episode_0002

The nobility of the empire is divided into two major factions.

The conservative faction that desires to maintain the status quo and the reformist faction that believes change is necessary.

The ones who incited this civil war were the radical reformists within the reformist faction.

I wished such a thing had not happened. I am sorry for the future, but if it had to happen, I wish it had happened later.

Only now have I found happiness.

Only now have I begun to live a proper life.

Perhaps this is God’s way of punishing me. It’s because I seek happiness without paying the proper price.

In my heart, I want to turn away from this civil war and live happily with Luna, but…

That’s not possible.

I am no longer just a vagabond; I am Duke David’s heir.

I have a duty to protect Yeong Ji-min and a responsibility to safeguard my family.

Furthermore, if I were to turn away from this civil war, I could not stand proudly before Luna.

If this is the atonement I must make, then I will fulfill it and return.

With these thoughts in mind, I led the army and stood on the battlefield.

[Albert, be careful.]

I carefully kept the paper containing Luna’s worries folded in my pocket.

It was like a kind of talisman. People carry around photos taken together, but unfortunately, we didn’t have such a thing.

After this civil war ends, there is one more thing I want to do.

When I return, let’s take a photo together.

We’ll print it out really big and hang it in the room.

So, I cannot die. I will quell this civil war and stand proudly before her.

That’s what I thought, but I did not think the war would end so easily.

The concept of dates had already disappeared, and days hoping for safety continued endlessly.

The smell of blood and burning filled the air, and the constant stench of decaying bodies wafted through.

I couldn’t sleep easily due to the screams of dying soldiers when I lay down to rest.

But I endured. No, I had to endure. Once this war ends, I can continue a happy life with Luna.

[Albert, be careful.]

Holding the torn paper close to my chest due to being unfolded too many times, I closed my eyes today, grateful for another safe day.

How many more days passed since then?

The war had been going on for quite some time.

Finally, there was a glimmer of hope in this damn war.

“My lord! Reinforcements are coming from the Ifrit Duchy!”

“The Imperial Knights are coming from the capital!”

Given that the front line was already being pushed back, it was a welcome sound to hear.

Now, we just had to hold out until the reinforcements arrived.

From then on, we focused on enduring rather than gaining ground in the battle.

Of course, that wasn’t easy either. We were facing the largest number of enemy forces across all battlefields.

In fact, it was almost miraculous that we had held out this long.

But we had to succeed. We couldn’t afford to stop now when victory was finally in sight.

“Keep the mages here and avoid direct confrontation at all costs.”

“What about this side of the battlefield?”

“We’ll take the cavalry there to pose a threat. We just need to keep them from advancing recklessly.”

The staff and I deliberated on the strategy. It took hours, and sometimes we stayed up all night.

This was all I could do, so I had to give it my best.

Whether it was my efforts paying off or the morale boost from the news of reinforcements arriving.

We managed to minimize our losses and hold our ground.

Before long, the reinforcements arrived and completely turned the tide.

The talented individuals gathered by the Empire’s Royal Knights sunk the enemy forces, and the support from other territories proved to be a great help.

Reports of victory came from all directions. Proud shouts echoed, even driving back the retreating enemy forces.

I survived, and the war ended in victory.

There could be no greater joy than this. It truly felt like I had everything in the world.

Everyone cheered together, savoring the joy of victory.

But it was only fleeting.

The end of the war always came with sorrow.

As the sun set and darkness fell, the atmosphere grew somber.

We comforted the fallen. It was the final responsibility of those who survived.

Before returning to the territory, I stood quietly on the battlefield one last time, closing my eyes in silent contemplation.

May peace come to those who have strived for the peace of empire and lineage.

For the first time in my life, I prayed, then quietly took a step forward.

My emotions were mixed as I returned to the estate.

Emotions of happiness for the days ahead and sadness for the departed swirled within me.

But was it because I survived? In the end, the prevailing emotion was happiness.

I could finally meet Luna, whom I hadn’t seen in so long.

We took photos, ate together, and even went for a walk with the child that would be born someday.

I envisioned a happy future in my mind.

Of course, I won’t forget those who helped me along the way.

It’s because of them that I can stand here.

After taking difficult steps, I began to see the estate below the mountain.

The massive castle at its center, thinking Luna was waiting there made me want to return quickly.

I wonder if she misses me.

I wonder if she’s worried about me.

If she doesn’t greet me with a blank expression when I return, but instead cries or smiles, I might end up crying.

With these thoughts, I took out the carefully folded paper I had kept close to my heart.

A paper filled with worries I received from her for the first time.

I felt immensely grateful to have held on thanks to this paper.

