Episode 69
Jack, irritated, responded to Nocturne, who suddenly grabbed him by the collar.
“What are you talking about? Speak so I can understand.”
“Your eye. It wasn’t a simple accident, was it?”
“…”
“It was the Duke’s doing, wasn’t it? Am I right?”
Nocturne’s eyes burned fiercely. Leonard, who was standing nearby, pulled Nocturne away from Jack and spoke.
“Calm down, Nocturne. I’ll explain everything.”
But Nocturne shoved Leonard aside as well, growling.
“Explain? If you were going to explain, you should’ve done it back when he lost his eye.”
“…”
“You had no intention of telling me until I found out on my own, isn’t that right?”
As Nocturne sneered and accused them, Leonard rubbed his face in frustration. He wasn’t sure how the information had leaked, but it was a troublesome situation.
“It’s not that we didn’t trust you. I just avoided bringing it up so you wouldn’t worry…”
Jack hesitated, gauging Nocturne’s reaction. It wasn’t that he distrusted Nocturne; rather, he hadn’t told him because he didn’t want to burden him.
After all, the Duke of Greenwood was Nocturne’s biological father, and that family was destined to become Nocturne’s domain once he overthrew the Duke. Revealing the Duke’s involvement had naturally become something they avoided discussing. Leonard spoke up.
“This is exactly why we couldn’t tell you.”
“Leonard!”
“Look at yourself even now. The moment it’s about the Duke, you lose control and act on emotions.”
“…”
“You’re usually rational, but the second it involves the Duke, you act like a madman. How were we supposed to tell you?”
“Hey, Leonard, that’s going too far.”
Jack tried to signal Leonard to ease up, but Leonard continued unfazed.
“I don’t know how much you’ve figured out, but cool your head first, and then we’ll talk again.”
“I’m perfectly calm. So explain to me what exactly you’ve been up to behind my back before I found out. Leonard.”
“If you’re so calm, why did you come charging in here like this? You even left Miss Serena behind.”
“…I regret that. James provoked me.”
Nocturne rubbed his face roughly, trying to compose himself, but his anger hadn’t completely subsided. Leonard spoke again.
“James? You mean the one who just became the young Duke of Greenwood?”
“Ah, that useless idiot? The same one who used to relentlessly torment Nocturne until I beat him up?”
Jack chimed in, and Leonard continued.
“Now that you’ve found out, the Duke probably suspects we’re up to something too.”
“Sigh, you’re so carefree. Meanwhile, I’m losing my mind here.”
Nocturne glared at Leonard for a moment, then rubbed his face again as he muttered.
“Go to Miss Serena. I need to clear my head…”
“You’ll be back before the ceremony, right?”
“…”
Nocturne froze at Leonard’s question, then left without answering.
“So that’s a yes,” Jack murmured, watching him leave. Leonard let out a deep sigh.
“Hey, Leonard. That guy’s definitely hiding something. I’m sure the Duke has something on him.”
“He’s not saying anything.”
“Maybe he can’t. Didn’t we start digging into the Duke in the first place because we were worried about Nocturne?”
“Anyway, I should check on Miss Serena.”
Leonard struggled to his feet, then suddenly glared at Jack.
“Why the hell are you wearing something as attention-grabbing as an eyepatch? Artificial eyes are great these days. Are you trying to stand out on purpose?”
“Why are you snapping at me? Ever heard of respecting personal preferences? The artificial ones feel too unnatural. They’re uncomfortable, okay?”
“If only you could shut up. That mouth of yours should’ve been stitched shut instead of losing an eye.”
“Hey! That’s too much! Don’t forget who was tearing up just a while ago!”
Even as Jack shouted and stood up angrily, Leonard left the room without another word. Left alone, Jack cursed under his breath.
“Yeah, I’m everyone’s punching bag, aren’t I?”
After ruffling his hair in frustration, Jack stormed out as well.
***
Azaid stared blankly at the sky. The violet hues of twilight had taken over where the sunset had just been. Nightfall was near.
Lowering his gaze, Azaid stared at the sacrificial fire burning atop the altar. The crackling flames emitted a faint scent of charcoal. Watching the smoke rise, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
‘Rina, see you next time.’
