In her tiny hand was a single yellow flower. When the viscountess belatedly learned that she had gotten into an accident while trying to pick her mother’s favorite flower, she burst into tears, and from that day resolved firmly that she must start over if only to protect this child. After that, she gathered capable and loyal people and jumped into the trading business, achieving great success within three years and obtaining tremendous wealth and honor.
The viscountess’s earnest gaze turned toward the young man sitting before her. In fact, a few days ago, she had used someone to conduct a background investigation on this young man. The contents written in the report were more disappointing than expected. When she saw that he had no parents and that his whereabouts before coming to the capital couldn’t be found, a sigh naturally flowed out.
However, what followed immediately below—the evaluation of the young man—moved her heart. If even one negative thing had been written, no matter how much Grace wanted it, she would have had no choice but to oppose it as a mother. But seeing the flawless evaluation record, the viscountess finally made up her mind.
She already had more than enough wealth, and she had long since stopped caring about others’ gazes. Rather than giving her daughter to a superficially flashy playboy like her past husband, it didn’t seem bad to think of it as taking in a solid young man and sponsoring him. Of course, for that to happen, the young man before her eyes first needed to become a member of the Rood household.
“To put it simply. If Diego accepts even now, a completely different life from before will unfold. Your cherished younger sister will also be able to enjoy many things in a much better environment.”
“…!”
Could it be…
Though her words were no different from confessing that she had investigated his background, there was no sign of embarrassment whatsoever. Rather, the viscountess’s gray eyes contained firm confidence. As if certain that even so, he couldn’t continue to refuse.
After clenching his clasped hands once, Diego slowly moved his lips.
“I’m grateful for your words, but I…”
“Did you say you’ve had someone on your mind for a long time?”
For the first time, clear agitation appeared on the young man’s face, which had endured well until now. What rose next was a look of displeasure. Even while facing the terrifyingly hardened expression head-on, Viscountess Rood didn’t blink once.
It wasn’t to disrespect the young man. Rather, feeling strangely more favorable toward his appearance of trying to maintain his convictions—or non-convictions—despite her saying this much, the viscountess drove in the final wedge.
“Love, of course that’s good. But does the other person think the same way?”
“…!”
“Since you’re a dominant Neo, it’s natural to be tempted. But I think Diego knows better than anyone how that will end. I want to believe you’re not foolish enough to be lost in pleasure before your eyes and miss an opportunity that will never come again.”
Clink—the teacup made a small sound as it touched the saucer. Leaving Diego frozen like a statue behind her, the viscountess stood up from her seat first. As she stepped toward the door, she turned around as if remembering something.
“Oh right, Grace has been feeling unwell since last night, so she’ll be staying home for the time being. When she’s fully recovered, I’ll send someone, so you can resume your duties then. And… Grace knows nothing about me calling you here today. So please keep quiet about it, and I hope you’ll think about it favorably.”
This time, the viscountess left the reception room without lingering.
Despite being left alone, no one came to show him out. Diego, who had been sitting motionless for a while, finally buried his face in his hands. The woman’s words, poured out in an emotionless voice, tangled dizzily in his head.
***
It was quite some time later when Diego left the viscount’s residence. The destination he had in mind was neither his own home nor the guild office. Normally he should report the temporary week-long break that had come up, but there was something far more important.
The place the horse carrying him was heading was Paros Street. Originally, he had wanted to go to Roman’s house immediately that very evening when he talked with Antonio at the guild office—much earlier. He wanted to go and personally confirm his absence, but regrettably, he had no justification for doing so.
‘…Are you willing to meet me every Bloody Cycle?’
Diego knew their relationship better than anyone. Afraid that even this might be cut off, afraid that Roman, who had noticed his feelings, might say let’s stop now, he had endured by holding it in, but he couldn’t bear it anymore. He wanted to see his face so badly right now.
After riding his horse for a long time, he arrived at his destination. But the entrance made of black iron bars was firmly closed, and even when he grabbed and shook it with force, it was useless.
“Roman!”
Eventually, Diego called out loudly the name of the person he was looking for. After doing so several times, a change occurred in the scenery beyond the distant door. The mansion door that had been firmly closed opened and the old butler came out.
He couldn’t have been more delighted, as if meeting family he’d been separated from for a long time. The butler who approached closely hurriedly unlocked it and opened the entrance. His warm yet neat face showed clear signs of surprise.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
The butler also knew that the man before his eyes was a member of Fohens Guild. At this hour, the principle was to be either in the middle of performing work or, if waiting for request distribution, standing by at the guild office.
