I Don’t Trust My Twin Sister

“Perhaps the entrance collapsed and the people inside were scattered. It is said that the two people escaped through a different way than the sealed entrance, so if we go in that way, we will be able to check inside.”

“The fact that these people are alive…”

“There is a high probability that Viscount Ajstain is alive, too. I guess those two people were simply people who fell out due to the terrain breaking up inside, and since their safety has been secured, I think we should just listen to their story first.”

I nodded. I thought it would be a good idea to follow the advice of Ian, who had been in more critical and dangerous situations than me. Ian smiled slightly, sent his eight-colored feathers flying, and then twisted his window shut. The carriage ran a little further and eventually stopped. The response was louder than before. Ian got out of the carriage, opened the box, and moved outside. A loud noise outside raised my ears.

Ian planted one of his feet on the step and held out his hand to me. As he got off the carriage with his escort, the surrounding scenery caught his eye.

People’s eyes were focused on us.

“She is from the Ajstain family, right?”

“Isn’t this His Excellency Grand Duke Berdian?”

“Now that I think about it, I think I heard that Viscount Ajstain is also locked up.”

“I heard that you care so much for the Viscountess, but I guess His Excellency Grand Duke Berdian personally moved to help you.”

“So is there hope now?”

“You’ll have to see that to find out.”

While I was responding, I turned my head to the whispers of people listening. Each person had a little bit of anticipation on their face. Are Ian and I a hope for them? A man who appeared to be in charge of this place approached, greeted him, and then quietly opened his mouth.

“The advance party departed in the morning.”

“If it’s the advance team…?”

“The Marquis of Alpensia personally moved to rescue His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Beralt?”

I also narrowed my eyebrows at Ian’s muttering. Oh, you must have been in a hurry. This guy who thought his life was a waste of money crawled inside there. Well, if the crown prince, the most useful toll, dies while accidents are all over, my life won’t be saved either. If the crown prince is not there, everything he has done will come to the surface. From counterfeit money to bombs made from the essence of fire. Ian didn’t mention it because the crown prince was there, but if he disappeared, Beralt would have to bear all the costs. If not by Ian, then by me.

He was a man who valued power more than his life, so being kicked out of that position would have been no different from death. As I clicked his tongue low, the person in charge’s eyes swiveled and focused on me.

“I’m sorry about Viscount Ajstain, my lady.”

“It’s okay.”

I answered with a heavy heart. After delivering a few more simple words of information, the person in charge moved to lead the way to where the two people who had returned alive were located.

As Ian and I followed him, more than a dozen people followed behind us. There were quite a few people riding horses and moving first, but I didn’t have time to pay attention to my surroundings, so I didn’t notice them.

After looking back briefly, I turned my gaze forward again. There was a large tent spread out at the end of the open road. It felt like a temporary tent. As soon as we got there, Ian lifted the gourd in his arms without hesitation. And he just looked at me like he was telling me to come in. He nodded and moved inside.

Even though it was broad daylight, the smell of chemicals from the dark interior stung his nostrils due to the thick fabric. The lighting was not bright, perhaps to ensure the patient’s stability. Ian pointed to a place where he would gently place his hand around my waist and pull me into his arms.

“It’s over there.”

In the direction Ian pointed, I saw two people lying down with their legs and arms wrapped in bandages. As they slowly approached, the person who was taking care of them stood up and bowed.

“Are you here?”

“What is the condition?”

“It wasn’t life-threatening, but there were some bruises and fractures, so those were being treated.”

When I turned my head, I saw a man with his eyes open, and there was a dark light in his eyes. The reflected light spun around. The man looked at Ian and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“You are…”

His voice became so rough that it sounded like his throat was cracking or scratching. Ian looked away from his condition.

“Are you okay?”

“Your Excellency Grand Duke Berdian.”

“And you?”

“This is Count Jaquial…”

It was a name I had heard of before. I knew him as one of the central officials… but seeing him collapsed in such a pitiful manner was unfamiliar to me.

“I saw you once before.”

“I remember.”

Ian nodded his head briefly. Count Zakial laughed weakly and exhaled heavily before frowning. Are his ribs gone? He looked up at the ceiling and opened his mouth very slowly.

“It was hell. The sudden explosion sent people into a state of panic. Each person ran like crazy to an unidentified place to survive. Some people died after stepping on a trap, and others were caught in the explosion.”

He clenched his fists tightly. He thought there was no way there was no one dead, but when he heard it, his heart throbbed. While he was biting his lips, Ian’s hand came up and slowly held my hand. I felt like the buzzing in my ear had subsided a little. He shook his head slightly and focused his attention again on the voice of Count Zakial.

“I was lucky. Fortunately, just being alive like this and being able to talk to people is like a miracle. I just moved to survive in that darkness where there was no sunlight and no light… I wanted to run away from my deepest fear.”

“I understand. Calm down.”

