“I see.”

It was time for Lowell to leave. Kylance only allowed reports on Ariel’s search. 

He refused to hear anything else.

Today, however, Lowell found it harder than usual to leave.

Kylance’s hollow cheeks looked even more sunken than before.

‘He should at least eat something proper…’ 

At this rate, the Grand Duke might actually starve to death.

The idea of the Grand Duke – one of the most powerful figures in the Empire, a royal indeed – starving to death seemed unthinkable.

But to anyone who saw his current condition, there would be no room for argument or mockery. It was a grim possibility they would have to face. 

It was that bad.

Lowell half opened his mouth, but quickly shut it.

‘Even if I tell him to eat something, the Grand Duke won’t respond.’

Yes, right now the Grand Duke wouldn’t move no matter what Lowell said.

If that’s the case… perhaps the only solution is to report his condition to the Emperor.

Lowell already knew that the decision to stop the search had come from the Emperor himself. He also knew that the Emperor had personally confronted Kylance and expressed his anger.

The Emperor had even issued a confinement order, forbidding Kylance to set foot outside the North until summoned.

It was the first time the Emperor had been so angry with the Grand Duke.

A detention order – something usually reserved for criminals – had been issued.

Of course, the Grand Duke’s sins were serious…

But the real question was whether it was wise to inform the Emperor of the Grand Duke’s current condition, given how angry the Emperor had been.

Lowell hesitated, unsure whether to bring it up. 

Fearing that the Emperor might become even more enraged at the sight of the Grand Duke’s frailty, Lowell closed his eyes tightly in frustration and bowed his head.

‘Even if His Majesty becomes even more furious, this can’t go on. Yes, I must tell the Emperor the truth.’

As Lowell opened his eyes, steeling himself for the decision he had made, he was startled.

“Your Grace!”

Kylance was awake and looking directly at him.

For the first time in four months, Kylance actually looked at Lowell.

Overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, Lowell could barely hold back tears. At that moment, Kylance opened his chapped, dry lips, his voice cracking.

“Lowell, what day is it?”

“Pardon?” 

Lowell froze for a moment. Overwhelmed by the shock and joy of the Grand Duke finally looking at him, he momentarily forgot the date – something he should have known immediately.

But he had to act quickly.

For a man who had spent months drowning in alcohol and despair to suddenly ask about the date… perhaps it was a sign of change, a positive change in his master.

The date flashed through his mind and Lowell replied quickly.

“Ah! Today is the 22nd of November, Imperial Year 456.”

“So it’s come to this.”

Kylance murmured, his dark eyes blinking slowly. For the first time in ages, a faint glimmer of determination appeared in those once lifeless eyes.

Suppressing the surge of emotion that was rising within him, Lowell cleared his throat before speaking cautiously.

“Yes, the seasons have changed. It’s time to prepare for the northern winter.”

“Prepare… Yes, you’re right. It’s time to go.” 

Lowell stiffened at the words.

“Go?” 

But Kylance’s tone was firm, his gaze now distant but determined. 

Lowell hesitated at the strange words, but quickly abandoned any further thoughts when he saw the Grand Duke rise from the sofa.

Instinctively, Lowell moved to assist him, but Kylance waved him away and stood up on his own.

“Open the curtains.”

Lowell’s eyes trembled with emotion. He had been convinced that Kylance had given up on life, that he would never stand on his own again. And yet here was his master, rising as if from a long hibernation.

Without a word, to hide his reddening eyes, Lowell turned to the window. Fighting back tears, he grabbed the curtains and pulled them apart in one swift motion.

Bright sunlight poured into the room through the large windows, as if it had been waiting for this moment.

Kylance turned towards the light, his eyes fixed on the clear blue sky he hadn’t seen in so long. He reached up and ran his fingers through the ends of his overgrown hair, then through his long beard, as if acknowledging the time that had passed. 

Without needing to look in a mirror, Kylance could already imagine how dishevelled he must appear.

Running his fingers through his hair, he spoke to Lowell.

“Lowell. Tell the head attendant to prepare a bath. I need to clean up and cut my hair.”

“I will inform them immediately.” 

Although Lowell managed to hold back his tears, he couldn’t quite keep the tremor out of his voice.

Still, he couldn’t allow himself to cry like a child in front of his master, who had just emerged from such deep darkness.

Lowering his head, Lowell walked quickly to the door.

As he opened it with a soft click and stepped out, he paused mid-step.

He couldn’t leave without saying this.

“Your Grace… thank you for rising again like this.” 

Tears finally spilled from Lowell’s eyes as he finished speaking and he quickly left the room.

After Lowell left, Kylance stood still, staring silently at the closed door.

He thought about the words Lowell had spoken before he left.

“…Again…I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ll have ‘again’ anymore.”

