The Kingdom of Astania is a country with a lot of gold.
As evidenced for that, gold could be seen anywhere upon arrival in Astania.
Astania remained closed, despite being able to export gold and become rich.
Many countries once invaded Astania in pursuit of gold, but the kingdom didnât sustain heavy damage.
It was because it is an island surrounded by sea on all sides, and the waves were so fierce that it was difficult for large ships to approach.
Hundreds of years ago, the Herbet Empire also threatened to establish diplomatic relations, but declared war when it did not go their way.
The result was a complete defeat for the empire.
The empire, which consisted mostly of land, could not defeat Astaniaâs skilled naval forces.
Indeed, the Kingdom of Astania is not entirely closed.
Non-Astanians could immigrate, but the conditions were difficult.
First, you had to know how to speak Astania.
But the language was so difficult that people almost fell out of it.
Second, when you entered Astania, you had to have a residence within ten days.
Most people applied for migration without knowing anyone, so it was inevitably difficult.
Among them, Rosena was lucky.
She self-taught the Astania language from a very young age, and upon arrival, she was able to get a job in a marquis family.
Now that she thought about it, she was very lucky to get a job from the marquis.
It was because the marquis couple, who were friendly to the imperial people, reached out to her to learn about the empire.
âWell, thatâs it for todayâs class.â
When Rosena covered the book, the girl who was calmly taking the class, looked sorry.
The girlâs name is Kayla Helis, the beautiful youngest daughter of the marquis.
When Rosena first came here, she was a little baby, but now she has already become a young lady.
âMaâam, please tell me about the empire!â
As expected. Rosena laughed.
Kayla was interested in the Herbet Empire, just like her family.
As if being taught history and manners was not enough, she always begged Rosena to tell her stories of the empire.
âOh what should I do, I have an appointment today.â
When Rosena smiled and refused, Kaylaâs eyes widened.
âBut youâre not coming tomorrow.â
As Kayla murmured sullenly, Rosena became speechless.
Sheâd like to at least make the story simple, but once she started talking, Kayla wouldnât let her go.
âOh, maâam. Wait a minute!â
Kayla started badgering when she realized Rosena was worried.
At the same time, there was a cheerful knock.
Kayla and Rosena turned to the door, and a man came into the room.
He is Marquis Helis, who has a nice beard.
âUh-huh, Kayla. I can hear you whining from the outside.â
Kayla jumped out of her seat. Kayla murmured, her cheeks slightly puffed.
âI didnât mean to throw a tantrum.â
Marquis Helis grinned, and turned to Rosena.
When they made eye contact, Rosena greeted politely in an Astanian way, placing her hand on her chest.
âI havenât seen you in a long time, Marquis.â
âLong time no see, Madam.â
The marquis smiled and replied.
He had a gentleness like his wife, Elisa, and was always polite to Rosena.
Unconsciously, Kayla, who clung to the marquisâs side, murmured.
âI just wanted to hear from maâam about the empire.â
âThe story of the empire, I wonder, too.â
Marquis Helis also had a face full of expectations just like Kayla.
âIâd like to hear a little more about it at the tea party this time, would that be okay?â
The marquis family is very interested in the Herbet Empire, and invites Rosena to a monthly tea party to give a lecture about the empire.
The marquis, a relative of the royal family, was a prominent figure in the kingdom, so some nobles began to pay attention to the empire.
As a result, the tea party, which started on a small scale, suddenly became bigger.
âIâm sorry. Iâm going on a picnic with Illian today.â
âOh, I canât help it then.â
When Rosena explained the reason, the marquis immediately accepted.
Little Kayla was the only one who didnât understand the situation.
âCanât you have the picnic tomorrow?â
âKayla, madam should also spend time with her family, too.â
As the marquis gently admonished her, Rosena patted Kayla on the head with an apologetic face.
âIâm sorry, Kayla. Instead, Iâll make apple pie for you tomorrow.â
Kayla exclaimed with delight.
The imperial apple pie Rosena makes was Kaylaâs favorite food.
Kayla waved and asked her to tell her the story for a long time next time.
Rosena, greeted by the father and daughter, left the marquisâs mansion after giving her own greetings.
Before going home, Rosena stopped by the market and did some grocery shopping.
After years of frequent appearances, the people at the market welcomed her.
At first, they were so wary that if the marquis hadnât been backing her, Rosena wouldnât be able to buy anything.
There were still quite a few people staring, but this was a tremendous development.
Rosena bought food ingredients and Illianâs favorite apple drink at the market and went home.
When she opened the door, Illian, who was playing with toys by the front door, ran quickly.
