‘There are too many people. I have to go to that room right now.’
It was good that she entered the villa secretly through the secret passageway, but something happened.
She was trying to find Enoch’s room by taking advantage of the empty gap in the hallway, but the priest suddenly came in. Thanks to this, everyone who should have been in the room was crowded in the lobby.
‘What should I do with this? If it’s too late, Enoch might be in danger.’
Just when she was looking at the tightly closed door with her lips pursed.
“What did you just say!”
The priest’s loud shout rang out.
“You’re saying you’re rejecting the medicine the Saintess gave you!”
Thanks to that, the eyes of the delegation were all focused in one direction. Taking advantage of that opportunity, Leticia put on her hood and went into the room.
“Huu.”
As the door closed, Leticia let out a sigh of relief and leaned against the wall for a moment.
The thick scent of herbs permeated the tip of her nose. She opened her eyes slowly and saw a pale-faced young man lying on the bed.
‘That child must be Enoch.’
Enoch was seventeen this year. Although she was two years older, the nineteen-year-old Leticia felt he’s especially young, perhaps because of her life before returning.
Seeing his limp, strewn wheat colored hair and corpse-pale face, Leticia bit her lip.
‘I can’t believe his condition is already this bad.’
Just in case, she put her ear in front of his nose. His breath rushed against her ear, but it was very thin.
It didn’t seem strange if he stopped breathing right now.
‘He had to take the medicine right now.’
The problem was that Enoch, who had to chew and swallow the medicine, was unconscious.
“Enoch, Enoch, can you hear me?”
She tried calling, but there was no response either. Expecting this, Leticia did not panic and began shredding the herbs.
‘It’s best if the patient chews and swallows it himself. But even if mixed with water and fed like this, it’ll have an effect.’
There was a cup and a water bottle on the table. She poured clean water into a cup, put the antidote in it, and waited for the medicinal effect to brew.
Leticia looked back at the door while waiting, in case someone came in.
‘The priest would have to drag out more time.’
No one entered the room while the medicinal effect was brewing, as if the depravity of the priest had not yet ended.
The unique scent of detoxification herb spread throughout the room.
“Enoch, even if it’s hard, be patient. You will be fine soon.”
She whispered tenderly and Leticia propped up Enoch’s head and slowly let the green water flow between his parted lips.
Carefully. The medicine was given very carefully so as not to choke on it and vomit the antidote.
About half a sip, put it in the mouth then move the neck slightly. After confirming that the ulna bone has moved, tilt the cup again.
Checking the remaining antidote in the cup, Leticia looked at her watch again. He hadn’t even eaten half of it yet, but quite a bit of time had passed.
Perhaps because of the tension, sweat formed on her forehead.
‘I have to finish it before Dietrian comes.’
If Dietrian entered the room now, there’s no way to explain the situation. The envoys of the Principality knew that she’s a witch crazy about blood, so they might misunderstand that she is harming Enoch.
Even if Enoch woke up and the misunderstanding was resolved, the problem remained like a mountain. Now there’s a priest sent by her mother here.
‘If my mother finds out that I’m here.’
It was obvious what would happen after that. Not only her, but the entire delegation would suffer a great calamity.
Even in the midst of her nervousness, her hand was steadily feeding Enoch.
“Uh…umm.”
As the contents reached the bottom of the cup, Enoch frowned and groaned. The eyes under the eyelids moved slightly, as if his consciousness had returned.
Leticia’s face brightened as she carefully observed this change.
‘The blood color is returning.’
His complexion, which had been pale like a corpse, was slowly returning to its original color.
The ice-cold body became warmer and his breathing became more even. The pulse, which seemed about to stop at any moment, began to beat violently.
It’s through the medicinal effect.
‘It’s fortunate, I succeeded.’
A bright smile spread across Leticia’s face, forgetting even her nervousness. Even though she knew the drug would work, she was worried just in case.
Leticia quickly cleaned up the traces of the antidote. She picked up the dried leaves and put them back in her pocket, with some tears welling up.
‘I saved someone’s life.’
Enoch, who should have died, came to life.
Because of this, her future has changed.
Feeling her heart full of hope, Leticia squeezed Enoch’s hand.
“Congratulations, Enoch.”
Even though he couldn’t hear it, she wanted to tell him.
“In the future, only good things will happen. Because I will protect everyone.”
Not only Enoch, but also the Principality. And Dietrian as well. She will protect everyone.
At the same time as Leticia, who had whispered a promise, turned around, Enoch regained consciousness.
Enoch lifted his eyelids with difficulty. The blurred vision gradually became clearer, and Leticia’s figure came into view.
‘Who is that person?’
Her small shoulders, fine features, long flowing blonde hair, and…
‘That…what is that?’
White light was pouring out of her pocket. Soon, it wrapped around her slender wrist. Then it started to take shape.
‘Studded with a black jewel…bracelet?’
