‘Should I not go.’

Luman already had a pretty good idea why he had come all the way here.

But that wasn’t like him. Luman decided to forget the reason. He couldn’t throw away the goal of a lifetime. Especially not that undying goal he had sworn to in front of his comrades.

‘Even putting it off a little—’

Ah, the crystal orb. It had shattered... so he couldn’t even contact them. There ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) was no way to postpone it.

No, there was no reason to postpone it.

Had he really been this pathetic of a man?

Luman’s expression kept changing by the second. Temar, who had been looking down at him, finally turned his back. The displeasure on his face faded, mixing faintly with absent-minded gratitude and apology. A self-mocking sigh tapped against Temar’s back.

“Luman.”

“...What.”

That voice, sunk heavy as an anchor, hauled Luman out of his thoughts.

Showing only his broad, solid back, Temar spoke.

“Thank you... for saving Ren.”

“......”

He couldn’t smirk and brush it off like it was nothing. Luman had been desperate enough to sell his soul, desperate enough to stake his own life to save Ren. Temar must have realized that too, at least vaguely.

“But I’m the one who’s his brother. I’ll take care of him myself, so stop involving yourself and go take care of your own business. You have a goal too, don’t you?”

The words sounded warm and cold at the same time.

A goal...

Yeah. Luman had to leave for the sake of that promise. For that perfect chance at a comfortable rest of his life.

There was no reason or need for him to stay here any longer.

***

I’m anxious.

What are my brother and Luman talking about? Are they talking about whether they’ll leave me here or take me with them? My eyes kept drifting to the door. Coco, who seemed annoyed watching me do that, suddenly grabbed Kirky for no reason.

“Kirky.”

“Yes, my lady!”

“You’re loud, so get out.”

“Huh? I only just answered once... ah, okay!”

The second Coco glared at him, Kirky jumped and scampered out like he was fleeing for his life. At a glance from Coco, the maids all left too, and the large guest room set up almost like a sickroom was left with only me and Coco inside.

What are you trying to say that you sent everyone out? This is kind of scary.

“You... really aren’t going to say anything?”

“About what?”

Shit. I knew she was going to ask that. I steadied my heart, which had dropped for a second, and answered like nothing was wrong. I even tilted my head! Coco! Even if you ask like that, I don’t know. I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about!

“Hey. Ren.”

“What.”

“I asked if you’re not going to say it.”

Coco scrunched up her face.

Why are you making a pretty face look like that?

“Your cheek’s all better.”

“Yeah. Kirky... Why do you keep changing the subject?”

Coco swallowed down the anger she’d been about to throw at me and spoke in a slightly calmer tone.

No, seriously, would it kill you to just pretend not to notice? And I wasn’t only saying it to change the subject! I was worried about you, so what do you take me for? Not that I was that worried! Barely even a rat turd’s worth. Instead of saying that, I grumbled,

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“How are you going to handle it yourself?”

Well, obviously by keeping it secret.

“You’re not planning to tell anyone. Is that going to make you better? Just say it already. What kind of huge disease are you hiding?”

“I said I’ll handle it myself! Who do you think you are, telling me what to do all the time?”

Shit! I ended up snapping after all.

I know she’s saying it because she’s worried, but it makes me uncomfortable. I hate it!

It’s an incurable disease!

Of course, I couldn’t say that. Coco might help me hide some chronic illness, but she definitely wouldn’t keep an incurable one secret!

I twisted my face up and glared at her.

“What are we, ‘fri. ends.’ or something? Don’t cross the line.”

“Ha! What? Sorry, but I’ve never thought you and I were fri. ends. either, okay?”

Coco lifted her chin. The expression on her face was arrogant as hell! The way she looked down at people was clearly a skill she hadn’t practiced for only a day or two!

I’m not losing either!

I put on the same eyes I used when I glared at that baker’s son and locked into a vicious staring match with Coco.

We kept glaring at each other until our eyes started stinging and filling with tears from sheer anger, when a lazy voice that somehow sounded half-drained cut between us.

“Hoo. I really don’t understand kids these days. Why are you two fighting again? What line got crossed?”

Whip! We both turned toward the door at the same time.

No, what is Luman, a cat?! When did he come in?! Why the hell does he walk in so quietly?!

“Huh? Why are you both crying?”

“Luman! I was just about to win, and then because of you—!”

“Hah! The one who was winning was me, not you!”

Coco and I glared at each other again, then both jerked our heads away.

Ow! Stings!

Coco’s hair smacked me across the cheek! Ugh. But if I act like it hurt, that means I lose. I pressed my lips together and pretended nothing happened.

Luman looked back and forth between me and Coco, burst out laughing when he looked at me, then quickly smoothed it over.

