Temporary Crown

19 | A hope to consider

Hearing all what Lucien was trying to say, Nesta had already guessed in which direction he was going. She blinked away her gaze on the map and directed it to Lucien. Nesta tried to consider her words. She then directly asked,

“Are you telling me,” She paused as her mind was trying to contemplate before continuing. Her voice was deep. “Lucien, right now that we should place our hopes to the unknown? The rumors? Stories and legends? Even the myths themselves?” Nesta’s eyes widen as she tried to emphasized them.

Although those stories might have a basis and people might believe them, it do not mean those were true. Perhaps just like those written books and fairy tales for children, they were meant for people’s entertainment and curiosity of seeking the unknown.

Lucien pursed his lips. As he tilted his head before as he fell silent for a while. It seemed as though he was also considering the thought now that Nesta opened it. However, he replied afterwards, shifting his gaze to the windows outside. Trying to avoid his sister’s pressing gaze. As he stared at the window, his mind wondered looking.

The snow gradually settled down. There were animals with thick fur looking around for prey.

“Lucien?” Nesta grabbed his attention. Lucien gave a sigh.

“I am just thinking sister,” He said in all honesty. “Although I do believe in science myself father had told us that no matter how many doctors saw him and no matter how much wealth he spent there were no cures available for him. Magic had also been an option for him before but it was only limited. This was the only option I could think.”

“Do you think that it’s plausible?” Nesta held back her scoff. She was considering Lucien’s thoughts in the back of her mind but then, they do not have much time left.

She inwardly heaved a sigh. She doesn’t want to make Lucien himself unconformable by her remarks and would dampened their relationship. She said in a rather gentle voice as though she was conversing with a baby trying to reason out with him.

“We might lose our time searching for the impossible, Brother.”

With such remark, Lucien fell silent again. He look down fingers rubbing his hands. “Then, are there any ideas you wanted to add or consider sister?”

Nesta leaned to the chair. She raised her hand and rub her temples for she felt like her head was aching. “Let’s try to widen our research for now. It would be best for you to return to the academy after a fortnight. The library there might have a solution since it is old. For the time being, I’ll ask father to visit several hospital and hope to get the help of the empire.”

“Are you going to drag the emperor in this matter?” Lucien frowned with that idea however, he did not reject it.

Nesta gave a small nod. Her eyes flickered. She looked rather serious. “The emperor value the duke as someone who he can’t just lost. Perhaps we can hope for their help.”

Lucien just stared at her and pursed his lips again. “If that so then, I’ll be going now.” Lucien stood up. Nesta’s gaze was glued with him thinking and observing his expression for he might have been hurt. However, the way his actions were told Nesta that that was not the case. He appeared to be confident however, his eyes were tired.

He glanced at the wasted food on the table. “You won’t eat anymore, sister?”

Nesta shook her head. “But I’ll remain in the library for the time being. I also won’t be having dinner. It’s good for you to rest too.”

Without any more words to spare, Lucien left telling his sister that he will rest.

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In the library where Nesta was only left alone, she asked the servants to clean the table and gave the left overs to some servant. Hearing their mistress, the servants who cleaned the food were rather happy for every meal placed in the table have not been touched at all. It was rare for them to eat foods served to the nobles. So, they did not refused the generosity.

As Nesta’s footsteps echoed in the cold library, She looked at the clock signifying at it was already 4 in the afternoon and the lights in the mansion gradually started to lit up.

Nesta stood up examining the bookshelves. Her fingers moved feeling the books spin and their engrave letters one after another. Nesta did not spare any book she cross eyes with. She looked at every titles hoping to see any science related books and even books about divine magic but such books were only available in the empire’s library and was situated in the capital. She considered the distance of the north to the capital.

She needed to go there. Perhaps she could take a detour after sending Lucien back to the academy. However, another pressing matter that crossed her mind was, she doesn’t know how the duke will live this time.

In her first time line, the duke lived for half a year before he died and left everything behind Nesta’s care. At the same time, she also was under a lot of pressure from the vassals, the empire, and the temple. Being the duchess wasn’t easy. People’s words dragged her and their eyes were filled with contempt hoping for her failure but Nesta never waver. She did not fail. Not until her last breath when she was killed unexpectedly.

And if ever they really save the duke, where will she go? Would she just then disappear? Nesta felt anxious however, there was a feeling of satisfaction surging inside of her. If that was the case, then the family of Von Stein would remain strong and Lucien will be able to marry someone he was destined to. If Lucien would considered her as a sister, then, that all matters to her.

Moreover, she was doing this in order to save this family.

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