Chapter 106

Rodella answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“You’ll say no.”

“Then why are you trying to get on the ship, knowing that?”

Aivert looked at her as if he couldn’t understand.

If they’re doomed either way, why put yourself in danger along with them?

That’s what his expression seemed to say.

But Rodella had a clear reason.

“Even if it makes you… hate me more, I’m willing to risk my life.”

She bit her lip before continuing.

“Even if I become someone you’re more uncomfortable with.”

‘Even if I keep forcing you to do things you don’t want to do, and you come to find me more and more unpleasant.’

“I won’t let you—or Royden—pay any more of a price because of me.”

Her voice, which had wavered at first, now carried firm conviction.

“With this, Benerix and Royden won’t have to clash head-on.”

Because Benerix will be overthrown before that happens.

Because I’ll make sure of it.

Rodella’s eyes shone.

It made sense.

Damnably so.

But even so, it was a plan Aivert could not agree to, and he shook his head.

“Forget Benerix and our family’s affairs. I’ve never once found you uncomfortable.”

Rodella smiled.

“Really?”

He had to answer truthfully—because it was true.

But Aivert seemed to choke on the words.

Because he would have to explain why he had been avoiding her all this time—afraid he might pull her into his arms, or kiss her when she didn’t want it.

When she sensed his hesitation, Rodella spoke.

“…I might be indebted to you again this time, but just once more, please.”

Her voice…

“Let me do something for you.”

Sounded sad.

Aivert closed his eyes.

The Port of Pomers was usually bustling with people.

But now, all that lively, noisy atmosphere was gone, replaced by the bleak stillness of a military facility.

Only the traces of people who had recently fled in haste hinted at what it had been like before.

—Shaaah…!

A ship appeared in the harbor.

A vessel marked clearly with the crest of the Order of the Azure Knights sped away from the dock with the aid of magic.

Tension, like that of a battlefield, hung over the ship.

“…”

Rodella, in the midst of it, checked the pocket where the explosive artifact Aivert had given her was kept, steadying her breathing once again.

She’d had many close brushes with death before—but this was the first time she had willingly walked into it.

But… she would succeed.

Before long, the enemy ship came into view.

“Ah.”

Aivert, after checking that the voice-amplifying artifact was working, spoke.

“This is Aivert Royden, Vice-Commander of the Order of the Azure Knights. Release the hostage and cooperate immediately.”

With only the two ships adrift in the vast ocean, there was only one audience for his words.

Rodella narrowed her eyes, trying to gauge the other side’s reaction.

It wasn’t clear, but…

They looked a little frantic.

What’s this?

Her brow arched slightly.

Before long, a voice rang out from the other side.

“Who’s the hostage to be exchanged?”

Aivert lowered the artifact from his lips, as if unwilling to answer.

Rodella stepped forward, took the artifact from his hand, and spoke herself.

“Rodella Syveric, eldest daughter of Count Syveric and fiancée of Duke Aivert Royden. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?”

The other ship was silent for a while.

The deck looked busier than before, Rodella thought, when—

—Splash!

A small boat was lowered from the enemy ship.

A man aboard it came steadily closer.

It meant she was to board it.

Aivert watched, then turned to her.

“Even now, let’s stop this. As for Benerix…”

He rubbed his forehead.

“I’ll try to keep things from escalating.”

“That’s not something you can decide on your own.”

Just because you hold back—do you think Benerix will quietly leave things alone?

He’ll only run more rampant.

“More than that,”

Rodella looked up at Aivert.

Even from the side, she could see the deep blue eyes, as calm as an undisturbed sea.

“I can’t stand going on like this, not even making eye contact with you.”

“…!”

For the first time until now, Aivert’s eyes snapped to hers.

‘So you only turn to look at me when I say something like that.’

Rodella bit her lip, then went on.

“Since I collapsed and woke up, I don’t know how uncomfortable I’ve made you feel about me.”

The small boat was now close.

But instead of looking at it, Rodella kept her gaze on Aivert.

“If it’s helping Royden this time… promise me just one thing.”

He opened his mouth to answer immediately.

But she cut him off before he could speak—because she already guessed what he would say.

“If you’re going to say you don’t need help, then I’ll just take it to mean…”

She exhaled briefly, then continued.

“…that we’ll go on like this—awkward, not even friends.”

“No, that’s not—”

Aivert stepped toward her.

But Rodella stepped back instead—toward the waiting small boat.

“I’ll be fine until you come for me, just so I can hear your answer. Don’t worry.”

She gave him a pained smile.

“I’m dying to know, you see.”

‘What I… did wrong for you to treat me this way.’

‘Whether it’s truly because I’m only a burden to you.’

‘Whether we really can’t even remain friends.’

“Aren’t you coming!?”

A sharp voice shouted from below.

Rodella turned toward it.

—Clatter!

A rope ladder was thrown down in front of her.

She gripped the ship’s rail tightly, then looked back at him.

“Even if it’s awkward between us, you’ll still come save me, won’t you?”

Right?

She smiled.

‘Because if not… I think it would break my heart.’

‘If the person I love… turned his back on me.’

But she couldn’t finish the thought—she’d cry if she did. And then…

Then it would be even more uncomfortable.

She stepped onto the ladder and dropped onto the small boat.

Ah.

Only then did Aivert realize that he had caused Rodella a terrible misunderstanding.

Not even friends?

That he found her uncomfortable? That wasn’t it at all…

His hands clenched tightly.

It was too late for regrets.

She already felt sorry toward him.

As if Royden—and he—had paid some price because of her.

Yes, things had happened outside of the plan.

Royden’s true scale, which should have stayed hidden longer, had been revealed. Royden now stood openly opposed to Benerix.

And before that—even though he had never wanted it—he had become head of the Royden family.

But not once had he regretted any of it.

‘I’ve never done anything I didn’t want to do.’

He wanted to say that. But she was firm.

If he told her he didn’t need help, and tried to stop her—

She would take it to mean something entirely different from what he meant.

He rubbed his face with both hands.

But the tangled emotions weighing down his expression couldn’t be scrubbed away so easily.