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Chapter 56
The memory suddenly flashed in my mind — when and how the character called Kailrus first appeared in <Golden Oath>.
Kail… after being harshly trained under Selphius for years, only returned to Peln in the middle of the novel. With powerful strength and a cold personality.
On my brother’s graduation day, when we talked as if Kail would attend the military academy, I had felt something strange the whole time. Why did I forget this until now?
Without realizing it, I had separated the villain from the original story and my real-life friend Kail.
I had unconsciously believed he would enter the academy like my brothers.
It felt like all the blood in my body turned cold and drained away.
The Kail I had known and protected until now felt like he would scatter like smoke.
“Kail, wait!”
I shouted toward his back as he moved farther away.
He did not look back, but he slightly slowed down.
I urged my horse forward and cut in front of him.
The two horses almost collided. They stepped back and neighed loudly.
Kail’s calm expression looked strangely similar to Selphius, and my voice trembled.
“Why… why did you make that decision? Tell me the reason….”
I already knew the answer. But I still asked. I hoped it would not be that reason.
In the silence, my heartbeat sounded unpleasantly loud.
Kail’s lips parted and closed several times.
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he looked straight at me.
“Riez. I will become the successor of the Diern ducal family.”
For a moment, I doubted my ears.
It was the first time I heard Kail say my name.
After three whole years, hearing my name from him felt strangely painful.
I closed my eyes tightly, then opened them. After calming my breath, I asked carefully,
“……Did the Duke say that? That if you go north, he will make you the successor?”
“No. I decided it myself. Father only said he hasn’t chosen a successor yet. He allowed me to follow him to the duchy.”
“……If you aim for the successor’s seat, that means you will oppose Brother Darius, Kail.”
“I’ve always done that. What’s new?”
His cold words scratched my heart.
Darius cares about you so much. Why are you still like this, Kail?
If I could feel even a little hesitation from him, there would be room to persuade him.
“……What are you planning to do?”
“I don’t know. First, I’ll train until I nearly die. Later, when the time comes, I’ll ask for an official successor competition.”
The words successor competition brought back the later part of the original story.
The competition Kail planned never happened. Duke Selphius suddenly died, and in his final words, instead of naming a successor, he revealed Kail’s birth secret in front of everyone.
That Kail had a different birth mother.
That the woman he truly loved was her.
Maybe he thought he was regretting his life at the end. But it only pushed Kail into hell.
After hearing that will, not only did the retainers and knights refuse to acknowledge Kail, but Kail himself fell into darkness from betrayal.
The truth that only I knew rose to my throat.
Kail, you won’t be rewarded in the end.
You really are the illegitimate son of a maid…!
If things continued like this, Kail would walk the same dark path as in the original story.
The thought was unbearable and terrifying.
My eyes burned.
Instead of shouting the useless truth, I spoke a desperate plea.
“Don’t go, Kail….”
When he saw the tears running down my cheeks, his eyes widened in shock.
“Don’t go….”
Slowly, he reached out and wiped my cheek.
As carefully as if he were touching thin glass that might break.
“……Why. Why are you like this?”
“…….”
“I’m confused. Your reaction is completely different from when you thought I would go to the academy.”
He kept wiping away my falling tears.
I could not find the right answer. I just moved my lips silently.
It was hot. The tears and his touch.
“Even if we can’t meet every two weeks, we can still see each other once or twice a year.”
He spoke gently, like comforting a child.
“I’ll definitely return to Peln within five years. So… don’t cry.”
It was the first time I heard Kail speak in such a soft tone. And that hurt even more.
He brushed away another tear and gently fixed my messy bangs.
“Endure it a little. I’ll come back stronger and more impressive each time.”
“No! I don’t want that. Don’t go. Please….”
I shook my head and grabbed his hand tightly with both of mine.
Kail looked down at my arms holding him, then let out a short laugh.
“What? I’m serious. Why are you laughing?!”
“……First, get down.”
He got off his horse, still trying to hide his smile.
I followed him down.
When I glared at him, he laughed again.
“Do you like me that much? Are you crying because you won’t see me often?”
“That’s not why!”
I pushed his shoulder and shouted.
“Then what?”
“You can still train while attending the academy. Why do you have to go to the duchy!”
He stared at me with wide eyes, then stepped back and explained calmly.
“That’s not enough. Darius is older than me and has already achieved merit. Just receiving the same level of education as him isn’t enough to surpass him. If Father trains me directly, I can grow much faster. I can also gain the knights’ trust.”
“I hate it.”
“……Why do you hate it so much? Are you worried I’ll suffer?”
“…….”
“If that’s it, don’t worry. Like you said, I’ll rest properly at least one day a week.”
“……What if you become cold and scary like Duke Selphius? I don’t want that.”
It might sound disrespectful, but it was the closest reason to the truth I could give.
Kail hesitated, then shook his head awkwardly.
“……I won’t.”
“How can you be sure?”
He let out a breath.
“I swear I won’t become a cold-blooded man like my father. Is that enough?”
He spoke each word slowly, with deep patience.
I shook my head.
“No. Still, don’t go.”
His eyes frowned in confusion.
I couldn’t say I knew his future because I was possessed.
I didn’t know what excuse to give anymore.
To him, I must look unreasonable — stopping a friend who wanted to study for his future.
After scratching his hair and letting out a long sigh, he looked at me.
“What’s the real reason you’re acting like this?”
“……I don’t know.”
“Tell me.”
“……I can’t.”
“I told you everything.”
“Sorry. I can’t explain it right now.”
“Then I can’t accept it. It’s my life. My goal!”
He raised his voice in frustration.
He was right.
I couldn’t persuade him.
Not unless I revealed the truth he would never believe.
The cold wind swept across the field.
Kail turned his back on me and rubbed his face roughly.
“……Ha. Let’s just go.”
He jumped back onto his horse.
I stood still, searching for a way to stop him.
Then I finally found it.
The only card I had left.
“Kail. Our match record is 97 to 98 right now, right?”
He looked down at me sharply.
“Let’s settle it today.”
“What….”
“If I reach 100 wins first… you won’t go to the Diern Duchy.”
He opened his mouth wide, then laughed in disbelief.
“……Are you crazy?”
“I’m not.”
“Is that really your wish?”
His eyes darkened as he asked.
“Yeah.”
Even if he hated me for now, I had to stop him.
Kail muttered a curse under his breath.
Then, as if he had decided to go all the way, he nodded with sharp eyes.
“……Fine. Let’s do it.”
