Chapter 118

The wind grew warmer, signaling the approach of summer. The air carried the sweet scent of flowers, but the sticky heat clung to the skin, leaving beads of sweat in its wake.

Costance noticed Cardinal Rahie approaching him.

“How have you been, Costance?”

“Thanks to you, Your Holiness, I have been well.”

“That’s good to hear.”

After exchanging greetings, the two entered the Cardinal’s office. Costance glanced around the interior, which was smaller and more ordinary than he had expected, before taking a seat on the sofa.

“Here’s what you requested.”

Cardinal Rahie handed over a document bearing a significant amount of money. Costance meticulously reviewed the long series of numbers, missing none.

“The process was quite complicated. The fees were substantial as well. But you said it didn’t matter, correct?”

The Cardinal asked as he removed his cumbersome gloves.

“Yes.”

“Half of it has been delivered to the orphanage. The amount listed here is the final sum, which belongs to you. A lot has been deducted, though.”

It was less than a third of the gold stored in the bank. Still, it was enough money to live comfortably for decades.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect any gold to remain.”

Costance murmured.

“Is that so?”

“The Marquis is thorough when it comes to money. He’s not one to overlook even the smallest detail.”

“Yes. In fact, there were several attempts by the Marquis to withdraw funds.”

“But he failed.”

Costance chuckled.

“The account was registered under your name, not the Orsi family. And since he’s no longer your legal father, he couldn’t touch it.”

“This money was left by my grandfather.”

Costance responded immediately to the Cardinal’s remark.

“It wasn’t for me, but to prevent my father from doing anything reckless. That’s why he put it under my name, to make it harder for him to access.”

“My grandfather wasn’t a particularly good person either.”

Costance added, prompting a bitter smile from Cardinal Rahie.

The Cardinal was well aware that the former head of the Orsi family, like the current one, was not a virtuous man. That was why Costance, who had grown up upright, had always been something of a mystery to him.

“Speaking of which, Costance, a letter has arrived for you.”

The Cardinal pulled a crumpled envelope from inside his robe.

“…”

Upon noticing the Orsi family crest, Costance immediately tore open the envelope. The familiar handwriting caught his eye.

‘Costance Orsi.’

The Marquis had included the last name that Costance had left behind.

‘I wanted to say this first: I was wrong.’

His gaze drifted further down.

‘I’ve regretted it every day since I let you go. I know I treated you badly. And Benny Galinne too.’

‘It’s far too late, but I want to apologize. I want to tell you this in person while looking at your face.’

‘If you return to the Orsi family, I’ll give you everything.’

His face remained almost expressionless as he read. With cold eyes, he continued to scan the remaining lines.

‘The Orsi family needs you. And your dreams are here.’

‘Your family too.’

‘You can even have a grand wedding with Benny Galinne here. I hope you’ll return to Toramde, to us. I mean it sincerely.’

‘Please give me the chance to properly apologize to you and Benny Galinne.’

That was the end of the letter.

Carefully folding the paper, Costance tore the envelope into pieces.

“Costance?”

“Where is the trash bin?”

Startled by Costance’s question, the Cardinal turned his head.

“…Over there. What did the letter say?”

“Rubbish.”

“…”

“It was the barking of a dog.”

***

At the Logistics Department of the Fleet Command in Canary.

The scenery of Canary Village, nestled by the sea, was refreshing, but the atmosphere at the command center was anything but.

Since Elvin’s return, the mood in this place had been cold every day. Back at his post, Elvin hadn’t even had time to rest, as he was immediately buried in overdue work.

The sly grin that used to play on his lips had completely disappeared. Even Manager Lance, who understood the situation well, didn’t dare strike up a conversation with him.

“You’re going to collapse at this rate. At least eat a proper lunch.”

During lunch, Manager Lance forcibly dragged Elvin by the arm to the cafeteria. Finn, who had been sitting in one corner, spotted the two and quickly saluted them.

“Manager, Captain. I saved a seat for you.”

“Thanks.”

Forced by Lance to receive a meal, Elvin sat across from Finn. However, his gaze wasn’t on his tray but on the broad back of the person sitting behind Finn.

The striking red hair belonged to someone newly assigned to operations to fill Costance’s vacant position.

Elvin lowered his head.

“…I know your mind is heavy. But if you hold onto it for too long, it’ll only hurt you and those around you, Elvin.”

Manager Lance stirred his stew as he spoke. Elvin pressed his lips tightly together at his words, his trembling lower lip firming up.

“Senior, should I introduce you to someone? She’s a friend of my sister, and she said you’re exactly her type.”

Finn, oblivious to Elvin’s mood, spoke up.

“Yeah, Finn. Introduce Elvin to someone. How about someone older, Elvin? I know a few people…”

“If you prefer older women, my sister’s friend might not be the best fit. In that case, I could introduce you to my friend…”

“No need.”

