The whereabouts of the heart (8)
It was only after arriving at Elder n Castle that Rahon opened his mouth.
"Millenia, talk to me."
"Nadia...you go in first."
"Yes, Miss."
Nadia sensed that Rahon's mood was already sinking, so she quietly stepped back.
I walked with Rahon as a sponsor.
Instead of the rain stopping, the wind became chilly. I shivered without realizing it, and Rahon took off his coat and put it on me.
I asked with a deliberate smile to lighten the mood.
"How much is this?"
"It's free."
"Oh, I get to wear your clothes for free. How lucky I am."
"I received this much money from you. From now on, I'll just lend you clothes."
"This is customer service. If you're going to do it, give me a free tea."
"No way. That's cheaper than 2 gold."
"..."
When I pretended to lick my lips.
Rahon's long eyes curved prettily. As he smiled, the awkward atmosphere eased somewhat.
Only then did I ask cautiously.
"Rahon, do you have anything to say to me?"
After a brief pause, Rahon spoke.
"I'm talking about the future."
"Future?"
"Why a picture? Wouldn't it be much faster and easier to write it down?"
"Ah. Do you remember when I told you about the small crack that would open in the villa?"
"Remember that day when we talked about Sir Timothy?"
"Even the Duke, who knew the area well, couldn't pinpoint the location. There are limits to explaining it in words."
"So that's why you chose painting."
"Above all, even people who don't know how to read can see the pictures."
"That's true."
Rahon looked at me.
"But why now?"
"Yes?"
"It's not too late to return to the capital and start drawing the future. Just considering the ripple effect, it's much more advantageous to do it in the central capital than in Eldern. But is there a reason to start here now?"
By now, Oslo will be working to recruit the lords around here to isolate Eldern. Thanks to the success of that plan in his past life, Oslo killed two birds with one stone.
One is that it caused a great blow to Eldern's finances by forcing them to buy grain from far away.
Another thing was that his power grew further as the nobles he had recruited at that time joined him.
To change that future, the future had to start in Eldern.
As the futureization is completed soon, rumors will spread from nearby territories centered around Eldern.
If I shared the future, the lords around here would have no reason to cooperate with Oslo.
If that happens, it will cause a major setback to Oslo's plan to embrace it.
'It is just as important to prevent new powers from growing as it is to dismantle existing ones.'
I shrugged.
"It just happened that way."
"Isn't it because Kalit is here?"
An unexpected name came out of Rahon's mouth. I tilted my head.
"Kalit?"
"You're thinking of making Kalit the Emperor."
"...!"
It was something that he was bound to find out someday, but I didn't think Rahon would notice it this quickly.
My mind went blank and I couldn't think of anything to say. I stammered an excuse belatedly.
"How can I... How can I make an Emperor? It would be against my duty of neutrality."
"Neutrality has to make up a plausible excuse. Like your future self."
"I don't have the power to do that, for sure."
"If I were to become the Emperor, the first thing I would do would be to get you on my side. Not because I need power, but because just being with you can move people. That is the power of the 'First walker'."
I couldn't help but know what he was talking about.
The strategy of having Kalit by my side when talking to Erica was also to utilize the symbolism of the 'first walker '.
"I've been thinking this for a while, but you seem particularly weak to Kalit."
"..."
It had to be that way.
Wasn't Kalit the one who fell into the most miserable situation because of me?
Thinking back on my past life, I couldn't have given him everything he wanted.
"I don't remember ever being particularly weak towards Kalit. Could it be a misunderstanding on your part?"
Rahon asked with a blank expression.
"You really don't know, or are you just pretending not to know?"
"What, huh?"
"At the villa, Kalit tried to kill Baba, whom you had worked hard to capture. You just let it pass."
"But I can't be angry at Lord Kalit."
"Why can't you be angry? He used you to get revenge on Baba."
"But he is the Prince..."
