Chapter 78
Ethan muttered under his breath as he watched us from the side.
"Hey, there's soone here too… And you know, wizards don't really like outsiders. Maybe you should ask their opinion too?"
“…Ethan, do you think it's better not to bring her along?” I asked directly, watching as Ethan's expression turned sour. He knew as well as I did how important it was to uncover Leshan's secrets.
"No, take her with you."
He understood the significance of Leshan's involvent.
"Well then, it’s almost ti," I said, waiting for Darcy, who had promised to see
off.
‘Soone capable of guarding ,’ I thought. Honestly, one particular person did co to mind, but I dismissed it, thinking it was unlikely. Surely Kaysen wouldn’t be the one. He had his own duties.
The rhythm of the knock on the window was different from usual today. Even before opening it, I knew who it was. I opened the window.
"Darcy."
As expected, Darcy greeted
with a smile, his silver hair fluttering in the breeze like a scene from a painting.
"I'm here."
He murmured softly, and then Kaysen stepped into view beside him.
"…Greetings," Kaysen said in his usual gruff tone as he landed inside the room.
Darcy's gaze lingered on . I noticed his eyes seed to focus sowhere specific. Blinking, I realized he was looking at my lips.
‘…Seriously.’
"You asked for it," he whispered in a voice only I could hear. His words reminded
of our last encounter, and I felt my face flush.
"…Really."
I couldn't bring myself to criticize him, so I settled for a half-hearted complaint.
Darcy chuckled heartily at my reaction, then gestured to Kaysen.
"I can't go with you personally, but I’ve arranged for soone reliable to accompany you."
"…Did you know that the person you assigned is the commander of the knights in this empire?"
"He’s not the commander anymore. Now he works under , though that's still a secret for now."
"What?"
I blinked in surprise. Kaysen was no longer the commander of the knights?
"The emperor and Ryan were aware that Kaysen and I shared the sa goals… so they’ve been applying pressure, both overt and subtle. Until I can overthrow them, Kaysen agreed to help
and secured his position with ."
"…"
That explained why Kaysen had been visiting our estate so frequently lately.
‘I never pegged Kaysen as such an opportunist.’
Though he had opposed Ryan in the book, he never went this far. Darcy was certainly changing a lot of things.
"…But you said you were leaving," I said, still processing the impact of Kaysen giving up his command for Darcy's sake.
"I was going to…."
Darcy’s face softened into a relaxed smile as he tucked a stray lock of my hair behind my ear. The contrast between his pale hand and my dark hair made it look even more vibrant.
"But I couldn’t just stand by while your family was in danger…."
His fingers brushed my ear, the warmth of his touch bringing back mories of his kiss.
"I couldn’t let them have any control over you, not like this."
He was referring to Ryan and the emperor.
"I’ll have everything sorted before you return."
His eyes glimred with a fierce determination. The intensity of his gaze was unmistakable, a flash of bloodlust lurking in his red eyes before it disappeared.
"…Are you trying to brainwash ?"
"If I have to."
Darcy rarely used his powers. Since getting to know him, I’d never seen him use his mind control abilities. I suspected there were limitations he hadn’t yet shared with .
Sothing he wasn’t telling .
"Don’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary."
"…Why not?"
"Whatever restrictions you have, they can’t be good. You’ve got to live a long life with ."
I plan to co back safely and be with you.
"…That’s true. I guess that’s why I’ve avoided using it until now. Maybe I was subconsciously steering clear of it."
His words seed directed at himself as much as at .
A wizard who doesn’t use magic. It was paradoxical, but it made sense.
"I’m going to use it as a strategy."
Darcy whispered, his eyes gleaming with resolve.
"I can use it to make them let their guard down."
"…."
"There might co a mont when you have to advise them. When that happens, rember this, Marceau."
By "them," he ant the wizards.
He knew that the place I was heading to was close to the border village where Ryan would be leading his battle.
"Wizards need to move away from relying on their magic."
Because it’s becoming their shackles.
Darcy’s voice was barely audible, ant only for
to hear.
I hoped I wouldn’t have to deliver that ssage, but I took his words to heart.
"Okay."
When I nodded in agreent, Darcy’s lips curled into a smile.
"I specifically chose Kaysen as your guard. Use him well, as much as you want."
It was clear that Darcy had arranged this as a personal favor to .
"If you really don’t want him, I can assign soone else."
