#24
It’s quite fascinating. Though it feels like it’s been almost 10 years since I last saw him, Persis’s face comes to mind clearly. He was such a beautiful and proper child. Back then, I saw too many of his shortcomings and grew impatient, but those were traits any child would naturally have. Even though I was mentally mature, my actions were incredibly simple due to my young body.
Remembering those times, I couldn’t help but smile. Once I enter school, I’ll be able to see the child, even if from a distance. I was looking forward to it, just a little. Not only that, I might even be able to witness that person and the child standing together.
Just thinking about it briefly made my shoulders rise with excitement.
“Do you miss His Highness that much?”
“Pardon?”
“Your face is just blooming with smiles, blooming indeed.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Of course not.”
He definitely is mocking me. That twisted smile on his face and that head tilted at a 45-degree angle—absolutely perfect. It’s not like I’ve only known Rikin for a day or two.
“So what is it that displeases you this time?”
I crossed my arms and glared at him. Rikin flinched, dropped the mischievous expression from his face, and let out a deep sigh.
“You know, you’re becoming more and more like Kara.”
“That’s wonderful. I wanted to be like her. There’s no one quite like Kara.”
“That’s… well…”
There was no need to continue this conversation with him. I’ve played the game once as he wished, so I could get up first.
“Will you stay for dinner?”
“No. I should head back soon.”
“Ah, yes. I won’t see you off.”
“How cold.”
“Not the first time, is it?”
I walked past him as he spoke with a hint of jest.
“Travel safely.”
After giving my final greeting, there was no reason for me to stay any longer. I stepped outside the room with very light footsteps. I might have been a bit cold to him, but compared to how he always bothers me, this level of coldness seemed acceptable.
As I was walking lightly down the corridor, I saw Kara approaching from the opposite direction. When our eyes met, her face looked truly elegant as she smiled gently. At times like this, I wondered who the real noble was.
“Kara.”
“I see the game is over. How did it go today?”
“I lost.”
“Shall we review the game tonight?”
It seems she can’t tolerate even one defeat. Not wanting to go through another intense review session with Kara, I quickly shook my head. I had things to do today.
“That’s a shame. Playing chess with you, Young Master, was one of my pleasures. Am I getting too old now that you don’t want to play with me?”
She sighed deeply and spoke with regret, making it feel genuine. Though it was clearly an attempt to tease me, I fell for Kara’s acting again today. Even though I know better, I still find myself flustered.
No matter how 10 years had passed, I couldn’t say Kara was old. With not a single wrinkle on her face, yet always making such comments at every opportunity—it was truly maddening for me.
“No, that’s not it. That’s not it at all!”
“Yes, yes. I understand. Why does our Young Master look about to cry again?”
“That’s not it either.”
I don’t think she used to tease me like this before. I don’t understand why, as I get older, I find myself surrounded by people who seem desperate to tease me.
“You should have dinner.”
“Later. I’ll eat when Father returns.”
Hearing the term that would now sound natural no matter where I used it, Kara nodded in understanding. After chatting with her as she teased me a few more times, I made my way to my room.
I had things to do until the Duke returned home. Since that day, the first time I encountered the sword in the garden, dealing with the Duke has become much easier for me. After seeing the demonic sword that could put me in danger, I felt I could push a bit harder.
After asking for the sword, I began making requests to the Duke more comfortably. For whatever reason, the Duke granted my wishes more readily than I expected. Even when I thought something might be too much to ask, everything was made possible when I spoke to the Duke.
These days, I wondered if the Duke might care for me just a tiny bit. Just a little, but there might be a small possibility. If so, that would be a very good thing. Later on, if the Duke tries to use me, I could rely on that affection. Though it seems nearly impossible.
Moving my feet a bit faster, I soon reached my room. Opening the door and entering, I saw the black sword floating in the center of the room.
This was the very sword I had asked the Duke for in my childhood. Thinking about it now, I was quite insolent. Wanting not just any sword, but a demonic one. Even though it was sealed, it was incredibly dangerous and was the Duke’s hidden weapon.
