Chapter 4

1. Commander Mirane Laster (3)

Far more people were horrified by the news of the marriage than Mirane had expected.

To the point that it left even him bewildered.

Some were so enraged that they stormed the Laster estate, demanding answers. Their fury was so intense that Count Laster was forced to remain indoors for quite some time, avoiding all public appearances.

It felt as though the entire capital was crying out in disbelief.

The city had fallen into shock and confusion.

Those appalled by the news immediately began proposing countless ways for Mirane to escape.

Many volunteered to help him flee.

Mirane found himself politely returning stacks of letters from noblewomen proposing that they elope together.

Others promised they could arrange asylum overseas if he wished.

Even nobles who were Count Laster’s friends—members of the Emperor’s own faction—quietly approached him.

“I’ll prepare an escape route for you.”

“Leave your father to me.”

“Your life matters more than this.”

“That bastard has completely lost his mind.”

“If he’s so devoted to His Majesty, why doesn’t he marry the Grand Duke himself instead of selling off his own son?”

Mirane declined every offer with quiet courtesy.

“If I run away, everyone left behind will suffer.”

It was exactly the sort of answer expected from an honorable gentleman…

From a model noble.

Yet everyone who heard it looked at him with complicated expressions.

Pretending not to notice, Mirane smiled faintly.

“Wicker is still a place where people live.”

“Please don’t worry so much.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Even in such a hopeless situation, he never allowed himself to waver.

Watching him remain so composed only made the nobles sigh.

“You truly are admirable.”

“To remain this calm even now…”

“If only you were my son.”

“I’m almost jealous of Count Laster.”

“It’s like hanging pearls around a pig’s neck.”

If even political rivals reacted this way…

One could only imagine the response from his fellow knights.

“Those senile old fools!”

Wilhelm Stagel—

Mirane’s classmate.

His vice commander.

Deputy Commander of the Third Knight Order.

And his dearest friend.

He exploded in rage.

With one furious blow, he reduced a piece of furniture to splinters.

“Why the hell did Count Laster even sleep with a woman and have you?”

“If he was going to treat you like this, he should’ve kept his damned pants on!”

After his outburst, Wilhelm stood breathing heavily.

Running an agitated hand through his short ash-blond hair, he cursed again.

“Damn it!”

Tufts of blond hair stuck out between his clenched fingers.

He remained standing there, trembling with rage.

Watching his friend shake with fury, Mirane called softly,

“Wilhelm.”

Wilhelm collapsed heavily into a chair.

After waiting for him to calm down, Mirane sighed.

“I’m more worried about you than myself.”

“If the other knights insult you after I’m gone…”

“Promise me you won’t lose your temper.”

Wilhelm was the only commoner ever admitted into the Imperial Knight Order.

His extraordinary talent had allowed him to rise despite being younger than Mirane and lacking any influential family.

But his low birth constantly made him the target of discrimination.

Many conflicts had only been resolved because Mirane had stood beside him.

But after I’m gone…

What will happen to him?

That was what truly worried Mirane.

“Wilhelm…”

“If things ever become unbearable—”

“Don’t worry about me.”

At last, Wilhelm spoke.

His voice carried deep exhaustion.

Rubbing a large hand over his face, he muttered,

“Who exactly is worrying about whom?”

“Honestly…”

Mirane merely answered with an awkward smile.

Seeing Wilhelm’s gloomy expression filled him with guilt.

He wanted to comfort him.

To stay longer.

But reality was merciless.

Time continued moving forward.

Even making happy memories together feels like a luxury now.

There wasn’t enough time.

A month wasn’t particularly short…

But it certainly wasn’t long enough.

He wanted Wilhelm to have time to prepare himself.

The only thing Mirane could do now was leave behind advice.

No…

It was something he absolutely had to do before leaving.

Wilhelm has to become even more perfect than everyone else.

As the first commoner knight…

People would always look for flaws in him.

His greatest weakness was his fiery temper.

And once Mirane was gone…

No one would be there to rein him in.

Swallowing his worries, Mirane placed a hand on Wilhelm’s shoulder.

“You can’t afford to give anyone even a single reason to look down on you.”

“You must become more perfect than anyone.”

“A better knight than anyone.”

Then he smiled mischievously.

“Though honestly…”

“I don’t think there’s anything left for you to improve.”

Wilhelm let out a dry laugh.

The gloom on his face lightened slightly.

“You’re still good with words.”

Hearing Wilhelm speak so casually for the first time in a while made Mirane smile as well.

Then Wilhelm’s voice turned serious.

“I’m not joking.”