As Illian nodded, Rosena smiled.
âIâm a little late, arenât I? Iâm sorry. Iâm busy at work.â
âThatâs all wight.â
Illian replied in a dim manner, shaking his head.
He could be a little childish, but after being quite modest, Rosena patted his head.
As she always thought, Illian was different from other children.
She heard that children who were immature in development often did not express themselves at all or complained severely.
But only Illianâs words and actions were like babies, he was very considerate of others.
Rosena went into the kitchen and prepared food.
Patty, ham, cheese, and fruit filled the wooden baskets.
After all the preparations, Rosena held Illianâs hand and left the house.
There was a small lake in the forest near her house, and they were going to have a delicious lunch there today.
Illian sang as if he was in a good mood. It was a childrenâs song that Rosena sang before he went to bed.
Arriving by the lake, the two immediately laid down their seats.
The cool wind blew and Illianâs bright blonde hair was disorganized.
Rosena looked at the figure quietly.
Uncommon platinum blonde hair, slightly drooping eyes, and pretty features.
Obviously she was looking at Illian, but Yerhanâs face came to mind like an overlap.
Illian was just like Yerhan, to the point where anyone could say he is definitely Yerhanâs child.
The only part that resembled Rosena was his red eyes.
âLetâs have lunch.â
Rosena opened the wooden basket.
Then a delicious smell spread everywhere.
Rosena served Illian a sandwich that was nicely cut.
Illian, looking everywhere, sat down and began to eat sandwiches.
âUh-huh, itâs good.â
Illian laughed his eyes out with crumbs all over his mouth.
Illian sat on Rosenaâs lap after eating enough food to make his stomach full.
Then he held out the book he brought from home. It was quite a thick fairy tale book.
Rosena opened the book with a smile.
Soon, a soft voice quietly spread along the wind, and birds sitting on branches sang.
Deer and squirrels hiding in the woods also peeked out and looked at Rosena and Illian.
When Rosena read to the last chapter of the fairy tale, Illian wriggled in her arms.
âShall we take a look at the lake together?â
She wanted to go on a walk to digest.
Illian, who had been in Rosenaâs arms, lifted himself up with regret.
âLetâs play who arrives first.â
As soon as the words were over, Illian stepped out first. Dainty feet took a small step forward.
Rosena, who started late on purpose, chased Illian.
The gap between the two did not narrow.
And it was the moment Illian got to the lake first.
A small body, running like a butterfly, paused, and collapsed on the spot.
Rosena freaked-out, and rushed to raise Illianâs body.
Rosenaâs face turned pale as she looked at Illian, who had his eyes closed and was motionless.
Rosena grabbed Illianâs body, which collapsed in a hurry.
Illian, whose cheeks were always red, now had blue lips as if he were covered with ice water.
When she took his hand, a chill flowed out of Illianâs mouth, who couldnât open his eyes properly.
Rosena immediately held Illian in her arms.
Meanwhile, the color of his face was getting worse, and it looked like he was about to die.
And it was during the moment when Rosena was rushing to carry Illian.
Ilian, who opened his eyes, called Rosena.
Rosena stopped all action and immediately checked Illianâs face.
Illian only blinked his round eyes, wondering if something had happened.
Rosena, who left the woods straight away, took Illian to see a doctor.
It was until she was told by the doctor that there was nothing wrong with him that she could relax.
But from that day on, Illian began to collapse frequently.
He collapsed while walking down the street, and he collapsed even when he sat down.
As the collapsing cycle grew shorter, Rosena visited all the famous doctors.
But despite Rosenaâs efforts, the doctors who saw Illian only shook their heads.
Rosena hugged Illian with a face full of despair.
It was crazy that no doctor could cure Illian.
And last night, at the same time as she was saying good night, Illian collapsed.
Normally, heâd wake up within an hour, but he hadnât opened his eyes until now, half a day later.
Rosena broke through the rain and wind and visited the last remaining doctor.
There was a young doctor sitting there.
The doctor laid Illian in bed and examined his body.
Rosena waited for his analysis with a face full of hope.
The doctor, who finished his examination, spoke softly.
âIâm sorry⊠but Iâve never seen such a disease before.â
Rosena flopped down the floor.
Those words meant that no one here can cure Illianâs disease.
Rosena gasped like the sky falling apart at the words that sounded like a bolt.
Did that mean she has no choice but to watch him continue on like this?
âIf I lose Illian⊠IâŠâ
âBut there may be a way.â
The doctorâs voice made Rosenaâs head rise.
The doctor looked straight at Rosena and said.
âWhy donât you go to the empire and get him treated?â