Chapter 2 (Part 1)

Before long, all the bodies in the village were quickly recovered.

And Yuliana and Anthus went back to Haeil Village. They were there to meet Lian.

“Lian.”

“Yes, Lady Loengrin.”

Yuliana bit her lip. She had to tell Lian something very cruel.

“It’s painful, but only you can do it, Lian.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“We found many bodies in the village.”

Lian’s eyes widened at the mention of finding bodies.

“There were no survivors… Among those many bodies, you’ll have to find your parents, Lian.”

“It’s okay. If I can find my parents’ bodies…”

Tears fell from Lian’s eyes.

“I’m sorry. They said men shouldn’t cry… but the tears won’t stop.”

Yuliana gently patted Lian’s back.

“I think if you’re sad, you should cry as much as you want. No one will blame a man for crying. If someone sees you crying and blames you for it, it’s because they’ve never lost something precious.”

Lian continued to cry without stopping as he listened to Yuliana’s words.

“Stay here and cry as much as you need. Come out when you feel better.”

As Yuliana left Lian alone in the room, his sobs grew louder. If the cries of a parent who lost their child are the saddest, the cries of a child who lost their parents are heart-wrenching.

“Is Lian okay?”

“No, he must be in shock. More than anything, he has to identify all those bodies by himself.”

Lian would have to see many bodies to find his parents. It’s a terrible experience for someone so young.

“He’ll get through it. Fortunately, the village chief and some others from Haeil Village had interactions with Luteons Village, so they can help identify the villagers’ faces.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried Lian would have to do it alone…”

Yuliana sighed in relief.

“We’ve completed our investigation, and others will handle the rest, so let’s head to the capital.”

“Yes.”

“Lady Yuliana.”

Anthus spoke in a serious tone, looking at Yuliana with a determined expression.

“I have something I’d like to suggest.”

“Yes, what is it?”

But Anthus hesitated, showing a conflicted expression.

“When we reach the capital, His Majesty the Emperor will likely give you orders regarding the report on Luteons Village… and you’ll have no choice but to follow them. If you don’t want to participate in the investigation, please tell me. I’ll do everything I can to persuade His Majesty using the name of the Rockbellion family to keep you from participating.”

Yuliana looked into Anthus’s red eyes, which were filled with resolve, and spoke.

“Duke, when I look at Lian, I think of only one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If we don’t catch the culprit quickly… situations like this might keep happening.”

Yuliana smiled as she spoke.

“My spirit magic will be helpful, whether it’s against dark sorcerers or monsters.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“I want to help. No, I want to catch them.”

“Don’t you understand the foolish heart of a man who doesn’t want to put the woman he loves in danger?”

Anthus shook his head with a pained expression. But Yuliana didn’t back down.

“The new type of monster is immune to holy power. My power will be needed. So… don’t stop me, Duke.”

“I’ve fallen for you all over again.”

Anthus smiled quietly and took Yuliana’s hands.

“But… it’s very dangerous.”

When he held her hands, Yuliana’s heart sank. She felt her face heat up.

“If you ever want to stop the investigation or the mission, just tell me.”

She should have pulled her hands away, but seeing the pained look on Anthus’s face, she couldn’t. Anthus held her hands for a long time.

Although they could have gone straight to the capital, Yuliana was too worried about Lian, so she decided to stay a few more days after discussing it with Anthus.

“I’m worried about Lian. I’m afraid he’ll be disappointed if he can’t find his parents’ bodies.”

“He’ll be fine.”

“Duke.”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever been disappointed by something you expected?”

“Of course. I’ve experienced many failures and disappointments.”

“What? You, Duke?”

Yuliana couldn’t understand that someone who always seemed perfect could have experienced failure and disappointment.

“Before I became a Sword Master, I was constantly disappointed in myself. While others praised me for becoming a Sword Master at a young age, the process was filled with failures and disappointments. The stress was immense.”

Yuliana was surprised by his unfamiliar story.

“Despite all the failures and disappointments… I didn’t want to give up on the sword. And eventually, I was rewarded for not giving up. That reward was very sweet.”

