“Your Highness the Crown Prince is correct. This is a family matter.”

All eyes turned to Howard. They were puzzled by his sudden agreement with Frederick’s words.

He continued with a gentle smile on his face.

“That is why, as Demian’s grandfather, I am only trying to prevent my grandson’s execution.”

He was indirectly asserting that he too had the right to intervene as a family member in this family matter.

Frederick’s brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Howard with eyes that could not understand at all.

‘I heard they were estranged from the maternal side, so why is he suddenly defending him?’

Although the reason for the change of heart was unknown, the intervention of the Count of Rond was truly troublesome.

He thought he could easily get rid of Demian since no one would take his side except Arasila, but he didn’t expect so many obstacles to appear.

“Your Majesty, the Rond family is distantly related to us as cousins. The same goes for Lord Vandermir who inherited that bloodline. Although we have not had any contact, how could we turn a blind eye to the tragedy that has befallen our cousin?”

The Duchess quickly chimed in to support Howard’s words. Although it was a blood relationship that was almost like strangers, she emphasized the fact that the same blood flowed through their veins nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Duke Vandermir, who was watching the scene, grabbed the back of his neck in disbelief.

It was already unbelievable that the Rond family, who had never cared about Demian his whole life, was suddenly interfering, but now they were even concluding that Demian was connected to the imperial family by blood.

The words “bullshit” rose to the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it since the other party was the Duchess.

As an uncomfortable silence filled the hall with everyone eyeing each other, the Emperor, who had been quietly observing until now, finally opened his mouth.

“The Duchess is right.”

He said as he stroked his snow-white beard.

“From what I’ve heard, it seems we cannot completely conclude that Demian Vandermir is the culprit.”

In an instant, the expressions on both sides changed. The Duke and Frederick’s expressions darkened, while the three people on the opposite side brightened.

Demian, who was standing directly facing the Emperor, had a complex expression. The Emperor looked straight at him and added.

“However, it is also true that Demian Vandermir has the highest probability of being the culprit right now.”

This time, the Duke and Frederick’s faces brightened, while the three darkened. In any case, it meant that the Emperor did not see Demian as innocent.

People listened intently, extremely tense about what final conclusion the Emperor, who had taken both sides once, would reach.

“So we cannot sentence him to death as the Duke says, but it also doesn’t make sense not to impose any punishment at all.”

“Your Majesty, then…”

Red eyes filled with dignity swept over the people once. The Emperor lightly tapped the armrest of his chair and delivered his verdict.

“Send Demian Vandermir to the northern border. If he returns victorious from there, we will consider his debt paid, but if not, he will have paid for his crimes by not returning.”

“…!”

People’s expressions became ambiguous. The northern border had always been a troublesome area with frequent invasions by monsters and outsiders.

Recently, immigrant tribes who had united their forces were attacking deliberately, and it was also entering the beginning stages of war.

The army dispatched by the imperial court had already been defeated, so who to send there as the person in charge had been a topic of fierce debate in recent court meetings.

It would be difficult to return alive easily. That’s why the Emperor expressed defeat and death as ‘not returning’.

“If anyone wishes to object, do so now. I will not accept anyone’s words after this.”

No one opened their mouth at the Emperor’s solemn declaration. Who would dare to argue when the master ruling the empire had made such a decision?

If Demian goes and does well, he will live, and if not, he will die.

As both possibilities were open, each could only hope for the side they wanted.

Satisfied with the silence of those who seemed to have acquiesced to his words, the Emperor soon turned his gaze towards Demian and ordered.

“Demian Vandermir, finish all preparations within two days and depart for the north.”

“Why did you help me?”

Howard, who was walking slowly down the corridor with his hands behind his back, stopped at the low question from behind. He turned around slowly.

He saw Demian standing there with furrowed brows, looking more like his father now that he had grown up.

How is it that he doesn’t resemble his mother at all?

The only trace Monica had left was the golden eyes that Howard also had. If even that wasn’t there, it would have been truly painful to face him like this.

Feeling the gaze urging him to answer, Howard tilted his head slightly to the side and replied.

“…Are you dissatisfied that I helped you?”

“I don’t understand. Haven’t we lived like strangers until now?”

While it made sense for the Duchess Kissten or Lucas since they had connections with Arasila and him, why did even Howard attend today and take his side?

