2) Late Bloomer
Overnight, the snow had piled up past knee height. Everything was blanketed in white, so quiet that only the occasional chirp of a bird broke the silence. It was one of the rare, fleeting moments of calm before the blizzards and brutal cold of winter set in. The unique, serene stillness of the snow-covered earth filled the castle.
There was no wind and visibility was clear today, prompting the Crown Prince to issue an order for the expedition team to depart. The knights of the Crown Prince relayed the command to the dukes, who had been tending to the wounded and reorganizing their forces. Just as Seiyad remembered—it was exactly the fourth day since the Ritual of Invocation had been ruined.
The past two days had been quiet throughout the castle. Aster seemed to be in continued meetings with the royal palace, accompanied by Count Landry, while the two dukes focused on regrouping their respective knightly orders. According to Quilly, who had an extensive network, Duchess Vetria had frequently exchanged messengers with her territory, her expression often grim.
That was something Seiyad hadn’t known in the past. Quilly had already died back then, and there had been no one left in the castle to report such things to him. During that time, Seiyad had completely isolated himself from everyone.
“Come to think of it, I ran into Prince Ressas’s knight earlier. Was it Sir Anka? He may be a veteran, but his recovery has been impressive. He’s already able to get out of bed.”
While helping him prepare to leave, Quilly tossed out bits of news like this, finally mentioning Anka. Seiyad’s eyebrow twitched slightly. The mention of Anka seemed far too deliberate.
“And why are you telling me that?”
“Well, since our Grand Duke was the one who saved Sir Anka, I figured you might be curious about his condition.”
“Once a life’s been preserved, the rest isn’t my concern.”
With skilled physicians stationed at the castle, it would’ve been stranger if the man hadn’t recovered. In Tither’s territory, medical professionals were more vital than anywhere else, and multiple were summoned at the onset of winter to prepare for the season-long skirmishes. There were three doctors specializing in trauma alone—he’d recover enough to endure the journey to the capital soon enough.
“No need to say things you don’t mean.”
Quilly fastened Seiyad’s fur cloak and added the unnecessary remark. He should’ve never agreed to the request to let Quilly serve him again just because his probation had ended.
“You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
He meant it as “you’ve got some nerve,” but Quilly answered earnestly.
“Seiyad-nim has always been kind since you were young. There’s nothing to fear.”
“You’re bringing up a time I don’t even remember. Quilly, I’ve killed a lot of people.”
This second chance at life held undeniable significance. He had no intention of repeating the same mistakes, and he wanted to protect what he had once destroyed. But that didn’t mean he aimed to live a carefree or peaceful life, as if nothing had happened. He had committed far too many sins to pretend otherwise.
He still remembered the moment he awakened from his rampage with stark clarity. No matter how much time passed, it would never fade. The stench of blood that had soaked him was carved into his very soul.
“So don’t say things like that carelessly.”
Even as a joke, he could never be a good man. The 24-year-old Seiyad might not have spilled as much blood as the 29-year-old Seiyad, but that didn’t erase the past he had endured.
“Still, it doesn’t hurt to hear something nice once in a while.”
Despite the cold remark, Quilly grinned cheerfully.
“Besides, you seem… different these past few days. I don’t know what happened, but getting to speak with you again like this—it feels like a dream.”
“You’re exaggerating. That’s enough. Leave me—I’m ready.”
Quilly had a knack for lifting moods. Not quite the mindset a Tither should have before a battle, so Seiyad intentionally cut the conversation short.
“When you were little, Your Grace didn’t get embarrassed easily either…”
Quilly trailed after him as he stepped out. Just before leaving the castle, Seiyad gave one instruction to the loyal shadow on his heels.
“Don’t skimp on firewood. Make sure everyone has enough. This winter will be especially harsh.”
Around this time of year, many at the castle were already down with colds. Upon hearing that, Quilly smiled with a twinkle in his green eyes, then bowed deeply in willing compliance.
***
The expedition force wasn’t large. In truth, only a few elite knights aside from Seiyad could even enter the forest, so the rest of the party existed solely to protect the guide—Crown Prince Aster. Ressas was among the guards assigned to Aster. Of Ressas’s knights, only Vine had emerged unscathed, so he too joined the expedition.
“Once again, I thank you all for your dedication. As we discussed, destroying the inner core in the early phase alone would be a major accomplishment. Many Tithers in our group have never even glimpsed the forest’s core. Consider this an experience. Fortunately, since Duke Bridehit has prior experience, he’ll be a fine guide.”
Before they entered, Aster offered words of encouragement to the Dukes, including Seiyad, who had been waiting for purification. At his mention, Duke Bridehit’s expression darkened further.
He was the eldest among the active Tithers and had firsthand experience of destroying the western forest’s core at the age of twenty under the command of the late king. It was due to the success of that mission that his domain, Bridehit, ended up being the smallest among all the others.
