74 [74]

Raymond Seyertes was an ordinary boy.

Although his face was quite round, he was not particularly unique as there were many beautiful children in his childhood.

Since he was born an aristocrat, most of the people around him dressed neatly and richly. Just as they often play mud in front of their land and their families, so did Raymond. So it was hard to say that he was exceptionally different in his childhood.

As boys in the countryside often believed that the gentleness of the face was useless, and he was a boy who enjoyed fighting over himself rather than dressing up. At that time, when he heard a compliment saying, "You are so handsome," he thanked me in front of him, but at night, he scribbled on his eyes and fell asleep, thinking that it would be cool to have a scar on his face like a pirate captain. His face was as good as that.

Although his movements were fast, people could not imagine him becoming a soldier there. At that time, people were more interested in the main industries of the family, such as meat and wool, than the reputation of Baron Seyertes' Raymond.

The sheep of the land were strong, the weather was good, and people were relaxed. The income of the land was stable, and he was the son of a peaceful land, although he was slightly pushed out of politics. Their father was brave and their mother was gentle, so it was not unusual for their young children to have a strong and kind nature.

No one doubted that his future would shine because he was handsome, healthy, personality and intelligence, and his parents and brothers cared for him.

"Laymond, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Raymond's brother was taking succession lessons earlier, so Raymond had a chance to think about his future in various ways. Most of the land and property were received by the heir, but the second son had the freedom to make at least a choice. Young Raymond thought it was cooler, so there was no problem. It was a childlike beating that he believed there was an ordeal in life. So Raymond wanted to be a scholar.

"I want to study more."

His father chortled and laughed at the contrary attitude of his brother. Raymond's wish to study for life and learn more about the truth of the world was exemplary and pure. It was not about making money, it was not about art, and as a priest, it did not suffer between secularity and depravity.

"It won't be easy.”

"Why? Don't argue with me."

"Handsome guys have a hard time living in the world. When you're fifteen, women won't let you go."

"You must live like that?"

"Of course."

The baroness stroked Raymond.

"You live as you like. But studying won't be easy.”

It was a green month. Raymond loved his family as much as any happy family child did. Sunlight poured down through the leaves and white flocks were playing among the meadows. Several herdsmen waved to the baron couple watching. Raymond was happy not knowing that he was happy.

It was a beautiful time.

And like everything else, those days tend to end early end.

"I have a headache....”

"Mother?"

One day, my mother complained of migraines and frowned on my face. The fine face is distorted. And the baroness lay in bed and lost her mind. The doctors rushed in. Raymond tried to reach the baroness, but his brother stopped him.

"No."

"Why? On my way in."

Raymond frowned, but it didn't work.

"I'm an adult, so I'm fine, but you can't because you're young. Go pray in your room."

"Father! You stop me!"

Raymond grabbed his father's pants, but his face was also serious. The baron took Raymond's hand off and held it tight. My hands were too hot. The baron's face made it harder for Raymond to swarm.

"Laymond, listen to your brother. And... the doctor's here, so he'll be fine. Just for a moment, please."

"Why can't I go in? Why is your mother sick?”

"I'll let you know later."

The adults went into the room. Raymond was sad to be left out alone. He was also a family member, and it was the same to worry about his mother. But Raymond didn't give up and put his ear to the door outside the room. Raymond heard the doctor and the baron outside the room.

"Dangerous, Baron. The number of patients is increasing rapidly in other parts of the country because of an unexpected high fever."

The baron asked the doctor in a worried voice. Raymond was unfamiliar with a worried voice he had never heard.

"How do you do it?"

"There's nothing I can be sure about right now. First of all, we need to isolate ourselves from the others. Since it's dangerous, it's better to send young or old people somewhere else."

Then Raymond was entrusted to the temple. His relative, the old gentleman, took care of him for a while. Raymond knelt down in front of the altar and prayed. But I wasn't nervous.

"Rey, are you all right? It must be hard, but let's pray together."

"It's all right, Bride."

Raymond took the bride's hand, which looked more anxious than he was.

"Bride, there's no way she'll die. People who believe are not anxious. That's what the priest taught you."

