A thousand years later, the disease Philip created for his selfish desires were still bothering countless people.
But when I think about it, it was weird. Why is the disease still here?
Tancinol was created by artificially twisting the mana of light. It was not a disease that occurs naturally.
Of course, after a long time, the disease called tancinol itself may have been transformed.
There was a possibility that a disease that was completely different from a thousand years ago could have spread all over the world under the name of âtancinolâ or that the mana contained in the mana of light spread to humans in some form.
But even if I think about it like that, itâs still weird.
âSister, what are you thinking so hard about?â
âNo, itâs nothing.â
I shook my head.
We were on our way back to the palace after leaving the Camellia orphanage.
I said I was fine, but Diana insisted on escorting me back to the palace.
Everyone seems worried about me.
âMore than that, Diana, have you thought about what I said?â
âHuh?â
âI mean your debut.â
Diana is already an adult but hasnât made her debut.
Gilbert Bellacian died, and her mother didnât take care of her. Hence, thereâs no one who could help her prepare her debut.
If only I was there, I could help herâŚ
But I couldnât just regret it. I was going to help her make her debut now that everything is not that hectic.
âNo need. Itâs already past my birthday.â
âMany people do it after their birthday.â
âYou didnât do it either.â
âI attended a lot of other parties instead.â
âHis Highness also didnât do it.â
Blake also did not have his coming-of-age ball. Maybe itâs because of meâŚ
âHis Highness will do it soon.â
Blake refused, just like Diana, but I wanted him to experience it.
âThen just tell His Highness to do it. I hate wearing dresses and dancing in turns with men.â
She shook her head. I didnât say it anymore because she refused it.
But I really want to make a ball for DianaâŚ
While I was thinking about it, the carriage arrived at the Forens Palace.
âDiana, thank you so much for coming with me today.â
âNo, you call me anytime.â
She said she needs to go back to the academy without time for a cup of tea.
âGet in the carriage.â
âI can just ride a horse. Thatâs more comfortable, Iâll be on my way now.â
I was looking at her back when she left and ordered Jayden.
âJayden, please escort Diana.â
âYes, Your Highness.â
Jayden strode to Dianaâs side. But Diana waved her hand.
âNo need, just go back.â
âLetâs go together.â
âYou donât know what Iâm capable of? I donât need an escort.â
âWho said I was escorting? I just want to walk with you.â
Diana was embarrassed when Jayden spat out indifferently.
âAh, wha, what, I seeâŚâ
The two walked side by side.
Are you sure heâs simply a friend?
Looking at them, I smiled brightly.
âWhy are you smiling like that?â
Hearing the familiar voice, Blakeâs eyes met mine.
âHuh?â
âYou smiled at the guy.â
âWhen?â
âJust now.â
He pouted as he hugged my waist.
âI smiled at Diana.â
âReally?â
âYes.â
âDonât smile at the other guys.â
Unlike his cute voice, his eyes looked serious.
âAlright.â
I smiled and stroked his hair.
Then, his expression visibly relaxed.
He looked like a puppy today.
âHow was the event today?â
âI was dying to meet my wife throughout the whole event.â
Now he sounded like a puppy.
I know that he would have done well even if he said it like that.
Blake was known for his great skills in handling political affairs.
The minister of finance, who was known for his strictness, boasted that Blake is a very good heir of Tenstheon, there are also many other compliments from others.
âHave you been well, my wife?â
âYes, but Iâm a little disappointed.â
âWhy?â
âA kid is still on my mind. I should have hugged her a little moreâŚâ
I kept thinking about Shulia, who was crying. I felt sympathy because it felt like I was seeing myself before I married Blake.
âLetâs go there with me next time.â
âCan I really do that?â
I thought heâd say noâŚ
âGo wherever you want, but you have to go with me. If you try to go alone like this, Iâll get mad.â
Blake seems to be very surprised by my sudden visit today.
