Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Glimpsing the Abyss
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Marso Etwar was clearly in league with this man. Regardless of how fluent her words had been.
Even so, the reason he couldn't refuse Marso's proposal was that it was so enticing.
He felt she might really be able to provide the life they needed.
Even if it went against the Emperor's will.
There was one reason he could entertain such a thought.
Just as she had said, Marso Etwar was that "Marso."
The name he had no choice but to hear and read about everywhere during his travels. The villainess who would achieve whatever she set her mind to.
"No ulterior motives. And no more words for you."
"...You're awfully chatty for a wicked prince who became a prince and wants to hoard everything like an emperor."
"...I won't deny becoming a prince. But everything after that is just your petty imagination."
He thought he could tolerate listening to Eaton to some extent. But the idea of lumping the Emperor and him together made his teeth grit in revulsion.
In that moment, Darsi saw the abyss in Eaton's eyes.
"..."
It was a hatred so profound it left him at a loss for words.
Have I ever seen it this close before? Eaton's ability was x-ray vision that pierced through disguises and magic to reveal true identities. That was why he had known who Darsi was from the start. Even later, when Darsi came to their aid, Eaton had recognized him as the same bloodthirsty demon who had stood against them in battle and dragged away the mages. Eaton had always assumed he and the Emperor were allies. ...Was I wrong? Eaton was bewildered. If he wasn't on the Emperor's side, then what? His hatred had always been reserved solely for the Emperor, yet Darsi's vivid performance in battle lingered in his mind. The mysterious man had always been the object of his hatred—the driving force sustaining his listless existence. I don't want to know my enemy's circumstances. Eaton was a teenager unaccustomed to hiding his emotions. His thoughts were plain on his face, and Darsi read the turmoil at once.
"Your hatred is justified."
And so Darsi said the words Eaton wanted to hear. Because they were true. Darsi, unwilling to leave Eaton alone in Marso's bedroom even for a moment, naturally led him to the screening room, away from prying eyes. Lost in tangled thoughts, Eaton followed along. Only upon arriving in the room cluttered with magic tools did he snap to his senses. Eaton blinked rapidly. Darsi, gazing at the still-confused boy, slipped the ring from his hand.
"Stay here quietly."
With that, Darsi vanished. Eaton stared blankly at the empty space, then twisted his face in frustration.
"...What am I supposed to do with that?"
He had glimpsed an unexpected side of the man. And it stirred an unwanted confusion. No. Eaton shook his head firmly. He couldn't fall for something like that. It was surely just an act to stoke his guilt. ...Even if the man had saved him.
The winter sea breeze was colder than expected. Shivering as I hugged my shoulders to ward off the chill, I sensed a presence.
Turning around, I spotted soldiers patrolling the area.
It seemed they had noticed Eaton's escape. Their movements were more organized than I'd anticipated.
It would have been stranger if they hadn't. The soldiers approached me.
"By any chance, have you seen anyone around here?"
"A person?"
Of course, I feigned ignorance.
"Yes, a boy with silver hair and blue eyes. About yea tall..."
The description matched Eaton perfectly. They were definitely looking for him.
"No, unfortunately, I haven't seen him."
"Aah, I see."
The man nodded as if accepting my words. But he didn't back off. One of the two soldiers, who had been whispering to each other, approached me.
"It's dangerous to be out here alone on a dark beach like this. We'll escort you to the main area."
"I'm fine. I like watching the sea at times like this..."
"There have been a lot of unauthorized intruders on the island lately. If anything were to happen..."
Their concern was valid, but it was unnecessary meddling for me right now.
Still, before these soldiers who had resolved to protect every soul on the island, my words fell on deaf ears.
"I'm really f-"
As I tried to continue, a warm cloak draped over my shoulders. I turned reflexively and felt relief upon seeing Darsi.
"Got something to say?"
His voice, laced with an intimidating nobility utterly unlike his usual tone, sent shivers down my spine.
It was a voice all too familiar to me.
"You have company, then. That's settled."
