Chapter Thirty-Seven
_ Unspoken Feelings
* * *
" That is how it happened. The story died there, and it was established—or rather, claimed—that the Marquis committed suicide to avoid the disgrace of a public execution. Regarding his family, everyone speculated they were executed in secret, which is certainly something I did not do; I smuggled the Marquise and Laura out myself. My communication with Laura and Edward continued until a few months ago; they were changing their locations from time to time until they settled in a distant kingdom about two and a half years ago. Laura told me that when the Temple is finished, she and her family will return. Cayin never told me anything, and I didn't speak of it either; I kept the secret in my heart. Perhaps I should have told him. "
Raphael ended his words with a sad tone. Ariana patted his eyes gently and said in a soothing, loving voice:
" Sleep now, and do not trouble your mind with anything that is happening. "
Raphael, who was certain it was impossible for him to sleep, drifted off strangely. Ariana leaned her back and breathed deeply, allowing the tears to flow; she had held back her feelings so as not to make him sadder, but she knew her man was someone who couldn't cry, so she decided to cry in his stead. She sprinkled a sedative powder on her hand to facilitate his sleep, given to her by Evan. She knew sleep would be difficult for him; for the wound left by his friend's betrayal would not heal easily...
* * *
" It was a success. "
Raynon passed the medicine to Ariana and asked her to examine it herself. She was one of the contributors to making the medicine; a medicine different from what the Temple makes, enhanced by Raphael's healing magic and Karin's expertise in potion-making. The result was amazing from the first dose—an almost complete recovery; two or several doses depending on the severity of the illness, and the patient would be cured...
Raynon's face was bright. He knew the ingredients of the medicine, but he didn't know about the enhancement of the dose with Raphael's mana. After the successful trial, which required several weeks of arduous work to manufacture, Ariana gave the orders for mass production in that hidden place provided by Raphael when he learned of Karin's involvement in the medicine's creation. The assistants were tight-lipped individuals whose mouths were further bound by magical contracts with severe conditions...
Ariana brushed her clothes of one of the flowers she was grinding with everyone. She looked at Karin, who approached her, passing her a cup of warm tea...
" How is His Majesty?! "
" He is still quiet... "
" Have you heard the rumors?! "
" It seems the rumors are working in our favor, at least. "
" Weren't you the one who stirred the rumors, Your Majesty? "
" There is no room for gaps now. "
She took a small sip and looked at the light streaming through the small windows, remembering how Raphael had become eerily quiet for over a month; he didn't speak much and worked harder. The positive thing was that he came to visit her every night, placing his head in her lap and sleeping. At first, she used the sleeping dust Evan gave her, but lately, she hadn't needed it; he had returned to sleeping naturally. Perhaps with time, he would return to how he was....
She sighed and looked at Karin, who seemed to be preparing to return to the annex. Karin smiled at Ariana encouragingly and left through a specific door; a secret door leading directly to the annex. Ariana signaled to Maryann, who came quickly and approached her, then moved to a certain room and changed her clothes with Maryann's help to head out directly from this secret annex...
* * *
" The reports are positive. Despite the spread of monsters during the epidemic, soldiers were sent to track and kill them.... But the bad news is that the number of children who lost their families has increased, either due to the epidemic or the monsters. ... "
" We cannot bring back the dead, so prepare safe shelters for them. After the crisis, we will exert all efforts to create a decent world for them. "
Meer looked at Casper, who was delivering the report, then at Brian, who had finished his work previously. Meer felt that something unusual had happened. Brian had been appointed as the temporary commander of the Imperial Knights and Casper as his deputy. The problem wasn't the appointment of Brian and Casper—who rose through the ranks so quickly—but rather the sudden disappearance of Cayin Cyrus. There were speculations that he was sent on a very secret mission, and speculations that he died in an attack by a dangerous monster and the news of his death was suppressed so as not to shake the resolve of the Imperial Knights. Meer sighed, and after Brian and Casper finished, he glanced at Stanley to deliver his report:
" Your Majesty... I have contacted the academy, and they have confirmed sending a group of elite students with magical power who will be deployed in the regions of Leverkusen and Topra located in the Tirsa province. Marquis Tirsa has confirmed his full cooperation with the mission..."
