The king’s brows furrowed at the unexpected defiance. It was something even Seiyad hadn’t anticipated. In the past, Ressas hadn’t been present at this meeting due to Anka’s death and his own severe injuries that had forced him back to the capital. He hadn’t had the chance to go against the king’s orders.
“As both dukes have pointed out, we lack both the readiness and the manpower. Having even one person who can fight is better than none. Weren’t the castles of Solias granted to those who protect this kingdom?”
— What exactly do you plan to do there when you can’t even help Tither!?
The king’s voice rose. Hearing his voice laden with frustration and contempt, something stirred within Seiyad. It was unpleasant—aggravating.
“At the very least, I can serve as a meat shield in a dire moment.”
Ressas’s blunt remark made Duke Bridehit’s face harden. Count Landry, unaccustomed to such sharp-tongued arguments, paled as he glanced around uneasily.
— How dare you spew such nonsense…!
The king’s voice faltered, seemingly caught off guard by the unfiltered expression. Ressas shut his mouth stubbornly, refusing to speak further. It was the fact that it came from Ressas of all people that enraged the king. A loud bang! rang out as he slammed his hand on the table, while Aster simply curled his lips in amusement, watching the king’s fury unfold. If this continued, it was certain that more unpleasant words would be exchanged.
“His Highness Ressas is right.”
Seiyad stepped in, intent on bringing this tiresome meeting to a close. His voice was quiet yet firm, and the room instantly fell silent.
— What did you say, Grand Duke?
“Everyone knows how skilled His Highness Ressas is with the sword. He’s more than capable of pulling his weight, so lend him to this cause. In the name of the North, I’ll guarantee his safety.”
The king wasn’t necessarily wrong. However, Seiyad had reason to earn Ressas’s favor to some extent. Even after saving his knight earlier, he’d only drawn scorn. Supporting him now, when needed, seemed the appropriate course—even if it further irritated Aster.
Besides, he was sick of hearing them hound Ressas. Seiyad had more important things to do.
Just as expected, Aster’s smiling face stiffened coldly. The others, too, looked quite surprised that Seiyad of all people would take Ressas’s side. The king glared at him, eyes wide with disbelief.
— Are you saying I’m wrong, Grand Duke?
“I’m only speaking from the standpoint of the North. To form a survey party while bracing for the longest and harshest winter in the kingdom, we’ll need every person we can get.”
By deliberately pointing out the North’s circumstances, Seiyad met the king’s distorted gaze with calm indifference. The king, looking like he wanted to lash out immediately, flinched before replying.
— You’ll regret that decision.
“I appreciate your generosity.”
The king’s golden eyes blazed with rage at Seiyad’s emotionless tone. Yet perhaps remembering that the topic he had brought up today would naturally provoke the Tithers, the king composed himself and forced a smile.
— …Let’s talk again when you return to the capital. You may all leave now.
The connection was severed. Count Landry let out a small sigh as he retrieved the mirror. Even though the meeting was over, the room remained dead silent. Especially Aster, who sat wordlessly, staring holes into Seiyad. When Seiyad returned the gaze without flinching, Aster finally twisted his lips into a smile.
“How amusing.”
Muttering a vague statement whose meaning was impossible to grasp, he rose from his seat.
“There are many wounded, so we’ll rest for a few days and then head into the forest. In the meantime, contact your territories and sort out the situation. And as for you, Grand Duke…”
Aster’s smile deepened. He looked at Seiyad as if genuinely entertained, then turned his body away.
“That’ll be all for this meeting. Count, come with me.”
Without hesitation, the crown prince departed, and Count Landry hurried after him. Contrary to expectations, he left quietly, leaving his true thoughts unknown. Seiyad’s mind grew heavier. Perhaps because things were unfolding differently from the past he remembered, both Ressas and Aster were behaving in ways unfamiliar to him.
“Grand Duke, have you gone mad or something?”
And it wasn’t just them. Turning his head at the sudden comment, he found Duke Bridehit wearing an amused expression as he spoke.
