It was deep into the night. Redian, having left the training ground, was heading towards the west building where his quarters were located.
“Come to my room in the evening.”
With the competition just two days away, his mind kept drifting to those words during training, distracting him. He wondered how many times he had missed his mark today because of that. Siani could have no idea.
“Anyway.”
Redian, lost in thought, shook his head. Lately, he found himself laughing or sinking into contemplation like a madman far too often. He considered stopping by to see her face, but…
No. He still had things to do tonight.
He walked slowly through the dark, silent corridor of the west building. However, faint voices could be heard as he passed a room off the dining hall, still lit throughout the night.
“Did you see her acting all high and mighty just because she was born into a good family?”
“Honestly, if Lord Okereman had taken that position, none of this would have happened. Then his son would have been Felicite’s prince by now.”
Inside, young men around Siani’s age, drunk, gathered together. The stench of alcohol seemed to seep through the door.
What a mess. Redian, observing from afar, thought. The world he thought was so grand wasn’t all that different. It wasn’t their world that was grand, but Siani’s.
“But why does the princess keep those Norma around? The underground castle was built by His Grace.”
“My father said that if grandfather hadn’t lost his mind, my uncle would still be roaming the battlefields.”
Redian remembered the face of the man sitting in the middle.
“They say birds of a feather flock together. That’s why the duchy has been cursed since her birth.”
Was it Jeff? The same one who had been talking about Siani.
“A killing machine for Felicite, what nonsense. A person who joined the army as soon as they became an adult, do they even care about their family?”
“Then…”
“My father says there might be some other motive behind the underground castle, something that even relates to why grandfather passed the duke title to my uncle.” Jeff sneered, downing his drink in one gulp. His eyes were glazed over.
“Hasn’t Siani become incredibly vicious since we last saw her?”
“She was always vicious. No matter how much we teased, she wouldn’t bat an eye.”
When someone else brought it up, Jeff responded. They were so drunk they probably didn’t even realize the door had opened, spewing such nonsense.
“It’s just that her atmosphere… Well, she did always have the looks, thanks to her mother.”
“That’s right, but she really is pretty.”
Their laughter was disgustingly mingled.
“Ah, I should have become a Norma and received Siani Felicite’s love.”
“I know, right? Then I could have lived in this shining estate for life.”
Eventually, Redian clenched his jaw. He started to understand the actions and behaviors Siani had shown. Her recklessness, her insistence on solving everything herself, even her habit of biting her lips in frustration.
“Ah, I’ll just go to the bathroom for a sec.”
“Me too.”
Two of the men got up to leave.
“Just do it. But don’t wander outside and attract attention.”
Left alone, Jeff continued to down his drinks.
“…”
Without hesitation, Redian aimed his Astra through the gap in the door, targeting the chandelier to shoot. Bang—!
“W-what’s that?”
Instant darkness enveloped the room following the precise shot. Silence fell beside the sound of the gunshot and the bulb shattering.
“W-what is this! Who are you!”
In the darkness, with the lights out, nothing could be seen. Jeff, pale as a ghost, jumped up. “Who’s there!”
As the door creaked open, Jeff shouted again. But Redian, cloaked in a dark robe and masked, remained unseen.
“Uugh!”
Jeff stumbled and fell to the floor, his legs giving way. Redian looked down upon him, his blue eyes devoid of any emotion.
“Aaah! W-what is this! Ugh!”
Redian slowly poured whiskey mixed with ice over the head of the seated man. Jeff screamed and flailed, unable to see clearly.
“You b*stard, who the hell are you! How dare you! Do you know who I am!”
He groped the floor, looking for a weapon.
“Keugh!”
But it was futile. Redian’s foot pressed down on Jeff’s shoulder, pinning him.
“H-help, someone helps!”
Even though Jeff had learned swordsmanship from a great teacher, his well-trained body was pathetic, flailing uselessly.
“Be quiet.”
“…!”
It was that moment.
“Unless you want to spend the rest of your life unable to utter a word.”
From the darkness, a chillingly cold voice flowed.
“…Uh, ubp!”
“Because of idiots like you babbling all night,” Redian muttered softly, his tone flat and emotionless. “My master can’t get a peaceful night’s sleep.”
If he ensured they couldn’t speak again, Siani could spend these long nights peacefully.
“…”
“…Uubp!”
Redian reloaded his Astra, aiming it at the man beneath his feet. He was tempted to press the muzzle against that forehead, but… Bang!
“Uaargh!”
The bullet grazed Jeff’s neck, falling just short. A bit more, and it could have pierced his throat.
“Gasp, gasp.”
At that moment, Jeff realized how effortlessly the man in front of him manipulated the bullet aimed at the gun. He was paralyzed, knowing any resistance could lead to something unimaginable.
“You should follow the laws of the main mansion.”
Redian echoed the words Siani had said to them earlier. But his voice was much calmer, colder.
“If you misuse that mouth again…”
“You’ll get your wish and spend the rest of your life here on the estate floor.”
Redian lifted his foot from the thoroughly chilled man.
Wrapped in fear, Jeff was nearly unconscious, as if he had seen a demon right before his eyes.
“Uh, ugh.” He seemed to want to scream but was choked, fear swallowing his consciousness.
“…Tsk.” Redian looked down at the man, lost to fear, clicking his tongue. To think someone as insignificant as him dared to speak so freely. Leaving the fallen man behind, Redian jumped out the window.
“…”
The cold wind tousled his long robe. His hood fell back, revealing his silver hair flowing gently. At the same time, Redian’s eyes turned toward where Siani might be sleeping.
“…She must be asleep.”
Redian buried the smell of gunpowder on his body deep within his robe. Siani didn’t need to see such things. Just as she had protected his nights, he would now guard hers. Hopefully, she was dreaming of beautiful things in her sleep.
* * *
“Today’s finally the day.”
It was the day of the monster hunting competition. I woke up feeling resolute and noticed a box placed on the sofa.
My goodness, it arrived just today.
Decorated with a red silk ribbon, it looked like a surprise gift someone had left. It was the sword I had ordered for Redian on the eve of the festival. After waiting for over a month, it had arrived right on time.
“Wow…” I exclaimed in awe as I unwrapped and opened the box.
It really is different. The silver sword, wrapped in red velvet, shone so brightly it was almost frightening to look at. As I carefully lifted the sword,
“Goodness.”
The handle of the sword shrank on its own until it was only as large as a dagger, though its sharp blade remained unchanged. At that time, it became clear that a famous sword made a name for itself, even in the original story.
“Wait a minute.”
Today, in the monster hunting contest, everyone would be using the prescribed weapon, Astra, so there’d be no immediate use for this sword if I gave it to Redian.
Well, then. I grasped the now-small sword tightly in my palm, pondering. My intuition, which has become incredibly sensitive to sudden accidents, whispered to me.
Maybe I should make the first move.
Today, I’ll keep this dagger close to me.