Raphael tapped on the table, then nodded in understanding and said:
" Deploy the Carmel magic knights who guard the south around the Tirsa province. Sir Wilton, take charge of the reports from the Tirsa region; send them to me first and foremost. "
" I follow your orders. "
" Sir Karos.... Has Duke Rathan sent any news?! "
" It has been done, and the results are as we expected. This is the letter he sent. "
" It seems we are going to prepare for a major event. Prepare the knights and keep them in a state of full readiness for any internal or external danger. .... Is there any news from abroad, Baron Roalf?! "
" Princess Veronica Nathan will join the mission heading to the Kingdom of Ronda for the border summit. The princes of Helva and Tours will participate. ... "
" Duke Ariston, you and Count Calvin will join, and Baron Meer Roalf will represent me. "
The Duke, who was waiting for his share of orders in the large meeting hall, stood up and bowed obediently. In the past, he would have criticized Raphael's behavior in favoring a young man lower in status and age like Baron Roalf as the Emperor's representative. However, the current situation proved Baron Roalf's brilliance in dealing with the Emperor's diverse shifts and extremely complex tasks, and an importance no less than that of the highly focused and precise Emperor, except in the presence of the future Empress. ..
' It would be a problem if the enemy realized Her Majesty's importance to the Emperor. '
Duke Ariston looked at Elliot, who was eerily quiet. Everyone knew that the Minister of Finance had passed away two weeks ago, and the burden had increased on his young deputy, who by law would take over the ministry—which is no less important than the Ministry of the Army. The current situation had caused the empire to spend more than triple the usual amount, and the arrangement and coordination would be exhausting; being young was a good thing but tiring when you are less experienced. ...
The Emperor turned his gaze back to Elliot, who appeared outwardly calm, but there was a storm brewing beneath his composure. ...
" Young Marquis Silas.... What is the current situation?! "
" Despite the massive expenses we are issuing, the treasury's condition is still somewhat good. There is a problem: if life does not return to the parts of Cassian within two or three months, we will reach total exhaustion; not a single piece will remain in the treasury. "
" I hope we do not reach that point, but I will not leave my people to die of hunger. I want to start recovery procedures. Besides that, inspect the possessions of the Imperial Palace; unless they are of utmost importance, you can sell them to cover the treasury deficit. "
Those inside the meeting room gasped, except for Elliot, Brian, Casper, and Meer. Perhaps the time they spent with Raphael made them realize he would do whatever was necessary when needed. Elliot bowed and said:
" As the current Minister of Finance, I swear I will do what is necessary so we are not forced to do that. "
Raphael smiled with admiration, then returned to his frown, turned to everyone, and said:
" We must all work fully; there is no room for error.. Many people will die if we are negligent.... Now, let everyone depart to their posts. "
Raphael stood up, and everyone moved after him. Just before Raphael fully exited, Elliot approached him quietly and whispered:
" There is something I want to talk to you about, Your Majesty. "
* * *
As I left the room where I changed my clothes, one of the maids stepped forward and offered me lace gloves, while another maid with an umbrella in her hand waited for her turn to open it when I exited the annex. The amount of work Maryann put in had decreased, as it had officially been more than a month and a half since I was declared the future Empress of Cassian. It's truly confusing, especially with Raphael's visits every night; they were a strong reason for the displays of respect. The maids' faces would brighten every night as the time for Raphael's arrival approached; I don't understand the reason for their exaggerated reactions. It wasn't limited to the servants but also the entourage; those who treated me dismissively began to act with confusion and extreme caution. I feel exhausted from it all. ..
Exiting the secret room in the hidden, cold annex was like leaving a cage. The warm summer breezes touched me, bringing me back to reality. The maid opened the white umbrella decorated with white lace to wave over my head, blocking the hot afternoon sun; I hadn't imagined it would take all this time. I entered in the early morning to check the final step of the medicine before the final production phase began, but it ended up taking me until midday...
I had promised Raphael to have a meal together when the medicine was finished. It seems I will wait until dinner. Before reaching the inner guest palace, I felt a large group; he was very prominent among them with his silver hair shimmering in the sunlight and his eyes glowing like the brilliance of diamonds. His black clothes embroidered with silver threads were a contrast to his pale skin. I felt the accumulated exhaustion evaporate upon seeing him in daylight with his calm face... but when he turned to me and looked with that tender gaze that tells the world how much I mean to him, I felt my heart stop; how could he be so calm yet cause such chaos in my heart? I almost retreated, but he bypassed the crowd and approached me, and the crowd followed him; he was, as usual, coming to spy and get news. I didn't care about anyone and gave him a response to his looks, smiling with the meaning "I missed you." If no one were in front of me now, I would have run to hug him, for his smile was something I missed dearly...
