NOVPUBTwo weeks flew by quickly, everyone had prepared the capital city for the White Flower festival. The spacious and big town center, surrounded by tall trees and long square fountains around it had become a gathering place for everyone. Nobles from across South Neva came to attend the festival to honor the fallen and to celebrate their victory against demons.
Not everyone felt the past two weeks had moved quickly, some felt it was like an eternity. Some weren't ready for the day of the festival because of the fallen sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, or fathers. They didn't want to feel the grief, regrets, and the pain again, but at the same time, they were grateful for the festival. They were grateful that their loss, pain, and sadness would be remembered around the world.
In the past two weeks, Rasmus had been talking with everyone, including Anastasha and Garret. He discussed with Anastasha about her future plans while he discussed with Garret for their business and Garret's status as the bridge for South Neva Union and the Alliance.
Garret had gained recognition from the Alliance faction because he helped them to keep their position high in South Neva. He became a mediator for both the South Neva Union and the Alliance, satisfying both sides. It wasn't an easy task if Rasmus didn't show him the right path to tread.
Astrea had finally allowed everyone to visit her chamber after talking with Rasmus a few times in the past two weeks. Although they didn't know her condition, they could tell that her health had worsened day by day. Their pities for her, it only discouraged her to accept her condition and to show the world who she had become.
However, Astrea had steeled her heart and kept Rasmus's words deep in her head and heart. She managed to convince herself that she lived only for Aurelia, and nobody else. She was grateful that Rasmus kept visiting her when she needed someone to talk to. She never thought she would feel at peace and comfortable in front of a dangerous man.
"How is it, Doctor?" Astrea asked weakly as she looked at Daryus trying to feel her pulse on her left wrist.
Daryus wasn't great at hiding his expression, and that was both a bad and a good thing to have. He respectfully lowered his head and pulled his hands away from Astrea's wrist.
"Your health is declining, Your Holiness..." Daryus answered with regret and frustration in his voice because he still couldn't find a way to help her condition. "You're losing too much blood, and the wounds are barely closing even though it has been two weeks, Your Holiness..." he continued, his voice quieter.
"It's okay, Doctor. I have accepted this fate of mine the moment I prayed to God that I would sacrifice myself for the life of the thousands..." Astrea smiled, her left eye barely open while the rest of her body was still covered in bandages.
Daryus didn't want to hear something like that as an excuse. He wasn't the religious type, and he never dwelled on it to begin with, but he believed in spreading kindness. The reason that he wasn't the religious type was because he believed that his life wasn't determined by fate, it was determined by his own actions.
"If that's what it's called fate, then what's the point of living if everything is to be set in stone? Please, Your Holiness. It has nothing to do with fate, it's because the lack of knowledge and skill for people like me and the other physicians that prevents you from regaining your health," Daryus said with a serious expression, this time he dared to stare right into Astrea's eyes.
Astrea smiled weakly when she heard how frustrated Daryus was, and how he was genuinely wanted to heal her. However, she knew that even a divine power couldn't heal her wounds, then that meant nothing else could because a divine power could be said to be God's will. She thought that Daryus sounded like Rasmus, but there was something that differed him from Rasmus, and that was how to use his logic.
Suddenly, Daryus sat straight with his brows furrowed, deep in thought. Astrea was curious about the expression he made, and couldn't help but ask.
"What's the matter, Doctor?" Astrea asked.
"There's a legendary physician in East Neva, he's called the God's Hand because he can heal any kind of sickness and wound. I believe, if I could ask Princess Asghar, she could help us to arrange a meeting with him," Daryus answered as he clenched his fists.
"God's Hand? I recall his name is Sima, correct?" Astrea asked with her brows furrowed.
"Yes, Your Holiness. Sima is his name, and he can be said to be a divine physician because of his knowledge about medicine. What do you think, Your Holiness? Would you give up and accept it as fate, or fight the fate and live?" Daryus asked with his serious and determined expression.
