May Every Wound Be Fatal - Chapter 32.1
After returning south from Elmaril to Ibella, Elizer could once again live as Prince Cassian’s knight.
However, the looks from his fellow companions were certainly different than before.
They had newly realized that Elizer was the king’s illegitimate son. Above all, they instinctively knew that his presence did not benefit their lord.
Elizer thought it was something he could not change.
He believed that if he silently stayed in his place, one day his companions would see him purely as Cassian’s knight again.
The one problem was that his mind was still full of thoughts of Reyna.
Elizer thought that if she was out of sight, if he rode for a full week to put distance between them, he might be able to return to the time before he had known her.
But the desire that had begun the moment their lips met had only grown uncontrollably.
He had never wanted anything so intensely before.
It was different from dreaming of becoming Prince Cassian’s knight. Swearing loyalty to Cassian had been a goal he, as a human, was supposed to accomplish. His desire for Reyna was something much more primal.
He wanted to see her. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to bury his nose in her nape and breathe in her scent, to hold her pale skin in his hands. A fever had begun at an untimely time.
Nineteen-year-old Elizer believed this too would eventually fade. He thought time would solve everything, and endured sleepless nights without complaint.
Autumn and winter passed like that. Shockingly, the fever showed no sign of cooling.
Around that time, Diegor, the son of Leonard, secretly came down to Ibella and made contact with Prince Cassian.
***
“Prince Cassian is calling.”
At Cassian’s summons, Elizer abandoned his rare moment of rest and ran to him at once.
Cassian was walking slowly along the castle walls overlooking the sea. It was a habit he had whenever he faced a problem. Elizer immediately sensed that something was troubling him.
Breathless, he climbed the stairs and stepped onto the battlements. A sea breeze, softened as if preparing for spring, greeted him.
“Prince.”
Elizer bowed his head, and Cassian smiled as usual. He then walked along the walls again as if nothing had happened.
A dozen or so knights and attendants followed quietly behind him. Elizer joined their ranks discreetly.
After a short while, Cassian stopped and gave an order.
“The others may wait here for a moment. Only Elizer, follow me.”
Noel, Count Briere’s son and Cassian’s knight, slightly furrowed his brow, perhaps displeased with the order. But as a loyal knight, he followed silently.
Cassian led the way with his hands behind his back, and Elizer followed, feeling bewildered.
What could have happened? He watched the back of his lord’s head tensely.
Cassian glanced back and asked.
“By the way, how was Elmaril? Do you regret becoming my knight at all?”
It sounded as if Cassian himself were asking the question in jest. Elizer, anxious, replied quickly.
“Not at all, Prince. I have already sworn loyalty to Your Highness, as your…”
“Still, it must have been difficult.”
Cassian spoke quietly.
“…No, Prince.”
Elizer realized that even though Cassian did not show it, he had always cared for him. He suddenly thought of all he had received from Cassian. Though he had become his knight to repay even a little, he had still received far more than he had given.
Cassian, as if amused by the awkward young knight, chuckled like a boy. Elizer gave a sheepish smile in return.
Suddenly, Cassian said to him.
“Whether you like it or not, you will always attract attention. People will throw endless suspicion and speculation at you.”
Though the corners of his mouth held a playful smile, his eyes were serious.
Elizer answered with resolve.
“I am prepared for it, Prince.”
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