someone who can stay in the mansion until Grandfather returns and the gates reopen.”
“With money, finding someone shouldn’t be difficult.”
“But I need them today. As soon as possible.”
“…Something’s happened, hasn’t it?”
“Rani is sick.”
Hider’s voice dropped to a whisper.
He looked like a lost child.
“She must have pushed herself too hard. She’s burning up. I need her to see a doctor. Can you help?”
“I’ll start searching right away. No—wait. There’s an assistant to my family’s physician. Highly capable. I’m sure he’ll do.”
Aros nodded firmly.
He’d never seen Hider look like this before.
He already knew Hider held Rani dear.
But for some reason, at that moment, he thought of Amy—who had died a tragic death.
He stopped himself.
Rani was not Amy.
And Hider was not Herden.
What mattered now was that Hider had made a request.
As a loyal vassal of Cattieron, Aros had a duty to fulfill it.
He immediately summoned a servant and dispatched someone to the mansion.
“It may take a little time to bring him here. Would you like to wait inside?
Count Zeck and Viscount Nathan have also expressed interest in meeting you.”
Hider nodded.
“Let’s meet them.”
“I’m sure they’ll be genuinely pleased by your achievement.”
Aros smiled warmly.
Perhaps the crumbling future of House Cattieron was finally being rebuilt.
That hope filled his heart with light.
