“...”
A strange silence flowed. Liene greeted the old man in the room. The audience room and the hall were uncomfortable places for the old man with his bad legs, as there were no chairs for anyone other than royalty. Black, who had brought the old man as promised, closed the door and left. Liene slowly stared into the old man’s eye, taking her time until the old man fully accepted the situation where they were alone together...
A strange silence flowed. Liene greeted the old man in the room. The audience room and the hall were uncomfortable places for the old man with his bad legs, as there were no chairs for anyone other than royalty. Black, who had brought the old man as promised, closed the door and left. Liene slowly stared into the old man’s eye, taking her time until the old man fully accepted the situation where they were alone together...
There are no scars or anything. It meant that Black hadn’t forced anything on the old man. Liene twisted her lips by herself. She guesses she doesn’t trust that man very much. In fact, it was the opposite. Because she wanted to trust him, she looked into him more closely. Because she wanted to eliminate even the slightest suspicion.
"I know you have something to tell me. I’ve prepared this space so that you can speak comfortably, so feel free to open your mouth.”
"Which..."
The old man licked his lips and let out a small sound.
“Aksak’s daughter is a sinner in Nauk. She will soon shed blood. He will take revenge. Didn’t he do that to you?”
“..."
“Tell me what that means. What have I done that makes me a sinner?”
“...”
The old man's mouth did not open easily.
“You cannot move from this spot until you answer. I will not let you out of the palace even if you die and are nothing but bones.”
Although it was fatal, Liene had to use the threat that she would not even build a grave.
“Arsak... the sinner of Nauk... who brought... drought.. to this land...”
Eventually, the old man opened his lips intermittently.
“Keep going.”
“Yes... many dead... heads... breaths... The sin... of the Arsak family... blood was washed away...”
“So?”
Liene frowned unconsciously. Some said such things. They were the ones who said that the drought had continued for too long since the previous King’s time and that it was the curse of the gods or the King’s sin. Twenty years had passed and the same words were no longer being uttered, but that did not mean that the words once uttered would completely disappear.
“Oh, someday... I’m going... God will take revenge...”
“You’re lying to me. How dare you.”
Liene glared at the old man.
“When you first opened your mouth, that was not what you meant. You said that Arsak’s daughter would bleed in revenge. God’s vengeance is not achieved by shedding human blood. That kind of revenge is for humans.”
“Lies... Ah, no... Arsak’s revenge... God, you...”
“You have recognized Lord Tiwakan.”
“...”
The old man's eyes slightly distorted for a moment. Liene interpreted it as confusion.
“How do you know Lord Tiwakan? Did you have a connection with him in your childhood?”
“...”
“What is Lord Tiwakan’s name?”
“....”
The old man stared at Liene with his mouth shut as if his eyes were asking if she could bear to know the truth.
“Answer me.”
Liene chewed on the anxiety rising in her stomach.
"I know you have something to tell me. I’ve prepared this space so that you can speak comfortably, so feel free to open your mouth.”
"Which..."
The old man licked his lips and let out a small sound.
“Aksak’s daughter is a sinner in Nauk. She will soon shed blood. He will take revenge. Didn’t he do that to you?”
“..."
“Tell me what that means. What have I done that makes me a sinner?”
“...”
The old man's mouth did not open easily.
“You cannot move from this spot until you answer. I will not let you out of the palace even if you die and are nothing but bones.”
Although it was fatal, Liene had to use the threat that she would not even build a grave.
“Arsak... the sinner of Nauk... who brought... drought.. to this land...”
Eventually, the old man opened his lips intermittently.
“Keep going.”
“Yes... many dead... heads... breaths... The sin... of the Arsak family... blood was washed away...”
“So?”
Liene frowned unconsciously. Some said such things. They were the ones who said that the drought had continued for too long since the previous King’s time and that it was the curse of the gods or the King’s sin. Twenty years had passed and the same words were no longer being uttered, but that did not mean that the words once uttered would completely disappear.
“Oh, someday... I’m going... God will take revenge...”
“You’re lying to me. How dare you.”
Liene glared at the old man.
“When you first opened your mouth, that was not what you meant. You said that Arsak’s daughter would bleed in revenge. God’s vengeance is not achieved by shedding human blood. That kind of revenge is for humans.”
“Lies... Ah, no... Arsak’s revenge... God, you...”
“You have recognized Lord Tiwakan.”
“...”
The old man's eyes slightly distorted for a moment. Liene interpreted it as confusion.
“How do you know Lord Tiwakan? Did you have a connection with him in your childhood?”
“...”
“What is Lord Tiwakan’s name?”
“....”
The old man stared at Liene with his mouth shut as if his eyes were asking if she could bear to know the truth.
“Answer me.”