The cloak carried Darsi's scent. The fragrance that lingered in his palace. Something inseparable from him.
Inhaling it brought back memories of the palace we had searched together.
The scent revived those memories in an instant. My heart, which had been pounding anxiously at the soldiers' arrival, found its rhythm again.
"Perhaps the gentleman has..."
With Darsi's appearance, the soldiers lost interest in me.
They asked him about Eaton's whereabouts as well, but left without gaining anything.
I pulled the cloak tighter against the wind. Darsi, standing behind me, blocked the breeze.
"When did you grab the cloak?"
"You looked cold."
Just having him stand there behind me filled the air with warmth. Even the biting wind felt like a gentle spring breeze.
"Marso."
My name flowed from Darsi's lips like a melody.
I naturally turned my head toward him. We stood face-to-face.
His face gleamed through the silver strands fluttering in the wind. His sharp features stood out clearly, even amid the deep shadows.
He pulled out the ring.
I reached for it, murmuring thanks—but only for a moment.
"I'll put it on for you."
Darsi lightly caressed my finger. The natural touch stole my breath. I let out a soft exhale and nodded.
Lowering his gaze, Darsi focused entirely on my finger. His long lashes fluttered. They seemed ready to scatter silver dust at any second.
His touch was slow and delicate, like adding the final flourish to a work of art. The cool metal felt oddly welcoming.
For a brief moment, I regretted handing it over to Eaton. But since I had been the one to insist on saving him first, complaining would be childish, so I held back.
"It was meant only for you."
Until Darsi voiced his playful grievance.
"You felt that way too?"
So had I. I whispered in agreement with his words. A stifled laugh escaped Darsi's lips. I admitted my fault cleanly.
"My bad."
The magic tool he had given me was special. It was originally meant for his escape, and there were only two such rings in the entire world.
To receive something like that and hand it over so easily to someone else was undoubtedly my mistake.
"I won't do it again."
I murmured soothingly. A faint, wave-like smile spread across Darsi's face as he stared straight at me.
"What am I supposed to do when you respond so sincerely even to silly complaints?"
"Just accept it sincerely."
Darsi rolled his eyes lightly at my words.
"You really know how to leave me speechless."
"I'm not usually like this."
Somehow, in front of Darsi, I found myself being honest about everything.
"Only with you."
Before the man who had first dropped the formalities and shown his true self to me, I found the courage to be honest too.
The way he treated me, the way I spoke to him—it all felt as natural as a perfectly composed painting. Had I ever felt this free before?
Darsi blinked at my words.
"I..."
Silence followed, but it wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, the silence itself felt at ease. He didn't need to reply.
Darsi looked at me and nodded.
"Me too."
After that, we teleported back to the room. It had only been a single day away, yet the air felt refreshed.
That's probably why people go out. Surveying the room, I realized there wasn't even a trace of Eaton left.
"Couldn't leave him in your bedroom. Took him to the screening room."
"Thanks."
The more time we spent together, the more his thoughtfulness stood out.
I roughly unpacked my things, then bid farewell to Darsi, who was leaning against the wall.
"Good work today. Go get some proper rest now."
It must have been a long day for him too. It was late into the night—time for him to head back and sleep.
"...Now?"
"Yeah. Using your ability must have been exhausting. You did great."
"...What are you talking about?"
Darsi flinched and tried to rebut late, but the jig was already up.
"It'd be weirder if I hadn't noticed."
From the prison to our escape, we hadn't encountered a single danger. His ability had undoubtedly been the biggest factor.
"You've done plenty today. You can go now."
"But we still need to talk with Eaton."
"I can handle that."
It was plenty late. I was already grateful he'd stuck around this long.
More than that... With Darsi and Eaton together, no proper conversation would happen. Just like how Darsi seemed ill at ease around him, Eaton felt the same. They'd only end up reopening old wounds.
It was better if I spoke with him first.
"You should head back and rest too."
"..."
"That's enough."
Darsi pushed back once more.
"But I can't just leave you alone with Eaton."
As if it were the most obvious thing in the world.