The Eldest Daughter Walks the Flower Path 002
"What? Sacrifice?"
"That's right. He's been fighting monsters because his cowardly brother couldn't, for six whole years. He was given a title with the name Brother, he was granted a pure magic stone, but he brought it back home. What else could that be called but sacrifice?"
"You, watch your language! Who are you calling a coward?!"
David slammed his fist on the table, a knife still in his hand.
"Why should I be called a coward?!"
"Then should I call you despicable instead? Come to think of it, it was Radis who took the exam for the Imperial Academy in your name, and you've been shamelessly bragging about it your whole life. I was only thirteen when it happened, but I remember everything."
"Shut your mouth."
David's eyes burned with fury.
"Did someone ask her to do it? Why should I be a coward when she's done all that herself? Why should I be despicable?"
"Oh, right, right! You never asked her! It's all because Mother made her do it for her beloved son. And now, that beloved son is lying under a tree with his mouth wide open, waiting for an apple to fall while Mother shakes the tree vigorously for him."
To mock him further, he pretended to be under a tree, his mouth agape, his face red.
Then, he spoke in a lower tone to mimic his brother's voice, pretending to hold an apple.
"Oh, I hate obligations, but it's nice to reap the benefits without having to lift a finger. I was too scared to hunt monsters, but wow! While I'm pretending to be a brave knight, I get to meet so many girls! Yum yum!"
David jumped up and ran to Jurich's side only to grab her by the hair.
"Argh, let me go!"
"I told you to shut up! I never asked for anything like this!"
"Ugh, it's always like this, isn't it?! You're only strong in front of weak people like Mother and me!"
"Shut your mouth! You only married Radis for the money he made! Why are you only criticizing me, you hypocrite?"
"Argh! It hurts! Let go of me!"
"Oh, I know. Does your husband have a mistress? Gerrick does, you know. Because he's very fond of young women. I heard that a daughter's fate exactly mirrors her mother's. Does your husband have a mistress too?"
"What...? You!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Jurich retaliated and dug her nails into David's arm.
David collapsed, screaming.
Brother and sister fought like mad, tearing at each other's hair,scratching each other like children fighting over candy.
It was only when Margaret returned that they parted with tears in their eyes.
***
The eldest daughter of House Tilrod, Radis Tilrod, could not remove her heavy armor and helmet until she arrived home.
When she removed her helmet and wiped away the dried blood, it was clear that her face looked terrible.
The once beautiful face now looked as gaunt as a corpse.
Her skin had deteriorated to a mottled purple hue after prolonged exposure to the miasma.
Her body was in even worse condition.
Her state was no better than a solitary candle in a howling wind; the miasma exposure was merely the final straw on top of all the injuries she had suffered during the subjugation expedition.
The person who was cleaning Radis's body hesitated before speaking to Margaret.
"Lady, you are in very bad shape. Shouldn't we bring in a doctor or a priest?"
Without warning, Margaret slapped the maid severely across the cheek.
"If a doctor or priest discovers that she, and not David, has been exposed to the miasma, will you take responsibility?"
The maid silently put away the filthy armor, clearly wanting to say something, but choosing to remain silent.
She also picked up the helmet from the floor and looked at Radis sympathetically.
"The poor young lady..."
As she was only a servant, she couldn't dare go against the Lady of Tilrod House.
When the maid left the room with the armor and helmet, Margaret glanced sideways at Radis. Even if she knew nothing about medicine, she instinctively knew it was serious.
But what could she do?
She couldn't call a doctor to treat her wounds or a priest to cleanse the miasma.
Then, Radis's eyes slowly opened.
They were clouded.
Margaret was haunted by the unusually dim dark eyes. They usually shone with sharpness. But soon, Margaret forced herself to speak in a cheerful tone, but avoided looking Radis in the eye.
"Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?"
"..."
"I'll get you some soup."
Margaret ran out of Radis's small, cramped room.