Chapter 58
Reina dreamed of her brother for the first time in ages.
When signs of demonic beasts appeared in a new region, the imperial family drew lots among the royals. It was meant to set an example, despite the mission’s dangers.
Unfortunately, Reina was chosen, and Jeffery volunteered to go in her place.
“I’m sorry, brother. This is all because of me…”
Reina was tormented, knowing Jeffery was taking her place in the subjugation.
Truthfully, the lottery was unfair. Including minors who hadn’t even awakened their abilities was absurd.
Had Reina gone as planned, she’d likely have been a burden and returned in disgrace.
The day before his departure, Jeffery spent his time comforting her.
Though only twenty and without campaign experience himself, he never lost his smile.
“Our Reina, you’ll be brave and wait for me, right?”
“Come back quickly. And don’t get hurt, okay?”
That day, an unshakable anxiety gripped her.
No matter how much Jeffery reassured her, she couldn’t calm down.
As her unease persisted, he whispered softly, “Reina, this is just between us…”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes. So stop worrying about me and dry those tears. You’re ruining that pretty face.”
His words eased her fears.
And Jeffery never returned.
* * *
“No…!”
Reina jolted awake, reaching into the void as if to grasp Jeffery’s fading figure.
The room was shrouded in darkness.
Overwhelmed by instinctive fear, she gasped until a hand gently took hers.
A low voice followed. “Reina.”
She exhaled shakily, recognizing Kaiden.
Only then did she realize where she was.
With a hollow laugh, she muttered to herself.
It was a cruel nightmare.
Nothing was as torturous as reliving her greatest regret.
As tears welled again, Kaiden brushed her cheek and asked, “Why are you crying again?”
While Reina had cried herself to sleep, Kaiden had been quietly tormented.
It happened while he’d briefly stepped away.
Finding her weeping without explanation, he struggled to soothe her and hadn’t calmed since.
“Kaiden, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…”
Even in sleep, she seemed plagued by nightmares, constantly apologizing and blaming herself. Watching her, Kaiden felt his blood run cold.
Who was she apologizing to?
Even after waking, Reina couldn’t shake her anxiety.
Kaiden, gripped by a premonition she might slip away, held her hand tightly.
To his surprise, her expression softened, as if his presence was a comfort.
His heart ached with a strange joy, he was a source of solace for this fragile woman.
Yet, feeling such emotions was unfamiliar to him.
Reina buried her face in his palm, rubbing her cheek against it like a kitten.
Her tear-streaked, smiling face was achingly beautiful.
She acted as if nothing had happened, which only fueled his unease, though he hid it.
“Crying and laughing like that will make horns grow on your backside.”
“You believe in such superstitions?”
“No. Just saying something.”
Reina chuckled at his silly remark.
Feeling his warmth reminded her she’d escaped that dark dungeon.
She laced her fingers with his and murmured, “I had a bad dream.”
“Oh?”
“Aren’t you going to ask what it was about?”
“…What was it?”
He asked cautiously, having avoided the question despite knowing she was haunted by nightmares.
With a bitter smile, she said, “I dreamed of the moment my brother left for the subjugation in my place.”
Kaiden stayed silent.
“If I’d stopped him, would he still be here?”
She always regretted that day, believing she’d caused his death.
When the Emperor tormented her, she secretly thought her suffering was punishment for her guilt.
But learning Jeffery might still be alive brought a surge of freedom.
He’s alive.
That thought alone made tears threaten again.
Awkwardly, she mumbled, “I must’ve looked pathetic.”
In that moment, she’d been too overwhelmed to care about appearances.
Her pent-up emotions had burst like a dam, leaving her floundering.
Now, embarrassment crept in. With a gloomy expression, she asked, “Everyone must think I lost my composure, right?”
“No. They were all worried about you.”
“…”
“If anyone dared think otherwise, I wouldn’t forgive them.”
Kaiden brushed her cheek, his eyes more serious than ever.
“You were worried?”
“My heart was burning.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s not why I said it.”
He lightly pinched her cheek and handed her water. Only then did she realize her throat was parched.
She gulped it down, and Kaiden, holding the empty glass, asked, “More?”
“No. By the way, have you seen my watch? I was holding it…”
He pointed to a shelf. “Over there.”
Relieved, Reina rose, her head throbbing from crying.
Rubbing her temple, she reached for the watch.
Click.
Opening the lid, she saw the inscription she’d left:
May Jeffery’s path always be blessed with fortune. – Reina
She paused, wondering if the misfortunes of her past life had turned to luck in this one, protecting her and Jeffery.
She hoped so.
Calmly, she said, “I want to see Arteon.”
There were still things she hadn’t heard. Her sudden tears must have startled him.
But Kaiden’s reaction was strange.
“No.”
“Kaiden?”
She stared, startled by his fierce expression. His purple eyes blazed, as if ready to erupt.
“He made you cry. I’ll deal with him, so you should rest—”
“Wait, deal with him? Where is he?”
When she pressed, Kaiden averted his gaze.
It seemed a misunderstanding had taken root.
His continued avoidance sparked dread.
“You didn’t… kill him, did you?”
“Not yet.”
“So you were going to?”
“…”
“Kaiden!”
“I only thought about it.”
He muttered, looking deflated.
Reina was speechless. His expression suggested he’d already locked Arteon away.
“I’ve never seen you cry like that,” Kaiden said.
“Well…”
“That’s why I can’t forgive him.”
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