Chapter 52. The Number Of Times I Need To Beat Him

“By the way, Your Highness. Madam Camilla is in Sebran territory. You’re aware of this, right?”

Theo frowned at Ulysse’s words.

“Will she come to the festival?”

“I hear she rarely leaves her mansion these days. Still, you might run into her.”

“It’s fine. I can take another slap to the face.”

Theo stood up and took out a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet.

“Though it would be better not to meet her.”

The last time Theo met her, she had struck his cheek forcefully while screaming.

Camilla Haines.

She was Theo’s paternal grandmother.

* * *

After packing his belongings, Asarim sat on the bed and looked out the window.

Every time the wind-blown branches tapped against the window, his heart strangely ached.

The guest room in the Black Mansion where Asarim had been staying was cozy and warm.

The plush mattress that could easily accommodate three people and the soft carpet.

Even the table and chairs for having tea seemed extraordinary.

Even the smallest decorations in the Black Mansion all belonged to Theo.

No, come to think of it, not just the Black Mansion but this entire vast Phaenyx Principality belonged to that man.

Asarim suddenly realized just how large the principality was.

While Asarim had been protecting the village with warriors on Luhae Island, Theo must have been working to protect and develop this huge principality.

Asarim brushed his chocolate-colored hair upward and made a cold expression.

He wasn’t envious of anything Theo had.

If anything, he felt sorry for Theo for having so much.

Asarim knew well that having many possessions meant having to work tremendously hard to protect them.

That had been his unchanging mindset until he saw Yuelina’s disappointed face.

Now it was different.

Everything Theo owned kept catching his eye.

Asarim still couldn’t shake off the cold gaze Yuelina had given him.

It was painful.

He was scared and even terrified of being rejected by Yuelina.

Because of the Grand Duke.

Yuelina’s harsh treatment of him was all because of that bastard.

That man who had everything in abundance was now coveting Yuelina too.

“Asarim.”

Just then, there was a knock and Yuelina entered.

Asarim stood up and strode over to her.

“Did you sleep well?”

“…Yes.”

Yuelina used the common language even though she was alone with Asarim.

Though bitter, Asarim didn’t show it as he sat down at the table with Yuelina.

“You look beautiful today too.”

He smiled brightly while looking at her.

Yuelina was beautiful in the sky-blue suede dress that came up to her neck.

The small hair ornament made of sky-blue mesh matched well too.

Yuelina tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled awkwardly.

“Did you pack everything?”

“Yes.”

Asarim looked at the bundle of letters in Yuelina’s small hands.

At a glance, it looked about as thick as a book.

“Are those all letters?”

“Yes. I wrote letters every day since I first came here.”

When she smiled shyly, Asarim’s lips curved up in response.

Yuelina’s smile had that kind of power.

No matter how much his heart ached or how complicated things were, everything felt alright when Asarim saw Yuelina.

She misses it.

Asarim saw a small hope.

He realized that Yuelina’s longing for Luhae Island was as great as the thickness of her letters.

No matter how large the principality was or how much Theo had, he could never completely win Yuelina’s heart.

Because there would always be an indelible longing in Yuelina’s heart.

Just like how her sweet floral scent couldn’t be hidden even though she wore clothes befitting the principality.

Asarim tilted his head and took in the sight of her.

“Yuelina.”

Yuelina’s eyes trembled at Asarim’s voice.

“Asarim. When I told you not to call me Yuna…”

“I know. You were angry. Right now, I just wanted to call your full name one more time.”

“…Why?”

“I wanted to confirm one last time if you’re still the person I know.”

Asarim stood up and ruffled Yuelina’s hair.

“I’m sorry. For making you angry. I really was wrong.”

“Asarim.”

“I’ll do anything for you. Just remember that one thing.”

Yuelina stared at Asarim.

His golden eyes, well-tanned skin, and sturdy build were still the same.

But somehow he seemed cold.

“Asarim. Are you really okay?”

“Of course.”

Asarim put the bundle of letters from Yuelina deep inside his bag.

And he vowed that while searching for the holy water, he would engrave every single letter of Yuelina’s letters in his heart.

He would only look at her earnest writing and her feelings about how much she missed her homeland.

That faith was most important to Asarim.

* * *

A navy blue carriage arrived in front of the Black Mansion. The coachman opened the carriage door.

Theo, Yuelina, and Asarim stood before it.

Asarim smiled brightly at Yuelina.

“Yuna. It was really good to meet you. Take care until we meet again.”

“Yes. Make sure to give my regards to Father.”

“Of course, naturally.”

Asarim grinned and reached out his arm to pat Yuelina’s head.

That’s when Theo roughly grabbed his wrist.

Asarim’s gaze turned to Theo.

Theo shrugged.

“Goodbye. Asarim.”

“…Yes. Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness.”

Asarim shook off Theo’s arm and gave a slight bow.

Soon after, the Black Mansion’s door opened and Ulysse came out.

“Your Highness, I’ve already loaded the prepared items in the carriage.”

Asarim tilted his head at Ulysse’s words.

Theo looked down and spoke matter-of-factly.

“I loaded some items made with magic stones.”

“That’s not all!”

Ulysse spoke up while shrugging his shoulders.

“Including thermal items from the temple, well-aged wine! And even hard-to-find leather and fabric!”

Yuelina’s eyes widened at Ulysse’s proud voice.

“Theo. This is too much!”

“It’s nothing.”

Theo shook his head with an indifferent face. He was definitely not being modest.

For him, it really was nothing.

It was the homeland of the Grand Duchess, Yuelina.

The island where his wife Yuelina was born.

The place where the father who raised his beautiful Yuelina lived.

So what were thermal items, wine, and fabric worth?

It was merely enough for two hundred people and only used five carriages.

“But…”

Theo watched Yuelina stamp her feet, seemingly at a loss for what to do.

He really didn’t understand.

He couldn’t comprehend why she was so apologetic, why she was waving her hands saying it was too much.

He only let Yuelina bounce around in place because she looked so cute doing it.

“Five carriages…”

Meanwhile, Asarim scratched his head with a troubled expression.

Theo stared at him pointedly.

“Don’t worry. I’ve assigned people separately to transport the goods.”

“That’s a relief.”

Asarim nodded and loaded his luggage into the carriage before coming back out.

He gazed at Yuelina with an affectionate face.

“Let’s meet again soon.”

“Yes.”

Asarim opened his arms.

What, this bastard?

A vein popped on Theo’s forehead.

He did this when they first met, and now he’s desperate to get his limbs torn off at farewell too.

But Yuelina had no way of knowing Theo’s darkening mood. She snuggled right into Asarim’s embrace.

Asarim tightened his arms and hugged her firmly.

Theo counted in his mind.

One.

Two.

Three.

The numbers he was counting now were how many times he would need to beat Asarim if they ever met again.

By the time that number exceeded ten…

Ulysse started clearing his throat loudly.

“Ahem. Ahemmm–! Ughh!”

Yuelina jumped in surprise at Ulysse’s voice and separated from Asarim.

Ulysse thought it was truly fortunate.

Theo’s gradually distorting face.

It was definitely the precursor to when he lost his reason in war.

Asarim might not know, but Ulysse was nothing less than his lifesaver.