Eliana (05) 017 – The Return of Lost Hope
Rakatus Duke Estate had undergone one change. It was merely the recovery of something lost, but it was undoubtedly a change. No one bearing the name Rakatus denied this fact—not even the man hailed as the family's future.
Dekaum Rakatus had rushed back from Mlrand's social circles and the imperial magic council just yesterday upon receiving word. And he wasn't alone. From the gardeners who remembered the girl's innocent childhood laughter to the family head himself, all had eagerly awaited the pair's return. It would have been impossible if the letter informing them hadn't come from Ebam. Because of that, a strange tension hung over the mansion.
The tension peaked in the dining hall. The woman, who appeared to be in her middle years yet still hinted at her former beauty, set down her utensils first. The middle-aged man at the head of the table watched her and quietly spoke.
"No appetite?"
"You know it's not that simple."
It was Duke Everchan Rakatus and his wife Merlin. Their second son, Schultz Rakatus, had set down his utensils next.
"Honestly, Father, I can't believe it. No matter who Ebam is, verifying the truth relies solely on that bodyguard, doesn't it?"
The renowned Rakatus Duke Estate. Even if they cared less for pomp and ceremony than most, it wasn't entirely absent. If he were Blamia's disciple, that might be different—but the bodyguard was described merely as a servant. Still, they had focused on the fact that Blamia had introduced him and that he was a unique outlier. They'd sent him off half in doubt, only for him to dredge up a problem they'd all but abandoned.
That was what Schultz Rakatus was objecting to. He—and his father—had poured so much effort into solving it. They'd realized it wasn't a matter of could or couldn't. And now, this false hope. Delivered through an outsider's mouth, no less. It grated on him. The dining hall fell silent, as if to confirm no one thought otherwise.
"Schultz."
"What is it, brother?"
"Let's think positively. It might really be true."
"That's...!"
Schultz bristled for a moment but quickly calmed himself. Their name didn't lag behind others, but this was home. His brother Dekaum, his mother, and their father the family head—all outranked him. Schultz wasn't a spoiled brat.
Dekaum gazed steadily at him before continuing. "Even if it's false hope, I don't think that's so bad. Possibility stems from hope, after all."
"...Even the Grand Archmage failed, brother. A kid younger than me can't possibly succeed."
"Something must have changed for them to report it that way."
"That's exactly what bothers me. Frankly, up until now, that Kalen was the only one who could even stay by her side. How do we verify whatever he claims?"
Dekaum set down his utensils and met Schultz's eyes squarely. "It's simple, Schultz. You'd have a point about other matters, but the report states Eliana's illness is cured."
"Th—"
"If she's cured, then I, you, or anyone can approach her. We confirm that first."
"..."
The brothers' exchange was sharp-edged yet gentle. Neither yielded their stance while sparing the other's feelings. It was a style rooted in logic and reason—the education Everchan valued above all.
Everchan silently watched his sons and set down his utensils. In this atmosphere, with these moods, eating was impossible. He quietly mulled over Dekaum's words.
As Schultz said, it could be vain hope. But as Dekaum noted, everyone clung to that vain hope—including Schultz himself.
According to Ebam's message, Eliana's illness had healed during Kalen's journey to and from the north. No more headaches, no heart-wrenching agony, no boiling mana surges through her body.
Everchan gazed down at the table. The half-sliced meat still looked warm. How many methods had they exhausted to combat that damned disease? None had shown progress. Naturally, no "change" like Kalen described had occurred either.
He couldn't be certain. Hence the anxiety—and the expectation. Was this just another failure among countless ones? Or the sole success they'd overlooked? Hope they'd already discarded. Yet his heart raced like this, revealing how immature he still was. He pretended to let go to avoid hurt, to dodge betrayal by dashed hopes. And now that hope glimmered again, he grasped at it.
Before long, the clink of utensils in the dining hall ceased. How much time passed? Then—
Knock knock.
A knock echoed at the dining hall door. Before Duke Everchan could respond,
"Family head. The young lady and her bodyguard have returned."
The long-awaited news arrived. Another failure among many? Or the one success they'd never found?
Everchan let out a low sigh and replied. "Let them in."
It was time to face the final form of hope he'd abandoned long ago.
"..."
