Karma
“Aigoo, that woman’s at it again. She always pulls this kind of stunt whenever she drinks.”
“She can’t leave a handsome guy alone. She’s completely trashed her reputation around town.”
“What’s her husband up to?”
“What husband? She gave up on that ages ago. Even I’d bolt if my wife flirted with every guy like she does.”
“Poor bastard. Once that bitch sinks her claws into a man, she never lets go.”
The locals, well accustomed to the woman’s antics by now, watched the spectacle without much fuss.
“I said, stop it.”
Leo shook off her arm.
“Eek!”
The woman collapsed with a theatrical flop, like some tragic heroine. Propping herself up pitifully on the ground, she gazed up at Leo.
“...What are you doing?”
Leo stared in bewilderment. He’d barely shaken her off, yet she lay there as if he’d hurled her to the ground with full force.
“...Sniff, if you don’t like it, just say so. How am I supposed to handle you shoving me away like that?”
“I did say I didn’t like it.”
“Ow! I think I twisted my ankle. Sorry for bothering you. But please, take me home. It hurts too much to walk.”
At that moment, the locals began murmuring.
“Here it comes. Same old trick.”
“She plays the damsel, lures the guy back to her place?”
“Then devours him whole, right?”
“Yeah. They say she buys aphrodisiacs and arousal incense every time.”
Those vile words reached Elizabeth’s ears.
Oh ho, you gonna just sit there?
“...”
Want me to handle it?
“No, you stay put.”
She rose quietly from her seat and strode forward without hesitation. In a syrupy sweet voice, she called out,
“Honey, what are you doing over there?”
“...Huh?”
She sidled up with a saccharine smile, linking her arm through Leo’s.
“H-Honey?”
The woman gaped at Leo, her pupils shaking like she’d been struck by an earthquake. Betrayal twisted her face.
“You! You said she was your daughter earlier!”
“No, she is my dau—”
“Oh? Did my husband say that?”
Elizabeth smoothly cut him off with elegant finesse, her words flowing seamlessly to steal the breath between his syllables—a masterclass in rhetoric.
“I guess the age gap leads to misunderstandings sometimes. People keep mistaking us for father and daughter... so we just let it slide. But we’re married, through and through. It hasn’t been long since the wedding, though.”
With that, Elizabeth shyly touched her cheek.
Leo’s face screamed utter disbelief, as if his sanity had packed up and left.
The woman snorted furiously and sprang to her feet.
“Hah! If that’s how it is, you should’ve said so from the start!”
Elizabeth widened her eyes innocently.
“Looks like your ankle’s all better now?”
“Scram!”
The woman stormed off.
Elizabeth unlinked her arm, watching the retreating figure.
“Don’t give me that look. There’s no need to misunderstand.”
“...”
“I’ve given up on that. Those feelings, I mean.”
She took a shallow breath.
“It’s just... she was so persistent. I didn’t want to get dragged into something like that here in this city. It wasn’t like I wanted to act. I had no choice. I figured pretending to be lovers for a bit would make it all go away quietly.”
Leo nodded slowly.
*
After pizza, the two stepped out into the square for a bit. Thanks to Elizabeth’s sudden wife declaration, Leo grudgingly played along. Even the locals murmured compliments about the lovey-dovey couple.
They left the station square and headed into a quiet alley.
“This place has some real weirdos. Never thought I’d run into someone like that on a trip after so long.”
“You’re not so different yourself.”
Leo muttered softly.
“Calling us a couple? What the hell were you thinking...?”
“Mad I tricked you?”
“No, just... ridiculous.”
Elizabeth swallowed a laugh.
“What’s wrong with it? We’re not really married.”
Leo halted. She stopped too.
He said, “...You’ve sorted out your feelings?”
“Of course.”
“Elizabeth. You’re young and beautiful. You can find someone way better than me.”
“Drop it.”
“...Yeah, sorry.”
“I was the weird one back then. Having those feelings for my own dad, of all people.”
Elizabeth looked at Leo, flashing a sunlit smile.
“That’s just... not right, is it?”
“No. It’s not weird. You were just... wandering a bit.”
“Yeah. I wandered. And now it’s over.”
“...”
“When’s the wedding?”
Elizabeth asked. Leo looked startled.
“You’re marrying Hilde-sis, right? Oh, should I start calling her Mom now?”
“...If you give the okay, I’m thinking this year.”
“I’m fine with it. And you don’t need my permission. Do it if you two want to.”
She started walking again, linking arms with him once more.
“So, practice sharing your heart a little. With me too from now on.”
“What’re you talking about?”
Elizabeth grinned mischievously.
“I won’t act like a woman around Dad anymore. Instead, I’ll be a real daughter. Honey.”
Leo winced slightly.
“Perfect, except the last word.”
Elizabeth laughed. Genuinely, for the first time in ages.
Oblivius felt an inexplicable shiver at her laughter.
The train station announcement blared for departure. They boarded side by side, and after a long journey, returned home.
* * *
A few days after reporting the tragedy to the king.
“Major Hildegard von Quirehultain. His Majesty summons you.”
