For A Lifetime

A Call for Help

Year 1850 on the reign of Emperor Atticus Grey (12th Emperor of Ethica)

Yorqt Town

It is midnight and only the sound of the crickets and the howls of the dogs can be heard. Inside a room, books are laid open on the study table of a 23-year-old lady. Her head is leaning soundly against the table and her arms are falling freely from her waist. The cold night air enters through the window that has been left open, causing some papers from the table to scatter on the floor.

The morning sunlight awakens the lady from her peaceful sleep. She hurriedly stands up and goes towards the windows. She opens it wide and looks at the sky for a few minutes- thanking the Creator for another day. After she has finished her morning prayers, she looks behind her and sees the scattered papers on the floor. She picks them up and arranges them neatly on the table.

Knock! Knock!

"Good morning, My Lady. Breakfast is ready."

The lady opens the door and greets the helper.

"Good morning to you too, Becka. I'll be down in just a few minutes."

"Then, shall I tell them to start first?"

"Yes, you may do so."

After the helper left, the lady started to prepare herself for the day- took a bath, put on a neat and simple white dress and combed her long, curly medium brown hair. She looked at the mirror and was quite satisfied with her appearance.

She went straight downstairs and proceeded to the dining area.

"Good morning, everyone" she greets her family who were already seated on the table.

"Did you get a good sleep, Lin?" asked Alina's father, Andrew Yorqt, 45, a well-known knight who had served in the last war against the neighboring kingdom.

"Yes, Father."

Alina seated herself beside her sister, Amelee, who is three years older than her.

"Have you responded to him?" Alina whispers to her sister.

"Shh. They might hear you. But, no. Not yet."

Alina shrugged her sister and they giggle quietly.

Minutes later, their butler, Edward, came in with a letter for Mr. Yorqt.

Upon reading the letter, anyone in the room could see how Mr. Yorqt's expression changed abruptly.

Mrs. Yorqt hurriedly stood up and went to her husband's office. She went back with a black coat and sheathed sword.

"Be careful and do come home safe." Mrs. Yorqt gently embraces her husband.

The sisters smiled at their father.

"We'll be waiting, Father", says Amelee.

"Edward, I entrust to you my family's safety while I'm gone"

"Yes, Master"

After the master of the house left, a gloomy cloud seemed to cover the entire manor.

"Now, mind telling me what you ladies were giggling about earlier?"

Amelee and Alina looked at each other.

"I think Amelee owns you that story, Mother"

Alina teasingly looked at her sister who was busily putting bread into her mouth to avoid the interrogation.

"Amelee" Mrs. Yorqt raises her eyebrows

"Fine, fine. There's this guy who always buys flowers in my shop. Literally everyday. So one time, my curiosity got ahead of me and I asked him for whom the flowers were. He answered "For no one, the flowers are simply an excuse to see a goddess". Then the next day...

"Go on" Alina instructs her sister

...he walked towards me and greeted me and called me goddess. Long story short, he asked me out for a date."

Mrs. Yorqt , the kitchen maids and the butler were all listening unbeknownst to Amelee.

"So, how did you respond, My Lady"

"I haven't responded yet" Amelee quickly replied. She only realized after the squealing filled the room that her story was actually heard by many.

"What" Amelee shouts in disbelief.

Alina and Mrs. Yorqt burst out in laughter.

"This is your fault" Amelee points at her sister.

Mrs. Yorqt pats Amelee's shoulder "If he makes you happy, then go for it"

Before reaching out for the door, Mrs. Yorqt looks back at her daughter.

...but please wait until your father comes home"

"I know, Mother" Amelee smiled.

After breakfast, Alina went out to the market with her twin helpers, Min and Rin.

The market of Yorqt town is very rich. It is full of varieties ranging from exquisite fabrics to mouth-watering fruits and snacks, fine accessories, and jewelries. At the end of the long parade of goods are the shops and restaurants.

A walk in this market is like finding a way out from a labyrinth due to the massive crowd of buyers and the noise coming from the caged animals make it even more chaotic.

While the helpers buy the ingredients in the market, Alina usually wanders off alone to the book shops. She particularly visits the shop owned by Mr. Denver, an elderly man with a missing right leg and left eye. No one usually visits this shop due to the uncommon appearance of the bookkeeper. However, Alina is different. She was only 7 years old when she first saw Mr. Denver and she wasn’t bothered by his appearance at all. Ever since the encounter, the two have become good friends. For Mr. Denver, Alina was the first child who did not look at him with fear, instead, Alina looked like someone who has just found a good story.

This time also, Alina went to Mr. Denver’s shop.

“How are you doing, grandpa?” Alina greets Mr. Denver who was busily fixing the book shelves.

“Have you got any new books?”

“None of your interest, I fear”

“That’s sad. Anyway, I brought you an apple pie. I’ll just put them here.” She put it on the counter table and walked towards Mr. Denver.

The old man looked at Alina.

“I am doing well, Miss. Thank you for visiting this old friend of yours.”

“Of course. Now, I’ll be on my way. Min and Rin must be frantically looking for me.”

“You did not tell them that you’re coming here Miss?”

“No”

While the two were talking, the shop’s door opened wide, revealing two helpers covered in sweat.

“Milady, we...how...I mean why?” Rin stuttered while seating herself on a footstool.

“I thought you figured it out. Who else would I give the apple pie to?” Alina explains.

“The street children, My Lady. You always give them free snacks whenever you visit the market.” Min remarked.

“Oh, yes! But this time, the apple pie is not for them, it’s for Grandpa”, Alina justifies herself.

“Anyway, we should get going now. Mother will be expecting me in the manor before lunch time.”

