Ch.64Lovers, Yet Not Lovers (2)

“Aren’t you going to put on clothes? I don’t know what others will think if you appear in my room like this.”

“I should call Rofena. I need to let her know I’ve returned anyway.”

Although I came back to Irene first, she wasn’t the only one I cared deeply about.

If I had to name someone who was a bit more of a sore spot… it would probably be Rofena.

She resembled my sister, and being somewhat younger, I naturally felt the urge to look after her.

When I said this, Irene frowned with displeasure, glancing at my body before speaking.

“I wonder what Rofena will say when she sees those wounds. I hope she won’t cry.”

“You didn’t cry either, my lady.”

“…When did I ever?”

I watched as Irene turned her head away, pretending not to know.

Since it was rather embarrassing to remain undressed like this, I reluctantly rang the bell to call Rofena.

After ringing the bell that would sound in Rofena’s room, I soon heard hurried footsteps approaching from the distance.

I wondered how Rofena would react when she saw me.

Somehow anticipating her reaction, I was grinning when the door suddenly flung open and Rofena appeared.

Still looking half-asleep, she rubbed her drowsy eyes, glanced briefly at Irene, and then her gaze fell on me.

“…Huh?”

Perhaps thinking what she was seeing was an illusion,

Rofena shook her head slightly, squeezed her eyes shut, and then stared at me intently.

After a long moment, while the ticking of the clock echoed through the quiet room,

Rofena’s eyes met mine in midair.

“Sir Knight…?”

Her eyes now wide with disbelief, Rofena covered her mouth with her hand and stamped her feet.

As if she couldn’t believe it, she began touching my body, and then with tears streaming down her face, she threw her arms around me.

She hugged me tightly, as if afraid to let go, so tightly my back ached. When she finally looked up,

her face was completely wet with tears, which made me smile involuntarily.

“I thought you were dead… How could you leave without saying anything to me…”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to worry too much.”

I had only told Lord Chris, Irene, and Lord Azest before leaving, so I thought she might feel left out.

Perhaps she had cared more than I expected.

After hugging me for a long while, Rofena finally pulled away, sniffling.

“I was really… upset. How could you do that to me? Do you hate me?”

“Of course not. Why would I hate you?”

“But you left without saying anything to me. That means you hate me.”

She seemed so hurt that I had left without a word.

I spent quite some time consoling Rofena as she whined about how much she disliked me.

When I promised I wouldn’t do it again, even linking our pinkies together, she finally seemed reassured and nodded with a gentle smile.

“But what’s with all this blood? How badly were you injured?”

“Just a little injury, that’s all.”

If I told Rofena everything, she might burst into tears again like before.

As I watched her fondly while she examined my bandages with a worried expression,

I suddenly jumped at the cold voice that reached my ears.

“Rofena, you should let go now. You’re hurting Evan.”

“Oh, are you in pain? I’m sorry. I was just so surprised.”

“It doesn’t hurt much. It’s almost healed…”

Smiling in response to the suddenly chilly atmosphere, I met Irene’s narrowed gaze.

Her look seemed to tell me not to say anything more, so I pressed my lips shut.

After a brief silence, Rofena carefully spoke up.

“Um… why did you call for me? To let me know the knight has returned? Should I call Lord Chris too?”

“No, could you bring me some clothes? That’s why I called you. I can’t stay undressed like this.”

“Oh, clothes. I’ll bring them right away. Just wait a moment!”

After Rofena quietly left the room, I cleared my throat in the awkward atmosphere that followed.

I wasn’t foolish enough to misunderstand the look Irene had given me earlier.

I stared at Irene and gave her a bitter smile.

“Did you really think I would do something to Rofena too?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Her brazen response made my mouth fall slightly open.

Where had the person who had just coldly stared at Rofena gone? Irene shrugged nonchalantly and smiled faintly at me.

“What did I do?”

“…Never mind.”

What could I say about this attitude? If anything, I should be happy.

It was a bit strange that Rofena was the object of her jealousy,

but I was relieved she wasn’t openly angry.

Then, noticing the necklace around Irene’s neck, a thought occurred to me that made me chuckle.

