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Chapter 78
“Duke Kylian received treatment just a moment ago and has left.”
“I see.”
Today, it was another wasted trip.
Since leaving his side, Rune hadn’t been able to meet Kylian for some time.
The room he visited every afternoon was always empty, and lately, even seeing the embarrassed expression of Sir Ethan, who had to explain this every time, had become awkward.
Can it really be this easy to keep missing each other if it’s not intentional?
Perhaps it would even be simpler to cancel the Esquire nomination altogether. If he went so far as to leave the room to avoid me…
Noticing Rune’s visibly darkened mood, the priest offered a gentle smile.
“I think he might have gone toward the back gate behind the residence. Would you like to try going there?”
“Ah, I think I know where he is. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. May the light of the Holy Sun be with you.”
The young priest pressed his hands together in greeting. Rune returned the gesture with a soft, white smile.
What on earth am I doing chasing him like this?
Because of this pursuit, Rune had unintentionally become acquainted with the priest responsible for Kylian’s care.
It was the last day of the festival. Rune recalled the hill Kylian had taken him to. Even afterward, Kylian often rested on that secluded hill, unknown to others.
He’s probably under that old tree. Today, I’ll make sure I meet him.
Rune’s pace quickened as he turned.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
I swear, Kylian hadn’t rested like this in years.
Perhaps never since the day he was born.
From birth, he had lived as the heir of the House of Herace, bearing the weight of everyone’s expectations.
Being at the top meant always being on guard against those who would try to pull you down or manipulate you. One had to stand proudly, untouchable.
I’m tired.
Even I, as a human, cannot escape fatigue.
Ever since his father, Duke Carlo, fell ill, Kylian had partially taken on the affairs of the empire and the responsibilities of the Duke.
By next spring, he was expected to assume the full duties of the Duke of Herace.
So surely, a brief rest wouldn’t hurt.
Kylian raised a hand to cover his eyes. The sunlight filtered through the wide canopy of the pagoda tree he leaned against.
There was no better place to calm a restless mind.
This quiet hill was the only place within the academy where he could truly spend time alone.
Soon, as his eyes closed, memories of cherished dreams began to surface.
How much time passed, he couldn’t say.
Kylian’s eyes opened on their own.
“…Did I fall asleep?”
He closed his eyes again, feeling the now-cool breeze.
Summer is almost over.
The wind brushed across his forehead, teasing his hair.
Sa-aaaah.
The pale leaves shook in the breeze, as if dusted with white snowflakes.
The real reason he came here, using rest as an excuse, was that he still wasn’t ready to face that person’s face.
The fear of losing him completely was unbearably painful.
Now, he seemed to finally understand the reason behind the unrest in his heart.
To be precise, I’ve acknowledged it.
He never wanted to feel that sensation again—the feeling as if someone had ripped his heart out.
“Duke Kylian.”
At the voice calling him, Kylian opened his eyes once more.
Out of breath, probably from running, the boy’s cheeks were flushed red.
“So we finally meet.”
Rune, standing straight, brushed the sweat from his forehead, revealing his pale skin.
“Will you keep running away like that?”
Perhaps because Kylian was so used to seeing that familiar, slightly haughty gaze…
“No.”
A faint smile appeared on Kylian’s lips as he looked at Rune, who stood with the same expression as before.
“You can’t run anymore.”
At the end of this summer, countless past summers came to mind.
“I had a long dream. And…”
The sunlight made Kylian’s black eyes gleam with a faint reddish hue.
“You’re here now.”
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
It was a summer day, just like countless others.
“Sir Humphrey.”
The knight commander gave a strained smile at the unusually subdued voice.
“You may not leave the castle.”
He mounted his horse, towering over the small, cute lord who barely reached his waist. The little one’s sullen head seemed pitiable, but it couldn’t be helped.
“This is as far as you can come to see off your guest. Now you must truly go.”
It was urgent to welcome the guest arriving at the Marquisate on time. The young lord’s stubbornness had already delayed them enough by accompanying him to the gate.
At his age, he’s now probably twice as stubborn as when he was five.
Perhaps the time of stubbornness had come even for the gentle young lord.
No, perhaps the young lord simply inherited his master’s stubborn nature.
