“――What did Malik say to you back then?”

Ilay didn’t respond.

Jeong Taeui didn’t miss the momentary loss of expression on Ilay’s face. But Ilay quickly smiled in surprise and said: “Does Tarten’s intelligence gather information so bluntly? Impressive.” before shrugging.

From that response, Jeong Taeui knew there wouldn’t be any further answers from Ilay. Christoph seemed to understand this too, so he merely frowned slightly and didn’t press further.

“Malik, huh……”

Recalling the man whose face was always smiling – a person more difficult to deal with than the straightforward Aziz – Jeong Taeui scratched his cheek.

If Ilay wasn’t saying much, then it was definitely a story Jeong Taeui didn’t want to hear. Moreover, this morning was just as suspicious.

Last night, after being almost dragged into Ilay’s room and falling asleep, Jeong Taeui woke up in the morning to find no one beside him. Ilay had left without a trace. What did he need to do so early in the morning?

Jeong Taeui sighed and thought to himself: ‘Whatever.’

The things they needed to discuss were already clear. It either involved Jeong Taeui or it didn’t. If it did involve Jeong Taeui, the only topic that could be guessed was Jeong Jaeui. And about this subject, Jeong Taeui didn’t need to worry. In any case, no one Jeong Taeui knew could harm Jeong Jaeui in any way.

“They can do whatever they want as long as they don’t ask me to persuade him.”

Jeong Taeui, who felt he didn’t need to worry even if bombs rained down on Jeong Jaeui’s head, shrugged and looked around his room.

The room at the end of the Seoik wing, where Jeong Taeui had been staying for about a month, had almost returned to the state it was in when he first arrived.

Although he couldn’t completely erase the small wrinkles on the bed sheets or the faint fingerprints on the glass like a professional, everything was mostly tidy. In this condition, perhaps another guest could move into the room right after Jeong Taeui left without any issues.

Just one more dinner.

Tonight, the successor will finally be decided. For the first time in decades, Tarten’s peak would have a new master.

……However, for Jeong Taeui, this event – though rare after decades – didn’t hold any special significance. What moved him more was that he would finally leave this house after the decision was made.

Only one thing bothered him as the time to leave drew near.

“I still have to find that book……”

Looking down at the neatly packed suitcase, Jeong Taeui mumbled to himself.

His luggage was just as light as when he arrived, containing only a few sets of clothes. The only addition was the suit he was wearing now.

“In the end, I still couldn’t find it…… What now?”

As he pondered what to say to Kyle, absentmindedly running his hand through his hair, Jeong Taeui saw Christoph riding a horse out of the forest through the clear glass. That kid will never become a noble.

Jeong Taeui opened the window, leaned his elbow on the windowsill, and leaned out. Just as he was about to call out to Christoph, a Middle Eastern soldier, who had been guarding the villa strictly since early morning – specifically since last night – blocked Christoph’s horse.

Although familiar with his face from their interactions, the soldier stiffly, or perhaps foolishly, started questioning Christoph as if investigating him. Eventually, after silently listening while seated on the horse, Christoph kicked the soldier away.

Oh dear, that soldier…… but the kid just made another unnecessary enemy.

Jeong Taeui, too accustomed to such actions, could only click his tongue in dismay. Every time something like this happened, the consequences usually followed quickly. These consequences would manifest rapidly and visibly. And this time was no exception as the soldier’s comrade, Duot, who was standing nearby, quickly rushed over.

It was all too familiar. Only the parties involved had changed – from Tarten’s relatives to Arab soldiers – and the situation, where a conflict could have been avoided but escalated like a snowball, had become all too familiar to Jeong Taeui after just a few weeks with Christoph.

“Damn it, even on the last day, there’s no peace……”

Like a child on a picnic day, Jeong Taeui was about to shed his neatly worn vest when a familiar face appeared from behind the door, looking as if he had just returned from a stroll.

It was Malik.

Jeong Taeui thought to himself that this guy couldn’t be a noble either and stopped to watch. As expected, Malik, upon seeing them, approached, seemingly wanting to join the conversation.

Indeed, a person of such high status that ordinary soldiers couldn’t easily approach, Malik needed only a few words to make the soldiers withdraw without causing any awkward situations.

