Chapter 14: Marked by Light, Bound by Fate

“Haah…”

A faint breath slipped past Kebel’s lips and scattered into the air. Given the current situation, the correct choice was clear, he should stand on the Crown Prince’s side.

That was the only way to save the life of the Duke of Ilya… and to extend his own by changing the course of the original story.

But there was one thing that kept bothering him.

Enok.

Would the Crown Prince still keep his offer after meeting Enok? No… most likely not. In the original story, Kebel was nothing more than an extra.

He needed to find a way to survive.

“Think, Kebel… there has to be a way…”

Then suddenly, something came to mind, the moment when Osh was sent to the battlefield and an envoy arrived. That envoy proposed a political marriage to secure peace between the two empires.

The one chosen had been the Crown Prince… and that was where Enok first appeared.

But Osh, who loved Enok, had turned that empire into a sea of blood.

So… what if he used that to his advantage and escaped?

If he sided with the Crown Prince, at least the Ilya family would survive. In the original story, the prince had not supported the ducal house, but things were different now.

Which meant… he had to push Osh away.

The moment that thought crossed his mind, a sharp pain pierced his chest.

Somehow, Osh had already dug far deeper into his heart than he had realized.

It was time to stop gambling.

Closing his eyes tightly, Kebel resolved not to open his heart to Osh any longer.

****

From that day on, Kebel began to distance himself.

He restrained physical contact as much as possible and shortened his words to the bare minimum. Even to himself, the change felt cold, and others seemed to notice as well. Rumors began to spread throughout the estate.

Eventually, it reached the Duke.

Summoned by him, Kebel silently showed the cufflinks given by the Crown Prince.

“I trust you understand what this emblem means,” the Duke said.

“Yes…”

“And the fact that you’re showing this to me means you’ve already made your decision.”

“…Yes.”

The word barely left Kebel’s lips.

With this, they would stand against the Sulleban Count family. And Osh… would likely one day drive a blade into his heart.

Even though nothing had happened yet, his chest ached.

“If that is your will, then I will follow it.”

“…Father-”

“Do not worry. It will not be as terrible as you imagine.”

“…Yes.”

As expected of someone who had dealt with countless people, the Duke seemed to understand everything without needing explanation.

Kebel stood, but the Duke called him back.

“Kebel… I believe it is time I told you something.”

There was a shadow on the Duke’s face.

He placed an old scroll before Kebel. It looked so fragile it might crumble at a touch.

Urged silently, Kebel carefully opened it.

The moment he did, a brilliant light burst forth. Golden letters floated into the air before fading.

Kebel lowered his arm and read them.

“Darkness shall devour light, and light shall devour darkness. You shall consume this light… and save the darkness.”

As soon as the words ended, a powerful light surged into his body.

“-!”

Kebel coughed violently, staggering as the force overwhelmed him.

A burning sensation spread across his shoulder, as if seared by fire. But just as suddenly as it came, the pain vanished.

Breathing heavily, he ran a hand through his damp hair. A strange warmth now flowed through him, like gentle spring sunlight, soft and comforting.

His heart still beat the same as always.

Looking up, he met the Duke’s gaze.

“Your eye color… it has deepened.”

“…What?”

Turning toward a reflective surface, Kebel saw it, his once light orange eyes had deepened into a vivid reddish hue.

“What… is this?”

“This,” the Duke said, “is the hidden secret of House Ilya.”

“…I don’t understand.”

“Our family has inherited sacred light for generations. This document passes that power down, and only the head of the house knows this truth.”

Kebel’s eyes trembled.

So this had been hidden all along.

“And this is no ordinary document. It is bound by magic. Only those of Ilya blood can open it… and conversely, one with the power of darkness could devour it.”

“…”

“Kebel, listen carefully. In the year 582 of the Empire, it was foretold that a cursed child would be born a thousand years later. At the same time, a child of light would be born to save the darkness.”

Kebel’s mind was already overwhelmed.

“…That child… is you.”

“…What?!”

This couldn’t be real. Was he suddenly some kind of hero?

Then why, if he was so important, had he died at Osh’s hands in the original story?

“The child of darkness must also exist somewhere,” the Duke continued. “I am sorry to burden you, but we must protect this empire from that darkness.”

“…I don’t understand. Why were we born like this?”

“Because a thousand years ago, it was House Ilya that slew a mutated dragon.”

“…A dragon?”

‘Magic, and now dragons too?’

So, summarizing this absurd story: a thousand years ago, Ilya killed a cursed dragon, and because of that, two children would be born, one of destruction, one of salvation.

And Kebel… was the latter.

“…So do I get powers? Like healing or magic?”

“No. Nothing like that. You are simply the one who can stop the destruction.”

“…That’s it?”

Kebel let out a hollow laugh.

No powers, just responsibility.

Seeing his reaction, the Duke seemed oddly relieved.

Kebel stood.

“Then… I’ll take my leave.”

“…Very well.”

Leaving the study, Kebel couldn’t even remember how he returned to his room.

His mind was blank.

He ordered a bath, hoping it might clear his thoughts, but he couldn’t even wait.

Inside, he dismissed all attendants except Bill.

“Is it ready?”

“Just the bath salts remain-”

“Leave them. I just want hot water.”

“Yes, young master.”

Bill helped remove his clothes.

It had taken Kebel a long time to grow used to being undressed like this.

As his upper garments fell away, his now more matured body reflected in the mirror…

And then he saw it.

A strange mark near his side.

Frowning, Kebel stepped closer to the mirror, staring at his reflection in disbelief.