Chapter Twenty-Three
The Child Who Lives in the Southern Tower
---
"Damian!"
"Mother…"
"You need to go to sleep now…"
The child's eyes remained fixed on the man lying motionless on the bed. Reluctantly, he rose to his feet.
"When will Father wake up?"
Nila's gaze moved between her son's sorrowful eyes and the exhausted face of the man before her. She lowered herself to the child's level.
"Perhaps your father needs to rest. He's been pushing himself for a very long time…"
"Three days… Isn't that enough?"
Nila smiled at her son's complaint and gently stroked his cheek.
"He promised he would come back, so you have to trust him…"
Damian pressed his lips together and nodded. Nila gave him a tired smile before pulling him into her arms.
"He'll be fine…"
Nila did not know whether she was reassuring the child or herself.
When Damian left the room, Nila sat in the chair where he had been sitting moments before. Her eyes settled on Elion. He looked as though he were sleeping deeply.
She closed her eyes and placed a hand over her heart.
"I've never seen him like this before…"
At the sound of the voice, Nila raised her head toward him. She turned her gaze back to the bed before speaking in a steady tone.
"The danger was immense, Sir Hans."
"I received the reports from the expedition. I'll wait for His Grace to wake."
"Is the news bad?"
"Incredibly so."
"…"
When Nila fell silent for a moment, Victor looked at her and remembered something he had considered ignoring.
But with a few hungry hyenas waiting to tear everything apart, he had no choice but to act.
"Miss Harvey… What if His Grace doesn't wake up?"
The words weighed heavily on Victor's heart and tongue, but the moment he saw the fear in Nila's eyes, his lips seemed to freeze.
He was silent for a moment before continuing.
"It's only a possibility. We cannot simply stand here and do nothing."
"We're powerless right now, and Damian is still young."
Victor stared into Nila's eyes for a long moment before turning his gaze toward the night sky beyond the window.
"Miss Harvey, I never cared whether I trusted you or not. It simply wasn't important to me. But His Grace trusts you, so I will give you this…"
Nila narrowed her eyes as Victor pulled a file from inside his coat and placed it before her.
She glanced at it for a moment before opening the thick folder.
Inside were her employment contract, her identification papers, Damian's birth record, and one more document.
"Legal Guardianship."
Nila swallowed and began to read.
«I, Elion de Walter, hereby recognize the young lady of House Harvey, Miss Nila Harvey, as the legal guardian of my son and heir, Damian de Walter, granting her all the authority vested in me.
Signed: Grand Duke de Walter, Elion de Walter.»
Nila swallowed hard.
The signature was genuine.
So was the seal.
She looked at Victor, struggling to comprehend what she was seeing.
"How? I mean… I'm still a member of a traitorous family."
"Miss Harvey, you may read the rest."
Nila drew in a deep breath and returned her eyes to the file.
She turned the pages and found a document bearing the Imperial Seal.
House Harvey had been cleared of all charges.
Nila examined the document more closely. Her hands began to tremble even harder.
It had been officially issued three years ago.
She placed the file on the table beside Elion's head and looked at Victor through narrowed eyes.
"Why? And how?"
"I only learned of it recently. His Grace already knew where the two of you had disappeared to…"
"I can't… No. This is too much…"
Victor opened his eyes for a moment and studied her carefully.
Her hands were gripping the document so tightly that they trembled. Her eyes shook with uncertainty.
She did not look happy.
If anything, she looked frightened.
Victor closed his eyes, then opened them again as he bowed sincerely.
"I'm asking you…"
"This is difficult…"
Nila took a step backward, but the man before her lowered his head even further.
"The young master needs you, and His Grace placed his trust in you… My lady, please."
Nila fixed her gaze on Victor.
After several moments of silence, she finally spoke.
"All right. I agree… But on one condition."
For a brief moment, Victor felt relieved that she had finally accepted.
