Masquerade Ball (4)
“This place...”
The spot we arrived at following the duke was a familiar garden. In the garden bursting with blooming daisies, the fresh floral scent tickled the air. I could never forget it. This was where Ashu had collapsed.
Thanks to that, I'd been dragged to the grand temple, and who knows how much money I'd been fleeced out of. Damn Kan Hart family. Even if they were like that, how could they ignore a child collapsed on the ground?
“Looks like you know it well.”
“...Yes. All too well.”
The duke crouched down and lightly tapped a daisy. The flower flicked its stem as if tickled. It was like a scene straight out of a beautiful painting.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“...No idea.”
A curt reply slipped out before I could stop it. The duke glanced at me with a chuckle, then fixed his gaze back on the flower.
“This was my wife's favorite garden.”
...Suddenly? Sharing his family history like this? It threw me off, but I decided to listen quietly for now. Maybe I'd learn some backstory even Ashu didn't know.
“Watching her tend to these flowers in the warm midday sun, all my worries in the world seemed to melt away.”
The duke's expression grew distant, as if longing to touch something forever out of reach.
“I loved her more than anything, and she felt the same. ...We were truly happy.”
“...”
“Until that incident happened.”
Crack.
The daisy let out a scream as it snapped. The limp flower looked as cold as a corpse.
“The fruit of our love—yes, that boy entered his mother's body.”
The flower looked so fragile in his pot-lid-sized hand. The duke clenched his fist tight. It almost seemed like the flower was trembling, begging to be spared.
“She was always frail. She shouldn't have carried a child to term, let alone given birth.”
What a cruel fate. Loving each other but forbidden from bearing its fruit. But that didn't justify abusing your own child.
“Still, she insisted on having him despite her stubbornness, and I had no choice but to let her.”
Veins bulged on his fist before it finally relaxed. The flower inside had been reduced to a handful of green liquid.
...How the hell did he do that? Is that even possible with human grip strength?
“Ashu Kan Hart. He should never have been born. A child who devoured his mother from within. His very nature is twisted—even looking at him makes my blood boil.”
The duke brushed off his hand. Then he stood and approached me.
“So, what is it you want to say to me?”
Stop beating around the bush and spit it out. I already had a guess what was coming from his mouth. The subjugation campaign had too many suspicious points. The north's elite guards, boasting the empire's finest forces, failing to stop a mere assassin squad? Ridiculous. Their rotating patrols were legendary, even in the capital. And an escort knight suddenly trying to kill his own charge?
“Teacher, do you know why I brought you on as that boy's master?”
“...To fix his personality, maybe?”
The duke's lips curved in amusement at my words. But his eyes were different. Through the gaps in his mask, a fierce glint pierced me. My body froze under that gaze, as if it saw right through me. My limbs felt heavy, like they were sinking into the deep sea.
“...Think on it.”
In that moment, I was certain. I couldn't beat the duke right now. Whatever his trait was, the odds were near zero.
“I trust someone as clever as you will figure it out.”
“...”
Tap, tap. Each touch of his massive hand on my shoulder made me stagger.
“...I'm a bit slow, so I might need some time.”
“Hahaha!!”
His booming laughter nearly burst my eardrums.
“In three months, it's that boy's birthday. Also the anniversary of my wife's death.”
The duke said this as he brushed past me. I gripped my clothes against the chill night air.
“I expect good news by then.”
The duke plans to kill Ashu Kan Hart in three months.
Stop him or kill Ashu Kan Hart yourself. The choice is yours.
Reward: Ashu Kan Hart's survival.
Failure: Ashu Kan Hart's death.
⚠ This is a major story branch point. It cannot be undone—choose wisely! ⚠
Ding.
I couldn't help biting my lip at the status window popping up before my eyes.
“...Shit.”
Never a dull moment. Just leave me alone for once.
“...Father.”
Ashu, who had followed Ideal out reverently, muttered under his breath. The daisy garden in full bloom. The same place where he'd been roughed up by the duke last time.
'Still stings thinking about it.'
Just recalling it made the side of his head throb.
'If Ideal hadn't been there, it really could've been bad.'
Lately, whenever he was in danger, she was always by his side. The market incident, the assassins too. Maybe that's why—every time he saw Ideal, a tickle stirred in his chest.
“But what the hell are those two talking about?”
So he couldn't stop worrying. He considered creeping closer but stayed put, spinning in circles to avoid being spotted. All he caught was the duke laughing uproariously, then patting Ideal's shoulder. Ideal slumped to the ground like her strength had given out.
'What the...'
Ashu bolted toward her, but his body froze solid.
“Father...”
The duke now stood before him. His expression was like staring at revolting trash. The duke glared at Ashu for a long moment before turning and vanishing.
'...Yeah, that's the kind of guy he is.'
That friendly handshake and smile earlier? Pure pretense. No real affection behind it. He knew that. He knew, but...
Why did it feel so hollow? He'd be lying if he said he hadn't harbored faint hopes—like winning the subjugation and catching his father's eye. Just one warm glance or affectionate word would've sufficed.
Ashu squeezed his eyes shut. But he already had someone like that, didn't he? The woman who whined and fussed but was warm inside. The one who cooked hot meals every day. The one who threw herself into danger for him without hesitation.
“Ideal.”
Ashu walked toward Ideal. His steps quickened. The sweet floral scent invaded his nostrils, ringing intensely in his head.
“H-Hah..., what is it, d-disciple?”
Ideal startled in the center of the daisy garden, walking toward him. Yeah, this was enough.
...He didn't need family love after all. Really.
He hadn't expected it in the first place.
* * *
What the hell, why's the kid here?
I yelled at Ashu, who had suddenly appeared before me.
“Disciple! H-How could you come in here?!”
No joke—this could really be dangerous. If the duke clocked him like last time, my spine wouldn't just chill; it'd snap!
“So what.”
Ashu plopped down beside me like it was no big deal. What was I supposed to do with this precious brat? I sighed and gave in.
“...How'd you know I was here?”
“Saw you. Leaving with Father.”
“Ah, a-ah....”
So he saw that. He didn't overhear our talk, did he? I snuck a glance at Ashu. His face was its usual thuggish mug.
'Looks like he didn't hear.'
I sighed inwardly. If he'd caught that, even Ashu would've taken a huge mental hit.
'His own father wants him dead.'
The subjugation culprit was basically confirmed, but no need to tell him.
“Ideal.”
“I-I've told you a million times, it's not my na—me—”
Ashu ignored me and pressed on.
“What is family?”
“Huh...?”
He stared up at the dark night sky. His complicated expression suggested something was up.
'What kid makes a face like that?'
His life's barely a decade long.
'Family, huh...'
I didn't have much experience either, so I couldn't say much. Just abstract stuff. But the first thing that came to mind was...
“People who'd give their lives for each other, maybe...?”
“...Is that so.”
Ashu turned to look at me.
“That subjugation condition from before. Our promise.”
“Uh..., y-yeah.”
“I'll tell you now.”
“R-Right now?”
My eyes widened at the sudden declaration. Here? Now?
Ashu's lips curved faintly—the first smile I'd seen from him since arriving.
“One thing first, though. I'm curious.”
“Y-Yeah...?”
Ashu leaned in closer. His serious expression was worlds apart from his usual annoyance. A cold breeze carried the floral scent between us.
“What are we, Ideal and I?”
“...Huh?”
His words were followed by a status window exploding into view. I was left speechless.
Ashu Kan Hart's Training Degree has reached 25%!
Ashu Kan Hart's Favorability will now be displayed.
Favorability: 67%
Currently feels a weak obsession toward the player!
What the hell is this...?