Kylance said quietly, the answer he couldn’t bring himself to say in front of Lowell.

He turned back to the window.

Approaching it, he opened it wide, letting the cold wind envelop him. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, his senses felt sharp and alive.

Looking up at the clear sky, Kylance murmured softly.

“Ariel… tomorrow is already your birthday. Time… it moves so fast.”

It was true. 

Tomorrow was Ariel’s birthday. That was exactly why Kylance had decided to get up.

He couldn’t allow himself to remain in such a dishevelled state on her special day.

And tomorrow he had to be somewhere.

He needed to be properly groomed and presentable.

Turning away from the window, Kylance moved towards the fireplace.

More specifically, the painting of his parents, given to him by the Duchess of Viasteus, that hung above the mantelpiece.

With a firm movement, he reached for the painting.

Thud.

As the painting came away from the wall, something hidden behind it fell to the floor.

Setting the painting down on the mantelpiece, Kylance bent down to pick up the small pouch that had fallen.

It was faintly familiar. 

[“This poison is colourless and odourless. Even a small amount ingested will dissolve all internal organs within minutes. That’s how cruel this poison is. Kylance, I will place it behind your parents’ portrait until you find the real culprit. Whenever you feel your resolve weakening, remember the poison hidden behind the picture. Remember, the way your parents were murdered was just as cruel as this poison.”]

Kylance opened the pouch with a blank expression.

It was filled with a finely ground powder.

As he looked at the white powder, a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

Just then there was a knock at the door.

“Your Grace, the bath is ready.”

“Understood.”

Kylance carefully tied up the pouch and placed it in the drawer of the bedside table as if nothing had happened. Then he left the room as if it was any other day.

To prepare for Ariel’s birthday.

His voice was dry, like parched land in a drought.

—

Soon the sun set and night came. 

November nights in the north were as cold as the depths of winter. At this late hour, when the Knights and the Grand Duke’s household staff had returned to their own quarters, the fire in the Grand Duke’s office was lit for the first time in a long time and still burned steadily.

Scratch, scratch.

The sound of a quill scratching against paper echoed through the otherwise silent office.

The person sitting at the desk, quill in hand, writing diligently, was none other than the Grand Duke himself.

After cutting his hair, shaving his beard and taking an unusually long bath, Kylance had gone straight to the office.

There he began to catch up on his backlog of work.

In truth, thanks to Lowell’s efficient management, there wasn’t much left to do.

After finishing the accumulated paperwork, Kylance turned his attention to writing a letter to the Emperor. 

[“Lowell Bristo possesses exceptional administrative skills, which is why I have entrusted him with managing the finances of the North in my absence. He is a valuable asset who could greatly benefit the Imperial Department of Finance, and I strongly recommend that he be accepted. As for my knights, the Black Lion Knights, led by Deryl Lowess as their commander, they are the finest soldiers in the Empire, tested by numerous wars. I ask that the Knights remain intact. Even though they are not directly under the Royal Family, they could be of great help as a special unit for certain missions. As for the staff of the Grand Duke’s household, they were originally part of the Royal Family, and I ask that they be returned to their respective positions.”]

The lengthy letter contained details of the future arrangements for the people of the Grand Duke’s household – those who had served under him and placed their trust in him.

Each and every servant of the Grand Duke’s estate had relied solely on him for their livelihood, so it was his duty to ensure that they would continue to live well after he was gone.

It was the right thing to do.

Kylance finally finished writing the last letter of recommendation for the last servant.

He rolled it up and tied it with a string, then reached for some fresh parchment.

Now it was time to attend to his own business.

The Grand Duke’s estate.

[“Upon my death, all assets of the Ducal Estate of Seyerd shall be inherited by the Marquisate of Blante.”]

Unlike the densely packed words on the previous parchments, this one was summed up in a single line. 

Kylance paused, the quill in his hand hovering over the parchment.

‘Should I write something apologising to those left behind after I’m gone?’

Indeed, Kylance was writing his will.

Contrary to Lowell’s hopes, he hadn’t risen to rebuild his life – he was preparing to end it.

He stared blankly at the will before him, then slowly lowered the quill.

‘To abandon them, to leave this world selfishly, only to beg their forgiveness – that would be far too cowardly.’

‘Perhaps it would be better for them to remember me as I am now – broken and pitiful. It would be easier for them to forget me.’

He replaced the quill in the inkwell and rolled up the parchment. Unlike the others, he tied this one with a red ribbon and carefully placed it in the middle of the desk. 

So that Lowell could find it easily in the morning.

Kylance turned his head to look at the wall clock.

Midnight was fast approaching.

“It’s time.”

He rose from his seat. Just before extinguishing the magic lamp, he took a long, hard look around his office, taking it in one last time.

Then he switched off the light.