But the moment she finished her sentence, his lips tightened, and he reluctantly nodded.
---
Morning came bright and fresh, carrying the scent of flowers and food through the crowded streets.
Despite the cheerful weather, weariness and worry seemed to weigh upon every face.
The vendors barely called out their wares, and even the children were quieter than usual as they played.
News of the Archduke's injury had spread like wildfire.
Unlike the streets bathed in the bright sunlight of day, the tavern was dark, though crowded with its strange assortment of patrons.
"Is His Grace really going to die?"
The man spoke to his companion as he drank, prompting the elderly tavern keeper to slam down a dish and snap at him.
"Stop spouting nonsense… He's a de Walter."
"I heard His Grace has never been injured in battle before…"
Another man spoke excitedly.
Someone sitting quietly at a table by himself answered him.
His face was mostly hidden, and his voice made it clear that he was not a man.
"A great many knights died there. But for everyone else to survive… doesn't that seem obvious?"
The men exchanged glances, their lips sealed.
Meanwhile, the tavern keeper smiled and placed a plate before the hooded figure.
"Well done, young lady…"
The young woman smiled for a moment.
Then she bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears. She wiped the tip of her nose and forced herself to focus on her meal.
She did not have to wait more than a few minutes before someone approached.
When the newcomer sat down across from her, she turned her entire body toward them.
Although the person wore no cloak, their features remained unclear beneath the brim of a large hat.
---
Damian sat in his usual chair beside the bed, a book in his hands.
He glanced at Amanda, who was replacing the flowers in the room, and sighed.
"Lady Amanda, is something wrong?"
"The flowers in this room wilt so quickly…"
Damian looked around.
This room was not even a quarter the size of his own.
It had only one window, and even that was rather small.
Although it belonged to his father, the room felt suffocating.
"Lady Amanda, why is Father sleeping here?"
Amanda shifted her gaze from the flowers to the child. Her expression darkened.
"It has been his room for a very long time…"
Damian did not understand.
He merely looked at Amanda with curious eyes.
"Can't we change his room?"
"We can't because…"
"Yes, we can."
Both of them turned toward the voice.
Nila stood there with a composed smile.
"Really?!"
Damian's expression immediately brightened.
Amanda drew her brows together in curiosity, but before she could ask anything, Nila spoke smoothly while meeting her son's eyes.
"Do you want to change your father's room?"
"Of course. This room is suffocating."
Nila smiled and turned toward the door, raising her voice slightly.
"Did you hear that, Sir Hans?"
Victor appeared from behind the door. His eyes swept across everyone in the room before settling on Damian.
He inclined his head slightly.
"As you command, young master."
Damian smiled for a moment, but then frowned again.
"Won't Father be upset?"
Before Victor could open his mouth, Nila answered cheerfully.
"We can make it up to him afterward."
Victor had not expected that answer from Nila.
But he liked it.
He smiled.
"I'll be going, then. The room will be ready before evening."
"Sir Hans, choose the best room in the palace for my father."
Victor nodded and quietly left.
Nila gazed at Elion for a moment before smiling.
"I'll help Sir Hans."
Nila followed Victor out of the room.
Damian remained confused for a moment.
He took a quiet breath, approached the bed, and took his father's hand.
With a sad smile, he whispered,
"Father… I missed you."
---
"Why that condition?"
Victor turned his entire body toward Nila as she followed him.
Nila stopped and answered honestly.
"Is it bothering you, Sir Hans?"
"I've been thinking about it all night… Though what I think doesn't really matter."
With a neutral, direct tone, Nila looked at Victor.
"It isn't easy for me to accept."
"But…"
"His Grace is resting. He'll be back soon."
Her smile was sincere enough to make him truly want to believe her.
Victor exhaled.
"I'll do as you say, Miss."
"Good. I want to see the reports this evening…"
"…"
"Ah, Sir Hans. Which is the best room in the palace?"
Victor blinked.