A sigh escaped his lips. Azaid felt irritation well up as he recalled his recent encounter with Benjamin. Thinking about how the man acted overly familiar with Serena made him wish he’d kicked Benjamin’s legs instead of the chair’s.
To be thinking about something like this on a day like today…
He knew he shouldn’t dwell on it, yet the thoughts kept resurfacing. His expression remained tense.
It was strange. Just that morning, he’d been listless and lost in thoughts of his late mother. Now, energy seemed to surge within him.
At that moment, Raffaello approached, having completed preparations for the ritual.
“Your Majesty.”
“Raffaello. You’re here.”
“You seem in better spirits than before.”
“Do I?”
Azaid smiled faintly and shrugged his shoulders. As a bishop, Raphael’s presence at the altar likely stemmed from concern for Azaid.
To ease his worries, Azaid decided to make a lighthearted remark.
“You, on the other hand, seem to be aging more.”
“Well, I am getting older. Who knows? I might soon struggle to even lift a sword.”
“Stop exaggerating.”
“I truly am an old man now, Your Majesty. Training you in swordsmanship is becoming too much for me.”
“Even so, I’ve never met a knight who handles a sword as deftly as you do. You should be proud of that.”
“Sir Leonard or Lady Lily might not appreciate hearing that.”
“That’s why I only say it when we’re alone.”
Azaid chuckled, and Raffaello blinked in surprise.
“You’re laughing.”
“Hm?”
“It’s good to see.”
“….”
“Keep smiling like that. Don’t live as if you’re constantly mourning.”
At Raffaello’s advice, Azaid offered a bitter smile. Raffaello wasn’t just Azaid’s bishop—he had once been a paladin, sworn to protect Mydia, the saint of Pherianus.
The clergy of the Temple of Pherianus often served dual roles as paladins due to the limited number of believers. Raffaello, despite his age, was still a skilled swordsman capable of wielding sword energy.
“I heard a guest will be staying here for the day.”
“Oh, Serena.”
“You call her by name. You must be close.”
Azaid frowned slightly at Raffaello’s observation.
“Yeah. Usually, calling someone by their name means you’re close.”
“Exactly.”
As Raffaello agreed without hesitation, Azaid found himself deep in thought. Vincent’s wife had also referred to Serina as “Rina” in a familiar tone. It hadn’t bothered him then, but hearing Benjamin use the same nickname irritated him immensely.
“Raffaello, when do people typically use nicknames?”
“When they’re very close. For example, family or lovers.”
“Lovers? That’s definitely not it.”
“Pardon?”
“I really should’ve kicked his legs.”
“???”
Raffaello was bewildered by Azaid’s muttered soliloquy. Every year on this memorial day, Azaid had seemed as lifeless as a defeated puppy.
Raffaello often wished Azaid wouldn’t attend the rituals, as revisiting old pain each year felt unnecessary.
But today, he’s truly different.
Raphael suspected that Azaid’s change in demeanor might have something to do with the guest, Serena.
He’d permitted her visit because she was Azaid’s physician and had been highly praised by Leonard. But never had Raphael imagined she might be that child.
The discovery unsettled him. A girl he’d assumed to be just another servant in a noble household had turned out to be an illegitimate child. And now, she had returned as Azaid’s close confidante.
Raphael thought of Medeia’s words from the past:
‘Raffaello, as always, follow your convictions.’
‘But what if my choices lead to mistakes?’
‘Even if they do, everything meant to happen will come to pass. You can’t block out the sky with your hands.’
Indeed, it was impossible to block the sky with one’s hands. Reflecting on how fate had brought the two together again, Raffaello sighed heavily.
What should I do if my choices truly were wrong, Mydia?
The two he’d thought separated forever were reunited. Raffaello didn’t know whether to feel relieved or afraid. If the truth ever came to light and fractured their relationship, it would all be his fault.
Perhaps it would be better to confess now. But his lips wouldn’t move.
Meanwhile, Azaid was still brooding over Benjamin and Serina.
“Are they close? They didn’t seem closer than I am with her…”
“Pardon?”
“What if they are? I’m close too. Should I just call her over?”
“Your Majesty?”
“Ugh, it’s all Jack’s fault. His pointless remarks are giving me a headache.”
Raphael tapped Azaid on the shoulder to bring him back to reality. Azaid turned and asked,
“What do you think?”
“…About what, exactly?”
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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