Chapter 3
Hamiel steadied her breathing, which had unintentionally grown rough. Halo withdrew his foot from the doorway with an awkward expression. His previously contorted face softened considerably as he cautiously watched Hamiel’s reaction.
“Sorry, Mia. I was just, a little worried…”
“Could you leave me alone? I’ll have lunch later on my own.”
“…Alright.”
It seemed he had more to say, but Halo eventually nodded.
Hamiel sighed. Halo hesitated for a moment as he was about to carefully close the door, then gazed intently at her.
“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”
“Why?”
“You’re acting very unlike yourself right now.”
“…….”
Hamiel said nothing. Halo’s eyebrows drooped as he gave a bitter smile.
“If there’s anything I can help with, tell me anytime. You’re my only little sister, after all.”
Hamiel closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was the only way to keep her fingers, gripping the notebook, from tensing up.
Finally, Halo closed the door.
Although she was finally completely separated from Halo, Hamiel wasn’t happy. The neatly organized desk, the research equipment, the reagents, the books and notebooks—all of it felt nauseating, as if she might vomit.
Everything in the lab existed for Halo, not for Hamiel. Not a single beaker or notebook was entirely hers.
The sanctuary had been defiled, the refuge had crumbled, and her escape route had vanished.
Hamiel slumped down to catch her breath. Clutching the notebook that had been with her for so long, she sat on the floor, hugged her knees, and steadied her breathing for a very long time.
When Hamiel finally managed to lift her head, the surroundings had already gone dark.
She absolutely didn’t feel like it, but it was time to return to the mansion. If she stayed away too long, Halo might actually realize the severity of the situation.
‘That can’t happen.’
She forced her stiff body up. Even then, she held the notebook tightly.
As she slowly crossed the lab and reached for the door, Hamiel noticed Halo’s footprints left on the threshold.
After gazing silently at the footprints, Hamiel left them untouched, opened the door, stepped over them, and walked out.
The garden at sunset was dim. Following the familiar garden path, Hamiel deliberately headed for the kitchen’s back door instead of the main entrance.
She had definitely met Halo at lunchtime, yet the faint smell of baking potatoes wafted from the kitchen, as if they were already preparing dinner.
Suddenly, she felt hungry, but it seemed she would have to eat separately in her room.
With the airship back, Halo would be busy for a while. So, unless they dined together, she wouldn’t have to see his face.
But that was just Hamiel’s assumption.
“You’re back?”
“…Why are you here?”
Halo, sitting on the windowsill, chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
“Why that look? Like I’m not allowed to be here.”
Hamiel quietly gazed at Halo. She needed time to force her breathing, which was becoming rough again, under control.
Showing emotion in front of Halo once was enough. After swallowing dryly and steeling her heart, Hamiel answered softly.
“Aren’t you busy?”
“No, not busy.”
Halo shook his head and gestured to Hamiel.
Hamiel slowly approached the windowsill and sat across from Halo. For a moment, the two siblings silently watched the sunset outside the window.
“…Where do you think he is by now?”
Halo suddenly asked in a nostalgic voice. Hamiel turned her head to look at him.
It was a ‘game’ they used to play often as children.
Waiting for their father, who had become busy with the development of Melteor, they would gaze at the sunset and bet on how far he’d be on his way home. Halo usually won, but sometimes Hamiel did.
“Posvender Imperial Memorial Park.”
“Hey, that’s too specific.”
Hamiel tilted her head, looking as if she didn’t understand at all what was wrong with mentioning their father’s burial site.
“For Father to come here, he’d have to be exhumed or necromancy summoned, and we haven’t done that.”
“You’re such a killjoy…”
About to scold her, Halo instead conceded with a smile.
“Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t think of that.”
“…….”
Hamiel blinked quietly, waiting for Halo’s next words. Noticing her gaze, Halo smiled awkwardly and brushed his hair back.
“Listen, Mia. Well… strictly speaking, we’re orphans.”
“…….”
Their mother had died giving birth to Hamiel, and their father had followed five years ago due to lung disease, so Halo wasn’t wrong. When Hamiel nodded, Halo sighed softly.
“And this world is… too harsh a place for us.”
‘No kidding.’
Hamiel lowered her gaze to hide her cold eyes. Halo’s dangling toes fidgeted anxiously.
“We’re the only family in the world, you and me. So… Mia, we always have to be together. I’m your only brother, and as the head of House Walter, I have a duty to protect you.”
Hamiel didn’t say anything. In fact, she didn’t even want to hear Halo’s words anymore, so she had been counting the patterns on the curtain hanging beside him.
“I know you’re struggling because of the patent… but let’s try again. You can do it. This time, for sure, you can do it.”
Halo suddenly took Hamiel’s hand. His hand, patting her knuckles, was warm and gentle. His eyes looking at her reflected the sunset, glowing warmly crimson.
After counting twenty-two curtain patterns, Hamiel looked at Halo. Halo smiled.
“The day will surely come when this world recognizes you.”
It was the only true thing Halo had said. Staring at him, Hamiel eventually nodded.
“Then, I have a favor.”
