“We’ve decided to keep the existence of the Sword Master a secret from the island and the royal court. The Duke wanted it, and we all agreed. If your existence becomes known, the Emperor will surely try to take you away.”

“Thank you.”

It was exactly what I hoped for.

I looked at my lord, the Duke, who was always a step ahead in everything. He looked a bit tired, surrounded by people.

“I won’t inform Her Majesty the Queen either, don’t worry.”

Lord Antoine added.

“Lord. No, Count. I’ll see you at the upcoming reinstatement ceremony.”

At my words, Lord Antoine smiled gently.

His smile resembled that of the Queen.

The punishment was carried out that very day in the front yard of the Duke’s castle.

Julia did not scream or resist once throughout her brother’s execution. She gritted her teeth and endured as her white flesh was torn and burst open. And after the 100th lash, she fainted, covered in blood.

I covered her fallen body with a white cloth.

Bran said,

“Thanks, Esdel. Or should I say, Sword Master, now.”

“Don’t, Bran.”

“I owe you a lot. I wanted to learn swordsmanship from you.”

“?”

Then Arcadia, who had briefly left to avoid watching the execution, returned.

Bran said,

“Vice-Captain.”

“I shouldn’t be called that anymore.”

“Then… I’ll call you ‘respected senior knight.'”

“Just drop the title.”

Arcadia replied, looking tired.

‘That’s good.’

Just knowing Julia was alive was enough to revive these two.

Bran hesitated for a moment before kneeling before Arcadia.

“What’s this?”

“Can I just call you Vice-Captain, who is also the respected senior knight and this woman’s… brother?”

Arcadia sighed.

“As you wish.”

“Please send me to the northernmost border defense force.”

“What!?”

‘Bran.’

“I can’t let Julia Nugent go there alone.”

Bran said only one sentence. But everyone understood the sentiment behind it.

Arcadia said,

“It’s a place where small and large skirmishes happen daily. It’s not just the Swathus, but monsters are also near the border.”
“I understand. That’s why I cannot, no, I must not send her alone.”

In Bran’s intelligent black eyes, there was already a firm resolution.

From that look, I sensed that the moment had come for us to part ways.

It was a look I recognized. The intelligent, just, and upright eyes of Bran Ofilitt from my previous life.

‘Bran.’

Arcadia seemed hesitant.

Then, the steward standing beside me spoke.

“I will report Bran’s situation to His Highness the Duke. He will likely permit it.”

“Leuwine.”

“His Highness said to send anyone who wishes to accompany her.”

At that, tears welled up again in Arcadia’s eyes.

He bowed his head to Bran Ofilitt.

“Please take care of my sister… Bran.”

“I will survive as a proud Northerner and return, I promise.”

I called out to Bran.

“Bran.”

“Esdel, I’ll return much stronger.”

“Don’t die. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

Bran showed a bright smile.

Just before the escort carriage departed.

When we were alone, Bran knelt before me, paying homage to my mother’s Holy Sword tied to my leg.

“You know, right? This is a homage to the Holy Sword.”

“I know. It’s a secret that I have it, Bran.”

“Of course. I’ll keep the secret. Ah, and… keep one more secret for me.”

“What is it?”

“That I like the lady.”

“Didn’t everyone just realize that a moment ago?”

“What?!”

“You’re the only one who didn’t know.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

The two people who had been painful thorns in my previous life departed towards the northernmost border.

One on horseback, the other carried in a wooden prison carriage.

“Survive, Julia. And repay your sins.”

Arcadia, still holding the unconscious Julia’s small hand, let it go with regret.

I gently held Arcadia’s arm, offering what comfort I could.

Then I realized Julia Nugent had already woken up.

Tears were seeping from beneath her closed eyelids.

Finally, the carriage imprisoning the criminal departed.

The sunset was settling in the distance.

When it had gone some distance, Julia’s voice was heard.

“Brother! Stay healthy!”

Eventually, Arcadia collapsed to his knees, weeping.

Julia remained tough to the end.

‘Hopefully, Bran and she will find happiness there. May they meet again with smiles someday.’

Even after a day like a storm, the end approached.

From inside the castle, I gazed at the darkness settling over the horizon and sought the Duke. I wanted to see him.

‘Where could he be?’

The Duke had been absent since the execution.

‘Maybe.’

I recalled the Duke’s pale face, surrounded by vassals.

I worried. He hadn’t fully recovered, and he might have overexerted himself.

But he was neither in his bedroom nor his office. Not finding him in the garden either, I eventually gave up and returned to the medical room.

I was very tired. I, too, was a patient who had just woken up two days ago after being wounded.

‘The doctor said he’d bring some medicine?’

I opened the door to the medical room.

But.

There, beside the bed where I had lain yesterday, the Duke was sleeping deeply, like a child, in the space where the partition had been removed.

‘Your Highness.’

The window was left open. The white, transparent curtain, fluttering in the wind, cast a soft shadow over his body.