Reincarnated as a Son of the Sword Saint and the Sage

373  Giving Back The Favor

My sister entered the living room, where Iris and I were currently. She walked with a long face before she sat on the couch across mine and adjacent to Iris. "How's she, Sister?" "She is still not looking good, and she has been locking herself in her room since last night. She missed her breakfast, and it's about lunch time, and I am worried about her well-being." "I see."

(They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it was just propaganda made by food companies to sell more products, so I don't think skipping a meal would have significant effects on the body.) I monologized. A day had passed since we eloped from the party. We would be staying here for some days until things cooled down. Also, Christine was heartbroken, so we would use this time for her sister to comfort her. Since last night, Christine had not gone out of her room, spending the whole time sulking and slouching. She must have been very depressed after her fiance abruptly abandoned her for another woman. "She is still at it, huh?" Iris muttered. "His Imperial Highness must have broken her heart. Imagine being abandoned in the most humiliating way in front of many people. Humans can really go that far." "Just as you said, Iris." I nodded. "Last night definitely hit her to the core. I wonder how long she's going to stay in that state." "Only time can tell," my sister let out a deep sigh as she relaxed her back on the couch. "I know that the summer break officially started, but is it really okay to do this? I mean, the abduction of Christine and holding her up for several days?"

"Well, I hope that they understand us that we are trying to help, and I don't think the empire, especially the emperor, is ignorant enough not to reprimand the crown prince for his actions. The prince is basically trying to cut the ties between the archduchy and the empire. And I do hope that our parents won't get mad at us for doing this with their knowledge, let alone permission."

"Yeah, let's hope." We were aware that this would make everyone worry in our respective homes, but we had to do it for the sake of everyone. All of these ploys were part of their hidden agenda. We had many options, but this was the best solution for now. Click. Click.

Suddenly, we heard footsteps from the hallway going to the living room. A moment later, a red-haired woman with eyeglasses clad in a maid uniform stepped into the room and bobbed her body before us. Since we would be living in this villa for days, a maid was needed to do the chores. Not only would she do laundry or wash the dishes, but she would also be accompanying me to bed. I had been having sex on a daily basis, so I felt like my day was incomplete if I did not have one.

I could not just do it with my sister since we had some people around. I could not go back home either since there were possibilities that my parents would catch me and then hand me to the empire under the context of diplomacy and mutual trust. That was why I decided to take one of my personal maids.

So earlier this morning, I sneaked into the dungeon mansion and grabbed a maid. For this task, I picked Natasha, formerly a member of the Claret family back in Astley. There was no particular reason why I chose her; it was just that she was the one with the most experience in serving.

"Master, Mistresses, the lunch is ready," Natasha politely said.

"Thank you, Natasha." I appreciated Natasha's efforts, and then I looked at my sister. "Can you persuade her to eat her meal this time?"

"I don't think she would," she said, folding her arms as she stared at the floor. "But I will still try." "Good luck, Sister." I stood up, as did Iris. "But you don't have to force her." Shortly after, Iris and I went to the dining area while my sister was on her way to Christine's room. ◆◇◆◇◆◇

Tok. Tok. "Christine, can I come inside?" Two knocks rang out from the door inside Christine's room, followed by Louise's voice. There was no response, but for Louise, silence did not mean she was not allowed to come in, so she decided to open the door and barge in. The moment the door was opened, all the windows were closed, and the room was dark. With only the light from outside partially illuminating the room, Louise saw Christine, who was still in her nightgown Louise had lent to her, hugging her knees on the floor while leaning her back against the bottom frame of the bed. "Christine, you already missed your breakfast. Please at least eat your lunch." She tried to call her name, but Christine did not even turn her gaze on her. Louise slowly walked toward her and stopped a few feet from her. She did not turn on the lights, as she did not want to ruin Christine's melancholic mood. Sensing no signs of her engaging in interaction, Louise decided to sit beside her, and she even imitated her knee-hugging pose, hoping that doing so would resonate with her. Thankfully, it seemed effective as Christine put in an effort to turn her head.

"Louise..." she uttered with a weak and powerless voice.

Upon looking at her, Louise could not help but pity every inch of her. Her eyebags were swollen from the endless shedding of tears, and her purple hair was so unkept it looked like a bird's nest. For her to become this bad, Louise thought that Christine really loved the prince so much.

"Can you eat this time?" "I don't have the appetite to..." Christine then stared at the floor, but her gaze was somewhat distant. "My words cannot reach him anymore... I am a failure of a woman..." "Don't say such things, Christine. You are just trying your best for his sake, but he did not seem to appreciate it. In my opinion, he is wrong for throwing such a wonderful woman like you away." It was not clear or apparent, but Louise could sense that Christine was a bit moved by her words, albeit briefly. A short moment of silence filled the room, so Louise was the first one to break the air. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"What are you going to do? If you keep going like this, you will end up deteriorating your health. I cannot see you suffer any longer, especially when I have the capabilities and chances to help you." Hearing her, Christine looked at her once again before she said. "Can I ask you something?" "Yeah, go ahead." "Why are you helping me, Louise? You isolated me because being near the prince would worsen my mind, right?" "Well, yes. But actually, I am returning the favor I have owed from you. You first helped me when you found me alone in the cold." "I remember that." For the first time today, Christine tried to smile. "And if you want something else to lean on, my shoulders are here for you." Christine went silent for a short while before she made up her decision. "Alright, Louise, I decided to join you on the table." "That's good to hear. I'm glad I was able to convince you." "But in one condition." "What is it?" "My condition is..." Just then, Christine whispered her words softly into Louise's ear.