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Chapter 59 - When I open my eyes, the royal palace (3)
“Ruel Setiria, the gatekeeper of Leponia Kingdom and as the head of Setiria, enters!”
With the loud sound of the attendant, Ruel’s cane moved.
Ttak.
Everyone looked at Ruel as if possessed by the sound.
Gray hair was tied up highlighting his young face, with not the slightest tension seen in his luminous green eyes.
The presence he had alone attracted attention.
One by one, the ministers watched Ruel walk past them, looked at him with pitying eyes.”
The traces of his illness could not be hidden in his appearance.
Who stumbles while walking even when depending on a cane.
Ttak.
Ruel didn’t care how those around him judged.
Setiria’s interest came first.
“Greetings to His Royal Majesty. My name is Ruel Setiria.”
Subsequently in turn of speaking those words, the exclamations of coughing was heard.
The force of the coughing was enough to bend his back and the sound reverberated throughout the room.
The king waited until his coughing fit stopped.
“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty. My mistake is not of my cause as I do not feel the best.”
“It is pardonable, I heard from my youngest son that you weren’t feeling well. I’m very worried to see it firsthand.”
“Your Majesty, though I am not in the best of health, I will gladly accept this delegation for the sake of the country.”
“Your heart is warm. Borrowing your will, I will appoint you today as the representative of the delegation representing the Kingdom of Leponia.”
The king glanced at the minister standing next to him. The minister handed over the letter of appointment to Ruel.
Previously, in Banios’s room, Ruel had asked if the king was trustworthy.
Banios’ response was merely a smile, even though it was terribly rude to ask.
“He loves this land, Reponia, more than anyone else in the world.”
Ruel was relieved by the answer. At least the efforts he made never came to nothing. The king signaled with his fingers to Ruel, who received the letter of appointment.
In advance, Banios, Ruel, and the king talked about the situation.
The king did not hide his shame at the fact that someone blocked Setiria’s information, and that he had only come across false information so far.
Ruel saw Leo sitting next to his feet.
It was not yet time for Setiria to wake up.
It was necessary to withdraw the gazes that followed because of Ganien’s action of nominating him as delegation of Leponia Kingdom.
—Can I eat it here? This is not in a bed.
Ruel quietly smiled reassuringly at Leo.
Then Leo licked his lips again and touched Ruel’s foot.
—Well then, I’ll eat well!
As soon as the black thing was ripped off, black blood poured from Ruel’s mouth.
Immediately, Ruel’s face scrunched in pain.
When going to accept the letter of appointment he stumbled to one knee and spit blood. Ruel was careful not to get blood on the letter as he took it in his hands. Once he received the letter of appointment, he remained on one knee and bowed to the king.
In an instant it was silent.
The ministers watched the unbelievable situation with their eyes wide-open.
He showed deep respect for the king, his posture undisturbed even though he vomited blood.
They watched as the upright man collapsed like a sandcastle in the face of the sea. The pressure in Ruel’s increased to an unbearable level and he sank under the waves.
Ruel couldn’t be used, they judged.
The king rose from his seat and shouted hastily, “Call the doctor now!”
He was really surprised even after the multiple warnings about Ruel’s health.
He hadn’t expected Ruel to be weaker than the rumors, especially after seeing the bloodworks.
‘Did you mean that you’ve rebuilt Setiria, who has been destroyed in such a state?’
The king was moved.
Even though he knew this was a play, he couldn’t let Ruel lie on that cold floor.
Ruel made him realize he had forgotten the importance of Setiria during the long period of peace.
“No, don’t come closer.”
Ruel grappled with pain.
The play had to come to an end when the king came to him.
The king clenched his fist with a sullen face.
The king turned his head to meet Ganien’s eyes.
The king willingly accepted the request in his eyes and gestured at Ganien.
“Sir Croft, hurry up and take him home.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With an answer, Ganien rushed out with Ruel in his arms.
Only when the majestic doors closed did the long silence break.
The ministers all looked at the black blood stains on the floor and discussed the issue of the delegation.
“Your Majesty, with all due respect, the Lord of Setiria cannot represent the delegation. Please reconsider.”
“Your Majesty, I also beg you earnestly.”
The king sat down and stroked his beard.
“It’s too late to appoint another now. I’ve already sent notice of the delegation.”
