CH 258

Eden, who was staring at him, tilted his head silently.

It was a strange thing for Theon, who did not touch alcohol whether of his own will or others’.

Glug.

Theon, who was looking at the outside of the bottle, gave an unknown smile.

“It’s a precious alcohol that my father received when he was crowned crown prince.”

“It must be quite old.”

“Something like that. I was a very young child.”

After he finished talking, Theon slowly tilted the bottle.

Soon, the dark red wine filled the crystal glass with a wide opening.

There was no need for formalities.

He wanted just what he could get his hands on, as his heart desired. The commitment of being a member of the royal family that always tied him up, he wanted to let go of it today. Of everything.

“Would you like a drink?”

Theon leaned against the wall and held out the glass to Eden.

He felt a deep sense of loneliness in his gray eyes, which sank darkly.

Eden twitched one eyebrow instead of answering and stepped towards Theon.

“Anytime.”

“The more I know you, the more I like you.”

Theon said, raising one corner of his mouth.

Then, taking the bottle of wine with him, he walked to the table.

Ah.

An exhausted sigh burst out of Theon’s mouth as he sat on the sofa.

Not long after, a stream of dark red liquid flowed down Theon’s sharp chin.

“I thought you didn’t like drinking?”

“The fact that I don’t like it doesn’t mean that I can’t drink it.”

“I see.”

With a bitter smile, Eden took the cup he was holding to his mouth as if he had nothing more to say.

The deep flavor and pungent taste were perfect, but the feeling was not so. Strangely.

One sip, two sips.

The bottle that had been full of wine was revealing its bottom before he knew it.

At the same time, the sky that had been showing a red sunset light also turned into pitch-black darkness.

Theon’s clouded eyes turned to Eden, who sat across from him.

“Drinking after a long time, it tastes good.”

“Is something wrong?”

“You asked me if we had a good relationship earlier, didn’t you?”

Eden gave a short, ‘Yes.’, at Theon’s low voice.

“I hated him all my life. And cursed him.”

“…”

“I even made a vow to kill him one day with my own hands. It was all in vain. It’s really funny.”

Theon smiled bitterly and poured the last of the wine into his mouth.

Eden, who was staring at him, clenched his fists and twitched his lips.

He couldn’t say anything.

It seemed like he knew the complicated emotions he was feeling.

It seemed like he could understand. Because he hated himself like that.

There was a heavy silence between them for a while.

Then, Eden’s low voice rang in the office.

“How is he doing now?”

“He looked like he was going to die at any moment. It was a strong sentiment. When I looked at him, I felt like I was suffocating.”

Theon hit his chest and gave a smile mixed with a cry.

Eden maintained his firm expression and tilted the glass of wine he was holding, pouring the contents into his mouth at once.

“Do you know what I regret most in my life?”

Eden silently looked up at Theon’s meaningful voice.

“The day I immaturely said I knew how to handle magical power.”

“…”

“I regret the day I excitedly spoke to the King the most.”

“Because of that, you were able to capture all the neighboring countries.”

“That’s why I regret it. I witnessed way too many deaths.”

“…”

“And by my hand, too.”

Theon’s eyelids sank down after he finished speaking.

At the same time, thick tears flowed down his pale cheeks.

***

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

Eden’s heart rate was rising rapidly as he looked across from him.

Reclining on the sofa with both eyes closed, Theon’s body had not been moving for dozens of minutes.

Was there a chance that he would bring his long journey to an end today?

Eden’s silver eyes shone coldly in the moonlight as he looked at Theon.

Trudge, trudge.

Rising from his seat, Eden held his breath and stepped towards Theon.

Seeing Theon sleeping deeply, he felt sorry for no reason.

‘That’s right, it wasn’t your intention either.’

It was a time when reason and emotion intersected chaotically.

Eden took his hand to the hilt of the sword on his waist, trying to hold back his swaying emotions.

Shwing.

Soon after, the sharp piece of metal made its appearance, with a shrieking noise.

The cold tip of the sword embraced the moonlight coming in through the window.

“It doesn’t matter at this point.”

Eden’s threatening eyes turned to Theon.

At the same time, the long piece of metal kept its distance, almost touching Theon’s neck.

‘This opportunity won’t come again.’

Eden swallowed dry at the rushing tension.

Eden’s fingertips trembled as he narrowed the distance between him and Theon.

Like his confused, faltering heart. Hopelessly.