Chapter 44: First Trial (4)
The killers of the Nafas al-Malik organization are trained from a young age to distinguish between the liar and the truthful.
So it was clear to me from the first moment that Sage was sincere in what he said.
The old man said:
“When you reach my age, all you have to do is look into the eyes to know whether their owner will become something great or not.”
Then he turned to me with his dull eyes:
“That kid could have become something important... and that's why it's unfortunate.”
Something important? so what?
My life has been skewed since I was born in the first place.
I stood silently.
Hypocrisy is abhorrent, but sincere sympathy is more difficult to bear.
As if I were standing barefoot on burning stones.
I said coldly:
“No need to waste time. "We have to leave before sunset."
Sage complained:
“What's all this haste! We have to prepare and distribute the medicine first!”
At the word medicine, Edwin turned with sparkling eyes.
"medicine? But Leo said he couldn't make it anymore...”
Sage replied:
“It's not a complete cure. But if given in small doses over a long period, it can stop the progression of the disease. “It leaves scars, but it preserves life.”
The reason for not giving it all at once was obvious:
If all patients improved at the same time, this would raise suspicion.
I said firmly:
“I will take care of its distribution. As for you, old man, get ready to go.”
At that moment, Leo appeared from behind the booth, his arm wrapped in a bandage.
Thanks to Sage's quick intervention, the poison had been removed from his body.
He said sternly, pulling Edwin by the hand:
“And you, come with me for a while.”
Sage asked, looking at me.
“Won't you stop him?”
“He didn't get far, so no need.”
The old man laughed mockingly:
“Really, you're weird. "Maybe you are the only maid who allows a prince to roam freely."
I answered him coldly:
“Begin to be firm before I hit you and drag you by force.”
He smiled wickedly and said:
“More scary than you look. If I follow you, I'm not sure I'll live long.”
“Do you want me to take your head alone then?”
“Well, well! I'll get myself ready!
While he was complaining and gathering his things, I looked through the half-open door and saw the two boys standing face to face.
The confrontation between Leo and Edwin
Leo suddenly shouted:
“Are you crazy?!” Who allowed you to do something so reckless? What if you die trying to save me? Do you want me to spend my whole life living with the guilt of your death?!”
Edwin stuttered:
“But I…”
“What if the monster kills us both?!”
“But he didn't! We are alive now! Why are you screaming?!
Leo answered nervously:
“Even if I tried, we could have died together!” If I had not reached that woman with you! If you're just a moment late! But we would all be dead!”
Edwin had nothing to reply, so he merely bowed his head.
Leo's big eyes were shining with tears.
“Who asked you to save me in the first place? If I died, I would sleep comfortably for the rest of my life!”
Edwin asked in confusion:
“Are you… crying?”
“Who said I was crying!” "I'm just angry!"
He shouted again, then turned his face away. After a long moment of silence, he said in a low voice:
“...thanks.”
Edwin's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What?"
“What do you mean what? I survived thanks to you, and naturally I should thank you! "That's your right."
Leo's face and ears were red as he avoided looking at Edwin.
Was it shame or anger?
“The important thing is... If it weren’t for you, I would be dead now. So, thanks.”
"truly?"
“Of course indeed! Do you think I'm lying?!
He turned to him with a sharp look, his voice rising.
“Stop making that stupid face! It's like I'm bullying you!
“A dull face?!” I'm not stupid!
“I didn't say you were stupid. "I just said stop making that stupid face!"
“That's the same thing! And stop frowning, you look scary!”
The two fought until they ran out of breath.
Leo then extended a heavy bag towards Edwin.
“Take this.”
"What is this?"
“The magic stones you dug today. “She is yours.”
"What?! All of them?!”
The bag was so heavy that the prince held it with both hands.
“Will you give me all of this?”
"naturally. You're the one who dug it. Then it is worthless here in the village. Better use it outside for something useful.”
Edwin hesitated a little, then said sheepishly:
“Thank you.”
After a short silence, he hesitated before asking:
“Leo… would you like to come with me?”
Liu was surprised, then said:
“To the palace?”
“Did you know? That I am a prince?
“I just found out. The old man told me while he was treating my wound.”
He pointed to his bandaged arm.
Edwin's features changed for a moment and he said anxiously:
“So...you don't want to come, right?”
"What? Why don't I want to?
“Because you don’t like people of high standing...”
Leo laughed in amazement:
“What does this have to do with it? Prince or not, you're the one who saved me. Why do I hate you?
Then he looked at him sharply:
«And you? "Are you going to ignore that I protected you from the monster just because I'm lower in status than you?"
"impossible! "If it weren't for you, I'd be dead!"
“Then it's over.”
Leo laughed a little and added:
“If all princes were like you, the world would be better. But you're probably an exception.”
"exception?"
“It means different. distinct. This is a good thing.”
This was the first time Edwin had heard the word special. It was never bad.
But I love her.
“So you're coming with me, right?”
"no. "I won't come."
Disappointment appeared on Edwin's face.
“Why not?”
“Because you said it yourself: I am someone the village needs. If the old woman and I had left, I would have collapsed.”
Then he smiled lightly as he placed his hand on the prince's shoulder:
“So… work hard with that old man, until one day I can visit you myself.”
Leaving the village
Getting out of Luxen Village was not difficult.
As Sage said, the gatekeepers are poor observers, and moreover, they believe that the priest does not lie.
I said:
“Your Highness, you had better get back inside the carriage. “Walking at night is dangerous.”
“I can't sleep. The teacher’s snoring is deafening!”
He laughed as he sat next to me in the driver's seat.
“You want us to tie it in the back and pull it?”
“A...you're kidding, right?”
“I'm always serious.”
He shook his head tiredly, then said:
“I want to ask you something... How do I get Leo to come see me one day?”
Leo, then... until he started calling him by his name.
I answered him coldly:
“That boy refused your offer to go to the palace, so why do you ask?”
“No reason...just curiosity.”
I thought for a while and then said:
“The only way is for the village to remove the plague itself.”
"What?! impossible! "This is Liu's town!"
She looked at him sternly:
“That is not his town, nor is it anyone's country. "It's a prison."
The prince was confused and asked:
“Then how can it be removed?”
“There are two ways:
The first is the distribution of medicine to eliminate the disease.
Second, the Emperor grants complete freedom to its residents.”
“But both are almost impossible.”
“Why?”
I answered him in a firm tone:
«Because it will lead either to war...or to revolution >>