Chapter 3: A Fate He Refuses to Escape

“It has been a while, Your Grace.”

The count, who hadn’t even bowed to Kebel, inclined his head properly.

However, the duke only responded indifferently, shifting his gaze toward Kebel as he spoke in a stern voice.

“So this is where you were. Everyone has been searching for you in an uproar, why are you here with the count?”

“…We happened to run into each other.”

“You still haven’t given up that little game of yours, I see.”

The duke gently grasped Kebel’s shoulder as he spoke, urging him lightly.

Though his words sounded like a reprimand, his eyes were filled with warmth as he looked at Kebel.

For some reason, Kebel felt a ticklish sensation around his chest and mumbled softly.

“I’m sorry…”

The duke lightly patted Kebel’s shoulder and gave a small smile.

But it vanished in an instant as he turned to the count, his expression becoming dignified and stern.

“What brings you here without notice, and with your child no less?”

“The young master has grown quite a bit since I last saw him.”

“Children tend to grow quickly. You should know that.”

“Yes, of course. Children grow well enough just by feeding them.”

The phrasing was strange, but Kebel let it pass.

It was a conversation between adults, not his concern.

Even so, Kebel glanced at Osh.

Like an angel placed down from the heavens, the beautiful child stared intently at the duke’s chest.

The way he fixated on it as if it were his goal almost made Kebel let out a hollow laugh.

‘Well, would you look at that?’

With a faint smirk, indescribable emotions stirred within Kebel.

“I apologize for arriving so abruptly without notice, Your Grace, but such is the nature of noble exchanges, is it not?”

“Hm.”

The duke rubbed his chin, eyeing the count suspiciously.

He didn’t look particularly pleased at the idea of receiving him.

After all, Count Sulleban was the kind of man who would do anything to achieve his ambitions.

The duke, of course, was well aware of this and had no intention of maintaining a close relationship with him.

Knowing that, the count resorted to a trick, placing Osh beside Kebel.

With no friends to begin with, Kebel would eventually open his heart to Osh.

Unaware that this would push him toward ruin, the count used Osh to fulfill his ambitions.

He ordered Osh to uncover the secrets of the ducal family.

And Kebel, trusting Osh as a friend, ended up revealing both the family’s secrets and confidential documents.

What followed was exactly as one would expect, ruin.

The Iliya ducal house fell into destruction.

Recalling the original story left a bitter taste in Kebel’s mouth, as if it were filled with sand.

But that was only the story as written.

The future could be changed.

As long as he was here, he had no intention of letting things unfold as they originally did.

Kebel clenched his fists.

He would never open his heart to that child.

“Kebel, escort Osh to the reception room.”

“Yes.”

Though he answered firmly, Kebel’s eyes hardened.

Unlike him, however, Osh didn’t move at all.

Even at the duke’s command, Osh merely continued staring at his chest, blinking slowly.

The count called Osh’s name with a subtle gesture.

Only then did Osh show proper courtesy to the duke before turning his gaze to Kebel.

Apparently satisfied with how things were unfolding, the count briefly curved his lips, then quickly wiped the expression away upon remembering the duke’s presence.

“Osh, serve the young master well.”

“Yes…”

But Kebel had no desire to be with Osh.

He had no intention of getting involved with him in the first place.

So he stopped a passing attendant.

“Escort the young lord to the reception room.”

“Yes, understood, Young Master.”

The duke had told him to guide Osh himself.

Kebel wasn’t unaware of what that implied, but he didn’t want to stay with him, so he passed the task off.

At this point, Osh would surely realize he was being avoided.

Yet, he showed no reaction at all.

With a doll-like expression, Osh simply stared at him.

Even his slow blinks, even the dark circles beneath his pale face, everything remained eerily calm.

The fact that his thoughts were completely unreadable sent chills down Kebel’s spine.

“…Aren’t you going with him, Young Master?”

The attendant asked quietly, noticing Kebel standing still.

Only then did Kebel snap out of it with a small sound.

“Ah… no. As you can see, I ran away in the middle of my lessons. If there’s another chance, I’ll accompany him then.”

He didn’t mean a word of it.

His tone was cold enough for anyone to notice.

