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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: A Moment by the Sea
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Marso Etoile was clearly in league with this man, regardless of how eloquently she spoke.
And yet, he couldn't refuse Marso's offer, because it was just that alluring.
It made him think she might actually be able to give them the life they needed.
Even if it went against the Emperor's will.
There was one reason he could allow himself to think that.
Just as she’d said, Marso Etoile was *that* Marso.
A name one couldn't help but hear and read about, no matter where they traveled. The villainess who always accomplished whatever she set her mind to.
“I have no ulterior motives. And I have nothing more to say to you.”
“…For a villain who became a prince just so you could have everything like the Emperor, you sure talk a lot.”
“…I won’t deny becoming a prince. But the rest is nothing but your pathetic fantasy.”
He thought he could tolerate Eaton’s words to a certain extent. But being lumped in with the Emperor was something he loathed with a vengeance.
In that moment, Eaton saw an abyss in Darcy's eyes.
“…”
It was a hatred so deep it left him speechless.
‘Have I ever seen it this up close before?’
Eaton’s ability was a form of clairvoyance, allowing him to see through disguises and magic to perceive a person’s true identity. That was why he had recognized Darcy from the very beginning.
Even when Darcy later came to their aid, he had recognized him as the same murderous fiend who had stood on the opposing side of the battlefield, capturing mages.
Eaton had always thought he and the Emperor were on the same side.
‘…Was I wrong?’
Eaton was confused. If he and the Emperor weren’t on the same side, then what? It was hard to direct his hatred solely at the Emperor when the memory of Darcy’s prowess in battle was still so vivid.
The mysterious man had always been the object of his hatred, the very fuel that sustained him through the rest of his powerless life.
‘I have no interest in my enemy’s story.’
Eaton was a teenager unaccustomed to hiding his emotions. His thoughts were written all over his face, and Darcy read his confusion immediately.
“Your hatred is justified.”
And so, Darcy said what Eaton wanted to hear.
Because it was the truth.
Unwilling to leave Eaton alone in Marso’s bedroom for even a moment, Darcy discreetly led him to the movie room, avoiding any prying eyes.
Lost in his complicated thoughts, Eaton followed where Darcy led. He only snapped back to reality when they arrived in the room where the magic tool sat in plain sight.
Eaton blinked hard.
Staring at the still-confused Eaton, Darcy took the ring from his hand.
“Stay put here.”
Then, Darcy vanished. Eaton stared blankly at the empty space where he had been, his face contorting.
‘…What am I supposed to do when you say something like that?’
He had glimpsed a side of him he’d never imagined. And it brought on a confusion he didn't want.
‘No.’
Eaton shook his head resolutely. He couldn't be swayed by so little. This had to be just another act, a ploy by that man to make him feel guilty.
…It didn't matter that the man had saved him.
***
The winter sea breeze was colder than I’d expected. I was hugging my shoulders, shivering against the chill, when I sensed a presence.
Turning around, I spotted soldiers patrolling the area.
It seemed they had noticed Eaton’s escape. The men moved with surprising coordination.
It would have been stranger if they hadn’t. The soldiers approached me.
“Have you by any chance seen anyone around here?”
“Someone?”
Of course, I played dumb.
“Yes, a boy with silver hair and blue eyes. He's about this tall…”
The description matched Eaton perfectly. They were definitely looking for him.
“No, I'm afraid I haven't seen anyone.”
“Ah, I see.”
The man nodded in acknowledgment but didn’t move away. After muttering to each other, one of the two soldiers stepped toward me.
“It's dangerous to be alone on a dark beach like this. We can escort you to the main street.”
“It's fine. I enjoy looking at the sea at times like this…”
“It's because there have been many trespassers on the island recently. If something were to happen to you…”
Their concern was valid, but for me, it was unwanted meddling.
But my words had no effect on the soldiers, who seemed determined to look after everyone on the island.
“I'm really f—”
As I was about to continue, a warm coat settled on my shoulders. I turned reflexively and felt a wave of relief upon seeing Darcy.
“Is there something you need?”
His imposing voice, so different from his usual tone, was overflowing with dignity. Seeing this completely different side of him sent a shiver down my spine.
Because it was a voice so familiar to me.
“I see you have company. In that case, we’ll be on our way.”
