Chapter 80

Feeling the world around me, it felt like how I died in my past life. Darkness filled the world I was in, and I felt nothing, absolutely nothing, just existing.

I felt nothing for Clare’s death, nor mine. I felt nothing, not any happiness for killing Boras, who killed Clare, nor for my family, specifically my father, who is responsible for everything.

It was like this for who knows how long, and I waited for the same light to appear out of the darkness to take me out.

I waited and waited, and the light finally arrived.

I open my eyes in a pure white room, wondering what life I reincarnated into. I tried turning my head left and right, and I saw that I was alone in a white room.

The smell of medicine filled my nose, and I realized I was in a hospital. Slowly, I moved my hands to my face and saw that they were covered in bandages.

It took a while to set in, but I was somehow alive, and I was not in a dungeon somewhere my family owns.

With that in mind, I slowly move with not much difficulty, surprisingly, because I would have expected my body to be in ruins since I doubt anyone knows how to treat severe Ori poisoning.

Now sitting on the bed with my feet on the floor, I glance out the window for a bit to see that it is in the middle of the afternoon.

I don’t know how long I have been out, so I'd better ask someone. But before that, I looked at a mirror, just to confirm that it was me in my second life.

I saw my face, just as I remember it, though I looked a bit thin, and the parts of my hair were fading back to silver, my original hair color in this life.

Taking a deep breath, I’d call out for a nurse to come; however, the people who came in first weren’t nurses but Knights, specifically from the fourth knight order, from their uniforms.

Seeing me awake, they approached me and knelt in front of me.

“Greetings, Lady Rita. I am Sir Brax, and this is Sir Theon. We are relieved that you have awakened. We’ve already sent for a doctor. How are you feeling? Do you feel any discomfort or pain anywhere?”

Hearing them talk in a tone showing deference to me, since they know that I’m a noble, I straightened and instinctively switched to speaking as one.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you two, Sir Brax and Sir Theon. Can you please explain what is going on and what happened when I was asleep?”

“Yes, right away, my lady.”

Brax spoke first and then explained that I was in the hospital being treated for my injuries after my fight with Boras. Alex’s party and Sarah carried me here, and I was asleep for a whole week. Following that up was Theon, telling me the days after my fight with Boras, half of the fourth knight order came in force to clean up the aftermath, including hunting down Redra and the remnants of my family’s black knights.

However, when I asked about Boras and what they were going to do with my family after the mess they committed, they told me that they can’t tell me that, and I need to ask their lieutenant for it because they don’t have authorization to tell anyone, and I would have to go to Lieutenant Argena Vanca if I want to know more, who didn’t really have time to meet with me.

“I see… Then can I ask what happened to Clare?”

Asking that question, I felt very melancholic saying that, and I wanted to curl up into a ball and cry, but I couldn’t because… because… I needed to control my emotions, or else, in all likelihood, my mental safeguards would activate. Clare was dead, and there was nothing I could do about it.

However, one of them spoke, which made me show a reaction on my emotionless face.

“Ahh… I deeply apologize for not telling you, Lady Rita, but your servant, Ms. Clare, is well and fine. Lady Sarah has healed her, and she is currently at your residence. We’ve already sent a messenger to notify and escort her here.”

Hearing that, my eyes shot open, and I immediately stood up, but as I did that, my legs gave out, and I fell onto the floor.

“My Lady!”

Catching me from completely falling over, Brax caught me just in time while Theon shouted for a doctor.

“Are you okay, Lady Rita?”

"A bit frantic," I said, "since I just suddenly got up and fell."

“I’m fine, nothing to worry about. I apologize; my legs just gave out on me.”

Fortunately, I could feel my legs and move them a bit. I guess being stuck in a bed for a whole week would do that to you.

Helping me back onto the bed, a doctor came in and looked me over, asking me questions about my legs and other parts of my body, and in the end, he told me and the knights that I needed to take it easy and not move too much.

Once he left, a nurse brought in a wheelchair, and the knights helped me get on it and push it for me to get to Lieutenant Argena Vanca, who was in a room converted into an office on the same floor we were on since she wants to be close to me if something happens and also coordinate everything to clean up the mess my family has made.

Leaving my room, I saw the entire hallway was empty, except for knights guarding each entryway of each hallway, and I soon realized that they had closed off the entire floor.

It didn’t take long for me to get to where Argena was, which was at the end of the hallway, by a staircase with knights coming in and out of the room she was in.

Saluting the knight by the door, he let us in. Inside, I saw a blue-haired and blue-eyed woman wearing a silver and white knight's uniform with blue accents.

Seeing me, she put down her pen and greeted me.

“I am glad you are well, Lady Rita. How are you feeling?”

“Fortunately, I am fine; the doctor told me I just need some bed rest, Count Argena Vanca.”

