DDW 4

There were more people shocked by the news of the marriage than expected. It was almost bewildering.

Those who were struck with horror stormed the Count Raster estate screaming, and their momentum was so menacing that Count Raster had to remain secluded indoors for a while.

It felt as if the entire capital was screaming.

They seemed to be plunged into shock and confusion.

The horrified people immediately suggested various escape routes to Mirane. Countless individuals offered to cover for him if he chose to flee. Mirane had to politely return a pile of letters from noblewomen suggesting they elope. Some, even friends of Count Raster and fellow pro-Imperial nobles, had cautiously hinted that they would open a path for him to seek asylum abroad if he wished.

“I will arrange an escape route. Leave your father to me. Your life is more important. That bastard has completely lost his mind. If he loves the Emperor so much, why doesn’t he marry the Grand Duke himself instead of selling you off?”

Mirane politely declined the offer born of concern.

“If I flee, those who remain will be in a difficult position.”

It was the kind of thing a righteous man, an exemplary noble, would say, but the looks people gave Mirane were tinged with complexity. Mirane brushed it off as if he hadn’t noticed.

“Wicker is also a place where people live, so please don’t be like that. I am truly fine.”

The nobles sighed as they watched him remain unshaken even in such a desperate situation.

“You are truly admirable. To maintain your composure even at a time like this. Haah. I wish you were my child. I envy Count Raster. A pearl necklace on a pig’s neck.”

If his political rivals were reacting this way, what of his fellow knights?

“Crazy old fools!”

Wilhelm Stagel—Mirane’s contemporary, his adjutant, the deputy captain of the 3rd Royal Guard, and his dear friend—vented his rage by smashing furniture into powder.

“Why on earth did Count Raster sleep with a woman and sire the Captain? If he was going to treat him like this, he shouldn’t have played around with his lower half so recklessly!”

After his rampage, breathing heavily, Wilhelm irritably swept back his short, ash-blonde hair.

“Dammit!”

Blonde hair, like tufts of grass, poked out from between the fingers of the man’s clenched fist. He stood there frozen for a long time, panting with hot breaths.

Watching the trembling body, Mirane murmured.

“Wilhelm.”

Wilhelm slumped down. After pausing to choose his words, Mirane let out a sigh and spoke.

“I am more worried about you than myself. If other knights insult you, please refrain from losing your temper on the spot.”

Wilhelm was the only person of commoner origin to have joined the royal guard. Thanks to his innate talent, Wilhelm was able to rise in rank despite being younger than Mirane and having a meager background, but he faced much harassment due to his low status.

There were many things he could overlook as long as Mirane was there… but what now?

Mirane was worried about what would happen to him after he left.

“Wilhelm, if it truly becomes too hard to endure—”

“Don’t worry about me.”

The words that finally came from Wilhelm were laced with a sigh. Rubbing his face with a large hand, he continued.

“Who is worrying about whom right now? You, of all people…”

Mirane could only respond with an awkward smile.

Feeling a slight sense of apology toward Wilhelm’s gloomy face, he watched him for a moment. He wanted to comfort him more, but unfortunately, reality was cold, and time simply flowed on.

‘There isn’t even enough time to share good memories.’

He was worried and wanted to soothe him more, but there was no time. A month was not short, but it wasn’t long either. He wanted to gain even a small amount of time to organize his feelings. All he could do was offer advice. No, in truth, this was something that had to be finished before he departed.

‘At the very least, Wilhelm needs to be more perfect than anyone else.’

Since Wilhelm was the first knight from a commoner background, his low status would be a stumbling block. His hot-tempered nature was a flaw, and Mirane worried that now that he was leaving, there would be no one to control him. Swallowing his concerns, Mirane placed a hand on Wilhelm’s shoulder.

“You must not give anyone a single reason to look down on you. You must be more perfect than anyone and become an outstanding knight. However, Wilhelm, I don’t think you need to strive for anything more here.”

Looking at the playful smile on Mirane’s face, Wilhelm let out a hollow laugh. Light returned to his depressed face.

“You certainly have a way with words.”

Mirane let out a small laugh, feeling pleased to hear him speak informally for the first time in a while. Wilhelm continued in a husky voice.

“I’m not joking. I’m always on your side.”

The moment Mirane’s smile wavered, Wilhelm gave a bitter smile.

