“I’m just saying this because it seems like you’re constantly preparing for a breakup alone, but I have no intention of parting with you for the time being.”

“For the time being, that is. I’m just talking about after that. It’s not like you’re going to take responsibility for my entire life either.”

Helena regretted her words as soon as she uttered them. Why did she have to be so unnecessarily stubborn? Why did she test him as if wanting to hear something specific?

There was no response coming anyway.

“……”

Ian just stared at Helena as if caught off guard, without opening his mouth. Helena wanted to glean something from that furrowed expression, but it wasn’t easy.

The silence that was always natural felt grating in this moment.

For some reason, her chest stung as if stung by an insect.

Helena swung her sword as if cutting away that unpleasant sensation, shaking off the dirt on the tip. The smooth blade caused clumps of dirt to fall with even small movements.

Moreover, an employee from the exchange appeared with a new horse, interrupting them. Thanks to that, the strange atmosphere was completely broken, just as she had wished.

After the employee left, Helena held out the sword to Ian, changing the subject.

“It’s quite a fine sword.”

Ian silently took the sword and tucked it at his waist. Then, grasping the horse’s reins, he pointed out Helena’s discerning eye for swords and her previous action.

“Have you learned swordsmanship before?”

Helena’s shoulders, which had been slightly tense, relaxed at the change of topic. He seemed to have decided to let it go, fortunately. Even if it was deception, she was grateful for that consideration right now.

Helena walked alongside him as he began leading the horse, and said:

“A little. Someone just thrust a sword into my hands to alleviate my boredom.”

“Wasn’t it difficult?”

“It was extremely difficult at first. But the feeling of cutting something with my own hands…”

“You enjoyed it.”

Ian glanced at her face and answered for her.

Helena considered for a moment whether his answer could be correct as her own, before deciding to agree.

“…Yes. I enjoyed it during those times.”

It was the truth. She liked swords. Because it felt like things that couldn’t be cut were being cut away.

It was just a feeling, but even that was a small liberation for her. It was a tiny breath of air she had barely found in the long cycle of regression.

…Though she used that hard-earned breath to breathe life back into Eugene.

As Helena inhaled deeply as if swallowing her breath, Ian asked in a somewhat wary tone.

“By any chance, was the person who taught you the sword… that Eugene you mentioned before?”

Had he now penetrated her thoughts after failing to read her expression?

Helena flinched at the unexpected mention of Eugene. However, even that didn’t seem to catch Ian’s gaze.

Rather, he appeared to be feigning ignorance after asking the question. So Helena also acted reluctant.

“Is that important?”

“I’m just curious.”

Why was this supposedly curious person staring at the grass-eating cow instead of her?

Since it wasn’t particularly important, Helena decided to keep it a secret.

“Then I won’t tell you.”

Ian turned his head with an unsatisfied groan.

He’s making an expression he doesn’t want me to see. Helena thought quietly as she looked at him. It was a small habit she had learned during the not-so-short time they had spent together.

Trying to change the subject once more, this time she asked:

“So where are we going?”

As they approached the outskirts of the village, there were fewer and fewer people. By sunset, they would reach a boundary where they’d have to decide which region to head towards.

Ian looked at Helena with slightly widened eyes, as if he had never looked away. Helena felt a bit dejected facing him.

“I may not pay much attention to my surroundings, but I didn’t think you believed my sense of awareness was completely lacking.”

“……”

It was an affirmative silence with transparent intentions. Helena frowned slightly.

“I saw you buy maps of other regions yesterday. I won’t interrogate you, just tell me where we’re going.”

At that, Ian’s round eyes gradually narrowed.

He calmly retorted:

“Is that important?”

“I’m just curious…”

Ah.

Helena trailed off and let out a small groan. Without realizing it, she had fallen into the same trap she had set earlier.

She had experienced many emotions through him, but she never expected to experience the feelings of a fish being caught.

Ian didn’t even try to hide the mischievous look that crossed his face as he teased her.

“I don’t think I have any obligation to tell you when you won’t tell me either.”

“…I didn’t know you were the type to hold grudges.”

“I’m glad you know now.”

He had been walking slowly for the past few minutes, and now he stopped completely.

Then he suddenly grabbed Helena and lifted her onto the saddle. She let out a short exclamation of surprise, and he chuckled lightly.

Helena wore a displeased expression, but soon swung her right leg over to the other side. The horse remained still while she settled into a stable position.

It was thanks to him holding the reins in one hand and stroking the horse’s head, allowing her to move comfortably. He seemed to have a knack for skillfully handling objects, animals, and people alike.

