Chapter 76: The Story of Raines Noel Delpheman
“Noel, did something happen between you and Lady Enzhe?”
He ended up being interrogated by Byron. There had been times when he would lose his mind, his heart filled with turmoil whenever Byron talked about Lopetrefer or looked at her. Raines racked his brain and blurted out a ridiculous lie.
“I’m actually in love with Lopetrefer.”
It was a lie no one would believe, but Sue Byron, of all people, believed it and was shocked.
“Is that why you’re being friendly with me?”
It was an innocent question, but Raines’s heart pounded. She thought for a while, then said in a self-deprecating tone,
“Noel, I won’t deny your feelings. But you’re wasting your time trying to get close to me. Even if I wanted to help you… I wouldn’t be much help.”
Her usually clear voice was weak. Raines sighed inwardly in relief. That was a close one. It would have been troublesome if she had offered to help.
“But don’t give up. You never know what might happen. You might be able to do it.”
But she encouraged him with a smile that was perfect for spring, refusing to give up hope. Raines was confused, feeling a strange affection for her, and at the same time, a surge of anger.
Does this girl even know who her master is engaged to? Why is she being so nice to me?
You think I can do it?
Do what?
You’ve made it impossible for me to do anything.
The events at the glass garden flashed through his mind like a panorama. Even the most beautiful girl in the world, even the girl who smiled like spring, was nothing but a source of pain for him.
‘Let’s cut out the tumors.’
Damon’s sly eyes flashed before his mind. Damon was right, after all. This anger he was feeling was definitely directed at Sue Byron. Raines clenched his fists.
“…Right, I forgot. There was something I had to give you.”
Let’s end this.
By handing over Leo Noel’s letter, I’m killing this girl. And I’ll get back the things I love. This is what I truly want.
***
Raines showed his face at the Knights Division for the first time in six months. He had wanted to come at least once, remembering the feeling of holding a sword at the Sports Festival. And he had lied to Sue Byron, telling her he would be going to the Knights Division, so he had to pretend to keep his promise, at least until she died. It was better to have a few truths mixed in with his hundred lies.
Lionel, his senior knight and a full-fledged knight, had come to the academy several times, asking why he wasn’t showing up at the Knights Division. Raines had remained silent each time, but Lionel hadn’t scolded him, just comforted him.
‘The Captain is looking for you. And so am I. Stop wandering and come back, Raines. The Captain will understand.’
‘The Captain?’
Understanding or not, Raines had never properly met Captain Yuna of the First Knights Division. He had only ever seen him from afar. How could the greatest knight in the empire remember a mere trainee? Raines had assumed that Lionel was just trying to comfort him.
“Give me a valid reason. Trainee Raines.”
He finally realized that Lionel hadn’t been lying when he was dragged to the Captain’s office.
The greatest knight in the empire was personally questioning a mere trainee about his absence from training. He had assumed he would be dismissed, but it seemed like he hadn’t been fired yet.
Captain Yuna, wearing the red uniform of the Knights Captain, asked again in a stern voice,
“I told you to give me a valid reason. Didn’t you hear me?”
“…I don’t have one.”
Raines lied again. Yuna, dissatisfied with his answer, rested his chin on his hand.
“Then I should assume this is a personal matter?”
“Yes.”
Raines answered quickly. Yuna was silent again. Then, he slowly nodded.
“Alright. I’ll let it slide this time. You’re a valuable asset to the First Knights Division. Don’t be absent without permission again.”
“…Yes.”
***
As he started attending Knights training again, his attendance at the academy decreased significantly. That also meant he thought about Byron less often, which he considered a good thing.
Lionel had recommended him for the Barrier Defense Inspection Team. News that a mere trainee, who had been absent for six months, had been chosen for the Barrier Defense Inspection Team spread quickly through the Knights Division.
“It’s vacation now, right? I heard you were chosen for the Barrier Defense Inspection Team. Speaking of which, I’m planning to kill Sue Byron soon.”
Damon said, munching on bean bread on the basement bed. Raines, who had just entered the basement to check on him, froze. Damon, oblivious, continued stuffing his face with bean bread and said,
“She seems to have fallen for my tricks. Well… I guess that’s enough. Don’t you think?”
It was strange.
The news that he would be killing Sue Byron should have been good news for Raines. But he couldn’t feel any joy, just biting his lower lip. And he didn’t understand his own feelings.
Raines slowly closed his eyes.
He pictured the girl he was going to kill in the darkness.
Red hair, pale skin, small frame. A clear, composed voice, cheering for her ‘friend’, completely fooled by his lies, oblivious to the trap that awaited her.
That Sue Byron was going to die.
“Anyway, congratulations. You’ll be free from me once I kill Sue Byron.”
Damon muttered, chuckling. Raines finally snapped out of his daze. His mother, Haina, appeared behind Sue Byron’s small frame. And beside her, Delthel was smiling kindly.
“…Alright. Keep your word, Damon.”
Raines replied in a cold voice.
He had already decided to kill her four months ago. There was no point in feeling pity or remorse now. It would only make him more miserable.
Yes, this is it.
By her death, I can be free from all this pain.
Freedom was within reach.
***
That was why he had initially thought she was just someone who looked like her when he first saw her in Emnon. He had scoffed at the guard who introduced Byron as a merchant’s daughter.
Raines had used Lionel’s influence to create an opportunity to be alone with Byron. He had felt a headache coming on, seeing her cheerful greeting.
The girl who should have been dead was still alive. She should have been dead, but she was still breathing, walking beside him, oblivious.
“Emnon has a beautiful sea.”
She was just here for a visit, it seemed. But there wasn’t a single maid in sight. She wasn’t even accompanied by a knight escort.
Raines felt a surge of anger. Even if it was a rural town, it wasn’t as safe as the capital. He even scolded her for not bringing an escort, even though she was a girl who should have been dead. It was frustrating.
As his anger subsided, he noticed the luggage she was carrying. Cheap clothes and trinkets she had bought at the market in Emnon. And then, Byron suddenly pulled out something wrapped in cloth.
“It’s a music box. A shell-shaped music box. I bought it at the market. Put your ear to the hole. You can hear music, I swear. It’s fate that we met here, so I’ll give it to you. It’s a bit cheap, but…”
“…What are you thinking?”
The question had slipped out unintentionally, born out of frustration. Raines immediately tried to brush it off, but the question was genuine.
“Oh, right, Noel. I sent you a letter.”
Those were her words, spoken with a cheerful smile, just before they parted ways at the beach.
A letter?
‘…Ah.’
He didn’t understand what she meant at first, then he remembered their conversation at the end of the semester.
Byron had said she would write to him during the break. He had nodded vaguely and forgotten about it. But it hadn’t been an empty promise for her.
…Why is she doing this?
Raines felt a surge of anger.
A girl who should have been dead was standing right in front of him, handing him a cheap gift, and telling him she had written him letters.
Raines closed his eyes tightly, his head pounding.
The kindness of a villain was too heavy, too painful.
“…Byron, haven’t you… changed since last year?”
He finally asked, unable to bear the headache any longer.
“Noel, if that’s how you feel, then I guess I have.”
Raines couldn’t understand what she meant by those words. But he was certain that the smile she had given him then wasn’t the smile of a villain.