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Published at 4th of December 2022 08:18:56 PM


Chapter 14

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Chapter 14

“I will no longer take lightly what I am doing. Besides…”

In the quiet place, only Zachary’s voice resounded. Iellie stared at the boy.

“Everything I do is also for Iellie.”

Saying so, he glanced back at Iellie. As their eyes met, the boy nodded.

“So, today is the last time I will endure father’s violence.”

The Duke raised his eyebrows. Despite his clearly displeased expression, Zachary calmly concluded the conversation.

“Because Len will be sad.”

“….”

Looking at her, he smiled faintly. Iellie felt her chest tighten.

The Duke was silent for a moment. It looks like he’s thinking about something, and after a while, he said in a stern voice.

“…Zachary Hessenweitz.”

“Yes.”

“As a punishment for what you have done, I am ordering you to be confined for one week.”

Hearing the cold voice, Zachary raised his eyes slightly. The punishment was weaker than expected. He was prepared to be whipped or starved for a few days.

At that, he bowed his head down.

“I will follow your orders, Father.”

“…Both of you, go back.”

With a complicated face, the Duke ordered. Iellie and Zachary came out of the office without saying a word.

As soon as the door closes, Iellie clings to Zachary. Her white face seemed as though she was about to cry.

“I’m sorry, Zachary. It’s all because of me.”

She could feel her eyes heating up. With her head bowed, she said in a low voice. “If it wasn’t for me, there would be no need for you to use magic or to be beaten by the Duke.”

“No, that’s fine.”

Smiling brightly, he reassured her as the warm hand gently stroked Iellie’s cheek.

“More than that, I’m glad you didn’t get any punishment.”

“…Zachary.”

Iellie couldn’t keep up with her words. He whispered as he gazed at the pale green eyes brimming with tears.

“You know, Len.”

“Huh?”

“Once again, thank you.”

‘What is he saying thank you for?’ She bit her lips. He got hit because of her. He didn’t even have to be in so much pain.

At that moment, Zachary rested his head on her shoulder.

“You are the first person to be on my side.”

“….”

“Thanks to you, I was able to tell my father that I am not a monster.”

A long sigh escaped. There was a slight hint of relief in that sigh, so Iellie didn’t say any more. Instead, she raised her hands and hugged him as tight as she could. He smiled again.

“…Don’t forget. You are the miracle of my life and my salvation.”

‘What does he mean by that? …Idiot.’

Iellie, who had been holding back her tears, finally laughed and cried.

Zachary was sentenced to one week of confinement. Compared to the Duke’s attitude toward him, it was a fairly good punishment. Since meals were also to be given, she was relieved inside.

Every day she went to the room where Zachary was locked up. Although she did not see his face, Iellie still had to go find him. She squatted in front of the door and babbled.

“You know, Zachary. They say all the bad guys in the territory have been cleaned up.”

“Really? That’s great, actually, I was going to deal with them when I was out of confinement.”

The boy’s soft laugh was heard. Iellie pouted her lips and sat back to the door.

“You need some rest. You’re not a workaholic, why would you do that?”

“But, they hurt you.”

“Well, still…”

“It’s something we have to do, anyway, for the sake of the safety of the territory.”

After saying that, he was silent for a moment. Still, he thought that it was lucky because his father didn’t seem to hate Iellie.

As Iellie didn’t say anything anymore, after a while, Zachary whispered.

“…I wish time would pass quickly.”

“Why?”

“As time goes by…”

If time passes and he becomes an adult, he can inherit the title. And that way, he can keep her safer, but he knew the girl would grunt if he said that, so Zachary just smiled quietly.

3 — The Distance Between You And Me.

Three years passed just like that. After this winter, Iellie will turn seventeen and Zachary will turn nineteen. A precarious peace continued.

Zachary went to the battlefield several times and returned safely. She was heartbroken every time that he might get hurt, though fortunately, he always came back in good health and smiled brightly.

“Oh, it’s Zachary.”

Iellie, who had been walking into the hall at a slow pace, paused and stood still.

Zachary was in the midst of swordsmanship training. He used to be treated like a monster, but now, he is a comrade and lord with great skills. His swordsmanship skills, which are counted as first hand, also prove itself.

Chang! Kang! Kaduduk! The practice swords, which had the same weight as the true sword, collided and reflected the sunlight. Beads of sweat bounced off the air, twinkled radiantly.

‘Wow, that’s amazing…’

Iellie opened her eyes wide.

Zachary leaned his back low and looked for a chance. In an instant, the knight who was taken down stumbled. Tung! Bouncing his body, he got up and swung his sword in a wide way. The knight’s sword flew into the sky in circles.

Changgrang!

The sword hits the floor hard.

“Hooo.”

Zachary let out a long breath and lowered his sword. The knight who was fighting with him politely bowed his head.

“Good job. Heir Apparent.”

“Good job, Sir Foden.”

Seeing so, Iellie suddenly raised her head. As she passed a towel to him, a playfully smirk could be seen in her eyes.

“Good work!”

“Len?”

Hearing her voice, Zachary had surprised eyes. With a good laugh, she naturally gave her greetings to the knights.

“How do you do, knights?”

“Oh, you’re here?”

The knights gave their greetings as well. She had a small package of chocolate and handed out candies to them.

Zachary became very dissatisfied for a moment, as the faces of some who had received the treats were blushing.

