“I don’t want to be away from you forever, from this land.”

The old man smiled kindly and spoke gently.

Christoph stood before the old man, looking down at his chest. He couldn’t look straight into his eyes.

Christoph had always found it difficult to face him. He was someone Christoph couldn’t easily approach or gaze at. Even his mother didn’t dare to mention his name.

But Christoph cherished him very much. He respected and admired him. As if he were a deity to worship.

“I always hope you can come and go freely, and when you’re tired, you can come back here to rest. There’s no place more suitable for you than this.”

It’s not like that. This place always made him feel uncomfortable, like wearing ill-fitting clothes. Just like everywhere else, this place didn’t bring comfort.

But the old man said that this place suited him.

“In the short term, could you help that child?”

When the old man said that, Christoph looked up. He looked from the chest to the wrinkled neck, the smiling lips, the slightly hooked but not unattractive nose, and the eyes with laughing wrinkles at the corners.

Although the sun had set, and the sky had turned deep blue, the old man’s eyes were still clear, almost golden-brown like sunlight. Eyes that could reflect the filth of those facing them.

Christoph lowered his head again.

The old man was asking him to help Richard.

He said that doing so would revoke the expulsion order from Tarten.

“When I grow old and retreat into the shadows, occasionally come visit and befriend me.”

The old man’s words had a hint of the scent of death, but it was a gentle and peaceful scent, still far off.

However, the old man’s time was no longer the same as that of the young.

Now, the old man only had the last bit of spark from an almost burnt-out coal, enough to warm his hands. Then, at some point, he would leave for a quiet place no one could follow.

Christoph opened his mouth slightly but couldn’t utter a word. He didn’t know what to say.

The old man looked at Christoph calmly. His eyes held so many things that Christoph couldn’t understand.

The old man slowly raised his hand and grasped Christoph’s hand.

The wrinkled hand touching his gave him a strange feeling, making him flinch. Though he didn’t pull away, he clearly felt awkward, and the old man didn’t grip tightly but also didn’t let go.

“Christoph, you are my beloved child. In Tarten, no one is unlovable. You are my precious and cherished child. I built Tarten for you all, and without you, Tarten would have no meaning.”

The old man whispered. Sometimes he spoke like that.

It’s hard to describe precisely, but those were words that made my heart feel like it was being squeezed. It felt like I couldn’t breathe, my heart ached, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Sometimes he said things like that.

Christoph wanted to hear every word the old man said. He wanted to do everything the old man wanted. That way, Christoph would feel better too.

However……

In the end, Christoph couldn’t nod. Deep down inside, he was still frozen. The painful scream of his mother over the phone still echoed in his ears. That’s why his body couldn’t move.

“Surely, you will live well with that child. ……And then everything will change.”

Change what?

Christoph couldn’t understand what would change. But he couldn’t ask. All his attention was focused on the unfamiliar warmth from the old man’s hand holding his. He wanted to pull his hand away immediately to escape that strange feeling. It wasn’t that he disliked it, but because it wasn’t a familiar sensation.

“Christoph. After leaving here, can you visit me sometimes?”

The old man said.

But Christoph had decided never to return to Tarten. So he couldn’t answer. But if he couldn’t answer, he should say ‘No’. But he couldn’t say ‘No’ either.

In one ear, he heard the sobs of a woman. In the other ear, he heard the old man’s whisper.

These sounds intertwined, making both difficult to hear clearly.

His head started to hurt. His heart pounded, and he felt the blood draining from his body. His body didn’t feel like his own anymore.

Cold sweat ran down his back. It felt like something that wasn’t him was slowly taking control of his body. It was a feeling he had experienced many times before. A terrible feeling.

The old man looked at Christoph, who didn’t answer, and finally smiled gently and patted Christoph’s hand.

“Rest. I shouldn’t take away your time to think.”

The old man stood up and turned to leave.

Christoph felt anxious. He wanted to hold the old man back and say something. That he would do what the old man wanted, that he would follow every word he said.

But his cold legs wouldn’t move.

In the end, Christoph didn’t say a word, and the old man with a kind smile closed the door.

The door closed. Right before his eyes. Quietly. Surely.

Outside the door, Christoph heard a familiar voice briefly talking to the old man. Then the sound of his footsteps gradually faded away.