Hadn’t she gotten angry when she saw the necklace I gave Rofena for her birthday?

I hadn’t thought much of it then, but if it was for the same reason as now…

“You’re adorable.”

“…Where did that come from?”

“It just occurred to me.”

She seemed to like hearing that, as her face flushed slightly, and I could only smile in response.

#

The moon that had illuminated the sky was setting, and I stared at the dimly brightening sky.

I should probably announce my return to the Duke’s residence soon.

As I was about to head back to my room before encountering other servants,

Irene grabbed my collar and carefully handed me a small piece of cloth.

“This is…”

“It would have disappeared with your clothes this time. Since I told you to always keep it with you, take it back.”

“You know the meaning now, don’t you?”

I asked, remembering how she had given me the handkerchief before without knowing its significance.

Frowning, Irene placed the handkerchief in my hand and calmly replied.

“Think of the meaning yourself.”

“…I understand.”

Think of it myself? Her attitude was somewhat different from before.

The corners of my mouth curled up into a smirk.

I had been concerned about the handkerchief that had burned with my clothes.

As I tucked it into my chest with the thought of being more careful this time, Irene glanced at me briefly before quietly turning away.

Was that all she had to say?

I was still concerned about the dark circles under her eyes and was about to add something, but instead I scratched my head and headed outside.

In the corridor still bathed in the faint light of dawn,

as I slowly walked through the hallway where candlelight mingled with the dim glow, my heart swelled with an inexplicable sentiment.

When I was stabbed in the stomach, or even when I first saw Maloric, I truly thought I was going to die.

It was a feeling I’d had several times already, but I was grateful to be alive.

If it weren’t for the dragon blood I possessed, I would have died long ago.

But at the same time, what inevitably came to mind was the matter of my bloodline.

Dragon blood—why on earth did I possess such a thing?

In “The One with Rose Thorns,” there had never been any mention of dragon blood.

Originally, neither dragons nor Maloric who appeared this time had ever been mentioned.

It seems too insignificant to say that the plot changed because of my existence.

This was the first time I had stopped a major ritual.

Previously, I had only dealt with small groups of black magicians, and their rituals had been minor.

Perhaps Lord Azest Merwin would know. Or if not him, then Count Kasim.

Of course, the most accurate information would come from returning to my family home…

but somehow, whenever I thought of the name Fried, I felt a subtle discomfort.

A feeling close to disgust, as if insects were crawling all over my body.

-He’s changed from someone who was nearly dead just a few days ago.

If what Lord Chris said was true, what had happened to Evan Fried before I possessed him?

With that thought, I remembered a seal I had recovered after fighting the black magicians.

Searching my trouser pocket, I felt the seal I had taken from Berman’s finger after defeating him.

It was so worn that the engraved pattern was unrecognizable, but I had a strong feeling it was related to me.

Could the black magicians and the Fried family be connected?

If Berman, whom I had killed, was truly from the Fried family, what position would that put me in?

With these thoughts making my head increasingly complicated,

I turned my steps toward the garden I often visited to clear my mind.

“So you’ve come?”

Seeing a familiar face sitting in a corner of the garden,

I couldn’t help but laugh as I slowly walked toward him.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“I sensed your mana nearby. It feels a bit different from before. Have you undergone some change?”

“I’ve just taken a step forward. You could say I’m at the threshold of becoming a master.”

“You monstrous fellow.”

Lord Chris, whose body was drenched in sweat as if he had just been wielding a sword, chuckled.

A few years ago, he had been quite robust, but now his hair had turned completely white, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

He was now seventy, wasn’t he? Considering his age, it wouldn’t be strange if he retired,

yet seeing him still living so diligently made me want to applaud him.

“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard? You’ll damage your joints.”

“Watch your manners. I’m not old enough for you to worry about me. I’m still in my prime.”

“…Have you seen the Duke’s condition?”

When I asked this, Lord Chris nodded and spoke.

“Yes, they say he’s been gradually improving for the past few days. He’ll probably wake up soon. It’s all thanks to you, Evan.”

“It’s thanks to the Duke for enduring so well. It took three days, didn’t it?”

“When someone compliments you, just accept it. Why do you always have to argue?”

