After the interview with the Head Priest ended like that.
“……”
“……”
A chilly atmosphere began to flow between Van and Rowy. The two clashed strongly for the first time.
“I’m not going to the Empire.”
“The curse must be broken no matter what.”
Their quarrel stemmed from a difference of opinion regarding the exorcism. Van wanted to go to the Empire to find the holy relics and finish the exorcism, while Rowy insisted he didn’t need any exorcism and would absolutely not return to the Empire. Normally, Van would grant anything Rowy wanted, but not this time. When it came to Rowy’s safety, Van was more resolute than anyone.
“We haven’t even properly identified what kind of curse it is. It’s dangerous if we don’t perform the exorcism quickly.”
“What’s so dangerous? It’s just that I lost a few memories.”
“That’s what’s dangerous.”
Van said firmly. This wasn’t something to casually brush off just because nothing seemed wrong right now. If it could interfere with the exorcism ritual, it was certainly a curse involving a high-ranking demon. Wouldn’t it be a big problem if that demon came at them in earnest? Van’s face became serious. However, Rowy had no intention of returning to the Empire at all. How did I escape from there, only to go back on my own feet now?
“I don’t want to go home! I don’t want to! I won’t even go near the Empire!”
“Master!”
“I won’t go! If you’re going, go alone!”
Rowy screamed loudly and turned his head away entirely. However… the response that came after was completely different from what Rowy had expected.
“Then I’ll go alone and bring back the holy relics.”
“…What?”
…He’s actually going to go alone when I told him to?
“You’re saying you’ll leave me behind and go alone?”
“Yes.”
“…How can you say that?”
“Since you said you don’t want to go, I have no choice.”
Van’s voice saying that was cold. Eventually, Rowy, who had been glaring at Van with pouting lips and teary eyes, vanished in an instant. He had used magic.
“Master! Haa…”
Van, who had lost Rowy without even being able to reach out his hand, let out a big sigh and collapsed into a chair with a thud.
“You, are you okay?”
“…Seilan-nim.”
Seilan, who had come at a bad time and had watched the two’s argument without even being able to breathe properly, finally opened his mouth cautiously.
“Um, you two really… Well, from the standpoint of watching a fight, it’s interesting. But it’s a bit draining.”
“Haa, don’t say that, Seilan-nim, please persuade him.”
“Me persuade him? How?”
“……”
Now that he put it that way, there was nothing to say. Van let out another deep sigh.
“Ha, isn’t there some way?”
“Why are you asking me that? You need to figure it out yourself. You’re the closest to him.”
Ahem, the closest… that’s true though. Van smiled briefly at Seilan’s words that he was closest to Rowy, then made a tearful face again. Close or not, he had no confidence he could win against Rowy either.
‘Would he listen if I got on my knees and begged?’
However, recalling those stubborn eyes, even that didn’t seem like it would work. But he couldn’t give up on the exorcism either…
“Ugh…”
Van kept letting out sighs.
* * *
The solution to the dispute came unexpectedly from elsewhere. That afternoon, an unexpected letter arrived for Rowy. It was a wedding invitation from Rowy’s cousin—that is, the current Imperial Knight Commander, Liam Irad, the Duke of Irad’s eldest son. The letter added that since it was being held suddenly, they would have a small wedding ceremony among family.
“Wow, they’re finally getting married? I thought they’d never do it, why so suddenly?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they’re having a baby.”
Who cares. Rowy crumpled the invitation with an irritated face.
“Hey hey, don’t do that, congratulate them. They’ve already been dating for over ten years. That’s not easy in noble society.”
Let’s see, Seilan snatched the letter Rowy had crumpled.
“Hmm, but it really is tight timing. We’d have to leave right now to make it on time. Whoa, he already sent knights when you were in Seraphila! As expected of Duke Irad. He’s really thought this through.”
“…Aren’t they rushing the wedding just to mess with me on purpose?”
“Of course not. Who are you to them?”
“……”
Rowy glared at Seilan. However, Seilan, enchanted by the sudden big event, paid no attention to Rowy.