“You used to not give him the slightest bit of attention, and now this sudden whim to oppose the king—it’s quite puzzling. Don’t you think so, Selfini?”
Duchess Vetria shrugged. Avoiding her blue eyes that studied him with folded arms, Seiyad rose from his seat.
“If you need anything, speak with my steward, Kellaran. I won’t be at the castle.”
“I suppose you’re inspecting the forest. We can lend a hand.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
He cut off Duke Bridehit’s offer without hesitation. As if he’d expected the rejection, the duke let out a deflated chuckle. With his business mostly concluded, Seiyad decided to leave as well. He rose and began to head out of the meeting room, but at that moment, his eyes met Ressas’s.
He had been consciously avoiding that side ever since stepping in to support him—but now that effort crumbled.
Ressas was biting his lip like someone holding something back. Despite having gotten what he wanted, his face was filled with fury. The guess had been right. Even though he’d taken Ressas’s side, Seiyad had a hunch that the prince wouldn’t welcome it.
It was awkward. Painfully so.
His expression hardened, masking himself, and Seiyad turned away from him and walked out. He exited the meeting room and swiftly crossed the corridor filled with cold air. His steps, uncertain of any destination, simply kept moving forward—until his arm was grabbed.
“Stop, Grand Duke.”
His rapidly moving body was caught, and his balance faltered for a moment. The fact that he hadn’t even noticed someone getting this close was itself unthinkable. With heightened alertness, he turned around sharply, yanking his arm back—and was met with a pale face.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
Ressas’s soft hair was disheveled, tousled from running. A storm of emotion swirled in his violet eyes. Most of them were impossible for Seiyad to decipher, but the raging frustration and burning anger buried within were unmistakable—because Seiyad was all too familiar with those emotions.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
Seiyad couldn’t make sense of him. Why was Ressas so furious, so intensely reactive? When Seiyad had trampled and ignored him, Ressas had been excessively composed. Now, in the face of unexpected kindness, he bristled with hostility—and that made no sense.
“Why did you help me?”
As though it were the most absurd thing in the world, Ressas furrowed his graceful brow and pressed on.
“Isn’t it your pleasure to hate and scorn me? Isn’t it your rightful place to stand beside my brother and laugh at me, curse me?”
That accusation, at least, hit its mark. Seiyad was momentarily lost for words. Just as Aster had said, Ressas was the son of his enemy—the bloodline that had brought ruin to his family. It had been his duty to loathe and avoid anyone even remotely connected to the Shildras, Ressas included.
Perhaps the change had come too abruptly.
He’d never acted warmly toward him, but simply not ignoring him must’ve felt like a monumental shift to Ressas. It was only natural that he’d find it suspicious. After all, the behavior of an enemy should always be watched and met with caution. In that sense, Ressas’s response was smart—better this than foolishly accepting it at face value.
Still, Seiyad knew he had to defuse Ressas’s razor-sharp emotions somehow. If this kept up, he’d only end up making Ressas despise him more. The problem was—he had no idea how.
While Seiyad stood there in silence, just staring down at him, Ressas ran a trembling hand through his hair, as if he couldn’t bear it anymore. His pink lips quivered as they parted.
“Did you think that after begging endlessly for your attention and getting nothing, now that you finally toss some my way, I’d come running like before?”
Seiyad blinked. He hadn’t expected those words from Ressas.
“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing now, but it won’t go the way you want. I’m not your fucking plaything.”
Ressas’s words sounded like a vow. His breathing, which had been rough and uneven, gradually steadied. Like always, he slipped back into that composed facade, hiding the shattered-glass glimpse he’d just shown Seiyad. Taking a step back, he distanced himself.
“So go ahead and hate me—like you used to.”
With that warning, Ressas turned his back on him. Without looking back, he walked away down the opposite side of the corridor. Seiyad watched his retreating figure, letting out a low hum under his breath.
Memories long buried until Seiyad’s death at twenty-nine resurfaced completely—because of Ressas.
Yes.
Just as something must have a true form before it can be distorted, there had once been a time when his relationship with Ressas had been soft—gentle, even.
