Morning sunlight slowly touched the walls of Delcra Castle, casting a warm golden glow across the stone corridors. The castle had already awakened long ago. Servants moved quietly through the halls while soldiers began their morning patrols around the estate.
In the middle of the calm morning atmosphere, Robert Dandelian walked carefully along the corridor with a tray in his hands.
A light breakfast.
Fresh bread. Warm soup. Bitter coffee.
Prepared specifically for Kael.
Robert's pace was steady as he headed toward the training courtyard. It had already been one month since Kael awakened from his five-month coma.
A month.
Compared to before, Kael's condition had improved greatly.
He could walk on his own now.
His body no longer trembled from weakness every single day.
The pale exhaustion that once covered his face had lessened.
Even so…
There were still moments when Kael suddenly froze in silence, his eyes shaking as if he had seen something horrifying no one else could see.
Those moments still haunted Robert deeply.
Then suddenly—
A sharp pain tightened inside Robert's chest.
His steps stopped immediately.
The tray nearly tilted from his grasp.
"…Hng…"
Robert lowered the tray carefully onto the nearby stone railing before gripping the front of his chest tightly.
Pain.
Again.
His breathing became shallow.
He closed his eyes and forced himself to inhale slowly.
One breath.
Then another.
The medicine should have helped already.
But lately, the attacks had become more frequent.
Robert leaned slightly against the cold railing while waiting for the pain to subside. His fingers trembled faintly over his chest.
"…Not now…" he whispered weakly.
He could not collapse now.
Not while Kael was finally beginning to recover.
After several long moments, the tightness slowly faded enough for him to breathe properly again.
Robert exhaled quietly.
Then he straightened himself like nothing had happened.
The usual gentle smile returned to his lips.
He picked up the tray once more and continued walking toward the courtyard.
Soon, the sound of wooden swords clashing echoed louder through the air.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Robert finally arrived near the training grounds.
And there he saw them.
Kael stood in the middle of the courtyard with a wooden sword in his hand.
Beside him was Elric Caen Vaelthorn, along with several elite soldiers from Delcra.
Unlike before—
Kael's stance no longer faltered.
His footing was firm.
His grip around the sword looked stable and strong.
Sweat dampened the ends of his white hair as sunlight reflected softly against his pale skin.
For a moment, Robert simply stood there quietly.
Watching.
Deep inside him, a lingering fear still whispered that Kael was not truly well yet.
Not completely.
Not while those terrifying visions still haunted him.
Not while he still woke trembling in the middle of the night.
But…
Seeing Kael holding a sword again…
Seeing him moving forward again…
Robert felt relief bloom unconsciously inside his chest.
Even if part of him hated the fact that Kael insisted on using sword training as part of his recovery.
At first Robert strongly opposed it.
But Elric had personally convinced him.
"I'll watch him myself," she had promised.
And somehow…
Kael listened to her more than anyone else.
A faint smile appeared on Robert's lips.
Then Kael noticed him standing near the corner of the courtyard.
The moment Kael saw the tray in Robert's hands, he already understood what it meant.
Training time was over.
Kael lowered his wooden sword and signaled for the soldiers to stop.
The soldiers immediately stepped back respectfully.
Then Kael jogged toward Robert.
Not limping.
Not stumbling.
Actually running.
Robert blinked slightly seeing that.
Kael stopped in front of him while catching only a small amount of breath.
"Good morning, Master," Robert greeted gently with his usual warm smile.
Kael gave a small nod.
"…Morning."
Robert carefully lifted the tray.
"I brought your breakfast."
Then his smile widened slightly.
"And coffee."
Kael's eyes shifted faintly toward the cup.
"I made it a little more bitter today," Robert added softly.
Kael blinked once before quietly taking the cup from him.
Warm steam rose against his face.
He drank it slowly.
Robert watched him carefully while Kael drank.
Sweat covered Kael's neck and forehead from training.
His breathing was steady.
His cheeks were slightly flushed from physical exertion instead of sickness.
And for the first time in a long while—
Kael no longer looked fragile enough to collapse from simply standing.
Footsteps approached nearby.
Elric walked toward them while wiping sweat from her hands with a towel.
