Chapter 14: Civil War Era - Saint Eris (1)
Saint Eris.
Her real name is Essiliste Lillian de Francia.
The daughter of a courtesan, who was favored by the former king for her beauty and intelligence, and eventually became his concubine.
Little is known about her activities during her time in the capital.
She was said to be frail, protected, and cherished by the king and his concubine, but vanished alongside the concubine when civil war began to brew in the capital after the king's sudden death.
Her whereabouts remained a mystery until the outbreak of the plague, when she surfaced in the southern part of the kingdom, fearlessly treating the sick.
Despite being the only royal who was revered as a saint for her dedication and miraculous divine powers, she never claimed sainthood or royal status herself.
Her royal lineage came to light much later when the Holy Church tried and failed to officially declare her a saint of their church and place her within the church's sphere of influence, subsequently uncovering her past.
Branded a witch by the Church of Light and having the royal bloodline, the Republic executed her amidst much propaganda and fabrication. I only heard about her death the day before my execution and never met her personally.
I had vaguely imagined her as a benevolent saint or a dignified princess...
"And so, the knight's tale became a legend," Eris concluded, strumming the harp with a ding, and rose from her seat, bowing theatrically like a stage actress.
Clap-clap-clap-
Applause broke out.
Even the stoic Gaston was tearfully clapping.
The shy girl who had initially asked to share our food was nowhere to be seen.
"Phew, all that talking has made me hungry!"
Eris exclaimed energetically. Immediately, Gaston and Frank sliced up some large boar meat and offered it to her.
Frank was Eris's escort, introduced simply as Frank, dressed no differently from an average middle-aged traveler, yet both Gaston and I recognized him as a knight at first glance.
It was dubious if Gaston retained any caution regarding this fact...
Eris' eyes widened as she looked at the boar meat offered by the two men, setting her harp down and gratefully accepting the food with both hands, smiling contentedly.
"Thank you!"
...Since when did my bodyguard become a servant to the princess?
Regardless of my frown, Eris started alternating bites of the meat, blowing on it gently first. Initially cloaked from head to toe, she now revealed her face and hands, having removed her veil and gloves.
Her skin, now exposed, was utterly porcelain white.
Like most noble ladies who live indoors, her complexion was so pale it seemed to glow under the moonlight.
...And she can eat, seriously eat.
No, more like voraciously.
Appearing to be in her mid-teens, she had already devoured about half of the wild boar herself.
Between bites, she would sing, play the harp, even dance, all with considerable skill, making it undeniably enjoyable.
The refined saint or tragic princess I had vaguely imagined in my head was long shattered.
No matter how I look at this, she seemed less a saint and more a gluttonous minstrel.
As I carelessly tossed kindling into the fire, Eris spoke to me.
"I'm really thankful! I can't remember the last time I had such delicious meat! Uncle Frank here isn't the best at hunting...."
“Ahem. Ahem."
I glanced at the embarrassed Frank and casually responded.
"Hunting is usually the hunter's job, not a knight's."
"Ahaha, that's true."
"...Why were you avoiding us?"
"I thought you were messengers sent to take me as a noble's personal healer. I figured you'd leave if I avoided you for a few days, but then, I almost collapsed from hunger!"
My attempt to make light of her avoidance just led to more laughter.
She didn't seem to be hiding anything; her cheerful and nonchalant response made it awkward to probe further.
Conversations with Eris usually went like this.
It was hard to tell if she was speaking innocently without a second thought or deliberately being evasive.
The most surprising thing was, I didn't feel the urge to question her further.
"I'm sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused unintentionally."
Eris said this with a beaming smile, and I found myself staring at her, lost in thought.
Her long, snow-white hair shimmered red in the light of the campfire and silver under the moonlight. Her eyebrows were equally pale, but her irises shifted between red and blue, creating a purple hue that varied with the angle. Looking into her eyes felt like observing a mystical creature rather than a person.
Her presence alone was enchantingly captivating, and it was unclear whether she was aware of this effect or not.
Eris, still young enough to be considered more cute than beautiful, exuded an allure that was entirely different from mere physical attraction. Her mysterious appearance, vibrant energy, and peculiar behavior all contributed to this.
Whether labeled a saint or a witch, her overwhelming aura made one inclined to nod in agreement without realizing it.
"By the way, isn't it uncomfortable to be wrapped up so tightly?"
"I've been sensitive to sunlight since birth. Plus, it helps avoid too much attention."
Her explanation for her peculiar attire was as smooth and natural as ever.
We had identified ourselves as nobility, and Eris simply introduced herself as a traveler.
Yet, Gaston's respectful treatment of Eris seemed so natural, it appeared utterly normal.
Her innate elegance and aura made it hard to believe she could be a commoner, looked down upon by anyone.
I was deep in thought.
I had prepared many arguments to persuade the princess to come with me to the duke's domain once found.
But looking at Eris now, none of those arguments seemed right.
I took a deep breath and spoke.
"Miss Eris."
"Yes, please speak."
"Approaching us like this, does it mean you're ready to hear what I have to say?"
Eris wore a complex expression and remained silent.
Ever since she joined us, this was the first time Eris seemed hesitant to speak, so I jokingly added another comment.