He had not expected her to be so serious.
He answered instinctively.
"It's the Grand Duke's chamber in the eastern wing."
"Let's see it. Come on."
---
Later that same evening…
"Why is the palace so crowded?"
Lina caught one of the maids and asked curiously.
"The Archduke's main suite is being cleaned."
Lina nodded in understanding.
Before she could enter the servants' quarters, a voice called out.
"Miss Franz, Lady Harvey is looking for you."
Her hands trembled for a moment, but she looked at Martha with indifference.
"I need to change my clothes first…"
"A devoted maid should go to her lady before anything else."
Lina glanced back at the person speaking behind her in horror.
Yet he looked perfectly cheerful, wearing a bright, friendly smile.
"Sir Toria, the lady is summoning you as well."
Riley blinked, lowering his shoulders slightly.
But Martha gave him a stern look, her brows drawn tight.
"I'll go meet my lady…"
Even Lina narrowed her eyes at him, nearly pulling her hair out over his contradictory behavior.
Martha shot him a scolding look.
"What?"
He spoke with curved brows and puppy-like eyes.
Martha sighed.
"Nothing."
---
"It's truly wonderful…"
Damian moved his feet as his eyes wandered over every corner and inch of the room.
Amanda approached him and handed him a handkerchief.
"There's dust everywhere. Hold this over your nose."
Damian nodded and pulled the handkerchief over his nose, still wandering around the room.
"Lady Amanda, why are you changing everything?"
"It was Miss Harvey's suggestion."
"I see…"
Damian placed his hands behind his back and leaned forward with a wide smile.
Amanda narrowed her eyes for a moment.
Does the child understand his mother?
"Lady Amanda."
Amanda noticed Martha's presence.
Before she could say anything, Martha calmly spoke.
"Miss Harvey wishes to see Lady Amanda immediately."
"All right."
"Young master, come with me as well."
Martha approached with a composed expression and lowered herself to the child's eye level.
"Is Mother in her room?"
"She's waiting for the young master."
---
Lina had noticed the number of papers covering Nila's desk.
She furrowed her brows and waited outside the bathroom with a towel in her hands.
The moment Nila emerged, Lina handed it to her.
Nila smoothly placed the towel over her wet hair and sat before her mirror.
"Dry it."
Lina bit the inside of her cheek and began drying it.
Her hands were somewhat rough, but Nila paid no attention to it.
In an almost drowsy tone, she asked,
"How was your day off?"
Lina's hands froze for a moment.
"It was good…"
"Your days off will be reduced until winter."
"Why?"
At Nila's firm words, Lina felt a prickling sensation run through every part of her body.
"Um… Tell your family that the situation is an emergency…"
Without realizing it, Lina tightened her grip on Nila's hair.
"Ow…"
Lina blinked.
Then she loosened her hands.
Nila's eyes met Lina's through the mirror.
Her face looked pale.
Why?
With Lina's help, Nila finished getting ready.
The moment she finally sat down—
Knock, knock!
"Come in."
Martha entered and bowed with a calm expression.
"Everyone will arrive within half an hour…"
"Where's Damian?"
"He went to change his clothes."
"Prepare everything."
Martha's eyes fell on Lina standing beside Nila's chair.
She gave the faintest hint of a smile, then bowed to Nila and left.
Lina pressed her lips together.
Her ears began to itch.
Her gaze drifted toward the top of Nila's head before returning to the ceiling.
"Are you curious?"
"…"
Lina's eyes widened.
When she tried to open her mouth, she found that she had lost her voice for a moment.
"You'll find out anyway."
Lina closed her mouth and lowered her gaze.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Soon, the room began to fill.
People Lina had never expected to see there.
They had all come.
"Now that everyone is here, Sir Hans has something to tell you."
When the remaining eight people arrived, Nila stood before them and gestured toward Victor, who stepped forward carrying a bundle of documents.
