Erin didn’t follow her words. Moreover, she was denying her statements again.
For Corelia, situations that didn’t go her way felt utterly unfamiliar. Wasn’t Erin supposed to crumble before her? Yet Erin stared directly at her with eyes that seemed to regard her as vermin, sending chills down Corelia’s spine.
‘When did she grow up like this?’
Corelia remembered the small child who once clung to her feet. That fragility, that helplessness. Hadn’t she always felt reassured when looking at Erin?
Corelia believed that since Erin grew up in an environment similar to her own, she would naturally become someone like herself. But all of Corelia’s expectations were completely off the mark. Erin hadn’t grown up the way she thought.
“You tried to hit me… because I didn’t wear the dress you sent.”
Erin said this while taking Karon’s hand. In response, Karon positioned himself between her and Corelia to shield her. He felt like his entire life had just been invalidated. While he didn’t disbelieve Erin’s words, facing this reality now made him regret not breaking free from the past sooner.
Gripping Erin’s wrist, he glared at Corelia. His hands trembled as he suppressed the rising killing intent.
“I… will never call you mother again.”
“What are you saying, Karon? Are you really taking Erin’s words at face value? That child hates me and is lying again…!”
Karon felt wretched at Corelia’s words. It was humiliation directed at his own pathetic self.
“You’d better close that mouth now. I don’t know what I might do if I hear any more nonsense.”
“…”
“Get out of our way.”
Karon shuddered with unbearable betrayal proportionate to how much he had trusted her. Seeing his cold eyes, Corelia realized she had lost one of her pieces. A chess piece had defected from the board. Karon moved forward, sending a fierce glare toward Corelia and Charlotte.
* * *
Karon held Erin’s wrist as they quickly crossed the banquet hall.
The nobles in the hall whispered among themselves as they observed Karon’s frighteningly rigid face.
“Oh my. It seems they’ve fought again.”
“I heard things had improved lately, but I guess Lady Erin can’t help herself.”
Karon gritted his teeth at these absurd rumors. But he knew that acting emotionally here wouldn’t improve anything. As he hurried along with his ears closed to the gossip, countless gazes followed them—Ferdin and his knight candidates, Ditrion, the Saint…
‘Was I the only one who didn’t realize? Did everyone else know this truth?’
He couldn’t tell now whether he had been the only one living in denial of all the facts.
Karon simply held onto Erin’s hand and headed toward the Academy’s central hall used by Ferdin’s knight candidates. Ironically, though it was where he had overheard Erin’s truth, there was no safer place than this.
Until they reached the central hall, Karon couldn’t utter a word due to his pathetic helplessness. He hadn’t even immediately believed Erin when she told him the whole truth. Karon bit his lip hard.
What if he had been in Erin’s position? What if he had been in the same situation?
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for not noticing until now.”
“…”
“For not knowing anything, for blaming you… I’m truly sorry.”
Karon’s voice trembled.
He finally realized that Erin had endured and persevered alone all these long years. It was a realization that came far too late.
Looking at Karon, Erin felt pain like someone was wringing her heart.
“You… believe me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you really believe me, Karon?”
“I do. I believe that all the rumors are false, that you didn’t do anything wrong… I believe you.”
Erin’s eyes trembled slightly. She buried her head against Karon’s shoulder. Memories of the past flashed through her mind—a past where no one except Ferdin had believed her. How long had she waited for someone to say they believed her? To tell her how difficult it must have been?
Karon placed his hand on her slightly trembling shoulders. He wasn’t particularly skilled at comforting others. But he wasn’t foolish enough not to know what he should do now. Karon carefully embraced his sister and patted her back.
Erin leaned against him and closed her eyes briefly. Her brother’s embrace was warm.
“Let’s tell Father everything about what’s been happening to you all this time.”
Such sweet words.
If she had been the Erin who knew nothing, she might have hesitated momentarily at his words. Then perhaps she would have ultimately followed his suggestion. But Erin knew better. She even knew what would happen to the Liserth household in the future.
She slowly moved away from Karon.
“No, Karon. Just pretend you don’t know.”
“Sister?”
“If you do something like that, Corelia won’t leave you alone.”
“…”
“You’re still weak, Karon.”
At Erin’s words, Karon remained silent for a long time. It was a completely different reaction from what Erin had expected—that he would get angry at her blunt statement. He stared at her with bloodshot eyes for a moment, then turned around and left the central hall.
Erin knew her words had been harsh. Perhaps Karon was saddened by the fact that he couldn’t help his family. But Erin didn’t want Karon to interfere with her revenge. After all, one needs to be alive to feel sadness.
Tap, tap.
The rain started falling lightly. It was impulsive for Erin, who had been sitting dazed in the dormitory, to go out and feel the rain. It had rained like this when she went on the monster subjugation mission too. And that’s when she met Ferdin.
‘I want to meet him. I miss him.’
She wanted to see him. She wanted to feel the reality that Ferdin was alive. She wanted to hear his breathing, to touch his face.
Erin walked aimlessly. The rain soaked her dress. She might soon have to leave this place to do what needed to be done. She had no time to remain helpless.
‘So I shouldn’t get sick…’
Her still-fragile body would likely fall ill from the rain. Besides, walking like this wouldn’t lead her to Ferdin. He was the main figure of the banquet, a very busy person. What she was doing was meaningless.
However, before long, Erin’s eyes widened. In the distance, she could see Ferdin looking around, clearly searching for something.
‘Just like during the monster subjugation…’
Erin unconsciously took a step back. Whenever she desperately wanted to see him, Ferdin always appeared before her. He spotted her standing still in the distance and hurried toward her.
“Lady Erin, are you alright? I was worried when I saw you leaving urgently with Lord Karon.”
“…”
“He didn’t say anything hurtful to you again, did he?”
I was the one who said hurtful things. Erin swallowed the words she couldn’t bring herself to say.
Ferdin gently grabbed her wrist and tilted his body to shield her from the pouring rain. Erin watched this process silently. The warmth of Ferdin’s hand holding her wrist felt hot.
‘Ferdin, did I do the right thing? If you, with your kindness, knew what I did today, you might condemn me.’
Erin’s eyes reddened. Her fingertips trembled slightly with surging emotions. Hadn’t she resolved to distance herself from Ferdin? To willingly become the villain to save him? Yet now, desire suddenly welled up again.
Considering what was to come, there wasn’t much time left for them to be together like this. So, for the last time… couldn’t she indulge in a small desire?
Erin spoke to Ferdin.
“I’m relieved.”
“Lady Erin?”
What was she relieved about? Did Karon Liserth say something harsh to her again?
“I’m so relieved that you’re alive.”
“Lady Erin? What do you mean…”
Before he could finish, Erin stretched out her arms. Though startled by her sudden action, Ferdin didn’t avoid her. Soon, Erin embraced him tightly.
Ferdin froze, unable to react. He felt a cold body temperature against his chest. Looking down, he saw Erin’s face was excessively pale.
“Today was such a difficult day.”
“…”
“I won’t be greedy. Just a little, just a little… can I stay like this?”
“Yes, as long as you need.”
After holding Erin for a while, Ferdin led her to his office. He seated her on the sofa.
‘The tea leaves should be here somewhere…’
Ferdin offered Erin a cup of warm tea. But she didn’t seem interested in drinking it. Concern shadowed Ferdin’s face.