Chapter 152: She Is Gone
Once the carriage of the bride and groom disappeared from their sight, everyone turned to leave. Martha returned to the tower. As Seren was gone, she planned to retire and leave the palace. There was no longer a need for her to stay here. She first decided to pack her stuff before going to King Armen to bid farewell.
It did not take her long to pack her stuff as there was nothing much for her to carry. She had been living a simple life in this tower with the Third Princess of this kingdom to fulfill the promise she had once made to someone. Because she was used to taking care of someone else, she had never paid attention to herself.
Martha changed out of her royal servant's clothes into ones worn by a commoner. Folding that royal servant uniform which represented she was the servant of the Third Princess, she could not help but sigh.
"She is gone now. I don't need to wear it." She caressed the purple outer jacket she used to wear that represented Seren's eyes and mumbled, "I wish you to always be happy." Seren was not just the Third Princess but an important part of her life. With her gone, Martha felt a piece of heart was taken away from her.
Just as a tear rolled down her cheek, she heard the sound of the bell at the entrance of the Third Princess's residence, which meant someone was there to meet her. She quickly collected herself and went down.
Martha saw Sir Berolt standing outside the gate. Even though the princess was no longer there, he still dared not casually walk past the gate.
Martha bowed to greet the commander of the royal knights. "Greetings, Sir Berolt. What brings the Sir here?"
"I am here as per His Majesty King Armen's order. King Drayce had requested you to meet someone."
Martha remembered when she went to see the King of Megaris, in exchange for her requests, he had asked her to meet someone.
Martha nodded. "Where can I meet that person?"
"He is here," Sir Berolt replied as he gestured for someone to approach.
An old man entered the gate.? Martha looked at that man who had just entered in shock, to the point she did not notice that Sir Berolt had turned to leave. She knew this man—Erich Winfield.
The man walked towards her before stopping to stand in front of her.
"How have you been, Celia?"
Martha gulped and looked at him in disbelief. 'How did he come here? Who told him I am here? How did he even find me after so many years? Didn't I tell him to not search for me ever?'
She came back to her senses and collected her thoughts. "Perhaps this gentleman has recognized the wrong person? I am Martha, the servant of the Third Princess."
"I have not," the man replied as he observed her. "You recognize me."
"But I don't know you, mister," she said.
"After so many years, you must have forgotten about me but I still remember you."
"Apologies for my weak memory. May I know the purpose of visiting me?" she asked.
"I just want to see you, Celia," he replied.
Her face appeared calm as she replied,? "I will repeat: My name is Martha."
"I know, but for me, you will always be Celia," the old man countered.
Martha felt speechless over his stubbornness. Then, she realized he was always like this, stubborn and prideful.
"If there is nothing more, I will kindly excuse myself as there are things I still need to oversee," she said.
Ignoring her not-so-subtle dismissal, he said, "You don't look good."
"I am fine."
"You seem to forget who I am. I am a physician who can see through in one glance if the person in front of me is not well."
"I see. So the gentleman is a physician. Have a good day, mister," she said with a bow before turning around to return inside the tower.
Ever since she appeared, Erich Winfield had observed her every movement, even when she was leaving. The way she walked and behaved, he could guess what was the problem with her body.
"You are hurt on the right side of your stomach. The injury has put a great burden on your body and covers quite a large area. It can't be an arrow wound or caused by anything sharp. Is it perhaps a burn? I think it's a deep burn," he spoke.
Hearing his thorough analysis, Martha suddenly stopped in her tracks. She wanted to scoff at her silliness. Why was she even surprised? Knowing how sharp he was, this was a given. She tried her best to not let him notice her situation, but he still managed to find out.
When she was walking, he noticed she didn't let her right hand brush over her left side, and while walking her right leg was being lifted with caution. Even her head was tilted to the right and her shoulder kept moving lightly in between as if she was brushing off the pain.
Those movements were negligible in the eyes of a normal person, and to those not paying attention, she looked completely fine, but she couldn't hide it from the keen eyes of this physician.
"You are mistaken," Martha said stiffly. Because she wanted to prove her point, she took a big step forward, only to feel weak, causing her to kneel on the ground. Her arms were shivering as she tried to get back on her feet; she looked to be in great pain.
Erich Winfield immediately ran towards her and kneeled as well. "Celia!"
"I-I am fine. It's just..." she said, trying to bear the pain she felt.
"Stop talking. Let me help you first," he said and raised his hand to check the right side of her stomach.
She held his hand to stop him from probing. "No need."
"I am doing my job as a physician," he countered.
"You can't help me with it," she argued, not letting his hand touch her.
"Is it not one I can treat?" he asked.? She nodded and he asked again, "Don't you have those blue magic elixirs?"
Seeing the confusion in her eyes, he spoke again, "The King of Megaris has it and he said it belonged to the Third Princess. I believe you are the one who gave it to her."
This man seemed to know a lot. Martha felt that there was no sense in pushing him away anymore.
"I have it," she said.
"Take it then."
Martha removed the purple pouch she had kept with her after Drayce gave it to her. She kept it so she could take it when it's needed, allowing her to hold on till Seren leaves for Megaris. She didn't wish for Seren to know her true condition. It was a relief that the King of Megaris didn't allow her to accompany Seren.
Marth had one elixir and felt better in just a few moments.
Erich Winfield looked at the purple pouch she held and then observed her once more. "Seems like only these many won't be enough for you." He looked back at three elixirs left in that tiny pouch. "You need to make more."
"I can't," she replied.
"Why?"
Martha didn't answer and stood up. "You can leave now."
She already dropped speaking to him in polite speech.
The old man stood up as well. "Is there still anything to hide, Celia? I know why you are here and who you were protecting."
It shocked Martha and she turned to look at him, "Who told you?"
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