But coming to the master’s private residence in broad daylight was worth being surprised about. Moreover, Roman had been absent for several days now. There had been even less indication that Diego would come to the house.
“Is Roman… is the master at home right now?”
“No. He’s absent.”
“Then do you know where he went…”
“I don’t know either.”
The butler’s words were true. A few days ago, suddenly bursting into the house in the afternoon and startling people, Roman had ordered him to pack immediately.
While packing what seemed necessary into a bag, the butler recalled an old memory for the first time in a while. Roman, the youngest son of the Count Frang household, had been a great joy to the butler who had been entrusted with the important duty of assisting him. The young master who grew up smoothly passed the exam to select royal knights with flying colors, and he earnestly hoped that the young master, who would leave the main house tomorrow, would make a name for himself as an outstanding knight.
But the butler’s wish was not fulfilled. A few years later, truly shocking bad news flew to the mansion. It was news that Roman had been severely injured while protecting his lord, and a few days later, he was carried back with bandages wrapped tightly around his ankle by a large servant.
The days after that were a time he never wanted to think about again. Roman shut himself in his room for months, refusing to meet anyone, and the butler anxiously fretted inwardly, worried that he might make the wrong choice.
He had no choice. When he asked Count Frang about the youngest master’s condition, he answered with a face full of worry that if things went wrong, he might limp for the rest of his life.
It was no different from a death sentence for a knight. It was shocking enough to make his own hands tremble, let alone the bleak despair the person himself must be feeling, which he couldn’t even dare to gauge.
Then one day, Roman, who summoned the butler late in the afternoon, brought up something out of the blue.
‘I’m going on a trip, so pack my bags.’
For a moment, the butler’s heart sank. Perhaps his inner feelings showed on his face, because Roman soon raised the corners of his mouth and added one more thing. It wasn’t what he was thinking, so he shouldn’t worry needlessly. He’d been suppressing his nature and living quietly for several years, so he would go enjoy his freedom now.
And Roman kept his word. Though the butler hadn’t known the trip would last over two years, in any case, he returned in the healthiest condition possible. Was that all? Seeing that Roman’s gait wasn’t awkward in the slightest, the butler secretly wiped away tears of emotion without anyone knowing.
Before long, Roman decided to establish a branch household, and upon receiving the news, the butler chose to follow him without a moment’s hesitation. After that, it was a continuation of peaceful days. Though his relationship with Count Frang had become somewhat distant, the butler was simply grateful just to see the young master living healthily.
And then, for the first time in a long while, he heard the words ‘pack my bags’ again. Since then, Roman hadn’t returned home for over ten days.
“Do you really not know?”
“Yes. I truly don’t.”
Disappointment appeared on Diego’s face. Feeling somehow sympathetic, the butler hesitated for a moment before adding one more thing.
“When I asked about his destination, he did say he was going to the eastern region.”
“The eastern region?”
“Yes. I don’t know the specific location myself, but he will definitely return when his business is finished.”
“…I see. Thank you.”
After bowing deeply in greeting, Diego left the mansion.
The way back was as heavy as if weights were attached to his ankles. He quietly ruminated on the conversation he’d just had with the butler. Though it was surprising that even the butler, who was truly the closest aide, didn’t know where Roman had gone, he didn’t seem to be lying. And if Roman had really left together with the Grand Duke, the butler would naturally have followed as well.
Reaching this point in his thoughts, he felt at least a little, just a very little bit relieved. But his expression remained stiff, and Diego urged his horse toward the guild office at a slightly faster pace. Earnestly hoping that Roman would return by fifteen days from now.
# Chapter 7
They say it’s darkest under the lamp, don’t they?
The reason Roman voluntarily went all the way down to the distant eastern region was because he knew Elodin’s personality well. Elodin Heder. The grandson of Grand Duke Huzo, the eldest of the royal family, and the prime suspect believed to have kidnapped Ruth.
When Elodin suddenly came to the guild asking him to find someone, and when he learned that someone happened to be a Fohens Guild member and said he wanted undercover employment, Roman raised the corners of his mouth and gladly accepted that request.
Thinking about it now, it was crazy enough to make him want to slap himself. If only he had known in advance that the ‘someone’ Elodin was looking for would become Grand Duke Kailton’s partner. If only he hadn’t approved the undercover employment he’d boldly requested. Then could he have avoided this suffering?
