Chapter 210 - Rose & Alba

It had been three days since Anlesa had left the manor, and during that time she hadn’t caused any commotion whatsoever. She even did some public acts like going to a restaurant to eat food and peruse the markets. But between public appearances, she seemed to almost disappear.

She had spent plenty of time exploring this city at this point and had found many more of the secret passages and just other locations they could hide—like buildings with no current owner. This didn’t mean they never ran into trouble. Twice, they had been attacked in the three days, but the country's ‘security’ force and both times she disabled them non-lethally.

Unlike before, she wasn’t as sure who these people were sent by. Were they ordered to attack by the group who attacked them before, or by separate people in parliament? It had reached the point where they weren’t even bothered to question these people; doing so would just waste precious moving time.

They already had their suspects. It was just time to verify the suspicions.

“Hello again, child,” Anlesa said hello to the boy in her Rose’s voice, as she sat in a similar position as before. The clock tower was the only place they knew they could meet the body undisturbed. It did require some close calls for them to reach here and a wardrobe shift, but it was necessary.

“You are here again.” Alba almost cheered, but he held himself back. He needed to be quiet when he was in this place.

Rose sat up straight and examined the boy from a distance as a Moonlight glow filled the room.

“Have you been feeling better?” Rose asked, as Luna began preparing some minor healing magic now that the boy’s body had gained more energy.

“Yes… I’m still slow in the mornings and my joints hurt in the cold, but I’ve been able to run for the first time in ages.”

“That’s good.” Anlesa showed a small smile. “Now that your body is in a better state, my healing will be more effective.”

“Me being sick impacts healing?”

“Forms of healing, yes. This is why, in most cases, when treating extremely sick people, there are multiple rounds of healing to counter the cause. My healing doesn’t require too much of my patient's body condition, but there is a limit to what I can do since you have been so badly damaged for so long.”

Alba frowned at that news. Anlesa could guess why, due to past interaction with corrupted doctors.

“However, before I start, can I have a few drops of your blood? I’m trying to study what exactly is plaguing your body.”

Alba agreed, and Luna gently made a small cut, using her magic to dull the pain. Alba had already been used to this, as blood tests had been a common reason why doctors told him there was nothing wrong with him. Once a small amount of blood was in a vial, Luna began her proper healing.

Feeling the gentle energy flowing within him. The child breathed in and out as his breathing felt easier. “Will I continue to feel like this?”

“For a while after my healing is complete, yes. Then it will worsen, but not to the exact level you were before we met today. Overall, there will be an improvement, then in the future you will reach this state naturally."

“I see…” Alba felt he really needed to learn about healing. He had read books in the past that were supposedly the prime material on the subject, but they hadn’t helped him understand his condition or how he could get better.

Soon, Luna completed her healing as she was delighted to learn that the boy was doing much better. Everything they had done was working and not some small visual illusion. The potion they had given the boy before, and the previous healing, had done wonders. Though Luna wondered with how hectic the situation was, if the people who were poisoning the child were unable to check on Alba’s condition.

They still didn’t know how he was originally poisoned, except for the fact that it was long-term. They didn’t know if the poisoning had still been going on or if it had stopped years ago. Either way, they suspected there had to be someone who at least watched, or was supposed to watch, Alba’s condition.

Anlesa had ideas, but that could wait.

Luna gave Alba a quick summary of his conditions and all the improvements, and then the cautions about how he still shouldn’t overexert himself. The boy was delighted to hear these results, and more importantly, he had felt them this last week. Every day, he woke up feeling lighter than him in his memories.

Once that was done. “Child, this will be a cruel question, so I will ask you first, do you wish to answer some questions for me that could relate to why you are like this?” Luna asked Alba.

The boy paused. “Why would that be cruel…?”

“Because they are questions you won’t want to hear, and the fact that you are a child–” Rose stared at him as he puffed himself up.

“I’m fifteen.”

“–For me, that means you are still a child.” Rose clicked her fingers. “So, because you are a true child and these questions could be harmful, I am asking if you wish to opt out of them before I begin asking.”

“Why not on an individual basis?”

“Becasue I am a cruel individual who wants answers.” Rose said as her words dripped with venom. “So even if you are a child, I will push for my answers as my goals in this city are far more important. These will relate to your life, the country, and your father.”

Alba was worried for a moment, “Is my father the reason you helped me?”

“No, I did not know you were related until an acquaintance of mine informed me. Which was well after our first meeting, but it did make me want to question you if we met up again, after I checked up on your health.”

Alba closed his eyes tightly, before slowly opening them. “I will answer them… if you answer two for me.”

“That is fine.”

“Why did you help me?” Alba had been wondering about this one for such a long time, ever since their first meeting, and because of his encounter with those other outsiders who also helped him–if not in an extremely annoying way–he wanted to understand if this was just a thing people beyond the city’s walls did.

