Chapter 238
“Eliza, did you say… Duke of Noganlul?” she repeated, a flicker of surprise crossing her expression.
Then it clicked. Of course he was the master of that apothecary whose shopkeeper had helped her.
The King nodded. ‘After the drought in Plutonville, many refugees fled to Noganlul during those three hardest months. Duke Kane Valencia did not turn them away. But unfortunately, some of those refugees carried disease, and it began to spread in Noganlul”
The King gave a small chuckle, though it was tinged with something more complicated. “Strangely enough, the locals who remained in Plutonville never caught anything. Before the drought, during, and even after, there was no sign of illness–but those who fled… they brought back plague.”
Because of this strange phenomenon, the people of Plutonville now revered Eliza even more devoutly than before. It was widely said that the Holy Lady’s prayers had shielded them from pestilence. And since Plutonville bordered Noganlul, the tale had naturally spread there as well–prompting the locals of Noganlul to send a petition of their own.
“Duke Kane has formally requested that you leave Hasen City and come to Noganlul,” said the King. “He asks you to perform a blessing for the sick and fearful. This journey may be even more dangerous than the one to Plutonville, But… Kane is a war hero, a man who’s served Bortenland with distinction. Coupled with the public petition, I couldn’t simply refuse him. I summoned you today to ask your thoughts.”
Though he’d phrased it as a request, Eliza could hear the subtle undertone–he wanted her to accept. Otherwise, a matter of this scale wouldn’t be raised in a private audience.
Eliza didn’t mind. In fact, she’d been wondering how to repay the King’s growing favor–and now the opportunity had presented itself.
She clasped her hands together. “There is no need for Your Majesty to worry. The people of Noganlul are suffering. If the King is troubled, then as the Holy Lady, it is my duty to share that burden. To pray for the people is to pray for the nation. Only then am I worthy of the title bestowed upon
The King looked visibly moved. Thank you. I’ll send an escort and notify Nogandul in advance. You need only conduct the ceremony as you did in Plutonville–once it’s done, you can return.”
“Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
As she turned to leave, the King added a bit sheepishly. “Ah… about Nolan. He may not be entirely pleased with this. Would you mind… explaining it to him on my behalf?”
Not entirely pleased was an understatement.
The moment Nolan learned of the petition, the porcelain cup in his hand shattered with a sharp crack, and his face darkened like a storm cloud. He immediately stood up, ready to storm the palace–but Eliza’s soft voice stoppeim in his tracks.
“And where do you think you’re going?” she asked with a teasing smile. “You don’t want to accompany me on this journey? Well, 1 understand. I’ve already agreed to go, and it is dangerous–plague, uncertainty. I wouldn’t want to drag you into this.”
Nolan sighed, defeated. “Drag me into this? That’s exactly why I have to go. The more dangerous it is, the less I can let you face it alone.” He stepped toward her, lowering his voice. “You are the Holy Lady now, Serenity. Ever since your name spread through Plutonville, things like this will only continue. But listen to me–next time something like this comes up. agree to it behind my back. Understood?”
“Understood,” she said sweetly, batting her lashes. “So… you’re not mad anymore?”
Nolan looked at her helplessly. With her like this, how could he stay angry?
don’t
10:46 Sat, 19 Apr A.
Chapter 218
“Tomorrow. The plague’s already spreading–Negandul must be in panic. The wonder we leave, the better?
She entrusted the care of the herb fields to Malaki and handed him the deed to Solacecrest Manor As the former weard of the Padilla family, Malaki was the perfect person to oversee it. She had only one instruction plant every seed and sprost she’d left behind.
pocket farm. Some were even infused with traces of her inner spiritual aura. Whether those herbs were boiled into decoctions or simply distributed, the energy in them would have spread among the people, cleansing and shielding from sickness.
Oh well, she told herself. ‘Can’t be too important. I’ll remember later
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