Alina bids goodbye to Mr. Denver and the three headed to the manor.

Upon arriving at the manor, Alina sees her mother talking to a gentleman who is dressed in black coat with a cane on his right hand. He was probably a detective.

“Alina, you arrived just in time.” Mrs. Yorqt who is formally dressed comes walking towards her.

“Mr. David here has something to tell you. If you haven’t known, Mr. David is one of the top writers in the Empire. He’s a truly talented one!”

Mr. David walks towards Alina.

“It is my pleasure to meet the distinguished daughter of the Yorqt’s”, Mr. David stretches out his hand to Alina. However, Alina did not reach out her hand.

“Pardon me, Mr. David, but I’m more of a handshake person.” Alina offers Mr. David a handshake instead.

“Intriguing, indeed, My Lady. You are just as the rumours say"

“Rumors? What kind of rumors are they, Mr. David.”

“It seems like the current talk of the town hasn’t reached the manor yet. You see, My Lady, the townspeople fear that you will be like a lonely withered rose in the future.”

“A spinster?” Alina’s words were heard in the living room of the manor. Her mother and the other servants were all shocked to hear the word come out from Alina's lips.

“Words, Alina.” Mrs. Yorqt warns her daughter.

“Forgive me, mother. But, I do not find that word embarrassing. If that’s what the townspeople think, Mr. David, then, they’re probably right. I myself think the same thing.”

“Alina Yorqt. That’s enough. Such a word is not fitting for you.” Mrs. Yorqt raises her voice.

“It seems like I have offended the lady of the house. Forgive me, Madam.” Mr. David apologizes to Alina and her mother.

“I wasn’t in any way offended by your actions Mr. David. I just couldn’t accept that my daughter herself would willingly accept such a remark from the townspeople.”

Alina offers Mr. David a seat on the couch to ease the tension.

“Let us talk about the important matter that you originally came here for, Mr. David.”

“Uh, yes. I almost forgot about it. Here it is, Milady.” Mr. David hands out a pile of newspapers to Alina.

“These were published yesterday, we’ve already checked the information. It’s credible.”

Alina scans through the newspaper.

“Have you personally visited the infected town?”

“The imperial investigation team has done so. However, after a few days, they all contracted the disease. So right now, the imperial palace has asked for a backup. My team has planned to go there, but, right now, we haven’t got a person who knows medicine. We would be truly honored if we could have someone like you visit that town with us. Not to mention, you were also the first to be recommended by the palace.”

“ Then, I’ll go with you.”

“That was quite fast!” Mr. David was startled by Alina's quick response despite the unfavorable conditions laid before her.

“No, Alina. You mustn't. You don’t know what kind of disease it is yet, you might get infected. And what else, this is a very far away town. That town is situated at our Empire’s border. I won’t let you go there.” Mrs. Yorqt convinces her daughter.

“Mother, it won’t take long. This is surely a medical case. And they need someone adept in medicine.”

“There are other doctors in the whole empire. Why must it be you?”

The worried mother looks at Mr. David.

“Mr. David, I implore you to find another doctor to go with you. Ever since my daughter started learning medicine, she has been voluntarily working in the infirmary non-stop. Her duties have already exceeded the common roles of a noble woman. Mind if I tell you, in this month, today was her only day-off!”

Alina seats closer to her Mother.

“Mother, I’m okay. I want to take this case. These people need someone who can help them.”

“And, it doesn’t have to be you”

“Yes, you’re right, Mother. However, I want it to be me."

“Have you really made up your mind? Nothing can alter it? How about some beef soup?”

Alina chuckles.

“I’m sorry, Mother. But, my mind’s all set. I’m going to check on this town. I’ll keep myself safe. The Creator will protect me.” Alina comforts her Mother.

“It’s settled then! We’ll leave the day after tomorrow before the sun rises.” Mr. David instructs as he stands up ready to leave.

“Thank you so much for accepting our request, Milady. The team will be greatly delighted to hear of this news.” Mr. David offers Alina a handshake.

“Until the appointed day, Mr. David. I bid you a safe journey.”

“Madam, thank you so much for the hospitality.” Mr. Davids tips his hat off to the madam of the manor.

Mr. David leaves the manor by a carriage.

Ethicus Town (Empire’s Capital)

“Your Majesty, His Highness has yet to reach the border.”

A man in a green robe is kneeling beside the Emperor’s bed along with other court ministers.

“Courage and wisdom be upon His Majesty”. The ministers keep on bowing before the Emperor.

“My body is giving up on me. I may not be able to see the sun set and my days of reign will soon end. Tell my son to hurry lest he will only come upon his father’s cold body.”

“Your Majesty, please do not utter such words. Think of His Highness and the people. The rebels have yet to be punished and His Highness has not yet married.”

“Calcipher, my long time friend. You have served me faithfully throughout all my reign, I shall surely tell the Creator to continually bless you. But, Calcipher, my time is at hand, soon I will take my last breath and I’m sorry that you shall have to witness it."

“Very well, Your Majesty. You have served this country well, my dear friend. You will surely be remembered by many. Rest assured, Atticus. I shall take your son’s side until I die.”

A few seconds later, the sound of the bell was heard ringing on the whole kingdom.

Emperor Atticus' reign ended in 1850.

The whole kingdom mourned the death of a great ruler. The markets fell in deep silence, and every citizen wore black clothes for a whole week.

At the Empire's Border, 1 day after Emperor Atticus’ death

“Your Highness” a knight clad in white armor comes bearing letters for the Crown Prince who is currently discussing war tactics with the generals.

“The palace has sent us these letters”

Upon reading the letter, the Crown Prince ordered immediate travel back to the empire.

“Move out” His Royal Highness ordered the army of knights.