Even if the Dawn Abandons You - Chapter 27

Catherine de Basbourg was the second child of Blaise de Basbourg, the 17th Countess of Basbourg. She was born to the count’s second wife, whom he married after the tragic death of his first wife in a carriage accident. Catherine had a half-brother from her late stepmother, but she never considered him her true sibling.

It wasn’t just because they were different siblings. The scandalous event of the young count falling deeply in love with Liane Anfel, a prominent actress from the Théâtre de la Tourarde and the most famous Courtenian of her time, and defying societal scorn and class differences to make her his second wife, was one of the notable scandals in Léans history.

Whether it was the short-lived marriage that fueled their passionate love or the strategic reason behind the Count’s acceptance of a new noble-born wife after Liane Anfel’s accidental death, the Count couldn’t forget Liane Anfel for the rest of his life.

When Nicolas de Basbourg turned fifteen, Blaise appointed him as his successor. This decision shattered Catherine’s pride and belief that the title would rightfully belong to her as the “half” sibling.

However, Catherine de Basbourg was not one to give up easily. She possessed an unwavering determination from a young age. If there was something she desired, she pursued it relentlessly. And if she obtained something, she felt compelled to repay it, whether it was a gain or a loss. After spending several years quietly under the authority of Blaise and Nicolas, Catherine eventually enrolled in the military academy.

If a noble-born person graduated from the military academy with excellent grades, they would receive a separate title. Other nobles believed that she, who had been stripped of everything by her low-born half-brother, went to the military academy to receive a new title.

And eventually, Catherine de Basbourg, who graduated from the military academy, received the knighthood from the age of thirteen and was commissioned as a member of the Crown Prince’s Guard. However, she never thought she would be satisfied there.

The incident of the fire at the Count’s winter villa, where Blaise de Basbourg and Nicolas de Basbourg were enjoying their vacation, happened before the year was over.

Blaise and Nicolas de Basbourg died in the fire. Only Catherine, who had refused the vacation due to just having been commissioned, and the Countess de Basbourg, who remained at the Basbourg estate, survived. Catherine finally became the 18th Countess de Basbourg.

Shortly after, rumors began circulating, claiming that Catherine de Basbourg had killed her father and half-brother to secure her position as the Countess. Catherine was a proud aristocrat and an exceptional soldier, but she was not without flaws. In her world, there was evidence suggesting that she had orchestrated the fire in her villa.

One day, it was none other than Prince Henri who brought forth this evidence, confronting her with it. Catherine felt embarrassed, realizing that she should have been more cautious.

“Are you trying to condemn me?” Catherine asked, a hint of laughter in her voice, as if the prince wanted to hear the chorus of her voice. Prince Henri, always confident in himself, never spoke empty words or lies to his subordinates. Catherine was relieved for once, and Prince Henri continued speaking.

“The Count merely punished his father and the parasites who clung to him, forsaking the pride of nobility. Wasn’t it all about reclaiming what was rightfully yours? I highly value your courage and abilities.”

Catherine had fought to regain her rightful place. She admired Prince Henri’s bravery and capabilities. How could she forget the hand he extended to her, offering something she had never heard before, as if it were the most natural thing?

“Count, will you become my ally?”

On that day, Catherine de Basbourg pledged her eternal allegiance to the crown prince, who stood before her, facing the setting sun.

Forever. Yes, it was forever.

The weight of eternity does not vanish suddenly when one side abruptly perishes.

As she reminisced about the past, Catherine de Basbourg was brought back to the harsh reality. The present was chaotic. The insolent republicans, oblivious to their place, had overthrown His Majesty the Emperor and established a republican government. They mercilessly murdered noble members of the imperial family in the cramped confines of the eastern tower prison. Catherine clenched her teeth as she recalled seeing her own image on the front page of La Penette.

She could never forgive those audacious republicans. They would undoubtedly pay for their insolence. Some asked what would happen after all this ended and they emerged victorious, but to Catherine, the collapse of the past, breaking all the rules, was what truly mattered.

Compared to the eternity she had sworn to, what significance did the future hold? She realized her allegiances were shallow and bound only by time and reality, failing to follow the path she should have taken. Just a few hours ago, she had been awaiting an important phone call, and now, she reinforced her determination once more.

