Episode 173

With a distressed expression, Lloydin gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. But once they had started, the tears wouldn’t stop. Though he was standing right in front of me, my mind kept replaying that heartbreaking, despair-filled moment over and over.

The helplessness and sorrow I’d felt that day were feelings I could never forget.

“My lady…”

His voice, tinged with worry, murmured softly in my ear. I looked up at him, still struggling to hold back my tears, and he continued.

“I’m sorry.”

Why was he apologizing to me?

I was the one who had been powerless to help him back then. So why was he the one saying sorry?

“I… I’m the one who should be sorry. I couldn’t do anything. I was too weak. I’m sorry… hic…”

My thoughts were a tangled mess, so muddled that I wasn’t even sure what I was saying.

“I wanted to save you… Last time, and now too… I should have done something, anything, but I couldn’t. I’m so sorry… I’m sorry…”

Of course, I knew.

I knew that what I saw was only a dream of the future or a memory and not reality. But as I’d said, the despair I’d felt in those visions had been all too real.

And now, looking at him standing right in front of me, those emotions were overwhelming me, surging forth in a wave.

“No, my lady. I’m the one who’s sorry. It’s my fault for causing you sadness by letting you witness such things.”

“Please… don’t say that, Duke. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Why was he apologizing to me? He had done nothing wrong, so why should he feel guilty?

“No, it is my fault. If not for me, you wouldn’t have suffered so much sadness.”

“But…”

Was that really how it was?

Yes, I had wept and grieved over his death in my vision, but that didn’t make it his fault.

I must have cried too much. My mind was so clouded that I couldn’t think rationally anymore.

Suddenly, a soft cough echoed from nearby.

“Erm… excuse me…”

Noah’s slightly hesitant, concerned face came into view as he looked at us.

Oh, right.

I’d completely forgotten Noah was here. In my flood of emotions, I had entirely lost track of the situation and the fact that he was watching everything.

‘Oh no… he saw it all.’

Instantly, my tears dried up, and the reality of the situation came crashing down. I sneaked a sideways glance at Noah. He was watching us in silence, patiently waiting for us to regain our composure.

Thanks to his understanding, my scattered thoughts gradually returned to reality.

Seizing the moment, I hurriedly wiped away the last of my tears.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t just keep letting you both go on like this…” Noah spoke carefully, his gaze shifting between us.

“I understand what you both are feeling. And Ayla, the same goes for you.”

“Ah… yes…”

I nodded awkwardly, trying to respond.

“It’s just… the memories and dreams came back all at once, and I couldn’t help myself.”

“My lady, are you all right?”

“Huh? Yes… yes, I’m fine.” I offered Lloydin a faint smile to reassure him.

“My lady…”

He returned my smile, gently brushing his hand over my cheek, his touch soft and calming.

“Ahem…”

Noah cleared his throat, drawing us back to reality once again.

“What I wanted to say is that neither of you needs to apologize to each other.”

Now that I had regained my composure, I understood the truth in Noah’s words immediately.

As he said, there was no reason for Lloydin and I to feel guilty. What I’d seen had shown a future we still had the chance to change.

Clasping Lloydin’s hand tightly, I nodded in agreement with Noah’s words.

“Yes, he’s right. Isn’t he, Duke?”

“Yes. My lady is absolutely correct.”

“Then shall we discuss what we should do next?” Noah suggested.

“Yes, that would be wise. Do you have a plan in mind?” Lloydin asked, turning to Noah, who then looked at me.

“Yes, we do. Ayla has devised a plan to protect you, Duke.”

“My lady thought of it?”

“Yes. Although Noah thinks it’s too dangerous. I’d like to know what you think, Duke.”

“Very well. Share the plan, and I’ll give my honest opinion.”

“Alright. Here’s what we intend to do…”

I explained the plan to Lloydin exactly as I had shared it with Noah.

When I finished, Lloydin’s reaction mirrored Noah’s.

“Even if the first part of the plan succeeds, the next steps are extremely dangerous.”

The initial plan was to secretly take the sacred sword that the Crown Prince would bring, while the second part involved eliminating the Black Forest’s ruler entirely.

“I thought you’d say that as well, Duke,” Noah agreed, visibly relieved to find an ally in his concern.

“I understand. I know it’s risky, but I believe this is our chance. We might not get an opportunity like this again.”

“But, my lady, the Black Forest ruler’s magical power is immense, far beyond comprehension.”

“I know. But even knowing that, the previous Duke and his forefathers still fought against him.”

“Yes, but they all failed. And the cost of those failures…”

With a bitter expression, Lloydin fell silent, unable to continue.

“Yes, you’re right, Duke. They all failed. But back then, they fought alone. You, too, have been trying to handle this on your own.”

I paused, thinking carefully. Why had Lloydin pursued the ruler of the Black Forest all the way inside, to a place he’d never ventured before?

Most battles had taken place along the forest’s border, ending there. There had been no need to go deeper. Of course, it was true that the ruler, in collusion with the Crown Prince, had lured Lloydin in. But even so, Lloydin wasn’t the type to fall for such provocation.

That left only one conclusion.

Lloydin must have known it was a trap, yet he had followed the ruler deep into the forest to end things, just as his father had before him.

“Am I right? You’re planning to resolve everything in the upcoming battle,” I said, my voice calm but firm.

Lloydin’s face tensed briefly, then returned to its usual stoic expression. For someone as unreadable as he was, that small reaction spoke volumes; I had struck a nerve.

“Is that true, Duke? Were you planning to confront the ruler alone?”

“…Yes, that was my intention.”

“How could you…? You know how dangerous that is.”

“I know. But I thought it was time to end this.”

What exactly did he mean by “end this”?

The end of the ruler? Or… the end of himself?

Why did his words sound like the latter?

‘No. I’m not going to stand by and let this happen.’

I clenched my free hand tightly, steeling my resolve. After a deep breath to steady my emotions, I began to reason with him.

“This time, we can face it together, Duke, so…”

“I do not want to see you in danger,” he interrupted, his tone uncharacteristically resolute.

The man who usually let me finish was now cutting me off, his words firm.

“So I cannot, under any circumstances, allow this plan to proceed.”

“Why? Are you planning to go alone again?”

He couldn’t answer. Lloydin had never lied to me before, so his silence was as good as an admission.

“I don’t want to see you in danger, either. So I’m going to join you, no matter what.”

“My lady,” he said, his expression darkening as he spoke my name.

But despite his hardened expression, I refused to yield.

“You won’t be able to stop me, Duke.”

“My lady… please…”

Even as his voice pleaded with me, I remained unmoved. This time, nothing and no one would stop me.

Because…

“I won’t lose you again, Duke. I won’t stand by and watch you leave my side ever again.”

This time, I was determined—I would protect him, no matter what.