I had a healer within Puerta guide me to Ms. Eliza’s room. I left my room, walked down the white corridor, and knocked on one of the dark doors that stood lining the hall.
“Who is it?” a boy called.
“Chloe Sagrid. I heard from Layla that Ms. Eliza wants to see me.”
The healer gave a short bow and immediately departed. As I spoke to the boy beyond the door, Mr. Julius stood beside me with his arms crossed, a terrifying expression on his face. There was no need to be so hostile. I tugged on his sleeve as he clearly looked displeased that we were visiting. He glanced down at me, and I smiled up at him. A nice smile was imperative for those working in the service industry. He narrowed his eyes wearily.
“So, you two came,” the young voice said.
The door opened and a petite boy, only a little taller than me, emerged. He had been turned into a monster with Ms. Eliza, but later fought alongside us to defeat Mephisto. He looked to be the same age as Jahala, putting him around fifteen to seventeen years of age. His silky, dark bangs covered half of his purple eyes, a bit of melancholy hidden beneath. The skin that peeked through his tight, dark clothes was white as porcelain.
“Lady Eliza is awake,” he said politely. “Lord Michael is being treated in a separate room, but he still hasn’t awoken yet.”
“May I speak with Ms. Eliza?” I asked.
“I thank you for coming all this way, Lady Chloe, Lord Julius,” the boy said, placing a hand over his chest and humbly lowering his head.
“U-Um, no, you don’t have to be so formal with us. You can act like your usual self.”
Sure, we fought together, but this was practically our first meeting with him, and I didn’t expect to be so deeply respected. I panicked as I hastily waved my hands in front of me, rejecting his politeness. Mr. Julius didn’t say anything. I guess he’s used to being respected. That’s the Black Prince for you.
“The two of you saved Lady Eliza’s life,” the boy reasoned. “It’s only natural for me to offer you my utmost respect. I truly cannot thank you both enough.”
“Um, er, don’t worry about it,” I replied, a bit sheepish. “I only did what was expected of me as an alchemist and beautiful young maiden.”
“And I guess that profession implies that you must save nations and lives?” Mr. Julius asked, exasperated.
“An alchemist who’s a beautiful young maiden uses alchemy to make tons of money. Saving others is simply a humane thing to do as a person,” I retorted.
“You must be very kind, Lady Chloe,” the boy said with a smile.
I was tickled pink to see his fleeting smile. Is this how it feels to have a younger brother? Jahala’s around the same age, but he’s so calm and mature. He doesn’t feel like a younger person at all.
“I— My name is Henri. I am Lady Eliza’s guard,” the boy said. “This way, please.”
He guided us inside. Mr. Julius quietly followed behind me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Henri,” I said. “Thank you for fighting with us. How are your wounds? Are you all right?”
“I am,” Henri replied. “Though I still feel some aftereffects from my injuries. I can’t put all my strength into my arms, but I haven’t lost any limbs, and they shouldn’t hinder my daily life. Lord Julius broke my leg before, but I can now walk around without issue.”
I widened my eyes with shock and whirled around to face Mr. Julius upon hearing this story.
“Mr. Julius, when did you break his leg?!” I gasped. “While I was asleep for three days? Did you fight with him?”
“Who do you think I am?” Mr. Julius asked, tugging my ear.
Ouch. It’s been a while since I felt this pain.
“I’m sorry, I was just a bit surprised,” I apologized before turning to the boy. “Henri, are you acquainted with Mr. Julius?”
“I am,” he replied. “I fought with him once in the Holy Palace to save Lady Eliza…is what I’d like to say, but my personal grudges had propelled me. I’m sorry.”
He once again gave a low bow. I glanced at him, then back at an uninterested Mr. Julius.
“Mr. Julius, he’s apologizing,” I said, pulling his hand. “You should respond. I’m not quite sure what happened, but if you wounded him, shouldn’t you apologize?”
“He’s an assassin,” Mr. Julius replied flatly. “There’s no need for him to apologize or to receive one.”
“I was the one who tried to kill him first,” Henri added, his eyes sparkling with admiration. “But I didn’t stand a chance. Lord Julius showed his benevolence and only broke my leg. In fact, he even gave me words to live by.”
“Did you, now?” I asked, turning to Mr. Julius.
“I forgot,” came his response.
“Perhaps you have, but I have not, Lord Julius,” Henri said. “You stated that I should protect those important and dear to me. Yet, I was unable to protect Lady Eliza and was captured by Mephisto, leading to that horrific battle…”
“That’s not your fault, Henri,” I assured. “You were up against a demon, a being that’s more powerful than a gatekeeper. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“And it’s all thanks to you, Lady Chloe. I still have a vague recollection of that time. You emitted a gentle, warm light when we were transformed into a grotesque entity. A man as strong as Lord Julius can surely protect you, who’s so dear to him, with his own power. And I aspire to be the same.”