Her lips immediately curved into a proud smile.
"You know," she began casually while folding her arms, "Kael can run three full laps around the courtyard now without losing his breath."
Robert blinked in surprise.
"Really?"
Then genuine pride appeared on his face.
"That's wonderful news."
Kael immediately stiffened.
A faint redness spread across his face.
"Elric…" he muttered quietly.
She smirked mischievously.
"What?"
"You worked hard."
Kael looked away immediately in embarrassment.
Robert chuckled softly seeing the familiar reaction.
This had become their routine lately.
Elric would openly praise every small improvement Kael made.
And every single time—
Kael would become visibly flustered.
At first he used to deny it silently.
Now…
Sometimes he even laughed quietly from embarrassment.
A soft sound escaped him again now.
Small.
Faint.
But real.
Robert stared at him for a brief moment.
Then his expression softened.
It had been so long since he last heard Kael laugh naturally like this.
Elric noticed Robert staring and smiled knowingly.
"Yesterday he almost beat one of the knights during sparring too," she added proudly.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"I didn't—"
"You did," Elric interrupted immediately.
"The poor knight looked terrified when you disarmed him."
Several nearby soldiers awkwardly looked away while trying not to laugh.
One of them coughed lightly.
"It's true, Your Grace…"
Kael looked even more embarrassed.
Robert covered his mouth slightly to hide his smile.
"Master Kael is recovering faster than expected then."
Kael sighed quietly.
"…Both of you are exaggerating."
Elric stepped closer beside him.
"No," she said softly.
"We're just happy."
Kael's expression paused slightly.
The teasing atmosphere slowly faded.
For a brief moment, silence settled between them.
Kael looked down at the coffee in his hand.
Then quietly—
"…Thank you."
Robert's eyes softened immediately.
Elric smiled warmly beside him.
Morning sunlight continued shining over the courtyard while the cold wind passed gently through Delcra Castle.
And for the first time in a very long while—
The sight before Robert almost looked peaceful.
-----------------------------------------
Ever since he regained enough strength to walk properly again, Kael's days slowly began to return to a routine.
A different routine from before.
Not the life of the Hero who constantly stood on battlefields.
Not the fragile patient who remained trapped inside his room either.
Something in between.
Every morning before dawn, Kael would wake before the servants even finished preparing the castle for the day.
The air at that hour was always cold.
Silent.
Only the sound of guards changing shifts and distant footsteps echoed through Delcra Castle.
Kael would quietly leave his room and head toward the training courtyard.
At first, the soldiers had become stiff whenever he appeared.
After all—
He was not only the Archduke of Delcra.
He was Hero Kael.
The legendary Hero who defeated the Demon King.
No one truly knew how to behave around him.
Especially after hearing rumors about his illness and long coma.
But Kael himself never acted superior.
He simply joined their morning jogs silently.
One lap.
Then another.
Sometimes three.
At first his breathing would become uneven quickly, forcing him to slow down.
But day by day—
His body improved.
Now the soldiers could finally run beside him without feeling pressured.
Some even started casually greeting him during training.
Elric noticed the small change immediately.
And every single time she saw Kael slowly opening himself to others again, relief would quietly bloom inside her chest.
After jogging, Kael would continue with sword training.
Usually guided by Elric Caen Vaelthorn herself along with several of Delcra's knight captains.
The first few days had been awkward.
Kael's body remembered swordsmanship.
But his muscles had weakened from months of unconsciousness.
His movements lacked stability.
His stamina disappeared quickly.
Sometimes frustration would appear faintly in his expression whenever his body failed to follow what his mind wanted.
But he never gave up.
Again and again—
He practiced.
Until the sword finally felt natural in his hand once more.
By the time the sun fully rose above Delcra Castle, Kael's morning training would finally end.
Then came breakfast.
And as always—
Robert Dandelian would personally handle everything related to Kael's meals and medicine.
Warm food.
Health tonics.
Mana stabilizing potions.
Even the bitterness level of Kael's coffee.
Robert remembered every small detail carefully.
After breakfast, Kael would head toward the Archduke's office.
