The Arrow of Destiny Cuts Through the Night

#52

What does that expression mean?

“Why…”

As Jersian stiffened and spoke, Kain Starchis’s soft voice came out as if caressing him, still smiling.

“Are you curious about why I’m smiling?”

“…”

Red eyes were filled with questions. Yes, Kain nodded his head slightly up and down instead of using his voice. He clearly thought Jersian would be surprised. Or rather, he expected him to calmly say, ‘That’s right. You are not the destined partner I was looking for, so I will leave immediately.’ He never imagined that Jersian would smile, completely overturning that expectation.

“When you first asked me, young master Jersian, it was this question: ‘What does it feel like when you meet your destined partner?'”

“…”

Indeed, he had asked Kain that question before. And Kain had answered, ‘When you meet your destined partner, you can sense it intuitively.’ Jersian still couldn’t fully understand this concept of a ‘destined partner.’

‘If I also get a mark above my heart like Kain’s, would I be able to be that certain then?’

He sometimes envied Kain Starchis, who still had confidence in his own beliefs despite the truth that other people and evidence around him were pointing to. Seeming to understand what Jersian was thinking, Kain smiled, pulling his lips, and said:

“So, other humans calling you ‘Jersian Gerold’ has nothing to do with me. It doesn’t affect the fact that you are my destined partner at all.”

“But…”

“The moment I first met your eyes, I sensed it. That this young human was the ‘destined partner’ I had been waiting for hundreds of years. And that intuition has never been clouded for a single moment since then. As I’ve been watching you up close, that certainty has only grown stronger. I’m not denying the mark engraved on my body. Rather… I’m choosing to follow the intuition that the Galia tree gave me.”

“So, what my real name is… doesn’t matter to you now?”

Lies. That’s impossible.

Jersian frowned as he listened to Kain’s words. He clearly thought that Kain Starchis would be the one most concerned about the name ‘Jersian Del Claude.’ But no matter how he listened, what Kain was saying now was… strange.

“The Galia tree gives marks to both sides of the destined pair just to avoid creating confusion between them. The mark is merely a signpost to help find each other. And I think I’ve already found my destined partner.”

Kain spoke while maintaining eye contact with Jersian in a calm voice.

“Jersian Gerold. It’s you. And from that moment, this mark has fulfilled its role.”

“…!”

A strange light swirled in the red eyes for a moment. It was because of the shock from Kain’s sudden statement that flew in like an arrow.

“…Do you really still believe it’s me?”

For some reason, it was a reaction as if he couldn’t possibly be Kain’s destined partner. Kain thought that Jersian’s startled red eyes looked just like a snow-white rabbit’s, and he burst into laughter. Jersian’s eyes immediately sharpened as he quickly noticed the meaning of that laughter.

“Why.”

“I was just thinking if my words were really that surprising. I thought you already knew.”

Jersian, still frowning, replied gruffly.

“…How would I know when you never told me that.”

“Ah.”

Jersian is still young, so I had to tell him directly.

Why is my destined partner so cute? Are all partners this lovable? But this time, it seemed better not to let the laughter show. Kain spoke, feigning the most nonchalant face possible.

“You’re right. I was wrong.”

“…”

There was no particular response from Jersian to that apology. But judging by how Jersian’s sharp gaze had returned to normal, thankfully, he seemed to be feeling better. Kain said to Jersian:

“Still, it’s a relief.”

“What is?”

“I was more worried that you might tell me to leave, engagement or not.”

“…”

Jersian remained silent for a moment. After pondering for a long time, he just now realized that saying goodbye to Kain first was not within his own options.

‘That’s right, why didn’t I think of that?’

He didn’t dislike having Kain by his side.

It’s strange. Not once in his life had he ever thought about imagining a future with someone of the same gender. Rather, it’s surprising that other people around him don’t mention this fact, just because Kain is an elf.

