Chapter 81

There was a large garden within Velicia’s Royal Palace. It was built for the previous queen, who was known to have loved flowers and nature, and it boasted such a huge scale that it was said that three full days would not be enough to look around properly. In addition, the interior is so complicated that it is easy to get lost for guests that wander around at will.

In recent years, Herietta has spent most of her time in this garden. From sunrise in the morning until sunset. Even though it was over half a day, she did not show any signs of exhaustion and worked hard around the garden.

However, it did not mean that Herietta was wasting time there, looking at flowers. She was studying herbal medicine. Proving it, she held a thick book in her hand. It was a book full of various plants and herbs that could be found on the continent.

‘To hunt a prey bigger and stronger than you, you need to be fully prepared. You will only get one chance to aim at your opponent’s neck. In order to seize that opportunity, you have to raise your ability to the maximum.’

Bernard gave that answer when she asked how she could get revenge on the next Duke Rowani.

‘It may be difficult to defeat him by force. The probability of failure is high, and unpredictable variables may arise. So we have no choice but to find another way.’

Then the suggestion was herbal medicine. Knowing how to identify herbs and use poisons was useful knowledge in many ways. Of course, he didn’t believe that she could overthrow Duke Rowani by just a single herbal medicine. But, as Bernard said, it could be the starting point of the road ahead.

Once she made up her mind, there was no need to hesitate. Herietta’s efforts and enthusiasm to acquire studies and knowledge were terrific. She studied nonstop day and night, learning information like a sponge. Seeing her like that, even those who taught her by the side were tongue tied.

A tree with red flowers came into Herietta’s view, who was searching through the books and learning about plants. It was a small tree, a little smaller than her height. Herietta’s eyes were thinly curved. The flowers on the twigs were familiar to her eyes. Like possessed, she approached the tree and picked one of it.

It was a flower consisting of red petals. At the center of the five petals spread out like a star, there was a long yellow stamen. Its shape was very similar to the stellite flower, which is said to have a sweet taste due to its high honey content.

‘What are you doing? If you eat the bianche flower, your tongue will be paralyzed.’

When Herietta, who accidentally mistook the bianche flower she found in the forest for a stellite flower, tried to suck its nectar, Edwin smirked and stopped it.

‘Even if two flowers are very similar, there is a clear difference. Look. The stamens of the bianche flower have such a deep yellow color. On the other hand, the stamens of stellite flowers are close to white.’

He pointed to the flower he was holding and explained to her one by one. Still, he looked at her condition with a worried look, gauging if she had already consumed the poison. As she listened to his explanation, she said, “Wow,” in admiration.

‘How does Edwin know that? When I talk to you, I think you really know everything.’

Herietta let out a heartfelt exclamation. Edwin gave her a stranger look as she looked into his eyes full of her respect. The face seems shy and bitter.

‘It’s not that great. I only know some very basic herbal medicine knowledge.’

Recalling her past, Herietta slowly clenched her fist. She felt the bianche flowers getting crushed in her hands.

That eventful night, she pondered whether she should throw herself out the window and end her life. There were two reasons Herietta abandoned her resolve. Vengeance towards those who pushed her family to the brink of death, and a longing for Edwin, who lives somewhere in Brimdel.

When the time is right, if the opportunity comes, she will go find him no matter what.

The most beautiful star of her life.

Herietta looked down at the crushed flowers and made a promise.

* * *

Hermann calendar Year 4731.

513 years from the founding of Brimdel.

December is said to be particularly difficult due to the severe cold.

The invaders from the North broke through the defense walls of the Demner Knights, which seemed impossible to be breached and crossed the border.

As a result, a total of nine percent of prominent armed forces were lost, including Sir Sherrett Billiett, Sir Gillian Monroe, and Sir Lewis McBridge, who were on the front line.

Hermann calendar Year 4732.

513 years from the founding of Brimdel.

February is the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Gillion Samuel Rongo van Babilius, the 18th king, who reigned for over 30 years as the monarch of Brimdel, passed away.

Gillian’s son and the 19th king, Duon Gilbert Benjamin van Babilius was recorded as the last Prince left behind.

The year when the situation on the continent began to tilt to the east due to a sudden wind blowing from the west.

Leaving behind a long history of half a thousand years, Brimdel meets an end that is no different from any other ruined country.

― A History for the Forgotten, Excerpts from the Western Continent ―

* * *

An audience room in the center of Brimdel Palace. Hot torches were burning everywhere. The place that normally had a soft and fragrant scent, was filled with a fishy and damp smell.

It had been a long time since the surroundings, which had been noisy enough to be deafening, had already become quiet. A storm that was never seen before passed, leaving nothing but ruins.

Dozens of people were kneeling on the hard, cold marble floor, bound by ropes. From a young boy who hasn’t had his coming-of-age ceremony yet to an old man with gray hair. The group was made up of various people, but they were all from high-ranking families, and they all wore luxurious outfits. Their hair was scattered, and their face was covered with black dust, but it couldn’t hide their good complexion.

The audience room was full of armed soldiers. There was no smile on their faces, equipped with iron armor, spears, and shields. The soldiers watched their surroundings with sharp eyes. Aiming the pointed spear at the group, seemingly to warn the group that they would wield it mercilessly if the group did anything stupid.

The group trembled in fear. They couldn’t even open their mouths for fear that something would go wrong.

In the silence, in the midst of only rough breathing, there was a sniffing sound from somewhere. A boy, kneeling on the floor, couldn’t stand it any longer and began to cry.

“Philip. Stop crying? You, a proud royalty, show tears in front of your enemies. Aren’t you ashamed?”

A man kneeling next to the boy quietly urged him.

It was the Crown Prince of Brimdel, Duon. Contrary to his usual neat appearance, he was also a mess. He had bruises here and there on his face, as if he had been in a fight, and there were dried blood on his lips.

“Bro, Brother Duon.”

The boy called Phillip trembled and said.

“Are, are we going to die like this?”

“Who is going to die? Stop talking nonsense and stop crying.”

“Bu, but.”

Philip looked around him with wet eyes. The eyes of the enemy, seen through the eye holes in their helmet, were unusual.

“They, they won’t leave, leave us.”

“Don’t worry. They will never be able to take our lives.”

Duon said, grinding his teeth gently.

“They were lucky enough to get us captive, but after all, they are just dogs. They cannot do anything without the permission of the king they serve.”

“Do, dogs?”

“Yes. Even if the King of Kustan is of barbarian origin, he knows that it is foolish to harm the royal family of another country.”

Duon didn’t say that just to reassure young Philip. He was a hundred times convinced that he was right.

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