There, Albert Chreas would already be waiting with stacks of documents and reports.
At first Albert still handled most of Delcra's affairs himself while Kael recovered.
But now—
Seeing Kael's condition steadily improving—
Albert had finally returned the Delcra Duchy Seal to its rightful owner.
The symbol of authority now rested once again in Kael's possession.
Kael could officially make decisions as the Archduke of Emestrild.
And he took the responsibility seriously.
Every report.
Every budget.
Every trade route.
Every military movement.
Kael read everything carefully.
Even Albert sometimes became surprised by how quickly Kael adapted to political matters despite years spent away from noble society.
Still—
Even with his duties returning—
Kael never stopped investigating the children from Taylor Orphanage.
Especially their families.
The first clue had been Theodore Valdran.
And with Sebastian's help, Kael slowly uncovered more names connected to the orphanage.
Most of the parents were not nobles like Theodore.
Just ordinary civilians.
Poor families.
Workers.
Villagers.
And some of them—
Were already dead.
Inside the office, Kael quietly looked through another stack of investigation reports Sebastian had gathered for him.
Sebastian Smith stood respectfully nearby.
"I apologize, Your Grace," Sebastian said with a grim expression. "The investigation is taking longer than expected."
There was guilt in his voice.
Kael calmly turned another page.
"It's fine," he answered quietly.
His tone remained gentle.
"I know you've done everything you can."
Then Kael lifted his eyes toward Sebastian.
"And… you still found what I asked for."
Sebastian looked slightly relieved hearing those words.
Kael lowered his gaze back toward the documents.
Each page contained fragments of lives long buried by time.
Some parents had disappeared.
Some had remarried.
Some still lived in poverty.
Some never even searched for their children again.
Kael's eyes lingered briefly on one of the reports before he finally reached for his pen.
Sebastian watched quietly as Kael pulled several blank sheets toward himself.
Dip.
The pen touched ink.
Then slowly—
Kael began writing.
One letter.
Then another.
Then a third.
The room remained silent except for the faint scratching of ink across paper.
Sebastian glanced down subtly.
His eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.
After finishing, Kael carefully folded the letters and handed them toward him.
"Send these to the three families," Kael said calmly.
"I can only rely on you for this."
Sebastian accepted the letters respectfully before blinking in surprise.
"May I ask what these are regarding?"
Kael remained silent for several moments before answering.
"…They're letters informing them of my upcoming visit."
Sebastian's eyes widened faintly.
"You intend to visit them personally?"
Kael nodded slowly.
"I do."
Sebastian hesitated.
"With all respect, Your Grace… it may not be proper for an Archduke to visit commoners personally."
He lowered his head slightly.
"Why not invite them here instead?"
Kael slowly shook his head.
"If I summon them here…"
His gaze lowered toward the letters.
"There's a possibility they'll never come."
His voice softened slightly.
"And I want to see how they live now."
He paused.
"Why they abandoned their children because of fear… because of beliefs…"
Silence filled the office again.
Sebastian understood immediately.
Curse children.
Bad omens.
The same cruel belief that destroyed countless lives.
Including Kael's.
Kael looked toward the window quietly.
"Until the end…"
His voice became lower.
"…those children were probably still hoping their parents would come back for them."
Sebastian's chest tightened slightly hearing that.
He could hear it clearly.
The guilt hidden beneath Kael's calmness.
The sorrow he never truly spoke aloud.
Sebastian finally bowed deeply.
"I understand."
Then, before leaving—
He stopped near the door.
"Your Grace."
Kael lifted his head slightly.
Sebastian looked at him carefully.
"You've already done your best your entire life."
Kael froze faintly.
Sebastian smiled gently.
"You saved the world."
"You changed people's beliefs."
His expression softened further.
"So…"
He took a slow breath.
"Please don't make that face whenever you speak about the children from the orphanage."
Kael stiffened completely.
Sebastian bowed once more before quietly leaving the room.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence returned.
Kael blinked slowly.
Then unconsciously—
His hand rose toward his own face.
He turned slightly toward the mirror standing nearby.
And there he saw it clearly.
Guilt.
His own expression looked painfully guilty.
Kael stared at himself for a long moment.