…How annoyingly talented.

Ian looked up at Helena after finishing his brief communion with the horse.

“But I don’t want you to be anxious, so I’ll tell you. Aren’t I so kind?”

“Indeed. You’ll surely go to heaven later.”

Despite her sarcastic tone, Ian mounted behind her with a relaxed smile. He rolled up his sleeves casually and wrapped his arm around her waist.

A strange sense of stability tickled Helena’s stomach. Somehow, it felt like she wouldn’t get hurt even if she fell off the horse when she was with him—an absolute sense of security.

Then Ian leaned forward. And he spoke into her ear as if whispering sweet nothings.

“Actually, I haven’t decided yet. Where to go.”

It wasn’t that close, but it was close enough to feel his breath.

Helena leaned forward slightly to move away from him. When she turned her head askew, she could see him at the edge of her vision.

“I thought you were an extremely methodical person.”

“I’m glad you’ve realized now.”

Those playful purple eyes were irritating. Helena newly realized that this must be what it feels like to find someone annoying.

The horse had started moving slowly. Ian pulled Helena closer more firmly and asked cheerfully:

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“And you’ll listen if I tell you?”

“I don’t see why not.”

Helena fingered the hawthorn brooch he had pinned to her robe this morning.

As her fingertips touched the ruby-shaped jewel, a word unexpectedly slipped out of her mouth.

“…Forest?”

The room was dark as night fell, and an even darker man sat in the center.

Eugene tilted a decanter of purple liquid to fill two glasses. There was one other person in the room besides him.

“Sit down.”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

Walter insisted on standing despite Eugene’s invitation.

“If that’s what you prefer.”

Eugene brought the glass to his lips, unbothered. Just before taking a sip, he added:

“I prepared particularly good wine with you in mind. What a shame.”

A faint mockery disguised as jest fell, but Walter maintained his rigid posture without wavering.

He was remaining behind on Eugene’s orders, even though the other knights had all withdrawn after reporting today’s search results.

The air was sharp, despite feigning calmness.

Eugene broached the main topic without suppressing his honed intent.

“Did you know Helena had taken up the sword?”

“……”

Eugene let out a sneer at the prolonged silence.

“What a foolish question I’ve asked. Of course you knew. Even though you’ve stepped down from your position as captain, everyone still considers you their spiritual leader.”

“…I apologize.”

Walter bowed his head. Eugene raised the corner of his mouth crookedly and admonished in a light tone.

“I’m not trying to reprimand you. Don’t lower your head just yet.”

A dry breath passed briefly. Eugene drained another sip of wine, his bright yellow pupils fixed on Walter.

“It may not be too late after you answer the questions I’m about to ask.”

The air tightened further.

Even the sound of setting down the glass was sharp.

The bottom of the now empty glass held only a thin layer of liquid, gleaming with reflected light. Eugene’s attention turned elsewhere.

“It seems the Marquis de Luchi is quite the smoking enthusiast. As you can see, I’ve received quite a few recommendations thanks to him.”

Eugene reached out across the table. Various cedar humidors and cigar cabinets were messily arranged. He opened one at random and pulled out a fragrant cigar.

“Would you like one?”

“Thank you, but I’ll pass.”

“How old-fashioned. Do you have a light then? I thought I had one, but I must have dropped it at the beach.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Well, you’ll live longer.”

Eugene spoke with the cigar in his mouth, laughing in between. It certainly didn’t seem like a laugh indicating a good mood.

“By the way, sir.”

Having found a lighter after rummaging through the table again, Eugene lit up. He took a deep drag of smoke before continuing.

“No matter how I think about it, you’re the only one who would dare to act as Helena’s teacher. That fragile woman wouldn’t have picked up a sword on her own.”

“……”

“This is when you should lower your head, sir.”

“I am ashamed.”

Walter bowed deeper than before.

Eugene tapped his cigar, dropping ash into the empty glass. The ember, resembling Helena’s hair, sank into the dark liquid.

“Never again give that woman a chance to leave Evergale.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

Walter straightened up. Eugene tilted his head towards the door, as if to say he could leave now.

Walter instinctively held back the words that had risen and turned around.

That although he was certainly the first to suggest the sword, she was as skilled as if she had been wielding one since long ago.

That therefore, there had always been a chance for her to leave, and she had only now chosen to do so.

That from the beginning, His Excellency wasn’t the only one holding the reins of their relationship.

Walter Argyle, having closed the door silently and turned away, prayed just as quietly.

‘My lady. I… I hope you never return.’