This bothered Demian more than his own disposition throughout the meeting. That perhaps the person who hated him most in this world came to help.

“Your wife came to see me.”

“…Pardon?”

“She earnestly begged me to help you, bringing Monica’s keepsakes.”

Howard calmly explained to Demian, who had a surprised expression. There was no hint of falsehood in his tone. There was no reason for him to lie about such a thing anyway.

Demian felt a tightness in one corner of his heart at the fact that Arasila had desperately gone around trying to save him more than he expected.

In the end, it was Arasila who had saved him, the one who said she would never give up.

Of course, he wasn’t completely saved, and he would have to struggle not to die in the north. But at least he was given a chance.

“I owed your wife as well, so I granted her request for multiple reasons.”

“…You owed her?”

Demian, unaware that Arasila had helped Howard at the temple, looked puzzled. Howard simply stared at him without mentioning the details.

Arasila’s words that had painfully pierced his heart came flooding back.

‘The adults committed the sin, so why did you hate that young child so much?’

‘Why did you leave young Demian to live alone in hell? For whose sake?’

‘You made various excuses, but in the end, you abandoned both your daughter and grandson for your own sake, Count.’

He couldn’t refute because none of it was wrong. That day, after Arasila left, Howard reflected on his past.

He realized and admitted that unleashing his resentment even on Demian was selfishness committed for his own peace of mind.

However, shamefully, he was still such an incompetent adult that he didn’t know what words he should say to Demian standing before him now.

“…Demian.”

“Yes.”

The response came quickly to the name of his grandson that he called after a long time. Somehow, Howard felt an ache in his heart.

The young Demian he first met at Monica’s funeral immediately called him grandfather and followed him. But Howard, who wanted to deny his daughter’s death, pushed the child away.

He turned his back, spitting out harsh words while ignoring those pitiful gazes directed at him.

If it hurts now, he must be utterly without conscience. Howard spoke in a low voice, clenching his fist tightly.

“Make sure you return alive.”

“…”

“And then… let’s meet, the three of us with your wife. I have something to tell you.”

Demian’s expression changed subtly. He never imagined there would come a day when his maternal grandfather would say such words to him.

It wasn’t entirely happy, nor was it bad.

Demian felt no regret towards Howard who had turned a blind eye to his abused younger self. Since the other side had cut him off first, he too had never considered Howard as his grandfather.

But what if he had thought of him as his grandfather?

‘…I would have been very miserable.’

Suddenly feeling a bitter taste in his mouth, Demian silently bowed his head and turned away. Somehow, he didn’t want to face him anymore.

Howard let him go without stopping him. Instead, his gaze followed for a while.

Demian felt this but absolutely did not look back. His insides were very complicated and churning. As if the emotions he should have felt in his younger days were rushing in now.

Demian’s expedition proceeded quickly.

The Red Hawk Knights kept their loyalty. All members decided to go to the north together with their commander, saying they would follow him even to hell.

It was Isaac who handed Demian his sword and armor, who was only released from prison on the day of departure.

“Thank you, Isaac. You managed to bring them well.”

“No, sir. Actually, I didn’t bring them. Your wife gave them to me to deliver to you.”

At those words, Demian’s hands trembled as he was putting on the armor. He could feel Arasila’s consideration, who had kept the precious items safe while he was away and sent them at the appropriate time.

Yet he had only spoken harsh words to her when he last saw her.

His heart feeling heavy for no reason, he slowly opened his mouth to ask after finishing changing his clothes.

“…Is my wife doing well?”

“That’s something you should see and judge for yourself, Commander. Well, she didn’t look too bad to my eyes.”

Isaac raised the corner of his mouth into a smirk. Demian inwardly felt relieved. At least she was doing well enough to appear fine to others.

As he went outside, he felt deep regret. If he had just a little more time, he could have met Arasila before leaving.

In reality, the Emperor had released him from confinement early to prepare for the expedition, but because Frederick clung on pettily until the end, he couldn’t get out.

He insisted there was one last thing to investigate, desperately holding him back.

As a result, he was even worried if the expedition preparations had been done properly.

“Isaac, did everyone prepare well?”

“Yes, Commander. Don’t worry. The Hugo Duke’s family generously provided funds for weapons, armor, and such.”

“…Is that true?”

“Yes, not only that, but the Duke himself came forward to take care of each of us one by one. Saying there should be no gaps when going to the battlefield.”

