60. Reunion

After the accident, visits from various noble families to Akuris became noticeably frequent. Those who came were people who had shared intentions with Akuris for a long time, so they were familiar to Felicia, but her health was not good enough to go down and greet them, and their atmosphere seemed rather heavy, so Felicia could only quietly welcome them from her room, through the large window.

“Will it leave a scar?”

“I’ll do my best to make sure it doesn’t.”

“If you just do your best, will everything get better?”

“Why do you keep saying things I don’t understand, My Lady?”

Felicia had run away blindly, but in the end, she was bound to see him again. She regretted grabbing that suspicious hand that offered to help her so hastily. Sometimes she blamed the heavens for the state of her love, and sometimes she wondered if she herself was the reason her love was falling apart.

“Does it still sting?”

“No. I’m fine. It’s bearable.”

She had used up all the ice that would have lasted the rest of the summer, so she could only say it was fine, even if it stung unbearably. Fortunately, she really was okay. Tired of lying in bed, Felicia today had the long sofa pushed up to the window and lay draped over the backrest. When Marie said she didn’t need more ice, Felicia just nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on the window. After two gloomy days, the sky was bright again without a drop of rain.

“She told us not to deliver any news.”

“Hm?”

“Lady Rosia. She gave strict orders before entering the palace.”

“…….”

“So even if you wait, she won’t come.”

The ointment, thinly applied, sparkled in the sunlight. Marie carefully laid a cloth over it and then covered it with a thin shawl. Felicia still didn’t look away from the window, only murmuring a quiet “thank you.” Marie still didn’t know what was said between her Lady and her fiancé, but it was clear Felicia hadn’t escaped her anxious heart for even a moment.

“Shall I bring up some food?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“You skipped dinner yesterday too.”

“The medicine makes me sleepy. I’ll eat when I wake up.”

Felicia dragged herself to bed and flopped down, closing her eyes. Marie, with no other choice, drew all the curtains in the room to block out any sunlight. Felicia didn’t open her eyes, just breathed slowly as Marie quietly closed the door.

Felicia opened her eyes briefly and listened toward the hallway, then quickly sat up in bed. Having lost her master for a while, it took some time to find a suitable robe, but she chose something plain and old enough not to stand out, wrapped herself in it, pressed against a familiar wall, and opened the hidden door she hadn’t used in a long time.

＊＊＊

“They’re early, but fresh and good to eat.”

Felicia smiled faintly at the fruit seller’s words boasting about the pale green apples, gripping her hood tightly. The market was as busy as ever, but today the knights seemed to be patrolling more often, making her anxious about running into someone who knew her.

“I put in two extra.”

“Oh… thank you.”

“Eat and cheer up, My Lady.”

She’d asked for some out of politeness, but seeing her face, even a stranger might think something was wrong. Felicia felt a little embarrassed. As she walked, wondering what to do with the bag full of apples, she strained to catch every bit of chatter around her. Unlike the heavy atmosphere at the mansion, Prosiha seemed unchanged, which felt even more unsettling.

“My son said so!”

“You said you hadn’t heard from him in three years, what nonsense!”

“I got a message after three years, I’m telling you!”

At first, it sounded like friendly banter between people drinking, but the voice of the one being teased seemed quite serious. Felicia stood nearby, pretending to wait for someone, and began to listen in. Standing in the middle of the busy marketplace at midday, nobody paid her any mind.

“There’s going to be a war soon!”

After a few rounds of teasing, the one being mocked shouted out. A quiet, awkward silence fell among them. But it was brief. The others laughed, slapping the speaker’s back and telling him to stop spouting nonsense, and the speaker, seeing his friends so peaceful and unaffected, seemed to wonder if he’d just been too gullible because of his anxious personality and his son’s words. He said nothing more and soon joined them in another round of drinks.

“Miss Pia.”

Felicia, whose face was pale from hearing what might be nonsense but couldn’t dismiss it, slowly turned toward the voice calling her name. Andrea, apparently out running errands as usual, was holding a bag as big as herself and wore a worried expression.

“Ah…”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no, Andrea. How have you been?”

“I’ve always been well. Are you really all right?”

“Yes. It’s just so hot.”

The weather was cooler after the recent gloomy days, but Andrea thought Felicia’s explanation made sense, assuming she’d just been standing in the sun too long. Her face was pale, but she’d always had ivory skin, so it didn’t seem suspicious.

“Are you heading to Storia?”

“…….”

“My Lady?”

“Not sure.”

