Chapter 27
27
I'm just an ordinary citizen, and a terminally ill one at that, who has to endure the palpable murderous intent of these two with my bare body.
Of course, the fact that I'm terminally ill is something those two don't know.
Not that knowing would make them withdraw this murderous aura.
"What is this..."
"—Cough!"
The moment Eden was about to argue with Khadien.
In the end, unable to withstand their murderous intent, I coughed roughly.
Startled, Eden turned to look at me.
Quickly realizing his mistake, he swiftly withdrew his murderous aura.
"I, I'm sorry."
I waved my hand.
"...It's okay."
Well, not really okay, but.
'At least I didn't cough up blood.'
Then I guess it's okay.
Eden, looking at me with apologetic eyes, soon sent a resentful gaze towards Khadien.
Meanwhile, Khadien had already withdrawn his murderous intent.
Honestly, that part was unexpected. I didn't think he would so easily withdraw the murderous intent he had directed at Eden.
"An innocent person was harmed because of the Duke's sudden actions!"
Then Khadien smirked, raising one corner of his lip.
It was a clear sneer.
"Wasn't it you who scattered murderous intent in response? How dare you blame only me. Just like the Temple's mutt, you resemble your master."
"Duke!"
Eden, enraged by Khadien's sarcastic words, raised his voice.
I was just as taken aback.
'The level is too high for what I expected.'
It wasn't just sarcasm. A clear and impure intention to make someone feel humiliated was overflowing.
'Was it this intense in the original?'
I don't think so.
Lost in thought, I suddenly felt someone grab my wrist and pull me.
When I came to my senses, I had been moved to Khadien's side.
Huh? What's going on now...?
Eden, also taken aback by the unexpected situation, stared blankly at us, his anger forgotten.
Ignoring the bewildered gazes of the two, Khadien stated confidently.
"I hate it when others touch what is mine. And everything within Mercedes Manor is mine."
"......?"
"The tutor is no exception."
"......??"
Excuse me...? What are you talking about...?
Has understanding someone's words always been this difficult?
Wondering if it was just me, I reflexively looked for another listener.
'Ah, thank goodness.'
It seems I'm not the only one who doesn't understand.
Eden was also looking at Khadien with an expression that said, "What nonsense is this?"
"So—"
Khadien pulled me closer to his side and muttered in a chilling voice.
"Don't touch her without permission."
Eden was speechless at the clear hostility.
I, on the other hand, looked up at Khadien with confused eyes.
'He cherishes those who belong to the Mercedes Ducal Family.'
Even a passing dog wouldn't believe that.
From the start, he didn't love anyone except the female lead, Celestina.
'Even his son, Vincent, was an afterthought.'
And now he's saying he cherishes mere servants?
'I'd rather believe the sun rose in the west.'
As someone who knew Khadien Mercedes better than anyone, it was a story I could only scoff at.
However, Eden Aquillium was a little different.
"...I apologize for my rudeness. I offer my sincere apology."
He bowed his head before Khadien and me.
The leader of The First Holy Knight Order, no less!
If anyone from the Temple were to witness this scene, they would immediately declare a Holy War.
He was the Temple's identity itself.
That's how upright and righteous he was. That's why he acknowledged his mistake and willingly bowed his head, even in the face of Khadien's absurd demands.
"I'll let it slide this time."
On the other hand, Khadien looked down at Eden Aquillium arrogantly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Caught between them, I felt my mind spinning.
What on earth is going on?
Soon, Eden raised his head and looked at me.
Even though he had bowed his head to Khadien, who was practically his sworn enemy, his gaze was unwavering and firm.
I was quietly impressed by his appearance.
'Even if the Temple is rotting and festering inside, Eden Aquillium remains the same.'
Exactly as I had seen him in the book.
That's why he was given the qualification to stay by the female lead's side until the very end.
Even though he was a second male lead.
'Unlike someone else...'
In the end, my thoughts came to rest on Khadien Mercedes.
'It can't be helped. He's the man who holds my lifeline.'
But that thought didn't last long.