“I’m back.”
“You’re late.”
Hearing the voice from the sword, I couldn’t help but smile.
For some reason, the Duke entrusted this sword to me that day. He attached various conditions, such as only keeping it within the Duke’s mansion and not taking it outside my room. But I could easily comply with those.
I slowly approached and placed my hand on the blade. The sword, which had been emitting an irritable black light, finally calmed down a bit.
“That guy didn’t bother you, did he?”
“Rikin doesn’t bother me.”
“Doesn’t bother you? Your face becomes a mess just hearing he’s coming!”
I’ve told the sword many times that it’s not Rikin’s fault, but it doesn’t listen to me. Not long after properly grasping this sword in my hand, I became able to hear its voice. Perhaps it’s because I’m destined to be a future sacrifice? I was able to converse freely with this sword.
“Let me see your face. I need to check if you’re okay.”
“Can you even see?”
“Haha. Very funny. I can see everything I need to see, even without eyes. You know that, yet you always make such remarks.”
I don’t know why this scolding voice sounds so pleasant to hear. It’s quite strange. I can’t believe this sword would endanger this country. It’s hard to believe. This sword, which worries about me getting hurt, would someday threaten my life. It was a reality I didn’t want to believe, even a little.
“You look okay?”
“You seem fine. But why did that bastard come again? To play that game? Is there no one else to play with? Why does he keep bothering you like this!”
As soon as it confirmed I was okay, the sword yelled loudly and cursed at Rikin. Certainly, I found Rikin’s frequent visits annoying too, but not everything was his fault. Today, at least, there was a reason Rikin came to see me.
“He told me more about that school I mentioned before.”
When I brought up the school, the sword shut its mouth tightly. The sword didn’t want me to go to school. Not only could I not take the sword with me, but because of the dormitory system, I wouldn’t be able to see the sword during my time at school.
While I could at least contact Kara through letters, it was impossible with the sword. To begin with, no one knew I was talking to the sword. Only I could hear the sword’s voice. If I were to tell anyone that I heard the sword’s voice, I would likely be labeled as insane.
“I don’t want you to go.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“But you’re going to go anyway, aren’t you?”
I didn’t give any answer to the sword’s words. Even without saying it aloud, the sword already knew my response.
“Please, Andelion.”
I liked it when the sword called my name. I don’t know why I liked it. It just made me feel like I was living with my two feet on the ground here whenever the sword called my name.
“Don’t cause any trouble. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Yes. I will.”
I smiled as brightly as possible to ease the sword’s concerns.
* * *
The only sound heard in the large dining room was the clinking of utensils against dishes. Neither the Duke nor I were the type to make noise while eating, so dinner time was always quiet. Enough time had passed that what was once an awkward dinner had become familiar.
I glanced at the Duke’s face as he ate silently across from me. I wondered what thoughts lay behind those calm, settled eyes.
The Duke treated me well in his own way. While I couldn’t call him a good father, he allowed me to do what I wanted when I expressed my desires and gave me what I wanted when I asked for it. However, he never took the initiative to provide me with anything.
If I hadn’t played the game, I might have thought he was just a father who struggled to express his love. Lately, I had been gradually moved by his actions. Perhaps he cared for me, even if just a tiny bit, like an ant’s rear end. That would increase my chances of survival. It was a very welcome thought.
“Your admission is coming up soon. How are the preparations going?”
“I’m planning to go out tomorrow to buy necessary items.”
“You could have the servants do that.”
“I wanted to stop by the bookstore while I’m out.”
Since I had stayed indoors after disobeying the Duke’s orders and going to the palace to meet Persis, going outside would be after a very long time. I should have been excited at the thought of seeing the outside world, but I honestly didn’t feel much.
The Duke’s order prohibiting me from going outside had been lifted long ago. It’s just that I hadn’t thought about going out until now. Going out is just going out. I planned to quickly purchase the necessary items and then return.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