Of course, Jersian doesn’t have as serious a reason as Kain’s ‘destined partner.’ He just liked being with that elf and felt comfortable. If it hadn’t been so, he wouldn’t have made the decision to get engaged to Kain in order to avoid an engagement with a foreign royal family.

In reality, the time he spent with Kain was much shorter than with people like Peter or Merheim. But regardless of the length of that time, when he was with Kain, he could discover a completely different version of himself.

Even though Kain had seen his weak side that he had never shown to anyone before, Jersian wasn’t particularly bothered by it. He had enough faith that Kain Starchis wouldn’t be disappointed in him just because of that. Having someone by his side had been quite a big risk for Jersian until now. After all, what he was trying to do was likely to draw not only himself but also those around him into danger.

But now it’s different. Jersian Gerold, who no longer needs to burn with revenge against the imperial family, was content just as he was. That might be why he didn’t even consider the option of sending Kain away. After organizing all his thoughts in his head, Jersian spoke with sharp eyes:

“…There’s no need for that. Think about how many times you’ve disobeyed my orders until now. If you have a conscience, that is.”

It sounded even more plausible after saying it out loud. Even if he had told Kain to leave the Gerold mansion, Kain would never have backed down willingly. From what he had seen in the short time, Kain was the type to see things through to the end if he thought he was right.

Kain grinned in response to Jersian’s gruff answer and said:

“Precisely. You’ve finally grasped my personality a bit.”

Immediately, an incredulous look flew from Jersian.

“…Are all elves like you?”

Hm? Kain tilted his head slightly, then understood Jersian’s question and opened his mouth.

“Ah, personalities are all different, just like humans.”

…That’s not an answer to my question. Jersian glared at Kain, who had smoothly evaded the answer.

But Kain seemed completely uninterested in that gaze. Jersian’s gaze fixed on Kain’s profile as he naturally looked up at the blue sky. Sitting right next to him, he could even see the clouds reflected in Kain’s lime-green eyes. He felt a ticklish sensation, perhaps from Kain’s long, snow-white hair being blown by the wind and brushing against his arm.

Haha, Jersian burst into a short laugh. Immediately, Kain’s gaze followed, asking why he was suddenly laughing. Jersian smiled, pulling the corners of his mouth, and said:

“I came here because my head was complicated… but I think I feel a bit better now.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Kain replied with a gentle smile, his eyes creasing.

His lime-green eyes are the color of a lush forest transplanted. Jersian continued speaking, facing Kain:

“It’s strange, isn’t it? After talking with you, I feel like everything will be okay. Everything being okay… That’s never happened in my life before.”

“Are you anxious about having to live as Jersian Gerold now?”

“I’m not anxious.”

“Then?”

“It’s closer to anticipation, actually.”

A strange light swirled in Jersian’s red eyes as he raised his head as if making a resolution.

“From now on, it’s going to be really interesting. I’m going to do whatever my heart desires. I’m prepared to throw away all that head of family education.”

Come to think of it, it was surprising that Jersian was sitting peacefully with Kain at this time. He said his head was complicated, but it seems he had habitually been working in his office before rushing out.

Oh, Kain exclaimed, looking at Jersian who was speaking with sparkling eyes. It was his first time seeing Jersian talk about the future in such a cheerful voice. Jersian continued speaking, unconcerned:

“Or it might be nice to just keep the position as head of the Gerold family and watch the rest of my cousins suffer with envy. That Hernin kid needs to learn that the world can be quite cruel sometimes. He’s been raised too pampered in the mansion.”

Then he turned to Kain sitting next to him and said:

“Which one do you think would be better?”

Kain, who had been watching Jersian chatter brightly, smiled slightly and said. Well, his gentle voice caressed Jersian’s anticipation.

“Whichever you want to do, young master Jersian.”

The sentence was filled with Kain’s sincerity.

“I’ll follow you anywhere.”

With that answer, the nightmare that had been troubling him until just a moment ago gradually faded from his mind.