Chapter 112
The peaceful time Raylenne had spent with Aiden felt abruptly overshadowed by shocking news the next day.
“Harbian is missing…?” she asked, disbelief evident in her voice.
Caverion nodded with a grim expression. “I handed the recorded artifact to His Majesty, and he immediately sent guards to apprehend Harbian. But the room was already empty.”
“What…?”
“The palace maids said he never returned after the party.”
“Could he have just gone somewhere for a while?”
“If that were the case, he would have informed someone. Even Harbian’s valet had no idea.”
Raylenne was at a loss for words. He had caused a scene and then just disappeared? Though she never truly understood him, this seemed particularly extreme.
“So, we plan to increase security for a while. Harbian might try to approach you again.”
Raylenne doubted that Harbian would dare come to the Ergen estate, which was essentially enemy territory for him. However, she couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.
That feeling didn’t last long. A few days later, news came that he was dead.
* * *
Raylenne couldn’t believe it even after hearing the news of Harbian’s death.
“What did you just say…?”
“They found Harbian’s body.”
“Where exactly…?”
Caverion glanced out the window momentarily before looking back at Raylenne.
“They said it was discovered in the hills near the royal palace.”
Raylenne was utterly shocked. ‘In the hills…?’ Why would Harbian be there alone?
“They suspect he died from a fall off a cliff. His neck was broken when they found him.”
“So… are you saying he took his own life?”
Caverion hesitated again before muttering softly, “It’s uncertain.”
At that moment, Caverion placed a hand on Raylenne’s left shoulder.
“Raylenne.”
“Yes…?”
“Don’t dwell on it too much. He was a man who deserved to die.”
“I think so too. It’s just… a bit unsettling…”
It truly was. The suddenness and circumstances of his death were troubling. He never seemed like someone who would take his own life. Nonetheless, his death was a relief for the Hamnebu Empire; a man like him becoming emperor could have had unpredictable consequences.
“There’s no need to be concerned. You have other matters to focus on.”
Raylenne nodded, remembering that Aiden was leaving the next day.
As Caverion reminded her of Aiden’s departure, Raylenne realized how much Caverion’s attitude toward Aiden had changed. Though his demeanor remained cold, he now occasionally mentioned Aiden’s affairs, which was a significant change.
Just then, she noticed Aiden returning from sword training outside the window.
“Brother, I’ll go see him now.”
“Go ahead.”
As Caverion finished speaking, Raylenne left the room. As soon as she stepped out, the unsettling thoughts about Harbian’s death faded, and she headed downstairs.
Seeing Aiden, Raylenne ran toward him.
“Aiden!”
She threw her arms around him, hugging his neck tightly. A few days ago, she would have restrained herself, worrying about what the servants might think. But with Aiden leaving soon, she decided to act freely.
“…People are watching,” Aiden said, glancing around in concern, though he didn’t push her away.
Raylenne released her hold on his neck and spoke, “Why are you training so hard these days? Day and night.”
“I’m practicing to regain my sword skills before returning to the Bedeusian family. I can’t afford to appear incompetent in front of the knights.”
While she understood his desire to avoid disappointing his followers with rusty skills, Aiden’s recent training seemed excessive. He appeared to be practicing day and night without rest, which worried her greatly.
Though he had awakened and shouldn’t need to worry too much about his skills, Aiden seemed uneasy. Noticing her concerned gaze, Aiden placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Let’s go inside. It’s quite windy today.”
He gently guided her indoors, and Raylenne decided to change the subject.
“Aiden, did you hear?”
Aiden looked at her, and she met his gaze, whispering quietly.
“Harbian… is dead.”
Despite the shocking news, Aiden remained impassive.
“Justice has been served.”
His reaction was surprisingly similar to Caverion’s.
“That’s true… But they say he fell from a cliff in the hills.”
“Perhaps he feared the consequences of his crimes and chose to end his life.”
Though Raylenne didn’t entirely believe it, she thought perhaps Aiden knew more about Harbian than she did.
“There’s no need to concern ourselves with him. It’s a sordid affair.”
Aiden’s demeanor was remarkably cold.
‘Well, both Aiden and Caverion detested Harbian,’ she thought.
Seeing that Aiden didn’t want to talk about Harbian’s death any further, Raylenne dropped the subject. Because of this, she didn’t notice the cold gleam in Aiden’s eyes, hidden beneath his lowered lashes.
* * *
A few days ago, under a night sky shrouded in darkness, a figure moved quietly. The figure was Aiden. Ever since Raylenne regained her senses, Aiden hadn’t slept, leaving the castle every night. Tonight was no different. Aiden grabbed a sword and exited the castle, his eyes scanning the surroundings sharply.
Just then, a voice called from behind him.
“Aiden.”
Aiden turned to see Caverion standing there.
“Where do you go every night like this?” he asked.
“I’m practicing my swordsmanship,” Aiden replied.
