Chapter 23: A Promise Stained in Blood

Even as blood streamed from his nose and his skin split with pain, Osh could never ask anyone for help. Violence repeated every day, meals just enough to keep him alive, commands forced into him as if carved into his very being, this was simply his ordinary life.

To the people of the count’s household, that life was natural. To them, Osh was no different from a beast. The count’s dog, that was the name they called him by.

And yet, in that brutal winter, there had been one person who brought him warmth like sunlight.

Kebel Ilya.

Just thinking of his name made something churn inside him. Like seasickness, the emotions twisted strangely within him. Even recalling Kebel’s face made his heart race uncontrollably, stirring feelings he couldn’t understand.

Because of emotions that didn’t even feel like his own, Osh spent countless nights in confusion.

He told himself it was just growing pains, something that would pass with time, and fought against it, until the day Kebel pushed him away. Without a word, without warning.

Only then did Osh realize what those feelings were.

Desire. Greed. Craving.

Those uncontrollable emotions made him reject the count who had conditioned him. Even when ordered to steal the duke family’s confidential documents, Osh refused.

For the first time in his life, he defied the count. And in response, the count sent assassins as a warning, creating this very situation.

He couldn’t endure it. Even thinking about it again made heat surge through him, as if his vision might flip upside down. Slowly, something dark began to rise within him, his eyes deepening into shadow.

Then Kebel stirred.

At that small movement, Osh’s eyes softened, returning to their original color.

“…Kebel.”

He called his name in a quiet whisper.

They had promised to stay together. He had thought he had finally obtained him, yet behind his back, Kebel had been speaking with the crown prince. Thinking of it now, perhaps he had waited too long.

If he couldn’t have him, then perhaps locking him away wouldn’t be so bad. To hold him so tightly he could never escape, to crush the breath from him.

But seeing Kebel lying there, pale and fragile, he couldn’t bring himself to do even that.

In the end, caught between opposing urges, Osh ran a rough hand through his red hair. Yet the gentleness in his gaze never left Kebel’s face.

His eyes lingered on him with a sweetness so thick it seemed to drip like honey.

And still, it tormented him.

His emotions shifted so often it made him question how many selves existed within him. He couldn’t control them. And because of that…

He needed Kebel.

“…Hah.”

With a short sigh, Osh slowly lifted Kebel’s hand. The slender, delicate fingers made his breath grow uneven. Looking wasn’t enough, so he pressed a long kiss to Kebel’s fourth finger, then pulled away.

As if sealing a promise of the future, he marked it, his lips curling into something dangerous.

“I won’t give you to anyone. Not even death will take you away from me. I’ll stay by your side… forever.”

A secret whisper, one no one else would ever hear.

****

Time passed quickly, and Kebel turned eighteen.

It was early spring, the same season when they had first met. Perhaps because flowers were beginning to bloom, there was still a chill at the tip of his nose.

Outside the sunlit window, tender leaves sprouted from dry branches, while small birds chirped nearby. Listening to their clear songs, Kebel closed his eyes.

His coming-of-age ceremony was approaching.

Which meant Osh’s was near as well. And the crown prince’s. And Enok’s.

It was about time for the major events of the original story to unfold, and with them, the time when his life would come to an end.

Even the details of that story had begun to fade from his memory. Fortunately, he still had the notes he’d written long ago tucked away in a drawer. For that, Kebel silently praised his past self.

Sniff.

A chill ran through his body, perhaps he was catching a cold. Just as he moved to close the window, there was a knock.

“Young master, it’s Bill.”

“Come in.”

Kebel quickly shut the window and took out a handkerchief, blowing his nose. The irritation eased slightly.

“The duke is calling for you.”

“My father?”

Though he called him that, the word still felt unfamiliar. No matter how kind the man was, he wasn’t truly his father, and it sometimes felt like he was taking what rightfully belonged to someone else. With a small nod, Kebel tucked away his handkerchief and left the room.

When he reached the study, the butler greeted him warmly, straightening his cravat with a gentle smile.

Inside, the duke sat at his desk, setting aside his papers as Kebel entered.

“Sit.”

Kebel obeyed, fidgeting slightly. He already had a feeling what this was about.

“Your coming-of-age day is near.”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s time for you to decide.”

After a moment, Kebel nodded.

“At the ceremony… I’ll attend with the crown prince.”

The duke’s eyes widened slightly, then softened.

“…I see. I’ll respect your decision. But may I ask why?”

“There’s no particular reason… it’s just what I chose.”

“…Then what about Osh?”

“…He’ll probably understand.”

It was a lie.

In truth, Kebel had chosen neither of them.

He planned to ensure the safety of the duke’s household, and then run away from both of them. To do that, he needed Enok. He was the only hidden card that could help him escape their watchful eyes.

Two weeks remained.

Within that time, he would find Enok. Then, he would arrange for him to “coincidentally” meet the crown prince, enough to change his heart. Eventually, the prince would withdraw their arrangement, and Kebel would flee the country with the duke’s family.

The only problem was Osh.

If the duke joined forces with the crown prince to bring down the count, Osh would go to war as the story dictated. It hurt, but Kebel intended to let that part play out.

Because that would be his chance to disappear.

Far away. Somewhere Osh could never find him.

Just thinking about it made an emptiness settle in his chest.

With a faint, bitter smile, Kebel stood. The duke followed, removing a badge from his chest and pinning it onto Kebel.

A symbol of the Ilya family, one worn only by those who could bear its responsibility.

“Though there is still some time left… congratulations on becoming an adult, my son.”

“…Thank you.”

The words made his chest tighten strangely, as if tears might spill out. Lowering his head, Kebel stared silently at the badge, biting his lip.

Adulthood.

A word that meant he now carried the weight of the Ilya family.