Chapter 24 - There Is Still Hope

"Sister, your porridge is truly miraculous, as it always helps him stay awake for so long!" Ophelia said when they left the duke's room.

"Don't be ridiculous, Lia. There is nothing as miraculous food… But I'm glad I'm of some help…"

Violet didn't believe it, but she had to admit that Nathan was doing better when she visited him. The duke's health was a guarded secret and only few could know the truth. However, Ophelia had no secret before her and just spilt everything.

She tried to teach the porridge recipe to the chef at the castle, but the duke's body rejected the food.

"So, what do you think about the duke?" Violet asked.

The pink-haired young woman shook her head in regret. "It's bad… I did everything you told me and accompanied him every day, but the duke won't be able to hold on much longer. He is awake when he eats your food but will sleep for the rest of the day. Sometimes, I think he even lost consciousness without anyone knowing…"

Violet had a heartache. In the past six years, she tried to fight against fate alone, but some things are inevitable. Why must the duke die? She was feeling powerless and that feeling weighed her down.

"What about you, Lia? How is your swordsmanship going on?"

"Great! I think I can pass the exam to real knight easily!" Ophelia answered cheerfully, but deep down she was feeling gloomy.

She always wanted to be officially knighted, yet it was a dream out of her reach. It wasn't forbidden for females to become a knight, but it was still rare and unusual. After much fighting with her parents, Ophelia wins the argument about sword training, in exchange for her social education. 

However, her father strictly forbids her from becoming a real knight, as she is the only daughter in the family. Her marriage was very important to them, that's why they happily agreed to let her stay at the duke's castle in the hope of raising her reputation.

"Do you still train with Cassiel?" Violet asked.

"Huh? That brat? Why would I?" Unlike the gentle person talking about the duke, when their conversation touched the subject of her childhood frenemy, Ophelia turned fierce.

"I'm telling you, sister! That brat can't beat me!"

They fought a lot as children and the girl was seemingly winning many times. But that was because Cassiel couldn't be bothered to fight back unless Ophelia touched his toys from Violet. When that happens, he ignores the fact that she is a female and charges at her with all his might, even scaring the servants away.

But thanks to that rough childhood, both grew up to be brazen individuals.

Violet only wished for them to get along better, but sometimes it seemed to be impossible.

"Miss Violet, please wait!" Miles Findley spotted them in the hall and caught up to him. Seeing his dishevelled state, the girls can't help but feel pity. He was truly the most overworked person in the castle.

"How is His Grace?" 

"He finished everything and is resting now," Violet explained.

"Thank you for your hard work, miss. The duchy is indebted to you…" the man expressed his appreciation.

"Not at all, I'm glad to help… But is something a matter?"

"Ah yes, I hoped to see you before you left the castle… We found him, miss Violet. I mean the person you asked us to locate. The Sage…" the secretary informed her.

Violet saw a glimpse of hope in this gloomy situation immediately and her heart jumped in joy, but Findley stopped her excitement right away.

"But it's no use… He refuses to treat a noble…"

The Sage was a pilgrim living alone in solitary. He only appeared later in the story as the miraculous doctor, who healed the poor and single-handedly took care of the pandemic. However, he hated nobles and refused to see them, even if they were ready to give him the peerless treasures.

He might have the ability to heal Nathaniel, but it was no use if he refused to come.

"Sir Findley, where is he right now?" Violet asked.

"He was last seen entering the North Mountains…" the secretary answered.

"I might need a bit of your help now… Can you lend me a horse?"

"Sister, you are not thinking about going to him, are you?" Ophelia was astounded. "It's the North we are talking about! It's too dangerous!"

However, Violet can't let go of this slim thread of hope.

"It will be fine! I will go and persuade him somehow! I'm not a noble, he will be willing to talk to me…"

"No, you can't!" Ophelia refused the idea. "Not alone, at least! I'm coming with you…"

"What? No, Lia! You stay here and look after His Grace for me!"

But it was too late. The pink-haired girl already left saying she would back her bag and meet with her at the stable 10 minutes later.

Violet went to the barn alone.

"Will this be okay?" She wondered.

She confidently asked for a horse, but it was just a small pony.

Violet took a few riding classes together with Cassiel and Ophelia, but while the two powerful individuals challenged the best stallions, she could only handle the small and timid pony.

Taking Ophelia with her wasn't exactly a good plan, but the girl was right, she couldn't go alone. Not to mention persuading the Sage, she might not even be able to reach the North Mountains at this rate.

"How long will it be before I can make it back? One week?"

Hopefully, Nathaniel will survive that week.

"Are you going somewhere?" A chilling voice startled her.

Cassiel was standing against the entrance, his ash-like hair wet from the shower. His eyes stopped on her hand holding the reins and he frowned.

"Are you taking him out for a ride? Why didn't you tell me… You can't ride alone, it's dangerous…"

"Ah, this…" Violet was at a loss for the words. She completely forgot to inform him first.

"I will borrow him for a bit… There is someone I need to meet outside. I will be right back…" 

But those words alone can't convince the little duke.

"You are lying," he said with confidence. Violet was an honest person, she didn't know how to lie.

Cassiel came closer to her and locked her in his arms.

"What are you hiding from me?"

His voice was low and seductive, and there was nowhere she could hide from him.