"Your safety is at stake, and you couldn't ask questions just because he's a mere prince? A guardian who can refuse the Emperor's orders?"
"..."
I had nothing to say.
Even though I knew that Kalit was using me, I didn't question him, and if he wanted, I was even willing to hand over Baba, whom I had finally caught.
Rahon's lips curled into a sneer.
"Besides, you are currently creating something called the Future Flower to help Kalit ascend to the throne"
"Futureization is really a coincidence..."
"Don't say it's a coincidence. You're not the kind of person who acts without thinking. You're the kind of person who looks ahead a few steps before taking a step."
Rahon grabbed my hand tightly.
"Why are you helping Kalit? If he finds any weakness, tell me. I'll take care of it."
"Oh, no! Weakness. There's no such thing."
If I had to say, I think it was not Kalit but me who took advantage of his weakness. I know his unfortunate childhood.
"If it weren't for my weaknesses..."
Rahon's voice changed subtly.
"Have you even kept him in mind?"
"Yes?"
"I know you were with Kalit the night before the inauguration."
The night before the inauguration ceremony was just yesterday. What did I do with Kalit then?
"Oh, I couldn't sleep that day, so we chatted for a bit. But how did you know that?"
"Because I saw Kalit coming out of your bedroom."
A dark aura hung in his purple eyes. It was a mixture of deep anger and displeasure.
"Did you just talk?"
"I drank tea too. What on earth do you want to ask?"
Rahon swept his hair up. The sigh he let out into the air was heavy.
"If anyone other than me had seen Kalit coming out of your bedroom, rumors of your strange relationship would have spread by now."
"I was in a relationship with the Third Prince, so how can I be in a relationship with Kalit? It's ridiculous."
As I said that, I let out a hollow laugh. Then, the corners of Rahon's mouth went up crookedly.
"Millenia, that's what makes people go crazy. It's so provocative."
"Did you hear anything?"
"Ask Kalit for more details. I also heard it from him."
Is there something going on between Rahon and Kalit that I don't know about?
Somehow, I felt uneasy.
'I'll have to ask Kalit when he gets back.'
"Rahon, Kalit, and I are not that kind of people. It's just that..."
To clear up Rahon's misunderstanding, it was necessary to reveal some of the plan.
"That's right. I want Lord Kalit to ascend to the throne. I'm taking steps toward that future."
"..."
"But it's not because I have romantic feelings for Kalit... It's just because I know that the Third Prince is not the material to become the Emperor."
Rahon opened his eyes wide. He realized that Oslo would become the Emperor in the future.
"Millenia, you are mistaken. That also violates the duty of neutrality. Don't get involved in politics."
I also know that the duty of neutrality was created to prevent the Guardians from getting involved in politics.
But isn't that a law made by humans?
God wants me to change the future. My return from the dead is proof of that.
"Then why do we need a 'first walker'? Isn't the power given to change the future?"
Moreover, I am not the 'first walker' now. There is no reason for me to keep the guardian's duty that humans have set.
"You know he acts politely and respectfully to everyone."
"But?"
"That means no one is close to you. A person who keeps his distance from everyone is bound to have a lot to hide. He may be a good business partner, but he's not a good romantic partner."
"I told you. Kalit and I don't have that kind of relationship?"
"But why are you calling him by his name? You always called the Third Prince in Oslo too."
"That..."
Actually, I would have been suspicious if I saw someone struggling to change a future that had nothing to do with them.
There must be another reason, obviously.
Rahon just thought it was because I had some kind of feelings for Kalit.
Even I think it's a situation that could be misunderstood.
'I don't know if it's pity, but it's not romantic feelings.'
I can't tell you the whole truth, so what should I say?
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Who would want to meddle in other people's love lives? Each person should figure out what to do with themselves."
"..."
"Let's go in. You'll catch a cold if you keep doing this."
Rahon grabbed my hand.
The expression on his face as he turned away seemed somehow bitter.
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