Episode 52

Was there a hole in the cave?

The sound of rain pounded noisily.

The cacophony of pouring water and crackling wood blended together.

Ssshhh…

The sound of steady breathing filled the cave as Evelyn drifted into sleep.

Igon gently wiped her face as if tracing her features, then set the handkerchief down.

The atmosphere in the cave was tense, the air charged with the unspoken presence of the two silent men.

They sat across from each other, not meeting each other’s eyes.

Igon had many questions for both Evelyn and the Crown Prince. However, he kept his mouth shut, fearing it might provoke a rebellion.

Despite this, part of him wondered if they could be replaced. After all, there was the princess and the emperor’s illegitimate child.

Igon preferred the quiet, but Kenneth seemed to think differently.

Kenneth, staring at the flickering flames, finally spoke.

“I’m not expecting thanks, but could you stop looking at me like a criminal?”

“Why should I be grateful to you, Your Highness?”

Ha.

“Who found the lady?”

“…By a narrow margin.”

“And you don’t find that shameful?”

Kenneth stared directly at Igon.

Instead of answering, Igon remained silent.

He felt no shame. It wasn’t incorrect to say it was a narrow margin.

Had he not been distracted by executing the incompetent guards who had been deceived by Listrick’s ploy, he would have found Evelyn first.

“I have a question.”

“Don’t ask.”

Kenneth was taken aback by Igon’s insolence, and Igon was surprised by his own restraint in using formal language.

Formality was the last bastion of his sanity. If he let that go, a physical fight seemed inevitable.

And Igon expected he would win.

He tried to soothe the boiling rage in his chest while holding Evelyn.

Seeing her in Kenneth’s arms in the rain had driven him mad.

Her condition seemed dire, and it took all his self-control to restrain himself.

Kenneth noticed Igon using formal language.

He was aware that they had some connection, though he hadn’t known they were close enough to use first names.

Kenneth glanced between the woman cradled in Igon’s arms and Igon himself, letting out a chuckle.

His laugh had an uncanny ability to irk those around him, and Igon was no exception.

“No matter how I look at it, it’s just funny.”

It was hard to believe, even as he watched.

A duke with such an expression?

Kenneth recalled the peculiar charm of that timid yet curious woman, Evelyn Rodore.

Timid and melancholic, yet full of curiosity.

She had a captivating charm that caught his eye.

The first time he noticed her was because, despite rising from a commoner to the duke’s daughter, she always had a deathly pale face.

In society, she was known as the “colorless and odorless flower, a transient and beautiful doll,” but seeing her in person was different.

When she climbed onto the railing as if about to jump, he was truly shocked.

She claimed it was a misunderstanding, but he wondered if there was no temptation at all.

He remembered her small feet hanging in the air, eyes contemplating seriously.

Since then, he had drawn closer to investigate the reason behind her melancholy and fear.

He watched her reactions by building and provoking relationships.

As she built trust with people, her lethargy broke down easily.

Seeing her smile brought him immense joy.

He still didn’t understand why, but it made him very happy.

This happiness was what drove him to drop everything and come looking for this small woman.

“Mmm…”

Sensing the gaze, Evelyn stirred in Igon’s arms.

Kenneth laughed, seemingly entertained by Evelyn’s movements.

Igon wanted to warn him to stop laughing.

But he kept his mouth shut, fearing Kenneth would latch onto his words and prolong the argument.

Kenneth, feeling Igon’s glare, met his challenging gaze.

His eyes widened in surprise.

“Is this the Igon Rodore I know? Are you sure you’re not an imposter?”

Again, Igon didn’t respond.

Kenneth chuckled.

He wasn’t expecting an answer anyway, so he wasn’t offended.

“It’s hard to believe you care about something.”

Hunts, wars, countless conflicts.

Igon Rodore’s name always came up first in the empire’s significant matters.

As the Crown Prince, Kenneth had known Igon for as long as he had participated in government affairs.

In all that time, he never thought Igon cared for anything.

The impressive achievements Igon amassed at a young age.

A warrior known as a Sword Master, yet in politics, he was as cunning as a seasoned diplomat.

The only variable in the Duke’s life was the lady in front of him.

