The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 29

He glanced at the split magic stone he still held in his hand. “There’s another one out there,” he said quietly.

If I get my hands on that one, and absorb the remaining half of its power… I could return to the way I was before, Eaton thought. To the time when his power was so overwhelming he could destroy anything and everything in his path.

“But you’re a good person, Setz,” Eaton said, reaching out to pat her head with a surprisingly gentle smile. Setz looked up at him, a bit flustered, her expression turning slightly pouty.

“But if you leave, who will teach me magic? I don’t know anything yet,” she said, sounding almost like a child asking for reassurance.

“That’s easy,” Eaton replied, taking hold of Setz’s wrist. He lifted her arm toward the open window.

Setz frowned, confused and a bit annoyed. What’s he doing now? But suddenly, her eyes widened as she felt a strange sensation. It was as if a warm force was threading its way through every nerve in her arm, spreading to her chest, and then throughout her entire body. She felt heat rising within her, filling her like a fire burning from the inside out.

Eaton watched Setz stiffen in surprise, then leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper in her ear. “A breeze, a gust, a gentle wind, a storm… you can create any of them.”

“Eaton…?” Setz said, her voice shaky.

“But it’s spring now, isn’t it? The weather is sunny, and the delicate flowers are blooming, with life awakening all around us… A soft, playful breeze is what fits this season,” he continued.

“……”

“Think about it, Setz,” Eaton murmured. “A breeze that lightly caresses your hair, that carries the warmth of the sun’s scent. A breeze that tickles your nose, that makes the butterflies and birds dance… That kind of wind can come from your fingertips.”

Eaton’s voice was like a spell, his words seeping into her mind, smooth and enchanting. Setz closed her eyes tightly, trying to focus on his instructions, recalling memories of when she had felt the wind before.

She thought of the fragrant breeze carrying the scent of cakes as she walked toward the library, of the hem of her dress fluttering as she strolled slowly with Raytan, and of the wind gently tousling Raytan’s dark hair when he sat by the window.

The wind then… felt so nice…

“See?” Eaton said.

“What?” Setz opened her eyes in surprise.

“I told you, you could do it,” Eaton said, smiling.

Before she could fully comprehend what he meant, a warm breeze suddenly blew through the room. It brushed across her face, revealing her forehead, and made her golden hair dance beautifully in the moonlight.

“W-What?!” Setz gasped, turning quickly to look at Eaton.

“But this time, it only worked because I helped you. If you keep practicing like you did today, someday you’ll be able to summon the wind all by yourself,” Eaton said with a gentle smile. “And when I return, if you’ve mastered it, I’ll grant you a reward… Yes, I’ll grant you any wish you desire. By then, I’ll have the power to make that wish come true.”

Eaton’s smile was genuine, yet there was something almost secretive behind it.

Setz stared down at her hand, still in a daze. The warmth she had felt just moments ago was already gone, and no matter how much she turned her hand over, there was no sign of what had just happened. She couldn’t believe it, yet she couldn’t deny it either—not after what she had just seen and felt.

…Eaton was a mysterious person. She didn’t know his real name, nor how old he was, and yet, she didn’t dislike him. Even though he had caused her some trouble, she found his playful jokes and the way he chuckled with that low voice endearing. But now he was leaving, and she didn’t even know who he truly was.

Worry crept into her mind. Given everything she had observed, Eaton was… to put it bluntly… full of secrets. What if he wandered around the palace and got caught while trying to leave?

“Eaton, can’t you stay just a few more days?” Setz asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“Hmm?” Eaton looked at her, slightly surprised.

“The Founding Festival starts the day after tomorrow. All the nobles and royal family members will be gathering at the palace. Security will be incredibly tight during and after the event,” she explained.

“And what do they do when they all gather?” Eaton asked.

“Well, Luna told me that they gather to perform some kind of ritual. I also overheard the maids gossiping about it. They said all the offerings and food used in the ceremony are ridiculously expensive and rare, and they complain that the festival is just an excuse for the nobles to show off their wealth,” Setz said, rolling her eyes a little.

“Hmm… I see,” Eaton murmured thoughtfully.

