Chapter 29
Did I fail?
I dropped my head powerlessly. There was no other path besides the Chrysis Ducal Residence. Aria would die without question. It felt like being dragged alive into hell.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...
I slowly wiped the blood-smeared face of Aria. Her faint breaths, as if they might stop at any moment, stabbed at my heart.
I pressed my lips gently to her forehead.
Aria's death was all my fault. Because I was incompetent. Because I was worthless. Because I was so pathetic I couldn't even protect the one I loved.
My world. May all your sins and karma be mine to bear.
When the god of death weighs all the sins you've committed in life on his scales in the afterlife, may every sin meant for you fall to me instead. May you carry away every tiny happiness allowed in my worthless life.
I'll follow soon. It won't take long.
I intended to follow Aria into the beyond. The moment I resolved to die, a large, firm hand extended before me.
I stared at the outstretched hand with unfocused eyes, then looked up at its owner.
Kaiser, who had reached out to me, slowly opened his mouth.
"Get up."
His sweet voice tickled my ears. A faint tenderness overlaid his usual gruff tone.
I widened my eyes and stared at him. Only then did I truly meet Kaiser's gaze.
"My daughter need never kneel to anyone. Not even this empire's emperor could make you bend your knee again."
His eyes, which had always seemed cold, now held a prickling warmth.
What does he mean?
With his hand still before me, I frantically spun my thoughts.
My... daughter?
My heart plummeted. I desperately suppressed the strange feeling bubbling up from deep within and tried to decipher the hidden meaning in his words.
...I don't get it.
Then I gave up. Even as I brainwashed myself that it couldn't mean what it sounded like, no other interpretation came to mind.
If I take it literally...
It sounded like he was saying he'd take me as his daughter.
Don't delude yourself.
I gritted my teeth against the ticklish sensation in my heart. This was Kaiser Crisis of all people. The cold, cruel Duke of Crisis, born for slaughter. There was no way he'd acknowledge someone like me as his daughter.
"Not going to take it?"
His large hand shook in front of me, lost in my torment. I snapped to and reached for it—then froze.
...It's too dirty.
I flinched back, my hand smeared with Aria's blood and the dirt from my frantic run. Though callused from swordsmanship, I lacked the courage to grasp Kaiser's long, clean hand with my filthy, rough one.
"M-My hand's too dirty right now..."
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. As his piercing gaze made me shrink and I tried to hide my hand behind my back—
His large hand seized mine first and pulled me up.
With Aria cradled in one arm, I staggered awkwardly to my feet. Standing while holding his hand, I nearly toppled sideways. My legs were still trembling.
"Tch."
Kaiser clicked his tongue at my shaking legs and scooped Aria up. Red blood smeared across his white shower robe.
"Wh-Why—"
"You begged to save her."
He answered my stammering confusion impassively. He gestured to Taylor, who stood to his right, and Taylor bowed his head.
"Master."
"Take her to an empty room. Wake the physician and have her examined."
"Yes."
Taylor took Aria from him. I watched the whole exchange in a daze.
Why?
I couldn't grasp the sudden turn of events, but I shouted urgently anyway.
"Aria isn't an ordinary person! She's..."
"A fairy hybrid, right?"
What?
My pupils shook at Kaiser's casual remark. I whipped around to face him, and he spoke with a languid expression.
"Fairies' auras are distinctly different from humans', so those with keen senses can tell easily. You know that too."
Auras from nature-harming humans clashed with those harmonious fairies who lived alongside it—his words rang true.
"Then you know ordinary treatment won't heal Aria."
I gazed anxiously at her trembling form. What Aria needed wasn't an examination—it was fairy essence from the Fairy Forest.
"As a fairy hybrid who's never been to the Fairy Forest, her body has degenerated from aura deficiency. The only cure... is fairy essence."
I bowed my head heavily. Even if he showed me kindness, the chances of him giving even a drop of that exorbitantly priced essence were slim.
It made me sick with self-loathing to beg so shamelessly, but I had no other choice.
"Duke, please... I'll repay you with my life. If you'd just lend a single drop—even one—I'll serve House Crisis my whole life..."
I squeezed my eyes shut, ready to kneel again—
Whoosh.
Just before my knees hit the floor, two hands gripped my waist and lifted me effortlessly.
What?
I tried to process the sudden event. My feet dangled in the air, Kaiser holding me up by the waist like a child...
This is insane.
Realizing it, I gaped in shock. Kaiser, having picked me up to stop my kneeling, stared down at me with dissatisfaction.
Belated shame hit me, and I flailed my legs wildly.
"P-Put me down!"
"What did I just say?"
"Just now..."?