A girl not of his blood, whom Igon had personally requested to be adopted.

“The Emperor should have seen this…”

Kenneth muttered, shaking his head.

Again, no response came.

Mentioning the Emperor, Igon quietly closed his eyes.

The Crown Prince seemed to have a superficial understanding of the relationship between the Emperor and himself.

Well, it would be strange if he didn’t know.

“Get some sleep.”

With those words, silence fell between them.

Occasionally, Kenneth would glance at Evelyn in Igon’s arms, and each time Igon would raise his arm to block Kenneth’s view.

Evelyn slept soundly, oblivious to the world.

Igon gazed at her face, gently brushing her hair back and stroking her cheek with his fingertips.

It was a restless, noisy night in many ways.

While Kenneth dozed off sitting up, Igon stared into the fire, ensuring it didn’t go out by occasionally tossing in a log.

And at that moment…

The flames flickered in a strange pattern.

It was still early morning, and the rain hadn’t let up.

The gravel on the cave floor began to tremble.

Kenneth got up, sensing the vibration.

“What is this? An earthquake?”

Kenneth wobbled, and Igon smirked.

Standing up, he shook his head and laid Evelyn carefully on the bed, wrapped snugly in the cloak, before checking his weapon.

“It’s a beast.”

‘Rumble…’

He said it as calmly as if discussing the weather, his tone unwavering.

And as if to confirm his words, the sound of a giant beast’s angry breathing echoed through the cave.

A beast?

Kenneth froze for a moment, staring into the dark depths of the cave.

Igon glanced at Kenneth and then back at Evelyn as he picked her up again.

“Do you know how to wield a sword?”

“That’s a rather impertinent question.”

“I’m relieved to see you’re confident.”

Igon looked between the Crown Prince and Evelyn.

“We need to flee outside first.”

“Flee?”

The Crown Prince repeated, as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

The victor of the Beast War, the Sword Master renowned for slaying countless dangerous beasts, was talking about running away?

But Igon, unaffected, held Evelyn in the most comfortable position and sprinted towards the cave’s exit.

Kenneth hurried after him, somewhat bewildered.

“Eve, Eve, wake up.”

As they escaped the cave, Igon whispered into Evelyn’s ear.

Cold raindrops fell on her face, slowly lifting her eyelids.

* * *

When I regained consciousness, I was in Igon’s arms, running.

I felt the ground shake and heard the roar of a massive beast before I could fully comprehend the situation.

“W-What is happening?”

“A beast has awoken.”

A beast?

Why is it here?

We’re inside the city walls.

And we were in a cave.

My groggy mind struggled to process the sudden turn of events.

“It seems it nested in the cave we were in.”

Even while running with me in his arms, Igon’s breath barely wavered.

I found it impressive, even in this chaos.

‘Roar!’

The beast’s tremendous roar echoed through the mountains once more.

I heard Igon swallow dryly.

“Duke!”

A voice called out from nearby.

Turning my head, I saw Kenneth running alongside us.

“We need to split up.”

“……”

Igon’s face showed a hint of hesitation.

He suddenly stopped and set me down on the ground.

“Please take care of her.”

It seemed he intended to act as a decoy alone.

I wanted to say no, to suggest we all run together, but no viable plan came to mind that ensured everyone’s safety.

I couldn’t grab onto him, fearing I’d just be a burden.

I looked up at him with anxious eyes.

As the male protagonist, he wouldn’t die, but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t get hurt.

Biting my lower lip, Igon called out to me.

“Eve.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t trust the Crown Prince too much. If it looks dangerous, run away.”

He spoke seriously.

So, if it gets dangerous, abandon the Crown Prince?

“But…” I started to protest.

“No buts. Just promise me.”

Igon’s intense gaze left no room for argument.

“Okay.”

I finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.

With a nod, Igon turned to Kenneth.

“Protect her.”

Kenneth nodded firmly, and Igon dashed off into the darkness.

“Let’s go.”

Kenneth said, pulling me along.

As we ran, I couldn’t shake the fear and worry for Igon, but I knew he was right. We had to survive.

Kenneth’s grip on my hand was firm and reassuring, guiding me through the pouring rain.