Liene chewed on the anxiety rising in her stomach.
Tell me the truth. I'll listen to anything. I need to know who that man is.
“Henton.”
The words came from the old man's mouth so clearly that for a moment I doubted if it was someone else.
“Henton?”
It was a name she had never heard before.
“Henton’s... second son...”
“Was that Lord Tiwakan?”
“...”
The old man closed his mouth again, but his expression showed that he had insisted on saying what he had to say. Liene decided to accept his words.
“Ues. Now, the last question.”
The old man nodded silently. He had the attitude of a man who had no intention of keeping his mouth shut after revealing the truth he had kept hidden.
“Why did you hit brother Klima?”
“I saw...”
“What?”
“The body... is put...in the coffin.”
"Ah..."
That was right. The culprit was brother Klima. That meant he was an errand boy for the Kleinfelter family, and that included terrible things like assassination. Liene recalled Klima’s body, dripping with blood the moment she caught him. He said he had to offer a prayer of atonement. That was... That was why. It didn’t seem right at all.
“Henton.”
The words came from the old man's mouth so clearly that for a moment I doubted if it was someone else.
“Henton?”
It was a name she had never heard before.
“Henton’s... second son...”
“Was that Lord Tiwakan?”
“...”
The old man closed his mouth again, but his expression showed that he had insisted on saying what he had to say. Liene decided to accept his words.
“Ues. Now, the last question.”
The old man nodded silently. He had the attitude of a man who had no intention of keeping his mouth shut after revealing the truth he had kept hidden.
“Why did you hit brother Klima?”
“I saw...”
“What?”
“The body... is put...in the coffin.”
"Ah..."
That was right. The culprit was brother Klima. That meant he was an errand boy for the Kleinfelter family, and that included terrible things like assassination. Liene recalled Klima’s body, dripping with blood the moment she caught him. He said he had to offer a prayer of atonement. That was... That was why. It didn’t seem right at all.
Why would a priest who couldn’t bear the guilt of whipping himself be an assassin for the Kleinfelter family?
“Thank you for your answer. Now you may go wherever you wish. If you need a place to stay, I will provide lodging in the castle. Or is there anywhere else you would like to go?”
"...Tomb."
"Yes?"
Liene thought she heard wrong, but it seems she didn't.
“Life that will soon die... Rest in peace... There is no need...”
“Thank you for your answer. Now you may go wherever you wish. If you need a place to stay, I will provide lodging in the castle. Or is there anywhere else you would like to go?”
"...Tomb."
"Yes?"
Liene thought she heard wrong, but it seems she didn't.
“Life that will soon die... Rest in peace... There is no need...”
After finishing speaking, the old man lifted himself up with difficulty, using his cane to support himself on the floor. It was a decisive action that spoke louder than a hundred words. No matter how soft the bed was, the old man would not be happy.
“May you find the rest you desire wherever you go.”
Liene got up from her chair and left the audience room first. She had left the door open on purpose to make the old man feel a little more comfortable.
***
Even after hearing the answer, her mind was still not at ease. Liene continued walking without stopping and headed toward the backyard. It was still a desolate and unsightly place. Liene gathered her thoughts as she walked slowly through the garden, which was now covered only with sharp thorns.
“Henton. Henton. Henton...”
No matter how much she thought about it, it was a name she had never heard before. However, it felt strangely familiar. It was a name she had never seen in any records. It must have meant that it was a family of that level. If it suddenly disappeared one day, no one would remember it.
“No... There’s an old man.”
Whenever she thought of the old man whose body was broken, she felt heavy-hearted even though it wasn't her fault. The same was true for the wounded priest.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have just let it go.”
She should pack something. Something like clothes or food. Liene turned around... and saw someone approaching. It was Black. The moment she saw him, all other thoughts disappeared. If someone had drawn a picture of how much he took up in her head, Liene would not have believed it. Everything else was just a dot compared to Black.
“How did you know that... I was here?”
Liene waited quietly until he got closer.
“Henton. Henton. Henton...”
No matter how much she thought about it, it was a name she had never heard before. However, it felt strangely familiar. It was a name she had never seen in any records. It must have meant that it was a family of that level. If it suddenly disappeared one day, no one would remember it.
“No... There’s an old man.”
Whenever she thought of the old man whose body was broken, she felt heavy-hearted even though it wasn't her fault. The same was true for the wounded priest.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have just let it go.”
She should pack something. Something like clothes or food. Liene turned around... and saw someone approaching. It was Black. The moment she saw him, all other thoughts disappeared. If someone had drawn a picture of how much he took up in her head, Liene would not have believed it. Everything else was just a dot compared to Black.
“How did you know that... I was here?”
Liene waited quietly until he got closer.
“I saw it.”
“Where?”