I placed my hand on my chest and bowed slightly in my wheelchair, using her noble title to put on airs, and I knew that there was something she wanted out of me.

“I thank you for your protection against my family; for that I am grateful.”

She nodded and then turned to the knights who escorted me here.

“Do you two mind staying outside for a short while as I discuss with Lady Rita about certain things?”

Hearing that, they saluted and made their way out, without saying a word. When they left and waited out the door, I turned to face Argena again for her to ask.

“I presume you are here to ask me a question that my knights aren’t able to answer, right? Lady Rita.”

“Yes, I want to know if Boras is dead, including the black knights under him.”

Raising her eyebrow slightly, “I see. Yes, I can confirm the death of Captain Boras, and his body is currently in the morgue in this hospital under heavy guard, and I thank you for confirming that your family has such people under their control; it will greatly help with our investigation. I am surprised that you would admit such a closely guarded family secret so openly.”

So that bastard was dead. I half expected he was somehow alive and escaped, but that was not the case.

“Well, actually, I’ve only suspected that my family has them, but it was confirmed when my family sent them to find me when I ran away.”

“Ran away?”

“Yes, did any of my acquaintances tell you that?”

Shaking her head, “I’m afraid they have been rather tight-lipped about it. You’ve made quite good friends, if I do say so myself.”

Hearing that, I was surprised that the people who knew about my secret didn’t tell them.

“Yes, thank you for the compliment.”

There was a pause between us for a moment before she then asked me what she really wanted to know.

“May I ask what happened to you when you ran alone to chase your servant?”

“Well, as you said, I chase after my family black knights, who were going to the slums, where their base was. They tried to stop me, and I fought them, but I was outmatched and was about to be taken by them till Guild Master Skis somehow came and saved me in the nick of time.”

I watched as Argena nodded, listening to my story, which I left a lot out of because I don’t know her motive for asking me what she should already know.

Seeing her microexpressions, under her own mask of feigning that she was confirming my side of the story, I noticed her eyes were taking too much interest in what I was telling her.

What could this mean?

“In the end, I was able to kill Boras, which I was only barely able to do by Guild Master Skis heavily injuring him before he had to switch his focus on helping out Athrun with Redra.”

Telling her that lie, I gauge her reaction, and she believes it under that mask she was wearing.

Does she not know about what happened? Aren’t they the fourth knight order? How can they not figure it out on their own?

No… I believe they are very much capable, but why are they not investigating this further? So, looking deeper into her expression, I get the sense that there was some doubt about my story.

“Count Argena, may I ask a question?”

“Yes, if it’s within what I can or cannot say.”

“Okay then, what will happen to my family after the mess they have committed?”

Taking a tired sigh, which I could tell she was acting, she answered, “Officially, nothing; we are covering it up to the public, making it so that Redra, a terrorist, caused most of the damage and takes most of the blame. Any distrust of the nobility must be stopped, isn’t that right, Lady Rita?”

“Yes, I understand; we do not want commoners to know, or else it would destabilize the kingdom if not add more hate to the nobility, which could lead to unwanted results.”

“That is correct; however, unofficially, our plans to steadily let your family fall from power slowly and replace it with another family are still in the works, but from this tragedy, I’m going to have to advise Captain Cedric to accelerate your family’s fall. Do you have a problem with that, Lady Rita?”

I expected it, very much so. The fourth knight order is meant to handle the nobility. But unofficially, they are supposed to preserve the kingdom’s stability, even if it means playing politics to let a house fall and be replaced with another house if they ever become problematic.

Nodding yes, “I have no problems with that; the faster the better.”

“I see.”

“However, what plans do you have for me?”

“Nothing, Lady Rita.”

“Nothing?”

“Yes…” Her facial expression changed for the tiniest bit when she said it, like she was annoyed at something.

“Mr. Athrun has pulled some strings.” Sighing, “Personally, I would have wanted to let you stay under our protection. I apologize, but there's nothing I could do about it, even if you desire our protection.”

Huh… I didn’t think Athrun was able to do that, or to think Athrun has a connection to royalty, who is the only power in this kingdom that the fourth knight order obeys.

Guess I am in his debt even more because not only did he help me when I was stuck on the 30th floor, but also now, for not having to deal with this matter as well. However, I should ask him about other things because he was involved in their investigation in some ways, with his connections and all.

Sensing the conversation had ended, Argena called out for knights to take me back to my room, until I heard a commotion outside.

Bursting out the door was Clare, sweat covering her body and huffing profusely. She looked at me and ran, then hugged me.

“My lady, y–you are fine, thank goodness.”

She looked like she was about to cry, and I was startled at first, but I hugged her back.

As I did that, I heard more people coming in. First was Athrun, followed by Sarah.

“Ms. Clare, please don’t run, and hi there, Rita.”

“Greetings as well, Lady Rita.”

“Oh, hi there, Athrun and Sarah. Also, Sarah, there is no need for honorifics.”

