• CHAPTER 42

“From what I’ve heard, the state of the continent’s gotten so dire that some are suggesting a temporary peace treaty across all nations.”

“Hey, that’s literally what I told you earlier!”

“So what? It’s not like that information needs to be kept from Lady Renata.”

“Still, I wanted to be the one to tell her. I’m the one who found out.”

Renach grumbled over nothing of consequence.

Throughout dinner, we talked about the current political climate of the continent, the monster outbreaks, and anecdotes from Renach’s travels dealing with various trading guilds from around the world.

It had been a long time since we’d had such a lighthearted, enjoyable conversation. Time flew by without us noticing.

Eventually, we finished our meal, even polishing off dessert, and rose slowly from our seats.

Outside, the sky had already turned dark.

“Sir Seth’s appetite never fails to amaze me.”

Renach patted his full stomach and chuckled as we walked down the quiet night street.

We were on our way back to the hotel, leaving behind Sir Seth and Sir Seria, who still seemed determined to empty out the entire kitchen.

“Well, at least the restaurant had a great night. Good for their business, right?”

“I just don’t want every coin I earn being funneled into the knights’ meal expenses.”

“Wow, listen to you acting frugal all of a sudden.”

“Haha. Maybe you’re just too soft on the knights sworn to protect you.”

The few drinks we’d shared during dinner had loosened the mood considerably.

Renach and I traded playful jabs, laughing together as we reached the hotel lobby.

Cassian, who had been quietly walking behind us, brushed past to collect the key to the room Seria had reserved in advance.

“Hmm… Looks like there’s only one suite left, Renach.”

“So what? I’ve slept on bare ground in a warzone—this is luxury.”

Renach shrugged and snatched the key from Cassian’s hand.

Cassian’s brows drew together ever so slightly.

“Then it’s settled. We’re sharing.”

“Are there no regular rooms left below the suite tier?”

“I want at least a decent place to sleep.”

The two of them bickered briefly. It was hard to believe these were fully grown men.

I took a step back, watching the scene unfold like it had nothing to do with me.

“I trust you two can work it out on your own. I’ll head up first.”

“Wait, Renata. Aren’t you going to spend a little more time catching up with your dear brother?”

“You mean… you want to keep drinking?”

“Why not? It’s not like we’re leaving for El La Mar tomorrow.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Sir Zeon’s condition would likely need at least two more days before we could depart.

And sitting in the hotel room obsessing over the man who looked like Izar wouldn’t help anything. A little wine and chatter with Renach would probably be better for me.

“Oh, and the Sevis Guild sent over a case of that raspberry champagne you love.”

“…Fine. I’ll wash up and come by your room.”

With that, I left the two men still squabbling behind and returned to my room.

After Laura helped me bathe and freshen up, I changed into a comfortable indoor dress and headed toward Renach’s suite.

There weren’t many suites in the hotel, and they were all located on the same floor.

As I wandered the dim hallway in my soft slippers, a crack of bright light pouring from a door caught my eye.

“So careless…”

I smiled faintly to myself.

Despite all that bickering, it seemed Renach and Cassian had decided to share the room after all.

I could hear quiet conversation from inside. Maybe I’d wait until their talk was over and surprise them.

Perhaps it was the wine I’d stolen sips of during dinner, but I felt slightly giddy.

“—We can’t be sure yet. But it’s something we need to investigate further.”

“But think about it. If that were really him, there’s no way Renata wouldn’t have recognized him.”

“There were a lot of people there. It’s entirely possible they never crossed paths.”

“…He’s not exactly someone who blends into a crowd, is he?”

“Wait… What are they talking about?”

At first, I assumed they were talking about me. But even just a few lines were enough for me to put the pieces together.

Could it be…?

A cold wave of anxiety washed over me. I suddenly flung the door open. My lips trembled, and a cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

Cassian was leaning against the large bed, and he looked up, startled.

“Lady Renata—”

“The man you were just talking about… were you referring to Izar?”

“…No. No, we weren’t.”

Cassian turned his head away quickly, denying it. But I could tell immediately—he was lying.

“…Don’t lie. ‘Someone I’d never fail to recognize’—that could only be Izar.”

“I told you, it’s not what you think, Renata. What I meant was—”

“Don’t bother making excuses. You told me yourself, Oppa. Izar vanished without even leaving a body behind.”

My heart began to race. So it hadn’t been a delusion after all.

Izar was alive. And I had already—met him.

The strange mercenary in the mask… that fleeting encounter kept haunting me for a reason.

“…Damn it. Of all the times…”

I had seen him.

“What exactly do you two know?”

I turned toward Renach, who had muttered a quiet curse.

He stood from the sofa where he’d been sitting, rubbing his jaw with an uneasy expression. His red eyes met mine as he approached.

“Renata, no—it’s not what you think.”

As if to stop me from spiraling further, he grabbed my shoulders with urgent hands.

“That’s not it. Really. Listen, the truth is… there’s a fugitive we’re tracking right now.”

“What crime could Izar have possibly committed to be called a criminal?”

At that point, I could no longer deny it.

They knew. Both Renach and Cassian knew Izar was alive.

But if they knew… then—

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Drip.

A fat tear rolled down my cheek the moment I stopped speaking.

Izar… was alive.

And I had met him—if only for the briefest moment.

There was a reason that encounter with the masked man had left such a deep impression.

“Why…? Why didn’t you say anything?”

My lips curled into a shaky smile, but my eyes wouldn’t stop crying.

Renach, seeing my twisted expression, bit his lower lip hard. His eyes turned grave as he looked to Cassian for help.

Cassian let out a long sigh, running a hand down his face.

“I told you we should’ve waited to talk about this later, you idiot.”

“I-I didn’t know she’d get here so soon! Damn it…”

“His voice… It was exactly the same as Izar’s…”

That’s what had shaken me. It was like time had frozen.

When I saw Izar again… it felt as though the world had stopped.

But if it was him—why hadn’t he said anything? Why had he disappeared?

My mind was a mess. I stared at the wet patch my tears had left on Renach’s chest.

I had to see his face.

It was already midnight, and it had been three days since the masked man left town… but if I hurried—

“Renata, calm down!”

I hadn’t said a word, but Renach—who had known me all my life—seemed to read every thought on my face.

I lifted my dazed eyes. Renach looked anguished.

“What if it’s not him? What will you do then?”

“Then… it’s not him.”

“You really think you can handle that? I’m scared you’ll break again.”

He gently pulled me away and ruffled his own hair in frustration.

Then he sat me down on the sofa he’d been occupying. My shoulders were still trembling.

I stared down at my hands.