DYBAR - Chapter 55 < The Moment He Achieved His Best >
Do Your Best And Regret It
It's been a long time since I went out on a carriage this late at night. Sir Howard Interfield, a great knight, was not only good at riding horses, but he was also good at driving carriages. I deliberately looked out the window and thought of something else. While thinking about Howard's almost unwavering driving skills, I unconsciously looked at Edwin's face reflected in the window. I couldn't bring myself to look directly at Edwin's face, who was sitting across from me.
The moment I looked at Edwin, I felt like I was recalling the face he showed me earlier... In my room a little while ago. It was when Edwin's trembling in my arms subsided.
I spoke impulsively while comforting Edwin's pounding heart with my palm.
"If it's okay, would you like to go and take a look now?"
"May I?"
I looked at Edwin's face at the damp voice. The expression Edwin made at that moment will probably never be forgotten for the rest of my life. A face that desperately looks at me like a child left alone. Edwin's inner self, who had held me tightly, was revealed to me.
I swallowed my breath without realizing it. Tears filled his red eyes and ran down the comers of his eyes. With his eyes and the tip of his nose turning red, Edwin looked at me earnestly as if I were his savior. It was different from the way he usually gave me a friendly look that made my heart tingle or made eye contact so persistently that it made me feel embarrassed.
Edwin shook his head slightly, looking confused and in disbelief. He looked like he couldn't figure out what to say. I swallowed the throbbing pain in my heart. And I had a hunch that that expression, stuck in my heart like a piece of glass, would never go away for the rest of my life.
But if I cried at this moment, Edwin would put aside the pain and comfort me. So I suppressed the lump in my throat and spoke sweetly. Just like Edwin did for me.
"Sure. Now the White Crystal Mine belongs to Edwin. Anytime Edwin wants, you can go and see it anytime."
His mother's belongings were stolen, and the treasures of the Kingdom of Lowell. I was well aware of the resonance that such a being gave. Maybe if someone were to give me my mother's thread anklet, I might be like Edwin in a daze and then burst into tears.
I was grateful that I could be with Edwin, who always lifted me up, at this moment. I held Edwin's hand firmly and made eye contact with him.
"Next time, it would be better if you go alone. Come with me just for today."
I just wanted to be behind him. I couldn't let the person I loved so dearly be alone on a day like this. I added hastily.
"I will never interfere with Edwin's tour of the mine. So, come with me this time."
I waited impatiently for Edwin's answer. Edwin nodded his head almost invisible.
"I will prepare the carriage right away."
Howard, who didn't know when he came, said with red eyes...
"As soon as I return, I will ask for a stamp to prove joint ownership. So, I'm taking a little break. If I don't rest, I really won't see Bethany tomorrow. Okay?"
Now that I think about it, Bethany must be lying down well. Thinking of Bethany, who was barely nodding as if exhausted, I looked in the direction of the Great Duchy for a moment. Suddenly, the great siege seemed as small as a dot.
How long does it take to reach the mine?
I recalled the first time I came to Vikander and measured the distance. In the silence, I had to keep thinking about other things in order not to consciously look at Edwin.
"Olivia."
I was startled by the voice calling me and looked towards Edwin. She looked at me, his beautiful face smiling loosely.
"Why are you so surprised?"
"...Well, I didn't know you were going to call me."
I swallowed my confusion and answered with a true heart. Edwin laughed lowly. Before I knew it, the redness around his eyes had returned to normal without a trace. The red eyes, which were very wet, also shone brightly.
"I'm sorry..."
Edwin frowned for a moment. The dry, cracked voice was the only remnant that proved Edwin's confused state until now. Edwin smiled faintly and held out his hand.
"Can you hold my hand? I seem to have motion sickness today."
I, looking at the hand, bit my lip. I thought wrong. He came back as usual. I was heartbroken to see Edwin shaking his hand like that and asking me to just hold his hand, saying he was motion sick.
I slowly shook my head. A voice with more emotional restraint than usual came out between my clenched teeth.
"I can't use my hands."
"As expected, isn't it?"
Edwin, who was smiling and pretending to be okay, opened his eyes wide. The sweet scent that always made Edwin anxious came closer to him. In an instant, Olivia was sitting next to Edwin, wrapping her arms around Edwin's strong shoulders. She said.
"For motion sickness, the best way is to lean on the person next to you and close your eyes."
It must be an uncomfortable position. Olivia carefully let Edwin's head rest against me. With her other hand, she cupped Edwin's hand.
"I understand even if I am being reckless now. Once we arrive, there won't be any disturbance."
The strong voice soothed Edwin's trembling heart. On one side of his chest, what little space was left was filled to the point where it felt tight.
