* * *
As if replying to Eren, Ashard nodded once and mounted his horse in one swift motion.
Unaware that Eren was now watching him in return, Ashard disappeared into the forest.
“Count…?”
Cain, who had been mid-conversation with Eren, softly called his name as he noticed Eren staring blankly in a different direction.
Snapping out of his daze, Eren gave an awkward smile.
“Ah… Sorry, what were we talking about?”
Cain chuckled lightly at the question.
He’d been in the Trovien Empire for quite a while now.
There was no way he hadn’t heard the rumors circulating throughout the empire.
“You must really like him. I’ve never seen you look at anyone like that before, Count.”
“….”
Cain’s words, reminding Eren of his own feelings toward Ashard, made Eren’s cheeks flush red.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing well. You didn’t seem at ease back when you were in Epentel.”
“…Did I seem like that?”
“I heard… you said you wanted to go back.”
“….”
Eren didn’t deny it—but he couldn’t exactly confirm it either.
It was true that he’d wanted to go back, but not for the reasons Cain likely misunderstood.
Back then, all he’d wanted was to return to his original life.
Not that his original life had been anything so precious.
Waking up one morning to find himself stuck inside this ridiculous novel… anyone would’ve wanted to go back.
Of course, now… that thought didn’t even cross his mind.
The main characters could throw themselves at him all day long, and he wouldn’t care.
Even if a filthy fate, just like the one written in the original novel, was unavoidable… it was fine.
He had this foolish belief that as long as they were together, everything would be okay.
‘…What the hell kind of dumb thought is that?’
Realizing that foolish but honest feeling bubbling to the surface, Eren let out a quiet laugh.
His head knew how childish and stupid it was, yet his heart had never once wavered.
It had taken him so long to accept that there exists a feeling capable of making even the worst situations feel bearable.
“Not anymore.”
“You seem happy. I suppose that’s all thanks to His Grace, the Duke of Freidit.”
“…I guess so.”
Even though Eren knew Ashard had already left, his eyes kept drifting toward where Ashard had stood.
It would only be a day, maybe two, at most, but ever since arriving in the Trovien Empire, they hadn’t been apart for that long.
The unfamiliar sensation already felt awkward.
“Ah, I have something to return to you.”
Cain removed the ring from his finger.
Eren’s eyes widened as he instantly recognized it.
Normally, when an artifact’s magic is depleted, its gem would shatter.
But the artifact Cain returned still sparkled, fully intact.
“You… didn’t use it?”
“Yes, I’ve always wanted to return this to you if I ever met you again, Count.”
At that clear, bright smile, I couldn’t bring myself to grip the ring in my hand.
Was it because of his words—that he really wanted to return it?
Or maybe… because of that smile, even after losing one of his eyes?
I wasn’t sure.
But complicated emotions swirled inside me without warning.
‘That’s not fair. Now I feel guilty for regretting giving it to him in the first place.’
Out of petty pride, I tried to hand the ring back to Cain.
But my hand froze midair at the sight of his resolute expression.
His firm will—’that he absolutely wouldn’t take it back’—was written all over his face.
With no other choice, I slipped the ring onto my finger.
It was on the opposite hand from the one bearing the artifact Ashard had given me.
“But where have you been staying these days—huh?!”
“Count! Are you alright?!”
Before I could even finish my sentence, an intense, dizzying scent overwhelmed me.
Eren hastily covered his mouth and nose.
His mind fogged with the alluring fragrance.
He had smelled this before.
But his vision was spinning so much, he couldn’t recall when or where.
Cain caught Eren as he suddenly lost strength and struggled to stay upright.
Cain glanced around urgently, searching for help—but there was no one nearby.
“Count! Stay with me! Count!”
“Step away from the Count.”
Just as Cain panicked, calling Eren’s name, Melody approached briskly from the distance.
“Your… Highness…?”
Through heavy-lidded eyes, Eren barely managed to focus.
It was Melody.
But why was she here?
She should’ve been at the hunting grounds.
The question surfaced in his mind, but his lips wouldn’t form the words.
His body grew heavier by the second.
Grimacing unconsciously, Eren forced himself to speak.
“I’ll explain later. For now, breathe slowly, Count.”
“What… what happened? Why… why did the Count suddenly…”
“That brooch. Who gave it to you?”
“Why are you suddenly asking about the brooch—”
“I asked who gave it to you.”
Her voice was low, almost trembling with contained fury.
The sharpness of her glare made Cain’s body stiffen as he slowly answered.
“G-General Yulta gave it to me…”
‘Helid Yulta?’
Melody frowned.
That wasn’t the name she expected.
According to Elyrion, Helid Yulta had no knowledge of Eren’s condition.
“When did you receive it?”
“This morning. It was left at my door with a letter. He said… I should look presentable when meeting the Count…”
Impossible.
They had left the palace together and headed straight for the hunting grounds.
There was no time for Helid to disappear in between.
Even if he had sent it in advance, it didn’t add up.
Helid Yulta, who barely cared for formalities himself, had handed over such an elaborate brooch to a mere knight?
It didn’t make sense.
Melody snatched the brooch from Cain’s chest and crushed it without hesitation.
The gemstone shattered instantly, falling to the ground in glittering dust.
At the same moment, Eren’s labored breathing gradually steadied.
‘…Carlyle Firentium, or Julius Renan. It has to be one of them.’
“…This won’t do.”
Deep within the hunting grounds, Julius leaned against a massive tree, his horse tied nearby, and muttered to himself.
He thought he only had to avoid the Princess’s eyes.
But the sudden appearance of the Prince had been unexpected.
Clenching the remaining brooch, its sharp edges bit into his palm.
Dark red blood welled up, dripping between his fingers.
The other brooch had already been destroyed.
It was useless now.
There was no choice but to use another method.
If only this had worked properly, things wouldn’t have become so troublesome.
Clicking his tongue in displeasure, Julius scowled.
He had met Cain shortly after Eren disappeared from the battlefield.
Unlike Carlyle, Helid, or himself—who all had their own motives—Cain was the only one who seemed genuinely worried about Eren’s safety.
How laughable. Even after receiving a teleportation artifact reserved only for select nobles, he held onto it, insisting on returning it to Eren.
‘Well, his foolishness made him useful enough.’
His naivety ensured he fully believed Helid Yulta had given him the brooch.
No harm done. Julius had already prepared countermeasures the moment Carlyle and Helid discovered the truth. It didn’t matter.
Even if they realized it now and tried to undo the damage, they couldn’t erase what had already begun inside Eren’s body.
The process had already advanced.
They merely paused it for a moment, nothing more.
‘It’s almost time, Eren. Hurry up and realize it.’
Julius smiled, dangerously sharp.
He wiped his bloody palm across his cheek, smearing the sticky crimson across his face.
It resembled the mouth of a predator, satisfied after a feast.
“I’m the only one who can destroy you.”
Would Eren flare up again if he heard that?
Imagining the reaction, Julius licked his lips.
The metallic tang of blood filled his mouth.
“I want you, and you… you want me dead.”
After I destroy you completely, I’ll gladly let you have what you want—my death.
Murmuring like it was a vow, Julius languidly licked the ring Eren had slipped onto his finger.
* * *
