Chapter 7 – Part 4

Danny, the young priest, finally wiped the sweat from his brow and pulled away from Eli.

“As I said, it’s just a temporary measure. There will be no difference in internal injuries.”

With that, Danny gave her an apologetic look.

His training as a priest’s apprentice wasn’t enough to tend to the Marquis of Grit’s wounds, and to make matters worse, the priest in charge of this place, Cedric, was out on a brief tour.

“Please save him.”

Normally, Danny would not have attempted to treat such a grievous injury, given his level and the rules of the temple, but when he came to the temple and saw the Marchioness’ desperation as she fell to her knees, holding his hand and begging him to save her husband, he knew he had to do something.

She wasn’t alone. Everyone but the knight who had carried the wounded marquis down on one knee to him.

Danny’s treatment had done little more than staunch the wounds and keep him breathing, and even that hadn’t worked for long, so he’d been stopping by once a day to tend to him.

“Thank you so much.”

However, even just that was enough for Ruby to be grateful. He had saved Eli from a serious injury that would have left him dead.

“No, it’s not just that. Lord Grit has also made many donations, so we have done a lot of good deeds. Maybe he’s receiving that blessing in return.”

Looking into Ruby’s eyes, red and swollen from crying, Danny left the room, saying he’d stop by again tomorrow.

“Thank you …….”

After the young priest left, Ruby took Eli’s hand as he lay there, seemingly asleep.

“You heard them say you’d be blessed.”

Ruby held his hand tightly with both hands, feeling as if he wouldn’t leave if she didn’t let go.

It had been a long time since he had been shot with an arrow and fallen.

In all that time, he hadn’t moved a finger, not even an eyelid, and it felt as if he would never wake up, and she couldn’t leave his side.

“My Lady, I’ll keep watch here. Wouldn’t it be better for you to get some rest?”

Gardner suggested to Ruby, who hadn’t slept or eaten since arriving at the temple, staying only by Eli’s side.

“I want to be the first thing he sees when he opens his eyes.”

Ruby shook her head, as she always did.

“You need to get some rest, Gardner; you’ve been pushing yourself.”

“I’m fine.”

Gardner returned to the other knights, keeping Ruby by his side. The knights had been given permission to stay by Eli’s side in exchange for not bringing swords into the temple.

So, compared to the Marchioness, they were well rested.

And Gardner, too, felt guilty for not protecting Eli.

“If it’s any consolation, the knights are looking for the attackers.”

With Ruby at his side, the others were moving to avenge Eli’s death.

“Have you caught them?”

“Not yet. The men who fired the arrows and the men who attacked the carriage are of a different order, so it may take a while.”

“I see,” Ruby murmured with a weak voice. Then she fell into thought.

“Gardner.”

After a long pause, Ruby called out to Gardner.

“Yes.”

“Do you know who’s behind this?”

Ruby’s gaze shifted to the lying Eli.

“Not yet.”

Gardner answered weakly. He suddenly felt helpless.

“Hasn’t Eli been investigating?”

“Lord Grit left behind the materials for investigation. But the identity of the instigator has not been revealed. We only secured evidence of the attackers’ headquarters.”

“Then…… I’ll have to look at that information again.”

“You, yourself?”

Gardner repeated, taken aback by the unexpected statement.

“I have to find the person who made Eli like this and return the favor.”

Ruby’s expression, which had been filled with sadness, had become stronger.

“Where is it?”

“The Marquis sent it to Shuban. It’s addressed to Emily Grit, his sister.”

“Will you fetch me some stationery and a pen, I must write to her to send it back.”

Ruby’s expression hardened as her grief faded.

“Of course.”

Gardner left the room and soon returned with the requested items.

Ruby wrote the letter to Emily on the spot. She deliberately left out the words about Eli’s condition.

“Do me a favor.”

Ruby handed the letter to Gardner with a plea.

“Oh, by the way, when you took me to that safe house.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you say it was because of the Kingdom of Cains? ”

“I did.”

“Then shouldn’t we just find evidence that the kingdom did that? ”

“Unless we have proof that it was, it may not have been the Kingdom of Cains, but someone from the Empire of Luben, the Marquis, has been looking into it.”

“……You mean there’s someone else who wants to kill us?”

‘Me, or Eli, or both if not that? ’

Ruby didn’t understand where she’d gotten this grudge against her and Eli.

