There weren’t many memories of being called by the name Lucilla properly. She was often called Lu, Lus, or something like that, or referred to with terms like “Hey,” “You,” or “Girl,” and rarely addressed by her full name.

Even her faint memory of her mother was like that. Her mother was tired and in pain. Calling her Lucilla was too difficult for her mother, especially for a mother who died early.

“Lucilla.”

The girl, combing the shortened hair that the nurse had cut and trimmed, looked up.

“Is there a visitor?”

The nurse smiled and opened the door. Oh. Lucilla quickly got off the bed and rushed to the person who appeared at the door.

“Are you hurt? Can you run around?”

Although a rough tone was heard, Lucilla didn’t mind and hugged the stiff person’s waist forcefully, even more forcefully. Reluctantly embracing her, the person sighed, and awkwardly, the hands lightly patted her shoulder. It was awkward because she had almost never hugged anyone.

“I’m all better!”

Her voice was loud and lively. Life had returned to her face, and her cheeks had gained more flesh.

Her hair gleamed. She was eating well, sleeping well, and resting well. Eliza looked at the bandages wrapped around the calves revealed under the warm clothes she was wearing. They had changed from bandages to bandage skirts. There was no doubt that the wounds had healed.

She handed Lucilla flowers wrapped in brown paper.

“Is this for me?”

“It’s a gift of flowers for the patient, or so they say. I don’t really know, but that’s how it is here.”

Eliza bluntly spoke as she handed the flowers she bought on the street. Lucilla smiled in her bed.

“Thank you.”

Madame Gordiou kept her promise. Lucilla was receiving warm care in a clean environment. Lately, she chatted happily, saying she received fairy tale books. It was entirely different from when she couldn’t do anything in the bubbling heat. Fortunately, there were no signs of her cowering or being scared anymore. Eliza felt relieved. Lucilla spoke openly about her life in this quiet place, and Eliza regretted that she had to leave.

“When will you come again?”

Eliza was momentarily speechless. She had rescued Lucilla, and Lady Gordiou had promised a safe haven and education. So Eliza’s role was done. She would come once to see how things were, check if the child was doing well, and if Lady Gordiou had kept her promise.

“Are you going to Calleta?”

However, she couldn’t make a harsh remark to the child who was cautiously, very cautiously watching her with those eyes.

“…No, not that…”

The Calleta consulate was completely closed. Those who sneaked in, pretending to be a construction team, took out all the documents inside, organized them, and then, like thieves, silently returned.
However, Eliza did not turn back at the last moment. No, she sneaked out of the consulate. She is now an undisputed traitor.

But she couldn’t go back without checking if the child was doing well. Well, there is no way back now, and the door is closed, so it’s over. She seemed to be destined to resume her life as an assassin, tied to Lady Gordiou and enduring the life of an assassin that made her sick. First, she had to avoid the pursuit from Calleta, though.

“Eat well, study well, and if you’re doing fine, I’ll come see you again.”

“So when?”

Eliza, pondering the unusual situation, instead of answering, awkwardly patted Lucilla’s shoulder, which was slightly slumped, with an uncertain rhythm.

“Don’t you have to go?”

While glancing at Eliza, Lucilla tightly grabbed the hem of her clothes. The limit of what the child, who had been left alone and battered since a very young age, could express was evident.

Eliza couldn’t find any words at all. She couldn’t tell the pleading child starving for affection that she couldn’t do it.

As soon as news spread that Duke Alanca had pledged allegiance to the emperor, Negrete and Svenja excluded Alanca. The Alsmone Alliance was already broken.

The consortium that shared the market and even participated in military matters disappeared. Duke Alanca didn’t even flinch, even though his mother, the late Duchess Alanca, caused a commotion.

He clearly saw the emperor’s expression when the barrier closed. The emperor remained silent even after hearing the report that the barrier had closed and Calleta Consulate was empty. To this day, the emperor remained silent. Uncharacteristically.

“You opened the barrier with such a fuss, and now that it’s closed, you just stay quiet?”

“He must have gone crazy falling for that insignificant thieving-country-born woman.”

“Can the emperor not fall for that woman’s face? She must be an incredible beauty.”

From those who did nothing in the East, the criticism started with Ru. It was absurd that those who disliked the emperor were anxious in this situation and cursed Ru instead of the emperor. Was the woman from Calleta considered a joke, an insignificant presence? No one acknowledged the fact that she was a Southern Sage.

In the face of such public opinion, the emperor simply admitted.

“I have devoted my soul to our Ru.”