“Without sleep, every night?” Caverion’s sharp question made Aiden exhale deeply.
“Didn’t they say Harbian disappeared?”
Caverion frowned.
‘I know you’re doing this for Raylenne, but this guy is really out of his mind, patrolling alone every night without sleep for any unforeseen events.’
However, even Caverion couldn’t sleep soundly, often stepping out to survey the castle grounds in the early hours. He knew Harbian wasn’t someone who thought like a normal person, so there was always the possibility he’d attempt something reckless.
Even though Caverion reassured Raylenne not to worry, he couldn’t help but stay awake, fearing that Harbian might sneak in and whisk Raylenne away while everyone slept. As an unsettling tension hung over the castle, a cold wind blew. The wind was eerie and cold in the dark of night. Aiden suddenly turned his head swiftly, as if detecting something. Caverion’s eyes followed his, scanning the air, but there was nothing to be seen.
“What did you see?” Caverion asked.
“Harbian…”
“Harbian?”
“Yes, Harbian is nearby.”
Caverion narrowed his eyes. Under normal circumstances, he would have dismissed it as nonsense, but Aiden had already proven his keen senses by locating Raylenne before. Knowing how serious Aiden was, Caverion realized the likelihood of Harbian being nearby was high.
Aiden carefully surveyed the area, then moved with a determined look. Watching him, Caverion spoke, “Aiden.” Aiden turned back, his eyes gleaming with a lethal intent.
“I will pretend I didn’t see anything tonight.”
“…”
“Just handle it quietly.
Whether Harbian had foolishly dared to come to the Ergen duchy, Caverion hoped Aiden would take care of the situation appropriately. Caverion’s eyes glinted coldly as he watched Aiden’s back.
* * *
Late at night, a chilling wind blew across the castle tower of the Ergen Duchy. But the person perched precariously on the tower’s edge only closed his eyes, letting the mountain air wash over him. His golden hair gleamed in the moonlight, fluttering in the cold wind. The intruder, savoring the winter air uninvited, was none other than Harbian.
Harbian slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the dark landscape below. The feeling he had when he first looked down from this cliff was still vivid. A few years ago, the Duke of Ergen had invited him to the castle and brought him to the tower, saying the view was breathtaking. He had been right.
The Ergen Duchy’s castle, situated high up, offered a sweeping view from the tower. It wasn’t just the elevation that made the scenery appealing; the castle had a somewhat dark and dry atmosphere. Watching over the castle, Harbian felt like he, too, could blend into the surroundings without standing out, just like an ordinary person. He wanted to make this tower, this castle, and this family his own, even if it meant something as ridiculous as marriage.
However, the thought of marriage revealed another path to him—Raylenne. To Harbian, Raylenne was like an island encountered amidst a storm, a paradise discovered by a tiny boat struggling to stay afloat in the vast ocean. He had imagined escaping his precarious existence on that tiny boat and living a stable life on the island.
But that dream was shattered by the very person who had kindled it. After leaving Raylenne bleeding in the palace hallway, Harbian knew there was no going back. A shattered hope was like a candle that could never be relit. That’s why he came here today—to meet the person who would end his now empty life.
As expected, footsteps echoed from below the tower. The impossibly fast pace told Harbian that the person he was waiting for had arrived. Harbian lifted his head to greet his guest. “As expected, the protagonist of the prophecy is different. You figured out I was here.” Aiden’s eyes were filled with anger. “You dare to come here on your own?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to see Miss Raylenne.” Harbian’s gaze dropped to the ground below the tower, his lifeless eyes barely visible through his half-closed eyelids.
“I just wanted to see the scenery here.”
Aiden glared at Harbian.
“This might be your last sight.”
Aiden, with his silver hair shimmering in the moonlight, looked like a descending angel, but his expression was as grim as a reaper from hell. Harbian muttered as he gazed at the scenery.
“I came because it might be my last.”
“…”
“Life has become dull.” Harbian finally let out a small laugh.
“You dare speak of dullness here?” Aiden’s eyes, now cold as winter, fixed on Harbian. “I don’t know why I’m like this either,” Harbian continued as Aiden approached him. A faint smile crossed Harbian’s face. “It seems Miss Raylenne was a poisoned chalice for me.”
Aiden grabbed Harbian by the throat. Sensing the end, Harbian struggled to speak. “It’s a pity… I couldn’t see Miss Raylenne one last time…” Aiden squeezed harder, causing Harbian to wince in pain but continue mumbling. “If she had been by my side… life would have been… much more… interesting…”
Harbian couldn’t finish his sentence. His body went limp. Even as Harbian’s life left him, Aiden didn’t loosen his grip, snapping his neck. Aiden’s eyes were as cold as ice, as if piercing through Harbian’s already departed soul. But then, without a second thought, Aiden slung Harbian’s body over his shoulder and leaped from the tower, vanishing into the darkness.
Harbian’s body was found in the nearby hills a few days later.