“From the east tower.”
Then, that means that he had been watching from the moment she left the audience room.
“I wanted to tell you not to come here because it was a dangerous place, but you seemed to be thinking a lot.”
“So... you waited?”
"Yes."
How can this man... always say things that seem like he’s doing it for me?
“Where?”
“From the east tower.”
Then, that means that he had been watching from the moment she left the audience room.
“I wanted to tell you not to come here because it was a dangerous place, but you seemed to be thinking a lot.”
“So... you waited?”
"Yes."
How can this man... always say things that seem like he’s doing it for me?
Liene, who felt awkward looking at Black’s face, tapped the floor with her toes.
“It’s not dangerous here. It’s a garden.”
“Since an arrow has flown here, it means there is a passage leading to the outside.”
“Uh... I didn’t know that there was such a thing... in Nauk Castle.”
As Liene looked surprised, Black pointed ahead.
“I found one. Just in case. Was it on your way back?”
“Yes. I feel bad about just letting the old man go.”
“If that’s the case, you don’t have to go back. Fermos will take care of it.”
“I’d like to send you something to eat.”
"Yes."
The short reply contained the meaning that he would take care of all that. Liene let out a relieved sigh.
“Thank you. For even doing that for me.”
“I was just imitating the Princess... Then shall we finish our walk?”
Liene saw the arm coming towards her. The intention was clear. All she had to do was put her arm around it, and like a couple of affectionate lovers, they would whisper to each other while walking around the backyard... But, was that even possible? Could she now shake off all her doubts about this man?
"Do anything so that I can trust you."
"In return, the Princess can never break your promise again."
That was their last conversation. The outcome had been decided from the moment Liene pulled out the old man's card. Whether or not her heart was still heavy, Liene had to keep her promise.
“I heard the name of Lord Tiwakan.”
Liene hesitated and placed her hand on Black's outstretched arm. As Black turned around and started walking, the two naturally ended up walking side by side.
“The old man knew.”
“What did he say?”
“Lord Tiwakan, please speak.”
Your name. Who you really are.
“...Henton.”
The same name came up. So is that name real? Is Black not lying?
“That was my name just before I left this land.”
“And... you changed your name.”
“I didn’t really change it. After that, it didn’t really matter what the name was.”
“...”
Liene didn't know exactly what life was like in the mercenary corps. But she knew that a child couldn't join the mercenary corps. Black must have experienced countless things that he didn't talk about.
“Tell me more. Was the blood relative who killed your father?”
"Yes."
There was nothing particularly false about his plain response. Black spoke as if it were someone else's business, or as if it were something from a past long forgotten.
“Do you even know... who killed him?”
“I was young at the time, so I don’t know the exact details. However, I remember the pattern engraved on the gauntlets of those who killed my father.”
“What was it?”
"Leaves."
“...!”
Liene suddenly stopped walking.
“If it’s a leaf...”
The laurel leaf was the symbol of the Kleinfelter family. The laurel leaf design was always used on helmets and flags. It was also a family tradition that Lafitte attached leaves to the back of his arrows.
"Then..."
Liene staggered, unable to overcome the shock. Black's enemy was Klinefelter. Klinefelter's eldest son was her lover, and she said that she had his child to reject Black's proposal. The Klinefelter family killed Black's blood relative. Black believed that Liene had the Klinefelter family's blood in her womb. The ex-lover said. Black came to seek revenge. Black proposed first. Revenge. Proposal. Two words that could not have been the same became one under the name Klinefelter. Because she might become Klinefelter's bride. Because she was carrying Klinefelter's child.
“That’s why I didn’t say anything. I was afraid you’d react like this.”
Black supported the staggering Liene.
“I... Then why do I have a child... ”
“It didn’t matter who the child was.”
“Why... why!”
“Do I have to say it again?”
Black brushed the disheveled hair from Liene's forehead, meaning that he had already said this many times.
“I want the Princess more than I want revenge. The Princess doesn’t want me to kill Klinefelter, so I’m going to leave him alone. Do you still find that hard to believe?”
“That... that doesn’t make sense... right? How could that be... possible. How could that be...”
“I have never stayed in one place since I left Nauk. Especially since my name became Tiwakan.”
Black, who had swept all of his hair back, stroked his cleanly revealed round forehead.
“After the war, I needed a home to return to. Not just a roof over my head, but a place I could truly call home.”
It was a strange thing. The hand stroking the forehead of the woman who bore the blood of his enemy was as affectionate as ever.
“To me, the person who is most like home is the Princess. Even though you were not the Princess, I remembered the Princess as my fiancee.”
“...How, how could that be...”
“I’m not good at making excuses. I hoped I wouldn’t get caught if I revealed my name because it would make it harder to make a poor excuse. I still feel the same way. If I could, I would have kept it a secret. Then I would have stayed in the moment.”