The coat he’d draped over me carried Darcy’s scent. It was the fragrance that lingered in his palace—something inseparable from him.
The scent brought back memories of his palace, which I had visited with him.
A scent can revive a memory in an instant. My heart, which had been pounding anxiously at the soldiers’ appearance, returned to its normal rhythm.
“Sir, have you by any chance…”
With Darcy's appearance, the soldiers lost interest in me.
The soldiers asked Darcy about Eaton’s whereabouts as well, but left empty-handed.
I pulled the coat tighter against the wind. Darcy, standing behind me, blocked the breeze.
“When did you grab the coat?”
“I thought you might be cold.”
Just having Darcy standing behind me was enough to make me feel warm. The chilly wind felt more like a gentle spring breeze.
“Marso.”
My name flowed from Darcy's lips like a melody.
I naturally turned my head toward Darcy. We stood facing each other.
His face, framed by silver hair fluttering in the wind, seemed to glow. His sharp features were distinct even in the deepening shadows.
He took out the ring.
I started to thank him and reach for the ring, but paused.
“Let me put it on for you.”
Darcy lightly caressed my finger. The natural contact made my breath catch. I let out a shallow breath and nodded.
With his gaze lowered, Darcy focused all his attention on my finger. His long eyelashes fluttered, looking as if they might scatter silver dust at any moment.
His touch was slow and delicate, like putting the final touch on a work of art. The cool touch of the metal was strangely welcome.
For a moment, I felt a pang of regret for having given it to Eaton. But since I was the one who’d insisted on saving him, I tried to suppress the feeling, knowing it would be childish to complain.
“It was meant only for you.”
…until Darcy voiced his playful complaint.
“You felt that way, too?”
Because I did, too. I whispered, concurring with him. A stifled laugh escaped Darcy’s lips. I readily admitted my fault.
“It was my fault.”
The magic tool he gave me is special. It was originally meant for his own escape, and only two of these rings exist in the entire world.
To receive something like that and let it fall into someone else's hands so easily was definitely my fault.
“I won't do it again.”
I whispered as if to soothe him. A smile like a gentle wave spread across Darcy's face as he gazed at me.
“What am I to do when you take my foolish words so seriously?”
“You can just take them seriously.”
Darcy shot me a playful glare.
“You really leave me speechless.”
“I'm not usually one to talk like this.”
For some reason, I become honest about everything in front of Darcy.
“But I am in front of you.”
In front of this man, who first revealed his true self by dropping all formality with me, I find the courage to be just as honest.
The way he treats me and the way I speak to him. Everything feels as natural as a well-composed painting. I wonder if I've ever felt this free.
At my words, Darcy blinked.
“I…”
Silence followed, but it wasn't anxious. Rather, even the silence felt comfortable. It was okay if he didn't answer.
Darcy looked at me and nodded.
“Me too.”
After that, we teleported back to the room. I had only been gone a day, but the air in the room felt new.
I guess this is why people go out. Looking around the room, I realized there wasn't even a trace of Eaton.
“I couldn't just leave him in your bedroom. I put him in the movie theater.”
“Thank you.”
The more time I spend with him, the more I see how thoughtful he is.
I quickly put away my things and then said goodbye to Darcy, who was leaning against the wall.
“You worked hard today. Go back and get some rest now.”
It must have been a long day for him too. It was late, so it was right to let him rest.
“…Now?”
“Yeah, you must be tired from using your ability. You did well.”
“…What are you talking about?”
Darcy flinched at my words and tried to deny it, but it was too late.
“It would be stranger if I didn't notice.”
We hadn’t encountered a single danger on our way out of the prison. Darcy’s ability had to have been the biggest reason for that.
“You've done enough for today. You can go now.”
“But I still need to talk to Eaton.”
“I can handle that myself.”
It was late enough. I was grateful enough that he had stayed with me this long.
More than anything… if Darcy and Eaton were together, the conversation wouldn't go well. Just as Darcy was uncomfortable with him, so was Eaton. They would only end up rehashing the wounds they'd inflicted on each other.
So it was better for me to talk to him first.
“You should go and rest now, too.”
“…”
“It's enough.”
Darcy retorted at my words.
“But I can't leave you alone with Eaton.”
As if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
