Eliana (01) 013: First Steps Beyond Seven Years' Confinement
"Hm..."
"..."
Kalen had only imagined the stifling oppression upon hearing that she hadn't left her room in seven years. He couldn't truly grasp what it felt like. Who could? It wasn't as if no one ever experienced it, but such extremes were exceedingly rare. For an ordinary person to empathize with a situation as drastic as not stepping outside one's room for seven whole years was no easy task.
And now, Kalen could feel the weight of that reality firsthand.
Meals, baths, the bare necessities of daily life—those were manageable only because she was a Rakatus. Magical devices infused with spells made it possible. Even Emma's occasional visits as a companion rarely lasted more than a few minutes to half an hour.
Seven years. It wasn't strange at all for a young noble lady confined to her room to have forgotten how to walk.
A body weakened by illness. Legs that had grown unfamiliar from endless bedrest. That was why she despaired the moment she took a single step from the bed after Kalen announced their departure.
Eliana simply sat there blankly, her hand pressed to the floor, staring vacantly.
The closer reality drew to her dream of Winter Island, the more her excitement had built. When Kalen finally said it was time to go, her heart had even pounded in anticipation.
But to stumble right at the start like this... No strength would enter her body at all.
Kalen watched her quietly for a moment, then said, "If you'll excuse me."
"...?"
He slipped one arm under her side and clasped her other hand with his free one.
Eliana felt a faint tickle against her skin. At the same time, her body began to lighten and lift bit by bit.
She turned her head toward the shadowy, wavering outline of Kalen's face so close by. Though she saw only a rippling silhouette, she somehow sensed he was smiling.
"I tried using a simple spell."
"..."
What Kalen had cast was the 1st Hierarchy magic "Lightening." True to its reputation as basic magic, it had no combat utility, but it was perfect for this situation. It made Eliana's already slight frame even lighter, practically buoyant, and with Kalen directly supporting her body with his hands, he could guide her movements to mimic walking.
Without him, she'd collapse immediately, of course...
"..."
Eliana blinked her half-lidded eyes and wiggled her toes experimentally. Thanks to the extreme lightness, even the tiniest effort moved them. Something unimaginable since her illness began.
"Shall we go?"
The warm voice right beside her ear made Eliana hesitate before nodding.
Creeeak—
The door to the room—that prison which had held its master captive for seven years—swung open.
"...Aren't you uncomfortable?"
"Not really."
Eliana quickly saw through Kalen's lie. His steps were awkwardly matched to hers, unnaturally slow, and the hand supporting her arm trembled faintly. Maintaining the spell's focus demanded far more concentration than it appeared, yet his voice remained calm, as if it were nothing.
She knew this was his consideration. He'd chosen this early hour to slip out of the mansion unnoticed, likely after consulting her father—whose face now appeared blurry to her as well. It was to avoid drawing attention or risking accidents.
But all she could do was entrust her body to him completely, becoming dead weight. Separate from her excitement about Winter Island, a twinge of guilt toward Kalen began to stir.
Yet hearing her apologies over and over would only tire him more. Resigning herself to that, Eliana quietly surrendered her weight, keeping her head bowed. Though Kalen supported her, her vision held only the shadowy form of her own feet.
Even that faint sight kept her from toppling amid the unfamiliar sensations.
As she focused on her feet, the textures under them grew varied. First wood. Then something hard like stone. Next, soft earth and grass—natural things.
"We'll take the carriage, miss."
"Oh..."
Carriages couldn't fit inside the house. Did that mean she was outside right now? The surreal thought saddened her. The garden she'd once yearned for from her room—she was in it now, yet blind to it all. The scenery, the sensations, everything.
All she felt was the warmth of Kalen's hands cradling her waist and hand.
Realizing her body's precarious state, Eliana's anxiety mounted. It was like crossing an ocean relying solely on a raft named Kalen.
Her body pressing closer to him was inevitable.
"M-Miss."
"..."
"It's true the Duke permitted unavoidable contact, but this much is..."
Eliana made no reply—a silent refusal of sorts.
As time passed with Kalen, she'd learned something new: like any girl her age, she had her stubborn streaks. Ignoring him and sealing her lips was her way of saying adjust to me.
Kalen let out a sigh too soft to hear and kept walking. From beyond the room, through the mansion. From inside the mansion to the outside.
Choosing the predawn hour meant no encounters. Intentional, yes—but it felt as if she and Kalen were the only two left in the world.
How long had they walked? A plain-looking carriage came into view.
For nobility of the Rakatus rank, processions typically included dozens of attendants and ornate carriages. Eliana deserved as much.
But this was a special one crafted by Duke Everchan. With only Kalen as escort, it minimized variables.
Flashy or plain, each had pros and cons. Everchan and Kalen had discussed it often. A lavish carriage deterred petty thieves but might attract highborn eyes. A shabby exterior avoided noble curiosity, even if bandits swarmed.
The latter troubled Kalen less. Ordinary thieves were no match for his 2nd Hierarchy magic. But nobles? That was problematic.
Though he'd hidden his 2nd Hierarchy prowess, Everchan agreed. Eliana's condition was secret; a high noble recognizing the Rakatus crest on the carriage could spell trouble. As her father, he'd grant her wish—but as family head, he couldn't risk exposing weaknesses.
Thus, this carriage: unassuming outside, but inside converted entirely to a comfortable bed for the northern journey, prioritizing Eliana's well-being.
As Kalen helped her inside, he said, "It has an amplifier, so even whispers will reach me. Call if anything happens."
"Kalen...?"
"Sleep if you're tired, tell me if you're hungry. For toiletries or washing, your magical devices are here—feel along the bedside, you'll find them easily."
"K-Kalen won't be by my side...?"
Eliana stammered uncharacteristically, groping to match his eye level. Kalen scratched his cheek and leaned down.
"I have to drive the carriage."
"..."
"It can't go on its own."
As his words ended, Eliana's eyes trembled. Her lips parted as if to speak, but she seemed to understand.
When his hand withdrew, she bowed her head to her suddenly powerless body. It had left the prison-room, traversed mansion and garden moments ago—now, utterly limp.
She fumbled urgently, grasping his hand. "If I speak inside, can I hear Kalen too...?"
"Ah."
Kalen made an oh no face. Focused on his guard role, he'd overlooked the reverse.
"Sorry. But at night, when we stop, call me and I'll come in."
"..."
Eliana wasn't foolish. She grasped his meaning from the apology and euphemisms.
Kalen nodded faintly at her and closed the carriage door.
Thus, the noble lady afflicted with an incurable disease and her knight bodyguard set off for the north.
The journey north was far from easy, even as empty flattery.
The Rakatus lands lay in the Claire Empire's southeast. The north was nearly opposite. Given the empire's continental scale, it would take weeks.
Fortunately, nothing had happened so far. Peace held at least until the second week's approach.
But Eliana was different.
She'd seemed fine at first, but now she constantly called out to Kalen, even without replies.
Nights when the carriage stopped, he had to sit by her side without fail. Days driving, her anxious voice echoed plaintively.
Having crossed a bit more than half the continent, even she was shocked at herself. Repeating stories from over-talking, the absence gnawed unbearably.
She hadn't been chatty before. Alone in her room, words were rare.
Yet now, sharing her feelings with Kalen had become something she cherished.
Was it just filling idle time? Or because it was him?
She pondered long and slow, but found no answer.
"Miss!"
"Hic...! Urk...!"
"Lady Eliana!"
On sweat-soaked sheets, mana-like energies rippled around her as she thrashed, vomiting blood. Kalen held her tight, preventing wall collisions, soothing her.
This was three days before reaching the north.