“...”
Liene stared at Black with eyes that asked when that moment would be.
“The moment when I open my eyes and the Princess is next to me, and I can kiss you without asking for permission or caring about what others think.”
“...”
“That was the house I had in mind.”
“...”
“It’s not dangerous here. It’s a garden.”
“Since an arrow has flown here, it means there is a passage leading to the outside.”
“Uh... I didn’t know that there was such a thing... in Nauk Castle.”
As Liene looked surprised, Black pointed ahead.
“I found one. Just in case. Was it on your way back?”
“Yes. I feel bad about just letting the old man go.”
“If that’s the case, you don’t have to go back. Fermos will take care of it.”
“I’d like to send you something to eat.”
"Yes."
The short reply contained the meaning that he would take care of all that. Liene let out a relieved sigh.
“Thank you. For even doing that for me.”
“I was just imitating the Princess... Then shall we finish our walk?”
Liene saw the arm coming towards her. The intention was clear. All she had to do was put her arm around it, and like a couple of affectionate lovers, they would whisper to each other while walking around the backyard... But, was that even possible? Could she now shake off all her doubts about this man?
"Do anything so that I can trust you."
"In return, the Princess can never break your promise again."
That was their last conversation. The outcome had been decided from the moment Liene pulled out the old man's card. Whether or not her heart was still heavy, Liene had to keep her promise.
“I heard the name of Lord Tiwakan.”
Liene hesitated and placed her hand on Black's outstretched arm. As Black turned around and started walking, the two naturally ended up walking side by side.
“The old man knew.”
“What did he say?”
“Lord Tiwakan, please speak.”
Your name. Who you really are.
“...Henton.”
The same name came up. So is that name real? Is Black not lying?
“That was my name just before I left this land.”
“And... you changed your name.”
“I didn’t really change it. After that, it didn’t really matter what the name was.”
“...”
Liene didn't know exactly what life was like in the mercenary corps. But she knew that a child couldn't join the mercenary corps. Black must have experienced countless things that he didn't talk about.
“Tell me more. Was the blood relative who killed your father?”
"Yes."
There was nothing particularly false about his plain response. Black spoke as if it were someone else's business, or as if it were something from a past long forgotten.
“Do you even know... who killed him?”
“I was young at the time, so I don’t know the exact details. However, I remember the pattern engraved on the gauntlets of those who killed my father.”
“What was it?”
"Leaves."
“...!”
Liene suddenly stopped walking.
“If it’s a leaf...”
The laurel leaf was the symbol of the Kleinfelter family. The laurel leaf design was always used on helmets and flags. It was also a family tradition that Lafitte attached leaves to the back of his arrows.
"Then..."
Liene staggered, unable to overcome the shock. Black's enemy was Klinefelter. Klinefelter's eldest son was her lover, and she said that she had his child to reject Black's proposal. The Klinefelter family killed Black's blood relative. Black believed that Liene had the Klinefelter family's blood in her womb. The ex-lover said. Black came to seek revenge. Black proposed first. Revenge. Proposal. Two words that could not have been the same became one under the name Klinefelter. Because she might become Klinefelter's bride. Because she was carrying Klinefelter's child.
“That’s why I didn’t say anything. I was afraid you’d react like this.”
Black supported the staggering Liene.
“I... Then why do I have a child... ”
“It didn’t matter who the child was.”
“Why... why!”
“Do I have to say it again?”
Black brushed the disheveled hair from Liene's forehead, meaning that he had already said this many times.
“I want the Princess more than I want revenge. The Princess doesn’t want me to kill Klinefelter, so I’m going to leave him alone. Do you still find that hard to believe?”
“That... that doesn’t make sense... right? How could that be... possible. How could that be...”
“I have never stayed in one place since I left Nauk. Especially since my name became Tiwakan.”
Black, who had swept all of his hair back, stroked his cleanly revealed round forehead.
“After the war, I needed a home to return to. Not just a roof over my head, but a place I could truly call home.”
It was a strange thing. The hand stroking the forehead of the woman who bore the blood of his enemy was as affectionate as ever.
“To me, the person who is most like home is the Princess. Even though you were not the Princess, I remembered the Princess as my fiancee.”
“...How, how could that be...”
“I’m not good at making excuses. I hoped I wouldn’t get caught if I revealed my name because it would make it harder to make a poor excuse. I still feel the same way. If I could, I would have kept it a secret. Then I would have stayed in the moment.”
“...”
Liene stared at Black with eyes that asked when that moment would be.
“The moment when I open my eyes and the Princess is next to me, and I can kiss you without asking for permission or caring about what others think.”
“...”
“That was the house I had in mind.”
“...”
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