' It seems the heat is starting to affect me and making me think the craziest thoughts. '
When he stood directly in front of me, I felt words fail to come out. I wasn't that shy person, but today, perhaps because I am very tired and very jubilant, I felt a strange sensation. He bowed slightly, lifting my hand and kissing it elegantly with his playful smile that I missed so much:
" Good day, my Lady. "
" Good day, Your Majesty. "
Although I bowed in response to his greeting, I felt butterflies hovering around me and that my heart would burst with happiness, and I looked at him with a sense of gratitude. Raphael kept holding my hand, then turned to the entourage and servants:
" I will complete my tour with Her Majesty; you may depart. .. I promised my Empress to have lunch together... Miss Butler, you can leave the umbrella with me. "
Raphael's usual playful style was more confusing than ever. I really missed him. I looked with embarrassment at the maids who whispered shyly while Maryann glared at them sternly. They straightened up and handed over the umbrella, which passed from her hand to Raphael's. The maids moved, and before Maryann moved, Raphael whispered loudly enough for me and Maryann to hear:
" Miss Maryann, go to the young Marquis Silas. He told me that the Empress's private maid must take responsibility for moving her things from her family home. So, go to the Silas estate and, under the supervision of the young Marquis, bring the important items for Her Majesty. "
It was ordinary talk, but because of Raphael's insistence on the matter, Maryann realized the importance of the situation and bowed obediently. ..
" I follow Your Majesty's orders. ..."
" Go and request official permission. "
I whispered into Raphael's ear with concern:
" Did something happen?! "
He looked at me with a friendly, warm smile that melts the heart:
" Everything is fine. I will tell you everything. "
* * *
... One hour ago .....
Raphael stood up, and everyone moved after him. Just before Raphael fully exited, Elliot approached him quietly and whispered:
" There is something I want to talk to you about, Your Majesty. "
Raphael looked at Brian and Casper, who had not left yet, and signaled them with his eyes to leave, saying quietly and in a whisper:
" Very secret. "
Elliot nodded in agreement. With a movement, the door to the meeting room closed, and silence spread throughout the hall. Elliot realized the moment had come.
" Your Majesty, I do not want anything to affect my sister. ..."
" And how might Ariana be affected?! "
" My sister is the future Empress. Even if Your Majesty agrees to protect and accept her, everyone will look at her unfavorably. If there is a way to protect my sister... I will not hesitate to protect her. "
" Then tell me what is on your mind, Minister. "
" These documents prove my father's treason, and in them are names you may need to know; people involved with the Temple. I was able to obtain this list miraculously before my father realized anything. ."
" Are you not resentful for being like one who betrays his family?! "
" My father is the one who started all this. He betrayed Silas first; all these years, I tried to find a justification for everything he did, but I found nothing. My mother, my uncle and his wife, even my grandfather... they were all betrayed. "
Raphael felt that Elliot was speaking with a voice full of pain. Raphael realized the magnitude and weight of this pain; betraying someone close is worse than death. Raphael sighed while reviewing the list, then looked at Elliot and patted his shoulder quietly. Before he could say anything, Elliot said:
" I beg of you, Your Majesty, do not let my sister be tainted by my father's crimes. Is it not enough that she lost her family because of him? I do not want her to lose her status because of him as well. "
" I promise you, Ariana is my Empress who is without blemish. "
"..."
" There is still something, right?! "
Elliot nodded and sighed, saying as calmly as possible:
" There are still important documents... I am trying to get them out, but it takes time. There is a problem: I cannot visit the Imperial Palace. I made a promise to my father that I would devote myself to my work as the Marquis's successor. I think he wants to besiege Your Majesty..."
Raphael looked puzzled for Elliot to continue...
" I will leave my work starting tomorrow. Therefore, I have entrusted Baron Lavin with everything important; he is someone I can trust, and I have told him that I will submit my resignation. My father is planning something; I don't know what it is, but it is very evil. He is worse than the Temple in his greed, so I expect anything from him... Within this week, I want someone to come to the Marquis's palace to take what I will send, but sending anyone would be a problem. .."
The worry, pain, and sadness were intense on Elliot's face, making Raphael realize the gravity of the matter. He nodded in understanding and said:
" Wait for a message from me this week. "
" Thank you very much. Protect my sister, please. "
Elliot bowed deeply before leaving. Raphael felt that Elliot was planning something crazy that might cost him his life.
' I will not let the last member of your family depart, I promise you, Aya. '
...... To be continued ......