Chapter 19: A Promise Beneath the Storm

Kebel cleared his throat and straightened his back, pulling away as he sat upright. The awkward atmosphere refused to fade, and he idly rubbed his chin as he spoke.

“I don’t think that’s something I should be hearing from you.”

At his words, Osh let out a small laugh. In the past, he would have only offered a faint smile at most, but now his expressions were noticeably more vivid and immediate.

Somehow, that felt new, and strangely touching. Like a proud parent watching their child grow, the warmth in Kebel’s chest made the bridge of his nose sting.

Then Kebel realized the conversation was drifting in the wrong direction. This wasn’t what he had wanted to ask.

Turning his body toward Osh, he adjusted himself so he could face him comfortably without straining his neck. When he looked at him with a serious gaze, Osh seemed to catch the shift in mood and let his smile fade.

“Go ahead. Ask comfortably.”

“Thanks. What I wanted to ask was… about the count. Those injuries… you know they’re not from falling somewhere or accidents. They’re from being hit…”

Kebel spoke hesitantly, looking slightly troubled. But unlike him, Osh began calmly, his expression dry.

“Well… it’s true I was hit. But it’s not abuse. These injuries are all because I did something wrong.”

Kebel had asked hoping, perhaps, that there was something he could do to help. But seeing Osh defend the count so firmly, as if cutting off any possibility of intervention, made Kebel feel a quiet sting of resentment.

In the end, his words came out sharper than intended.

“Really? Then I guess you must’ve done something pretty terrible.”

“…Why would you say that?”

“What did I say?”

At Kebel’s curt reply, Osh’s brow twitched slightly. Kebel had never acted childish in front of him before. Seeing him so clearly irritated, Osh let out a quiet sigh.

“Why are you angry? I really don’t understand. Why you’re upset… or why you’re taking it out on me.”

“…”

“Kebel…”

At the way his name was pressed out insistently, Kebel closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and looked straight at him. He wanted to say it was because he was worried, but the words wouldn’t come.

Was this what pride felt like? He pressed his lips shut and turned his head away, silently refusing to answer.

That childish reaction made Osh’s brow twitch again.

“If you keep avoiding me like that… I’ll get hurt too.”

His voice dropped low, almost chilling, as he stood up. Instead of staying in the seat right beside him, Osh deliberately moved and knelt in front of Kebel.

“If I tell you… will you tell me too?”

“Tell you what?”

“Why you’re pushing me away.”

Taking Kebel’s hand, Osh brought it to his face. Like it was something precious, he rubbed it gently against his cheek, almost like an animal marking its scent. The sharpness in his eyes seemed to soften into something languid.

“I told you before, didn’t I? Violence isn’t right.”

“…”

“It’s been like this since I was very young. These marks.”

His voice was calm, like reading from a storybook.

“At first, it hurt. The second time, it was scary. The third time, I was afraid.”

“Osh…”

“But only for a while. You get used to it. I told you—it’s nothing.”

“…”

“It’s like waking up in the morning and eating, then going to sleep at night. Just… an ordinary routine for me.”

Kebel wanted to ask what kind of life could make this “ordinary,” but his tongue felt frozen. Osh’s eyes were telling him to just listen.

“After a while, you get used to it. You grow numb to the pain… and to loneliness. Eventually, you don’t feel anything at all.”

As Osh lowered his gaze, a shadow fell beneath his lashes. His calmness made it all the more painful. Kebel felt his chest tighten, heat gathering beneath his eyes.

It must have been so hard for him to even speak of this. Carefully, Kebel took Osh’s free hand and pressed it against his own cheek, just as Osh had done.

“Why are you making that face? I’m really fine. But when you look at me like that… it makes me feel strange.”

“I’m sorry, Osh… for asking you to talk about something so painful so casually…”

He couldn’t continue. If he said more, the tears would spill over. What difference would his words even make? Biting his lip hard, Kebel forced them back down.

“It’s fine. Everyone dies eventually anyway. The only difference is how. Pain is the same for everyone.”

Osh said it without the slightest change in expression. The coldness in his voice made Kebel feel a chill run down his spine. Slowly, Kebel held his hand again and pressed it to his cheek.

“You’re wrong, Osh. Everyone may die, but that’s decided by something greater—not by people. No one has the right to decide another life’s death.”

“…I don’t think so. Saving someone or killing someone, it’s all within human power. A privilege only the strong have.”

His eyes gleamed coldly.

Why could he only think like that? Kebel thought he had shown him more, taught him more. But maybe he hadn’t.

Seeing Osh so devoid of emotion made Kebel’s face twist. If only he would cry, he could at least hold him. The frustration and sadness overwhelmed him, and a tear slipped free.

“Then by your logic… my life should be left in someone else’s hands too?”

“That’s not true. Your life, Kebel…”

Osh trailed off, staring at him. Their gazes locked for a few seconds. For a moment, it felt like his pupils had widened, darkening.

Thunder crashed, lightning flashing across the room. For a split second, Kebel thought he saw a grim reaper standing behind him, scythe in hand. A terrifying chill ran through him, and he gripped Osh’s hand tightly.

“…Osh.”

“…Yes.”

“My life… even if it’s in human hands… I don’t want you to be like that.”

Osh said nothing. He only watched him in silence, his gaze still.

Kebel felt an inexplicable fear creeping through him, like cold sweat down his back. Unable to calm himself, he closed his eyes tightly.

Tears slipped down his cheeks. He quickly wiped them away and opened his eyes again.

“I want to live a long life. With everyone in the duke’s household.”

“…”

“I want that, Osh.”

Though his words sounded almost like a plea, Osh simply blinked, as if he understood. His eyes sharpened slightly, as though considering something.

Then, without a word, he gently let go of Kebel’s hand.

It wasn’t rough or forceful, but Kebel felt as if his heart had dropped.

Fear flooded him. His lips trembled as he struggled to speak.

“I want to stay with you… for a long time.”

‘Please… don’t let things go the way they did in the original story, Osh.’

Biting his lip again, he felt the sting.

Osh reached out and gently lifted Kebel’s chin. It was an insolent gesture, considering their positions, but somehow, Kebel couldn’t scold him for it.

With an innocent-looking smile, Osh narrowed his eyes slightly, his lips curling faintly as he whispered:

“Why would you think that? That’s foolish.”

“…”

“I’d never do anything to you. Even if death itself came to take you… don’t worry. I’ll always be by your side.”

“…”

“I promise. I’ll protect you from danger.”