STM 146

“Alright.”

The problem was solved, so why did it feel so uncomfortable? On the other hand, he seemed to be in a good mood and took a step further.

“Ask for something else, too.”

“Will you grant it again? Just because I said it?”

“Yes.”

“Write a contract for me.”

“Alright.”

“Really? You have to write it as soon as we return to the manor.”

“If you say it properly.”

I didn’t know what kind of whim he was acting on, but it was a good opportunity. However, I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth. ‘For me’, why were these words so hard? They were just words. My head told me there was no need to feel pressured, but my mouth felt like plaster.

“……Please write the contract for me.”

“I’ll gladly do it for you.”

“…….”

“You should be happy. It’s the contract you wanted so much. Or are you scared?”

“No.”

I automatically denied. I sighed and briefly turned my gaze away.

“I just don’t understand. You’re acting like you’d do anything for me all of a sudden, so I can’t get used to it.”

“You seem to have forgotten that you’re the person who’ll become the Grand Duchess.”

“It’s a relationship based on a contract.”

“Regardless, you’re my person now.”

Was that all? My remaining guard still harbored doubts. I asked a question that I thought he couldn’t answer.

“Then can you use the divine power too? Whether it’s Borhumi’s or Kun’s power… can you do it for me?”

“Do you want that?”

He asked seriously, with the smile completely gone from his face. When I hesitated, he stared at me intensely.

“Lu, do you want me to use the divine power for you?”

Damn it. The question I asked to shut him up had silenced me instead. I couldn’t ignore the pressure of those ‘for me’ anymore. He was handing all the choice and reason over to me. But why? Did he want to blame me if things went wrong?

“I won’t turn the blame on you, no matter what the result is.”

He answered as if he had read my thoughts. I quickly lowered my eyes because I felt he had caught my pupils shaking, but his gentle voice followed.

“Just ask me to do it for you.”

Yes, I just had to do it. But what could I do if the words wouldn’t come out? I knew the reason for my behavior well.

I could never ignore the pressure these words gave. My personality was just like that. As I conflicted with myself, he urged me.

“Lu, just say it. Then you can have what you want.”

“…….”

“Think about it slowly.”

He waited for a moment, then spoke and turned away. I glared at his back and asked Mo.

‘Mo, do you think Tairok is acting like that because he’s suspicious of my identity? Maybe he knows I’m a different person and wants to get information by winning me over.’

[That could be the case, but there is a more likely guess.]

What is it?

[It’s the possibility that he’s speaking from the heart.]

……From the heart? A shiver ran down my spine. What if he had developed feelings for me?

My reason scoffed at the idea. Mo must be wrong. However, unlike my head, my heart anxiously pounded. I wanted to back off.

But I forced my legs forward, even though they wanted to run away. The words I used to persuade Black Bear and the divine beast held me back.

‘Just think of one goal.’

It didn’t matter what Tairok’s sincere feelings were. My path was already set from the moment I came to Tubain. I managed to open my heavy lips and spoke.

“I hope the Grand Duke will use the divine beast’s power. For me.”

He turned back and replied with a smile.

“Gladly.”

The problem was solved this easily. However, I still couldn’t return his smile. His retreating back looked strangely like a winner’s arrogance.

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“Master.”

A disciple bowed before Bayan and reported with a stiff expression.

“Grand Duke Sarne’s message has arrived. He says to leave Kun’s land immediately.”

Despite the disciple’s words, Bayan didn’t stop looking around the forest where Black Bear had disappeared. She had to find even a small trace.

She had to resolve the resentment of losing Black Bear before her eyes through this persistent pursuit. But the disciple stopped her again as she tried to move forward.

“He said that if you clash with Tairok, only Montaine will be the happiest, Master!”

But when Bayan still didn’t change direction, the disciple followed quickly and added in a low voice.

“The Grand Duke said he would prepare a plan to lure Tairok out.”

Bayan stopped, glared at the forest, and finally turned around. She didn’t look at the disciple and commanded.

“Tell Grand Duke Sarne. Two weeks. Pull Tairok out within two weeks.”

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“Ugh!”

Black Bear clutched her chest and collapsed to the ground. She closed her eyes and recalled Tairok’s voice.

‘The younger you are when you first accept the divine beast power, the more advantageous it is. Master said that when you’re a child, the shape of the vessel that holds the power isn’t fixed, but as you age, the vessel hardens and it’s difficult to accept the power. It’s easy for the vessel to shatter.’

So you might break into pieces. Black Bear had gladly nodded to Tairok, who warned her so casually. She would try even if her whole body shattered.

Then something amazing happened. She didn’t know how Lu had persuaded him, but Kun Tairok had offered a half-hearted apology to the divine beast. He said he would accept Sarne divine beast’s power too.

But Tairok also needed time to accept the new power. Because of that, she had to wait silently for his training.

It was only half a day. It was like a fleeting moment compared to the time she had lived for revenge, but that time felt so long. What if Tairok couldn’t figure out how to use the power?

She tried not to hope prematurely, but her mouth went dry and her hands shook. Tairok, who returned with the red sunset, taught her a few training methods.

‘Breathing is important in this basic training. The power spreads through your body along with your breath, so you must be able to hold it and release it when you want.’

He called it basic, but it was a simple movement and breathing technique that a child holding a sword for the first time would do.

After doing that short movement a few times, a power she had never felt before permeated her body. It was as if the divine beast was trying to make direct contact with her, knowing that Black Bear was ready.

However, she couldn’t just marvel at the wonderful moment. She collapsed to the floor without even being able to use that power properly.

It was a pain that felt like her whole body was being torn apart, but she didn’t lose consciousness. She didn’t spit up blood either. Moreover, the divine power still remained in her body.

Surprisingly, the method Tairok taught her was effective. Black Bear burst into laughter despite the pain. For the first time, he saw a glimmer of hope in her revenge. It was a light she was feeling for the first time in her life.

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“Perhaps because of the strong protest to the Sarne family, it was just confirmed that Sarne Bayan has left Kun’s land. However, she hasn’t given up and is lingering nearby. Should we send another letter of protest to the Montaine family?”

Rick’s question quickly disappeared with the wind in the empty outdoor training ground. However, it was a distance audible to the person standing still with a sword planted in the ground. Besides, his hearing was quite good.

He must have heard it, but Tairok stood like a statue and didn’t react. Was the training not over? But for that to be the case, the movement of his chest as he took deep breaths looked quite difficult.

He didn’t want to disturb him if possible, but he had to deliver orders to those monitoring Bayan. He wondered if he should call him once more, and then he noticed Tairok’s eyes late.

It was dark, and he didn’t know because Tairok was staring at the floor, hidden by his hair. His eyes were glowing. They were literally emitting light. They were filled with countless small lights, as if he had captured the stars of the sky in his eyes.

“……Huh?”

When Rick stepped back in surprise, Tairok slowly raised his head. But the light from before was gone. They were the golden eyes he saw every day.

“Wait until Montaine contacts us on their own. They’ll definitely throw a bait to pull me out.”

“…….”

“Why?”

“No, the Grand Duke’s eyes were glowing just now……”

He hoped for a reply saying he had seen it wrong. He thought he really might have misseen it. How could a person’s eyes glow like that?

However, Tairok stared at Rick without any denial. Only then did Rick realize he hadn’t seen it wrong. He swallowed dryly. He didn’t know what it was, but it seemed like something incredible had happened to the person he served.