“It won’t be easy, Your Highness.”
“I’m aware. Your safety remains the top priority. After discussions with His Majesty, we’ve agreed that even initiating this process holds meaning.”
As he said that, Aster lightly rubbed Duke Bridehit’s shoulder. With the two other Dukes still remaining at their territories—unavoidably separated from their guide—Aster performed a brief purification in their place.
The compatibility between Aster and Bridehit was surprisingly not bad, and with Vetria, he maintained a steady average. Given that his synergy with Seiyad was exceptionally good, it was no wonder the Crown Prince’s position hadn’t been undermined even after Ressas awakened. Of course, there was another crucial reason behind that as well.
Seiyad turned his head just as Bridehit closed his eyes and began receiving the purification. By chance, his gaze locked with Ressas’s. Though he stood far from Aster, clad in armor like the other knights, his exposed face was striking enough to be easily recognized.
Ressas didn’t look away. On the contrary, he watched Seiyad intently, as if silently urging him to make a decision.
“Your only guide should be me.”
The voice that rang in his head was far too serious and resolute for someone so young. Seiyad’s head started to ache again just thinking about what Ressas might be scheming—only to be interrupted by the touch of a hand brushing his cheek.
“My star.”
Before he noticed, Aster had finished the others’ purification and now stood in front of him. When Seiyad flinched and turned toward him, he saw gentle blue eyes smiling as though nothing had happened.
“Forgive me for my recent neglect.”
Aster’s hand softly caressed his cheek. The moment his touch landed, the lingering headache that had plagued Seiyad for days faded away in an instant. His lips twitched at the unexpected relief. Aster’s smile deepened as he observed the reaction. With calm, tender fingers, he brushed back Seiyad’s hair before taking his hand.
His scarred, battered palm—just barely starting to heal—began to mend under Aster’s touch. The energy seeped through his hand, spreading upward to his wrist, healing even the deep lacerations there. The purifying force gently calmed the turbulent waves that had roiled within him. The pain that clung to his entire body vanished.
Sensing the transformation more vividly than anyone, Aster extended his arms and wrapped them around Seiyad’s back. His strong arms pulled Seiyad into a firm embrace. Then, Aster’s lips brushed against his ear. The warmth against his frozen earlobe made Seiyad’s lashes tremble faintly.
“Nothing but the wounds I leave behind may remain with you.”
As that small, crystal-clear whisper reached him, Seiyad’s eyes involuntarily met Ressas’s again. Unlike before, when his expression had been unreadable, his composed face now hardened noticeably. His violet eyes were laced with unmistakable disapproval—irritatingly so.
‘He’s acting like it’s his first time witnessing a purification.’
For a guide to calm a Tither’s energy, physical contact was essential. And Tithers, in turn, were instinctively drawn to the stability offered by their guides. The more they touched, the deeper their connection, and the stronger the purifying effect became. It was common knowledge for anyone in the royal family.
‘…Or maybe it really is his first time.’
Knowing something and seeing it firsthand were different things. Come to think of it, this might be Ressas’s first time participating in such an event. There likely hadn’t been anyone to explain the details of a guide’s role to him.
“Thank you.”
Feeling as if he’d exposed something inappropriate to a child, Seiyad averted his gaze first. When he expressed his gratitude, Aster let out a low chuckle.
“Is that really all it takes?”
Aster’s fingers trailed upward, nearly touching Seiyad’s lips. The fingertip gently brushed the boundary between his cheek and lips. Seiyad allowed it for a moment before raising a hand to grasp Aster’s wrist.
“I’ll think about it after I return.”
He applied a gentle pressure, pushing Aster back. The prince chuckled, twisting his lips into a smile.
“You’re still sulking, aren’t you?”
“I’m too lacking to comprehend Your Highness’s noble intentions.”
“Then I’ll explain it to you in more detail after you return.”
Just for today, Aster withdrew without further insistence. Only after releasing the prince’s wrist did Seiyad notice the atmosphere around them. People were pointedly avoiding eye contact, as if they’d seen something embarrassing. A misunderstanding, it seemed.
In truth, it wasn’t unusual for a Tither, overtaken by instinct, to cling tightly to their guide on the battlefield.
“Return safely, my stars. We’ll be waiting here.”
Aster gave a small wave as a send-off to Seiyad. As he turned to leave, Seiyad’s eyes drifted once more—unintentionally—toward Ressas. The grim expression he’d worn earlier was gone, replaced by his usual composure. He didn’t know why, but something about that brief flash of emotion continued to bother him.
“Let’s head out.”
Staring at the black forest ahead, Bridehit raised his hand to signal the departure. The elite knights, who had been waiting nearby, moved in unison, marching toward the forest with them.