Edwin, who had been blinking in the warmth, slowly closed his eyes.
***
"We're here."
At one point, the carriage came to a complete stop. I looked at Edwin for a moment as I heard Howard's voice knocking and speaking outside the door.
"... Shall we get off?"
Edwin cleared his throat loudly as if his completely subdued voice was awkward. I wanted to smile a little at his actions which seemed to lighten the mood, but the corners of my mouth seemed to barely turn up due to tension. As soon as I got out of her carriage, I let out a sigh of relief.
The White Crystal mine in front of me looked exactly like the last time I saw it. It seemed as if no one had ever visited, and the trees at the entrance were still bare and dry. Every time the wind blew, the sound of branches crashing against each other was chilling. Remembering that the wind inside the mine was so strong that it chilled my body, I absentmindedly played with the magic stone on my necklace. If only I had this magic stone, my body would be as warm as it is now.
As soon as I realized I had to give it to Edwin, I tried to undo the clasp on the back of my neck.
"For a moment... I will go in first."
Before even taking off the necklace, Howard spoke in a stern voice. Tension was evident on Howard's face, which showed no emotion.
"It's okay."
Edwin said, shaking his head. I pursed my lips for a moment as I looked at Edwin and Howard, who seemed to have made up their minds as if they were about to enter a place they could not enter.
"...Is there a rule that says you can't go in here at night?"
Otherwise, there was no need to put on such a stem face upon entering. Instead of Edwin just smiling without answering, Howard hesitated for a moment and spoke.
"... When the Emperor owned the White Crystal Mine, a magician placed a resistance spell here for all members of the Vikander family."
"Resistance, magic?"
I couldn't believe it. Resistance magic.
Resistance magic, which prevents access by unauthorized people, was a magic that only wizards with great skills could perform. There was magic in this mine that was only found in the highest security vaults in the imperial palace. I looked at the mine, something I had no idea about. Howard added,
"Yes. The magic has been layered so that not even Bethany can break it, so entry has been restricted for us in the meantime."
"The ownership has changed to My Lady. You can go in now."
Edwin narrowed his eyes playfully and strode toward the mine. Without even having time to calm down my shock at the word resistance magic, I was startled and called Edwin.
"Edwin!"
It was said that if the resistance magic denied access, the person would be in so much pain that he would die. As soon as the words came to her mind, I ran to Edwin's side, terrified.
Could it be that the Princess found out about this and lured me into a trap?
Please make sure Edwin is safe.
With a desperate wind, I passed through the entrance of the cave, holding Edwin. It was then that I closed my eyes tightly as his firm hand held hers.
"...Listen, I'm here, Olivia."
Edwin looked at her in disbelief. It was the same. Even though I couldn't give up despite the pain that seared my bones as if I had been hit by lightning, I entered this white crystal mine and instead of jumping out, I stayed still. Olivia, who had closed her eyes tightly, gently opened her eyes. And it was only after thoroughly checking that Edwin was safe that she became angry.
"How can you just go in like that! Don't you know how scary resistance magic is? They said it was a magic that kills people by burning them."
At that moment, Edwin hugged Olivia. He could feel the anger bubbling under her smaller and softer body than Edwin, but Edwin could not bear this overwhelming feeling.
"A long time ago."
Edwin muttered, suppressing his frustration.
"... My mother often told me about this place. My mother treasured this White Crystal Mine very much, and she always said she had great secrets here. It's a secret passed down from generation to generation only to the royal family of Lowell who has reached adulthood. I hope the day comes soon when I reveal this secret to you."
The image of his mother speaking playfully was vivid. The unbearable drowsiness that came over him, and his mother's voice singing a song like a canary to the little boy who was falling asleep. The gentle hand that carefully brushed his hair. Edwin vaguely thought it would be nice to turn eighteen sooner.
But when he turned 18, he couldn't even get through the entrance to this place. Even though Edwin swallowed the burning pain as if he were being burned, he hoped that he would be able to come in someday.
Edwin lifted Olivia's shoulder away from mine for a moment. Green eyes filled with tears of worry faced Edwin. At that moment, Edwin remembered the phrase this brilliant Young Lady had sent him.
"My best has come true."
-I wish you all the best. - Liv Green
Edwin spoke again, looking at Olivia's face who seemed to have no idea what he was talking about.
"Olivia brought out the best in me."
A low voice full of tremors. Edwin's words gave a sense of déjà vu, but I didn't ask any questions. Instead, I used my strength to hug Edwin tightly. Whatever it was, I was glad that Edwin's best was achieved.
I really enjoy hearing the soft sound of laughter, and it tickles me too. I could only wish that this moment would last forever
Cute.
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