I used to unfold it and hold it close every night before sleeping. What if I can’t break this habit?

She might scold me later.

Just in case, I thought I should keep it safely in a frame and chuckled to myself.

Not long after, we arrived at the estate.

Amidst the cheers of the people filling the streets, we walked forward.

Occasionally, the desperate voices searching for family pained me, but for now, it seemed better to shout for victory.

Those who sacrificed would wish for that. They worked and achieved victory for their families.

Soon, as the official envoy, I announced the victory and headed straight for the castle where Luna awaited.

My heart started to beat loudly as I had waited for this moment.

At this moment, I couldn’t care about anything else.

Thump-thump-.

The tightly closed castle gate opened, and servants appeared from side to side.

Cheers and shouts resounded with applause.

Everyone rejoiced in victory with one heart.

But what I saw was only one person.

A woman standing at the end of the line, looking at me.

Although her husband had brought victory, as always, she stood with an expressionless face.

She was the woman I loved most in the world.

I took the paper that I had kept to tease her and carefully unfolded it, moving forward, closing the distance with Luna.

It was that moment.

Thud-.

A hole was pierced through the paper I held.

More precisely…

An arrow flew through the paper and stuck into my chest.

“Ah, ahh-!”

“My lord!”

The sounds of joy quickly turned into cries and screams.

Even amidst that, my eyes continued to chase after Luna, fearing she might be in danger.

“That scoundrel!”

“There might be more! Search the castle interior! If you find anyone suspicious, apprehend them all!”

Fortunately, the soldiers in the ranks caught the culprit and swiftly executed him.

Perhaps to confirm Luna’s safety.

Cough-!

Blood spurted from my mouth, and my strength drained away, collapsing to the ground.

“My lord! Please hold on tight!”

The healer rushed to me and began treatment. They removed the arrow lodged in me and warmth flowed through my body due to magic.

However, somehow, I knew.

Maybe it was instinct.

Clearly, I would not survive.

As I accepted my death like that.

“Luna….”

Luna dashed through the soldiers and knelt before me.

Trembling hands, a face stained with despair, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The woman who had always been expressionless in front of me showed her first sign of change.

Feeling relieved, I chuckled.

“Why were you so good… until now…”

She vigorously shook her head. Her hair was disheveled and messy, sticking to her cheeks.

I reached out my hand and gently tidied her hair.

“Don’t… worry…”

Whenever I think of her, who suffered because of me, no matter how many times I apologize, it feels endlessly insufficient.

I also regret not treating her better.

I promised to repay all the suffering she went through multiple times, but failing to keep that promise was regrettable.

If only I had noticed her efforts a little sooner, or rather, if I hadn’t been such a good-for-nothing from the start, she wouldn’t have had to endure so much.

I wonder if marrying me was a regret for you.

Just thinking about it felt like my heart was being torn apart.

I resented the fact that God didn’t even give me a chance to reflect and renew myself.

As my vision gradually darkened, I mustered up the last of my strength and opened my mouth.

“Ru, I love…”

I love you. It was a word I had never said to her even once.

She rummaged through her embrace with trembling hands, but dropped whatever she had found.

Thud-.

A fountain pen and a small notebook fell by my head.

She gave up trying to pick them up hastily and nestled into my arms.

The moment we engaged in physical affection for the first time, it was truly regretful that I didn’t even have the strength to move my hands.

As if comforting me in death, a breeze blew in.

Her snowy white hair fluttered, and the notebook flapped.

The notebook was densely filled with writing, as if she had so much to say to me.

Then suddenly, when the wind stopped blowing.

This is what was written in the notebook.

[I love you.]

‘Ah…’

I wanted to say it first.

If there is an afterlife.

Even if I have to wait and wait, if I can meet her again.

Though it’s late, I will definitely say it.

I love you.

* * * * *

“Ugh…”

My eyes opened with a splitting headache.

Breathing in, a strong smell of alcohol wafted in.

When I raised my head to look straight ahead, there was someone who shouldn’t be there.

“Albert, if you are part of David’s group, shouldn’t you do something to help the family?”

It was my father.

My deceased father was sitting across from me, speaking to me.

‘It’s familiar.’

This scene, the words my father was saying, everything remained in my memory.

‘Have I come back?’

By what means?

Why?

Before the confusion in my head could be sorted out, my father opened his mouth again.

Surely, what my father was going to say next was…

“Don’t beat around the bush, get engaged. The second son of the Duke of Iris…”

“Yes, I will.”

My father chuckled at my response.

His expression seemed to say, “What on earth did this kid eat wrong?”

With the victory of the war, I faced death and returned.

Back to before meeting Luna.