A chamberlain called for Hildegard. She nodded, rising to follow silently. No words passed between them—only their footsteps echoed down the vast corridor.
Knock knock.
Felix knocked on the king’s office door.
“Your Majesty. Major Quirehultain has arrived.”
“Let her enter.”
The chamberlain opened the door. Hildegard straightened her collar and stepped into the noble king’s sanctum.
“Heiress to the noble blood and honorable swords of House Quirehultain, Hildegard von Quirehultain, presents herself with utmost loyalty and reverence to the King of all knights.”
She dropped to one knee. Her heart pounded softly in the face of the king.
“...Rise, daughter of Quirehultain.”
Hildegard lifted her head. King Siegfried, crowned, gazed down at her. His beard was unkempt, dark circles heavy under his eyes. Exhaustion laced his voice.
Leaning deep into the sofa, the king spoke.
“I’ve received your report today. Can you recount the horrors that unfolded there in detail for me?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Hildegard relayed everything she had witnessed, without omission. The king listened intently, chin propped, eyes grave.
“...I see. Thank you.”
Having heard it all, the king covered his face with both hands, washing away his fatigue.
Hildegard watched him with concern.
“If Your Majesty commands, I will gladly hunt down those responsible for the tragedy.”
“...”
Siegfried swept back his bangs and met her gaze. Loyalty and trust gleamed in her golden eyes.
If I ordered her to kill Leo... would she obey?
...She might. But that’s too risky.
Siegfried knew how fickle human hearts could be. She swore fealty now, but if commanded to slay her lover, who could say her heart wouldn’t turn? And if it did...
Disaster.
He’d lost most of his shadow operatives. Without his hands and feet, he lived day by day in impotence. Nights brought no sleep, haunted by the fear of that blade in the dark.
“Worry not. Fulfill your duties as assigned.”
Siegfried sighed, averting his eyes.
“Your Majesty. I am your loyal knight.”
Hildegard said softly. Siegfried looked at her again.
“I... remember that day 23 years ago. The day my grandfather was reduced to ashes. Your Majesty showed us mercy.”
Her eyes sparkled.
“Our house could have burned entirely that day, but we survived. Thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”
“...”
“I swore that day. For Your Majesty, I would do anything.”
The king regarded her silently, then spoke flatly.
“...Then answer me this. For the nation, could you slay the one you love?”
“...I don’t understand.”
“Simple. For the nation, could you kill your family... and your lover?”
Hildegard’s shoulders trembled faintly.
“That’s... that’s...”
She trailed off. Siegfried scanned her expression, then burst into a kindly laugh.
“Haha, ’twas but a jest. I know the Quirehultain heiress’s loyalty well enough, but this is my burden.”
“...Understood.”
“Thank you for your concern. You may go.”
Hildegard bowed and left the office, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
*
King Siegfried’s bedchamber was fortified like a fortress. Mages’ detection webs, dense patrols by the royal guard, lethal traps everywhere. After losing even his shadow vice-captain, security had doubled, tripled.
Yet unease lingered. He hid a sword under his pillow, a loaded crossbow beneath the bed.
Gulp gulp.
The king downed wine from a glass. On the table sat a fine bottle beside a loaded pistol, primed with bullet and powder.
“Fucking dogs.”
Siegfried ground his teeth, clenching his fist. Leo Valentine. Elizabeth Valentine. It all stemmed from those bastards.
What had gone wrong? He’d sent shadows twice to eliminate them. Both ended in annihilation, squandering precious forces.
“No choice. Frame ’em and kill ’em outright.”
He settled on the simplest, most distasteful path. For a king, framing two commoners was child’s play.
But he’d hesitated for one reason: Elizabeth Valentine.
She’d built fame among commoners and nobles alike, topping the bar exam and earning the legal world’s favor. Removing her forcibly would spark backlash.
“No helping it. This is the only way...”
Kill her first. Deal with fallout later.
Then lightning struck—a realization amid his brooding.
“Wait. That method.”
Siegfried scrambled up, rummaging drawers. He unearthed a silver ring after much digging. The ring to summon the demon of memory, Oblivius.
He’d used it before to erase one man: Hildegard’s grandfather, Maximilian.
“Right. I’d forgotten about you.”
Hoo...
Siegfried slumped back, eyeing the ring. With this, no risk—just death. He’d balked at framing due to her reputation, but Oblivius could shatter that effortlessly.
Risk-free elimination.
Stroking the ring, he intoned,
“Demon of memory. Heed my call.”
No answer.
“Demon of memory, Oblivius! Heed my call!”
Silence lingered.
He repeated four, five times. Nothing.
Rage flushed his face.
“Damn you! Didn’t I say come whenever I need you? Come to me! I’m a king of a nation. I can offer you plenty of sacrifices. Hurry up!”
I’m here.
“Oh! You...”
The king whirled toward the voice—and froze. Cold dawn wind blew through the open window. White curtains fluttered, revealing a hazy shadow beyond.
A gust parted them, unveiling a girl perched silently on the sill. Golden hair, blue eyes. Pale as dawnlight, breathtakingly beautiful, she gazed at King Siegfried with a smile.