Elvin cut off Finn and Lance’s chatter with a single stroke.

“I’ll pass. I have no intention of meeting anyone for the time being.”

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere grew heavy. Elvin put down his spoon and opened his mouth.

“Ultimately, I failed to capture Costance and complete the mission… but he’s happy, isn’t he?”

“Elvin.”

“Life in Toramde must have been hell for him, and he even went to the Papal State with the woman he loves. It’s a happy ending. It’s a bit different for me, having failed the mission and lost a friend.”

At Elvin’s words, Finn and Manager Lance exchanged glances.

“So I’ll forget too.”

“…”

“I’ll live diligently. I’ll keep my distance from women and focus on work. It’d be unfair if he were the only one with a happy ending.”

He picked up his spoon again and took a large bite of stew. Finn and Lance, who had been staring blankly, eventually broke into faint smiles.

“Yeah! That’s right! It’d be too unfair if only Costance got a happy ending.”

“Exactly, Manager.”

They, too, began devouring the food on their trays with renewed determination.

***

The area around the Canary National Library was quiet. In contrast, the director’s office inside the library was filled with cheers and confetti.

It was the director’s last day at work. To commemorate the occasion, the librarians and staff celebrated him.

“It’s quite ironic.”

The director gazed at the children laughing beyond the window.

“It’s only on the day I leave that everything feels so peaceful.”

“Does that really matter right now? More importantly, congratulations, Director.”

Finally, Webley handed him a bouquet. Accepting the flowers and embracing her, the director nodded slightly as he looked around at the lively and serene surroundings.

“You’re right. That’s not what matters. I’ve grown attached to this place for so long that I’m just a bit wistful about the peace arriving so late. Once I leave, you’ll all have even greater peace, though.”

His candid words made the staff laugh. Of course, not everyone joined in.

“Who knows how long it’ll last, but I like this peace.”

The missing weapon of destruction. The director still couldn’t forget the events of several weeks ago.

“Everyone feels the same way.”

“Right. I hope the next director here is someone kind and gentle.”

“It’d be hard to find someone with a worse personality than you, Director.”

This time, everyone in the room laughed without exception. Even the director couldn’t help but join in.

“Today, finish your work early, everyone. I’ll take you to a nice restaurant. Let’s splurge a little.”

His words left the staff in disbelief.

“What’s the matter? Don’t want to go?”

“N-no!”

“Will it be expensive?”

“Of course.”

“Wow!”

The loudest cheers and applause yet erupted from the director’s office.

***

Every day, I regretted it.

It was only when the sun began to set that Costance found himself on the road back home. He recalled the letter he had received earlier. Never in his life had he imagined seeing an apology from Marquis Orsi written in words…

The thought alone was so absurd that it made him laugh. He could see through the Marquis’s intentions.

The Orsi family urgently needed a new head of the household, but there was no heir. If things continued as they were, the position would pass to a displeasing relative’s son, and the Marquis was desperate to prevent that.

‘Do you think I’ve lost my mind enough to go back, Father?’

How did I even survive in that place? The scars left on my body are still shameful and humiliating…

Reaching his door, Costance fumbled for his keys with trembling hands. Though the Marquis was no longer part of his life, the trauma he had left behind lingered. A single letter had been enough to unsettle him. The key in his hand kept slipping, refusing to fit into the lock.

“D*mn it.”

A harsh word escaped his lips. Frustrated with the mismatched key and lock, Costance was about to set down the bouquet he held in his other hand.

“Costance!”

The door opened. Sunlight streamed in through the living room window, where the curtains had been drawn back, reaching all the way to him.

Momentarily stunned, he stared at the small woman who appeared before him.

“…Benny.”

“I’ve been waiting for you. You must be hungry?”

The house was filled with the delicious aroma of home-cooked food. Still in a daze, Costance finally realized that Benny had wrapped herself around him.

“I met with Alres and Dr. Rydier earlier and had to explain a bit because I didn’t recognize a famous actor. Oh, is this… a bouquet?”

“…Yes, I wanted to give it to you.”

“It’s so beautiful!”

He placed the large bouquet into Benny’s hands. Her face lit up like a child’s as she admired the flowers, her laughter radiant.

“Thank you. Oh, by the way, the kids said they’re coming over later. The doctors too.”

“I’ll help out as well. I’m not sure if Eugene will like the cookies I made, though.”

Costance wrapped his arms around Benny, who fit perfectly into his embrace.

“He’ll love them. They’re really delicious. I guarantee it.”

The trembling in his hands stopped. Benny held his large hand and gently led Costance into her space.

‘Your dreams are here. Your family too.’

That was wrong.

His dream was beside Benny, and his family was with Benny as well.

Being by her side was Costance’s happiness.

Just as he had torn apart the letter earlier, Costance erased those words from his mind as well.

This was his place.