Soon after, someone knocked on the door, but the sound seemed to go in one ear and out the other. And the door opened, Riegrow and Jeong Taeui entered, but it made no difference.

In the space where the old man’s footsteps had disappeared, Christoph stood alone quietly.

“―Christoph. You are my beloved child…….You are my beloved and beautiful child”

Suddenly.

The old man’s gentle words finally reached him.

Only now did Christoph realize.

Suddenly his heart ached. It felt like it was being compressed, making it hard for him to breathe. His heart pounded painfully.

Christoph stood up. He hurriedly walked out.

He had to follow the old man. He had to catch up and tell him that he would do as he was told.

Just a few more days. He could help that guy. Just a few more weeks, he could endure being with that guy. After that, he would never see him again.

Christoph had no attachment to Tarten. He didn’t care if he could never come back. In fact, he didn’t even want to come back.

But for the old man.

If he could visit him, accompany him on walks, talk with him.

He could do that.

Christoph didn’t hesitate and went straight to the main house, to the old man’s room in the main building.

Maybe if he met the old man now, Christoph wouldn’t be able to say anything again, but he would surely understand Christoph’s intentions and smile kindly, nodding.

Thinking so and imagining that smile, Christoph ran straight to the old man’s room, the warmest and quietest place in the house.

“……―.”

But no one was there. Perhaps the old man had gone somewhere and would return later.

Christoph felt anxious. He wanted to say as soon as possible that he would do as he was told.

Where had he gone? ……Right. He might have visited the The West Wing area. Recently, he had often spent time with Richard, the one who would surely succeed him, to teach and talk. So perhaps he was in Richard’s room.

Although he didn’t want to go to that hated person’s room, if he wanted to follow the old man’s words, he would have to face him frequently in the coming days.

Christoph clicked his tongue, frowned, and started walking toward Richard’s room, one floor below his own.

“―Why do you hate Richard so much?”

Jeong Tae-yi once asked that. Not only Jeong Tae-yi but many others had asked the same question.

Just as there is no need for a reason to like someone, there is no need for a reason to hate someone. Usually, the feelings of like and hate don’t come from major events but from small things that accumulate.

Initially, Richard didn’t like Christoph. The reason, Christoph didn’t know. At some point, he suddenly realized ‘Ah’ this person doesn’t like me.

And gradually, Christoph didn’t like Richard either. The reason……

“…….Are you alone?”

Christoph opened Richard’s door, barging in without knocking, and looked around suspiciously.

The old man wasn’t there.

Richard was sitting on a chair next to the bed, talking to someone on the phone.

Whether Richard was on the phone or not, Christoph still looked around the room again and frowned.

“Where’s the old man?”

“……Wait a moment.”

Richard didn’t take his eyes off Christoph, spoke softly into the phone, then pressed the hold button and put the phone down. He looked at Christoph coldly and started speaking.

“What’s the matter, Christoph? It’s unusual for you to come to my room.”

“……”

Christoph stared at him.

It seemed the old man hadn’t come here. It was unclear if he had come and left or hadn’t come at all, but clearly, he wasn’t here now.

Although he came here to find the old man, seeing Richard, he also had something to say. According to the old man’s words, Christoph would support Richard in the future, and he needed to say that.

‘―Until the decision about the inheritance is made, I will stay by and help you.’

“……”

But even though his mouth moved, the words wouldn’t come out. He didn’t want to say that at all.

Richard patiently waited for Christoph to speak. Christoph tried to open his mouth, then frowned and closed it several times. He became anxious and clicked his tongue.

Meanwhile, Richard didn’t rush him. He relaxed on the chair, clasped his hands together, and looked at Christoph with a calm, even pleasant expression.

Suddenly, Christoph realized.

This man already knew what he was going to say.

How could that be……―?!

As soon as he realized that, Christoph fell silent. He looked at Richard with cold blue eyes, bit his lip, and turned to leave.

How could it be like this?! It was clear. He had known all along. No matter what he had told the old man, he knew Christoph would act this way.

Anger surged up.

Christoph was so angry that he felt his stomach churn.

He turned to leave the room and closed the door as hard as he could when a slow voice from behind stopped him.