After the soldiers hesitated and withdrew, Malik turned back to Christoph. Although Christoph remained seated coldly on his horse, looking down at him, Malik was unfazed and instead smiled calmly, beginning a conversation with the demeanor of a great man.

Yes, if he were so quick-tempered, he couldn’t serve someone with high authority.

Jeong Taeui rested his elbow on the windowsill again, intending to relax and watch the situation unfold, but Malik glanced up at him. Their eyes met. Immediately after, though Jeong Taeui couldn’t hear what Malik said, Christoph also turned to look at him.

“……Hi.”

Jeong Taeui mumbled a greeting, knowing no one could hear it, and then waved lightly. Christoph, whom he had just greeted, turned away coldly, while Malik, standing beside him, smiled awkwardly and waved back.

Hmm…… this isn’t right…… Jeong Taeui thought but couldn’t stop himself from waving like a bobblehead doll until he saw Christoph turn his horse and then straightened up.

Almost forgot. This isn’t the time to be standing idly. The afternoon will be busier, and he might not see Christoph if he doesn’t quickly find him to ask about the book’s whereabouts.

It seemed unlikely that Christoph would suddenly return the book if asked now, but trying until the last moment was the right thing to do.

Even though today was the last day as that day approached, the mountain of work that had accumulated seemed to have stopped entirely.

Today, Christoph wasn’t out with Richard or sticking close to him. It was said that the afternoon would be busy again, but in situations like this, those who were truly busy were the lower ranks, not the higher-ups.

When Jeong Taeui reached Masa*, the servants were busily moving around in the hallway. This morning, guests from outside had begun to arrive, so it was understandable why everyone was so busy.

(*Masa: The main building. This is usually where the main activities, receptions, or the management center of the estate take place.)

In reality, this was a succession event after decades – a major event that no one knew if they would witness again in their lifetime.

The path from the West building to Masa was quieter than usual today. Perhaps because everyone was busy welcoming guests, no one had time to stroll in this peaceful area.

“In a situation like this, he can still leisurely ride back—typical of him.”

Jeong Taeui mumbled as he turned the corner connecting to the main building. But he immediately stopped in his tracks.

Just a few steps ahead of Jeong Taeui, someone had stepped out of the annex and was walking toward the main building.

The small figure, walking upright and straight, didn’t notice Jeong Taeui’s presence. Although they had only met a few times, Jeong Taeui knew who that person was.

Christoph, who had just dismounted his horse outside the main building, raised an eyebrow when he saw Jeong Taeui. But almost immediately, his expression became blank when he noticed the person walking in front of Jeong Taeui.

“……Mother.”

Christoph muttered softly, almost unintentionally.

Bianca – Christoph’s mother – stood before him, dignified and impeccable in her bearing. The distance of 6-7 steps was just enough for conversation but also sufficient to maintain a respectful space.

“Christoph, do you hate Tarten?”

Her question came without any warning, causing Christoph, who had been standing still like a statue, to open his eyes slightly. Then he slowly shook his head.

“No…… not at all.”

“Then why do you want to harm Tarten?”

Her voice, though gentle but was as cold as ice, pressing down on him.

In response to the question, Christoph, bewildered and confused, could only tilt his head slightly, his lips moving but no words coming out.

Just like Christoph, Jeong Taeui, who also heard the question, couldn’t say anything.

Christoph had done many things that could be considered harmful to Tarten. Not only direct actions like injuring others or destroying Tarten’s property but also indirect ones that tarnished Tarten’s honor through his unsavory behavior. The number of times he had caused harm was countless.

But these things hadn’t just started today or yesterday, nor were they new occurrences. Surely, his mother couldn’t have only now become aware of these things.

As his mother continued to speak, Jeong Taeui sensed that Christoph was likely asking himself the same question in his mind: ‘Why bring this up now?’

“Why did you involve Richard—not anyone else, but that boy—in such shameful and dirty matters?”

The atmosphere froze before her fragile yet trembling voice. Even Christoph’s expression turned pale and hardened like an ice sculpture.

Jeong Taeui involuntarily stepped on the ground, creating a dry, cracking sound.

“I don’t interfere with where you go or what you do, but don’t harm Richard. Are you planning to disgrace Tarten with those filthy actions even in the peaceful place where our ancestors rest――?”