After sending a look urging the attendant to hurry, Kebel quickly headed up to the second floor.

Once he turned the corner and Osh was out of sight, Kebel unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck.

It had been a coincidence, but locking eyes with the one who would eventually slit his throat left an unpleasant feeling.

Worse, he had a bad feeling that this wouldn’t be the last time they met.

And sure enough, after that, Osh continued to visit the ducal estate with the count.

Each time, Kebel avoided him as if ignoring his existence.

Yet Osh always followed him, staying close by his side.

Though it was unavoidable due to the duke’s orders, each encounter only made Kebel feel more suffocated.

For example, the count would glance at him meaningfully before leaving with the duke.

A hollow silence settled between the two.

A breeze slipped through the window, carrying the scent of spring and wildflowers.

As the wind moved, Osh’s hair swayed, reflecting the sunlight.

His hair shone beautifully, as if it were made to match the spring sunlight, making his appearance even more dazzling.

After a moment, Kebel finally regained his senses and spoke carefully.

“Listen… I’m sorry, but I think I should say this properly this time. To be honest, I don’t want to get close to you…”

“…”

“So if you’re trying to befriend me, or if you have some ulterior motive, it’d be better for you to give up.”

“…Why?”

That was all he said.

Just why.

Kebel had spoken as a warning, that he knew the schemes of him and his father.

Yet Osh simply asked again, wearing an utterly harmless expression.

At first glance, it might seem shameless, but it didn’t feel like that was his intention.

Unsure how to explain, Kebel let out a long sigh.

No matter what, the one in front of him was still just an eleven-year-old child.

He felt like he had to say it properly.

“I just… don’t want to talk to someone who isn’t sincere. And that’s not going to change.”

“…”

Osh didn’t respond.

His expression gave nothing away, as always.

But as Kebel carefully examined his face, he noticed it, a slight twitch in his eyebrow.

Was that why?

In that moment, curiosity filled him.

He had assumed Osh wouldn’t react at all, and now he felt almost embarrassed for thinking so.

As if trying to hide it, Osh lowered his gaze.

His emerald-like eyes disappeared beneath his lashes, and his red hair fluttered in the wind.

Kebel hadn’t intended to be affected, but the boy’s pale face stood out even more against his hair.

‘What am I even doing, getting worked up over a child…’

Reminding himself that this was the one who would eventually take his life, Kebel realized he had lost control of his emotions for a moment.

With a small sigh, he stepped closer to Osh.

“I’m sorry… I went too far. That doesn’t mean I dislike you. I don’t hate you either.”

At his gentle tone, Osh’s shoulders flinched slightly.

It was such a subtle movement that one might have missed it, but Kebel had already seen it.

‘Oh? Would you look at that.’

Interest sparkled in Kebel’s eyes.

For an eleven-year-old, he seemed quite perceptive.

As if trying to hide his thoughts, Osh blinked more quickly than before.

Seeing that, Kebel grinned.

It was a tiny change, but it seemed Osh blinked faster when he was flustered.

“You know, you-”

“Then what should I do?”

Osh cut straight to the point.

Caught off guard, Kebel swallowed his words.

Faced with such a direct gaze, he felt momentarily flustered.

Letting out an awkward laugh, he curved his lips.

Even then, something about the boy’s untainted eyes stirred a strange curiosity in him.

A dangerous thought, that maybe he could change this child.

But he quickly suppressed it.

Risking his future over mere curiosity was far too dangerous a gamble.

Taking a deep breath, Kebel looked straight at Osh.

Though Osh’s gaze seemed to urge him for an answer, Kebel ignored it and spoke bluntly.

“I don’t know. You’re difficult.”

“…”

At those words, Osh’s face visibly crumpled.

Even that expression was strangely beautiful, making Kebel click his tongue inwardly, thinking the boy would surely make many people cry when he grew up.

“I… don’t understand what you mean…”

His voice sounded faintly sorrowful.

Because of that, the words didn’t come easily to Kebel.

Normally, he would have just cut him off and ignored him.

But perhaps because he had been seeing him every day, it bothered him more than expected.

As Kebel remained silent, Osh spoke again.

“I don’t know why you dislike me right now… but I’ll keep coming to see you every day.”

“…What?”