Of course he felt guilty.
He was alive.
Praised by the world.
Respected as a Hero.
Meanwhile—
The children he once laughed and cried beside had died miserable deaths.
Alone.
Forgotten.
His hand slowly tightened.
John.
The image surfaced immediately inside his mind.
John waiting.
John suffering.
John dying while hoping someone would save him.
But no one came.
No one except Kael—
And even he had arrived too late.
Kael lowered his eyes toward his hand.
Steady.
No trembling anymore.
His fingers tightened slowly.
Firmly.
Strong enough to grip his sword once more.
Elric had promised him something.
Once he fully regained his strength—
She would allow him to leave for the Southern Port.
Kael slowly closed his hand into a fist.
Now—
He was ready.
-----------------------------------------
The glass slipped from Robert's hand.
Crash—
The sound of shattered glass echoed across the office floor.
Coffee spread across the carpet while broken shards scattered near his shoes.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Both Kael and Elric stared at him in surprise.
Robert's face had completely lost its calm expression.
Shock.
Disbelief.
And anger.
"You can't."
His voice came out harsher than usual.
"You still haven't fully recovered!"
Kael blinked slightly.
Robert often nagged him.
Sometimes even scolded him gently when he overworked himself.
But this time—
Robert was genuinely angry.
Kael slowly stood from his chair.
"I just want to see what's happening there," he explained calmly. "The Demon Cult's movements are becoming reckless."
Robert bit his lip hard.
"Lord Theodore is famous for his military strength!" he snapped back. "He knows how to handle this himself!"
Elric immediately stepped forward and grabbed Robert's wrist lightly.
"It's alright," she said firmly. "I'll go with him. There's nothing to worry about."
Even as she spoke—
Guilt lingered inside her chest.
Deep down, she actually agreed with Robert.
Kael still had moments where he trembled in fear.
Still had visions.
Still woke up pale in the middle of the night.
But she had already promised him.
Robert pulled his hand away slowly.
His expression darkened.
"Lord Theodore is using your weakness, Master," he said while staring directly at Kael. "Ever since the world learned you're alive again, he's been suspicious. He might use this chance to manipulate you."
Kael remained silent briefly before answering.
"But people are truly dying."
His voice was low.
Steady.
"Even if he has his own intentions… I can't ignore civilians who are suffering."
Robert's brows furrowed deeply.
Of course Kael would say that.
That was exactly the kind of person he was.
Robert turned sharply toward Elric.
"My Lady, why aren't you stopping him?" His voice trembled with frustration. "You know how dangerous this journey could become!"
Elric lowered her eyes for a second.
"I do know," she admitted softly. "But Theodore asked for Kael's help as the Hero."
Then she looked toward Kael.
"And Kael has recovered enough."
Robert laughed bitterly under his breath.
"Recovered?"
His knuckles tightened hard enough to tremble.
"Whatever you both say… I will never agree with this."
His eyes shifted back toward Kael.
Sharp.
Pained.
"You still tremble sometimes," Robert continued. "I've seen it myself."
His voice cracked slightly.
"You hide it because you don't want us to worry."
He took a shaky breath.
"But did you forget who poisoned you before?"
"The Demon Cult."
The room fell silent.
Kael stiffened faintly.
Of course he remembered.
The fear still existed inside him.
The visions.
The blood lake.
The darkness.
The nightmares.
He was still afraid.
But he couldn't stay here forever.
Kael looked directly at Robert.
"I'm fine now, Robert."
His voice softened.
"This journey won't last long. I can control my strength again—"
"I waited for you for five months!"
Robert suddenly cut him off.
His voice echoed loudly through the office.
Five months.
The words struck Kael heavily.
Robert's eyes had turned red.
"I waited every single day!" Robert shouted. "I thought you would never wake up again!"
His breathing became uneven.
"Just like the five-year coma before!"
Kael froze completely.
"I don't want to risk losing you again!"
The trembling in Robert's voice sounded painfully real.
Kael stared at him speechlessly.
Only now did he realize—
Robert had been carrying fear this entire time.
Fear of losing him again.
Robert covered part of his face weakly.