She was talking about something she had witnessed earlier. Christoph knew very well what had happened in the place his mother referred to and what she had seen in him.

What had his mother seen? In what state had she seen Christoph? Yet now, what was she saying to Christoph? What would she say next?

“Never come back. Not just to Tarten, but don’t return to Dresden either. You bring no benefit to Tarten, only harm, so please don’t ever come back here.”

Christoph turned as white as snow.

He stood there like a wax figure, unmoving, his gaze unfocused, only occasionally blinking. When she finished speaking, there was only silence, and each time his eyelashes fluttered, it seemed like one could hear the sound of something shattering.

“Do you understand, Christoph? Please don’t come back.”

Her voice softened, but the words were still as light as a whisper.

She was right. Her composed demeanor, her calm voice, and her advice to Christoph were all without fault. Christoph had nothing to refute.

Christoph’s lips moved slightly. She quietly waited for her son’s response with patience.

Finally, Christoph answered in a voice so soft it was barely audible.

“Yes, mother.”

That was all he could say. With an unusually pale face and a voice that didn’t waver, he couldn’t meet her gaze directly. He only whispered, lowering his head while his eyes fixed on her feet.

“All right…… All right.”

She nodded, seemingly reassured.

“It’s unfortunate to speak such unpleasant words on a good day like this—so do I…… There are only a few hours left. Go change your clothes and get ready. Make sure nothing goes wrong today.”

Watching Christoph nod without saying anything, she turned away as if she had said everything that needed to be said.

Her face now regained its composure and radiance after her worries had dissipated. But she suddenly stiffened slightly when she noticed Jeong Taeui standing a few steps away. However, she quickly regained her calm.

She looked at Jeong Taeui intently for a few seconds, and then as if deciding there was no need to say anything, she gave him a polite nod before walking past him. Jeong Taeui returned her nod and stood still until the sound of her footsteps faded away.

“…………”

Finally, when he could no longer sense her presence, Jeong Taeui slowly raised his hand to scratch behind his ear.

Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t have been worse. He should have arrived earlier, before she met Christoph.

Christoph was still standing there, not moving. Although he was no longer as rigid as when he was facing her, his pale face still lingered in a daze, staring off into nothing.

“Christoph…… let’s go inside.”

Jeong Taeui sighed as he spoke. The book no longer mattered. ‘Sorry, Kyle……’ – He thought, extending his hand toward Christoph. “Let’s go.” – He added, and just as he realized the absurdity of offering his hand to someone who disliked physical contact, he hastily pulled his hand back.

However, before Jeong Taeui could retract his hand, Christoph unexpectedly reached out. Jeong Taeui, surprised, found his hand paused in midair.

Christoph didn’t grasp Jeong Taeui’s hand. Instead, he brought his hand close as if he was about to hold it, but then hesitated and gently withdrew it. Their fingertips barely brushed against each other. That was all.

“……Chris. Let’s go. Together.”

Jeong Taeui took a step forward this time and grasped Christoph’s hand. He held Christoph’s hand firmly, like a handshake, looking into his eyes. Christoph with a blank expression, stared at Jeong Taeui as if seeing something strange.

His gaze shifted down to the hand holding his. He stared at their clasped hands for a moment, and his lips pressed together tightly. Christoph suddenly asked in a curt and cold voice as if angry.

“Can I hold your hand?”

Jeong Taeui looked at Christoph, then down at his own hand, and scratched his head in confusion.

“……Just for now.”

That was the most honest answer Jeong Taeui could give.

If Christoph didn’t want to, he would let go, and there would be no other choice. In that case, Jeong Taeui could only watch from a distance. This was a hand he was temporarily lending to Christoph. He had to lend it.

Jeong Taeui worried that Christoph might push his hand away, so he waited for a moment. But as time passed, Christoph didn’t let go. He just quietly stared at the hand that held him.

“Let’s go.”

Jeong Taeui turned and started walking. He heard footsteps following him, a step behind.

Throughout the walk, they held hands, and Christoph didn’t say a word. Jeong Taeui didn’t look back either.

If he looked back, Christoph would surely still have that blank expression as usual. No signs of sadness, anger, or suffering – just a calm, or perhaps slightly weary, expression.

With that pale face. With those cold and blue eyes.

So, Jeong Taeui didn’t look back.