Demian’s eyes widened unusually. He didn’t expect that Arasila’s family would help him too, following her.

Although they had refused the proxy divorce, that was only because they couldn’t overcome Arasila’s stubbornness. He thought they would be somewhat cold since it was revealed to be a contract marriage.

Demian quietly choked up as he recalled the Duke’s family who had treated him as family, calling his name more affectionately than his own father.

Not noticing this, Isaac, who had been grinning, soon spotted someone and quickly stepped aside, saying,

“Well then, greet her comfortably.”

“What? What greeting…”

Demian stopped mid-sentence and halted his steps. Standing in front of the door was a silhouette he could recognize even with the ample robe draped over it.

A snow-white hand that had slipped out between the sleeves removed the hat. Then, lavender hair cascaded down like waves.

Demian watched breathlessly as Arasila slowly turned around.

The face he had wished to see just once before going to a war where he might die was just a few steps away. Her red, plump lips parted to call him.

“Demian.”

“…My wife.”

Demian, who had been standing still as if nailed to the ground, took large strides forward. Closing the distance to Arasila in an instant, he asked in a trembling voice.

“How did you come here?”

“How? I snuck in among the servants carrying luggage to greet you.”

Demian, a criminal, was not officially given a place to say goodbye to his family. So they had to meet secretly during the preparation for the expedition, but even that was thwarted because of Frederick.

He expected to depart from the capital’s city gate without being able to move, but as always, the unpredictable Arasila had come to find him.

To greet Demian.

“See? I told you I would be more persistent than you. But I’m sorry, I couldn’t save you properly as much as I boasted.”

“Don’t say such things. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here now.”

Demian cut her off sharply. Looking tenderly at Arasila who had become slightly dejected, he bowed his head briefly.

“I should be the one apologizing. I was too harsh with my words when you visited me.”

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.”

Although it had hurt a little at the time, Arasila now knows that it was for her sake. It was Demian’s best effort not to cause her harm.

She raised her slightly reddened eyes to look at Demian. He looked much thinner, perhaps due to the harsh life in prison.

Yet his sparkling silver hair and shining golden eyes remained unchanged, making Arasila feel both relieved and sorry.

“…Demian.”

“Yes.”

“You can win and come back, right?”

Demian smiled at the question asked while trying to hide her anxious heart. Brilliantly enough to erase the shadow cast over Arasila.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Of course I do. You’re the knight I respect.”

“Then wait at ease. I have never lost a fight.”

“Hmm, that’s strange? I think you lost when you fought with me?”

When she deliberately played dumb and tilted her head, Demian narrowed his brows slightly and answered firmly.

“That was objectively a draw.”

“Hmm.”

“It really was a draw. You should settle the match fair and square, my wife.”

“Ah, I understand. I’ll say it’s like that.”

The two people who exchanged playful conversation unsuited to the serious situation before the expedition looked at each other and laughed for a moment.

As the laughter faded, Demian spoke first in a serious voice.

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you go this far for me?”

Even without hearing the details, he could guess that Arasila had made every effort to save him up to this point.

He wondered why she did it, when she didn’t have to go that far.

Demian took a step closer and tilted his head towards Arasila as he asked.

“Is it because of a sense of responsibility?”

“That’s…”

Demian was reflected in her eyes, clear as a limpid lake. Arasila pondered for a moment whether she should reveal her true feelings here and now.

But she worried that if she did, Demian might leave too comfortably.

Wouldn’t he want to return more desperately if she left him with an uncomfortable, unbearable secret?

Having made that judgment, she placed her hand on Demian’s shoulder and said with a bright smile.

“I’ll tell you when you come back.”

“…I must certainly return victorious then.”

Demian also stepped back without asking further. It seemed like words he’d prefer to hear in stability rather than crisis.

And only then would he be able to show his own heart in the same way.

The sound of trumpets was heard from afar. It meant they had to depart soon.

Arasila glanced behind her and opened her arms. Demian naturally embraced her and cradled the back of her head.

“Have a safe journey.”

“I will.”

With that final farewell, the two parted. Demian walked to the front to lead the knights.

Puu-uu, puu-uu!

After two trumpet blasts, the procession began. Arasila stood by the roadside and quietly watched the departing knights.

She didn’t leave her spot until they disappeared into dots.