Chapter 59.1

Chapter 59 – For Staying Alive

Kyrian’s voice, which was always tinted with playfulness, instantly cooled, “What is this? What kind of ridiculous joke is this…?”

“Watch your words.”

“…”

Redin gritted his teeth.

In spite of that, Kyrian continued talking without withdrawing his sharp gaze away, “Don’t tell me, you want me to escort that woman…”

“Kyrian.” Kaligo’s voice cut him off.

His gaze on Ashia turned to Kaligo.

No matter how mischievous he was, Kaligo had never been angry with Kyrian. It wasn’t just to Kyrian. He showed infinite trust in the ones he strongly believed were his people. But Kyrian could tell—there was anger in the voice that called him just now.

“Your Excellency! I…”

“It’s an order.”

“…”

“Don’t let me down.”

Kyrian’s jaw clenched. His gaze on Kaligo turned back to Ashia on the other side. “So… are you telling me that wo—I mean, I am supposed to escort her?”

“Yes.”

“No… but still, this is….”

Just as Kyrian was about to start grumbling again, Ashia, who was sitting quietly, interrupted him.

“Please take care of me, Sir Kyrian,” she continued her words with a smile on her face, “I will really appreciate an escort who cares about my well-being and safety.”

“What? Why would I…”

“Then, can I go out now and have a look? I am with an escort knight who will take care of my safety.” She raised her curved eyes and looked up at Kyrian.

Kaligo then nodded. “Of course.”

“Your Excellency!”

“Kyrian, you can give up if you are not confident.”

Kaligo’s voice made Kyrian’s shoulders shudder and his body tremble. He hated the words ‘give up’ the most.

“Uh…”

“You can stop if you find someone who will replace you.”

Kyrian’s lips twitched and stopped at his words.

“Your answer?”

He hesitated, making a pained grumble, and finally opened his mouth to respond, “Leave… it to me, Your Excellency.”

Ashia got up from the sofa after Kyrian gave his answer. Kaligo, Redin, and Kyrian’s eyes were fixed on her figure.

“Then, I will go first.”

Then, looking at Kyrian, she made a gesture with her chin. It seemed like she was telling him to follow her. Kyrian clicked his tongue as he looked at Ashia’s back walking out of the office with her dress fluttering in the air.

‘Hah, that woman really!’

Kyrian followed after her while secretly clenching his fists.

As the door to the office closed, Redin, who was quietly staring at the door, opened his mouth, “…Will it be alright?”

“They are people who should meet at least once anyway.”

“…”

“Now is also an important time for each and every person I can trust.”

Kaligo had a vague understanding of their relationship—the survivor who survived the burning of the village, and the person who set it on fire. It was not a good kind of relationship to have.

“If I had to choose between those two people, I already have an answer. But I don’t want that kind of situation to happen.”

The best outcome was that they would reconcile and let go of their grievances so neither of them would have to leave.

And Kaligo believed Ashia could make it happen.

* * *

“You’re crazy, right? What is this place?”

“Are you going to start again just after being warned to watch your words a while ago?”

“…”

Ashia diligently walked without even looking behind her. And she soon stopped in front of the Grand Duchess’ room.

“Why would you go there?”

“Did you come back from somewhere? You don’t seem to have any idea what happened inside the Grand Duke’s mansion.” Ashia turned around and looked at Kyrian. “I am staying here, inside this room.”

“…What?”

“And Kyrian, I am the Grand Duke’s friend—the friend of the Grand Duke whom you are serving.”

“…”

“You need to know that doing anything to me would humiliate Kaligo.”

Hah, Kyrian snorted. “Who are you to worry about that….”

“I am not saying this for me. It is for Grand Duke Kaligo. I don’t want him to be humiliated by the conduct of his subordinates.”

“…”

Ashia had long since erased her smile. She gave Kyrian a warning and advice at the same time.

He pouted. When he looked at Ashia again with sharp eyes, she was smiling again.

“You can call me noona when it’s just the two of us. Like before.”

“What? Hah! What are you?” He could feel his emotions churning wildly as if they were about to explode at any moment.

Ashia tiptoed and her hands went above Kyrian’s head. His eyes quickly widened as large as those of a startled rabbit.

“…!”

“It’s nice to see you again, Kyrian.”

Her small hands lightly touched Kyrian’s red hair, softly stroking it. Whether it was because he was just surprised or because of another reason, Kyrian who had just been ferocious, was looking down at Ashia with his eyes wide open.

“…”

“And, thank you… for being alive.”

Then, Kyrian’s eyes widened even more. As if he had suddenly come back to his senses, the quiet Kyrian struck Ashia’s hand off.

“…Wh-what do you think you’re doing?!”

“Aiyah.”

Kyrian ruffled his hair and hurriedly took a step away from Ashia.

“It was nothing….”

He turned around and started walking at a fast pace, the tips of his ears and his face red.

“Where are you going? You still have to escort me.”

“Shut up!” Kyrian walked forward without looking back.

Looking at his back, Ashia muttered in a voice mixed with laughter, “You were the same. You’ve grown up, but you’re still the same. Just like Tero.”

He had nowhere to run away after all. Looking at Kyrian, he seemed to listen well to what Kaligo told him, and Kaligo also seemed to have done that knowing everything.

‘It seems like we will stick together forever, Kyrian.’

Smiling bashfully as she watched Kyrian go down the stairs, Ashia opened the door to the bedroom and entered.