Chapter 48
After that day, Helis embarked on a pilgrimage with a tracking device attached to him. This device, a magical tool, indicated Helis’s location. If he strayed from the designated path or did anything foolish, the tracker held by Caverion would react.
‘This will be a long journey,’ Raylenne thought, doubting Helis could endure the punishment. Although it might be better than exile or imprisonment, he would no longer enjoy any of the privileges of the nobility. While the family could have given him some money, Caverion sent Helis off without a penny. Helis would have to rely on monasteries for meals, and the priests, knowing he was a criminal, wouldn’t treat him kindly. It would take at least several years to visit all the monasteries by foot.
“But…” When she last saw Helis’s hollow eyes, she realized he could never stay in this castle again. His words about not wanting to remain here weren’t empty. Helis, imprisoned in the dungeon, didn’t deny his actions. Under interrogation, he admitted that his recent late-night outings were to find assassins who could successfully scar Raylenne’s face.
She recalled a drunkard’s words in an alley on Gaenue Street:
[I saw someone with the same hair color as you recently… I remembered because it’s such a rare color.]
The person the drunkard saw must have been Helis, who frequented the back alleys. Helis confessed everything he did in secret and accepted his punishment without resistance. Raylenne had worried he might defy the Duke, but thankfully, he didn’t. Helis seemed less remorseful and more drained of any emotional strength. Raylenne could somewhat understand Helis’s current feelings. This castle drained people.
While others might envy those born into a ducal family, she wondered if anyone truly lived happily in this castle. The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth. Raylenne’s gaze followed Helis as he passed through the castle gates, carrying a bag as big as himself, before turning away.
“Are you troubled?” Caverion asked, approaching her. Raylenne shook her head.
“Everyone must pay for their sins. For Helis, that time is now,” she said, smiling bitterly.
“Actually, the same applies to me. Although there was a misunderstanding about Helis nearly attacking me, I’m paying for my past sins of tormenting the maids.”
“That’s…”
“You don’t need to make excuses for me. I’ve been reflecting on my mistakes.”
Caverion only put his arm around her shoulders without speaking. Raylenne leaned into his reassuring embrace and then looked up.
“Did Father really agree to Helis’s pilgrimage?”
It was her suggestion, but she was surprised at how easily the Duke agreed, expecting him to cover it up or impose a harsh punishment given his nature. Caverion spoke after blinking a couple of times.
“Well… He probably thought a pilgrimage was the most appropriate. He wouldn’t want to make a big fuss.”
But something didn’t quite add up.
“Do you think people won’t find out about this?”
Even if they kept quiet, with only three children in the family, Helis’s disappearance would be quickly noticed. They wouldn’t have a way to explain if people asked.
“There are no eternal secrets. We don’t need to announce Helis’s whereabouts now, but we’ll reveal it when the time comes.”
Caverion seemed unconcerned. Raylenne understood his attitude. He wasn’t someone who cared much about the family’s honor or safety.
“Actually…” Caverion had no affection for the family or the house, so he could handle Helis’s matter without hesitation as if it were someone else’s issue. Or maybe he seemed unaffected but felt some inner turmoil. After all, it must be disappointing that his younger brother attempted such a terrible deed. Caverion didn’t show his emotions, making it hard to know his true feelings. Finally, Raylenne asked first.
“Are you okay, Brother?”
Caverion, who had been staring out the window, turned his head.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean about Helis.”
Caverion seemed to ponder his answer before slightly curling his lips.
“If I said I was fine, would you think I’m heartless?”
Raylenne watched him thoughtfully before replying slowly.
“I wouldn’t think that. Although family relationships are typically important, there are always exceptions.”
She herself felt no affection for the Duke. In fact, she felt closer to Aiden and Haele, whom she saw daily. While this might be because she was a stranger inhabiting Raylenne’s body, even the original Raylenne had little affection for her family.
“Raylenne, hearing you say that makes me feel better,” Caverion said with a low chuckle.
“Honestly, I don’t know what family means.”
“…”
“People say family is as precious as their own lives, but I value my life the most.”
Caverion’s eyes warmed as he looked at Raylenne.
“Of course, you’re an exception.”
