67. Afterimage

The record stated as follows. In a small kingdom within the Veone Empire, Ohante could no longer live as a vassal and raised the flag of rebellion against the Empire. Veone, already embroiled in countless wars of invasion, could do nothing but suffer endless sacrifices in the face of Ohante’s sudden betrayal by an ally. Ohante began at the closest border, Yulzante, and pushed into nearby territories such as Viamel, Junian, and Boha, but the rebellion soon ended with their kneeling before Veone.

“Yuan Xavier Dominic, I hereby grant you the territory of Viamel and its name…”

And at the center of that war, Yuan, the most brilliant and acclaimed among many heroes, was said to have sacrificed himself to exploit the enemy’s weakness, and his portrait was adorned with countless stars. But unlike what people believed, those who knew the truth admired him but also pitied him.

“It seems the Count likes scented candles.”

The shopkeeper, excited by the prospect of selling dozens of boxes of candles every month, chattered endlessly as Sejio silently smiled and quickly signed the papers he was handed. The fall of the Yulzante border had happened in an instant, and all knights and soldiers stationed there had scrambled to protect what remained, unable to mount a counterattack. No one had considered the possibility of a traitor from within.

“I’ll die of nasal numbness before I go mad.”

“…….”

“It’s been less lately.”

“Does it look weird?”

“What does?”

“This.”

Even though the wax had melted and piled up so much that the candlesticks lost their original shape, Yuan didn’t care and expertly took several candles from the small box Sejio handed him, lighting them all around. The artificial scent mixed with the burning wax filled the room with a strong, subtle aroma that numbed the nose. Sejio coughed several times, struggling to adjust to the scent, but Yuan only gazed quietly at the rising sun outside.

Creak—

“This should help a bit.”

Sejio forcefully lifted the window next to Yuan. The cool breeze wafted in, bringing the scent of grass, and Sejio’s coughing gradually stopped. It had been less than a week since Yuan stayed at the Akuris mansion, and in his room, ignored by everyone, the candlesticks, hardened with melted wax, were everywhere and bothered Sejio. These ragged remnants were wounds left by traitors, demons mocking the arrogance of those who had been complacent.

“I wish you’d just seen a hallucination. I mean it.”

“…Is that supposed to be comforting?”

“Then just close your eyes.”

“If you heard things.”

“Then just block your ears.”

Even as he spoke, Sejio thought it was nonsense, but Yuan lifted the corner of his mouth with a sigh, thinking it wasn’t a bad attempt. The traitor’s scheme was simple and full of holes, but no one could suspect. Most knights who went out late at night to investigate a suspicious village died on the spot, and among them, Gailen and Yuan, the highest ranking, were made examples to spread the enemy’s reputation.

“This is as good as it gets.”

“…….”

“At least I’m still alive.”

They didn’t kill him, thinking he was still useful, but he had to endure t*rture that felt like dying. The enemy, drunk on the thrill of victory, wanted no information from Gailen and Yuan. They simply enjoyed it. To see imperial knights bleeding and groaning in pain at their hands. So, when they were near death, the enemy buried them alive among the corpses of the Veone Empire’s knights. This was just for their amusement; no one gained or lost anything from their deaths.

“So that’s how you got caught?”

“…….”

“Did you find the one you were looking for?”

“…….”

“I think you found enough courage to live again.”

“To face it proudly is a bit beneath me, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Here, here. Here.”

Yuan’s hand pointed to his temple and nose, then reached for the envelope he’d taken from his pocket. The black jaguar’s seal and Arina’s handwriting of Yuan’s name flickered at his fingertips.

“Gailen, he was unlucky too.”

“…….”

“To save someone like this.”

‘salvami, trascinami da questo dolore.’

(Save me, pull me out of this pain.)

To the left was a nameless knight he’d met once, to the right an older knight who’d gone to investigate the village. The countless corpses weighing him down wore the same armor as he did, and the ones he pressed down with his own body, he couldn’t bear to look at. In that hellish time, the only thing that kept Yuan going was the song Gailen sang.

“He saved himself.”

“…….”

“Yuan, you were just extra.”

“Extra…”

Was it a week, a month? Had the seasons changed? As Yuan’s vision faded, he thought maybe he was already dead. Gailen’s voice faded too, and when everything blurred and flickered out, another Veone search party led by Sejio fortunately found them. But everyone except one had died, so it couldn’t be called a successful rescue.

“I understand why you think that way. I found you thanks to him.”

“He was tough.”

“Tough. He screamed even with maggots in his wounds.”

“He was lonely.”

“They say kin recognize kin.”

Yuan glanced at Sejio with a bitter look, and Sejio shrugged and smiled. It wasn’t wrong. Yuan, who had to grow up alone, and Gailen, who had never owned anything and craved possession, so had to be lonely. Different but similar, the two may not have been close, but they understood each other best in the order.

