The Elestar: Zero

I looked out the window.

The far side of the mansion had turned into a wide field of white. Snow blanketed everything—soft, quiet, untouched. And right there, in the middle of it all, two girls were playing. They were throwing snow at each other, giggling, falling into the snow, getting up, and doing it all over again—like they had no worries at all.I just stood there, watching.

Then I noticed something.

One of them… was Anna.

[Wait… how'd she get out there so fast? Just a minute ago, she was running down the hallway.]

There was another girl with her. Older, maybe by a few years. A bit taller. She wore a maid's uniform, and her hair was long and neatly braided—one braid over each shoulder.

I don't know how long I stood there, just watching.

They looked... happy. Like the world outside that snowy field didn't exist. Like they were allowed to just be kids.

And for a moment—just a tiny, quiet moment—I wished I could go out there and join them. Throw a snowball. Feel it hit my face. Maybe even laugh, just once.

But I knew better.

[Play? Really? I'm not here to play. I'm not here to laugh. I'm here because my mother died saving me. Because she gave me her whole life, and all I've got left is to make sure that sacrifice means something. I don't get to chase snowflakes. I don't get to fall and laugh and get back up. That's not my story.]

[Play? What kind of play? I didn't come here to play. I came here so my mother's sacrifice wouldn't be in vain… so the life she gave me wouldn't be wasted.]

As I stood there deep in thought, the maid suddenly stopped and looked straight at me. She'd noticed me watching them from the window. Anna, realizing the same, quickly moved behind the maid and tried to hide.

[Great. Now I've ruined their moment. I should've just stayed quiet and kept my head down.]

Feeling a little guilty, I stepped away from the window and sat back down. Not long after, Master returned. Curious, I asked him what he and the Duke had talked about.

"Master, what did the Duke say?"

"Nothing specific. He just asked us to stay here for a while."

"Why? Did he mention what task he wanted from us?""He did. But it's a bit complicated. I told him I'd split it into two parts. The first part… is simply to stay in this house for a while."

"And the second part?"

"I'll tell you when the time is right. For now, we'll live here."

"For how long?"

"Not very long," he said with a heavy tone.

Master Valorant fell silent, lost in memory—probably thinking about the Duke's request.

"Who exactly am I escorting?" he had asked.

"I only have one loved one left now. She lives here with me. Her name is Anna—my granddaughter. It's clear that my days are numbered, so I want you to take her somewhere safe. To the Elven Forest. I want you to protect her for a while, keep her safe until the danger passes. I know the elves trust you. They see you as a hero. They'll never reject your request. And if they won't… then don't reject mine, either."

"When I die, there will be people ready to do anything to take my wealth, power, and political position. They'll come after Anna."

"Because you're leaving everything to her."

"Yes. That's why…" He started coughing violently and couldn't finish his sentence.

Valorant quickly opened the door and called out, "Gustav, come here!"

Gustav rushed in with a tray carrying a towel and a bowl of medicine. He placed it on the bedside cabinet, helped the Duke sit up, and held the towel to his mouth.

Valorant stood quietly nearby, watching. Every time Alaris coughed, the white towel turned red with blood.

Once the coughing subsided, Gustav handed him the medicine, and the Duke drank it. It helped—his breathing calmed, and after a pause, he resumed the conversation.

"Please… don't say no to the dying wish of an old friend," he begged.

"...Alright. I'll do it."

I don't know what else they talked about, but when Master returned, there was something different in his expression. A heaviness, as if something was weighing on his heart.

Gustav entered again.

"Your rooms are being prepared. Suna, come here."

"Yes, Mr. Gustav," said the maid I'd seen earlier from the window.

[So her name is Suna.]

"Please take the young man to his room. We need to speak privately with Mr. Valorant."

"Of course. This way, young sir. I'll escort you to your room," she said kindly.

I picked up my belongings and followed her. As we walked out, I heard Gustav say something to Master.

"Thank you—for agreeing to carry out my master's final wish."

[Final wish? What does he mean? Doesn't the Duke talk to anyone else? I wish I'd heard the rest of their conversation.]

Master and Gustav continued talking behind me.

"Even those sentenced to death are granted final words."

"My lord told me not to let you leave empty-handed. Take this," Gustav said, handing him a small wooden chest.

"Still mixing money into everything, huh, Alaris?" Valorant muttered as he accepted it.

"There's one more thing my master wanted me to tell you."

"What is it?"

"He asked that you take Anna away from here the very day he dies."

"And what about everything else?"

"I'll handle it. I'll use every ounce of strength to make sure nothing goes wrong. Even if it costs me my life."

—

I followed Suna through another part of the mansion. The place still amazed me.

[How many rooms does this place have? These corridors… the rooms inside them! Where exactly is she taking me?]

As I walked behind her, I glanced at her a few times. She seemed calm, graceful, and composed—at least, that's the impression I got.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a room. Suna opened the door.

"Please, young sir, this is your room."

"You can just call me Attu. Being called 'young sir' makes me a little uncomfortable."

"Alright then, Attu. This room is yours," she said as we stepped inside.

The room wasn't bad at all. A single bed, a desk and chair, and a large wardrobe for clothes. As I looked around, Suna gave a polite little cough, as if to say, "Pay attention to me."

"Do you need anything else?"

"I have a question."

"Of course, feel free to ask."

"What's for dinner?"

Suna stared at me for a moment, surprised, but then quickly smiled and answered.

"I'll call you when it's time to eat. Any other questions?"

[Should I ask about Anna? Gustav said she doesn't talk to anyone, but I saw her playing with this girl. For some reason, I'm really curious.]

"Yeah… the girl you were playing with—"

"Duke Alaris' granddaughter. Anna."

"I heard she doesn't talk to anyone."

"Usually, yes. But when she's alone with me, she opens up. Any more questions?"

"No, that's it," I said, placing my things on the bed. But then Suna said something I didn't expect.

"If you'd like… I could formally introduce you to Anna," she offered with a smile.

[Wait, what? Did she just say she could introduce me to Anna? I'm not interested in that—but maybe now she thinks I'm into Anna just because I asked. That's not it at all! How do I explain that? Maybe… I'll just say no.]

"Thanks, but that's not necessary," I replied, cheeks slightly red.

"In that case, I'll take my leave," she said with a smile and stepped out of the room.

Once she was gone, I started unpacking. I had just finished and sat down on the bed when Master Valorant entered the room.

"Master, what's going on?"

"There's something important we need to do," he said, opening the small chest.

"What is this…?"