Finally the winter was over, and it had been two months since Nathan had arrived on the northern islands. In the last few weeks he continued to be Erina's guard and looked for ways to help her, but without much success.
Erina's condition was simply unique, and Nathan did not know what to try that her family had not already tried. Then at the beginning of the fourth week that he had been caring for her, Enarys arrived and said that they had to go somewhere.
Nathan knew from Erina's reaction that the place they were going to was not exactly an amusement park, but Enarys simply said it was necessary and therefore he had no choice but to accompany them.
While riding in the van, separated from Enarys, Nathan realized that where they were going seemed to be more important than he had thought, because the windows of the car were completely black, so much so that nothing could be seen from the inside.
Nathan discreetly looked at Erina next to him, who was sleeping peacefully with her head leaning against the window. The motivation she had had on the first day she had asked Nathan for help was nowhere to be seen and her emotional state had diminished considerably.
It was only a few months before her 18th birthday and time was not helping. It was simply difficult to know when she would get essence and the medications she was taking daily were beginning to be ineffective.
At a certain point the car stopped and Erina opened her eyes sleepily. Seconds later Nathan got out and turned the van around to open the door for her.
"Thank you" Erina said, taking Nathan's hand and getting out of the car.
After closing the door, Nathan looked around and found several people led by a woman dressed in a white robe approaching them.
At the sight of the woman, Erina shivered slightly, but smiled. Then, when the woman reached them she smiled broadly and took Erina warmly by the arms. "Lady Erina, it is a pleasure to have you here again"
"It is also a pleasure president" Erina said with a tender smile.
"I have good news for you. We have made quite a bit of progress in the investigation since we last met" explained the woman rather briskly.
Erina simply stood silently listening to the woman who was completely thrilled with Erina's arrival. Then suddenly the woman looked at Nathan and met his gaze.
"Who is the handsome young man?" asked the woman dubiously.
"He's my guard" explained Erina. "He's been with me for the last month"
Hearing Erina, the woman raised one of her eyebrows in surprise. She studied Nathan with her eyes and smiled. "I see. Let's go in at once, Lady Enarys is waiting for us"
Nathan walked through a rather high-tech facility, following the woman and Erina along with the group of people with whom the woman had arrived.
In the meantime he was observing the various laboratories with dozens of researchers doing all kinds of tasks. 'So this is where they research the essence?'
Enarys had told him that for many years they had been trying to blend essence together with science, and while progress was slow, it was also steady.
'Should I see everything I'm seeing?' Nathan asked himself knowing that what went on in such a facility was completely confidential.
After walking for a few minutes, they came to a room and the woman turned and looked at Nathan. "You can wait here"
Nathan looked at Erina who nodded slightly.
"I understand" Nathan said respectfully entering the room meeting Enarys who was sitting listening to an investigator.
"I'm sorry but I can't allow that" said Enarys with a completely serious tone.
"But lady Enarys, it would be a breakthrough in understanding lady Erina's illness!" the man almost shouted.
Enarys frowned. "No more Augberth, I am grateful for all you have done over the years but this I cannot allow"
The man grimaced unpleasantly and a second later sighed calming himself. "I understand lady Enarys, excuse my disrespectful behavior"
Enarys simply waved her hand. "It's alright, you may go"
The man nodded his head respectfully and walked to the exit passing Nathan without looking at him.
Once the man had left, Nathan looked at Enarys who was massaging his forehead in annoyance.
"Any problems?" asked Nathan.
"Many..." murmured Enarys. "How is she?"
Nathan walked to the couch across from Enarys and sat down relaxedly. "She's fine... but she looked down today"
"Understandable... How do you think they investigate her condition?" asked Enarys. "I really don't like seeing her like this. There's just no other option"
Nathan was silent. He didn't know the procedure for investigating Erina's condition, but he knew from Erina's expression and attitude the last few hours that it wasn't the most pleasant.
"She told me you promised to help her with that" Enarys looked at Nathan as she rested her head on the back of the couch.
"It was a spur of the moment thing... I really don't know what I could do that you guys haven't already done" Nathan explained.
Enarys just snorted and closed her eyes for a couple of seconds. "Yeah..."
Then, she suddenly frowned as she looked at Nathan. "Do you look happy for some reason?"
Nathan put his hand to his mouth, trying to blatantly disguise his smile. "Is that so?"
"What's wrong?" Enarys eyed him suspiciously.
"It's nothing important" Nathan simply coughed lightly.
Enarys looked at him more suspiciously.
"It's just that today is my first payday" Nathan smiled, observing Enarys macabrely.