When the tinted wire the entered cerchief ra caught sight of several faint pinpricks


    on her fingertips-  tanke Whether den deerely or not, they were there


    lie gave


    long time


    merry neat whereing her gave her face expressionless I told you-I stopped hating you a


    to why ether with geares that mean nothing to me


    Tabelle hethew will "Maybe they don''t mean anything to you, but to me... giving this to you still means something. to fart, it might be the love thing that does mean mething


    he


    A long silence followed. But in the end, will didn''t ept the handkerchief.


    Just the day turned from organizing the Park g and walked in on the scene. He silently stepped between the two women, king tulete''s newed the with his body


    Faring Eliza, histone viened. "I getting colder. The night dew''s heavy now. You should head inside before you catch a


    With his gentle orging. Eliza allowed herself to be led away.


    Behind them, Isabelle stood frozen, watching as Nn physically shielded Eliza from her. For a split second, her gaze darkened with something vicious-like poison shing behind her eyes


    That dann man, the thought tio, he can''t die yet I still need him.


    Clenching her teeth, fabelle showed the handkerchief back into her sleeve and walked away without another word.


    She didn''t notice that as she turned to lease, Nn-who had just guided Eliza inside-suddenly stopped at the doorway. His sharp gaze cut through the darkness like a de, sweeping across Isabelle''s back with the deadly calm of a predator.


    Later, Eliza sat quietly in her room, collecting herself


    A knock on the door broke her stillness-it was someone Nn had sent with a basin of hot water. She changed out of her clothes and took a long, steaming bath, letting the warmth soak through her bones and ease her fatigue.


    Maybe it was to rxing


    That night, Eliza dreamed-not a memory, but something more surreal, something she couldn''t be sure was even real


    In her dream, she stood in a serene, flower-filled haven. It was peaceful, like a hidden realm untouched by the world.


    Then, a gaunt figure appeared-thin and hollow-eyed, clutching a wicker basket full of folded spirit money. She stepped into Eliza''s view, knelt in front of a gravestone, and lit candles.


    Only then did Eliza see her face


    It was Isabelle. And yet... it wasn''t. She was too thin, too pale-like a ghost walking in daylight.


    After silently burning the paper offerings, Isabelle finally spoke. Her voice was soft, strange, almost disembodied. "Liza... how foolish you were, giving your heart to those who never deserved it. In the end, the one who buried you... was me, the one you hated most


    Eliza''s dream frayed into static


    She woke up not remembering the rest, only the strange ache it left in her chest.


    Nn noticed it at breakfast. "You''ve been awfully quiet this morning


    10:45 Sat, 1970 -5.


    Cpr 201


    Witret warning be marked as the table are persund the bark of his hand to her fourbead


    he and formed


    A tren immediately followed, "You''re running a fever You''ve caught a chuall"


    Pliza blinked, a Battle dazed. "No wonder I''ve felt dizzy since I group"


    T calling a phrynarian n said immediately, already ring to the door.


    liva waverda hanel. "6 тижн?. Го и резу


    He raised how it there a saying A door shouldn''t treat themselves?


    a Tuit


    "It''s just a mild fever, Eliza replied as she took out her arupuncture kit "Not beyond my abilities."


    She jabbed herself once to clear her mind, then calmly checked her own pulse "It''s nothing serious. Some medicine will take care of it


    She might as well have been treating a stranger


    Nn chuckled. "All right, Dr. Eliza Prescribe away. I''ll go fetch the medicine."


    "No need I brought what I need, she said.


    96%


    "Well, then at least let me prepare it Nn insisted. "You''re dizzy as it is-what if you spill the pot and scald yourself? The medicine''s not the problem, you are.


    Eliza conceded the point and handed him the prescription "Fine. I''ll leave it to you?


    And Nn really did do it himself-boiling the herbs, stirring and straining, without letting anyone else interfere. He event made Eliza rest while he worked.


    Half an hourter, the medicine was ready and the group resumed their journey


    It took two more days to reach Noganlul from Plutonville. Eliza insisted on pressing forward despite her illness, urging Nn to quicken the pace


    And because of that, the moment they arrived.


    Eliza stepped out of the carriage and copsed.


    The officials waiting to greet them screamed in panic.


    "Oh heavens, what happened!! someone shouted.


    Nn reacted instantly. He caught her before she hit the ground, swept her into his arms, and rushed her into the nearest


    "Get a doctor! Now!" he barked to the servants.


    But just as he stepped back outside, he heard hushed voices whispering:


    "Oh no what if Holy Lady has the gue too! What if she caught it on the road?"


    "Silence!" Nn''s voice cut through the murmurs like a whip. His gaze turned ice cold as it swept over the group "Holy Lady traveled day and night to get here-for your city''s sake. She''s ill because she pushed herself beyond her limits. If any of you dare to spread another word of filth, don''t me me for drawing my sword."