“Your Majesty, this is an important matter towards a friendly relationship. Please consider it.”
After that, the ministers repeatedly mentioned Ruel’s physical condition and asked him to change it, but each time the king was adamant.
“My choice will remain.”
Seeing the response, the ministers’ attention turned to deep disappointment as Ruel hoped.
If he appointed another it would make a mockery of the name Setiria. It would cause irreparable damage in the future.
The king didn’t like it.
No matter what anyone says, Setiria is the gatekeeper of this country.
“That’s all right. It doesn’t matter if it’s a joke. Setiria still needs to grow.”
If Ruel hadn’t said anything to him, he would have wanted to ruin the play with his own hands.
‘It’s a shame. It’s a shame.’
I didn’t know the Lord of Setiria, the last left in his bloodline, was so sick.
The king’s brow furrowed.
***
“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m fine.”
The eyes around him felt burdensome.
They already made a fuss knowing that he was vomiting blood.
Ruel inhaled the Breath.
“Cassion, when is the departure time?”
“The time has been delayed, we leave at 2 p.m.”
We have two hours left. That’s plenty of time.
If you start, the rumors will flow moderately. I wondered how the Red Ash would come out.
“Ruel-nim, I don’t think this play is just a turning point towards Setiria. Am I right?”
Aris asked cautiously.
“Right, shouldn’t we consider the risk of Red Ash?”
If you’re in a hurry, they’ll come after you, but if you’re not in a hurry, they’ll know you’re seriously ill and monitor the situation.
“Isn’t it time for our little battle to end? We’ve seen enough to taste each other.”
If he was in a hurry he would end up facing the royal knights. If they waited patiently they would be able to catch them and hear what this disease is and where it came from.
‘Maybe I can get a better answer.’
Ruel saw the people surrounding him.
Cassion, Ganien, Aris, Leo.
At least if they were here, he wouldn’t die.
He was relieved.
“You all know that the Red Ash is after me, and my presence is interfering with their plans.”
Even though his life was being sought, Ruel continued calmly as if he were talking about someone else.
Aris muttered, “I’ll protect you.”
—I will protect this body, too. Ruel is a precious source of food and happiness for me.
Aris and Leo faced each other before looking at Ruel, strengthening their will to die for this determined man.
“Yes, protect me. I want to live long.”
“Pha ha ha,” Ganien laughed suddenly.
When Ruel’s gaze reached, he started to say with a whimper.
“It’s nothing, that statement something just a word that doesn’t suit you, but at the same time suits you very well.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it.”
Unlike his words, Ganien giggled to himself to prevent from disturbing Ruel.
“There may be Red Ash in the Royal Knights.”
Ruel nodded at Cassion’s words of concern.
“I believe in everyone here. Everyone, stay alert.”
Ruel grinned at them, his green eyes shining.
***
Thanks to the king’s consideration, a large carriage with space to lie down was provided.
“What do you think?”
Ruel was lying in the carriage with the help of Cassion because he had to keep pretending to be sick.
—It’s as good as Ruel’s bed.
Leo jumped on the cushion.
“Is it? When we get back, we’ll have to change our carriage to something like this.”
Cassion didn’t look happy at all about the situation. “It’s funny, though. How can a sick person pretend to be sick? What is this situation?”
“I’m not sick right now.”
Cassion covered Ruel with a blanket energetically.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Cover me with one more.”
It wasn’t cold, but it didn’t feel warm.
Cassion paused for a moment.
The inside of the carriage was warm because of the warmth magic.
“I should have brought Fran.”
“That would have been difficult.”
“What about you?” Ruel snorted.
“I’m an exception.”
Knock. Knock.
At the sound of the noise, Cassion opened the carriage door.
When he saw Banios, he immediately bowed his head.
Barios went into the carriage. As soon as the door closed, he opened his mouth. It was Banios who selected this very carriage, so he knew best how it was soundproof.
“How is your body? I have come on behalf of His Majesty.”
Ruel raised his upper body and answered, “It’s okay, not as much as you’ve been worried.”
“That
 Is it real that you vomited blood?” Banios asked, lowering his voice slightly.
Ruel smiled lightly, “Can you fake blood?”
“I was going to give you a present, but I unintentionally used your only bottle. What do you want?”