She spoke, “Your Majesty graciously consented to my offer to assist in restoring truth and order to the world. And…”

As expected, a swift reply of approval arrived, but it contained something unexpected.

It could be said that she was not the only one inflamed by these events.

? ? ?

Leonard’s discovery did not magically repair his relationship with Anais. The misunderstanding only prevented their relationship from deteriorating further, taking them back to the state before the imperial family’s demise. It was a state that existed long before their first encounter at Marcel Bellemartier’s funeral or Leonard’s initial visit to Anais, and it encompassed their shared moments that spanned over a decade.

Before the tragedy befell the royal family, Anais Belmartier was a republican revolutionary, and Leonard Antoine de Charleroi was the second prince vying for the throne. Leonard, aspiring to become the emperor, had stopped secretly visiting Anais when she joined the Republican rally podium.

Their relationship was now at a halfway point rather than starting anew.

They were finally able to take the first steps as true neighbors. Anais no longer claimed to be a republican, and Leonard could no longer be called a prince.

Anais sat on her bed, nervously biting her nails, watching Leonard’s inadequate cleaning skills. Although the hospital, or rather, the closed space that would eventually become a hospital again, needed to be cleaned thoroughly.

Leonard sneezed in the dust while clumsily brushing it off. He seemed clueless about where things belonged. With unnecessary force, he nearly broke cupboards and medicine bottles, dropped a vase on the table (thankfully managing to catch it in time), and even broke a broom while sweeping the floor. It was difficult to find peace and quiet.

Whenever Marcel had free time from his kitchen duties, he would peek into the living room, where four patient beds were set up, and chuckle at the sight. Marcel was just as mischievous as ever. An inexplicable and rare break from the usual routine they had established since arriving in Dunang.

It all started when Marie insisted on throwing a party to celebrate Anias’ return. Persuaded by Marie’s insistence, Blanc and Leo Serdieu agreed to have dinner together at Marie’s house, which Anais had temporarily closed off as a hospital during her recovery.

At first, Leonard had questioned the need for such an event. However, Marie insisted that it would make their doctor happy, and Leonard, who was infinitely weak when it came to Marie, couldn’t bear to disappoint her. He followed his sister’s lead, even though it meant being in the presence of his friend, who was once his greatest enemy. This unusual scene unfolded as a result.

Although there were still some underlying tensions, Leonard’s clumsy attempts at cleaning had brought a strange relief, even though he disliked the situation. Marcel found it amusing to witness Leonard’s comical mishaps, such as mistakenly breaking a broom in good condition.

Despite everything, Leonard felt a sense of contentment he had never experienced before. There were still many questions he wanted to ask Anais, many answers he wished to hear. However, the simple life they shared in Dunang had satisfied him to the extent that he thought it might be better to delay or even bury those inquiries forever. This life, where he could help others without reservation and occasionally enjoy peaceful evenings like this, felt unfamiliar yet pleasant.

He thought he had lost his way, but if this was the path he found during his journey, he was content with it.

“Doctor, Brother…?”

Marie’s voice suddenly broke the tranquility, filled with tears. Everyone turned their attention to the open door as they heard Marie’s trembling voice from the garden. She stood there, blood staining her lap.

“It hurts!”

Leonard dropped his rag and rushed to Marie’s side, anxiously inspecting her for any injuries. Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any major harm, as if she had merely fallen while playing. Anais quickly got out of bed and fetched the first aid kit, while Marcel hurriedly joined them after rushing out of the kitchen.

“Did you fall?”

Anais asked, and Marie nodded tearfully. Her distress eased, and Leonard took a seat on a chair near the table while Anais carefully cleaned Marie’s wound and applied antiseptic. Marie, looking down at her skinned knee, could hear the sniffles coming from her own ears.

She realized that she hadn’t cried despite blood trickling down her forehead, but now, as she saw her own injury, it seemed she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. Anais found it endearing how Marie resembled a child, and she fought to suppress the laughter welling up inside her. She focused on applying medicine to Marie’s scraped knee.

If only they could always see these minor wounds and continue living like this. Anais entertained the sudden thought, blinking several times in embarrassment at her own fleeting notion. Without realizing it, she hugged Marie tightly and let her tears flow freely.