HDBMTD 10

Chapter 10

As even the faint light from the hallway vanished, the world sank into darkness. The surroundings were still, filled only by a subtle scent of grass drifting through the air.

Aria took out the matchbox she had hidden in her bosom.

She had brought it to activate her ability, but in this darkness, it could also serve its original purpose—lighting a flame.

“This is the perfect situation to use my ability.”

Though she worried about Nocturne’s condition under the influence of madness, this was a rare opportunity for her to peer into his true heart. Even S-class Eshafes, when consumed by madness, became easier to read internally.

But when she actually held the match, it wasn’t so easy to light. Just facing the flame was difficult—and now she had to create one herself. Her hands trembled.

She tried striking the match, but her shaking hand prevented it from igniting.

“Who’s there?”

A faint voice emerged from the darkness. A familiar voice.

“Nocturne?”

“I told them not to let anyone in. Leave. Now.”

A low growl laced his words, sending a chill down her spine. But Aria took a slow step toward the voice.

When she passed through the arched partition, the first thing she saw was a white bed. Moonlight pouring through the window illuminated the figure leaning against the headboard.

Even from the silhouette alone, his distinctive build was recognizable. His black hair shimmered faintly in the light.

“Did you not hear me?”

It was Nocturne.

“He feels… different from usual.”

He was definitely Nocturne, but something was off. Before she could pinpoint what it was, he lifted his head.

“This is your last chance. Go back. If not…”

He warned lowly, covering part of his face with one hand.

At that moment, the moonlight touched his face.

His obsidian-black eyes now glowed like ghostly blue fire.

‘Madness.’

The fatal weakness of combat-type Eshafes was the madness that accumulated from overusing their abilities.

‘He wasn’t supposed to be at risk, but his condition must’ve worsened already?’

‘Me.’

Aria clenched her teeth. The first victim of a berserk combat Eshafe was usually their pair.

But she ignored those warnings and tested fate with a step forward.

“Don’t… come any closer…”

One step. Two steps. Three steps.

‘He still has enough sense not to hurt someone… so maybe I’m not in danger—’

“Ah?!”

Suddenly, Aria was pinned to the bed beneath Nocturne.

“Are you so desperate to die? If so, then as you wish…”

But then he stopped mid-sentence.

“Arie… Adna?”

Until now, he’d always called her ‘Your Highness,’ but today he used her name—Ariadna.

“…I missed you…”

From those hauntingly beautiful blue eyes, a tear fell.

‘Why?’

She hadn’t seen Nocturne cry since she nearly died as a child.

As she hesitated, his hand gently swept her hair back, removing her hairpin. Her veil fell.

Her burn scar was revealed.

He brushed the scar lightly.

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Because of me… you…”

Ah. No.

The day of her accident, everything had been ablaze. And it was Nocturne who had ignited that flame.

‘And now I’ve fallen into fire, too.’

Aria bit her lip.

She had once wondered if Nocturne pushed her away because of that guilt.

‘But I was right.’

Aria cupped his cheeks with her hands.

“Nocturne, I’m okay.”

“I’m alive, see? You did nothing wrong.”

Her words were meant to reassure him, but his eyes only grew wetter.

Then Nocturne kissed her—soft, desperate, sacred.

It was the first warmth she had felt since awakening.

To be told she was missed, to see someone worry for her…

It was like her shattered self-worth had been gently pieced back together.

Until now, everything had only hurt.

But for today, she was grateful to be alive.

Grateful she hadn’t hurt Nocturne, that she could still love him.

She thought she could hear the sound of crickets from long ago.

‘Hey, Nocturne. Can I see?’

‘…See what?’

‘You.’

Nocturne nodded. Aria focused.

‘I like you.’

It was the first pure, untainted emotion she had ever seen.

For the first time, peering into someone’s heart didn’t hurt.

“Because you like me.”

She had read only one person’s heart, and yet the world suddenly felt peaceful.

‘As long as I have your pure affection… I feel like I can endure anything.’

When Nocturne kissed her again, tears fell from Aria’s cheeks.

It was a night when even pain slept, and the stars, too, rested.