What? Why did you stop halfway through laughing like that?

“Ah, my lady. Is there any chance you could get us some crystal orbs?”

“Hey!”

“Yes, my lady!”

At Coco’s ringing call, a maid came running in from outside the door.

What, what the hell! She just calls out, “Hey!” and they know to come running? How do they know?!

“Bring a few crystal orbs.”

“Yes, my lady!”

“What grade are the crystal orbs?”

“What do you think a ducal house is? ‘Serten.’ The kind you can use even in the middle of a war.”

At Coco’s prim answer, Luman nodded. Yep. Coco’s personality still sucks.

‘Serten’ grade? If they can be used in the middle of a war, they must be insanely sturdy. Would it hurt if one hit you in the head?

The maid came running back with a basket full of crystal orbs.

“My lady! I brought them!”

“Mm. Good work.”

The maid grinned broadly and left again.

“Is this enough?”

“It should be. Ren can carry one.”

“Me? Why me? Doesn’t only one person in a group need to have one??”

“Just in case.”

“Okay.”

What kind of just in case? Luman’s eyes looked strangely severe, so I stiffly took the crystal orb. As I rolled it around in my hands and fiddled with it, I snuck glances at Luman.

“What. Got a question?”

“This... are you giving one to my brother too?”

“Of course. Temar’s crystal orb was destroyed.”

Luman furrowed his brows.

“Then... that means I can contact my brother too?”

“...That’s right.”

Hell yes!

I carefully hugged the crystal orb to my chest.

“Hoo.”

Maybe I could endure it even if my brother left me behind.

As long as we can stay in contact, I can wait like a grown-up too!

“Ren.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think Temar’s going to leave you behind?”

“...Well.”

Isn’t that obvious?

Right now, all I’m doing is holding him back. I didn’t want to meet Luman’s eyes, so I just kept fiddling with the crystal orb. My face reflected dimly in the cloudy sphere.

Ren. Don’t be rude.

For a second, it felt like I heard my brother’s voice. Shit! I hurriedly raised my head. You’re supposed to look people in the eye when you talk!

“I’m really, really grateful he waited this long already. I don’t want to be a burden to my brother.”

Luman lowered his gaze. His golden eyes looked at me steadily. I kept appearing in them, then disappearing behind the screen of his thick lashes.

A mirage-like smile quietly rose at the corner of his mouth, then vanished.

“Right.”

“Lu—”

“My lady, what did you decide on for the reward?”

Luman turned his head away completely.

‘What is this gross feeling?’

“Is there anything in particular you want? We can do almost anything. We’re planning to give you the family crest as well. If you ever need help, you can borrow the name of House Gannion once or twice.”

“Anything in particular... no. Gold is enough for me. Ah, could you get me two good horses?”

“Fine. For you and T—Temar to ride?”

Coco hesitated for a moment, as if wondering how she should address my brother.

Obviously they’re for my brother and Luman! Who else would they be for, me?

But the answer I heard was different.

“No. Two for me.”

“Two by yourself?”

“Is that difficult?”

“Why? It’ll be a pain dragging one along.”

Even as she said that, Coco called for a maid and told her to have the butler pick out two fine thoroughbreds. The maid bowed and was about to leave the room when Luman caught her.

“What now?”

Coco frowned and glared at Luman, who was holding the maid by the arm.

When Luman smiled at her with that handsome face and apologized, the maid’s cheeks flushed red. She shook her head quickly, saying it was fine. Her eyes were full of admiration as they turned toward Luman.

It felt strange. Do Luman and my brother get looks like that whenever they go outside?

All of a sudden, my chest started pounding. I want to see it, our amazing brother being praised... Then maybe I’d think a little less about all the time I spent alone! If people really did recognize how much he suffered, I mean!

Coco’s eyes narrowed.

“One horse isn’t for me. A lady will be riding it, so please make it a smaller one.”

“A lady? Ren?”

Coco turned to look at me. Her face was half worry, half mockery!

“Can Ren even ride a horse?”

“Do I look like a girl to you? Are your eyes broken?”

‘Could I even ride one!!’ I swallowed those words down.

My pride was wounded! Before I die, I’m definitely learning how to ride. I’m definitely building muscle too! For the first time in a while, fighting spirit flared up in me.

“Hmph!”

“Hey, why aren’t you answering!”

“If it’s not Ren?”

“It isn’t Ren.”

Dragging the words out in a way that didn’t suit him, Luman smiled with his eyes curved. Apparently the smile worked perfectly, because the maid’s cheeks turned red again.

“Why the dramatic pause? What, are you giving it to your fiancée or something?”

“That’s right.”

“Yeah? Your fiancée, huh—”

Coco answered carelessly, then her eyes flew wide open.