Andrea had expected her to say “Let’s go,” but instead, she rose on tiptoe, trying to get a closer look at Felicia’s face. Felicia fondly patted her curly hair as usual, then grabbed the bag she was carrying.

“My Lady!”

“Could you carry this for me? I bought too much and was struggling, so this is perfect.”

“Summer apples?”

“Yeah. They’ll be tasty. Will you eat them all for me, Andrea?”

“And you?”

“I’ve had plenty.”

So she likes apples, Andrea thought, unable to take her eyes off them as Felicia gently guided her toward Storia, adjusting the load of her own bags. She hesitated before finally taking a bite, and by the time she’d finished the apple, Storia was visible in the distance. Felicia’s steps grew slower, and Andrea matched her pace, thinking she was tired.

“I’ll get you some cool lemon tea as soon as we arrive. Brio soaked lemons in sugar just a while ago.”

Andrea, usually quiet, was talkative today. Felicia felt both sorry and grateful for her kindness, and patted her head again.

“Already that close?”

“We’re not close. But if I don’t call Brio ‘Brother’, he looks about to cry.”

“He must like you, Andrea.”

“Me?”

“And you must like Brio, too?”

“…Not really.”

Andrea’s round cheeks flushed red. Her gaze dropped to the ground, and her steps showed a hint of annoyance—Brio must have been pestering her. Felicia found her transparent behavior adorable, but also felt a twinge about all the things she had yet to accomplish.

“He’s been sending me on the most errands lately.”

“…….”

“But it’s just lighting candles, closing doors—nothing hard…”

“Our Andrea, you’ve grown enough to complain?”

“It’s not complaining…!”

No one could resist laughing at Andrea’s flustered face. Felicia, for once, laughed out loud without thinking. Even sneaking out with so many worries, there could be moments of peace.

“Can you carry both?”

“…What about the lemon tea?”

“I’ll have it next time. I snuck out today, you know.”

Felicia playfully pressed a finger to her lips, and Andrea nodded, taking her bags. When Felicia waved her inside, Andrea bowed politely, then came over and rose on tiptoe. Felicia tilted her head and smiled, bending slightly to meet her.

“When is the Count coming?”

“Hm?”

“Count Yuan.”

“…….”

“He said he’d be here soon.”

Maybe it was better if he didn’t come. If they just stayed apart, maybe everything would be resolved. Felicia knew Andrea wouldn’t understand, and didn’t want to plant unnecessary worries in his young mind, so she bit her tongue and smiled as if nothing was wrong.

“Maybe.”

“I hope he comes with you next time.”

“…….”

“The play is almost finished.”

“…….”

“Everyone thinks you’re busy, so they’re waiting instead of letting you know.”

Felicia, now crouched lower than Andrea’s eye level, could only reach up and pat her head. Andrea bowed again and headed for Storia’s back door, and Felicia watched until she disappeared inside. Her gaze then slowly dropped to the ground. She couldn’t tell where things had gone wrong. Was it really her fault? Or was everything her fault after all?

‘And after that?’

The question she’d asked Yuan that day echoed in her mind. Her burn started to sting again. She recalled Dejaire saying that crying in the street was the most ridiculous thing. But the pain was so bad, she thought this might be an exception. Felicia, unable to touch her wound, pitifully rubbed her forearm and held her breath.

“Pia.”

“…….”

“Pia.”

Life returned to Felicia’s tearful green eyes in an instant. But her body shrank smaller. She heard footsteps approaching, but felt she’d be caught if she tried to run, and was too ashamed to let herself be seen in this state. Like a mouse trapped in a jar, she was anxious, but also wished that voice would take the jar and disappear somewhere. No, it didn’t matter—he was someone who would leave without regret, no matter where she was trapped.

“Felicia.”

“…….”

“Why are you here like this?”

Why go through this trouble instead of just ignoring him? He’d made her love him, and now planned to turn his back on the world—such dedication seemed excessive. As soon as Yuan’s hand touched Felicia, she sprang to her feet. The sudden movement made her dizzy, but she didn’t care. She noticed Yuan’s knee on the ground. He always wore black, but today it was pale beige.

“Let’s talk.”

“…….”

“Let me explain.”

“…….”

“I never got to answer anything.”

His suddenly sharp voice stung Felicia’s heart, but her heart beat so loudly she couldn’t deny how much she’d missed him. Why care so much for someone who only planned to leave? Even now, Felicia’s joy at seeing his face again outweighed her resentment, and she just wanted to cry.