“If Gailen had survived, would he have thought like you?”

“No. He would have lived well on his own.”

“Then why don’t you do the same?”

“…….”

“Disappearing early in the morning and looking so forlorn.”

At Sejio’s words, Yuan flinched, then checked the half-melted candles and sunlight creeping into the room, crossing his arms and tapping his fingers nervously.

“It’s a borrowed life, so I’ll return it well.”

“Does Miss Felicia get a say in that?”

“…….”

“I hope you realize it’s selfish, Yuan.”

“…….”

“And if you feel sorry for your friend who acts like he’s ready to die at any moment, that’d be nice too.”

Sejio said so, but he had never been able to stop Yuan. When he first heard Gailen’s voice, he’d only searched around the haystack, never thought to check inside, and later, the look in Yuan’s eyes, closer to death than any corpse, haunted him. Time passed, Yuan acted more alive, but he was still dead inside, so Sejio never really had the option to stop him.

“The Marquis probably won’t look for you anymore, so why not return to your territory?”

“…….”

“Yuan?”

“…Just a moment.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“I’ll talk when I get back.”

“Where are you going?! Yuan?!”

Sejio stared blankly at the door Yuan slammed open and left through, then stood where Yuan had been and looked out the window. The first thing he saw was the mansion’s youngest daughter, missing since early morning, and behind her, the imperial carriage and the small sun of the Empire escorting her. Ha, Sejio snorted in disbelief, then slowly walked in the direction Yuan had disappeared. For all his stubbornness, Yuan’s guilt was so deep he wouldn’t be able to do anything in front of them, but you never know with people. Besides, having his Count do nothing but stand around hurt Sejio’s pride, so he quickened his pace.

＊＊＊

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“I’m thinking.”

“Are you happy I’m leaving?”

“Your Highness, your words…”

Felicia’s words, which had burst out, gradually lost strength and faded. She leaned back, just like when she first got in the carriage, and looked out. She could tell Marhel was smiling even without looking. She knew him so well, it was almost a habit, and though it still wrecked her pride, it was so familiar she found herself missing it.

“What’s wrong with my words?”

“…….”

“Tell me, Pia.”

“You wanted this, didn’t you?”

“Me? What?”

“To represent the Empire.”

“…….”

“Lord Mateo finally has something good happening.”

Marhel couldn’t reply to Felicia’s words. In a way, it was only natural that she knew. The inferiority and jealousy of a Prince pushed aside from succession, and how he waited for his moment, training in the arena every night. Should he be glad Felicia was there in every moment, or apologize for his twisted heart that tried so hard to forget her presence he didn’t even realize it? Marhel found it hard to speak, even to himself.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Your wounds have healed.”

“…And you, Your Highness?”

“I’ve healed too, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, I will.”

“I didn’t expect you to listen so well to everything I say.”

“I wouldn’t dare ignore the words of the Empire’s little sun.”

She’d ignored him when she wanted to push him away. Marhel thought he was clever, but every time he realized it was a grave he’d dug for himself, his chest ached and his head spun. When Felicia let go of his hand after getting out of the carriage so easily, his insides twisted.

“I’d have liked to serve you tea, but it doesn’t seem the right mood.”

“Thank you, even for the thought.”

“So I’ll just tell you now.”

“…….”

“I know it’s what you wanted, but from now on, I hope you’ll want something that keeps you safe.”

“Me, safe?”

“Something that doesn’t require risking your life.”

“…….”

“Everyone seems to risk their lives so easily.”

“I’m glad you care, but I think I know who’s as desperate as I am, so it’s not a pleasant thought.”

Marhel’s gaze shifted behind him, and Felicia turned to look the same way. It was Yuan, whom she hadn’t seen since Rosia’s wedding. They hadn’t spoken since before the ceremony, so it was awkward, but Felicia’s heart pounded with joy so much she wanted to hide. His haggard appearance hurt her, but she was crazy enough to feel hopeful that it was because of her.

“You said Lord Mateo finally has something good happening?”

“…….”

“I’m sorry to you, Felicia.”

“No.”

“Now you reject things so easily.”

“Your Highness.”

“I’ll take you away, if only because I’m disappointed.”

Marhel, seeing Felicia’s quickly reddening eyes, turned his gaze to his cousin, whose face was a mess. It was Yuan who stood between Felicia and himself, and now Marhel felt like he was the intruder. But this wasn’t the time. As Felicia said, it was the opportunity he’d waited for, what he wanted. For that, Marhel needed Yuan.

“Yuan Xavier Dominic.”

“Your Highness, please.”

“You must come with me to Midonia.”