“I’ll always be on your side.”

Mirane’s smile faltered.

Wilhelm gave a bitter smile.

Mirane had grown up far too quickly.

He had become someone strong enough for everyone else to lean on.

Yet…

He never leaned on anyone himself.

“I hope you don’t ignore what I’m about to say.”

“You never rely on anyone.”

“So let me warn you now.”

“If I ever hear that the Grand Duke is abusing you…”

“I’ll chop off your father’s head and ride straight to Wicker.”

His eyes never wavered.

“If he mistreats you…”

“If he dares stain your honor…”

“I won’t forgive him.”

“So, Mirane…”

“For my sake…”

“Please take care of yourself.”

“Please.”

After a long silence, Mirane finally answered.

“All right.”

“If I ever find it too difficult to endure…”

“You’ll be the first person I tell.”

Then he smiled gently.

“So stop worrying about a Grand Duke neither of us has even met.”

“Sir Stagel.”

“We still have far too much work left to do.”

Knowing Mirane’s stubborn personality all too well, Wilhelm looked dissatisfied.

But in the end…

He simply sighed and nodded.

Over the next month, Mirane said farewell to countless people.

He settled his affairs.

Shared final memories.

Prepared for the journey to the northernmost reaches of the continent.

Eventually…

The end arrived.

It was night beside the beautiful Gellang River, which flowed through the Imperial Capital.

It feels as though someone has died.

Even during winter, the capital had never been this lifeless.

The entire city resembled a house in mourning.

Standing silently by the river, Mirane couldn’t help thinking…

It’s almost like everyone is attending my funeral.

A heavy voice spoke from behind him.

“That’s simply proof of how deeply respected you were.”

Startled, Mirane shook his head.

“I’m hardly deserving of that.”

“I merely did my job.”

Turning around, he looked at the speaker.

Cigar smoke drifted through the air.

Edwick stood beside him, expressionless, watching the lights reflected across the waters of the Gellang River.

Scarlet and golden lights shimmered upon the gentle current.

The two men had come for drinks after leaving the palace.

“Do you think many people truly fulfill their duty?”

The legendary knight once celebrated throughout the capital no longer resembled the youthful hero from the minstrels’ songs.

The man once famous for his icy appearance now bore countless wrinkles.

The razor-sharp edge he once possessed had mellowed with age.

The passion of youth had faded…

Leaving only experience and reason behind.

Edwick spoke quietly.

“I’ve watched many people leave my side.”

“But…”

“I’ve never felt this miserable.”

Mirane fell silent.

The Edwick he knew was a man as cold as steel.

He rarely formed close relationships.

Even sharing drinks like this was unusual.

Yet today…

For the first time…

Mirane saw weakness in him.

Like someone consumed by grief.

Like someone weighed down by regret.

And at that moment…

He understood.

He opposed my marriage.

He fought for me.

Even when my own father abandoned me…

Mirane’s expression softened.

I see…

His commander had struggled desperately to keep him from being sent away to the Grand Duke described only in frightening rumors.

But in the end…

He had lost.

And Edwick surely wasn’t the only one.

The years Mirane had spent living honestly had proven something.

His life had not been a failure.

His efforts had reached people.

Quietly, he said,

“If you’re speaking of someone who always fulfills his duty…”

“Wouldn’t that be the man standing in front of me?”

Edwick blinked in surprise.

Suppressing a smile, Mirane continued.

“My father is simply fulfilling his duty as well.”

He didn’t truly believe those words.

After a moment of silence, he whispered,

“I’ll continue fulfilling mine.”

“Even after I arrive in Wicker.”

Looking out over the brilliant lights reflected upon the river…

Mirane accepted that one chapter of his life had come to an end.

His life in the capital…

Was over.

One by one…

The lights along the river began to disappear.

Night completely enveloped the city.

Yet Mirane no longer found it lonely.

In a gentle voice, he asked,

“Would you look after Wilhelm?”

“I don’t mean showing him favoritism…”

“Just…”

“Make sure he’s safe.”

Edwick answered without hesitation.

“I will.”

Those simple words conveyed everything.

I understand you.

I trust you.

Nodding gratefully, Mirane turned his gaze back toward the place Edwick had been watching all along—

The brilliantly illuminated Imperial Palace.

The beautiful night beside the Gellang River passed.

The following morning…

A grand procession departed from the Imperial Capital.

Amid sighs that sounded almost like mourning…

Mirane’s carriage left the city.

The banner fluttering above the escort bore the roaring lion of House Laster—

As it carried away the man whose departure left the capital wrapped in sorrow.