Chapter 62
Luwen’s expression darkened momentarily when asked the question, but quickly returned to normal. I thought he was fine now that we were back home. I felt sorry for unnecessarily stirring up memories of that night.
“She said she woke up to the sound of bells and immediately went to look for young master. She was crying alone in the room without its owner.”
That’s why the two of them brought Merin along. I felt sorry, grateful, and touched. I hadn’t known Merin was so loyal that she would come looking for me in such a dangerous situation.
‘I thought she would obviously run away…’
While I wondered why she risked looking for me, I was also happy. If the mansion attack had been real, she might have died. No, for Merin, it was the truth. Yet she disregarded her own life to find me. Because she was worried about me. For me.
‘There are three people who cherish me.’
Three whole people. I always had no one by my side. I was always alone. I thought I liked that peace and tranquility.
But I was wrong. Only by meeting people can you receive such joy and emotion.
I once read that emotional wounds can be healed by others. I had dismissed it as nonsense, thinking wounds too deep couldn’t be recovered. But now, for the first time, I thought that phrase might be true.
“Why did she do something so dangerous… She should have just run away.”
“You know why, don’t you?”
“I do. I’m not that stupid. It’s just, I feel awkward and sorry…”
“For the sake of the young lady, me, and Merin, you need to stay in a safe place, young master.”
“Yes. I will.”
Anyway, there won’t be any danger for a while. Once we find clear evidence that the First Prince was behind the Kans’ actions, and simultaneously uncover evidence of all his illegal activities to expose at once, he won’t be able to avoid falling from power.
‘It might take some time, but I’ve done my part.’
They managed well in the original story, so it should be the same this time. Now I just need to keep an eye on whether war breaks out or not. But that’s years away, so it should be a peaceful time until then.
That’s what I thought. Until I heard a bombshell statement from Luwen two weeks after returning to the mansion.
* * *
“What? Where did you say you want to go?”
Surprised, I asked again, and Luwen repeated word for word, exactly the same.
“I want to complete the knight course at the Academy.”
“You know it’s a boarding school, right?”
“Yes.”
Right. He knows. And yet…
If Luwen wants, I could get him admitted even now through mid-term enrollment. Moreover, now that Luwen has manifested his sword aura, he would pass the practical test in one go. No, they might even beg him to become a graduate.
‘And going to the Academy might be good for him to fall in first love with a classmate. It could be a smooth path to avoid a tragic ending…’
I know. The little kid who always said he’d be by my side can suddenly grow up and declare independence. I don’t know what change of heart led to this decision over the past two weeks.
But…
‘Is this the end of young Luwen? Will he be a cold man when we meet again?’
Of course, such a Luwen would be cool too, but why does the time I have to spend without the child feel so endlessly long? Nothing has changed yet, but I already felt lonely. They say the worst thing in the world is to give and then take away. Maybe it’s because the emptiness feels greater after experiencing the joy of fulfillment.
“When do you want to go?”
“I consulted with Master, and he said he’d like me to start in the advanced class when I turn eighteen. He said there’s more he wants to teach me until then.”
“You consulted with Dedric?”
“Yes.”
“…Why am I only being notified?”
You could have consulted with me.
You could have easily asked for my advice before making such a decision. But without a word to me, you only asked Dedric. Am I not reliable?
“I thought if I discussed it with you, young master, you’d say it’s fine, that you don’t mind.”
“Me?”
“I want to become a knight like Master. If I become that solid and strong, then because of monsters like Honey Grive.”
Luwen paused and looked at my open palm. Tracing the faint scar with his finger, he continued.
“You wouldn’t have gotten scars like this.”
“It’s not your fault, Luwen. The scar will disappear soon anyway.”
“See? You might be fine with it, young master, but I’m not. I need strength and knowledge to protect you in the future. I want to learn a lot. That’s why I want to enroll in the Academy. Please help me, young master.”
If you ask for help like that, how can I refuse? Clever Luwen. I promised to do everything you want, so I’ll grant this too.
…It will be lonely. I’ll miss you. I’m sure I’ll long for you a lot.
“Is it okay if you enroll in spring when you’re eighteen?”
“Will you allow it?”
“You asked. I promised to grant all of Luwen’s requests.”
Luwen hugged me tightly with a bright smile.
“Thank you!”
Hugging when saying thanks. He’s still diligently keeping that up.
It was always a comfortable embrace, but today it felt somewhat bitter. Still, it’s better for Luwen, so I should be happy. I shouldn’t feel this way. Pull yourself together.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“Still. I’ll miss you a lot, young master.”
“Will it be okay to leave me alone? What if I go around causing trouble?”
It was just a joke to lighten my heavy heart, but Luwen suddenly grabbed both my arms and pushed me away. Bewildered by the intense reaction, I just blinked, and Luwen said in a stern tone with a hardened expression.
“Promise me you’ll stay quietly in the mansion.”
“Ouch. My arms.”
“Promise first.”
My tightly held arms ached. Even though I said it hurt, the promise came first. I haven’t been causing so much trouble to warrant such an overreaction, have I? Haven’t I been quietly going between the mansion and the clinic…
Anyway, I needed to calm Luwen down, so I quickly gave him the answer he wanted.
“Alright. I’ll stay put in the mansion except when going to the clinic.”
“Really?”
“If you’re that worried-”
I almost said, don’t go to the Academy. How could I try to stop something beneficial for Luwen’s future? I quickly changed my words.
“Write often.”
“Letters?”
“Yes. What you did, who you became friends with, things like that from your daily life. If you send letters, I’ll reply too.”
“With details about how you’re doing, young master?”
“You want detailed letters?”
“Yes.”
“I can if you want, but my daily life is monotonous, so it might be boring?”
It’s just going between the clinic and the mansion. It’s already the daily life he shared with me, so there shouldn’t be anything particularly curious.
“That’s what’s good.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes.”
Luwen nodded his head, looking very happy, so I just smiled along.
Honestly, I’m not sure if he’ll properly read my letters, which are bound to be boring. He might pay attention at first, but I feel like he’ll lose interest once he adapts to Academy life. Still, I’ll write diligently.
…But I think I’ll be lonely. I missed him even during the short time with the Kans, how will I wait for years?
Though my heart was troubled, I smiled as usual, not wanting to show it.
‘It’s okay. It’s not forever.’
If I wait, he’ll return. Luwen still wants to be my guard. It’s still far from the time when he’ll graduate from that too and leave.
“If you happen to find someone you like later and want to quit, feel free to tell me.”
“Quit what?”
“Being my guard.”
Luwen, who had been blinking slowly, suddenly burst into laughter.
“What nonsense. I’ll protect you for life, young master.”
His confident attitude and smile steadied my wavering heart. For a moment, I wondered if I was being too swayed by Luwen, but then I thought, what does it matter?
‘He’s like a habit to me now.’
It’s natural to have him by my side, to see Luwen when I turn, to hear the child’s footsteps when I move. That was my daily life.
‘Why am I having gloomy thoughts already when there are still three years left?’
Pull yourself together. I can’t keep looking at Luwen with a depressed heart. I should enjoy the next three years. After he returns from the Academy, I’ll regain my daily life, so there’s no problem.
“That’s admirable. I’m in a good mood! Shall we eat out tonight? I’ll buy you whatever you like, Luwen.”
“Really?”
“Yes. What do you want to eat?”
“I want to go to that place we went last time, where we could see the river!”
“Alright. Let’s go right away.”
As I took the lead, Luwen followed. As always, right by my side.
Luwen was still my unchanged daily life, my habit.