"Everyone knows His Grace's condition, and it seems His Grace had already prepared for this situation…"
"Wait, wait! His Grace expected this?"
Karal was the one who spoke.
There was pain in his voice.
He felt betrayed.
Victor nodded.
He remained silent for a moment when his eyes fell upon Damian, who was staring at him intently.
"Lady Harvey has legally become the young master's guardian by order of His Grace."
"Weren't the Harvey family traitors?"
Lina's voice trembled, her eyes burning.
Victor's answer was calm and straightforward.
"That is a matter for His Grace. The charges against House Harvey have been withdrawn."
"That easily? When? How?"
"For now, everything that happens in this room will remain here. Sir Hans will be the one kept informed."
Nila's voice was stern.
Lina clenched her teeth when she felt herself being excluded.
Nila's gaze settled on her, her eyes silently asking:
Why?
---
The trees began bidding farewell to their leaves, and the wind breathed out its cold sighs.
Nila closed the large window without drawing the curtains.
Her eyes lingered on the child reading his book with enthusiasm, occasionally stopping to tell her what he found interesting.
Nila turned her gaze back toward the window, closed her eyes, and covered her mouth with one hand.
It has been more than a month. Why hasn't he woken up?
She drew as much air into her lungs as she could before slowly exhaling.
Then she approached with a bright smile.
"Does the book look interesting?"
"Yes. It's a story about the ancient kingdoms…"
"Isn't the book difficult?"
"Sir Winson says Father used to love reading it…"
Nila closed her mouth for a moment before gently patting his head.
"When he wakes up, tell him how much you enjoyed the book."
Damian lifted his head.
"Of course."
Nila rested her hand on his head once more before leaving the room with slow steps.
The cold surrounding the place seeped deeply into her limbs.
She wrapped her arms around herself for a moment.
"Shall I ask them to bring you a shawl, my lady?"
"Thank you, Riley. I really don't need one."
"You look troubled."
"Waiting is difficult… Did Sir Rotana or the others tell you anything?"
"They're stubborn. They refused to say a word until His Grace wakes up."
"Do they feel guilty?"
"They've gone on a hunger strike."
Nila let out a faint, dry laugh.
Then, in a firm tone, she said,
"Tell them His Grace is waiting for his men to return at full strength, not a bunch of foolish cowards."
Riley's eyes settled on Nila.
A familiar feeling brought a smile to his face.
"I'll deliver your words exactly as you said them…"
---
"Father, it's getting late. I'll come back tomorrow."
Damian placed a small kiss on his father's hand, leaving the book on the nearby table.
Elion remained in complete silence.
His wounds had begun to heal.
Even the burns were beginning to fade.
He was a strong body carrying a shaken soul.
---
[Elion!]
"Father."
[The hidden cat has finally shown himself.]
[I'm your older brother…]
Flashes of light and darkness.
He found himself standing in a dark place.
He looked around.
Nothing.
No one.
Distant voices echoed around him.
Some were familiar.
Others were not.
Even the words themselves sounded strange.
But they began to fade.
He started walking through the darkness, guided by a single point of light.
Step after step, the point grew larger.
Then, suddenly, he felt himself being pulled downward.
For a moment, he was drowning.
He flailed his hands desperately until he finally broke through to the surface.
But what surrounded him was not darkness.
It was a beautiful expanse of flowers stretching around a lake.
Am I dead?
It didn't seem so.
When he climbed out, he began looking around.
The place was far too familiar.
His heartbeat quickened, and he placed a hand against his chest.
Then he raised his head.
There it was.
The Southern Tower.
The head of a child appeared.
At first glance, he looked like Damian.
But he was smaller.
He was a child who had just turned five.
Elion's lips trembled as the memory returned.
He let out a derisive laugh and closed his eyes.
I was the child who was born too soon… leaving his mother's body empty of its soul.
"The unwanted child, Elion de Walter."
...... To Be Continued ......