“That sweet reward must be becoming a Sword Master.”

Anthus shook his head at Yuliana’s words.

“Becoming a Sword Master can be considered a reward, but the sweetest reward for me was the belief in myself.”

“Belief…”

“I think expectations exist because there’s a belief that you can succeed. Naturally, when things don’t go as expected, you lose confidence, and the belief in future expectations disappears, leading to self-doubt.”

Anthus recalled helping Crown Prince Cloud in his rebellion against Emperor Rezeph.

<I’m just an ordinary noble.>

The Rockbellion family maintained strict neutrality. If they leaned to one side, power would shift to that side.

Anthus smiled softly and continued.

“I wasn’t naturally gifted in swordsmanship from a young age. I hated the tough sword training and didn’t believe I would become a Sword Master. But I felt the responsibility to lead the Duke’s family, so I gritted my teeth and endured it, and eventually, I became a Sword Master. Now, I have confidence and belief in myself when it comes to swordsmanship.”

“Listening to your story… it really is a sweet reward.”

Anthus took out a small dagger from his pocket and infused it with mana. The blade was surrounded by a red aura.

“If I had been disappointed by my expectations and lost hope for the future, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Yuliana felt her heart flutter.

To think someone could shake a person like this with words… It felt like a stone was dropped into the pond of her heart, creating small ripples.

“I heard that you broke off your engagement with the Young Marquis Fedeurus, Lady Yuliana”

Yuliana nodded quietly with a bitter smile.

“There’s only one thing you need to do from now on, Lady Yuliana.”

“One thing?”

“Expect everything that happens from tomorrow.”

Anthus reached out and gently grasped Yuliana’s hair. Her ears turned red as she stared blankly into his red eyes.

“Expect from tomorrow. A sweet reward awaits, Lia.”

His low voice tickled Yuliana’s heart and ears.

* * *

The day for Anthus and Yuliana to return to the capital was approaching. Anthus felt heavy-hearted and suffocated at the thought of being separated from Yuliana. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he felt a surge of sorrow. Although he was usually good at controlling his emotions, it was useless in front of Yuliana.

“Duke, are you alright?”

Yuliana looked at Anthus with concern, noticing his pale complexion.

“I’m fine… No, actually, I’m not fine at all.”

Anthus’s mood was sour because he knew he wouldn’t be able to stay close to Yuliana once they reached the capital. But Yuliana, thinking he was unwell, worriedly checked his complexion.

“I can’t stop thinking about Lian… I can’t help it…”

Anthus, unable to reveal that his bad mood was due to the thought of being separated from Yuliana, mentioned how Yuliana had taken care of Lian until the end, showing a worried expression.

“Duke, you have a kind heart.”

Yuliana looked at Anthus, who seemed sad, with concern.

“I was thinking of sending food and knights to protect Haeil Village where Lian is…”

Anthus licked his lips and spoke as if he had planned these things before leaving Luteons Village.

“Really?”

“Yes… I’m upset that this is all I can do to help.”

“I also wanted to send something to help Lian…”

“Lady Yuliana, you and I are really in sync. Then, it would be best to decide on the items together and send them to Haeil Village.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

Seeing Yuliana clap her hands in delight, Anthus finally relaxed his troubled expression.

“I’ll take you to the Earl’s residence and then report to His Majesty.”

“Alright.”

The carriage stopped, and the coachman knocked on the door.

“You may open it.”

With Anthus’s permission, the carriage door was carefully opened. Anthus stepped out first and extended his hand for Yuliana to hold.

“Take my hand and step down.”

Yuliana took Anthus’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.

Anthus lightly kissed the back of Yuliana’s hand as she stepped down. His hand and lips trembled with nervousness, and his heart felt like it was rolling on the ground, but he couldn’t give up the hand-kiss.

“Then… I’ll send you a letter.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work, Duke.”

“When I send a letter, please respond immediately.”

“I will.”

Back in the carriage, Anthus touched his lips, recalling the soft touch of her hand, and gently stroked the seat where Yuliana had sat.