“Then, I need to hurry and prepare a gift before you go. What should I give? As a member of Veloa Trading Company, I can’t give something common. Hmm… I’ll try to get something good, so deliver my gift too. Ah, and definitely give my regards! Tell them how sincerely I took care of you. Got it?”
“Hmph.”
Rowy snorted. Seilan immediately scolded such a Rowy.
“Now now, don’t sulk. You need to prepare a wedding gift too. Should I look into it for you? What about gifts for your family? Isn’t it the first time in a while you’re going back?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Well, you just being there quietly would be a gift.”
…He’s been picking a fight this whole time. Rowy’s eyes became even sharper.
“By the way, a marriage between the Irad Duchy and the Mare County, I don’t know how long it’s been since this wedding of the century. I’m disappointed they’re having a small wedding.”
Whether Rowy glared or not, Seilan still chattered away saying only what he wanted to say. And that chatter flowed from the love story of the wedding parties, Liam and René, and eventually even to Rowy’s wedding.
“But don’t worry. Rowy, I’ll definitely go to your wedding no matter what.”
“Thank you.”
…Is he crazy? And why are you thanking him? Rowy rolled his eyes at Van, who had been giving off only cold vibes but quickly offered thanks for something like this, finding him annoying.
“Anyway! Don’t forget to give my regards. Got it?”
Seilan, who had chattered for quite a while like that, hurriedly left the room saying he’d go get a gift.
“……”
“……”
With the noisy person gone, silence quickly descended on the space.
“He left.”
“Mm…”
Their gazes met awkwardly. Since they had fought loudly earlier about going to the Empire or not, a subtle current had been flowing between the two continuously.
“……”
It was when Rowy, who couldn’t endure the silence any longer, was about to say something. Suddenly, Van knelt in front of Rowy.
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
“……”
At the sudden apology, Rowy closed his mouth that he’d been about to open. Van, who had glanced at such a Rowy once, continued speaking in a small voice again.
“I’m sorry for speaking coldly. No matter how worried I was, I shouldn’t have done that to you… And I lied too.”
“…Lied?”
“About going to the Empire alone. I only said that, but I was actually planning to just secretly carry you there.”
“What…?”
Is he joking? But Van’s eyes looking at Rowy were serious.
“You were going to kidnap me?”
“Yes.”
“…Ha.”
At the absurd words, laughter finally burst from Rowy’s mouth. It was laughter from disbelief.
“How would you secretly take me? I’m a super strong mage?”
“Well, naturally I knew you’d let me. You don’t like being apart from me either.”
“……”
Well… Rowy closed his mouth, unable to find words to say. But why is he so shameless? Rowy’s eyes gradually began to sharpen again.
“Master…”
Van, who had been reading Rowy’s mood, slyly wrapped his arms around Rowy’s knees. Then, whether acting cute or what, he rubbed his face all over Rowy’s knees.
“Please forgive me…”
No… I wasn’t even that angry. Rowy, whose heart softened momentarily at the sudden aegyo, scratched his cheek. And anyway…
“Anyway, you can’t go anywhere alone without me.”
“What?”
“Just what I said. You seem to keep forgetting.”
Rowy, who had said that, lightly touched Van’s nape. It was the slave restraint device.
“Ah…”
“I’ve put my magic power in here, so I can find you wherever you go. It’s useless even if you leave alone secretly.”
Rowy said while raising his nose proudly. At those words, Van stroked the restraint device around his neck anew. The thin and light restraint device—at some point, he had even forgotten the fact that he was wearing it.
‘At first, he scared me saying he’d blow my head off or whatever…’
However, in reality, this restraint device had never once forced Van, so naturally its presence had faded. But as it turned out, this restraint device seemed to be fulfilling its role perfectly just by existing.
“I see. With just this, I can always be with you…”
Van stroked the restraint device with a renewed touch. Though he knew nothing about magic, somehow it felt like he could sense Rowy’s magic power…
“…I like it so much. I’ll wear it for life.”
The moment he felt connected to Rowy, Van couldn’t overcome his overwhelming emotions and pulled Rowy into his arms.
‘…He likes the slave restraint device?’
At Van liking the slave restraint device so much, only Rowy could let out a hollow laugh.
