Chapter 209

Chapter 209

“Forgive me...”

It was an unexpected expression of apology, but Sierra did not falter. A calm, quiet voice swept over the tall grass.

“I can no longer... obey Lady Roxana’s orders.”

Indeed, months had passed since Sierra’s daughter left Agrece and had given her loyal right-hand woman orders to protect her mother at all costs. Until that moment, she had faithfully performed her duties, but... a light wind had begun to stir within her ever since her master had come to visit them.

She did not feel she belonged apart from the young woman any longer. Her thoughts wandered every day since her master’s last visit until she finally felt she could make her own decision. Since Beth intended to go against her orders, she prepared herself to accept punishment from Sierra.

“Why are you apologizing? I am not your master.” But the older woman simply smiled at her gently. “You may go, Emily.”

The steward bowed her head after memorizing the mother’s magnanimous and warm face.

“Give my regards to Xana as well.”

The warm summer breeze playfully tussled her golden hair. She watched as Emily left to return to her one and only master’s side. The sunlight beamed brightly as Sierra bid the loyal woman a heartfelt farewell.

* * *

Deon stared out the window as he leaned against his bed. It was only his second time experiencing the dullness that came from a peaceful life, so he was still not used to it.

Maria had placed his medicine near the head of his bed after he continued to ignore her and refused to drink the medicine, thus forcing her to give up and leave the room. He felt awkward seeing his mother tend to him so caringly, but he was also fully aware as to why she was doing so, thus didn’t make it easy for her.

His recovery was slow, but he did feel better with each passing day. Of course, his left arm would remain severed just below his elbow for the rest of his life since sorcery could only help reattach a limb that was fully intact. There was a good chance that his left forearm had been discarded along with the puppet remnants littered throughout Yggdrasil castle.

He glanced down at his bandaged nub. To Agreces, losing a limb was essentially a death sentence. Even so, he was relieved that his arm was the thing that had been slashed that day. Then he wondered what had happened to Achille’s puppet. That day they faced off in that open field with the sunset creating a crimson backdrop for them, he recalled being the first to loosen his grip on his weapon. He still remembered the sensation of the sharp blade touching his skin.

Roxana’s butterflies had robbed him of all other sensations from that moment onward, but he was almost certain that the puppet was still alive. After all, she had even allowed him to live. Even if that was not a good enough reason, he still felt certain that the puppet was still out there somewhere—alive.

Does that mean she’s with it right now?

Deon had also seen Sierra now and then while staying in her home again. As he studied her face, he was certain she was still unaware of the puppet’s existence. Knowing Roxana, she would not have told her mother about him anyhow.

Wind blew in through the window, then lingered in the room. The white curtains fluttered like waves. The fuzzy image of his half-sister came into view for a moment, but by the time he blinked, she was gone again.

Even he had to admit that he was shameless for still wanting to be at her side. Yet for some reason, he no longer felt the urge to kill anyone else who would dare stand beside her. For whatever reason, a great deal of the poison that had welled up inside of him had vanished since that day.

Perhaps she had seen through him and therefore told him that he might still prove useful to her in the future. Even so, nothing could or would ever erase what he had done in the past. The fact remained that he was the one who had taken her brother’s life. Despite that though, Roxana had not denied him the chance to return to her.

Ironically, what he wished for more than anything was to...

“...live on.”

For her sake, that was all he could think to do, but as someone she truly needed this time. Even if her words rang true and she never forgave him.

“When you become a man worth killing... I will end you with my own hands on that day.”

Thus, until the day he could finally accept the heavy punishment placed upon his shoulders, he would gladly wait until he could kneel before her and offer his head as penance. He did not expect her to ever shed the same tears she had over Achille’s death, but he hoped that at the very least she would smile with glee when she did finally kill him with her own hands.

Deon stared up at the sky outside his window as he wallowed in the ridiculous thoughts yet again. It was a deep blue with an unfathomable end. That azure expanse shined down on him, then blurred his vision with its clear light. He eventually had to turn away.

