Ch 7
_ Evan's Suspicions
I was truly excited, then I clenched my fist and said sincerely in a deep voice:
"Leave it to me, this is a friend's duty."
" Alright, by the way, come the day after tomorrow at the same time, I will send either Brian or Casper, you know them well, just for security, and perhaps we will keep meeting at this time because of the work incumbent upon me "
"Alright, now I must leave, Goodbye "
I got up from my spot and with a smile bid him farewell, he stood up and said
" See you soon "
That was his reply, but it sounded good since he usually ignores my farewell, maybe we are starting to get closer, I have always wanted to make friends and Raf was among them, I moved toward the door and before I opened it I turned to him and said cheerfully
" Raf, I will be careful to bring biscuits and you will eat them ..."
"..."
" See you soon Raf "
I adjusted my cloak and made sure it covered me well then left, the sun was in the middle of the sky, three hours had passed, the duration we spend together was becoming more and more, which created a feeling inside me
' I must protect this person, no matter the cost...'
I don't know why he was classified as a villain in the novel despite his good personality, I once heard that circumstances make people... There are two people born similar in every way but the surrounding circumstances shape their personalities; one becomes evil or good
'So I decided to create good circumstances for this person to become the best'...
Brian and Casper were in front of the inn and I knew their identities just as Raf had ensured, then Brian returned me to the place he had taken me from and went back to the inn ...
* * *
I entered the mansion, and Marian was waiting for me as usual anxiously, so that no one would know about my absence, usually no one asks about me and it is funny that the former Ariana refused anyone to enter her room because a souvenir was stolen from her mother, even though the souvenir was returned, no one was allowed to enter the room except Marian alone to clean and help Ariana, and the room began to be cleaned once a week by the servants and they are checked before and after they leave, this strict procedure was implemented despite their slight neglect of Ariana, and in fact, this procedure is good as I became comfortable because I hate nosy people ...
Marian approached me and checked my condition then said anxiously
"Miss, should I bring breakfast "
" No need, I had breakfast with Raf, did you have your breakfast, you?!"
I sat on my chair and answered her with a relaxed smile, she is a person who is careful about every detail in my life and very neglectful of herself, this is Marian, so I used to scold her in an indirect way, she stammered a little
"I was worried about the Miss "
" Marian, no need to worry, take care of yourself first, it's ten o'clock and you haven't eaten yet "
" I will, Miss "
I thought a little then said in a threatening manner and seriously trying to suppress my laughter, as I spoke against my conviction so that she would comply
"If you go back to neglecting yourself, perhaps I might ask to replace you "
Her eyes widened and shook then she said in a choked voice
" Will the Miss abandon me "
I completed my acting perfectly and said strictly
"How will you take care of me when you neglect your health, if you get sick who will take care of me. You are the only one for me "
Here Marian's eyes announced copious tears 'She is a sensitive child'
" Miss, don't abandon me, I promise I will take care of myself, so please don't abandon me "
I raised my eyebrow and resisted being affected, raised my hand and waved my little finger and said firmly
" Promise me that "
Marian quickly understood and linked her little finger with mine and said sincerely
" I promise, Miss "
I truly felt relieved and smiled comfortably
" Alright, you can go eat "
She wiped her tears roughly a little then bowed deeply and said sincerely
" I obey the young Miss's orders "
She was about to turn her back when I said, remembering
"Marian, the colored biscuits"
" The colored biscuits?!"
She turned to me and looked as if to say 'What about them?! '
So I continued and said cheerfully
" Last time you made biscuits with various flavors and beautiful colors, it was delicious, so will you make me some the day after tomorrow, I told Raf that I would bring biscuits for him to taste "
" Definitely, I will make as much as you want "
I smiled comfortably at her and allowed her to leave, in fact I was worried that I might be burdening her, isn't it enough that she is responsible for me and everything about me, I don't want to pressure her but her response was comforting which made me ask her comfortably, Marian was always keen to help me with everything, she was a year younger than me but she is kind and innocent and helps me a lot, Marian worked as an exclusive maid for five years and in the mansion before becoming my exclusive maid for three years, meaning the total she worked here exceeds seven years, which means she has worked since she was twelve, it is a young age but she is loyal and cheerful, so I was very comfortable with Marian ...
'I hope this girl lives happily "
* * *
Raphael was incredibly busy, since his return to the mansion until sunset he could not spare a second due to meetings and papers and documents, the budget and the amounts sent every month to the temple and the money that will be sent for New Year's, and securing the roads for the envoys and many other matters that arose contrary to routine matters such as the typical meetings with the ministers and internal issues of the country and corruption ...etc, after he felt that he was almost finished with work, he raised his head from his desk where the mountain of papers had slightly lowered, and looked at the four assistants in front of him, they were very engrossed in their work, he took a deep breath then spoke
"Everyone shall take a break "
The eyes of the four lit up and they stood up and bowed respectfully and he allowed them to leave and before everyone left he said firmly
" You only have two hours break, Roalv stay "
The three left and Roalv waited, after Raphael made sure they were far away he spoke calmly placing his hands under his chin
" I want you to send a secret message this time to another person "
" Please give me the person's characteristics and name and the message will reach him, or even a strand of his hair "
Raphael looked at Roalv thoughtfully then said
" The message is for Cardinal Evan Jerome"
" Ah then it's easy, the priest's characteristics are very familiar to me "
Raphael, remembering
"Ah, are you a sorcerer, Roalv?!"
