Turning Away, a Stranger (46)
The Emperor gave Riley a few days.
“What did that guy say to make you look like that?”
Ren trailed after Riley, who had just finished her audience with the Emperor, peppering her with questions. If her face had been brighter, he would have waited for her to speak.
“He said there’s a way to break the contract.”
“He did?”
Ren stopped dead in his tracks. Was she referring to his contract with her, or something she discussed with the Imperial Family?
Whatever it was, it was good news for Riley.
“Did you say you would do it?”
He didn’t know what the old fox had proposed, but it couldn’t be reckless.
“Ren, wasn’t there something I was supposed to hear first?”
Riley entered her room and calmly sat down in a chair. Ren reluctantly leaned against the chair across from her.
‘Yes, it’s time she knew.’
Duke Veriter would have heard about the sword contract to some extent. Even if he hadn’t experienced it directly, he would have seen documents recorded by his mother or father.
The reason he hadn’t told Riley was probably because he was worried about a situation like this happening.
“The sword makes a contract with a maiden with silver hair and a visible crest for generations.”
“I know that. I’ve heard it countless times.”
“The contract is valid until the contractor’s life ends. It’s a shackle that can never be broken once it’s made.”
Ren pointed to the crest on Riley’s neck.
“The crest that appears when you become an adult waits for a contract, but most people made the contract before it caused mana instability, so your case is the first.”
There had never been contractors like Riley who tried to escape the life given to them. It was more accurate to say that they couldn’t in the first place.
“It wasn’t common for the crest to appear late like you, and it’s safe to say that they never even thought about hiding it.”
They had been brainwashed so that such an idea was impossible.
“The maidens of the Trailla family have been raised to be swords to protect the Imperial Family, and the other children have married into other families to continue the family line.”
Ren swallowed hard, recalling the past. For Ren, who had watched the scene countless times, animosity toward the Trailla family and the Imperial Family was natural.
Like them, he had been used that way.
“The sword has power that only the contractor can use. It’s stronger than the unique mana that others have. Many have lost their lives trying to take it recklessly. They were foolish humans who were blinded by desire and didn’t even know they were eating away at their own lives.”
“So no one could steal the sword.”
It wasn’t that Duke Veriter had protected the sword, but that the sword had protected itself. Often, those who gained the power of the sword lost their ego.
“There’s a possibility that you might, too, Riley.”
That’s what Ren was worried about. If she completely lost her ego, the current her would cease to exist.
“If I don’t make a sword contract… what happens to you, Ren?”
A useless sword loses its value.
If Riley didn’t contract with Ren, Ren would fall into a deep sleep again, waiting for the next master to appear.
“I’ll probably return to the main body.”
“Can’t I call you out?”
“Of course, I can’t wake up unless you’re my master.”
“…Then what happens to me if I don’t make a contract?”
Riley sighed at Ren’s words. She hadn’t properly considered what would happen if she didn’t make a contract. She had only vaguely thought that she would be free.
“Riley, you know your body isn’t in good condition, right?”
“I know that my mana is unstable.”
She knew her body condition well, even if he didn’t say it. That’s why Ren had made an incomplete contract as a temporary measure.
“Do you trust that bastard, Caber?”
Riley couldn’t answer immediately at the sudden question. If he asked if she trusted him, the answer was ‘no.’
“Don’t beat around the bush and tell me.”
“Riley, if you don’t make a sword contract, your life may be in danger. You might fall into a deep sleep, or you might stop breathing.”
If she was consumed by mana, Riley would become a body that was neither alive nor dead.
“Does Ren want me to make a contract?”
Riley lowered her head. What did Ren want from her?
How much had he been thinking by her side? Did he feel the same way as her, or was he different?
‘To be honest, I don’t know.’
Could she accept whatever he said at face value?
Ren sighed softly. An answer flowed from his slowly parting lips.
Darkness seemed to fall over his red eyes, but they were soon filled with sadness.
“I want you to do it for your sake. But that’s also a contradictory statement.”
Even saying that making a contract was for Riley’s sake was absurd.
“I’ll do whatever you want.”
He had decided to follow whatever she chose. He thought that was his destiny.
“Ren, I don’t want you to be in danger.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Maybe I’m being selfish.”
Riley decided to accept the Emperor’s offer. The offer he made was simple.
“His Majesty promised to break the contract if I help Prince Caber ascend to the throne.”
“…So you’re thinking of accepting it?”
Ren got up from his seat and rubbed his face. He couldn’t control his emotions.
“Why, why are you trying to make that decision?”
That meant you’re going to be used by the Imperial Family after all.
His heart collapsed helplessly.
* * *
Golden eyes overflowed with contempt. He wanted to run and argue right away, but he couldn’t.
“How’s Riley? Do you think she’ll accept?”
“Probably… I think she’ll accept.”
“I see.”
Caber’s worried eyes fell endlessly to the floor. His gaunt face and shadowed eyes made him look tired at a glance.
He didn’t want to give her that choice.
‘What am I doing?’
He rubbed his forehead as if in pain. He was angry at his incompetence.
“Your Highness is doing his best.”
“Doing your best… is different from producing results.”
Habahn knew very well what Caber was talking to him about. He didn’t know that the card His Majesty was hiding was about the contract.
“In some ways, isn’t it fortunate? That you can break the contract.”
“You don’t know if that contract is with the Imperial Family or with the sword.”
“I guess he won’t tell you.”
He wanted to run to Riley and see her right away.
But Caber’s situation was not easy. Because the nobles had begun to move in earnest.
“How is Duke Veriter’s situation?”
“It’s the same. I guess he’s decided that he can’t stand this situation any longer.”
Habahn told Caber about the situation outside. He knew he wouldn’t give up, but he was determined to hold on to the end.
“Because this is his last hope.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I can’t step in. Riley wouldn’t want that.”
“Then as it is…”
“But it would be okay to help a little.”
Caber gave Habahn instructions. He decided to send a separate letter to Riley.
“I have to go see my father.”
“There’s no need to do that.”
Caber jumped up from his seat at the sudden voice. It was Riley who opened the door and came in.
Unlike what he had worried, she was calm and stared at Caber.
‘Didn’t you sleep?’
Riley’s chest throbbed. To be honest, she couldn’t help but resent him. However, because she knew how much he was doing for her.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’ll be out of here.”
Habahn greeted him and left the room. He didn’t have the courage to be in a strange atmosphere.
Caber couldn’t lift his head. He had vowed to protect her, but in the end, he had pushed her away.
“I chose it. Your Highness doesn’t have to feel guilty.”
“I didn’t know you could break the contract.”
“I guess he didn’t tell you.”
Riley sat down in a chair and took a slow breath. He seemed to be still angry at himself, and his clenched fist seemed to be filled with strength.
Caber sat on the desk and smiled faintly.
What was on her mind?
She unknowingly got up from her seat and gently grabbed his hand. She just wanted to do that.
“…Riley?”
As Riley’s touch reached him, the lump in his heart naturally disappeared. He was dumbfounded and couldn’t do anything, and he met her gaze while frozen in place.
‘When did you grow up like this? Both you and me.’
She shuddered at the sight of Caber’s childhood that came to her mind.
She couldn’t recall it like an illusion when she tried to remember it like that. You and I smiled a little back then.
“Thank you.”
Riley revealed her true feelings to him for the first time.
Caber covered Riley’s hand, which was holding his hand, with his hand again. It seemed like she had given him a little courage.
“Can I think that you’ve given me a little bit of your heart with this?”
“I think it’s too early for that.”
Riley pushed Caber’s chest slightly and took her hand out. However, her face had a perfect smile that was different from usual.