I glanced over at Kaysen, who was standing with Leshan. When he noticed
looking, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
‘He’s not as unbearable as he used to be, but….’
I’m soone who holds grudges.
I hadn’t forgotten how he and Ryan had pushed
into corners and tried to intimidate .
‘Still, it’s surprising he’s agreed to this.’
Considering how hostile he had been toward , it was surprising that he’d agreed to guard
at Darcy’s request. Is this the power of authority?
I studied Kaysen for a mont before shaking my head.
"No, it’s fine."
With Leshan joining us, it would be convenient to have Kaysen around. He could take care of her too.
‘Honestly, when else would I get the chance to make use of Kaysen?’
I decided to use Kaysen to my advantage, planning a small, harmless revenge. He was a reasonable man, so it wouldn’t be anything too brutal.
Once we were all ready to leave, we headed to the carriage.
I approached openly, while the others followed discreetly.
The driver, whom Darcy had arranged, would take us to our destination and then leave. Officially, it would be reported to Marquis Etwar that I was on a leisurely trip.
Kaysen sat next to the driver, while Leshan, Ethan, and I settled into the carriage.
"…Is this really a carriage?"
I stared in disbelief at the interior.
"W-What is this?" Leshan stamred.
"What’s going on?" Ethan was equally bewildered.
The outside of the carriage looked unremarkable, but the interior was like an enchanted space, with walls covered in magic stones that sparkled and a space so large it felt like a room. It was big enough for the three of us to lie down comfortably.
A thick carpet covered the floor, almost like a mattress, and there were pillows propped against the walls.
‘Goodness, there’s even a blanket.’
It was like a modern-day luxury camper.
The three of us stood there, mouths agape, not daring to step inside. Darcy added casually from beside us.
"Oh, I used the sa principle as the pocket dinsion for this."
His nonchalant explanation left us even more astonished. It’s not sothing you can just whip up so casually, right?
"I thought you should travel in comfort. I’d hate for you to be uncomfortable or get hurt."
Darcy frowned as if the thought of
suffering a single scratch was unacceptable.
‘…Geniuses are the best.’
I once again marveled at Darcy’s brilliance.
"This is honestly sothing I can’t argue with…."
Even Ethan mumbled his admiration.
"Do you like it, Marceau?"
"If soone didn’t like this, they wouldn’t be human, Darcy."
"That makes
happy."
His smile was like the first bloom of spring, evoking the excitent of seeing new buds sprouting after a long winter.
"Have a safe trip."
"…What if I miss you?"
I couldn’t help but ask as I looked at him, bidding
farewell.
I missed him after just a day apart.
"I have a feeling I’ll feel the sa way."
Darcy nodded seriously, his expression so earnest that it made
smile.
He took my hand and lowered his gaze, looking at
intently.
"So if I end up breaking my promise and co to see you…."
He interlaced our fingers, holding
close like vines wrapping around a tree.
"Love ."
His voice was clear and pure, as if he had been waiting for this mont.
"No matter what you hear or learn about …."
His last words were a plea.
"Still love ."
His voice was as captivating as a lody.
…How must he feel, sending
off like this? I responded with a slight grumble.
"I’m already in love with you, so I don’t think that’ll be a problem."
His eyes widened slightly, his gaze deepening as he looked at .
Oh, I really didn’t want to leave now. I could spend my whole life with Darcy and never get bored.
"How can you say all this and still send
away?"
I complained.
"The one who falls in love first is the one who loses."
"That’s not true."
Darcy disagreed with .
‘What?’
I whipped my head up and glared at him, but his intense gaze remained fixed on .
"…Even before you realized your feelings."
He laughed softly and brushed a quick kiss against the corner of my mouth. But more than the sweet kiss, what thrilled
was his next confession.
"I think I was already in love with you."
My face flushed.
The person I love, who traps
with sweet words and poisons , was now doing so with full intent.
But if he really plans to poison
like this…
I’d gladly accept it.
I looked at Darcy, and this ti, I rose on tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips.
His eyes widened in surprise before he let out a soft chuckle.
"I liked what you said."
As I pulled back, explaining my reason, Darcy wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, his voice lowering as he whispered.
"Then consider this my plea for you to co back with the sa feelings."
He kissed
again, this ti with a sweetness and depth that surpassed any words.
Reviews
All reviews (0)