BGFV 144

Chapter 144

The meeting lasted for a long time.

Normally, meetings ended around 2 p.m., but this time, with so much to discuss, they barely left the room by 7 in the evening.

Still, not much was finalized despite the lengthy discussion.

That’s because they could only predict and prepare based on the limited information currently available at the Imperial Palace.

It would take days before an official report arrived, and even then, no one could be sure of the real situation until they were on-site.

Even so, everyone looked a little relieved—multiple response guidelines had been prepared in advance.

‘I thought no one would listen to me, but luckily they’re not picky about solutions when it’s urgent.’

Hestia, who had experienced the plague in her previous life and already prepared multiple countermeasures, actively participated in the meeting.

At first, some refused to listen to her simply because it was her, but with no better alternatives presented, many of her suggestions were adopted.

In the end, the meeting concluded just as Hestia had hoped, allowing her to rise from her seat with a light heart.

“Whew, I feel like I should head south right away.”

“We should close the gates to Bairn as soon as we arrive.”

Derrick and Anna let out deep sighs, visibly exhausted.

“You two will head straight to the duke’s estate, right?”

“Yes. If the capital has been alerted, then things must be hectic there too.”

“But we still have some business to attend to, so we’ll leave a bit later.”

“I see. Then we’ll head out first.”

“I’ll tell them to pack your and the young master’s belongings ahead of time.”

“Thank you, we’d appreciate that.”

Hestia and Luciard saw Derrick and Anna off and quickly moved on.

Just then, Hestia caught sight of someone in her vision.

It was Laila and Arthur, trying to leave the conference room in a rush.

They must be desperate, with family in the infected region of Valeron.

“Lord Humphrey!”

Hestia stopped them before they completely left the room.

“…Lady Frost.”

In just half a day, their faces had become noticeably worn.

Hestia sighed with mixed emotions—anger toward Humphrey and sympathy for Laila.

“If you’re heading to Valeron, please assess the scale of damage and the cause of the outbreak and report back to Winston. That’s the only way we can respond swiftly.”

“Don’t worry. We have no intention of turning our backs on this matter.”

“We didn’t want to leave Zephyr behind, but it would’ve been difficult to bring him to the capital, so we left him with my parents…”

Laila’s body trembled with worry over her son.

“What if something happens to him?”

Hestia firmly held her shaking hands.

“He’ll be okay. Zephyr is a strong child.”

Tears trickled down Laila’s cheeks as she left the meeting with Arthur.

‘Since Valeron is an affected area, the Humphrey estate must be involved too.’

Arthur and Laila seemed unaware of this.

And knowing Marlus, it was highly possible he would ignore Winston’s orders and never report back.

“Do you think those two will actually listen to us?”

Luciard muttered, and Hestia replied,

“If they don’t, what choice do they have? We’re the only ones who can help them.”

When a crisis hits, is it faster to request aid from the capital or from the closer region of Winston?

Even a passing dog could answer that question.

Hestia and Luciard went to find Kenneth.

He happened to be in conversation with Sylvester, and both men welcomed them warmly.

“Lady Frost,” Kenneth said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Well done.”

“That’s too much, Count.”

“No, it’s not. Without you, we wouldn’t have even held the emergency meeting or discussed diverse solutions.”

He wasn’t just being polite. It was true—Hestia had taken the lead, setting the groundwork and calming the room so others could follow.

“Most importantly… thanks to you, His Majesty was spared significant harm.”

Kenneth’s grip on her shoulder tightened.

“Lady Frost…”

Sylvester called to her just then.

During the meeting, he had been every inch the dignified emperor. But now, he looked more like the boy she’d spent the past few days with—innocent, just 17 years old.

“Thank you. Without you and Sir Luciard, I would’ve just been a puppet emperor.”

“That’s not true, Your Majesty. We didn’t do anything special.”

“You led the meeting excellently. Please keep showing that strength until the plague is under control.”

With Luciard and Hestia’s unwavering trust, Sylvester felt a stir in his heart.

Though his hands were still trembling with fear, their belief in him made him want to live up to it.

“But the northern region might be a problem.”

“A northern noble attended the meeting, so I’m sure they’ll relay it to the Duke.”

Not all nobles attend every national event.

Especially the Norvin family, the Northern Dukes.

They were so rarely seen outside the North that their appearance in society was considered shocking.

“…If it comes to that, I’ll send a direct decree. Don’t worry.”

The late Empress had been the Norvin Duke’s eldest daughter, making Sylvester’s maternal family the Norvin house.