âOkay, letâs go together next time.â
I hugged my worried groom tightly and said that.
***
Kaluo was studying, the door suddenly opened as Shulia came inside.
âBrother, are you studying?â
âYes.â
âWhat are you studying?â
âYou wonât understand.â
Kaluo had the best grades in the orphanage. He is 9 years old, but he could solve problems that 11-year -old Tom couldnât solve.
âHehehe.â
âWhat are you laughing for?â
Kaluo spat out curtly.
Sheâs always gentle, thatâs why other people used to pick her on because they think sheâs an easy target.
At least sheâs smiling now, itâs better than crying. He thought that she was still sad about the recent incident.
âBrother, eat this.â
Shulia reached out her hand. Two yellow candies were placed on her small hands.
âWhatâs this? Where did you get it?â
âHer Highness gave it to me during snack time earlier. You didnât come, thatâs why I brought yours. Letâs eat it together.â
She gave him a proud smile. But Kaluo threw the candy in her hand to the floor.
âWhy would you take this? You canât eat it either!â
âBrother!â
âShe is the Crown Princess!â
âI know, but I thought sheâs a good person.â
Ancia hugged Shulia, who was bullied by Tom.
Even though she knew that sheâs a Roum, she said Shulia did nothing wrong.
Shulia really likes the Crown Princess.
âTheyâre not a good person! Sheâs one of the imperial family who tried to kill Richard! Youâre going to eat what she gave you?â
âBut they said it was Richardâs faultâŚâ
âTheyâre lying! Richard was framed because they were afraid that he would become the Emperor! It was always like that! The Emperor unjustly killed Richardâs family!â
Richard said that the Crown Prince is a monster.
Also, the emperor is extremely wary of Richard because he knows that Richard is better than the Crown Prince.
Other nobles were not happy with the Roums becoming the next emperor.
So they worked together to accuse Richardâs family for treason and take away Richardâs title.
âThe people of the empire are all the same! Theyâre our enemy!â
Kaluo recalled the past. He once lived in a Roum village.
Although the village only consisted of Kaluo, Connin, and Shuliaâs family.
The Roums were treated harshly wherever they went and were targeted by slave traders.
The three families lived in a deep forest, relying on each other. It was a hard time but they were happy. There was no discrimination there.
Yet, the happy days ended so suddenly. People living in the land far away came there.
They killed their parents, siblings, and set fire to their homes, saying they should destroy the Roums who spread the tancinol.
Everyone died, only Kaluoâs sister, Karan, Connin, and Shulia survived.
They were engulfed with grief and vengeance. But realistically, there was nothing they could do.
There was no one to side with the Roums, even if they complained.
Richard appeared in front of the four when they were in despair.
Richard saved them. He taught Karan and Connin black magic and helped his family to take revenge.
Kaluo and Shulia went to Camellia orphanage.
âI want to be with my sister.â
Kaluo wanted to be with his sister, but she shook her head firmly.
âNo, itâs dangerous. I will help Richard become the emperor. When he becomes emperor, the Roum will have a world where they couldnât be discriminated against.â
âIâll help you too!â
âYou should study well instead. Richard will need a great assistant when he becomes emperor. You have to play that role. Iâm going to make a country for the Roums with him.â
His sister was right. Kaluo remained in the orphanage as she said. In addition, he was the only one who could protect the young Shulia.
âThe Emperor framed Richard. You need to be careful! We have to trust Richard!â
Richard saved them. He will help him to establish a world where Roums are not discriminated against.
âRichard will surely create such a world for usâŚâ
But Kaluo didnât explain much to Shulia.
It was too difficult to comprehend for the young Shulia. In addition, it was a secret plan that only Richard and some people knew.
Sheâs nice, but keeping secrets was another problem. Itâs not the time to tell her yet.
âI hate Richard.â
said Shulia timidly, looking at the candy lying on the floor the whole time Kaluo spoke.