NOVEL NEXT Chapter 148.1
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On the third day of their escape, Mariel woke up in the morning, unable to get out of bed. The arduous journey had finally taken its toll, and she had fallen ill. Worrying about the feverish child, Asella paced in frustration. Fortunately, the kind innkeeper went and got her a doctor. After taking the medicine, Mariel’s fever finally began to subside.
It was half a day later in the afternoon when Mariel regained her strength. As Asella came in with a damp cloth, she found Mariel sitting up by the bedside and hurried over to her.
“Mariel, are you alright?”
“Sister…”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“But we have to leave; what do we do?”
“No, you can rest today. We’ll set out again tomorrow when the day breaks.”
Though her fever had subsided, Mariel’s condition was still not good. Her magical power was drained. Time was of the essence, but Asella couldn’t push the sick child too hard.
‘The distance must have narrowed considerably by now…’
By now, the pursuit had likely already begun. How far had they come? They had taken a carriage and traveled through the night without rest, yet Asella couldn’t feel at ease. After being stuck in this town for the rest of the day, this will be a concerning situation– the thought alone could give her an anxiety attack.
‘But it will be alright.’
Asella suppressed the rising anxiety and tended to Meriel.
“Are you hungry? Would you like to eat something?”
Warm meat soup, soft and moist bread, and a fresh fruit salad – the small inn may have been modest, but the rooms were clean, and the meals were decent.
Asella silently watched as Meriel ate. Urged by her sister, she managed to take a few spoonfuls of the soup, but that was all she could; she had no appetite at all.
After escaping from the duchy fortress, Asella had barely been able to eat. Anxious about when they might track them down, she couldn’t even sleep properly. She was barely hanging on, but she was almost reaching her limits.
Asella fidgeted with the inner pocket of her sleeve. A small pebble was in her hand. It was the ‘portal’ that Roshan had given her.
‘I might have to use this.’
The reason Asella hadn’t opened the portal until now was simple – she couldn’t trust Roshan.
He was the one who had treated her twice, traveling in and out of the heavily guarded Grand Duchy. That meant Roshan likely had a close relationship with the Duke. The destination of the portal might not even be the great temple of Hevium.
“Sis, what’s that?”
Mariel’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between Asella’s hand and face. Hesitantly, Asella took out the portal and placed it on the table.
“It’s a portal. Who gave it to you?”
“…High Priest Roshan.”
“But why haven’t you used it until now?”
Asella couldn’t respond. She wasn’t sure if she should openly express her suspicions about the High Priest.
“Just in case.”
Asella’s answer was ambiguous, but it was enough for Meriel to understand.
“I see. But you needn’t worry., High Priest Roshan is on our side.”
“On our side?”
Mariel rubbed the bridge of her nose sheepishly as she answered.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you, sister, but I’ve actually been training in mind-reading magic as well—”
Suddenly, there was a commotion erupted outside. Asella got up abruptly and approached the window, peering out, then quickly closed the window and drew the curtains.
***
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