Even His Majesty the Emperor cannot command him. Surely, he’s the strongest fortress in the Empire.
“Do you need to return directly to the main hall?”
“All right, all right.”
Rune, puffing out his cheeks, looked up at the lofty castle walls.
Even when he craned his neck, the world beyond remained beyond his reach.
Soon, the massive gates, seemingly touching the sky, slowly opened with a heavy creak.
“Escort the young lord safely into the castle.”
“Yes, understood.”
After a precise salute, Humphrey led the knights through the gates.
“Chi…”
Kicking up dust, they disappeared quickly. The sight was so impressive that Rune’s lips curled into a small grin.
The Light Knights of the House of Este were strong and brave.
With them, nothing would be frightening.
Rune, a young child, couldn’t understand why his father’s extreme strictness was necessary.
His small footsteps trudged back with a bit of reluctance.
“My bottom hurts. I can’t ride a horse.”
“Please wait. We will fetch a carriage.”
It was a lie. Riding was one of Rune’s favorite things.
The troubled knight hurried toward the nearby carriage rental. Rune tapped the ground with his toes, feeling a mix of mischief and embarrassment.
He wanted to go outside the castle, but more than that, he wanted to buy time.
The upcoming Baron Conrad’s lesson was unbearably boring.
“Hey! That meat is for tonight’s dinner, move it here!”
Merchants and carts, lined up outside the castle, bustled in like ants.
“Store the milk in the freezer so it doesn’t spoil!”
“Where’s Hans? We need more roses for the vases!”
All this was in preparation for the visitors from the House of Herace.
One, two… three?
Rune raised his small hand and folded his fingers one by one.
He didn’t even need all ten. It was rare for the Este household to have guests, and just as rare to see the castle gates wide open.
Ah… this is…
His blue eyes gleamed.
This is a chance that will never come again!
His small steps changed direction as he darted off.
The servants, normally trailing him, were running in every direction.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the child slipped through the gates with a curious smile.
The world beyond the walls, always a mystery, was now right before him.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
After leaving the castle gates, Rune walked along the walls toward the secluded back gate.
If I follow the walls, I should return to the front gate eventually.
The walls encircled the Marquisate in a large, rounded shape, so the other end should be where he started.
“Good, this plan is perfect.”
His round cheeks puffed out proudly.
Crunch.
Grass and weeds pressed under his small feet, rougher than the well-manicured lawns, tickling him with excitement.
The noise from the castle had already faded far behind.
The guards at the back gate were gone, perhaps patrolling the walls.
Finding a small opening like this? I can do it! I have to show Daniel!
Crawling through a small hole in the far back wall of the gate wasn’t difficult.
Rune dusted off his pants, dirt from crawling through the hole. His cheeks naturally puffed up with excitement—it felt like a real adventure.
The northern back gate led to the dark forest that Humphrey and Marlin had warned him about.
It looks even bigger up close.
The trees were tall and lush. The dense forest, even in broad daylight, was dark and eerie.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Against his plan, Rune’s steps had led him deep into the forest.
Soon, the walls were completely hidden by the trees.
…How far have I gone?
Panicked, he couldn’t just stop. After a while, he finally paused.
“Ah…”
Amid the dark grass, yellow eyes glowed sharply.
Grrr…
The low growl was different from the hunting dogs of the Marquisate. The wild beast was issuing a serious warning.
Slowly, a massive gray-brown wolf emerged from the shadows.
Scary…
Feeling this unfamiliar fear, Rune froze.
Grrrr…
“D-Don’t… come closer…”
Sharp teeth glistened with saliva. His spine tingled, and his legs trembled.
Grr… Grrk!
The wolf leapt high, barking loudly. Rune squeezed his eyes shut and fell to the ground.
Yikes…!!
At that moment, wind rushed past, and the creature’s death cry rang out. Warm liquid splashed onto Rune’s face.
W-What… is this?
He barely opened his trembling eyes to see a boy standing before him.
The sword the boy held gleamed sharper than the wolf’s fangs.
With a rough exhale, the boy’s shoulders heaved.
“…You were in danger.”
The boy drew his sword through the air, flicking off the blood.