“They say that if the ritual is done with enough dedication, it’s supposed to impress the gods, and if the gods are pleased, they’ll make it rain gold—gold like the color of my hair. But, well, that’s just a legend. No one’s ever actually seen it happen,” Setz added with a slight smile.

“So, have you ever attended the ritual yourself?” Eaton asked.

“No, people like me aren’t allowed to go to events like that. My mother doesn’t like me attending those kinds of gatherings, and Brother Raytan isn’t welcomed there either… But Lilien and Bern do go,” Setz answered, sounding a bit resigned.

“You don’t need to attend such a foolish event,” Eaton said, his tone sharp.

“Eaton?” Setz looked at him in surprise.

“The Founding Festival of Denhelder wasn’t always this ridiculous display. It was once a simple, modest ceremony. They’re just making fools of themselves now,” Eaton said, disdain seeping into his voice.

“But they say the ritual has to be done to receive the blessings of the gods,” Setz insisted.

“You mean your so-called god, Herais I?” Eaton replied.

“Yes, I think so…” Setz nodded hesitantly.

“No matter how extravagant the ceremony, Herais I will never bring down a rain of gold,” Eaton said with a bitter smile.

“Why not?” Setz asked, confused.

“Because that was originally the work of a different god,” Eaton said.

“A different god?” Setz echoed in confusion.

“But that god no longer blesses Denhelder,” Eaton continued.

“What do you mean?” Setz asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and worry.

“Forever,” Eaton said, his voice flat and final.

“…Then what are we supposed to do?” Setz asked, her voice small and uncertain.

“That’s not the gods’ concern anymore,” Eaton said, shrugging.

He paused for a moment, then his eyes softened as he looked at her. “But don’t be too disappointed. There’s still something you can do. Do you remember that hidden path you always take to sneak into the palace?”

“Yes, I know it,” Setz answered, nodding.

“If you walk a little farther down that path, there’s a hill. Go there,” Eaton instructed.

“Why would I go there?” Setz asked, frowning.

“Bring a loaf of bread and a cup of clean water. Offer them on that hill, and the god might grant you a gift,” Eaton said with a cryptic smile.

Setz gave him a bewildered look, as if he were speaking nonsense. “What kind of crazy talk is that?”

“The god may no longer bless Denhelder, but they still have a soft spot for kids with determination,” Eaton said, laughing softly as he ruffled Setz’s hair once more.

“I guess it’s time for me to go,” Eaton said, stepping up onto the windowsill. Unlike before, when Setz had yanked him into the room by the collar, now he seemed to stand there effortlessly, as if the height meant nothing to him. Somehow, Setz had the distinct feeling that Eaton could leap from that window and land without a scratch.

Setz looked at him, her lips trembling slightly, unsure of what to say. She didn’t want him to leave just yet, even though she barely knew him.

“Eaton…” she began, but the words seemed to catch in her throat.

“Sir, then…,” Setz began, hesitating.

“Brother,” Eaton corrected her.

“Yes, sir… Does that mean we won’t see each other again?” Setz asked, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

“…I said, call me Brother,” Eaton repeated with a sigh. Then he gave her a faint smile, a smile that seemed both warm and distant at the same time.

“Hang in there, until we meet again,” he said.

Before Setz could respond, Eaton effortlessly leaped out of the window. Setz rushed to the windowsill and looked down, but there was nothing—no sign of him anywhere. He had disappeared without a trace.

***

Eaton was truly gone.

Setz went to check his room just in case, but it was empty, stripped of any sign of its owner. She sat at the bare desk, staring blankly out the window for a while before heading off to her lessons. After all, Eaton had been one of the few friends she had made in the palace. Though she had grown closer to Raytan first, her bond with Eaton had also deepened over time, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness mixed with worry at his sudden departure.

He had said he was off to find the other half of the magic stone, but where exactly he had gone remained a mystery. All Setz could do now was hope in her heart that Eaton would come back, just like he said he would—before she grew up and left the palace herself.

And then the Founding Festival began.

True to its reputation as the grandest event in the Denhelder Empire, the scale was immense. The royal family kicked off the festivities with a grand ritual, and numerous competitions and games were held throughout the event.

