Saya’s recovery was faster than Dimitri expected. In around half a year, she could get up and walk around without a problem. Her complexion had also improved, her eyes regaining their original luster. Still, she wasn’t the same as before.
Her cheeks were gaunt, and the deep color in her eyes gave a glimpse at the complex emotions rampaging within her. Her appearance, which could once be called sweet, was now highlighted with a hint of adult beauty, as if she was becoming a woman.
Jubilia wanted to believe this change wasn’t a reflection of the poor condition of her body, but rather of the growth of her mind. Saya was a girl who was rapidly becoming a woman. Even Jubilia, who saw her on an everyday basis, was surprised at the speed of this change.
Saya still wasn’t allowed to walk around for extended periods of time. That time she once spent escaping from the Garden and walking a mountain path with Nagi almost felt like a dream now.
“I hope Nagi comes back soon.”
“He was just here last week,” Jubilia replied with a smile.
“I’m better now, so I want to see him every day.”
“You still haven’t recovered completely. Besides, he must be rather busy himself. He is the commoners’ hero. He’s famous now that Cobalt has publicly announced his name.”
“But Nagi is staying in Garuga Village, right?”
“Yes. Nagi is living with the Crestfolk. However, Crow’s group needs the legitimacy his role in saving you gives them. Without that, the credit for our victory at the palace gates lies at the nobility’s feet.”
“It’s weird for Nagi to be a hero.”
“I’m sure you’re lonely, having your personal hero taken away from you.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“You’ll be able to see him every day when you get better.”
So Jubilia said, but Dimitri was of the opinion that she should keep contact with Nagi to a minimum. Despite the fact that Saya’s condition was gradually improving, it didn’t change the threat the royal caliber posed to her life, should it activate.
“But it’s so boring here. Oh, not that it’s your fault, Jubilia.”
“I know.”
“I’m locked up once more,” Saya muttered sadly.
This girl was the same as always; her freedom—the only thing she really wanted—dangled just beyond her reach.
“Is there anything interesting going on?”
“This again? Even if you ask me, I only know about the current state of affairs.”
“Then let’s talk about it. Is Lernaean still killing people?”
“Such a violent topic... Executions of counterrevolutionary forces carry on apace. Not a day passes where the gallows go empty.”
“How long will this go on?”
“I don’t know. When the new order is properly established... I think.”
“Lernaean and his inner circle achieved that long ago. Crow and the others are even being called neo-nobles, now that they’ve been given Amrita. Where did the commoners’ ally go?”
“Their lives are in danger, given their current position. I’ve heard that those who had become cabinet ministers were given Amrita as a special case for public safety. Crow was a scholar to begin with, so he must have taken Amrita before, too.”
“I wonder if this is what Crow wished for. He wanted Amrita. He wanted to become chairman. Just like Lernaean.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case...”
“You love Lernaean, don’t you?”
The way Saya always reduced everything to love showed she was nothing more than a young girl. That was exactly what she was, after all. She was simply a girl in love with a boy named Nagi. However, the blood flowing through her body wouldn’t allow that.
Jubilia found the innocent love budding between Saya and Nagi to be tremendously dazzling. That was why she was afraid for them. It was impossible for such a flower to bloom within this raging storm.
“Lady Saya, Dame Jubilia, a visitor has arrived from Garuga Village.”
“Nagi?!” Saya yelled, practically leaping up in joy.
“No, it’s a woman named Tess.”
Saya collapsed back into a state of dejection.
“Let her through. Lady Saya, it’s rude to be so clearly despondent.”
Tess arrived shortly after. It would be normal for Saya to envy this girl for being at Nagi’s side at all times, but mysteriously enough, Saya didn’t seem to hate her. Tess also seemed to bear no hatred for Saya, setting aside her position as the Sovereign entirely.
“I bet you’re disappointed I’m not Nagi.”
“That’s not true,” Saya replied, her tone crestfallen.
Even Tess could see through this facade completely. “Sorry for keeping Nagi in Garuga all the time.”
Her tone was inappropriate for speaking to the Sovereign, but Saya wished for this herself. Nagi and Tess were special exceptions.
“Mm. I’m jealous. I wish I was you, Tess.”
“Lady Saya, you cannot make such statements.”
Jubilia was flustered. Such a remark would be a tremendous problem if heard by others.
“It’s okay, I won’t say it anywhere but here.”
“It’d be nice if we could switch places,” Tess suddenly said. “I want to see your child already.”
“Wh-What are you saying?!”
