63 – Episode 63
#63
For several days, there had been a strange silence near Talien Hall.
Unsettling, as if suffocating.
The servants and slaves moved cautiously, not making a sound with their footsteps.
“What about Lucy?”
“The master said he won’t receive any guests.”
Is it another day like this?
Ian took a heavy step forward.
Passing by the servants who were busy with their tasks and Belenca swinging her sword in the courtyard, Ian returned to his quarters.
It had been several days since Ian last saw Lucy.
Every time he went to find her, a polite rejection was given.
There was nothing left to do in the Talian Territory. Staying here would only be a waste of time.
Even though Ian was Ian, Galadin could see him withering away day by day.
“Ian. Are we leaving today?”
“Well, I can’t.”
“Oh…”
Galadin wasn’t just a tourist. He was the steward of the Marquis and had been assisting with various administrative tasks.
Just by staying in Talian, they were losing money in real-time.
“…I understand. Let’s postpone the departure until tomorrow.”
Galadin shrugged his shoulders, but…
There was nothing he could do.
If Lucy Talian didn’t meet Ian, what could he possibly accomplish?
Galadin couldn’t understand why Lucy suddenly entered seclusion.
Galladin was not the only one who didn’t understand Lucy.
Ian also found it difficult to comprehend Lucy’s actions.
Is saying goodbye really that difficult?
It’s not forever, just a trip. Besides, Ian’s fairy silk would pile up in the territory anyway, so he had to visit Talien to deal with that problem.
But Lucy acted as if she couldn’t accept Ian disappearing in front of her.
Am I doing something wrong? Ian even had that thought.
But Ian didn’t do anything wrong.
From Noble mtl dot com
They traveled together due to their escort contract, and now that everything was finished, they were just parting ways.
However, clearly, Lucy didn’t want to part.
“What about Lucy?”
“I’m sorry, but…”
It had been a week.
When Lucy continued to refuse their meetings, Ian had to make a decision.
“Belenka. Galladin. Let’s leave now.”
“Finally!”
They decided to part ways with Lucy without saying goodbye.
It was regrettable to leave without seeing her face.
Ian had to continue the journey.
#
Lucy Talien absentmindedly looked up at the clear sky.
The untainted blue sky. Just as it was written in the scriptures, purity existed right above the land.
“Oh, heavenly God.”
She wasn’t a deeply devout girl.
But even the promiscuous nobility found themselves uttering the name of God in the depths of their hearts.
“I must have been mistaken.”
When Ian first mentioned leaving the territory, she was shocked.
The shock was called [betrayal].
Until now, Ian had been with Lucy on their journey. They laughed and talked together, walking the same path.
They shared their worries when they were cornered in the war, and fought together until the end to reclaim her rights.
Lucy still vividly remembered when Ian saved her, as if it were yesterday.
When the soldiers of Greim approached her.
Ian’s embrace as he caught her and pulled her close.
Her trembling horse and her pounding heart.
Lucy could never forget it.
Lucy Talian was not a remarkable person.
She knew that herself.
Born under noble parents, used as bait to lure mercenaries.
When an enraged mercenary started a rebellion and killed her parents, she fled helplessly, seeking assistance…
She was nothing more than an incapable 18-year-old girl.
To such a Lucy, the magician Ian was an extraordinary being.
Controlling water and wind, and making darkness descend.
With mysterious magic, instilling fear or reverence in people.
That Ian was, to Lucy, a “tempting tool”.
At first, she desired Ian’s magic.
She wanted to keep Ian by her side and make him her serving magician.
Having nothing but an incompetent body, she tried to capture Ian through marriage.
Any aversion to using marriage? She didn’t have any.
Lucy’s parents were people who sought to use marriage. Marriage is a useful tool. It’s foolish not to utilize it for one’s own benefit.
But as she continued her journey with Ian.
As she got to know Ian.
Her heart gradually changed.
She wanted Ian’s magic, and something more.
‘…’
Lucy Talian realized.
What she desired was not Ian’s magic.
It was Ian himself.
She wanted to keep Ian by her side.
Like when they traveled together, seeing each other’s faces every day, joking, and spending time together.
Ian always smiled at Lucy.
So Lucy thought.
Perhaps Ian… doesn’t feel the same way as her.
“Ian.”
Lucy looked at the bracelet she received from Ian.
Rough. But beautiful.
She thought that this rough bracelet resembled herself.
It may be plain now, but it could become splendid.
Just like how she, as a noble, could become a better person by developing the territory.
If there was only one person who could support and adorn her.
She thought she could also become a precious treasure…
Lucy wanted to be with Ian during that growth process.
But Ian didn’t feel the same way.
No.
He didn’t even consider being with Lucy.
That point angered Lucy.
So she felt betrayed, locked the door, and went out for a walk.
It was ridiculous.
She had her own expectations.
To throw a tantrum and get angry just because Ian’s feelings weren’t the same as hers.
It was childish, like something a young child would do.
“Your Highness.”
But Lucy didn’t turn around when the servant entered.
Even without looking, she knew.
The sun was shining low in the morning sky.
As always, Ian had come to see her and left.
“The magician has come to see you.”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t go back to his quarters, but headed to the barn.”
“…I see. I understand.”