“This year I am seventeen and next year I will hold my coming-of-age ceremony.”
“How far ahead are you looking?” Banios looked at Ruel with admiration.
If he came to Ruel’s Coming-of-Age ceremony, it was suitable to show that he and Setiria were close.
“Isn’t it that you’re giving me a gift again?”
“At that time, I would like to hold the lord inauguration ceremony. There I want you to back me. Isn’t it necessary to do something formal?”
Banios’ mouth was graced with a smile of satisfaction.
If it was the inauguration ceremony of the state, it was meant to show that Setiria supported him, not just a level of friendship.
“What do you want?”
“Please find a way to bring down the second prince. In addition, please hold a large ceremony for next year’s Coming-of-Age and Lord inauguration, and give support funds to Setiria to their original state.”
He said support funds, but it was a reward due to Setiria being the gatekeeper. Because of Carbena, the subsidy had been reduced by her rattail.
“Also, prepare a famous sword and a useful sword.”
Cassion’s lips curled up when Ruel mentioned the famous sword.
“That’s enough for now. If there’s anything else I need, I’ll ask for it later.”
“What do you want?”
“I’ve already told you what I want.”
“No, you don’t have the strength to raise a sword, the subsidy is just a return to Setiria to its original condition, and the inauguration ceremony is being held because of me. There’s nothing for you.”
Ruel couldn’t open his mouth as easily as before.
“
 Well, give me a pen that can’t dry out as a gift.”
‘You’re not greedy. You don’t know how to take care of yourself either.’
Banios looked at Cassion with a flabbergasted face before he nodded calmly.
“I see, I’ll prepare a suitable gift for you.”
Banios opened the carriage door and saw Leo wiggling in the blanket.
“Can I pet you? I’ve never seen a fox that looks like this before.”
“Yes, it does. Leo won’t scratch you, he’s gentle.”
Ruel pulled Leo out from the blanket and gave it to Banios.
—This body is not a pet!
Unlike his displeased voice, Leo’s tail swung.
He kept stroking the tail and it beat back and forth in a rhythm.
“After the winds blow over, bring the fox to play. There will be a lot to talk about.”
Bullshit.
Despite Ruel’s thoughts he answered, “As you wish, Your Highness.”
Banios paused in holding the handle of the carriage and his smile faded.
“Don’t trust the Royal Knights. Among them, there are those planted by my brother.”
Throwing a powerful hint, Banios lightly stepped out of the carriage.
“Then, work hard.”
Ruel’s face was wrinkled in response to Banios’s departure. He was told to work hard, not just a simple goodbye.
“
that damn thing.”
Ruel forced himself to swallow his words and lay back in bed.
Papers were placed on the seat where Banios sat.
Ruel reached out his hand.
“Give it to me.”
The material listed the personal information of the Knights.
Among them, the circled ones seemed to be the ones planted by the second prince.
Ruel handed over to Cassion. “Please refer to this document to distinguish between Red Ashes and those planted by the second prince.”
“I see.”
Cassion answered and took out another blanket and covered Ruel with it. “Are you warm?”
Ruel looked away vaguely and nodded reluctantly.
‘Should I order a blanket with thermal insulation magic?’
Cassion picked up Leo hanging from the window and placed him next to Ruel.
As the season approached winter, Leo’s body temperature was higher, like a moving stove. Feeling the heat only then did Ruel close his eyes contentedly.
***
Rattle.
Suddenly, the carriage shook violently and Ruel opened his eyes startled.
He could see the sun setting over the window.
“What’s going on?”
“You can go back to sleep. It looks like something is stuck.”
Ruel raised his upper body by inhaling Breath.
Knock. Knock.
Aris, who was sitting at the front of the carriage, came down and knocked on the door.
Cassion opened the door.
“I’m sorry. It rained all night and the road was muddy and we are stuck in a puddle.”
“A puddle?” Ruel asked back, wondering.
They may have escaped from the palace, but aren’t they running on the main road?
“Yes, there was a deep puddle. We’ll be right out.”
Ruel did not answer and looked at the surrounding landscape.
The location was roughly the way from Shio to Setiria.
‘The road must have been well paved back then.’
He hated things not going as planned.
“Cassion, check it out.”
“All right.”