Fog (4)
No matter how much he explained it, she could never understand it to the end. Remorse and longing as deep and wide as a lake. He didn't plan to make the same mistake twice, nor to let her go away from his side even an inch until he ran out of breath.
It seemed that the core of his attitude was unleashed by his heartfelt sincerity. Lily's mouth, which had been tightly shut, was opened.
Feeling his hand caressing her cheek, she carefully raised her long eyelashes, "If not, can you please tell me? I know what you're doing... I want...."
She wanted to share her daily life with him. It didn't need to be as big as participating in an expedition, and it didn't matter if it was very small. Clearly knowing that her husband was impatient, that he'd already drawn the line a few times...
There were more words that could not be uttered, but it was a huge change compared to before.
"It's not possible. No matter how much you ask, it's no use, so don't ask more this time."
Her body, which had been relaxed at the calm and firm response, became rigid. The large green eyes shook slightly.
I am your wife. I am the one who rules this territory with you. It's you who always says that.
All sorts of sadness swirled around.
His chin muscles tightened as if he regretted his habitual coldness inwardly.
As if to change the mood, he asked in a soft voice, "Didn't you ask me what happened? This is the second time you have come here in person."
Lily pondered for a moment, then gently lowered her hand and grabbed his arm, "You are..." She turned her head away as she pushed his arm away. "I don't need to know... I understand."
Vlad stiffened as if struck by lightning in an instant. Taking advantage of that time, Lily escaped from his arms.
"When I think about it, I don't think I should have come."
"Lily."
"I am... I'll go now. Work hard, Vlad."
Lily quickly turned around. He was the first to see her back.
* * *
A castle covered in gray smoke from the top of the mountain. A more bizarre situation was unfolding than the ruined scenery that appeared in a fairy tale.
All the knights lined up at the training ground were mesmerized. As if following someone, their heads turned horizontally little by little.
"Lily. Please stop for a moment."
A woman with fine silver hair crossed the corridor. Her profile, with a raging anger, appeared and disappeared repeatedly between the pillars.
A man appeared behind her. The person was the one with that eerily beautiful masculine look, but everything from his atmosphere to behavior was different.
Controlling his speed, he was keeping pace with the woman, exactly one step behind.
"Lily." The statue-like face that did not know the change of expression was still there, but somehow, his eyes were nervous.
She couldn't believe it even by looking at him. "Stop following me."
Someone suddenly appeared in front of Lily. As she reflexively stopped, Vlad, who was following her, also stood in place.
It was the chief of staff, who had just escaped from the center of the building into the corridor. On the other hand, an urgent atmosphere was seen from the neat middle-aged knight.
He didn't know that Lily would be there, so he was puzzled for a moment. He came to his senses quickly and saluted one beat later. Lily looked on silently.
The chief of staff glanced at her, then shifted his gaze to Vlad.
– My lord, I have something to report to you.
Vlad's eyes blinked for a moment. The chief of staff walked past Lily and strode towards Vlad.
Three movements occurred at the same time in three different people. Vlad was about to beckon the chief of staff, and Lily turned to him.
And the chief of staff started the report so quickly that Lily, who was not yet able to follow military terminology, could not understand.
– ...Arcadia border... Delegation... In the chapel...
Lily frowned and tried to concentrate, but she still mostly didn't understand.
She knew it was bad news. It was because Vlad's eyes had sunk as black as the bottom of a well. He glanced into her eyes. Lily's insides became stuffy, as if she had swallowed that mud from the well.
Instead of giving instructions to the chief of staff, Vlad rubbed a large hand across the nape of his neck once.
Gray eyes turned to her again.
"...Please wait in the room. We'll talk about this when we get back."
Sadness flew through her head.
Go back to your room.
Again like that. Did it mean waiting for him in bed, when she didn't know when he'd come back?
How lonely she was the night she waited all night for her husband when she didn't even know his face.
What am I to him?
Her melancholy memories made her heart break even more.
Lily bit her lower lip. She slowly opened her mouth, and a moment later, blood returned to her white pressed lips. "...I know. As you wish... I'll do it."