Hearing the news that Ian had gone to take care of something, Lucy smiled bitterly.
It had been a week since she had played tricks.
If she had explained why she was disappointed in Ian, he might have understood her.
Because she kept her mouth shut like a stubborn child and locked herself in her room, Ian didn’t even try to say a final goodbye to her.
She brought it upon herself.
But…
Lucy was afraid.
She was afraid of telling him her true feelings.
She was afraid of confessing the darkness in her heart, her weak and foolish emotions to Ian. Lucy was terrified.
That’s why she locked herself away.
But there was no more time.
Ian was about to leave.
“Oh, divine heavens.”
“Yes, yes. Speak, my lovely lady.”
“Grant me courage, please.”
“Oh dear. Are you afraid? Unfortunately, that’s impossible.”
The sacred being listening quietly to Lucy’s prayer smiled.
“Because you are already braver than any warrior.”
Lucy is unaware of the mystery.
Her faith is not deep enough, so she cannot hear the voice of the sacred being.
But Lucy’s prayer, without a doubt, reached the heavens.
“I support you, lady born under the fate of the stars.”
Lucy stood up abruptly.
Clutching the bracelet wrapped around her wrist.
She ran.
When she opened the main gate of Talian Hall…
“Oof.”
“Eek! Ian?!”
She collided with Ian, who was about to enter alone.
Lucy looked up at Ian with flushed cheeks.
She was taken aback. Why was someone who went to the stable here?
The person who provided an explanation was a blonde maid.
“Have you met Lord Talion?”
“No? We’re just leaving, right?”
“You’re not even going to see his face?”
“So what? We’ll meet again someday anyway.”
“…Go and see him one more time.”
“Why should I?”
“Think of it as a final courtesy to a friend you traveled with. If you think someone who lacks even that much courtesy is not worth serving, then I’ll consider you an unworthy human.”
Ian swallowed his dry spit at Belenka’s sharp warning.
“Is it that important?”
“It is.”
“…I’ll go and come back.”
Because it felt like Belenka would just leave if they simply departed, Ian went back to Talion alone.
And he met Lucy.
Seeing Lucy after a week, she looked unfamiliar and awkward.
It might be because her behavior and expression were different from usual.
Lucy seemed more difficult for Ian than usual, and she was conscious of him strongly.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yeah.”
But as they started talking, all the awkwardness melted away.
Because that wasn’t the kind of relationship they had with each other.
“Are you feeling better?”
“It wasn’t physical pain.”
“Really?”
“…I’m lying. Actually, my heart hurt. No, I was annoyed.”
Lucy stepped forward, her voice filled with determination.
“Annoyed?”
“Yeah. Ian! To leave without a word, so carelessly, even though you’re like that…!”
“What are you talking about? My role was only up to this point. Don’t you remember?”
“I do! But it’s frustrating!”
“What about?”
“Trying to follow the contract without any rhyme or reason!”
Oh my, Lord Talien. Why are you seeking affection? Weren’t you a Westerner?
Even though it was a medieval world, the remnants of the (former) civilized Golden Empire were still present, making contracts a part of everyday life.
Lucy’s words were filled with resentment.
Lucy herself knew that fact well.
It all started with using resentment.
With a flushed face, Lucy grabbed Ian’s collar and shouted.
“Ian! Will you be my servant?”
“No. Why would I?”
“Then, will you be my husband?”
“…I think I said I wouldn’t do it before.”
“Do we really have to go on a trip? Shouldn’t we study magic instead?”
Ian smiled and let go of Lucy’s hand.
Lucy didn’t know.
In fact, Ian was an alien in his previous life, hiding strange mysteries that medieval people did not know.
Until he confirmed the secrets of the world and the essence of the gods.
Ian had no intention of stopping his exploration.
“Yeah. Take care, Lucy.”
“…!”
“I’ll come back as soon as possible.”
The moment Ian let go of Lucy’s hand.
Lucy grabbed Ian’s cheek with both hands.
It happened in the blink of an eye.
Lucy pressed her lips against Ian’s.
“…”
It was a brief kiss that wouldn’t seem strange even if it was called a moment.
Lucy still blushed and said.
“Promise me, you must keep it. You have to come back quickly.”
“…Yeah.”
“Just try to run away somewhere else. I’ll sell all the fairy silk and use the money to build an army and come to catch you…!”
Ian burst into laughter.
The Marquis Talien’s threat was terrifying.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come back. And you can handle the fairy silk however you want.”
“Really?”
“Just don’t completely waste it. Whether you make clothes out of it and sell them or convert it into money for investment, it’s up to you.”
Lucy was lucky, so she could take a chance and trust him.
If she squandered it… he could just make sure she never touched it again.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Okay, I got it. I’ll make a lot of money, so…”
Lucy shyly opened her arms wide.
Ian lightly embraced Lucy.
“Take care of yourself, Ian.”
“Yeah, I’ll go.”
Lucy held onto Ian tightly.
As if trying to remember his warmth until the very end.
Ian waved his hand towards Lucy.
It was a warm spring day.
And … it’s here. Dense AF MC. Belenka was as clear as crystal, and what is his response? “Der, der, I don’t get it.”
Tf are you even talking about?