Chapter 13
I looked up at the tall wall.
Loud noises carried over it to where I stood.
It had taken me a long time to find out where Friane Izanar was.
The master of this house, a devout believer, had invited many priests for a prayer meeting today, and Friane had been assigned to guard them. I only learned that after visiting the temple in the capital.
I waited until no one was passing by, then leapt up onto the wall.
Swinging my leg over was not difficult.
I checked the ground below, then jumped down without hesitation.
Yes, I knew what I was doing was reckless.
But did I really think the gatekeeper would let me in politely?
Not a chance.
And today, I didn’t feel like wasting my breath arguing with gatekeepers.
Four years. I had been patient for four years.
And did they ever thank me? Did they ever apologize?
No.
So I walked quickly through the back garden.
What was one more reason for people to insult me? My life would not change either way.
The voices grew clearer.
The prayer meeting had ended, and now a small tea party was being held.
At the far edge of the garden, away from the crowd, I spotted him immediately.
A man who stood out far too much.
I hid behind the bushes and moved closer.
From behind a bush shaped like a ridiculous peacock, I watched him walk slowly toward me.
As soon as his silver hair came into view, I reached out and grabbed his arm.
His body went rigid, and a cold killing intent rushed out so sharply it made my blood run cold.
But I was already in no mood to back down.
I held on tight, refusing to let go.
The killing intent vanished as quickly as mist.
Now, only a shocked silver-haired knight stood, quietly letting himself be dragged behind the bushes.
I blocked him in between the hedge and me, then greeted him.
“We meet again, Sir Izanar.”
“…I’m glad to see you.”
That was all.
No “Why are you here?” or “What is the meaning of this?” or “How did you get in?”
Just I’m glad to see you.
“…I came because I have something to ask you. But since I slipped in secretly…”
“Yes.”
He nodded gently, without even a flicker of suspicion.
Even his mild, humble voice felt less like kindness and more like cold truth to me now.
I pulled a small glass vial from my cloak.
“Could you give me a drop of your blood?”
I said it just like that, no explanation.
He didn’t hesitate.
He raised his hand, bit his fingertip, and held it out.
“Here.”
I lowered my gaze, catching the faint blood still on his lips, and let the drop fall into the vial.
We waited for a short moment.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“About what’s inside the vial?”
“No. Don’t you ever wonder why you never question things like this? Don’t you find it strange you’re not even curious?”
“That is…”
I almost laughed.
If lightning had struck from a clear sky, I might have burst out laughing loudly.
The vial was boiling hot in my palm, glowing red.
“Baroness, your hand—”
I stared down at my burning hand.
Friane grabbed it, forced my fingers open, and took the vial.
Despite the unbearable heat, he didn’t throw it away. He held on tightly, because I had not let go.
Anger flared in me.
I snatched it back and hurled it to the ground.
Crash!
It shattered.
Golden light burst out once again.
“Congratulations, Sir Izanar.”
“….”
“Your feelings aren’t real. They were created. So you don’t have to worry. One day, you’ll return to your true self.”
“….”
“And here’s my consolation: we could have lived with no connection at all. But now you’re tied to me… in the dirtiest way possible.”
Finding the last one was easier than expected.
Most of his time was spent on official duties.
If you just submitted a proper request, he would meet you.
Soon, I was led into the office of Duke Ishtan Gladinare.
He stood, dressed in black from head to toe.
Black leather gloves, a black cloak, a uniform so dark it was nearly midnight blue, even black boots.
It suited him perfectly, as if he were made from it.
While I stared, he said nothing.
He simply waited for me to speak.
When our eyes finally met, he said,
“Baroness, are you here for the appointment letter?”
No greetings, no small talk.
Just a single, direct question.
And for a moment, I doubted myself.
His gaze was steady.
No strange heat, no uncontrolled impulse.
He was always calm, always formal.
Even though we were of similar age, he spoke with a stiff, cold tone.
Even now, his expression showed nothing.
Could it be…?
Was I wrong?
But no. After two others had already been proven, I couldn’t leave without checking.
Since that night at the banquet, I hadn’t seen him again.
But something—a strange, sharp instinct—had pulled me here.
“…No. Forgive me, I came to confirm something first.”
“What is it? …Sit down, at least.”
He guided me to the sofa, poured tea, then noticed the burns on my palm.
“Your hand. What happened?”
“I burned it.”
“I see. Shall I call for medicine? My adjutant can—”
“No.”
He nodded simply.
For a moment, I thought again—maybe it wasn’t him.
Maybe…
But then, the vial shattered.
And once again, pure golden light spilled out.
All my last hopes crumbled away.
Even after I explained what it meant, the duke barely reacted.
“I see.”
I had thought him unreadable.
But even now, in this moment, his composure was absolute.
“What will you do now, Baroness?”
He even asked me, calm and curious.
“…I haven’t decided yet.”
“Very well.”
And then he moved on as if nothing had happened.
“When your thoughts are in order, I hope we can then speak about the appointment letter.”
Later, I rode the rattling carriage home.
I leaned my head against the wall, blank, until the driver stopped and called out.
I paid him and got out.
Standing before the empty gate of my mansion, I tilted my head up.
The blazing summer sun poured down, heavy and hot.
It was summer.
“…Ha.”
I grabbed my stomach.
My shoulders began to shake.
“Aha… Ahahahaha!”
It was so horribly funny.
I laughed until my chest hurt, until I bent over gasping, one hand pressed to my forehead.
At last, I shut my eyes.
Now I understood.
There is someone.
This wasn’t coincidence.
This wasn’t fate.
This was malice.
Something hidden in fog and shadow had finally shown itself.
Of course it wasn’t chance.
How else could Rohwinas have drunk the love potion in the first place?
Once could be an accident.
But twice, three times…
This was no accident.
This was someone’s will.
Tears streaked my face as I laughed again.
The trembling in my body slowly faded.
“….”
I wiped my face with my palm.
In the end, there was only one answer.
Wherever you are. Whatever you are.
This time, for certain—
I will find you.
I clenched my fist.
The time that had stopped for four years finally began to move again.
At last, I felt the summer sun burning against my skin.