As Eaton had predicted, the royals and nobles gathered for what seemed like a foolish spectacle. They indulged in extravagant banquets and late-night balls, some even getting romantically involved under the guise of celebration. Luna had casually remarked that “Lady Yerna will be quite busy for a while.”

Bern, Lilien, and their entourage all attended the festival, but Setz and Raytan received no invitation. When she was younger, Setz used to wish she could attend, promising herself that she’d sit quietly without causing a fuss. But now, she didn’t feel the same longing. Raytan, on the other hand, said he wouldn’t go even if invited. When Setz asked if he was at least a little curious, he had replied, “I’d rather hang myself than participate in such a ridiculous charade.” Setz had wisely decided not to press the matter.

For those not invited to the festival, life went on as usual. In other words, Setz and Raytan spent their time in Rize’s quarters, diligently studying. Occasionally, the distant noise from the celebrations would drift in, prompting Raytan to mutter curses about “fools making a mess of things.” One time, Setz, who had dozed off, woke with a start, mistakenly thinking Raytan’s grumbling was directed at her—an embarrassing moment she kept to herself.

Despite visiting Rize’s palace every day, Setz rarely saw her. Rize was clearly preoccupied; the Emperor attended the ball every night, and Rize’s duty was always to stand by his side.

Setz couldn’t help but worry about Rize, who seemed to be struggling under the weight of her responsibilities, looking more and more worn out each day. She wondered if Rize could endure such grueling tasks. However, the palace staff all seemed to agree on one thing: “Lady Rize looks as beautiful as ever today.” Knowing that Rize seemed to be holding up, even if just barely, Setz quietly sighed in relief.

And so, the final day of the Founding Festival arrived.

“That’s it for today,” Raytan said, closing the book with a firm thud as their lesson ended. “Yes,” Setz nodded, gathering up the books scattered across the desk.

As usual, Raytan and Setz left Rize’s palace together. The night had already fallen, and the cold air wrapped around them as they stepped outside.

Setz kept glancing over her shoulder, her eyes darting from side to side as they walked. Raytan watched her curiously, then furrowed his brow slightly.

“Did you forget something?” he asked.

“No, it’s not that…” Setz replied hesitantly.

“Then why do you keep looking around?” Raytan pressed.

Setz hesitated, unsure of how to explain her feelings. She didn’t know how to put it into words, but lying to Raytan wouldn’t work anyway—he’d see right through her. So, she decided to be honest.

“Well, it’s just… today is the last day of the Founding Festival,” Setz said softly.

“And so what?” Raytan asked, not yet grasping her point.

Instead of answering, Setz pointed ahead in the direction of the temple. “They’re about to perform the closing ritual there, aren’t they?”

“You’re curious to see a bunch of fools do a foolish thing, is that it?” Raytan remarked, sounding much like Eaton had.

How do they both say the same things? Setz thought to herself, smiling sheepishly.

Setz quickly tried to explain, “There’s this saying, you know. If you offer a sincere ritual, the gods will be moved and make it rain gold.”

Raytan gave her a look that clearly said he thought she was spouting nonsense.

“Luna told me that the final ritual of this Founding Festival is going to be huge,” Setz continued. “She said that there are a lot of rumors going around that this time, the golden rain might actually happen. I’m just… curious to see if it’s true.”

It wasn’t a lie. Luna really had said that the Emperor was making elaborate preparations for the event, bringing in all sorts of rare items and expensive foods for the ritual. Setz had seen it too—countless wagons laden with goods arriving at the palace throughout the day. She couldn’t help but wonder if this massive ceremony would finally make the legendary golden rain come true.

But Raytan didn’t seem to share her curiosity.

“What does it matter if it rains gold or not? It’s got nothing to do with us,” he said bluntly.

“Uh… yeah, I guess so,” Setz replied, a bit deflated.

“Now, if someone set the place on fire, that would be interesting,” Raytan said with a straight face.

The thought of a fire breaking out among all those gathered royals and nobles made Setz’s eyes go wide. The chaos it would cause in the Denhelder Empire would be unimaginable. Raytan’s ability to say such a thing so casually, with that same indifferent expression, was almost impressive.