Athrun had a playful smile aimed toward Argena and said. “Hi there, Lieutenant Argena, if you don’t mind, I’m going to take Rita; we’ve got lots to discuss.”

I could sense Argena was feeling annoyed that Athrun was here. Did they have prior history together? Seems like it.

Saying goodbye to Argena, we excuse ourselves, and Clare was more than happy to push me back to the room I was staying in.

Once we were there, Sarah closed the door and set up a barrier so no sounds could escape from our conversations.

Seeing that Sarah finished covering the walls with her barrier, I spoke first.

“Ummm… Athrun, what exactly did you tell them? I didn’t think you had connections to royalty.”

“Yep, are you surprised?”

“I am…”

Getting to the point. “What exactly did you tell them? Did you place a gag order on them?”

“Something like that; I called in some favors and stopped their investigation altogether.”

Hearing that, I felt there was a lie somewhere in what he said, but he and everyone else helped me out greatly, so I didn't say anything about it.

“Anyways, I have a question for you. Can I see the magical powers you’ve gained access to during your fight with Boras?”

Clare, reacting to what Athrun had said, was completely shocked, and she turned to me, looking at me with eyes wondering if it was true.

Glancing at her and back to Athrun and Sarah, I figure as much because Sarah must have sensed the mana I was emitting since she was in all likelihood nearby. In the condition I was in, I would have needed immediate medical attention, which I am surprised that Sarah was able to manage despite my Ori poisoning.

With much delight, Clare said, “Really? Lady Rita, you have magical powers. That is amazing.”

“Yeah, but I don’t really know how to activate it, but I’ll try.”

Closing my eyes, I try to feel the sensation when I first used my magical powers. It felt like how I used Ori energy in my past life; the difference being that I didn’t let it go through my body, and instead, I let my mana flow outside my body like an invisible aura.

When I open my eyes, I place my hands next to each other, with a slight gap between them. Focusing my mana on my hands, black electricity sparks between my fingers.

Seeing that I could use magic, I look at Athrun and Sarah to see that they look at me with wide-eyed shock.

“What? Is there something wrong?”

Looking at the mirror by the bedside table, I saw that my hair glowed black and my red eyes turned blue.

Huh… Strange, why does my eye change colors when I use my magical powers?

“No, Rita, but out of curiosity, your mother is Marchioness Elza and Margrave Lucis, right?”

Confused that Athrun was saying that, and saw his playful smile fall a bit.

“If you're implying that my mother cheated on my father, then it’s probably no.”

I didn’t know what Athrun was implying or his goal with that question, so I waited for him to respond, but Sarah spoke first.

“Sorry, that was a rude question. We just want to confirm something.”

Even more confused, I asked why they wanted to know, but Sarah apologized and said. “I’m afraid I can’t say.”

“Oh, I see, it’s fine. It’s not like I actually care for my parents.”

She had a wry smile when I said it.

Sighing, Athrun then said. “Yeah… I can understand.”

“Yeah.” Trying to move the conversation, I said to Athrun.

“Thank you for all the help you’ve given me. I hope I can repay it.”

Back to his playful smile, Athrun responded. “It’s no problem at all,” and Sarah said, “Yes, we are glad to help.”

“Then, if that is all, I guess we'll be leaving. Call for a knight to get us, to escort Clare back home.”

“Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Oh, just checking up on Nox and Cor. We’ll be back before sunset.”

Frowning a bit from Athrun mentioning that guy, I said goodbye to Athrun and Sarah, Clare blew to them for their help, and then turned back to me.

“My lady, I suggest following the doctor’s orders to get some bed rest for now.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Helping me up from my wheelchair and to my bed, Clare moved to make me comfortable in bed and took care of me until it was dark, as Athrun and Sarah came back to take her back home.

I said goodbye to Clare after she tucked me into bed, and the next morning, Clare came back before I woke up.

She brought a basket with food and some amenities from home. Moving me to the bathroom, Clare took out my hair dye and helped me redye my hair since Alex and everyone were coming to see me today, and I couldn’t let them see me with my original hair color.

Clare used a large wooden tub of water to help me bathe first, then dye my hair. After that was done, Clare helped me change into a fresh set of clothes and took me back to my bed.

I began reading a book Clare had brought with her that I had asked her to bring yesterday, as she brewed some tea, to wait for Alex and everyone to come and meet with us.

When they came, I was happy to see them, even though Wendy and Lucia were missing.

We talk for a bit, like Chelsie telling me what they have been doing, Alice complaining about how they weren’t able to see me when I was unconscious, Alex promising to become stronger or something about main protagonist stuff, etc.

After we ran out of stuff to talk about, they said goodbye, taking their leave, saying that they would come back later.

For the next week, I began focusing on my recovery. In just a couple of days, I was able to walk on my own, and at the end, I was released, mostly fully recovered.