It was a bracelet with a black jewel the size of a fingernail. Even in his blurry vision, the bracelet wrapping around her wrist was especially clear.
Enoch thought, blinking hazily.
That person saved me. The owner of that bracelet saved me.
‘I have to tell His Majesty soon…’
What she had just said echoed in his ears.
To protect everyone. A promise to protect him, Dietrian, and the Principality.
‘I can’t let her go like this…’
Watching her distant figure sadly, Enoch pursed his lips. He wanted to somehow call out to her.
He wanted to say thank you. He wanted everyone to know what she had done.
But his throat was cramped and no voice came out. He just sadly watched her back disappear out the door.
***
When she came out, the envoy’s nerves were still focused on the drawing room.
Leticia poked her head out, tightened her hood, and came out. She didn’t forget to hide her blond hair under her hood.
‘There comes a day when the priests can be helpful.’
In her previous life, they were always impatient to bother Leticia. Not knowing exactly why her mother hates Leticia.
‘Everyone believed I was disgracing mother’s honor.’
Her mother, Saintess Josephina. People said she was the greatest Saintess in history.
‘Mother said she received the Goddess’ oracle the day she became a Saintess.’
The oracle of the Goddess was a rare thing that only appeared once every few years.
Even that was possible only after the Saintess fully accepted her power.
Such an oracle was received by a young girl of only fifteen.
After her first oracle, it was only natural that Josephina would quickly gain everyone’s attention.
‘The problem was the contents of the oracle.’
[The reason why the great Empire has weakened is because of the Principality of Genos. The descendants of the evil dragon are blocking our path.]
Josephina blamed the Principality for all the decline of the Empire in front of numerous Imperials.
[There is only one way to regain our glory. The Goddess said that we should break their wings.]
Even before that oracle existed, the Empire and Principality coexisted peacefully.
As befits a bordering country, there were some rough edges, but apart from minor disputes, exchanges between the two countries were still active.
However, after her mother’s oracle, things changed. The Empire tried with all its might to destroy the Principality, and the Principality had no choice but to be defeated.
Countless people of the Principality were killed or injured. Dietrian’s older brother, Julios, was one of them. There was pity in Leticia’s eyes.
‘If I’m going back to the past…it would have been nice if Julios was still alive seven years ago.’
It was seven years ago that Leticia met Julios.
***
[Baby handmaid, I think I’m lost. Can I ask for directions?]
On that day, Leticia was returning to her villa, barely escaping from her mother’s abuse.
Julios, who was staying at the temple, appeared in front of her as the representative of his delegation.
Her mother would often dress her as a maid to hide her abuse.
Julios, who mistook her identity, grabbed her, but Leticia could not answer properly.
[Handmaiden, are you hurt?]
Her whole body was aching and she couldn’t see very well from being tormented all day. She managed to look away, but a cold hand touched her forehead.
[Your forehead is a ball of fire!]
It was only then that she saw a young man with silver hair shining in the sunlight and kind blue eyes.
[You need to go to the doctor right away.]
[Doctor, no.]
Not knowing who she was dealing with, Leticia said desperately.
[Doctor, no. If you go to the doctor, seriously, I’ll die.]
[Yes? What do you mean?]
[The Saintess said, absolutely, that shouldn’t happen…]
She just spit those words out and passed out. When she opened her eyes, Leticia was lying in an unfamiliar room. She shuddered, wondering if she had caught a doctor’s eyes as a cold towel wiped her forehead.
[Don’t worry, I didn’t take you to the doctor.]
The young man she saw earlier was sitting next to the bed. It was the first time she had seen his face in the temple, and Leticia shrugged her shoulders in tension.
[My name is Julios.]
[Julios…Master?]
There was a strange look in Julios’ eyes.
[It’s Prince Julios. It’s the first time I’ve been called that by the people of the Empire.]
[…yes?]
[Everyone here treats me worse than a dog. But baby handmaiden is kind.]
He was a little skinny, but his natural smile suited him very well.
[I’m from the Principality.]
[Ah…Principality.]
Only then did she remember that the First Prince of the Principality had come as an envoy. Leticia leaned her head against the bed with her wobbly arms.
[I’m sorry for the disrespect, Prince. I still….because I don’t know.]
[…what Prince. We’re done with the greeting. I just want you to rest.]
Julios laid Leticia down with a soft but firm hand.
[Handmaiden, you have been unconscious for two days.]
Not sure what he didn’t like, he kept his neat brow slightly furrowed. Leticia sighed and said.
[Thank you for helping me.]
[The sick is really polite.]
Julios smiled.
[Seeing you so sincere, you resemble someone.]
There was a faint longing in his green eyes as he looked down at Leticia.
Who that person was, Leticia couldn’t ask. She was surprised by the questions that followed after that, as if her soul was going ot run out.
[By the way, there is one thing I’m curious about.]
Julios tilted his head.
[The one who made the handmaiden like this. Is it the Saintess?]
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