Chapter 17

White Bunny’s healing magic was specialized in clear diseases or major wounds affecting the body’s tissues. So, for symptoms like Elcia’s—innate frailty, lack of energy, and mental shock—there was no improvement, and today was no different. Ian was furious to the core.

‘That bastard!’

Unlike what Ian had once told Elcia, he did not think well of Nersian. Six or so years older than Ian, Nersian had been entrusted to the temple at age four and had devoted himself solely to sword training as a knight aspirant. While there was nothing wrong with pursuing a knight’s path, Ian knew well how much Nersian looked down on boys he considered beneath him. Especially those of commoner origin; he treated them almost like livestock.

That was why, despite Nersian’s outstanding skill, Ian had left him behind when the Oracle came, not taking him on the Grand Expedition. He had never regretted that choice. Look—Nersian had just threatened Elcia, whom he barely knew, in broad daylight. That man was no Holy Knight, but a thug in a knight’s skin.

“I’m… fine.”

“Don’t say you’re fine just to reassure others when you’re not at all fine! Do you even know how terrified you look right now?”

“Ian!”

Ian, overwhelmed, took off his hat and let out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry. You’re the one who suffered, but I ended up yelling instead… That was wrong of me.”

Elcia, finally coming to her senses, grabbed his sleeve with her small hand, trying to comfort him.

“If you bought candy, please give it to me…”

“Here.”

Without another word, he handed her a paper bag prettily tied with a ribbon.

With trembling fingers, Elcia untied the string and checked the candies inside. There were two colorful lollipops, cane-shaped candies, and various fruit-flavored sweets all mixed together. Realizing Ian had taken extra care to pick these out, she couldn’t even think of blaming him for being late.

After all, who could have predicted meeting Nersian so suddenly on that main street? Let alone that the leader of the Holy Knight Order would drag her off by the wrist in broad daylight.

Consoled by the weighty bag of sweets, she managed a bashful smile.

“…Thank you. I’ll enjoy them.”

“Don’t bite your tongue—let them melt slowly.”

“Yes.”

Though she said she’d eat them, Elcia, still shaken, didn’t touch a single candy until the carriage came to a complete stop. After leaving the bustling area for a quieter neighborhood, Ian hesitated and spoke.

“Elcia. Just in case, do you want to come in with me? If meeting my parents is too much, I’ll have you wait in a quiet room. I just don’t feel right leaving you alone in the carriage for so long…”

“I will.”

Elcia also found it troublesome to keep worrying that Nersian might chase after her. Previously, all he’d shown was persistent interest in White Bunny. But to reveal his true nature by trying to drag her off in broad daylight! She couldn’t believe what she’d just experienced was real.

Ian entered the medium-sized Ceylon House, and before he could guide Elcia, they ran into the Marquis and his wife who had been waiting.

“Oh, Ian…!”

Unlike the last time she saw him, the Marchioness Kypris burst into sorrowful tears at the sight of Ian, now healthy. Standing and shaking with sobs, she faced Ian, who was paralyzed by guilt. Though his body had returned safely, to his family he was forever a sinner.

Elcia quietly stood behind him and gently pushed his back. Like a seal being broken, Ian slowly moved forward, step by step, toward the Marchioness.

“Mother…”

“Oh, oh… Dear heavens… Thank you, Lord… Thank you for returning our precious son to us safely…”

It was only after a long while that the Marchioness stopped crying, unable even to pull out a handkerchief. To help her calm down, they moved to the drawing room, where Ian introduced Elcia.

“This is Elcia Bennett. Last autumn, by order of His Highness the Crown Prince, she came to Usley Castle and healed my hand. But due to circumstances, I’d appreciate it if you could keep her abilities confidential for now.”

“May I see your hand?”

“Of course.”

Unlike the still-sniffling Marchioness, the Marquis Kypris’s eyes were dry and showed no emotion. His gaze was cold, as if evaluating a man, not his own son. Used to his father’s cold nature, Ian removed his glove and held out his now-healed right hand.

The Marquis, retired knight that he was, meticulously examined Ian’s hand with strong, thick fingers, then nodded.

“Amazing. Anyone would believe this hand was never injured. You could go to the battlefield tomorrow.”

“Dear! How could you say that to our son who barely came back alive? I won’t let you send him off anywhere again!”

The Marchioness protested, but the Marquis’s experienced gaze had already moved past Ian to Elcia.

“Miss, you healed Ian?”

“Elcia Bennett. I’m a puppeteer, and I was lucky enough to meet a puppet with healing powers, so I could treat the Count.”

She spoke humbly, lowering herself.

“Hmm… I see. Even if it was by order of His Highness, our family will repay your kindness.”

As soon as Elcia finished her introduction, Ian spoke earnestly.

“Father, Mother.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

The Marchioness reached to hold her son’s pitiful hand, but Ian stood from the sofa, knelt, and spoke resolutely.