But Sylvester didn’t have a close relationship with them.

In fact, it was worse than distant.

‘Didn’t the Duke of Norvin strongly oppose the Empress’s marriage to the previous Emperor?’

Even after the wedding went through, the Duke never once visited the Imperial Palace again.

Except once—for the Empress’s funeral.

Afterward, he returned to the North and reportedly locked the gates of his estate.

Seeing Sylvester’s complicated expression, Hestia thought,

‘He probably never had a proper conversation with his grandfather. Will he be okay?’

They were family by blood, but more awkward than strangers.

It was questionable whether the Norvin Duke would heed the Empire’s command.

“Your Majesty, aren’t you tired? You must rest, or your health may suffer.”

Just then, Acid approached. Sylvester gave a slightly awkward smile.

“I’m a bit tired… But you, Grand Duke, can return home now.”

“How could I, with the country in a state of emergency? For now, let’s get you some rest. Strength is vital to lead well.”

“Is that so? Then…”

Sylvester turned to Kenneth, Hestia, and Luciard.

“I’ll see you again soon. I’ll return for now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Rest well.”

They silently watched as Asid led Sylvester away.

“Hestia,” Kenneth called gently.

“Yes, Count?”

She turned at the sound of his soft voice.

“I hope I’m wrong… but be careful around the Grand Duke for a while.”

Hestia shivered for no reason.

She knew how Asid might change because she knew the future—but Kenneth didn’t.

“If you ever come into contact with him, tell me—even the smallest thing.”

“Yes, Count. Don’t worry.”

“We’ll soon head south to assess the situation…”

“I must stay here to protect His Majesty. We don’t know what might happen.”

During the meeting, there had been noticeable hostility toward Sylvester from some nobles.

A seasoned noble like Kenneth surely sensed it.

And since he had taken charge of the emergency response committee, he had to stay at the palace.

“There’s so much to do. You’ll be heading south soon—stay safe.”

“You as well, Count. Be careful not to catch anything when visiting your home. Your wife has fragile health. I worry for her.”

Kenneth gave a soft smile at her concern.

“If I had a daughter or granddaughter, she’d be just like you. No, you feel more like a granddaughter than a real one.”

He patted her shoulder gratefully and took his leave.

As Hestia and Luciard left the palace, someone appeared before them.

“Are you leaving now?”

“…Grand Duke Gabriel.”

Gabriel stood blocking their path—an unwelcome sight for both.

“What a disaster. An outbreak among the refugees, of all things.”

“We don’t yet know the cause. Please be careful with your words.”

“No one knows if the refugees brought the plague or if they simply caught it and rumors spread.”

Gabriel smirked as Hestia and Luciard responded sharply.

“Even so, many believe the refugees spread it. Perhaps your constant defense of them has earned you some noble resentment?”

“…”

“Lady Frost, if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Gabriel turned his gaze to Hestia, ignoring Luciard.

“I meant what I said yesterday. If you change your mind, contact me. My door is always open to you.”

After patting her shoulder, Gabriel walked past. Hestia irritably brushed off the spot he’d touched.

“Yesterday? What happened between you and him yesterday?”

Luciard looked confused—and a little angry.

Hestia hadn’t told anyone about what happened on the terrace yesterday.

She didn’t want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

But she couldn’t lie to Luciard, so once they were in the carriage, she spoke.

“He told me to leave you and come to him.”

“What? When?”

“…When I briefly went to the terrace, he followed me.”

She explained roughly what had happened. Luciard held his head in disbelief.

“You should’ve told me right away!”

“Don’t worry. I rejected him so firmly he won’t even dare to misinterpret it.”

“That’s not what I meant. What if something dangerous had happened with you two alone?”

“There was only a door between us and the ballroom. What danger?”

“Even if nothing happened, you must’ve been scared.”

Hestia’s hand twitched. Thinking back, she had been a little afraid.

“If he approaches again, don’t talk to him. Just call me. I’ll be there.”

“Why are you doing all this? Is it because you’re my fiancé?”

“No.”

“…Then why?”

“Because I like you. If someone I care about is afraid, there’s no way I can sit still.”

“I haven’t accepted your feelings yet…”

“That’s fine. I’m just following where my heart leads.”

There were countless things Luciard wanted to say, but he held back, afraid it would sound like meddling.

And feeling his sincerity again, Hestia lowered her head.

‘Thank goodness it’s night.’

If it were broad daylight, he would’ve seen how red her cheeks were.