Because of Eden's voice.
"Lady."
At the upright and righteous voice, I turned my head towards him.
Light sky-blue hair resembling the clear blue sky and clear blue eyes that seemed to see right through you.
Even his handsome features, as flawless as his upright personality.
The second male lead who would stay by the female lead's side until the end of her life, the female lead's own knight.
"Thanks to you, we were able to find evidence of Akaban. We had discovered signs of smuggling, but we were in a difficult situation because we lacked concrete evidence. It's all thanks to you, Lady."
"......"
"I will repay this debt someday. So..."
He smiled brightly, like the sky.
"May I know your name?"
For a moment, I was speechless.
And was it just my imagination?
For a moment, it felt as if the darkness, momentarily pushed back by the light, was watching me, ready to devour me.
* * *
"Commander!"
As Eden exited the building, his adjutant, who had been waiting, immediately rushed over.
He had been worried about leaving Eden to face the Duke of Mercedes alone.
The adjutant asked cautiously.
"Was everything alright...?"
At his worried question, Eden smiled lightly in response.
"It's not like we were engaging in battle, nor were we searching the mansion. We were merely apprehending a criminal, so what could have happened?"
"But..."
It's the Duke of Mercedes, no less.
The adjutant couldn't bring himself to say those words aloud.
Did Eden not know what the adjutant truly wanted to say?
Even so, his failure to answer clearly was a tacit order not to bring that uncomfortable feeling to the surface.
In the end, the adjutant fell silent.
"The criminal?"
"He was resisting fiercely, so I temporarily knocked him unconscious."
"Well done. Then let's depart."
"Yes!"
The adjutant, who was reluctant to stay at Mercedes Manor any longer, immediately began preparations for departure.
Soon, the preparations were complete, and Eden briefly turned back.
Mercedes Manor, boasting a magnificent and elegant grandeur.
Beyond it, towards the room where a certain woman would be.
After gazing at that room for a moment, Eden soon set the horses in motion.
The First Holy Knight Order, carrying the criminal, quickly departed from Mercedes Manor.
Leaving behind a strange and unsettling lingering feeling.
* * *
Late at night, after finishing his report to the High Priest and returning to his room, Eden removed the armor that had been constricting his body all day and slumped into a chair.
Fatigue was etched deeply in his blue eyes.
'I'm tired...'
Even though there hadn't been any particularly strenuous events, today, in particular, fatigue weighed heavily on his body.
He wanted to fall asleep immediately, but Eden couldn't.
Because his duties as the Temple's greatest swordsman and the leader of The First Holy Knight Order still remained.
Normally, he would have started his work right away, but today was a little different.
"......"
Eden ran his hands over his face and turned his head to look out the window.
Specifically, in the direction of Mercedes Manor.
Naturally, the events of the day came to mind.
That is, the woman with dark brown hair and amber eyes...
It was then.
Knock, knock.
"Sir Eden, may I come in for a moment?"
Eden jumped up from his seat.
An unexpected guest had arrived.
Recognizing the owner of the voice, Eden quickly opened the door.
There, a woman as white as snow was smiling at Eden.
A beautiful woman with hair as white as the untouched snow of a snow mountain, and similarly white skin, and fresh, verdant green eyes like new sprouts.
Eden groaned softly and parted his lips.
"Saintess..."
"I'm sorry for coming so suddenly. You're not angry, are you?"
"How could I be? Please, come inside."
"Excuse me."
Celestina, adorably drawing out the end of her words, gracefully entered Eden's room.
As Celestina naturally settled onto the sofa, Eden quickly prepared refreshments.
While looking around the room, Celestina straightened her posture as the refreshments were placed before her.
Eden poured tea into her teacup.
Pouring.
"It's Karacha tea."
"Karacha tea?"
"Yes, I heard reports that you've been having trouble sleeping lately. It will be of some help, however small."
"......"
At Eden's thoughtful consideration, Celestina quietly looked at him before smiling brightly.
"Thank you. You're the only one who thinks of me, Sir Eden."
