Chapter 122
Fortunately, the party ended successfully. We spent so much enjoyable time together with Ares, practically inseparable, that some peculiar rumors started circulating about us. However, those who had witnessed our fierce battles dismissed such gossip, saying it was nonsense.
Thanks to that, the rumors quickly died down, though for some reason, Ares seemed disgruntled about it.
“They quieted down faster than I expected,” he said, clearly disappointed that the rumors he had secretly enjoyed had dissipated. In contrast, Kirine gave a small, dry laugh.
“Well, it wasn’t a very believable rumor anyway.”
“So when are we going public?”
“About us?”
When Ares nodded as if it were obvious, Kirine let out a small “hmm” before standing up.
“If I win this match?”
“You want to duel right now?”
Surprised, Ares looked up at Kirine quizzically, and she nodded.
“Why not? We’re at the training grounds, and there are two swords right here. We have everything we need.”
“…”
“Are you just going to sit there?”
“Ha.”
Rising to the clear provocation, Ares stood up with a cold laugh.
“I won’t go easy on you.”
“I wouldn’t want you to.”
“This time, I really won’t hold back.”
“Have I ever asked you to?”
At this fresh remark, Kirine held out one of the two swords to Ares.
After receiving it, Ares grabbed his shoulder with one hand and rolled his neck lightly.
“Alright. It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper match.”
“Just what I wanted.”
Without wasting any more time, the two moved to the center of the training grounds.
As soon as their eyes met, they pointed their swords at each other without hesitation. Having dueled numerous times before, victories didn’t come easily to either of them. However, defeating Ares, who trained daily, was still challenging.
Just as Ares was about to win, someone interrupted, and the duel was forced to end. Ares gave the sudden intruder a dissatisfied look but withdrew his sword without comment.
“Today is the day the Archbishop departs.”
“…?”
Kirine, who had initially looked at the messenger as if to say ‘so what?’, belatedly let out an “ah.”
“I understand.”
Though she didn’t want to go, there were too many watching eyes. Not sending him off would surely lead to strange rumors.
Not wanting to give anyone ammunition for gossip, Kirine sighed and nodded at Ares.
“What?”
“You have to come too.”
“Why me?”
“If you don’t see him off, it’ll only hurt your reputation.”
It was about Vincent, none other than the man called the next Pope. The thought of what people might say if they didn’t even bid farewell to such a figure was horrifying. Moreover, Kirine didn’t want Ares to be the subject of such talk.
“I don’t want to go.”
“You think I want to go?”
After adding that she was only going because she had to, Ares’s expression softened, and he reluctantly followed Kirine.
“I hate that guy.”
“I know. I understand, but watch what you say—there’s an Archbishop ahead.”
When Kirine gestured with her chin toward the Archbishop walking ahead of them, Ares pretended not to hear.
“Don’t care.”
“Well, you should start caring.”
Walking alongside Ares, Kirine scolded him out of concern.
“It doesn’t matter for me, but you have many connections to consider.”
“…?”
Seeing his confused expression as he looked down at her, Kirine let out a small sigh.
“I’m a commoner, but you’re nobility, so shouldn’t you be more mindful?”
“I don’t need to be.”
“No, still…”
Just as Kirine was about to say he was being too careless, she clicked her tongue. This conversation seemed unlikely to reach a conclusion.
“Then stop whining and let’s go quietly, darling.”
“Yes.”
After continuously grumbling beside her, Ares fell silent at the affectionate nickname.
Glancing at him sideways, Kirine stared in disbelief before bursting into laughter. It was both amusing and fascinating how such a simple change in address could please him so much.
As they walked, they soon reached the castle gates. Already gathered there were the clergy who had come with Vincent, along with palace officials who had come to bid him farewell.
“Why doesn’t he just leave instead of hanging around?”
“Shh.”
Just as Kirine was hushing Ares’s immediate complaints, her eyes met Vincent’s. Startled, she tried to approach naturally, but Vincent’s steps were much quicker.
Just as she was about to wish him a safe journey, Vincent, who had suddenly appeared right in front of her, spoke.
“You said things might have been different if we had met first, didn’t you?”
“What?”
Did I ever say something like that?
Though she had no memory of it, Vincent spoke as if he had definitely heard those words.
“Keep that promise.”
“No, what do you…”
Though she tried to question Vincent further, confused by his words, he had already merged into the crowd of clergy.
‘What on earth is he talking about?’
It was unsettling how he mentioned words she couldn’t even remember saying, but Vincent proceeded to make eye contact with each person who had come to see him off before passing through the castle gates.
As Kirine stared blankly after him, she felt a light tap on her arm. Turning her head, she found Ares frowning disapprovingly.
“Seems like you’re sad to see him go.”
His words, accompanied by a chin gesture toward Vincent’s retreating figure, were clearly tinged with displeasure.
“What sadness? If I was sad, I would have gone after him.”
“What?”
Seeing Ares immediately raise his voice irritably, Kirine admonished him.
“Stop talking nonsense and let’s go.”
She felt this might truly be the last time she would see Vincent.
After today, they would never see each other again. Or rather, she had no intention of seeing him again.
‘After fighting like that…’
Unless one side’s feelings changed completely, they couldn’t return to their previous relationship. Even if Vincent’s feelings for her had truly changed to friendship, they clearly couldn’t go back.
Because those feelings might change again someday.
“Do we have time for this?”
When she asked the still-grumbling Ares, he tilted his head.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t we need to go back and finish our duel?”
She was referring to their interrupted match.
“Why? Feeling uncertain?”
As another provocation followed, Ares raised the corner of his mouth and lifted his eyes.
“Hurry up then.”
His previously leisurely pace suddenly quickened so much that Kirine had to run to keep up with him.
“Hey, can’t we go a bit slower?”
“We don’t have time to waste.”
Ares urged her to hurry. His blue eyes were filled with determination to win quickly and make their relationship public.
Nous_Defions
This Vincent is just soooo DUMB! Even I only remembered Kirine saying “What does it matter now” or something to the same effect… He’s BRAIN DEAD AND DELUSIONAL!!!