“I know well how irresponsible I’ve been. I mistook the great sorrow and pain the Empire suffered as my own, and kept disappointing those who cared for me. Even if you refuse to accept me again, I will atone for my mistakes however I can. That’s the path I must follow from now on.”

“What are you saying, Ian! Why would we blame you? We’re just grateful you came back healthy!”

Unlike the compassionate Marchioness, the Marquis, head of the family, said nothing. Ian did not resent his strict father at all. He spoke the words he’d prepared before leaving the castle.

“If the Imperial Family permits, I want to dedicate my life to the Empire as a knight—or even as a soldier. As long as my hands and feet work, I’ll do whatever I can. Father, Mother, please don’t oppose my decision.”

“That’s my brother.”

“Ah, Alteon?”

The Marchioness, who hadn’t noticed her second son standing crookedly by the door, was startled. Because Alteon had filled Ian’s absence so well, only the parents were supposed to come today. The Marquis, who knew everything from the start, merely sat in silence.

Unlike Ian, who wore plain clothes, Alteon was dressed in splendid armor granted by the Imperial Family. The Kypris family’s second son strode over, knelt on one knee before his brother, and looked into his blue eyes.

Ian’s gaze was clear as water, unlike before he was forced to leave. If one looked deeper, they’d see indescribable sorrow within.

“Alteon.”

“I always believed in you. Even if everyone but our family pointed fingers, my faith never changed. I knew you’d return to us like this someday.”

“…Alteon!”

Ian embraced his now sturdier younger brother, tears streaming down his face. Not only the sensitive Marchioness, but even Elcia, not related by blood, felt her nose sting.

The whole world seemed to have left Ian alone, but it wasn’t true. It was such a relief, truly….

The Marchioness and Alteon wanted to return to the residence immediately, but Ian shook his head. First, Elcia had to meet the Crown Prince, and only after an official decision about Ian could anything else happen. The Marchioness, unable to take her eldest son back, slumped into the sofa, quite disappointed.

“Then I’ll have to stay here until you return.”

“Dear!”

The Marchioness was about to protest, and the usually stubborn Marquis looked a bit flustered.

“How could I leave our precious son alone after nearly four years? And since this young lady is a benefactor to our family, she deserves a warm welcome as the lady of the house.”

“Mother, I’ve always wanted to return home too. But I’m someone who let down both the Imperial Family and the temple. I’m sorry, but I must follow the proper steps, so please be patient a bit longer. From today, I promise not to show any shameful behavior.”

“When I meet His Highness the Crown Prince, I’ll speak well on your behalf.”

Elcia, watching for the right moment, carefully joined the conversation.

“Oh, kind Miss Bennett. Thank you.”

Ian practically forced the Marquis and Marchioness to leave.

Alteon insisted on staying, but agreed when Ian asked him to arrange tomorrow’s audience in advance. Since Elcia was an unmarried woman of age and Ian’s situation was complicated, only a few discreet maids and servants stayed behind.

In reality, it was just Ian and Elcia left alone.

Elcia stirred the suddenly chilly air of the drawing room with her hand.

“They’re wonderful people.”

“…They’re far too good for me.”

Ian’s eyes still held deep longing.

“No. Ian, you are a good son and a great brother, so you all resemble each other. I can already tell what a lovely family atmosphere you have.”

“Elcia…”

Touched by Elcia’s gentle words, Ian seemed about to cry again. Not wanting to show more tears, he ordered a maid to guide Elcia to a resting room and turned away. Elcia felt a pang of sympathy.

‘Ian, don’t cry alone.

Can’t I wipe away your tears, again and again?

Whether I’m a friend or not, in any role, I want to keep your secrets forever….’

Elcia gazed at his lonely back, sent her heartfelt wish, then followed the maid to a strange, white bed and collapsed onto it.

So much happened today. Compared to the day she first met Ian, it felt like she’d gone back and forth between heaven and hell.

‘If not for Sir Nersian… all of today’s memories would have been good.’

Back at the temple, Nersian had persistently questioned her about White Bunny—how to use it, how to keep the puppet happy. Even though Elcia herself hadn’t developed a close bond yet, his relentless questioning had nearly exhausted her.

Yes, including everything else, Elcia really disliked him.

‘The temple when Ian was the Holy Knight Order leader must have been much better than now, right?’

She fell asleep, imagining boldly visiting the Tyr Church’s temple when Ian was the Holy Knight Order leader.

The next day, Elcia, unable to sleep deeply, woke early and received a short note sent by Conrad at dawn.

“This is…”

“It arrived for you a few hours ago, Elcia. An official from the Imperial City came with it to escort you.”

Though it was called a note, it was a gift sent directly from the Imperial Family, sealed tightly with a gold-threaded string. More than that, hearing that someone from the Imperial City had been kept waiting snapped Elcia to attention.

“You should have woken me as soon as it arrived!”