MTLNOVEL #46
#46
Knock knock knock.
Someone knocked on Kain’s door and said,
“Young Master Jersian is waiting for you downstairs.”
It felt like a long time had passed since Jersian had told him to wait obediently in his room for the carriage. Kain got up and answered,
“Alright.”
Swish-
The cumbersome clothes he had been forced to wear, being told that this much was necessary to attend the birthday banquet, were a bit bothersome. Kain frowned slightly and inserted his finger into the upper part of the clothes that was choking his neck. It opened up a little, allowing him to breathe more easily.
The Gerold mansion was already quiet. Several carriages had been busy coming and going since morning to attend Hernin Gerold’s birthday banquet main ceremony hours in advance. It was such a large-scale event that they had to adjust departure times because the central corridor was so chaotic. For Kain, who was sensitive to presences and sounds, it was quite an ordeal. Even when left alone, he could hear surrounding sounds and was aware of movements, so he couldn’t completely block out his senses.
As Kain appeared in the central corridor, waiting servants escorted him to the carriage waiting right in front of the mansion. It was a large carriage with the family crest prominently displayed on the side.
“Please enter.”
Kain nodded once, then opened the carriage door with a creak and got in.
“…”
Jersian was sitting inside the carriage. He was looking in another direction with his elbow resting on the carriage window.
He looked quite fine this morning, so why does he look so upset now?
Kain glanced at Jersian’s face as he sat down in the prepared seat opposite him. Even then, Jersian, who had been sitting in the carriage first, said nothing.
Thump thump.
“Then we’ll depart now.”
Even until someone sitting in the coachman’s seat at the front of the carriage politely knocked on the wall and spoke before departing.
Kain, sitting directly across from him, glanced cautiously at Jersian.
‘From what I heard then, he was going to try the failed mission again today, on the day of the banquet… Did it not go well?’
Thinking about it, it was quite a plausible inference. After all, there’s no guarantee of success just because you try again. Kain swept over Jersian’s appearance with quiet eyes.
It was to check if he had been injured like last time. Jersian was not the type to mention first if he was hurt or sick. He was quite high-maintenance like a child, but honestly, it was more pitiful than bothersome.
Because it meant there was no one in this vast mansion to check if Jersian was hurt or why he was in a bad mood.
Kain’s light green eyes moved slowly.
The black hair, neatly arranged for attending the banquet, seemed to shine with luster in its texture, as if combed with an unfamiliar scented oil. Though not fully visible as he was turning his head towards the window, his fair and straight forehead was visible. And fortunately, there were no scratches on his slightly chubby cheeks, still present perhaps due to his young age, and the jawline extending below.
It was when Kain’s gaze was following the line of Jersian’s neck.
Suddenly, Jersian, who had been looking out the window, turned his head.
“…”
“…”
Their eyes met precisely because of this.
Haha, Kain smiled slightly, seeming a bit flustered at being caught observing him secretly, and Jersian’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“What, I thought you were sleeping because it was so quiet. Why are you secretly staring?”
“I thought Young Master Jersian would dislike it if I looked openly.”
“…”
Jersian pulled one corner of his mouth into a strange smile at Kain’s honest answer.
It seemed he had guessed Jersian’s feelings correctly. Taking advantage of this, Kain boldly demanded of Jersian.
“Well, since we’re at it, would you show me the wound from last time?”
“What?”
“The cut wound, I mean.”
Kain answered like that and then lifted Jersian’s cloak, who had no intention of moving at all. This revealed the formal uniform embroidered with the family crest, worn for attending the banquet.
“Why, why are you doing this? Why suddenly about the old wound…”
Jersian, who couldn’t stop Kain from lifting his cloak due to his quick action, frowned and belatedly brushed off his hand.
“It’s long since healed.”
“Really?”
“Yes, there’s not even a scar left now.”
Jersian answered in a nonchalant tone while rearranging the hem of his cloak. But hearing those words made Kain feel even worse. He looked down at Jersian’s moving cloak for a moment in silence.
“…”
It was because he immediately grasped the truth of what he had just heard. An elf’s ability to discern truth activates automatically without having to try to use it. Jersian’s statement that there wasn’t even a scar left was a lie. It didn’t feel good at all.
‘Why is he telling me such a lie?’
Disappointment washed over him that his destined partner didn’t fully trust him and didn’t lean on him.
‘…He still doesn’t trust me that much.’
Kain lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly. But thinking from Jersian’s perspective, it was understandable. If he had truly been a reliable partner to him from the start, he would have prevented Jersian from rushing into dangerous missions alone. Or at least he would have gone with him to protect him from getting hurt.
It’s my fault that Jersian is lying.
What had he trained his mind and learned archery for? It was to protect weak and fragile beings. If he couldn’t be of help, there was no meaning in staying by Jersian’s side.
It was when Kain was having thoughts bordering on self-deprecation with a calm face.
“…Sorry.”
“Pardon?”
At Jersian’s clear voice, Kain, who had been looking down at the carriage floor, quickly raised his head.
“Did you just apologize to me?”
“…Well, there’s only you and me in here, so who else would I be talking to?”
Jersian grumbled in response and then continued.
“I don’t know why I did it, but… I lied to you. The cut must have been deeper than I thought, there’s still a scar.”
As he kept adding explanations, his words grew longer.
“But it doesn’t hurt anymore. Really.”
‘Why am I telling Kain unnecessary things?’
Jersian slowly turned his gaze to the window, cursing his mouth that kept moving. He was embarrassed at himself for immediately apologizing the moment he saw Kain’s hurt expression. It had also been a very long time since he had apologized to anyone.
‘Isn’t a little white lie about being fully healed just common courtesy?’
Damn, I shouldn’t have apologized. It’s not like I did anything seriously wrong. Jersian frowned slightly as he looked out the window. The carriage carrying Kain and him was diligently running towards what was said to be the largest ballroom in the capital.
“…”
Kain Starchis was so surprised by what he had just heard that he wasn’t sure if it was real. His light green eyes were filled with the image of Jersian turning his head towards the window. Even the slightly reddened tips of his ears, for some reason.
Unlike the pointed ears of elves, Jersian’s ears were round and small. Though he had seen countless humans in passing at the mansion, Kain had no interest in anyone other than Jersian. It had been that way since he first came down to the human world and met Jersian. He felt at ease when Jersian was in his sight, and he kept worrying about how he was feeling.
At first, it was enough just to be by Jersian’s side. But as time passed, he wanted more from Jersian. Having lived for hundreds of years, he never knew he was such a greedy elf.
Kain felt complete happiness just from Jersian telling the truth and even apologizing. The Jersian he first met would never have done this. So, just as Kain had grown greedier during their time together, Jersian had also changed, albeit very slightly.
“Lord Jersian.”
At Kain’s voice, Jersian’s gaze slightly turned this way. Kain’s silhouette was reflected in his red pupils, redder than the tips of his ears.
‘Jersian has changed.’
This point was certain.
“I’m happy that you said that.”
Facing Kain’s beaming smile, brighter than any he had shown before, Jersian stared at him for a long time before saying in a small voice,
“…Well, over something like this…”
Kain wanted to be even greedier with Jersian. Just a little bit more.