Livyat took a day off from Julia today to take care of the ailing Tesvelan.
Last night, after they boarded the carriage together, Tesvelan grew drowsy and tried to lean against Livyat’s shoulder, but Livyat’s shoulders were too narrow for her to sleep comfortably, so she leaned into Livyat’s embrace instead.
That was enough for Livyat to feel Tesvelan’s heavy breaths and burning-hot face.
She had a fever.
Livyat hurriedly urged the coachman to get them to the consulate as quickly as possible.
Together with the flustered maids, they managed to lift Tesvelan onto the bed.
Even though the maids had prepared medicine and cold towels, Livyat was still so worried she didn’t even change out of her dress (not that she knew how to take it off anyway), and simply fell asleep on a chair by the bed.
In the middle of the night, her sleep was restless, and she kept hearing Tesvelan’s pained groans.
When morning came, Tesvelan’s condition hadn’t improved.
Livyat chose to ask Julia for leave; Julia didn’t even ask the reason, just waved her hand and told her to go back and rest.
Livyat, still wearing her moonlight-white formal dress, wondered why Julia was so understanding about work matters today.
Still, she realized it was improper to be running around everywhere in her formal dress.
She returned to her apartment first, restrained her anxious and irritated feelings, took her time removing the entire formal outfit and tossing it all together, changed into her regular uniform, and then dashed toward the consulate.
“Miss Livyat, Her Highness Tesvelan just fell asleep. There’s no need to worry. She’s gotten much better after taking her medicine.”
The maid standing at Tesvelan’s door spoke patiently, trying to persuade Livyat not to disturb Tesvelan’s sleep for the time being.
“She… She must still be feeling terrible. I have to see her. She was sad for so long last night.”
Livyat looked worriedly at the tightly closed door behind the maid.
“You seem to care about her a lot. That’s wonderful. You haven’t known Her Highness Tesvelan for very long, have you?”
“That’s right. I haven’t known her long. But when I was sad, she comforted me and stayed by my side. Now that she’s sad, I can’t just watch from the sidelines. I think… we’re friends now. And as her friend, I want to help her.”
Livyat’s voice was gentle, but there was a firmness that brooked no objection.
“That’s wonderful. I’m happy for Her Highness. She is truly your friend. Then, Your Majesty-to-be, I beg you to please treat Her Highness Tesvelan well. Since the day she met you, she’s always seemed so weighed down.”
“I’ve never seen her so fragile. No matter how you intend to replace Queen Larorvia, please, don’t let her be sad, alright?”
With that, the maid lowered her eyes, opened the bedroom door, and stepped aside.
“I promise. Whether I am a commoner or a queen, I will not let Tesvelan be sad.”
Livyat stepped into the room.
“I wonder which crybaby is in here making all these dramatic vows to do this and that for me. It’s so embarrassing, honestly.”
A tired voice sounded from the bed, but it did sound much better than in the morning.
“Are you feeling better, Tes?”
“Mhm, much better.”
Livyat sat on the left side of the bed, looking at Tesvelan, whose face was still pale and sallow even after her fever had subsided.
She found herself at a loss for what she could do to help.
Half-closing her eyes, Tesvelan seemed to sense this, and after a short hum, replied, “Silly elf. My back is sore and aching. Help me turn over and give my back a massage, would you?”
Livyat didn’t hesitate for a moment.
She lifted the corner of the blanket, leaned forward almost lying atop Tesvelan, and with both hands worked hard to gently roll Tesvelan, who wore light green pajamas, onto her left side.
Tesvelan placed one hand on Livyat’s back, doing her best to help until she could lie on her side.
“Tes, you’ve sweated so much.”
Livyat didn’t rush to massage her back but reached for a towel on the nightstand.
“Is my sweat stinking you out already?”
Even sick, Tesvelan’s tongue was as sharp as ever.
“No. It’s not bad at all, but you could catch a cold like this.”
Livyat slid the towel into Tesvelan’s pajamas and firmly wiped her back, pressing with her fingers as she went.
Tesvelan closed her eyes and hummed contentedly.
“Didn’t expect your technique to be pretty good. Being cared for by a queen like this, I feel like I’m a child again. Miss Livyat, forgive me for calling you Liv sometimes—it’s rude, but, can I keep calling you Liv? Forgive me, being sick makes me not want to fuss over all the formalities…”
“Tes, hearing you call me Liv makes me happy. I don’t know how to shoulder such a huge responsibility, but before that happens, if you’re willing to rely on me a little, then I think… I’ll have more motivation to accept it. Here, you’re sweating a lot in front too, let me wipe it for you.”
“Eh? Don’t—silly elf, silly queen, wah!!!”
Hearing Tesvelan’s wails from inside the room, the maid wanted to check in, but feared disturbing the new Queen and the Princess.
Inside, Tesvelan was almost sitting up, clutching at her clothes as she looked at Livyat.
She pouted, unable to come up with a retort for a long while.
Livyat folded the damp towel and set it on the table for the maid to collect later when cleaning.
At that moment, she noticed a stack of scattered letters on the desk.
Sensing Livyat’s gaze, Tesvelan said, “Mother’s latest letter says she’ll soon complete the abdication ceremony and acknowledge your status as Queen even in your absence. Afterward, she’ll sign as Regent and take charge of governance. This news will be announced, but since your status in the Republic and the ancient tree’s prophetic rings gave only your name, with your surname still shrouded in mist, the new Queen’s surname must remain concealed for now.”
So my name came from the ancient tree.
But my surname?
For Livyat, the surname she missed most was Lin from her previous life.
But she’d also grown attached to the surname Green; her elderly parents had many children, but never mistreated their youngest son.
Living together for over twenty years, she couldn’t help but feel affection for her family in this life, so she still sent money home every month.
She was the pride of the Green family in the countryside (if it could even be called a family).
Now the ancient tree told Livyat that her surname must also change.
Did this mean that Loren Green’s entire twenty-some years of life were being erased?
Livyat felt a surge of unpleasant emotions, and even resented herself for ever opening the Book of Kings.
But she could only hold it in, because Tesvelan was still by her side, and she sensed that Tesvelan was hopeful about her succession—or perhaps, she just wanted to appear strong in front of Tesvelan, to encourage her to recover soon.
“Well, let the ancient tree keep guessing my surname. Until it gets it right, my surname is still Green.”
Livyat said playfully.
“Liv, I grew up with my mother. To be honest, the duties and power of a Queen are much more demanding than being a Governor. Have you thought about how to handle it? Even if Mother continues as Regent for a while, I suspect it won’t last long. Sooner or later, you’ll have to return to the ancient tree, sit upon the Arboreal Throne, and rule everything east of the Great River. This fate never should have been forced upon you.”
“When that time comes, you’ll help me, right, Tes?”
Livyat looked at the worried Tesvelan, her eyes brimming with tenderness.
“It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”