I’m dear to Mr. Julius. How do I express this feeling? I’m happy and embarrassed. I had no idea what transpired between Henri and Mr. Julius, but I was left wondering what the latter had talked about while I wasn’t by his side. I covered my reddening cheeks with both hands.
“Chloe, get used to it already,” Mr. Julius said.
“I can’t,” I replied. “And it’s your fault. I find that you’re being unfair.”
“Unfair? I don’t understand.”
“You just are! Everything you do is so unfair!”
“You two really trust each other so deeply,” Henri said with a wistful smile. “I’m very envious of your relationship.”
I had no idea how he was able to glean that from our conversation, and I remembered Jahala giving us a similar reaction in the past. I feel bad for making those younger than me act so considerate. I’m supposed to be the older sister here!
“Ms. Eliza must be very important to you, Henri,” I said, regaining my composure.
He gave a small nod. “She is. I was an orphan in a poverty-ridden neighborhood near the Dystiana Empire’s border. I was involved in a battle between orphans and almost died. Lady Eliza picked me up from the alleys as I was on the verge of death.”
“What a coincidence. I was also thrown into the alleys. It seems we’ve both got ties to such a dreary place,” I said.
“I suppose so.”
He placed a hand over his mouth and chuckled. I breathed a sigh of relief. The towns that bordered the Dystiana Empire suffered from high crime rates, possibly because of the empire’s invasion. Henri must’ve had a rough past, and I didn’t want to force him to talk. Before I met Mr. Julius, I was afraid of men because of the memories that haunted me. It was difficult for me to even talk about it.
There was another door deep inside the room, and Henri opened it to reveal a white bed in the middle of the bedroom. It was similar to the room that I had rested in. A petite, adorable young lady was lying on the bed. She had cushions piled high behind her to raise her body, and she reminded me of a doll. Ms. Eliza was very adorable without her snarky remarks, and I believed that she had terrible luck with men. She widened her large eyes upon seeing us enter behind Henri.
“How are you feeling, Ms. Eliza?” I asked. “I’m just here to check up on you.”
“Chloe… You came,” Ms. Eliza said, a faint smile forming on her slightly haggard face.
The hostility and hatred that she’d displayed toward me in the past were gone, and I breathed a sigh of relief. She could converse and looked better than I expected. I’m so glad. I approached her bed. Mr. Julius leaned on the wall behind me.
Henri stood on the opposite side of the bed and gently placed his hand on Ms. Eliza’s back, propping her up against the pillows.
“Are you all right, Ms. Eliza?” I asked. “Does your body hurt?”
“Not at all,” she replied. “I still can’t move my body, but I’m well. Chloe, I heard that you saved me, my father, and Henri.”
“Oh, I couldn’t do much, to be honest. And I wasn’t alone. Mr. Julius, Prince Faisal, Ms. Natalia, and everyone else helped out so that we could fight against the demon.”
“But you tried to protect me. Henri told me so. And I’ve only done horrible things to you.”
“Did you, now? I don’t quite remember,” I said.
I couldn’t recall. I mean, a lot of things happened, but I was alive and well. I had no reason to be angry or harbor resentment toward Ms. Eliza. I was just glad that she was all right.
“I did,” she insisted. “I wanted Mr. Julius for myself, and out of jealousy, I asked my father to send assassins to attack you. I tried to make you take the blame for being a murderer, and I even listened to Mephisto and went to Rasheed to have King Shesif accept me. I saw you at the Holy Palace, so I told him all about you.”
“You didn’t do much at all. I’m not bothered by it, Ms. Eliza.”
“B-But…”
“I’m actually more worried about your luck with men. Are you all right? I don’t like King Shesif—no, I actually dislike him very much, but you liked him, didn’t you, Ms. Eliza?”
Didn’t she want to become the king’s wife? I hope this incident doesn’t hurt her too much.
“I don’t like him at all,” Ms. Eliza said flatly. “He let me stay by his side, but that was all. He touched my hand, but he didn’t treat me like his other mistresses.”
“I see,” I replied. “I suppose he’s rather kind sometimes.”
“He was mocking me for being a child.”
“There are other, better men for you in the world,” I insisted. “Why don’t we drop by Ms. Roxy’s diner? Her place is usually packed with mercenaries and adventurers—many of these men are single.”
“Can you please not make it sound like my heart was broken?” Ms. Eliza sighed. She gave a smile of resignation. “I’ve reflected on my actions. I really have. You’ve opened my eyes.”