" No, Your Excellency "
"Then how can you use these magic birds?!"
Roalv smiled sadly and spoke respectfully
"Because my younger brother Karl was a skilled sorcerer, Karl tamed the magic birds with magic but he gave another command to them before his death, which is to absolutely obey my commands, so even when I cannot use magic, I have the ability to control them"
"Does anyone else know about it besides me?!"
" No one knows about it ever, it is my little secret with my family "
Raphael thought suspiciously 'Then how did I know?!'
" You may leave and rest, Roalv "
Raphael gave the message to Roalv before he left and Raphael sighed
'What is this girl hiding!? What she knows is too much, how does she know it !? There is a secret and I will find it out '
But I cannot deny my constant thinking about that girl, her personality, her anxiety and her interest, also her idea of going out, isn't that considered a date, no, definitely not, she doesn't think like that, but the idea was messing with my head, going out and seeing things from a different perspective, definitely she thinks like that, also it's okay to enjoy ...
He laughed sarcastically, Enjoy?!! It never occurred to me to think like that, this matter was something that didn't resemble me except when I was a prince, has this child come to change me or what?!
* * *
"I told you maybe she is the Emperor's girlfriend "
" But why do they always meet during the day?!"
"She is a noble, maybe she cannot go out easily at night, you know that nobles often go out during the day with excuses "
"But if she is a noble maybe she is qualified to take the position of Empress, why is the Emperor hiding her matter!? Is she perhaps low-ranked?!"
"I don't think for this reason, you know that the temple is the one who recommends the Empress every generation, perhaps the Emperor fears that the temple will reject her"
" The matter is suspicious, His Majesty is not like his predecessor, he strongly opposes the temple "
"True, but he cannot end the temple's role just because he opposes them "
"True"
They sensed movement nearby
" Let's be silent so no one hears us, Casper"
Casper nodded and they turned to the source of the nearby movement and it was none other than Kayen, the leader of the Imperial Knights, so they bowed to him and Kayen looked at them and said
" What are you chattering about for an hour "
Orders are orders even if Kayen is the closest to the Emperor so Casper lied with an embarrassed smile
" As you know, Sir, Brian has a girlfriend and wants to go out on a date with her "
Brian opened his eyes in shock but played along and said feigning anger
" Casper, why did you speak .."
Kayen laughed and said cheerfully
" Your friend sold you out Hahaha "
Casper scratched his cheek shyly
"Sir, you know you are the Supreme Commander and I couldn't lie to you "
Kayen raised his eyebrow and spoke
" You didn't lie to me, hmm, good ... that's the spirit, so I will leave you, Brian you can hit him comfortably, you won't be punished "
Kayen laughed and left them, so Brian turned angrily to Casper and said
" Why did you throw it on me?!"
" I had no solution but you, my friend "
Brian punched him on the shoulder angrily and they returned to their work.
..* * *
A new morning, the sky was grey, since the morning it was signaling the coming of a snowstorm, I placed the teapot on the tea table and Marian removed the curtains without opening the window, she turned to Ariana who was coming out of the bathroom towards her favorite spot, so she took the scarf she had placed on the bed and put it on Ariana's shoulders and said anxiously while pouring the tea with cloves and lemon
" It seems like there will be a snowstorm today, I'm worried about you "
Ariana knew that during snowstorms, she must be on high alert; thick clothes, closed windows, magical heating and fire in the fireplace, and indeed Marian began the preparations, Ariana took the book on the table and said cheerfully
" Marian, I am feeling better "
" If the storm continues until tomorrow you won't go outside, right?! "
" I don't think it will continue, and if it does I will find a solution, don't worry "
Ariana tried to calm Marian in a cheerful way, but she was worried
' I hope the storm doesn't continue '
* * *
The storm continued throughout the day making outdoor activities nonexistent, Raphael was working on the piled documents in front of him, and looked through the window behind his desk thoughtfully 'Will she be okay, her body is fragile, even if she recovered, she is still weak, she doesn't even eat well, how does she want to become strong when she can't even eat, stupid child .... And what business is it of mine '
He wiped his face with displeasure and returned to occupy his mind with work, but he knew that that girl often invaded his thoughts.
A knock by the steward interrupted his thoughts so he allowed him to enter
"Your Majesty, it's time for dinner, would you like me to bring it here or in the dining room?!"
Raphael was a person who didn't care about food, and he barely managed to eat it, but he continued to only eat the necessary food to live and conserve his energy, despite that he realized that his appetite had become good in front of Ariana, but he still didn't care much about meal duties ....