“Yes. The Marquis told me that there are such people in the Luben Empire, so we should be on our guard.”

“… … Then, the first thing to do is to determine whether they are from the empire or the kingdom.”

“If we can do that, we’ll make progress in our investigation.”

“Then let’s check them out one by one and find out who did this.”

Ruby stood up, almost for the first time since they’d arrived at the temple.

“Is there any way you can check them out?”

“At least one.”

Ruby’s eyes shone with confidence.

“I must go out now, but I’ll post the letter while I’m gone.”

“No, it’s dangerous, I’ll follow you, and you can leave the Marquis to the care of another knight.”

“……Thank you.”

Ruby smiled weakly, then looked back at Eli.

“I’ll be out for a moment.”

There was no response from Eli, but Ruby kissed the back of his hand, just as he always did for her. She could feel his warmth against her lips.

Right now, it was her only hope that he wouldn’t die.

* * *

Later that afternoon, a carriage pulled up to Del Estate’s door.

“What can I do for you?”

Frank asked as he greeted the carriage. As far as he knew, he had no appointments scheduled for today.

“I’ve come to see Viscount Del.”

“Did you have an appointment?”

Ruby shook her head at Frank’s question.

“No, I didn’t. It’s urgent. He’ll know if you mention Ruby Grit of the Marquis of Grit.”

“Ah! You haven’t been here in a long time, so I didn’t recognize you.”

Frank suddenly remembered Ruby, who had taught Sorvan his etiquette lessons, and bowed.

Realizing that it had been a long time since she had visited, he apologized for forgetting.

“Please wait a moment, my lady. I’ll go ask my master.”

“Thank you.”

After nodding her head, Ruby entered the mansion.

“Gardner, could you wait for me outside the parlor, please?”

Ruby asked Gardner as she waited for Frank to return.

Talking to Sorvan would bring up his origins, and she didn’t think he’d be pleased to know that Gardner knew or to be brought into the conversation.

“Understood. If there’s anything, just call me out. I’ll be outside.”

Ruby nodded, knowing that was what she was thinking.

“Okay.”

Ruby replied, and shortly afterward, Frank returned.

“I’ll show you to the parlor.”

* * *

“Ruby.”

When Ruby reached the parlor, Sorvan was already there.

“It’s been a long time, Viscount.”

“What brings you here so suddenly? Weren’t you supposed to be in Zenfield?”

Sorvan looked around, searching for someone.

“Marquis Grit didn’t come with you?”

There was a hint of improbability in his voice; the Marquis of Grit would never send Ruby to his home alone.

Even in his last short letter, he’d slipped elegant criticism into every sentence.

“That’s how it turned out.”

Unable to tell the truth, Ruby awkwardly laughed and avoided the question.

“Please, have a seat. I’ve even forgotten the etiquette I learned from you.”

With that, Sorvan pulled out a chair for Ruby.

“To be honest, I came here despite the inconvenience because I have urgent business.”

“Enough to come all the way from Zenfield?”

Ruby nodded.

“Before I tell you what it is, I need to tell you something. I’m not going to tell anyone, and I’m only going to remember what I need and want to know.”

Ruby made her pledge before starting her inquiry.

“You’re making me nervous by saying that.”

Sorvan said it playfully, trying to break the tense atmosphere.

But Ruby, who would normally have laughed, merely eyed Sorvan warily.

“Viscount. I would like to know about the situation in the Kingdom of Cains.”

The corners of Sorvan’s lips, which had been smiling, gradually downturned.

“More precisely, I’d like to know how the civil war is going. It’s an important matter that I must know.”

Ruby could understand Sorvan’s surprise. He hadn’t expected her to know his identity.

“I know it’s impolite to ask like this, but I don’t have the luxury to do otherwise right now. I’m sorry.”

Ruby apologized again. A little taken aback by the sudden question, Sorvan quickly shook his head.

“No need to apologize. It’s a question I didn’t expect from Ruby. Did Lord Grit inform you?”

“…Yes. There was such an incident.”

Even with Ruby’s vague explanation, Sorvan remembered Eli replying to his letter. He understood, even though Ruby’s explanation wasn’t detailed.

“You don’t have to apologize, I’m also a citizen of the Luben Empire now.”

Ruby gave him a puzzled look, as if she didn’t know what he meant.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories