Chapter 119: Chapter 18 - Preparation For The King's Game (3)

It wasn't all that surprising that Zeruel would resort to that, so I wasn't caught off guard. Being plunged into the depths of the ocean without a chance to take a breath would make anyone panic underwater, grasping for anything to reach the surface and gulp down some air. I was surprised she hadn't reached that point yet. Well, I wasn't about to let her get there.

While pondering this, the girl began crying loudly. It seemed she couldn't hold it in anymore after pouring out her feelings to me. I gently rubbed her hair. She trembled slightly at first, but then she allowed me to continue.

"What's your name, Mister?" she asked once her crying had subsided.

"Leon," I replied, offering her a smile.

"Leon..." she blushed. "Um, I'm sorry you had to see me crying like that. It must have been quite a sight. I apologize for showing you that." She bowed her head, displaying manners her mother must have taught her.

"No worries," I assured her. "Oh, and here, if you want." I handed her the box of cake.

"What's this...?" she asked, tilting her head cutely.

"It's a cake," I replied.

"Cake?" she repeated, her eyes lighting up. "Something to eat?"

"Exactly," I confirmed, rising to my feet. "Oh, would you look at the time." I glanced at my phone to check. "I've got someone waiting for me inside," I lied. Truth be told, I had no one to meet, but I needed an excuse to start our conversation and get her to open up a bit. I wasn't planning on going inside the sanatorium. "Well then, I should be off.

Hopefully, we'll meet again."

"Uh, o-okay. I hope so too... And thank you for this," she said softly.

With that, I bid her farewell and departed.

***

Zeruel's POV

"Zeruel..."

I sobbed on the floor, feeling the desperation creeping in. This was the same tactic my mother used to employ with the owner of the tenement we once lived in, begging for just one more month's stay, promising to scrape together the rent by then. Sometimes, when pleading failed, she'd resort to offering her body as payment.

That's why now, I found myself pleading...

If this didn't work, then I...

The doctor pulled me up from the floor, her expression sympathetic. "All the doctors here managed to scrape together 30 gold coins for you, but that's the best we can do. We don't exactly have hefty salaries, you know?" she explained, handing me a bag filled with coins. "Even with this, I'm afraid it won't be enough to keep you and your mother here for long...

Your bill will keep mounting until it becomes unmanageable, not just for you, but for the staff here who are trying to help you. You have to understand, Zeruel..."

"Uhm, th-thank you... sob... uuu... sob... sob... T-This is more than enough help...

Thank you, doctor," I sobbed gratefully. The doctor hugged me and began to pat my back soothingly.

Receiving 30 gold coins was a tremendous relief... But I still needed to find the rest... I highly doubted the sanatorium owner would be generous enough to grant me an extension. The King's Game was just a week away, but waiting until then would be too late for my mother. She wouldn't survive until then. So what should I do...?

***

That night, I remained in my mother's room. Selene was also here, curled up in a corner, fast asleep. It was her birthday today, and she had just turned sixteen. But there was no celebration, not with our current circumstances. I glanced sadly at her, wishing we could have done something special. Yet, Mom wasn't well enough to mark the occasion.

Or perhaps, it was more accurate to say we couldn't afford any festivities. My gaze drifted to the table beside Mom's bed, where I noticed something peculiar. It was a small plate with what appeared to be a piece of bread on it. Curious, I approached the table and examined it. There was a letter accompanying the plate, written by Selene.

Given her lack of formal education, her writing wasn't the best, and her grammar left much to be desired. Nevertheless, I could make out the message.

The note said, "Eat this, sister. It's called cake, and it's good."

As I savored the cake, its deliciousness overwhelmed me to the point of tears. It was a taste unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. Sure, the cafeteria food was decent, but this was on a whole other level. Even the academy's fare, which we received for free as top-ten students, couldn't compare. I could only imagine how much this cake must have cost. Where had Selene managed to find it?

Pushing aside my curiosity, I returned to my seat beside my mother's bed. Gently, I took her hand in mine and pressed it against my forehead. "Mother," I murmured, seeking strength from her touch, "Please give me the strength to endure..."