Karina's Last Days

Chapter 7

The count’s face looked even more terrifying as his bitter eyes hardened, while the countess just looked at Karina blankly.

“Please tell Abelia that I’m sorry for what I did. Also, I’m tired and would like to skip dinner.”

It was clear that Karina wanted them to leave. With some hesitation, the count, countess, and Feldon eventually bowed to her wishes and left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Karina’s stiff expression fell and she buried it into a pillow. I'm not bad... I just finally spoke out the words that I’ve been holding back. That was the truth, but her heart was pounding. I hope Abelia is okay...

She was worried about her younger sister, even though she herself had been throwing up a lot lately. Karina knew from experience that it wouldn’t be a big problem. She desperately clenched her bedsheet until her fist turned white while trying to convince herself that everything was okay. She had never seen Count Leopold look so angry before, nor had she ever talked back to him like that.

She banged her head on the pillow several times, but despite her best efforts, she still could not fall asleep, so she got out of bed as she was still silently contemplating the events that had transpired earlier. In the end, she took some paper, pencils, and tubes of paint to the window and sat with her supplies in the moonlight.

* * *

Karina spread the paper on the floor and, with familiarity, began to draw a line on the white surface. Her hand moved across the paper, leaving thick black lines in its wake—she let her buried frustration guide her. Throughout her life, she had learned how to hide her resentments and pour them into her drawings.

It didn’t take long for the picture to resemble the window that she was sitting in front of. Countless stars adorned the night sky and the moon was peeping at her from among them. She painted the cold night air brushing the tip of her nose and infused the grass with the special scent that only comes out at night. She had even captured the sparsely blurred clouds between the indigo light filling the sky. The drawing was stunning and rich with details, making it hard to believe she had only used one pencil.

It seemed impossible that black lines alone could deliver such an image. Karina was drawing as if her life depended on it, not noticing that she was sweating and her legs were falling asleep. After a while, she let out a long breath and put down the pencil—she had perfectly captured the scenery she saw outside the window in her drawing. The only thing different from reality was the dainty little fairy with butterfly wings that sat on the windowsill looking affectionately at someone invisible under the window.

Karina squeezed a few paint tubes onto a palette and started to add colors to her drawing. In no time, the static black-and-white world was filled with countless sparkling stars and the cascading moonlight from the night sky. Exhausted, she put down her tools and let out a long sigh.

Her dark blue eyes slowly turned golden. At the same time, the fairy also started glowing in a golden light, then smiled and slowly raised her hand. Karina slowly lowered her head toward the small hand that was reaching out to her—it warmed her cheek.

The fairy, who was the same indigo shade as the night sky, came out of the paper and gave Karina a big smile before placing her other hand on Karina’s other cheek.

“Hello, little fairy.”

Karina spoke her greeting with a faint smile and her eyes still filled with golden light. The fairy couldn't speak but she smiled brightly. Born out of its maker’s wishes, the smiling fairy caressed her cheeks over and over again while Karina held it in her hands and gently stroked it back.

Although she knew that her gift was the reason that her health had declined, she couldn’t help but continue to draw to ease the feelings of being trapped and frustrated. Drawing was her life—it was her only way to breathe. It was like a drug. She knew it was ruining her health, but she couldn’t stop doing it. She couldn’t let it go, even if it was going to kill her.

The fairy had disappeared from the drawing, all that remained was the landscape and the night sky. Karina sat on the floor holding her new friend in her arms for a long time until eventually, it vanished into a puff of golden light.

* * *

Abelia quickly recovered thanks to Nocturn, who had rushed to see her despite the late hour. The twins later apologized after hearing about what had happened between Karina and their parents. It wasn't the children's fault, so Karina accepted the apology. In all honesty, she didn’t want the matter to keep coming up.

Finally, tomorrow’s the day! After preparing for a week, Karina was ready for the big day that was to mark the beginning of her journey. She pulled out the tattered fabric bag she had hidden under the bed that was filled with a change of clothes and other necessary things. When she had seen the doctor, he had given her two pill bottles the size of a fist and a side of nagging.

“One bottle per month. You must take one pill every twenty-four hours, got it? Do not walk more than five hours a day and do not take the pills on an empty stomach. Dress properly so you don’t catch a cold.”

“Yes, I got it. Thank you.”

“So, what kind of art do you do that triggers your disease?”

“Drawing. I like to watch things and draw them. Although nobody knows.”

Karina put the medicine at the bottom of her bag. She had also received a note with the precautions she needed to take. The doctor had been considerate to write them down, though his handwriting was awful, in the hopes that she wouldn’t forget. Today was her last day on Count Leopold’s estate.

Tomorrow, for the first time in her life, she was going to begin her journey alone. On a whim, she decided to join her family for dinner without making more excuses not to attend. She once again slipped her bag under the bed and quickly went downstairs.

“Oh my, Lady Karina! Are you dining in the dining hall tonight?” asked the maid.

“Yes.”

“What a relief!”

Smiling brightly, the maid walked ahead of her to open the door. Her family was already seated and about to get started with dinner. Enphric, who always enjoyed family dinners, had also managed to join them. She sat down in her designated seat next to her older brother.

“You’re joining us. So, are you feeling better now?” asked Count Leopold.

“Yes,” Karina replied as they began eating.

Unable to stomach anything heavy, Karina looked with envy at the light food laid in front of Abelia, who was sitting across from her. Directly in front of her, the only kind of food that she could dream to eat was a salad.

“So, it seems it’s Karina’s birthday in two days,” said Count Leopold.

“Yes, I suppose so,” Karina said lightly, blinking as she realized that even she had forgotten her own birthday. Not that she could recall many birthdays that were celebrated without any drama. If Abelia wasn’t sick, Enphric would have his graduation or induction ceremony—there was always something. One time, Feldon had broken his arm the day before Karina's birthday. She could count on one hand the times when her birthday was celebrated on the day it fell, so she stopped keeping track so that she could fully avoid disappointment.

“We were thinking of going to a family picnic. Enphric said he can take the day off. Can we postpone your birthday party by a day or two?” asked Count Leopold.

Karina fell silent. I guess it’s going to be the same as all the others. She wasn't going to have another birthday with them, but it did not mean she wouldn’t like them to recognize and celebrate her birthday.

“As you wish.”

“Karina, let’s go and have fun together. Think of it as your birthday picnic. We will organize a great birthday party for you as well,” said the countess.

“I don't think I’ll be able to attend the picnic. I have matters to attend to.” Karina stopped picking at her food and put the fork down.

“Is the matter so important that you need to miss a family event?” asked the count.

“Yes. I'm sorry. Please have fun without me.” She stood up. “I'd like to excuse myself. I'm done with dinner.”

Enphric watched Karina walk away and also got up. “I'd like to excuse myself as well.”

Count Leopold nodded, puzzled. “Okay, both of you have a good rest.”

It was not uncommon for Karina not to attend family events, so her father didn't ask why she wouldn’t this time. Instead, he just narrowed his brows, thinking that something didn't feel right, but his two oldest children had already left the dining hall.

Karina headed for the stairs, looking to go straight to her room.

“Karina.”

She heard Enphric’s low voice calling from behind.