Chapter 120

“Something feels different about you today.”

“…Hm?”

The next day, while I was on the balcony drinking tea with pancakes, Heros approached.

He narrowed his eyes at me and continued.

“See? Even your voice tone is different. And why are your eyes shifting like that?”

This sharp man…

I cleared my throat and pretended nothing was wrong.

“What’s different?”

“You seem excited about something. Am I right?”

“…That…”

There was no hiding it. Even Agnes had noticed my change, so of course Heros would too.

‘But with Heros…’

I felt guilty saying it out loud to him, unlike with Agnes.

Because he liked me. Because that was why he stayed by my side and protected me.

Through all kinds of hardships, we had faced everything together.

Still… that was all the more reason I needed to be honest.

“I, with Etias…”

“Haa.”

Before I could finish, Heros sighed softly. Then he stepped closer and fixed the crumpled frill around my collar.

“Heros…”

“You don’t have to look so guilty and apologetic when you tell me.”

“But—”

“I was the one who liked you one-sidedly.”

His eyes, so close to mine, made my chest ache.

He wasn’t just a butler. He was my best helper, my family, my friend.

But with my heart so full of Etias, I could never see him as more.

“If I ever wanted something more, I would’ve taken it already.”

He stopped for a moment, lips twisting faintly, as if recalling something.

“…I always knew it would end this way.”

With the morning sun at his back, he shone brightly—his handsome face, broad shoulders, strong build, and the powerful position as leader of the Scavengers.

If this wasn’t the world of Star of Revolution, if I hadn’t read the book, if I hadn’t fallen for Etias…

Maybe I could have liked him.

But that was only imagination.

“Yes. I like Etias.”

I told him clearly, without guilt, as he deserved honesty.

“Last night we confirmed our feelings and became lovers.”

Then I spoke sincerely.

“Heros, you are the most wonderful and precious person to me. But I couldn’t love you as a man. My heart belongs to Etias. I’m sorry.”

“…I knew.”

He gave a lonely smile.

“Each time you refused the chance to break your bond with him, I realized… you were ready to risk your life for him.”

“Heros…”

“Even so, I helped you. Because the way you shined when fighting for him—I loved that about you. Even if it tore my heart apart.”

I knew well what unreturned love felt like.
I too had hidden my feelings for Etias for so long, even pretending to dislike him.

“I don’t regret it.”

My kind Heros reached out and tucked my stray hair behind my ear.

“I don’t regret the way I loved you.”

“Thank you.”

That was all I could say.

“You don’t need to thank me. Well… I never did get the chance to be crushed under your love, as I had wished.”

Suddenly, my eyes filled with tears.

Standing tall, Heros looked at me with that lonely smile.

“I promised to protect you until the end.”

“Heros…”

I rose from my seat and leaned into him.

I hugged his strong body tightly, pressing my forehead against his chest.

“I’m sorry. From now on…”

I could keep him by my side forever. But then… what about his future?

I didn’t want him to grow old, watching me from afar with that sad look. I wanted him to find new love, to be happy.

“…My lady.”

As if he understood, he gently stroked my hair and whispered kindly:

“Of course. When you marry him, you’ll have to live in the palace.”

“I haven’t planned that far yet…”

“Etias being uneasy about me makes me happy. But if I make you uncomfortable, that’s no good.”

“Heros…”

“But still, just once more.”

My fingertips flinched at his voice.

“May I kiss you?”

Tears slid down my cheeks.

He cupped my damp face and slowly leaned in, pressing his lips softly against my forehead.

My eyebrows trembled, and another tear fell from my chin.

When he pulled back, I was wet with tears, but his face was calm, carrying only that same lonely smile.

“I will stay by your side. Maybe not right at your side like now—but always close enough for you to reach.”

My eyes wavered as I looked at him.

“You… until the very end…”

Unable to hold back anymore, I broke down crying, and he hugged me tightly again.

After walking the tearful Katrin back to her bedroom, Heros returned to his room and unfolded a black outfit he hadn’t worn in a while.

Though he didn’t want to leave, it was time to return to the Scavengers.

‘Those rascals will probably throw a party.’

He frowned slightly at the thought, then smiled faintly.

She had already achieved so much. The allied nations, including Yucubis, had joined the empire. Victory over the West was within reach.

‘But dangers always lurk somewhere.’

He brushed the fingers that had touched her forehead, remembering her.

‘I will always be watching you.’

His words to Katrin were true. She was the first to ever make his heart beat like this. He knew he would never truly let her go—even if she became another man’s woman.

Then, in the distance, he saw horses approaching.

Etias von Clyde, in his white uniform, with guards behind him.

“…Tch.”

Seeing him, Heros’s brows twisted. He realized just how much he hated and envied the man.

He left his room. He had things to say to Etias.

‘Maybe what she gave up for this man…’

Thinking that made him dislike Etias even more.

Outside the mansion, Etias leapt gracefully from his horse in one motion.
His blue cloak swayed, and he brushed his loose black hair aside.

Heros stepped in front of him, eyes firm.

“Such insolence…”

The guards frowned at Heros for not showing respect to the emperor. But Etias raised his hand, stopping them, and spoke.

“It looks like you have something to say.”