Listening to how determined Daryus was to heal her, Astrea felt moved and didn't want to disappoint him in the slightest. She gave a small nod to Daryus, agreeing with the latter.
Without wasting a second, Daryus got up from his chair and hurriedly left Astrea's chamber. He knew that he couldn't meet Anastasha in person without any invitation, however, he had someone who could enter the left wing of the headquarters, and that was Rasmus.
Daryus ran around the headquarters, looking for Rasmus. He asked Lenin, Thalior, Agnesia, and Novia, but none of them knew. He then went to Rasmus's chamber, but there was nobody inside. When he was about to curse, he saw Rasmus in the garden with Serena, Videl, and Aris through the window. He immediately ran as fast as he could because every second mattered in that moment.
"Count!" Daryus said as soon as he stood in front of Rasmus while catching his breath. "I need your help..." he frowned as he stared into Rasmus's eyes.
Rasmus didn't question him and nodded with understanding.
"Can I meet with Her Highness the Princess? Princess Asghar?" Daryus asked as he kept catching his breath. "This is for Her Holiness's sake. Can you do it?" He added.
"I'll see what I can do," Rasmus nodded as he got up slowly and guided Daryus to the left wing of the building.
Daryus looked at Rasmus's condition as well, and he noticed a high temperature around Rasmus's body. He could see the paleness in Rasmus's face and the discomfort his eyes showed. He tried to understand the symptoms of awakening, but he knew nothing about it or how it was possible in the first place. It was just like Serena had observed that Rasmus's body was slowly changing gradually.
"You're not going to ask me why do I need to meet with Her Highness, Count?" Daryus asked to break the silence.
"Do I need to know?" Rasmus asked back as he looked at Daryus. "I told you. I wouldn't interfere with whatever you want to do, and I wouldn't question your decision. I only give you the stage, it's you to decide what to perform," he continued.
Daryus nodded without saying a word, still confused with Rasmus's mind.
When they arrived at the hallway to the left wing, the knights didn't say a word and let them in. As soon as they entered the left wing, it was when Daryus realized how Anastasha took the whole side for herself. The kitchen, the hall, the rooms, everything were used by her maids, servants, and warriors. He was shocked how powerful someone could be to be able to use a South Neva Union headquarters to be like an inn for her and took over a third of the place as well.
"Count..." Shavi lowered his head to respect Rasmus. Shavi was Anastasha's personal guard, the man that wielded a quarterstaff.
"Is Princess Anastasha free? Can I borrow some of her time?" Rasmus asked.
Shavi nodded and then glanced at Daryus for a split second, and that split second was enough for Daryus to feel threatened. He had never seen someone with a murderous intent when the gaze was just a simple glance.
Shavi guided them into the dinning hall where Anastasha was enjoying her lunch on her own. Anastasha was a bit surprised by the sudden visit, and not to mention that Rasmus brought someone else with him. She already knew what it was all about, and gave them a soft smirk as she pointed her hands at the chairs to her left and her right.
Rasmus sat down at the table across from Daryus, and he shook his head to the maids that was about to pour him a cup of tea. Daryus on the other hand was overwhelmed by the other maids that prepared the plates and cups for him before he could say anything. It a matter of seconds, Daryus's plate was filled with food, dumbfounded by what had just happened.
"So, Doctor. I know your purpose to visit me," Anastasha said as she put a grape into her mouth. "You want to find the Divine Physician Sima, correct?" She asked with her brows raised and a smirk on her face.
Daryus's eyes widened when Anastasha knew his intention before he could even utter it. He was so confused and terrified how it was possible for her to know when he didn't even tell anyone about it yet, not even Rasmus.
"Yes, Your Highness..." Daryus nodded as he lowered his head. "Can you help me with that?" He asked.
"Hmm... since you're Rasmus's people, I guess I can arrange that," Anastasha smirked as she stared right into Daryus' eyes like a snake preparing to devour its prey. "I'll decide once you finish your food, Doctor. Don't waste it since there are so many kids that are starving out there," she continued.