No one spoke. Their gazes locked on each other, doubting if these were truly the people from their memories.
Everchan rose and approached. Chairs scraping was poor etiquette, but he had no spare attention for it now. He stopped before his daughter—the first time in about seven years.
Her face was a perfect echo of Merlin's childhood, leaving no room for doubt. Sky-blue beauty like the heavens themselves. Eyes deep and clear, similar to his yet utterly different. Unreal. She'd been pretty as a child, but now no man could resist her charms. Had she changed this much in his absence?
Everchan let out a wry chuckle. "Eliana."
"..."
"Eliana Rakatus."
"Yes, Father..."
The final form of hope was exactly what they'd sought so desperately.
"Remember when you fell asleep playing in the woods?"
"...Yes."
"Chasing off that Denbek or whatever bug that stuck to you?"
"...I remember, Brother Schultz."
"Whoa."
Kalen stood by Eliana, listening to the exchange with fresh wonder. She'd often spoken of these stories, but hearing them from the other side made it novel.
Gathered in the dining hall, they all reminisced, drawing out old memories. Learning Eliana remembered everything left them with indescribable expressions. Schultz and Duke Everchan especially. The woman who seemed to be the duchess, seated before the duke, had been dabbing at her eyes nonstop. The famous Dekaum Rakatus had exchanged a few words then fallen silent.
But Kalen felt awkward. Wasn't this a family reunion? He'd tried to slip away, only for Eliana to block him. Now he was stuck by her side, unable to utter a word in this odd limbo.
"Was it you who cured her illness?"
Dekaum addressed Kalen amid the chatter. Eyes had subtly turned his way; he'd been waiting for the cue.
Kalen started to deny it, but Eliana cut in. "Yes, Brother Dekaum."
"I asked the bodyguard."
"Not 'bodyguard'—Kalen, brother."
"..."
Eliana spoke calmly, her characteristic trait. She'd once explained it was to organize her thoughts before speaking. Watching now, the siblings shared many similarities.
"Fine, Kalen. Did you cure her illness?"
"I already told you yes, brother."
"Hm."
Dekaum smiled awkwardly. "I'm not nitpicking. Just curious. Eliana, may I speak with Kalen?"
From the flow, it seemed Dekaum distrusted him and wanted to probe—but Eliana was shielding him. Turning to her, Eliana grasped Kalen's face, matching his eye level.
"You don't have to tell the whole truth... Kalen..."
"I'm listening too, Eliana."
Kalen nodded and faced Dekaum again. "I won't question the illness further since you're so certain. But something else."
"Yes."
"How?"
Dekaum pointed at Eliana with his index finger. Kalen glimpsed Everchan in the gesture before replying.
"Three days before reaching the north, something Duke Rakatus mentioned came up."
"...!"
"Father said?"
"Yes. But it came with symptoms far worse than described. He said to stay away and it would pass naturally, but I didn't think that was viable."
"Get to the point. What did you do?"
"The mana surges persisted, accompanied by hemoptysis and vomiting, so I nursed her at her side. Kept hygiene strict and ensured the lady didn't give up."
"And that cured her?"
"Yes."
Eliana's illness wasn't ordinary. Especially not for a house like Rakatus, which had thrown everything at it. It was hard to believe a boy not yet of age had succeeded where they failed. And it had to be certain. If not fully cured, disaster could strike anytime.
Dekaum's probing was natural. Only now did Kalen realize why Eliana had shielded him earlier. Not caution toward Dekaum, but to elevate his own merits. Self-praise was uncomfortable.
As Kalen and Dekaum's talk wound down,
"Save the rest for later. This isn't the place."
Everchan rose and said. Eliana had just returned; it was consideration. The dining hall wasn't ideal for reunions anyway. Merlin, Schultz, and Dekaum stood in response.
Kalen moved to follow suit when a small hand tugged his sleeve. Half-risen awkwardly, he looked down. Eliana stared up blankly, clutching his sleeve.
Back at the mansion, he'd thought she'd lean on the duchess. But Eliana's gaze fixed solely on him. Attention naturally drew to them.
Unfazed, Eliana spread her arms toward Kalen.
"...Yes."
Kalen naturally scooped her up in a supporting embrace. The sight unfolded before everyone present—and soon became the hottest gossip in Rakatus Duke Estate.