"It keeps getting worse…"
His voice became quieter.
"Poisoning… injuries… collapsing…"
His shoulders trembled faintly.
"And then that fall…"
His voice nearly broke.
"Every day I'm terrified something will happen to you again."
Kael slowly approached him.
Carefully.
Then gently placed a hand on Robert's shoulder.
"I'm sorry…"
His voice was quiet.
"But I've already made my decision."
Robert lowered his hand slowly.
Kael gave him a faint reassuring smile.
"I promise I'll return safely."
Robert stared at him for several long seconds.
Then slowly—
He shook his head.
"You can't decide your own future, Master."
Pain lingered clearly inside his voice.
"I will never agree with you leaving now."
Then Robert turned around and walked out of the room.
Leaving both Kael and Elric behind in silence.
-----------------------------------------
The following days passed heavily.
Even though Robert strongly opposed the journey, preparations still continued.
Servants prepared supplies.
Guards inspected the carriage.
Documents and provisions were packed carefully.
Everything moved forward.
But Robert no longer spoke much afterward.
He still completed his duties perfectly.
Still prepared Kael's meals.
Still arranged his medicine.
Still made sure every detail was prepared properly.
But—
He kept his distance.
Kael noticed it immediately.
Robert no longer stayed beside him as often.
No longer smiled as brightly.
And he refused to help pack Kael's belongings himself.
The disappointment on Robert's face lingered painfully inside Kael's chest.
Then finally—
Departure day arrived.
The weather was strangely beautiful.
Clear skies.
Gentle wind.
Sunlight shining warmly across Delcra Castle.
Too peaceful for a departure that felt this heavy.
Servants moved luggage toward the carriage one by one.
Horses were already prepared.
Several guards stood waiting nearby.
Robert remained standing near the castle entrance.
Watching silently.
This time—
He had decided not to follow Kael.
Kael slowly approached him.
Guilt lingered inside his eyes.
He knew he had hurt Robert deeply.
But he still needed answers.
About Theodore.
About John.
About the Demon Cult.
About the visions.
Slowly, Kael placed a hand on Robert's shoulder.
"I'll return safely," he whispered.
"I promise."
Robert's jaw tightened.
He was still angry.
Still afraid.
But more than anything—
He simply wanted Kael alive.
Robert closed his eyes briefly before finally speaking.
"…Promise me something first."
Kael blinked.
Robert slowly looked at him.
"If something feels wrong…"
His voice lowered.
"Turn back immediately."
Kael's eyes softened faintly.
Then he smiled gently.
"I promise."
He squeezed Robert's shoulder lightly.
"Please wait for me."
Robert could only nod silently.
Then—
The carriage finally began moving.
The servants bowed respectfully as it departed from Delcra Castle.
Sebastian stood beside Robert quietly.
Everyone watched until the carriage disappeared beyond the distant gates.
Only after it completely vanished did the servants begin returning to their duties.
Silence settled around the castle entrance.
Robert finally turned around slowly.
But then—
Pain exploded violently inside his chest.
"Hng—!"
His body staggered.
One hand immediately flew toward his mouth as harsh coughs escaped him.
The other clutched tightly against his chest.
Sebastian's eyes widened in shock.
"Lord Robert?!"
Blood splattered across Robert's trembling fingers.
His face turned pale instantly.
His knees gave out.
Sebastian hurriedly caught him before he collapsed completely onto the stone floor.
"Lord Robert!"
Sebastian's voice shook with panic.
Robert's breathing became ragged and uneven.
More blood escaped his lips.
His entire body trembled weakly in Sebastian's arms.
Sebastian stared at the blood in horror.
"Someone call the physician immediately!"
Nearby servants panicked instantly.
Footsteps echoed loudly through the entrance hall.
But Robert weakly grabbed Sebastian's sleeve before anyone could move far.
With trembling breaths, he forced himself to speak.
"…Call… Jaesper…"
Blood stained the corner of his lips.
"…Please…"
His vision blurred heavily.
Then his hand tightened weakly around Sebastian's sleeve.
"…Don't… tell… Master…"
And before Sebastian could answer—
Robert lost consciousness completely in his arms.