.."There is a guest, so it would be better to have it in the dining hall "
"I obey your orders"
Marshall bowed and was about to leave, but Raphael said in a sober voice
" I don't want any trouble today "
Marshall understood what his master meant and left ... Raphael sighed and stood up heading to the dining hall with his overwhelming royal aura.
He sat on his seat and within seconds the food was placed on the table and a plate was set for the guest that the Emperor had not announced, and then all the staff left.
.Raphael took out a small green emerald from his pocket and a voice came from it
-Grant me permission Your Majesty
" You may "
Splash!!!
A soft glow appeared in front of the hall's inner gate, and when the light subsided, it revealed the edges of a pure white robe covered by a black cloak, and the body wearing it, a man with a strong and tall physique ... The man bowed and greeted the Emperor
"Cardinal Evan Jerome, greets the Sun of Cassian "
( The wonderful Evan has arrived, by the way his personality is great but be patient with me 🤭😁)
" Stand "
Evan stood calmly and deliberately, letting the covering reveal his chestnut-brown hair and clear skin, he smiled calmly and two green emeralds shimmered strongly .
."Come and sit "
He went cheerfully to his place, poured food for himself and Raphael, and sat down with a smile
"Surely you want to know the results of the investigation, right?"
" A question whose answer you know "
" As you know, I went to investigate the temples in the distant regions, but it was a shock to me ...."
Evan seriously delivered his report without error and Raphael discussed some points with him and they even finished dinner before he concluded by saying
" Your Majesty, regarding your treatment..."
Raphael interrupted him with a smile of contentment
"No need to worry "
"What?!, How?!"
Evan tried to comprehend Raphael's words, even his smile
'Is this man really smiling, what in the name of the creator of hell is happening?!'
"Evan, can you check my mana?!"
Evan was trying to comprehend the matter but he complied with Raphael's request and extended his hand to face Raphael's body without touching it, a pure white glow passed through Evan's hands surrounding Raphael who opened his mouth in shock .. .He pulled back his hand and gripped the edges of the table in astonishment
"Your Majesty, how is that?! , the flow of mana inside you has improved, it's even starting to change, what did you do?! I mean, how did that happen?!"
"Mana purification, have you heard of it?!"
"Has the technique succeeded with Your Majesty?!"
Evan was stammering in astonishment and his words became a mix between formal and reckless informal speech, Raphael did not comment on that, Evan was a person who cared about Raphael's health, and Raphael certainly knew that
" From your words, I find that you were researching this technique, Evan "
"Yes, we know I researched it, but it is slow and I thought of finding a faster way"
"The technique is successful then, how much time do you think it needs?"
Raphael was speaking calmly and Evan, despite his agitation, began to regain his composure, he finally breathed and said
" From one to five years at the most accurate estimate, and it varies depending on the person's physical and psychological condition, in addition to its compatibility with your body ... Your Majesty, how did you know about it?! "
Raphael looked bored then rang the bell, Marshall entered, and bowed
" Your Majesty "
"Prepare the tea, we will go to the office "
Marshall left, Raphael stood up and said
" This conversation requires a long time to talk about it "
Evan stood behind Raphael and moved behind him until they reached his private office, Evan spoke after Raphael sat down
"Your Majesty ..."
Tap tap tap!!
A knock was heard and after permission was given, Marshall entered with the tea and placed it on the table and before he left he spoke calmly
"Your Majesty, Count Cyros requests an audience "
Raphael knew that Kayen usually didn't need to act so formally but due to the request not to be disturbed when Evan arrived, he acted this way, but he signaled to Marshall
" Let him enter "
Marshall left and Evan turned to him as if to say "So"
" I will tell you everything later ."
Then Raphael remembered something " If a request is submitted from Marquis Silas, go "
The priests' requests to noble families were common and Evan hated that and barely went and Raphael knew that, but Raphael's request raised a big question mark in Evan's head ' Why did he ask me that, Silas?! Is it .. I don't think'
Kayen entered the office and bowed
"Kayen Cyros meets His Majesty "
"Stand "
Kayen straightened up and was surprised when he saw Evan and said happily and in an offensive manner
"Evan !! I can't believe seeing you"
Evan snorted angrily and turned his head in a childish way
" Me neither "
" You missed me, right?!"
Kayen spoke offensively, which made Raphael snort in sarcasm
"Won't you both finish your childish argument?!"
Kayen suppressed his laughter while Evan was very annoyed with him, Kayen wiped his smile and spoke seriously
" Viscount Wilson has moved, it seems the temple is preparing for a big event "
"The temple has a large information network, we must not be deceived, perhaps we should take our time, in order to strike them. We must penetrate their ranks first"
Evan spoke seriously with a cold, emotionless look
" Aren't you present?!"
Kayen inquired to understand his strange reaction
" They have started to doubt my loyalty to the Emperor, I don't want to take risks "
" And how will they know?! You neither enter in the formal way nor appear in the Imperial Palace ever "
Evan turned to Raphael calmly and then to Kayen with that cold look
" In your opinion, how did the temple continue for hundreds of years "
"The people's support for them "
"Wrong"
( Kids don't argue as much as these two 🤣🤭 )
...... To be continued ......