As Ian’s voice gradually became more intense, he pressed Count Jaquial’s shoulder. My rough breathing slowly returned. His eyes looked at Ian.

“Your Excellency Grand Duke Berdian.”

“Say it.”

“Am I a sinner?”

“Why do you think that?”

He closed his eyes tightly.

“I couldn’t save him.”

I felt like I knew who he was without even asking. Count Jacquial let out the words with difficulty, as if sobbing.

“Even though I could have saved His Highness the Crown Prince, I was so scared of my life that I could not arrange a way for him to escape. As I watched His Royal Highness disappear into the darkness, all I wanted to do was run away. I should have followed him and protected him… I couldn’t do that.”

Protecting the crown prince even at the cost of his own life was like a noble mission for the nobles. His sobs grew louder little by little.

“I, I came here in that darkness, abandoning His Highness the Crown Prince. How can I say that I am the master of a family that has sworn allegiance to the Lirus Empire! Grand Duke, I… I am a sinner.”

It was sad to see Count Zakial opening his mouth in a harsh voice, as if he was spitting out his blood. Contrary to his loyalty, I was not interested in the prince’s well-being, but whether the prince died or not, all my attention was focused on his grandfather.

“…Calm down. You are not a sinner. Rather, you are a noble person to us.”

“I… am a nobleman.”

“Let me know.”

Ian took his hand off his shoulder and slowly opened his mouth.

“Tell me what you saw inside and what things are lurking inside.”

The eyes of Count Jaquial, who had been staring blankly at Ian, came alive again. He nodded his head, his mouth clenched in the darkness. Eventually his mouth opened.

* * *

When he finished his last words, it occurred to me that quite a bit of time had passed. Because it was dark, I had no concept of time. I lifted my head and looked around, relieving my sore neck. Then, the man next to me who was quietly listening to our conversation caught my eye.

He was a man with impressive blue eyes that glowed in the dark. Who is it? How long has he been around? As I was looking at him as if observing him, his eyes turned to me. Did I stare too closely? He slightly lowered his head and expressed his apologies. The man shook his head and said it was okay, then he walked towards us.

A fairly tall man walked past me, approached Ian, and grabbed his shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise at his actions. Does he know him?

“Just let him rest. He looks exhausted.”

Ian glanced at the man holding his shoulder and then nodded. Count Jakyal looked at the ceiling with a tired face and slowly closed his eyes. Are you asleep?

As I took a small step back, Ian and the man holding his shoulder approached me. It seems like they know each other… I glanced at the man with my eyes, as if asking Ian who he was. Ian caught my gaze and calmly opened his mouth.

“He’s the captain of the Berdian Principality’s security corps. I told you before. He’s a unique guy.”

“Ah…”

The guardian who lived for 200 years? That person is this guy? As I stared at him, he lightly greeted me. He doesn’t look old enough to make you think he’s lived for two hundred years.

“My name is Neuer Kem. Please call me Neuer.”

At his stiff introduction, I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but he immediately turned his head away. He opened his mouth but was embarrassed and closed his lips tightly. His gaze returned to Ian and was sharp. Ian looked at him and said bluntly.

“I don’t think it would be a bad idea to give Lawrence some time to introduce her name.”

“If you live for about 200 years, everyone seems to be from there.”

“Still, she’s going to be my wife.”

“Hmm.”

Neuer let out a low groan and looked at me again. Do you want me to introduce myself? … He bow down and accepted me. Yes, it was embarrassing, but I couldn’t leave Ian because he had prepared a place for me. He forced a smile and opened his mouth.

“My name is Lawrence Ajstain.”

“Nice to meet you.”

It didn’t look very welcoming. His eyes returned to Ian again. Ian clicked his tongue and looked at Neuer, sighed, and then spoke to me.

“He has very little humanity. Please understand, Lawrence.”

“It’s okay.”

Is everything like that when you turn 200? I think it’s just rude rather than humane, but I also wondered if manners are important after living for about 200 years. His attitude made sense to me, and since that wasn’t the important thing, he brushed it off.

“Anyway, why is this person here…?”

“I said it before, but this guy’s abilities are very useful.”

“Is it worth using?”

“Huh.”

Ian looked at Neuer. He looked at Ian with a slight frown.

“Could you please refrain from saying things that sound like they are referring to a well-made sword?”

“The expression ‘worthy of use’ literally means good ability.”

It means. “Let’s not worry about it.”

“But it’s not good to treat people like objects.”

“He didn’t treat it like an object. He said it was useful.”

“This guy…?”

Hearing his slightly raised voice, he urgently stopped the two people.

“Don’t be like that… First, please explain what your abilities are.”

Fortunately, thanks to my intervention, the two stopped arguing and turned their attention to me. I was embarrassed by the sudden influx of stares, so I forced a smile. Neuer gave a sour expression.

“Clearsight is possible.”

“Clearsight?”

When it comes to clearsight, was it something like seeing things beyond walls or objects? I blinked and Ian nodded his head. Really?

 

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