Chapter 5.2

After a tiring day, Brienne returned home and sat leaning against the doorway, endlessly staring up at the ceiling. Her mind was tangled. She had spent all day with the city guards but hadn’t found Derrick Harrington, nor learned anything about Kaiden’s whereabouts.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only thing on her mind.

<Herace……?>

<……About that, I’m sorry.>

When asked if he used a soul-binding spell, Herace never gave a clear denial. Yet, he didn’t admit to it either.

<It may be hard to believe, but I didn’t do it. That much, I can say for sure.>

How was Brienne supposed to accept such a vague answer?

No matter how much she thought about it, Brienne couldn’t find the answer. But one thing was certain—she could no longer trust or rely on him.

‘……Up until yesterday, I thought I had someone on my side. At least before I asked that question.’

Being on the same side.

Brienne had grown used to Herace’s help, and as time passed, she had opened up to him—perhaps foolishly. When he wasn’t there, she hadn’t felt the emptiness, but now, she realized how big that void had become.

Ironically, she now felt the absence of Kaiden even more. That part of her heart felt so hollow, it was almost numb.

‘But……’

If she thought about it differently, maybe this was for the best. She had already run away from Herace’s feelings once, and she was determined to reject him completely.

So perhaps this incident gave her a good excuse to push him away.

It was pitiful and frustrating that she could only think of pushing him away, that she was only capable of being that kind of person. But that was all. Brienne didn’t know how to be brave.

She’d already been hurt once by placing her hopes in an uncertain future—Kaiden Bannon was enough.

‘But why does my heart……hurt so much and feel so lonely?’

Tears fell weakly down Brienne’s cheeks as she stared at the ceiling. Though it had been a short time, she couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal by someone she had secretly wanted to trust.

The time she thought she could be happy without Kaiden now felt like a lie. Brienne rested her cheek on her knees and sighed for a long time.

Today, this wide world felt even lonelier than usual.

* * *

……Bang!

A loud gunshot startled birds into flight between the thickly grown trees. The target, struck by the bullet, collapsed onto the grass. Herace, having fired the gun, irritably reloaded and downed a glass of whiskey in one gulp.

Why couldn’t he say it?

He was rarely angry, but now he was. He felt like an idiot for not being honest with Brienne Ford—maybe he really was an idiot. Why did it get harder to speak frankly as time went on?

When something precious appeared, he didn’t want to lose it. When he didn’t want to lose something, he ended up becoming a cautious fool.

Herace recalled Brienne’s eyes, gazing at him over the surface of the swirling whiskey.

He remembered the moment those green eyes, which he had longed for so desperately, dropped in disappointment.

‘……If I don’t want to lose her, what should I do?’

‘Should I beg her to stay by my side, kneel before her—would that keep her?’

In truth, if he wanted to send a marriage proposal to the Ford family, he could do so at any time. In this situation, it would be easier to let the families negotiate than to wait to get closer to Brienne.

But then—

‘Wouldn’t it just be a political marriage?’

Even if he imagined the scenario, Marquis Ford would have no reason to refuse him. Even if Brienne disliked it, the Marquis would persuade her. Kaiden Bannon was already engaged, and now Herace Belif was her best option.

Marquis Ford wanted nothing more than his daughter’s happiness.

‘Was that arrogant of me?’

He didn’t know the answer, but one thing was clear: the easiest and fastest path was right in front of him. But Herace didn’t want to take that path. It was because of a story he’d heard as a child.

<Brienne wants to date me, not marry me.>

The fact that it was Kaiden Bannon’s voice was mildly unpleasant, but what mattered now was simply that Brienne didn’t want marriage. Herace sighed and set down his empty glass. Just then, someone strode up behind him.

It was Herace’s younger brother, Kenis Belif.

“Why not shoot the birds instead?”

“…….”

Herace glanced at Kenis and prepared to fire again. He hadn’t failed to notice Kenis’s presence—he simply didn’t want to deal with him right now.

“It’s strange. The Ford family’s people came by this morning, then you suddenly went out. Miss Ford, who was said to be missing, appeared alone.”

“…….”

“What exactly happened?”

Kenis, approaching Herace, leisurely filled the empty glass with whiskey. Herace, glancing at him, sighed and lowered his rifle.

“……Nothing.”

Despite his frown, the answer was dry. Kenis let out a weak laugh and handed Herace the glass.

“For nothing happening, you’re drinking in broad daylight. Did you fight with that lady?”

Herace stared at him with indifferent eyes, but finally accepted the glass. He downed it in one go and spoke quietly.

“……I don’t kill needlessly. Especially not birds.”

Kenis snickered at that.

Kenis’s face, so different from Herace’s, showed a strange expression. Kenis snatched the empty glass from Herace and frowned.

“You haven’t changed. You’ve been like this ever since that day. Never answer questions directly, always dodging. You make it so frustrating for everyone.”

Kenis poured another drink and brought the glass to his lips, but Herace stopped him immediately.

“No drinking. Are you planning to cause trouble again?”

“See, there you go again.”

Kenis, deprived of his glass, exaggeratedly raised both palms.

“I can’t even remember the last time we had a proper conversation.”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, just go inside.”

Herace set down the glass and turned away from Kenis, but Kenis didn’t back off.

“I thought you’d change after going to the Academy! Are you still not willing to talk to me?”

“What would we even talk about?”

A familiar smile appeared on Herace’s face.

“My mother’s death? Or father’s illness?”

“……Brother.”

“Conversations are nice. Being honest is even better.”

Herace raised his gun and aimed at another target that hadn’t yet fallen. He bitterly smiled as he put his finger on the trigger.

“But those are things you discuss with people you can actually talk to.”

Bang!

The bullet flew quickly and hit the target. Herace slung the gun over his shoulder and turned to Kenis.

“When did we ever have casual conversations?”

His tone was calm, as if he really wanted to know. Kenis frowned and stepped closer.

“You’re always the one dodging questions and giving vague answers.”

Herace looked down at Kenis with emotionless eyes. Their silver hair fluttered in the cool breeze.

He vaguely remembered stroking that hair from time to time. He used to seat Kenis, five years younger, on his knee and show him magic.

But that was long ago.

The child had grown up. So much time had passed that they could no longer be as they were before.

“So, even after all that, you still expect me to tell you everything?”

“…….”

Kenis’s black eyes wavered slightly. Herace, rifle slung properly, slowly walked past Kenis.

“Instead of worrying about my business, why don’t you take care of yourself? Stop collapsing all the time and worrying father.”

“Brother, I…….”

“I’m telling you not to cross the line again. You’ve caused me enough trouble already.”

A dazzling smile appeared at Herace’s lips as he looked back at Kenis. Kenis, staring at him, bit his lip in frustration and handed over the envelope he’d been hiding behind his back.

“Fine. I won’t… I won’t speak to you again, so just check this. It’s from the Mage Association, addressed to you.”

Kenis thr*st the documents into Herace’s hand and turned away, walking off. Herace frowned slightly as he looked at the envelope forced into his hand.