Capítulo 822: Chapter 1: A Phone Call

“You said… who?”

“It’s Fisher Benavides…”

Elizabeth pursed her lips, quickly passing by the maid who had collapsed on the ground under the watchful eyes of all the ministers. With two Gold Knights, she jogged towards the outside, leaving the ministers at the dining table glancing at each other but not daring to get up and leave.

…

…

“Get out! All of you, out!”

In the vast corridors of the Golden Palace, Elizabeth soon reached the reception area of the front hall. This was the Golden Palace’s external window where gifts, letters, and the Golden Palace’s contact phone, provided by the citizens, were placed. These affairs were managed by an Outer Court Official appointed by the Emperor. It was rare for anyone to directly call the Golden Palace, so their main duties included receiving feedback letters and gifts from the citizens, which Elizabeth would occasionally look through.

At this moment, all the Outer Court Officials inside stood on either side. On one of the desks, the receiver was still off the hook beside the phone. Elizabeth paused for a moment to catch her breath and yelled for the waiting Outer Court Officials to bow their heads and leave.

As the doors closed, Elizabeth adjusted her breathing and approached the desk, bringing the phone to her ear.

From the other side came a slight “rustling” sound, seemingly of wind and snow, a unique tune of the Northern Realm that Elizabeth’s ears picked up, quickly drowning out the faint breathing of the caller. After a brief pause, Elizabeth tentatively spoke,

“Fisher?”

“…Yeah, I’m here.”

There was a moment of silence on the other side before Fisher’s somewhat weary voice slowly came through, making Elizabeth’s heart race for a moment.

She opened her mouth, understanding Fisher as she did, and quickly sensed something off with his voice. All the things she had wanted to say or ask were momentarily pressed into the depths of her heart. The first thing she ended up saying was,

“What’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick? Where are you now?”

“As expected, I couldn’t hide it from you, Elizabeth. At the southernmost border of the Northern Realm, in a place called the Feudal Kingdom of Sardinia. I’m here, at the Luxiang Castle in the Healing Corruption Church…”

Hearing Fisher mention such a precise and real location, Elizabeth realized he was telling the truth, but rather than feeling the joy of finding Fisher, a deepening sense of unease and urgency grew within her because Fisher’s voice continued to come from the phone,

“I’m indeed not in a good state right now, but it’s not because I’m sick. I’m about to die, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth’s hollow pupils constricted, her body went slack, nearly collapsing to the ground, but fortunately, one of her hands instinctively clung to the desk beside her, preventing her from falling directly, though a distinct collision sound still escaped.

“…Elizabeth?”

“What kind of joke… what kind of joke is this! Fisher Benavides, what exactly happened to you in the Northern Realm?! To avoid me, you’re even willing to throw away your life? What’s wrong with you, tell me…”

On the other end, Fisher let out a light laugh and said,

“It’s nothing. It’s not because of you. It was just a small accident while handling some affairs here. I’ve never felt so close to death before; I’ve tried my best to shake it off, but it’s no use, and I’ve somewhat accepted it… I don’t know why, but I suddenly wanted to give you a call, because of those past things, or maybe just a simple desire to hear your voice?”

Elizabeth’s hand holding the receiver started to show veins, and she closed her eyes before her eyes turned red,

“I… I’m not looking for you… Without my permission, you’re not allowed to die… can’t die… I don’t want to lose you again, Fisher… I’m coming over to the Female Country of Sardinia to find you right now, wait for me there.”

“…Alright, I’ll be here waiting for you. But the journey from Nali to here is long, I’m not sure if I can hold on until you arrive, and you’re now the master of the Golden Palace, traveling to the Northern Realm isn’t that free.”

“They dare to stop me; I decide where I go!”

Fisher on the other end smiled slightly, the sound of wind and snow gradually ceased, and his voice became filled with regret,

“You’re always so domineering, I didn’t mean to stop you, I’m saying, even if you can come here, I’m afraid I might not last till then. So, for now, let’s not hang up first. After leaving Nali, there aren’t many chances to talk like this, I don’t want to waste it.”

“…Alright, I won’t hang up, you speak.”

“Erwin has already been dealt with by me, my previous plans to leave Nali are almost completed. According to my original thoughts, I should return to Nali, make up for the past wrongs I’ve done to you, but now it seems, that hope is quite dim… Back then, in my heart, my determination to be responsible for you for a lifetime wasn’t firm enough. I indeed felt daunted by your dominance and possessiveness…”

Fisher’s voice was unhurried, explaining roughly what he had been doing in the Northern Realm, including breaking ties with the Turand Family, and collaborating with Valentina.

He recalled during the battle with Erwin, those dreams treasured in Fisher’s memories, many were about Elizabeth, so upon reaching this point, his tone slowed considerably, as if reminiscing,