A road that ends with but a single step.
A task completed with a re nod.
Or the final dot to complete a drawing.
Decisions that may seem easy to so.
But if the end of that road leads to a cliff.
If that single nod could change one’s life.
If that last dot ruins the whole picture.
Would the choice still be made so easily?
For Logan, his current dilemma was just that.
– To beco the king. Or not.
A choice that is difficult precisely because it could easily be achieved.
A decision that affects not just his own life but also the fate of his family.
But worrying over it only troubled his heart without yielding any conclusions, so Logan finally stepped out alone into the night.
Amidst the absolute silence of the streets under the martial law he enacted, he wandered all night long.
Thinking and thinking, he did not even notice when the bright morning sun had moved overhead.
Red hair, red eyes, the young man’s striking appearance attracted glances as he walked alone through the streets of the capital.
“Sohow…”
While so onlookers tilted their heads recognizing his distinctive features, the young man seed lost in thought, oblivious to his surroundings.
Even without any escorts, those who wondered at the sight of the wandering young man passed by indifferently.
Until soone recognized him and knelt on the spot, screaming.
“Lo, Logan McLaine, sir! Ho-how can you be here…?!”
The nobleman in fancy attire knelt without hesitation, catching the engrossed young man’s attention and causing a significant stir in the area.
“Lo, Logan McLaine?”
“The McLaine?”
“Ugh!”
A scream slipped out from soone who hastily covered their mouth.
Those nearby trembled and prostrated themselves, while others watched from a distance, whispering among themselves.
“The man who killed the king…?!”
“The one who annihilated the Eliane Viscounts without sparing a single family mber…?”
“They say looking into his eyes spells certain death…”
Oblivious to the whispering crowd around him, Logan beca the center of increasing unrest, which drew the attention of those sensing an ominous aura from afar.
“There, there!”
“Lo, Logan McLaine…”
“Terrifying!”
Fear had struck the people despite nothing happening. But the na of the protagonist, who had recently seized the capital and the kingdom in a whirlwind of bloodshed, held that much power.
The man who killed the king.
The death toll after his entrance into the royal palace reached nearly a thousand.
The massacre included the households of the rebellious noble families.
With a wry smile and a sigh, Logan’s presence increased the chaos in the streets as knights flocked to him.
“young lord Logan!”
“Sir!”
“Make way!”
Thud, thud, thud.
The sound of hooves hastened as knights dismounted and prostrated themselves before the young man.
“Your Highness, why have you co out alone? Please tell us.”
“… I was concerned about this.”
“What?”
“Nevermind, it’s ti to go back.”
“Understood. Let’s escort you!”
“No need. I will walk.”
In a flash, before they could react further, the figure of the young man vanished.
Among the knights, there was none who could catch which direction he disappeared into.
So ti later, atop the highest roof in the capital, Logan looked down at the insurgent streets, his expression heavy with bitterness.
“This isn’t what I wished for…”
He murmured to himself, and as if a gust of wind consoled him, it swept past, but his lancholic gaze did not change for a long while.
* * *
[… There’s quite a crowd gathering, but it’s still under control. That is all.]
The era of the McLaine had arrived.
That news spread throughout the kingdom, drawing crowds to the towns like madness. Dwayne briefly summarized the situation and reported back.
“Good work, Dwayne. Father’s gone, but please hang in there a little longer.”
[Of course. Especially since we’ve just overco a great hurdle. Sir, everyone in the territory is cheering for you. Even though you’re tired, stay strong!]
The bearded administrator’s smile montarily eased Logan’s bitter heart.
Perhaps that’s why.
“Dwayne, what do you think about becoming king?”
Logan found himself asking a sensitive question.
[What? Umm… Why do you ask that…?]
Not surprisingly, Dwayne appeared flustered.
“It’s nothing. Disregard what I said.”
Trying to hide his souring mood, Logan waved the thought away.
[… Does that have to do with your stern look, by any chance?]
Dwayne squinted at him, prompting Logan to smirk wryly.
“… It’s just that I am feeling rather complicated about a variety of things.”
Dwayne hesitated a bit longer before cautiously speaking.
[To be honest, it’s difficult to offer an opinion in such a serious matter.]
“Right. Forget I ntioned it.”
Seeing Dwayne’s mood also turn somber, Logan heaved a small sigh.
But then Dwayne added more quickly than expected.
[But honestly, my real thoughts are not that grand. That’s why it’s harder to explain, haha.]
“Nothing grand?”
As curiosity sparked in Logan’s eyes, Dwayne hesitantly began speaking more openly.
[I never thought that you would be such a worrywart.]
“Hm?”