“What is it?”
“Speaking of which, I’d like to go to Posvender tomorrow. May I?”
Halo’s face brightened.
“Of course. But I have a meeting with the Builderbelt Mining Company tomorrow, so I won’t be able to go with you. I’ll call a carriage for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t say that.”
Halo reached out and affectionately put his arm around Hamiel’s shoulder.
“I’m your brother.”
“…….”
Hamiel nodded silently. Halo quietly patted her back.
Even in this situation, Halo’s embrace was kind and warm. If she hadn’t known anything, it would have been ample comfort.
Until a week ago, Halo had truly been the sturdy embrace Hamiel could lean on.
During that week, Hamiel had gone through hell and heaven to shake off the warmth of that embrace. When reality felt too unbelievable, she sometimes thought about covering everything up and pretending not to know. At times, she even resented herself for finding out everything.
But it was too late to turn back.
“Thank you, Brother.”
For giving me even a chance like this to live on.
Hamiel closed her eyes. Each time Halo’s affectionate hand patted her shoulder, it felt like shards of ice were piercing her heart.
The next day, Hamiel woke up early and put on the dress she had selected the previous day. It was a neat, clean, formal dress. Perfectly suitable for visiting her father’s grave.
“My lady, you have such a pretty face, it’s a shame not to adorn it more. How about I ask the master to buy you some spring outfits?”
“Later. I’m off.”
Answering briefly, Hamiel hurried into the carriage. She felt strangely rushed, as if time was tighter than she had thought.
“To Posvender.”
The carriage departed, and Lisa waved a couple of times towards the departing carriage before returning to the mansion.
Confirming that Lisa had completely disappeared from sight, Hamiel quickly spoke to the coachman.
“Take me to Belfrost.”
“Pardon? But earlier you said Posvender…”
“You misheard.”
Answering curtly, Hamiel pulled her hat down low over her eyes and sank into her seat. The coachman looked back at her curiously, then shrugged and cracked his whip.
Feeling the carriage turn right, Hamiel clutched the notebook tightly to her chest.
It was the first step of a plan she had calmly prepared for a week. Her heart pounded for no reason.
Belfrost was a major administrative district of Pendra. All administrative processes of the Empire Radras—taxation, finance, economy, law—began and ended in Belfrost.
Amidst well-dressed gentlemen, boys with armbands, and bespectacled typists hurrying along their way, Hamiel’s carriage stopped. As soon as Hamiel paid the fare and got off, a middle-aged gentleman quickly jumped into the carriage and shouted urgently.
“To Clarkrois! The main branch of Krois Bank!”
The carriage departed, and Hamiel was finally alone. Taking a deep breath, Hamiel leisurely melted into the forest of towering buildings.
‘Belfrost Street 370-2…’
“There it is.”
After walking for a while, Hamiel gasped and looked at a building in the distance.
The nameplate at the entrance of the building, which looked slightly whiter and more ornate than the others, gleamed proudly.
‘Imperial Patent Office: Kiphrix’
It was the place that would change her destiny.
Hamiel’s pace quickened. The building soon drew near.
After catching her breath again in front of the steps leading into Kiphrix, Hamiel finally ascended.
The Empire Radras was a country of techno-magic. Anyone with the determination could become an inventor and own a patent.
In this era of techno-magic, the Patent Office was a very special institution.
Once a patent was granted, the Patent Office would stamp the inventor’s mark every time it was used. Counterfeits could be made easily enough, but the true power of a patent lay in the royalties generated each time the stamp was applied.
Kiphrix, in exchange for granting the patent, deducted a certain percentage of royalties whenever the patent was used. Since both the inventor and the Patent Office profited each time the patent was used, no one complained because Kiphrix actively sought out opportunities once a patent was granted.
Anyone with a brilliant idea could get a patent, and if it worked out well, they could not only make a substantial fortune but also never have to worry about making a living again.
Therefore, Kiphrix was always bustling with people who had come from all over the Empire.
Of course, to obtain a patent, one had to pass a strict examination. However, most people didn’t think they would fail. Self-proclaimed ‘inventors’ had immense expectations and pride in their patents. Consequently, the lobby of Kiphrix was constantly filled with the sounds of inventors and employees arguing.
“Let go of this! Do you know who I am? I’m the neighbor’s cousin’s in-law’s nephew of the Grand Duke Alberton! If I so much as open my mouth, you lot won’t even get crumbs!”
‘That just means you’re a nobody.’
Retorting coldly in her mind, Hamiel crossed the lobby and headed towards the elevator inside. It was a circular elevator that revolved like a Ferris wheel.
Just as she was about to step into a slowly ascending car, she sensed someone behind her.
“Excuse me, my lady. Would you mind if I joined you?”
Without turning around, Hamiel sighed.
The elevator car was small, so sharing it with someone wasn’t pleasant. However, in such a crowded place, telling them to take the next car would also be quite inconsiderate.
“Yes, go ahe—…”
As she sighed and turned around, Hamiel froze on the spot.
“Thank you.”
The person smiling and stepping into the elevator was definitely the man she had encountered in Kyrgyz.