“The weather is chilly, so what did you come here for?”

“I came out to help my husband, why?”

Iellie answered coyly.

The moment he heard that answer, Zachary’s face turned red in an instant. ‘…My husband.’ It tickles his chest as if rubbed with a feather.

Nearby knights blew a whistle.

“Heir Apparent, your face turned red!”

“Are you shy?”

“The most famous warrior in the north blushes so easily!”

“Everyone, shut up!” Zachary screamed with his ears dyed red. Iellie burst into laughter along with the knights.

“Let’s go, Len.”

Leaving the area, he squeezed his lips tightly and grabbed her hand tight. She was almost dragged around the gymnasium and back to the knight’s quarters. There were small walkways and benches there.

“Zachary.”

“….”

“Za-cha-ry~”

She purposely raised her voice and tried to call out to him, but he still had a sulky face. Even so, he was kind enough to put a handkerchief on the bench.

She sighed and sat down in the seat. Iellie, who saw him sitting next to her, picked up a piece of chocolate.

“I don’t know why you sulk again, but eat some sweets and feel better.”

“…..”

“Come. Aahh—”

Although somewhat shy, Zachary opened his mouth anyway. She shoved the chocolate into his mouth. As the sweet taste spread, the young man’s face softened slightly.

Iellie laughed softly.

“How is it? Delicious?”

“….”

Instead of answering, he just nodded his head. Suddenly, the chocolate wrapper in her hand caught his eye. Then, his stomach is twisted again. Actually, Iellie was a lady who was quite popular with the knights.

A beauty like Asha flower, kind words, and a bright smile. Plus, she sprinkles on sweet treats whenever she comes by. Iellie is bound to gain considerable popularity.

Of course, Zachary didn’t like it at all. He asked,

“…Why do you keep giving snacks to the knights?”

That’s all he can say after taking a bite and eating it quietly.

Iellie wrinkled her eyebrows.

“What are you so dissatisfied with?”

“That’s…”

He doesn’t know what to say, but Zachary is annoyed, so he keeps his mouth shut. Frankly, it is true. If she gets along well with the knights of the Duchy, it’s of no harm to him either. Still, his heart is pounding.

“I have to be good to the knights, so the knights will be good to you, too!”

‘Don’t you realize my help?’ She wheezed.

Zachary reflexively turned his head to reply.

“I don’t need that. So…”

‘I want you to be nice just to me…’ Though he couldn’t bring himself to say that. He just turned the arrow to the knights.

“But, the knights, sometimes they see you with a sinister eye.”

“What?”

“Thompson, didn’t you see him blushing before? And Peleil…”

He started listing out the names of the knights from time to time. At that, Iellie stared at him with a strange smile.

“Zachary. Are you getting along quite well with the knights now?”

“…I’m not very close.”

“Hm, is that so?” She said, smiling with her eyes, Zachary just glanced at her silently.

Iellie gazed at her husband with a satisfied face. After a long staring contest, he was the one who turned his head first at the end.

‘Still, it’s much better than before…’

With an expressionless face, Zachary was only carrying out the orders given by the Duke. However, now, he has a rich expression on his face and knows how to express his opinion clearly. Iellie definitely liked the latter better. …Yes, he should always be like that.

‘Besides… I didn’t know he would grow so quickly. Boys grow up really fast.’

The boy who used to have slender limbs went nowhere, he grew taller and his body hardened. Now, he’s one head taller than her, so Iellie has to look up a bit to stand side by side and talk to him.

Silver hair as white as fresh snow, deep blue eyes. and a carefully sculpted, sculptural appearance—If he only takes off his tiny little shirt, Zachary will surely become the most handsome young man in the world.

She caressed her lips.

‘Um, I… Was I drooling? Whew, I’m glad I didn’t drool.’ With that in mind, Iellie shook her shoulder.

“Cold?”

“Um, that’s…”

Zachary promptly asked

She rolled her eyes a little. It was a little chilly though, but she liked the fresh air, so Iellie didn’t want to go in just yet. The colorfully colored leaves were beautiful, and it was nice to hear the insects.

At the stubbornness, Zachary sighed and tried to take his jacket off, but his body hardened.

‘What if I smell of sweat?’

Still, if she stays like this, Iellie would catch a cold anyway…

He glanced sideways at her.

“Zachary. Are you going to take off your clothes?”

“That’s what I was trying to do.”

She was quick to ask him, and Zachary, who was hesitant, answered. Iellie reached out and waved her hand.

“Give me the jacket.”

“But, it smells like sweat.”

“We’re going to have dinner with the Duke tonight, anyway.”

Iellie shrugged her shoulders. Her pale green eyes encouraged him, and he smiled.

“I’ll wash again after changing clothes, so it’s okay.”

“….”

Eventually, Zachary gave up and took off the jacket before draping it over her shoulder. Iellie picked up the jacket and looked up at the sky quietly. There was no smell of sweat like he worried.

Instead, his unique calm smell was lingering.

“It feels good.”

“Huh?”

“Here with you.”

She had no idea how much her words made Zachary flutter. As Iellie replied casually, the back of his neck turned flushed red.

Unfortunately, because she was looking at the duke’s castle in the distance, so Iellie didn’t notice his expression.

She was pondering thoughts as she stretched her feet slowly.




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