“That is a silly question.” Rose clicked her finger and pointed at the boy. “It was because you are sick, that was enough of a reason for me. Not everyone is like me, but there are plenty of people who would give you a helping hand, inside and outside of this city.”

“I don’t believe you on that point, but I do trust that you helped me because of your nature not for any other benefit.

“Thank you. Now, question two?”

Alba asked, “Why did you… come to this city?” His mind raced with all the possible questions he could ask. When he said Rose needed to answer two for him, he really only had the first question pictured in his head. He thought about asking his dad since she seemed interested in him, or the supposed royal family that had returned to the city. Instead, he wanted to learn a little more about this woman.

“It felt like the right time.”

Alba was unsure with the vague answer. “The right time?”

“I knew people were returning and I felt strong enough for what I wanted to do. So I came to this country to destroy.”

“Destroy…”

“Yes, there are people I want to destroy, and others I want to protect. So I have come here to do both.” Anlesa gave Rose’s goal.

“...That is all.” Alba knew he could, and perhaps he should keep pushing, but a part of him wanted to trust his savior and was scared about what he could hear.

“I will start with mine then.” Rose adjusted her position so she was looking straight on with Alba. “How much has your father looked into your condition, and does he ask you about your health at all?”

“He… checks on me occasionally. Not recently, and I don’t really go to see him directly, but I do hear him when he returns.”

“So, he hasn’t seen you for a while? Have you tried at all to talk to him?”

“No… we haven’t been on speaking terms for a while. Only when he has time for dinner do we speak, but since a few weeks ago, he has been coming home annoyed and with no interest in dinners.

[Basically, the time when we arrived.] (Luna)

[So we have been causing him stress since day one? Congrats on us.] (Syrus)

[Agreed.] (Eva)

“ I… indirectly told him about my meeting with you, my butler noticed how happy I was, and then I told him I met you. I didn’t mention the healing part, but I told him what you looked like after he asked. Only days later did I realise that it may have been a mistake.”

“Understood. Has he spoken much about the royal family?”

“I’ve heard murmurs… So are they actually in the city?” Alba’s eyes almost sparkled.

“Yes, and your father wants them dead.”

Alba's heart skipped a beat. “What…”

They hadn’t acquired full proof yet, but there was enough evidence to assume he was somewhat involved. The man had also been the Prime Minister for the longest time out of any previous leader. His hand had to be deeply entrenched in the political landscape of the country.

Even if they didn’t have all the evidence in the world. It was what Rose believed, so she would tell the boy that. “He has had his hands in the royal family’s deaths in the past, and now he is trying again. Repeating his actions.”

“...Do you regret healing me?”

“No.” Anlesa knew what Alba was thinking, and Eva wanted to make sure Alba knew this wasn’t his fault. “His actions have nothing to do with your existence. You are a completely separate party, not to mention your father is likely the one who has poisoned you.”

A small pathetic smile appeared on Alba’s face.

“Based on your expression, I’m guessing you had a feeling?”

“I… Didn’t want to believe it, and for a long time, I assumed he just had no idea how bad it was. I never did expect he was at fault. He was always so busy, but after you told me… that I was sick… then that truth was hard to ignore. I had seen so many different doctors, and they all said the same thing. Heh… the Prime Minister of the country couldn’t find any doctors to find a problem with his son?” Alba wanted to laugh, but the tears couldn’t even fall from his face.

[...] (Eva)

“We can’t choose who we are related to,” Anlesa said. “Sometimes a person can get lucky with the perfect parents. Other times, they can be abandoned before they even know how the world works. But your life is yours to live, and once you have fully recovered, nothing will be stopping you.”

“You relate?”

“I’ve experienced both.” Anlesa vaguely replied, and Alba assumed she had been taken in by people after her first set of parents passed.

Anlesa went on to her next question. “Has your father ever spoken with people in your home about assassinations, or have hooded masked people entered the building?”

“I don’t believe so, sorry. Father… likes to do all his work outside of the home. He is mostly only home to eat and sleep.”

“That’s fine, that is a good answer.” Anlesa replied, “I am asking these questions to learn, so any answers are good.”

Rose and Alba continued to speak as Alba answered every question he could. In the end, Alba ended up learning a lot simply due to the questions Rose asked. Anlesa expected that and made sure he promised that today’s conversation wouldn’t leave the room.

Anlesa also acquired what she wanted. Learning about Abe’s schedule from the only person in the house who would reveal that information. The boy had learned a lot over the years simply because he was the fly on the wall. No one bothered with him outside what was necessary.

[At best… he is an absentee father who deserves a punch in the face.] (Eva)

[And at worst?] (Luna)

[Worst? No, even with just what we suspect. He deserves so much pain…] (Eva)