Saying this, Lord Chris slapped my back, then smiled slightly before sighing and looking up at the sky.

“…I heard it would take a month. For Count Kasim to create that artifact.”

“That’s right.”

“If the Roman family truly consists of black magicians… you’ll probably be the one fighting the Duke. Or Lord Theolard.”

I nodded slowly at his words,

and Lord Chris turned his gaze toward me and quietly continued.

“If it comes to that, don’t push yourself as hard as you did this time. Always remember that there are many people waiting for you. The lady, Rofena, and… me too.”

Thud. Lord Chris stuck his sword into the ground and slowly spoke.

“We would all be very sad.”

“…That’s too kind.”

Despite my words, the corners of my mouth twitched, so I covered my mouth with my hand as I replied.

It was indeed too kind. The fact that someone like me could receive such concern.

But all of this being my reality made me feel grateful,

and with a sudden surge of emotion, I could only quietly answer while looking at the ground.

“But isn’t it unbecoming for an old man to shed tears?”

“You sure know how to ruin the mood. Go back to your room and get some sleep.”

“Don’t be angry. I’m now treated as a hero by His Highness the Crown Prince.”

I said this to break the solemn atmosphere, and Lord Chris, frowning deeply, poked my side with his scabbard.

After a while, I burst into laughter first, followed by Lord Chris who also began to laugh heartily.

Wouldn’t it be nice if this moment, this happiness, could last a little longer?

After laughing for a while, I looked up to see the sun slowly rising.

“…Let’s go eat.”

As it happened, I was quite hungry.

#

For three days, I had been skipping meals.

What I realized again was that I ate more than I thought.

How could a person eat such a large amount? Rofena’s eyes widened at the sight that immediately put an end to such questions.

“Um… you’ll choke. Please eat slowly.”

“I am eating slowly.”

I replied while holding the bone of a nicely roasted lamb,

and I noticed even Lord Chris beside me looking at me as if disgusted.

But what could I do? After starving for three days, eating like this was only natural.

It was also a necessary choice to recover the mana that had been completely depleted.

The meat of the lamb ribs, which tore apart when held, was incredibly moist.

After aging for several days, even the gamey smell had disappeared, leaving only the aroma of pepper and the mellow scent of butter that gently enveloped it.

The texture of the meat that melted as soon as it touched my mouth was exquisite,

yet it still retained enough chewiness to add to the pleasure of eating.

But I soon stopped eating.

Partly because I was starting to feel full, but also because of a familiar presence approaching from afar.

Probably Irene—I slowly turned my head toward the sound, and as the dining room door opened, Irene appeared.

“Here you are.”

With her gaze fixed solely on me, not anyone else, she approached and spoke.

In her hand was a letter, quite an elegant paper with the imperial emblem stamped in the center.

It must be from the Crown Prince. As I listened to what she was saying,

what came from her lips was not much different from what I had expected.

“The Crown Prince has sent a letter. Not to you directly, but officially to Yuris. It seems he wants to officially commend what you’ve done.”

“Is that so?”

I had thought he would summon me to the imperial palace soon, but this was faster than expected.

Had the disposal of the black magicians’ bodies been completed so quickly?

Perhaps he intended to use this to warn the other five great families.

Since this was the first time black magicians had been eliminated on such a large scale, using it as a warning might be somewhat effective.

“It says he will hold a banquet where the Crown Prince himself will attend to honor your achievements and celebrate them… So, are you planning to go?”

“Of course I must go. Since His Highness is calling, I need to go, especially for the next Roman suppression.”

As if she knew I would answer this way, Irene nodded readily and added.

“I’m going too.”

“…What?”

“I spoke to the Crown Prince. I told him I was worried about sending you alone because your physical condition isn’t good, and asked if I could go with you. And like this.”

Irene took out another letter from inside her garment and spoke with a faint smile.

“I got permission.”

Barely swallowing a sigh that was about to escape, I just stared at Irene who was looking at me with a slight smile.

I felt a moment of disappointment, but the letter fluttering in her hand seemed to speak of Irene’s mood.

So I smiled. If it made her happy, then it was good.

Just thinking that way and smiling pleasantly at her was all I could do.