“Brother…”
“You’re the one person I want to protect.”
His gentle hand stroked her hair. From that touch alone, Raylenne knew Caverion’s words were sincere. This made her even more curious. Why was he so kind to her? The answer seemed to lie in the past. Just as she felt guilty about Belle’s incident, perhaps Caverion felt responsible for something involving Raylenne.
Then, Caverion spoke again.
“Haele played a significant role in this incident.”
Raylenne, lost in thought, blinked.
“Haele captured all the intruders Helis hired, didn’t he?”
She remembered crediting Haele for Aiden’s achievements.
“Yes, Haele bravely captured the intruders.”
This wasn’t entirely true, but Haele did deserve some credit. He had shown courage, drawing his sword to protect her among the masked intruders. When she offered to act as bait while he fetched help, he refused firmly. She had thought of Haele as a coward, but perhaps she had judged too hastily.
“I should reward Haele.”
“No, I’ll handle it. I’ve been thinking about giving him a gift for diligently watching over Aiden.”
This was half-true. While Haele deserved a reward, it was also a bribe to ensure his silence.
‘Haele knows Aiden escaped his cell…’
Although unlikely to speak of it, it was better to be certain. Gaining Haele’s full loyalty would be a bonus. However, Caverion seemed surprised by her offer.
He opened his eyes wide, revealing his round blue irises clearly.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Brother?”
“I’m surprised you’d say such a thing.”
Raylenne quickly added, “As I said before, I’ve reflected on my past mistreatment of the servants. So, I want to repay Haele…”
She worried Caverion might become suspicious of her sudden change. Given the stark difference between her current self and the original Raylenne, she aimed to show gradual change, but this seemed abrupt.
Despite her concerns, Caverion placed a large hand on her head.
“Good. Well done.”
A warm smile spread across his face.
* * *
Caverion seemed content with his sister’s newfound humanity and did not appear suspicious. Thanks to this, Raylenne felt at ease as she descended to the underground prison.
“Hello, Lady Raylenne,” Haele greeted, bowing deeply as she approached the entrance. His face bore several small scratches, likely from his scuffle with the intruders. Raylenne realized she hadn’t checked on Haele’s injuries, preoccupied with Helis’s situation.
“Haele, were you seriously hurt that day?” she asked.
“Not at all. I’m perfectly fine,” Haele responded, flexing his thick arm to show his concealed muscles. Embarrassed, he quickly lowered it.
“And you, Lady Raylenne, are you alright?” Haele asked cautiously. Having seen Helis brought to the underground prison, he knew his brother was behind the incident and was concerned for Raylenne’s well-being.
Raylenne brushed her long hair back. “There’s nothing to be worried about,” she replied. Though it would be a lie to say Helis’s actions didn’t affect her, time had gradually dulled the impact. Haele nodded awkwardly, sighing in relief.
“What could have driven him to such actions? If it weren’t for Aiden, it could have been disastrous,” Haele commented. Raylenne realized she had overlooked another important detail: how Aiden had managed to leave his cell that day.
“Haele, tell me exactly what happened that day,” she instructed.
“That day…” Haele began hesitantly.
“Start from the moment you ran from the intruders in the forest,” she clarified.
Haele scratched his cheek, trying to recall. “Well… I ran to get help. But soon, it felt like they would catch me, so I headed to the underground prison to throw them off.”
Haele’s face reddened slightly, embarrassed by how close he came to being caught. His short lashes fluttered rapidly as he spoke.
“I couldn’t hide in the other cells because of the bars, so I figured Aiden’s cell was the best option.”
So Haele had sought refuge in Aiden’s cell, which led to the door being opened. However, there was a crucial point left unaddressed.
“What about the shackles? How were they broken?” Raylenne remembered seeing the chains around Aiden’s ankles snapped.
“Um… well…” Haele hesitated, furrowing his brow.
“They… just suddenly broke,” he said, leaving Raylenne exasperated.
“What?” she asked in a deflated tone.
Haele scratched his head in frustration. “I’m not great at explaining, but there’s no other way to describe it. The chains just broke. I turned my head for a moment, and when I looked back, Aiden was holding the broken chains in his hand.”