“Jubilia, there’s no need to yell all the time,” Saya said, leaving Jubilia in dismay. “Anyway, why are you here, Tess?”
“Right. I rushed over with a message from Nagi... I guess it’s more of a message from Garuga Village, though.” Saya’s eyes sparkled at the mention of her lover’s name, which left Tess feeling apologetic for stating it that way. “The chief, Zamin, is about to die. Nagi would like you to come see him, if possible. The Crestfolk pay respect to the dying. He wants you to show them that you’re still our ally, even after becoming the Sovereign.”
“That’s a little...” Jubilia muttered.
She had immediately understood the logic behind Nagi’s request. He had a good grasp of Saya’s condition. It wasn’t impossible for her to go to Garuga Village if she rode a cogwagon at a gentle pace, but it would still be a burden on her. And yet, Nagi wanted her to come anyway, so it had to be serious. The public image of the Crestfolk in the eyes of the new administration must’ve been rather bad. Jubilia’s own apprehensions seemed to be correct.
The Crestfolk had suffered the most losses during the revolution. Despite this, they couldn’t even receive the blessings of Amrita in the first place. Jubilia believed they would be satisfied if the government simply rescinded sterilizations, but that wasn’t quite right. The commoners could still cling to the dream of obtaining Amrita one day, but such deception didn’t work on the Crestfolk. Moreover, no Crestfolk were part of the new administration. It was obvious they would be discontent.
And now they were requesting Saya rush over as Zamin lay on the verge of death in a bid to quash such sentiment. The Sovereign’s arrival would be a strong declaration to the Crestfolk as a whole.
“I’ll go,” Saya answered, perhaps unaware of the anguish Jubilia was going through.
“But what of your condition...?”
“Dimitri said I’m mostly fine now. It’ll be okay if I ride a cogwagon. I’ll go back right away if my condition worsens. So, please?”
“Very well. I’m sure Lord Lernaean will permit it for just a few days.”
“Yay. Oh, I guess I shouldn’t be celebrating. Sorry, Tess.”
Saya had suddenly remembered this was about Zamin being on his deathbed.
“I don’t blame you, but when you get to the village, save the smiles for when you’re alone with Nagi. Everyone’s on edge.”
“Okay.”
Even as Jubilia felt depressed over how to get this approved, she felt warmth in her heart seeing Saya truly happy for the first time in a while.
Two days after receiving the request, Saya and Jubilia departed for Garuga Village. Nagi asked other important government officials like Lernaean and Crow to come too, but they had all declined.
“This isn’t the time for us to be involving ourselves with the Crestfolk. We’re far too busy.”
According to Jubilia, what’s what Crow had said. It wasn’t even possible for her to meet Lernaean. Regardless, they had unexpectedly received permission for Saya to go to Garuga Village with relative ease. Fortunately, Saya’s condition didn’t worsen during the careful ride to their destination.
Saya maintained a grave expression, even as she was itching to meet Nagi. To her, this was the best she could do. She only understood what it meant for Zamin to die in the broad, academic sense. However, the moment she saw him on his deathbed with her own eyes, those feelings crumbled away. He was so weak that it was strange he was still alive. She couldn’t believe this was a living human. His wrinkles were deep, and his skin was ashen. She could feel the very presence of death about him.
“Is this a disease...?” Saya muttered.
“No, his lifespan is up. The chief has lived a long time now. It’s simply time for him to go,” Tess plainly told her.
“Lady Saya... How... grateful I am,” Zamin said, his eyes still closed. It was possible he couldn’t even see anymore, even if they were open. It seemed his ears could still hear, however.
“Chief, don’t push yourself,” Nagi said, gripping Zamin’s hand.
“That won’t do... This must be said... Everyone except for Nagi, Tess, and Lady Saya, please leave the room.”
“That—” cannot possibly be allowed, was what Jubilia wanted to say.
“Please go. I won’t let anything happen to Saya,” Nagi told her.
“Jubilia, step outside, please.”
All the Crestfolk turned to Jubilia in unison. She could understand just how much weight this dying man’s word carried with them, and had no choice but to comply.
“Nagi, I’ll leave Lady Saya to you. Be sure not to allow any danger to befall her.”
“Of course.”
Jubilia left with the others. Shortly after, the only ones in the room were Zamin, Nagi, Tess, and Saya.
“I shall tell you of the secret known only to the village chiefs.”
“Is it okay for me to listen to this?” Saya asked.
“It involves you as well.”
His voice was so quiet that it felt like it could vanish at any time, but Zamin’s tone was unexpectedly firm.