He had become an adult far too early and had taken root firmly enough for everyone to lean on.

“I hope you don’t take my words lightly. You don’t rely on others. But to tell you Read on Read BL Novelsin advance, if I ever hear a rumor that you Read on Read BL Novelsare being abused by the Grand Duke, I will chop off your father’s head and rush to Wicker.”

Wilhelm’s eyes were truly resolute as he spoke.

“If he treats you poorly or happens to defame your honor, I won’t be able to stand it. So, Mirane. Please, for my sake, take care of yourself and get along well. Please.”

After a silence, Mirane replied.

“Alright. If it ever becomes too hard to endure, I’ll tell you first. Stop worrying about the Grand Duke of Wicker, whom you’ve never even seen, Sir Stagel. We have a tight schedule.”

Knowing his personality well, Wilhelm looked at Mirane with a dissatisfied expression, but eventually sighed and nodded.

During that month, Mirane said his farewells to many people and prepared to head to the northernmost tip of the continent. He settled his affairs and shared old memories.

And then, the end arrived.

A night by the beautiful Gelang River that cuts through the Imperial Palace of Wicker.

‘It feels as if someone has died.’

Even for winter, the atmosphere shouldn’t have been this grim, yet the capital felt like a continuous wake. Mirane looked at the Gelang River in silence, thinking to himself. It felt as if he were attending his own funeral.

A heavy voice drifted over his shoulder.

“That must be because you were so well-respected.”

Mirane replied, flustered.

“What do you mean by that? I simply did my job.”

Turning his head, Mirane looked at him.

Cigarette smoke was curling up. Edwick, with a cigar between his fingers, was staring at the shimmering Gelang River with an expressionless face. Bright red and yellow lights scattered chaotically over the calm ripples.

Edwick and Mirane were enjoying drinks after leaving the palace.

“Do you think there are many people who do their jobs completely?”

The face of the knight from the once-famous tales of the capital was different from the young knight in the songs of Minne-singers. The face of the man, famous for his cold appearance, was now full of wrinkles, and the aura said to be as sharp as a blade had softened slightly. The middle-aged man lacked passion, but he possessed reason and experience.

“I have kept many people by my side and sent them away.”

There was a sense of regret in Edwick’s voice.

“But I have never felt as miserable as I do now.”

Mirane remained silent.

The Edwick he knew was a cold-blooded man. Dealing with everything like a blade, he did not share intimacy with others, so private drinking sessions like today were rare. However, today, he showed a fragile side for the first time before Mirane. Like a person in misery, like a person drenched in anguish.

And in that moment, he realized.

‘He opposed my marriage.’

That Edwick must have fought a desperate battle for him, whom even his own father had abandoned. Mirane’s face momentarily became peaceful.

‘I see.’

His superior had struggled to prevent him from being sent to the rumored Grand Duke, but in the end, he was defeated.

And he wouldn’t have been the only one.

The time they had spent together proved it.

Mirane’s life had not been a failure.

His efforts to survive had borne fruit.

A calm voice flowed.

“If you’re talking about someone who does their job completely, are you referring to the person standing before me?”

Startled, Edwick opened his eyes wide and looked at Mirane. Suppressing a smile, he continued.

“My father is also doing his job as a father.”

It wasn’t entirely sincere.

After a silence, Mirane whispered.

“I will continue to do my job even after I go to Wicker.”

Looking at the Imperial Palace reflected in the river where brilliant lights flowed, Mirane was accepting the conclusion of the first half of his life.

Mirane Raster’s business in the capital was finished.

The flames were going out one by one. It was now complete night.

However, Mirane no longer felt desolation.

He whispered in a soft voice.

“Could you look after Wilhelm? Not by giving him great favors, but just… his well-being.”

Edwick replied with a short answer.

“I understand.”

I do not misunderstand you. I trust you. Those words could be glimpsed within his resolute face. Nodding, Mirane turned his head back to look where Edwick was gazing. Where Edwick was looking was the Imperial Palace, with its night view of brilliant lights.

After the exceptionally beautiful night at the Gelang River passed, a procession left the capital the next morning. It was a carriage that departed amidst sighs that felt like mourning. On the flags escorting the carriage, which left a great sorrow in the capital, was the roaring lion of the Count Raster family.