The baroness Sayertes was a good man. Raymond wasn't nervous because he was convinced that his mother wouldn't die. The baroness was as tired and sick as ever while volunteering for the relief of the poor. Even if it was contagious, God would again feel sorry for her and take her disease away.

It was impossible for a good man to die doing good things. That's how Raymond's world was made up. Good men will be blessed; bad men will be punished.

Raymond didn't know what it meant to look down on himself without saying anything. It was a feeling of uneasiness.

My mother and father are dead.

His parents who loved him died. Young Raymond was not able to return home for a long time after receiving the telegram. The new building handed over a telegram. Raymond took a long look at the note. Something impossible happened to the children. The congregation expected to hear a scream or cry, but Raymond asked in silence for a long time.

"Can't I see my parents?”

I mean, at least a body. Raymond couldn't say that. Raymond at that time couldn't know the sadness well. Because there was no sense of reality. The congregation considered it adult or etiquette, but Raymond later found out that it was also the same reaction as any other child who had lost many parents. Sadness was not immediate because there was no sense of reality. Above all, Raymond wanted to see his parents again.

"I'd like to say goodbye before I enter the hospital."

The priest answered Raymond cautiously.

"I think it's going to be hard. He died of an infectious disease, so he looked very... He's changed."

"That doesn't matter."

Raymond answered with a rebellious look.

"That doesn't matter. Bride, give me time to face my parents."

"No, I can't.

"Is it because you're young?”

"Because it's an infectious disease. There's a risk of infection for you."

Raymond was able to return to his house a month after the baron couple was buried. And Raymond's brother became a new baron. The new officer asked for Raymond before sending him.

"The baron has changed. Don't be too surprised."

"Yes."

And when Raymond returned home, his brother Baron Sayertes greeted him with a new face.

"You're back, Raymond."

"…Long time no see, brother."

The new officer's words were too diminished.

Raymond prepared himself, but could not find his brother in the Baron's face.

The Baron, a young man in his prime, did not die of the plague, but his face had to be covered with traces. The skin became mottled, the nose was deformed, and the body was swollen like a mountain. Even his voice sounded as if he had been suppressed. His previous intelligence was unheard of.

"I'm glad you're alive."

At Raymond's words, the baron looked down at his brother with his flesh and small eyes. And spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Go to your room."

The voice sounded like a groan of beasts. Raymond went up to his room without saying anything. There was no consolation or sympathy between the brothers for the loss of their parents. There was too much lost right away.

"Big Brother... the Baron will be well soon."

One of the servants spoke while lifting Raymond's luggage. Raymond looked up at him.

"Yes."

"The baron is having a hard time, too. I'm sure it'll be better if the brothers help each other."

profitable profits

Raymond saw his empty room for a moment and wondered if he had come in the wrong way. But even if I took a step back and checked the location, it was definitely his room.

"I don't have any of my things."

"You ordered me to burn it all because of the infectious disease.

"…yes."

Raymond lay on a strange bed. Rough cloth was covered and the bed frame was rough as if it had been made in a hurry. But it was tolerable.

"I think you're gone.”

Raymond had trouble sleeping all night thinking about his brother's face. Raymond thought of the monster from the old story, but as many stories do, his mind thought of the good monster.

"You're not going to change. It's the heart that matters.”

But Raymond was too young.

It took a miracle for the sick to have a good heart.

***

I don't think we're meant to be.

It was a short note. That was enough. The fiancee of Baron Sayertes broke off her engagement in a single line. There was no reason, no pretense, no excuse in the sentence. He was not afraid to be criticized for being rude.

"I've never received such an honest letter from this woman."

Raymond's hair shook. Now Raymond could only find his brother in his hair. Even his voice has changed. She would have done the same. Like Raymond. So Raymond was convinced, but not the person who received the letter. The baron smiled, waving a letter to Raymond from his fiancee. His shoulders were shaking almost convulsively.

"I've always written three formal letters.”

"Brother."

"Isn't that funny?”

There was no need for a word. I didn't have to look around any more.

"I'm the same, but everything around me has changed."