"Fairies' auras... are distinctly different from humans'..."
"Not that."
"...Take your hand..."
"Before that."
Dangling from Kaiser's grip, I racked my brain desperately until a realization made me flinch. I slowly parted my lips.
"Even the emperor... couldn't make me kneel..."
"Right."
Only then did Kaiser smile in satisfaction. Seeing that radiant smile up close left me rigid.
"My daughter need never kneel anywhere."
He set me gently on the ground.
"So never kneel before anyone again. Your knees are as heavy as the name Crisis."
He placed his hand on my stiff head, tousling my already messy hair even more. Something strange writhed in a corner of my heart.
Why does he keep... making me hope?
It felt off. I resented Kaiser for acting like my father.
He's not.
No way. I crushed the budding sprout of expectation again. He'd use me as a tool, sure—but what would the duke lack that he'd adopt someone like me?
I calmed my churning heart.
"Your name was Kashmir, right?"
As I spaced out in turmoil, Kaiser spoke up. I nodded hastily.
"Yes. Kashmir."
"Right. Kashmir Crisis."
Thud.
My heart seemed to plummet to my gut.
Why?
I couldn't understand why he called me "Kashmir Crisis." But I lacked the courage to ask.
If he says there's no reason...
For some reason, it felt like I'd despair.
"I'll let your sister have fairy essence from the Fairy Forest."
His indifferent declaration made my eyes fly wide. My soul, tumbling into hell, felt whisked to paradise in an instant.
I have to do anything—everything.
I desperately clutched his sleeve.
"Thank you! Command anything—I'll do whatever it takes."
Folding my trembling eyes' corners, I gazed up at him. I still couldn't believe it, my mind blank with shock, but I was truly, truly happy. If he ordered it, I could do anything.
Kaiser stared down at me for a long moment before slowly speaking.
"Who are you?"
"...Huh?"
"I asked who you are."
The question came in an everyday tone—simple enough to leave me speechless.
"I... I'm the mercenary Mir. A Sword Master who's swung a sword her whole life."
"Right. The Mir who spoke of the rights of the powerful before me."
His response recalled our first meeting. Come to think of it, even as Mir, Kaiser had shown inexplicable kindness—pulling out jewels on a whim.
"Again. Who are you?"
He asked once more. It seemed he wanted a specific answer from me, but I couldn't guess what.
After agonizing, I fidgeted with my fingers and answered timidly.
"...Kashmir. Kashmir, a commoner from the back alleys... with a little sister named Aria."
"Not anymore."
"Huh?"
"Since you seem to doubt it, I'll make it clear."
Kaiser slowly lifted my chin. Bringing his face close, he whispered quietly.
"From now on, you are my daughter, Lady Kashmir Crisis."
"You weren't planning to take the help and vanish, were you?"
A chill bloomed on his lips. I shook my head frantically.
"No! Absolutely not! I'll definitely repay this grace...!"
"Good. Repay it by becoming my daughter."
Thud.
My heart sank helplessly. Before I could respond, Kaiser rested his hand on my head and stroked it slowly, smiling faintly.
"A father doesn't command his daughter. It's not a superior-subordinate relationship."
There are times when someone's kindness makes you want to die. When you suspect it's all a dream. When you're afraid it'll vanish any second. Kindness has such a high mortality rate—you think it'd be better to embrace that fleeting joy and close your eyes forever.
Why? My heart ached so much. I didn't know what he wanted from me; his kindness felt like it would kill me.
"I'm not trying to pressure you. Take your time to think and answer."
I bit my lip hard, head bowed without a word, so he added it gently to ease the burden. Dried tears welled up again from that piercing kindness.
"...Crying?"
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"What?"
Overflowing emotions spilled out in drops. Kaiser looked flustered at my resentful glare.
"I'm the mercenary Mir."
"Yes."
"A no-good mercenary scum!"
Prejudice against mercenaries ran deep. Even now hailed as heroes, many still saw them as scum who'd do anything for coin.
What does he even know about me!
I could hardly believe Kaiser's brazen attitude. It was unfamiliar to me.
Even as I growled, he blinked calmly and spoke.
"My son loves doing no-good things. You'd suit Kal well."
"That's not the point right now!"
His tone was so nonchalant it bordered on flippant; I bristled, radiating killing intent. Undeterred by my rudeness, he regarded me steadily.
"What makes you think you can take me as your daughter! Don't you have any caution? Don't you know mercenaries are scum who'll do anything for money? Do you even know what kind of person I—?!"
I heaved ragged breaths. My head went white, reason slipping. An incomprehensible flood of emotion surged through me. I was angrier than I'd ever been—shocking even myself.