"Surely, you weren't drawn here by the smell of the roasted wild boar."
"...Actually, that's true."
"...."
"No, I'm joking. I thought it wouldn't be right to turn back without hearing you out, so I decided to meet you first. And then, the irresistible smell of delicious food wafted over...."
So, it was the scent of the meat after all!
Rubbing my forehead with my fingers, I turned to the ambiguously smiling Eris and continued.
"As I said, I am the Acting Duke of Lafayette, and I came to invite you as a guest to the dukedom."
"Is it because I can cure the plague?"
"I won't deny it. Any lord who discovers your power would desire it."
"What if I refuse?"
As Eris asked with a smile, Frank and Gaston, who had been watching her fondly, tensed up a bit.
"On what grounds?"
"There are many sick people here."
"Hmm, is there any reason to give priority to the sick in this area? It seems you've already treated quite a few here. There are also sick people in the dukedom."
"...From what I've heard, the dukedom is relatively stable, thanks to you, Sir. On the other hand, when I first arrived here, this area was almost neglected."
It was slightly embarrassing to hear others speak of my actions, but I maintained my composure and steered the conversation elsewhere.
"Are you purely driven to help those in need? If it's about where the sick and desperate are, the north is more critical, I believe."
"...If I go to the north, I'll end up being coerced into serving as a military healer, whether I want to or not. I'd be forced to choose between aiding either the first or second prince's army, helping them in their battles."
Eris spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, enumerating the realities before her.
Indeed, so she chose the south. Her demeanor had been confusing, but she wasn't just naively innocent.
The royal family, having known her since childhood, would likely be even more wary of her.
"And for the same reason, I'm not keen on accepting an offer from the Lafayette family, which supports First Prince. That is, if I have a choice."
"Young Duke..."
Gaston glanced at me, perhaps thinking I was considering forcing Eris to come with us.
That approach might be possible, but she's a princess. Besides, it's clear Eris isn't someone who can be controlled that way.
After some contemplation, I responded.
"Even if not Lafayette, many houses would covet someone like you. You're called a saint by some, you know that, right?"
Eris nodded without hesitation.
"Sure, the plague is rampant now, but it will subside eventually. Then the nobles will chase after you. Do you plan to live as a fugitive? You don't seem to have the means to feed yourself."
"Ugh, usually I can earn my keep with singing or playing, but right now, everyone's too destitute to pay, and with the young duke following me..."
"Yeah, if nobles keep tracking you, you'll end up starving and on the run like now."
Eris finally fell silent.
Seeing her this way made her appear her age, and I felt a bit more relaxed.
"How about I become your sponsor?"
"Sponsor?"
"Yes. You seem talented, and it's not uncommon for nobles to sponsor artists. I can offer you a stay at the duke's residence as an artist, and when you go out, you'll have the protection of the ducal family. How about it? It should be easier for you to do what you want than running from nobles."
"What about military service?"
"I won't impose a military duty unless you wish it. Officially, you'll be an artist I sponsor. Of course, being under the duke's protection while doing healing or charity work will become known, but it'll certainly lessen the hassle from other nobles and increase the number of things you can do ."
Eris thought for a moment, then turned her gaze to Frank, who gave her a slight nod in affirmation.
"May I ask you one thing, Young Duke?"
"Of course."
"While I do possess the power to heal the sick, as you said, I realize that alone isn't enough. If I can be free to act while being protected, as you've suggested, and also receive financial support for my charitable activities, that would be more than I could ask for."
Eris paused before adding,
"But what do you want in return, Sir? It doesn't seem like you're doing all this just to have a personal healer. What benefit do you get from sponsoring me to this extent?"
Eris' piercing violet eyes seemed so transparent that it felt like any pretense would be seen right through.
Should I reveal that I know she's a princess? But would abruptly revealing a long-kept secret only raise her guard?
Above all, I'm not yet a duke. If her status as a princess were revealed, I wouldn't be able to guarantee her safety.
After much deliberation, I decided to stick to what I could truthfully disclose at this point.
"The kingdom is on the cusp of change, and it seems only the royalty and nobility are oblivious to it. The common folk, pushed to their limits, won't remain passive under exploitation any longer. And while I am a noble and a lord, you are someone who can garner the support and love of the common people. Thus, protecting and sponsoring you would be beneficial for me too."
"So, you want to win the hearts of the people through me?"
"Yes, that's it. So, I have no reason to restrict your freedom. If you accept my offer, I'll support you to do even more than you can now. If you wish, I'll start by helping with your healing activities in this area."
"Quite straightforward, aren't you?"
"Should I have waxed poetic about being captivated by the purity of a saint, ready to give up my liver and gall for you?"
"No, that would have been more suspicious, wouldn't it?"
Hearing my words, Eris chuckled, stood up, and her flowing white hair sparkled silver in the moonlight as she gracefully lifted the hem of her robe like a dress and curtsied.
"I graciously accept your generous offer, Acting Duke of Lafayette."
The girl in pure white, bowing with noble etiquette, slowly rose, her mysterious violet eyes shining as she smiled.
"I look forward to working with you, my sponsor."
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