[Usually, you would charge ahead without anyone’s consent. You’ve always been more thoughtless and less worried than anyone else… Oops. I take that back, disregard that.]
After his inadvertent blunder, Dwayne clumsily tried to switch subjects, but seeing Logan’s expression remain unresponsive, he continued hurriedly.
[Anyway, your Highness always saw possibilities and acted on them imdiately. Honestly, I find that to be a very dangerous mindset, but you’ve managed to achieve results that leave everyone nodding in agreent through those risky endeavors.]
“… Yeah.”
Dwayne’s words echoed Eileen’s thoughts. Soone who had watched over him for a long ti alongside his father held the sa view.
[I believe it will be the sa this ti. In fact, everyone expects the sa from you. Follow your heart, sir. If you wish to ascend to the throne, then do so; if not, that’s also fine!]
With a hearty laugh, Dwayne offered a straightforward solution, and a smile naturally spread across Logan’s face.
“Thanks, Dwayne.”
His answer didn’t resolve all concerns, but it certainly lightened his load.
– I will help you now. Whatever you choose.
Eileen’s words returned to him, bolstering his resolve.
Of course.
[If you do beco king, I’m hoping you’ll look after a bit more. A kingdom’s representative…]
A hint of self-interest couldn’t overshadow the friendly jest, allowing Logan to laugh heartily.
[Preferably the Minister of Finance if possible.]
… Maybe not so much of a jest after all?
As a twitch ford at the corner of Logan’s eyes,
[Is our prince to beco king?]
A familiar brown-haired, brown-eyed young man appeared from behind the large fra of Dwayne.
With wide, surprised eyes,
Logan and Dwayne’s mouths simultaneously dropped open.
“Rick?”
[Hey, when did you get here!]
[The administrator had running errands! You didn’t respond when I called…]
[Even so, you don’t just walk into the communication room…]
As the commotion started anew through the communicator, Logan spoke up.
“Dwayne, you may leave first.”
[?]
“I want to talk to Rick alone.”
[Oh, your Highness. Did I make a mistake?]
Rick’s expression went pale, reminding Logan of the fearful citizens he had just encountered. Yet, he shook off the thought.
Rick was different, at least he believed so.
“No, rick. I really just want to talk. Dwayne…?”
[Yes, your Highness. I’ll report back later.]
“Alright.”
As Dwayne exited, only the anxious Rick remained in view on the communicator.
[Your Highness. Did I make an error? I just… didn’t an to… My opinion isn’t important. Please just ignore …]
“Rick.”
[I was rely worried…]
“Rick!”
Finally, rick responded sharply to Logan’s call.
“Yes, your Highness. Listening.”
Hearing his response,
Logan spoke in a calm tone.
“I’m not blaming you. I really want to hear your opinion. You’ve been by my side the longest, right?”
[Yes, that’s right. I’ve been with you longer than any other servant.]
“Yes. You’ve been my personal servant, my friend, and in so ways, my brother.”
[… Your Highness. To think of like that…]
Rick, nearly moved to tears, finally settled and looked at Logan with a calm deanor.
“Let ask you honestly. Do you think it would be bad if I beca king?”
[No, not at all. It would be a splendid thing, I think.]
A response contrary to his offhand comnt earlier.
“Splendid? But you said it would be a relief if it didn’t happen.”
As Logan furrowed his brows, rick looked down, unable to et his gaze, and added in a soft voice.
[Well… It certainly would be a splendid event. Yes, splendid. It would bring great joy to see you, whom I’ve served since childhood, ascend to such a high position. And maybe, I would also find a place within the royal court. But…]
“But?”
Logan couldn’t wait as Rick hesitated, prompting further.
And finally, with what seed like courage, rick lifted his head to et Logan’s eyes.
[But while that splendor is welco, I honestly preferred the old days. When our territory wasn’t so complex, and we were just the simple McLaine from the countryside. You would train or occasionally go out for a horse ride, and I would accompany you. I miss those carefree days.]
“…”
[I know the family is in a better position now. However, it’s beco difficult to see your smiling face ever since. I’ve always been concerned about that. Even now, your expression… Are you having a hard ti, your Highness?]
A deep concern was evident in Rick’s brown eyes, and in his voice, a serious worry resonated. Logan, suddenly overwheld by emotion, turned his gaze skyward—to the ceiling—to avoid his tears.
[If you aim even higher than this, I fear you’ll face even tougher tis. That’s why I said it was a relief. Please consider it just an unwarranted worry from a foolish servant.]
Watching Rick bow repeatedly through the communicator, Logan found himself lost for words for a long ti.
Reviews
All reviews (0)