Chapter 70: Chapter 68: End of Swan Lake (2)

The light of the sun was blocked by the parasol in my hands. Like an attendant, I walked next to Lady Sophia while shading her from the sun in the garden of the Dienin Castle."Isn't it custom to greet the owner of the house first and last, Lord Eugene?"

"If he has any problems he'll come say it to our faces, lady Sophia."

"Ahaha, you don't grow any less bold." Sophia shifted her to see the flowers below. She lightly ducked and picked out a beautiful red flower, much like her hair. "It's a shame I couldn't eat the food you cook."

"I'll be coming to listen to your cello, I'll bring some over then."

"That's a promise then."

Lady Sophia smiled and covered her lips. I couldn't see her face, but I was sensitive to this girl after being around her for longer than a week.

Her movements were stiff, her muscles were tightened, her fists were clenched.

She saw me that day.

She saw me.

I could feel my eyes widening up and my sight squaring down on her neck. The face that made me, Yujin, wear a mask and be branded a criminal was slowly rising again.

I heard a sharp inhale.

"Will you kill me?"

As observant as ever.

A smile slipped onto my lips. "What are you talking about?" S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Kill her? Why would I? What did I have to hide?

Strength hid from no one.

No one.

"You know, lord Eugene," Sophia spoke. We continued walking like a pair of normal nobles engaging in sweet nothings, but I could see her stiffened up very well. "I have special eyes. It's something passed down in the Mirxa family."

"Oh? I might have heard rumors about the Mirxa's wisdom stemming from an ability, is that what this is?"

"Not exactly..." Lady Sophia's eyes looking away from me changed.

I held back my breath. No, it was stuck in my throat.

I could see a golden gleam and a white crest in her eyes. The brightness of her eyes made drape curtains over them, but even that wouldn't be able to hold it back completely.

"I can see a person's disposition. The truths and lies in their hearts."

"Disposition..."

"Lord Eugene, people who are good-natured, who are speaking the truth, they all have a gold—almost white glow around them. That demon's agent was black."

"Black, huh?" I repeated. "And what color was I?"

Lady Sophia suddenly turned toward me. Her golden eyes came peeking straight at me, leaving even someone like me unable to escape their clutches.

"You, Lord Eugene... You have always been a hideous shade of red. It's grimy like blood yet pleasant like wine."

I kept walking, meeting her gaze head on.

"I trust these eyes. These eyes of my family, of the Mirxa blood."

Suddenly, she looked away and punched my chest with her fists.

"But I trust my, Sophia's eyes more."

She snatched the parasol from my grip and dashed ahead. We had reached the gates before I noticed. Alec and Sir Buhini were already at the carriage with the Mirxa crest, waiting for her.

Lady Sophia twirled back and faced me again.

"We'll meet again, Lord Eugene."

"Of course."

I nodded.

***

After Lady Sophia left, my carriage was already kept prepared.

Lily, Maria and Keith were all in front of the carriage, waiting for me.

"Y'all said your goodbyes?" I asked.

"Oh? You're leaving us young master? Goodbye!"

"Lily cmon..."

"That wasn't even funny."

"I-it's alright, at least she tried..."

Lily lowered her head in embarrassment and bit on her lips. She was about to jump on the carriage, but froze in place when she saw one of the maids attending to us as we left. She must have been beat up crazy.

"Let's get going," I said. "I want to go back home and work out on my thighs."

Keith opened the door for me and I stepped up. Before I could get on, a loud voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Eugene!!"

I stopped and stepped out.

People who could call me Eugene here were either Kai or some high-ranked nobles. Kai wasn't around, so it must be the second bit. Looking down on them would suck.

I stepped out completely and turned around gracefully. In front of me were the figures of a young girl and a boy.

I pointed at them and turned to Keith.

"Who?"

"That's your elder sister and elder brother."

"Right."

I bowed at my siblings, completely ruining the goodbye moment they were probably going.

As if to put a nail on my conjecture, they awkwardly fumbled over their words.

"Um, so... I'll not be around from now, but I'll see you in the academy, okay?"

"A-and! I'll be around, so I'll take you sightseeing the next time you come!"

Vienna and Billy Ard said some of the strangest stuff I could've imagined on their own and then nodded as if they satisfied with themselves.

What?

I couldn't just turn them down, no but seriously, where was this coming from? Did they hear from the Marquis as well? That must be it.

I awkwardly smiled and nodded.

"I'll look forward to it."

I said.

The two of them waved at me and I stepped back into the carriage. Right after me, Maria and Lily stepped in while Keith took the coachman's seat.

"Full speed home, Keith!"

"Aye, aye!"

Keith whipped the reins and the carriage set off at top speed.

I left behind the Dienin City with a smile, thinking back on everything that happened here.

My hands reached into my pockets and I clenched the flyer for the adventurer's guild as we exited the city gates.

We were full speed home.

Until our carriage broke down, that is.