* * *

The great conference at Yggdrasil castle continued for three days. Once the seemingly endless time had passed, each of the clan’s representatives scattered yet again. Just as they had arrived, Roxana and Jeremy proceeded to the carriage they had prepared beforehand while walking in sync.

“You’re late.”

An unexpected someone greeted them just as the vehicle came into view. Cassis Pedelian, who had been leaning on its door, stood up to meet their stunned gazes. Roxana stopped in her tracks as soon as she spotted him, while her brother stared in flustered confusion at the Blue Heir who seemed to have waited for them.

“What’s going on?! Why are you here?!”

“I plan to accompany you two, of course.”

“But our destinations are different.”

Jeremy had anticipated having more alone time with his sister so was openly infuriated. Disregarding the Black Master’s furrowed brow or not, Cassis went on solemnly.

“Besides, I know you two aren’t heading directly back to Agrece.”

Jeremy’s lips snapped shut. He turned to his sister with a depressed expression at the thought she would have told the Blue Bastard of their plans, but he soon realized that she was just as shocked at what he had said.

“How did you... know?” she asked.

He felt better after hearing her shared confusion. They had originally planned to go searching for Nix as soon as the conference was over. They at least wished to recover his corpse if they discovered he was already dead. But if he was still alive... They would decide how to proceed later.

“How could I not know?” Cassis let out a low, fleeting chuckle. Roxana had always been like that since the day they had first met. She was still the same woman who had saved him from Lante Agrece’s clutches three years prior.

She had even sent her poison butterflies out to prevent any unnecessary casualties between the Agrece and Pedelian forces during the Blue clan’s ambush that previous winter. And not only had she destroyed the monsters advancing toward the neutral territory, but she had also tried to direct Cassis toward those who the puppets were attacking.

In the end, she even tried to save both Deon and Nix. That was the Roxana Cassis knew. She would not give up on the puppet of her brother easily either.

He couldn’t help feeling sympathy toward her. Luckily, his last meeting with Nix hadn’t been entirely fruitless. He may not have healed him, but the puppet’s decay should have slowed considerably even without sorcery. Thus, it was quite possible he was still alive.

Cassis wiped the bitter smile from his expression as he continued to gaze at Roxana. The memories of their time together in Pedelian suddenly slipped into his mind. It hadn’t been all that long ago, yet it felt like such a distant period in their relationship. Back then, he had sworn to himself that he would find her wherever she was, then return her to his side.

Even as he had helped her escape the Gold manor with Nix over his shoulder, he had encouraged her to do whatever she pleased. He had also promised that he would stay by her side no matter what, but the reality was that they needed to remain in their respective territories for the foreseeable future.

They both held positions with their own respective duties that required their full attention. So since he did not wish to stop her, he decided that if she couldn’t come to where he was, he would go to her instead. Of course, only after completing the tasks that required his immediate attention. He had made that very decision before entering Agrece to see her just before the masters’ conference.

“I’m sure I can be of help. My energy might still be inside of Nix.” He focused on her scarlet eyes before continuing. “So please let me go with you.”

She stared at him in silence for a moment before finally sighing with a smile. Then she turned to Jeremy. “Sorry, little brother, but would it be all right if Cassis joined us?”

“Um... Sure... Do whatever you want, Sis.”

Jeremy’s expression gave the impression that his world had just been crushed, but he managed to force a smile onto his face as Roxana looked at him. As soon as she turned her back, however, he glared menacingly at the Pedelian for intruding on their special expedition.

“Let’s set out before it gets dark.”

Thus, the three left Yggdrasil in one carriage. There were a number of times that Roxana had felt confused as to whether the story was still a tragedy or had become a comedy, but either way, it was her new life. She supposed it would prove impossible to distinguish one from the other entirely since the tale wouldn’t end until her death.

As seasons continued to change throughout the lands of kingdoms that had fallen to ruin, life continued to spring up in barren expanses. And under the blinding light that rose each day after the night’s limitless darkness, they took their first steps toward a new beginning.

It was indeed a good day to start again.

The End.