“If you’re looking for the old man, he’s not here, Christoph. Didn’t you come here because you had something to say to me? Finish saying it before you leave, because who knows when we’ll meet again.”

Christoph froze. Then slowly turned his head back.

The reason he stopped wasn’t because Richard told him to finish speaking but because his calm, all-knowing tone made him uneasy.

“……―Did you tell the old man?”

Christoph asked softly. Richard raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

“To the old man? Me? About what?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know, Richard. You didn’t call me back just to pretend.”

Christoph’s fingers curled up; he wanted to punch that man’s face.

He hated that point. Yes, he really hated it.

Richard always had a reassuring smile, but no one knew what he was thinking deep down. Chris always took a step back, but when he realized it, everything was going according to Richard’s plan.

Christoph stared at him without blinking, determined not to miss any sign, no matter how small.

Finally, Richard smiled slowly. A friendly, kind smile.

Christoph’s lips twitched. Richard rarely smiled at him like that unless he had a purpose.

“To our sir――yes, I didn’t say anything specific, just comforted him because he felt sorry. You know, he cares about you a lot.”

“……”

“Of course, it’s not just that. Your helping me is also good for Tarten, so he asked you. What did he say to you?”

Richard lightly patted his knee with his clasped hands. Christoph hated that calm gesture, that slow smile, and those smiling eyes.

“……You hate me.”

Christoph suddenly said. Richard fell silent. He seemed puzzled by the sudden shift in the conversation, and Christoph continued.

“Then why do you want me to help you? We might never see each other again.”

Finally, Richard seemed to understand Christoph’s words and murmured: “Ah, I see” He nodded and spoke gently.

“No big reason. Firstly, for Tarten.”

Richard slowly stood up from the chair. He walked to the window, pulled the curtain, and looked out into the darkness, continuing to speak.

“After all, I will inherit this place. My responsibility and desire is to make it prosperous. And you, whether you like it or not, have been trained at Tarten and understand the current situation. With guests from the Middle East arriving soon, you are the most suitable person to help me for Tarten’s benefit.”

He said and opened half of the window. The cold night wind blew into the room, passing through them. As if seeing someone outside the window, he waved and continued speaking.

“Secondly, during the crucial time of deciding the successor, you messed up everything in my territory, tarnishing my reputation. I am supposed to be perfect and handle everything skillfully, but now my leadership and control abilities are in doubt…….Thanks to you, Christoph, I’ve been disrupted once again.”

His voice sounded strangely cheerful. As if he was waiting for something interesting.

“But if you help me now, I can smooth things over and remove it. The ability to make someone who doesn’t like you work for you is also an important part. So you must help me.”

Richard stopped.

He closed his eyes, enjoying the pleasant night breeze, then slowly turned to look at Christoph. With the person looking at him and saying nothing, he gave the final reason.

“Thirdly, to see you uncomfortable.”

When Richard said that, Christoph only frowned slightly. He didn’t get angry, just smirked.

“Being straightforward is good.”

“Don’t forget, Christoph. If you don’t give up the inheritance rights, you will have to work under me all your life. If you don’t run away cowardly, you will be my subordinate until you die. ―Now it’s just a few days of helping me.”

Richard spoke gently. Since Christoph entered the room, his voice had always been calm, but now for the first time, there was a suppressed hostility hidden within.

Christoph stared at him and then spoke.

“I won’t do it. Do you think I will do as you say?”

Although his words had a mocking tone, Richard remained unmoved. He regained his calm, hid his hostility, and smiled lightly.

“What if the old man tells you to help me?”

“―…….”

Christoph frowned.

He couldn’t immediately say: ‘Even so, I won’t do it’.

He intended to follow every word of the old man. For him, he could endure a few days of unwanted work. That was why he came here.

But facing this man, he couldn’t say he would do everything he wanted. His instinctive resistance prevented him from agreeing.

“……I will not……”

Richard looked at Christoph with interest. He watched Christoph hesitate, his fragmented voice. He didn’t take his eyes off him, as if enjoying it. Finally, he remembered something and turned away.

“Oh, I forgot. I’ve kept that person waiting too long.”

He clicked his tongue and walked over to the phone on hold.

When Richard picked up the phone, Christoph yelled angrily.

“Richard, we haven’t finished talking.”