Chapter 86

From the moment Aivert entered the hospital room, he couldn’t take his eyes off Rodella.

Where her gaze landed, when she inhaled and exhaled—every one of her movements caught his attention.

That’s how closely he was watching her.

At a glance, she seemed fine. But the Rodella he knew was more delicate than she appeared.

She was like a pearl—if the seemingly hard shell cracked, the soft interior would easily be hurt. He knew that.

That’s why he wanted to speak carefully.

But she seemed to already know everything.

“The island—I took care of it.”

“I know.”

The way she said that so simply—

Had the Chancellor been here?

Aivert pressed his lips into a thin line.

How much had she been told?

This was the moment he feared most.

‘How much do you know?’

A storm of thoughts swirled in Aivert’s mind.

Should he tell her that he went to deal with Malik Bran, only to find him already dead?

Should he start by saying that man had dared to send an assassin after her?

Would that make her see him as… less frightening?

Eventually, Aivert opened his mouth.

“And Malik Bran is dead.”

Perhaps because it was such a sudden statement, Rodella’s eyes widened.

“Why?”

“He was already dead when I got there.”

Rodella silently looked into his eyes as he answered right away.

Aivert could guess what she was thinking.

‘You must want to ask why I went there.’

‘And you probably suspect I didn’t go with good intentions.’

“…Was this incident related to Bran?”

There it is. Such a careful question.

Asking if it had to do with the cult incident.

If I had a legitimate reason to confront him.

You always try to give me the benefit of the doubt, assuming I’m acting with reason.

That’s why, within your mind—and in front of you—I’ve been able to stay rational and a “good friend.”

But this time… will that still hold true?

“No. He’d targeted you before.”

He finally spoke honestly. Rodella’s lips parted slightly.

“So I wanted to send a warning—what happens if anyone touches you. But…”

Aivert’s eyes narrowed.

“The noble faction’s moves are… different now.”

He hadn’t expected them to go so far as to eliminate one of their own.

Rather, by cutting out the piece named Malik Bran, they were tightening internal control.

Rodella looked full of questions. But after a short silence, she asked: “Just like Royden?”

So you know about Royden too, huh?

Aivert slowly closed and opened his eyes.

“That’s right.”

How much of what I’ve kept hidden… do you already know?

And if you do know, will you still accept me?

This was judgment day.

Aivert nodded at the mention of Royden without hesitation. He clearly had no intention of hiding anything anymore.

Then why had he hidden it until now?

Rodella looked at him quietly.

Royden’s people were spread throughout the Empire.

The Chancellor had said the family was deeply embedded in the Empire’s roots.

‘Just how much have you been hiding from me?’

“I hate everything you hate.”

‘That’s what you once said. Maybe that’s why—you hated the things I hated too.’

‘So you hid it. Suppressed it.’

She had so much she wanted to ask.

About this hospital. About Royden.

And just now, through their brief exchange, she realized Aivert no longer intended to keep Royden secret.

But still… it was hard to ask.

Whatever he had hidden, it didn’t change the fact that Aivert was still Aivert.

So why was it so difficult?

Rodella couldn’t pinpoint where this unrest inside her began.

In hindsight, he’d always had an uncanny level of information.

Even though he seemed to rarely leave the Azure Knights’ headquarters—always beside her—

His eyes seemed to take in the entire Empire beyond the capital.

Why hadn’t I realized sooner?

Rodella suddenly asked: “Do you know I got an offer to go on an overseas tour?”

How much do you know?

And how much have you pretended not to know—just to suppress and hide yourself?

“From who?”

But Aivert looked genuinely clueless.

Then he seemed to guess.

“…Did the Chancellor offer it?”

When he asked again, he immediately added: “I didn’t know. Not until just now.”

At that, Rodella spoke.

“I just figured… you might.”

Their eyes met.

“I knew Royden was a powerful house, but… on the way here, I realized you’ve got more followers than I thought. More than I ever imagined.”

That all of them were Royden’s people—and that even this hospital belonged to Royden—

Rodella’s thoughts began to tangle.

Aivert looked straight into her eyes as he spoke.

As if refusing to avoid the truth.

“You’re right. There’s probably even more than what you saw.”

As if it were nothing at all.

Then he asked: “But what’s this about an overseas tour?”

He really must not have known. Rodella looked at him and answered.

“The Chancellor said… a bloodbath is coming to the Empire.”

In other words—she was being told to get out of harm’s way.

Seeing Aivert’s completely unmoving expression, she realized—he must’ve already expected this too.

“The noble faction must have been shaken by the size of Royden’s forces. I don’t know why exactly…”

Rodella looked at him and continued.

“They’re saying I risked my life to take down the cult.”

It must’ve been Royden who spread that rumor.

She’d always said she hated underhanded tactics, yet the fact that she could accept this now felt strange.

She’d said she hated two-faced people—yet here she was, becoming one in front of Aivert. And somehow, it didn’t bother her.

“That’s because it’s to your advantage.”

His words showed no intention to hide anything.

Is it easier for you now, being able to be honest?

Rodella paused, then went on.

“So apparently His Majesty sees me in a good light. They said at this rate, I might become the next Chancellor without much trouble. So…”

She adjusted her posture and continued.

“They said seeing more foreign examples would be helpful, and that the Empire’s about to get dangerous.”

Her mouth felt dry—like she was chewing on sand.

Still, she continued.

“By taking shelter somewhere safe, I’d also gain an advantage Ryan Diepelt couldn’t touch. Then I’d definitely become Chancellor.”

That’s why it was offered—I know that.

I understand.

But for some reason, she couldn’t get the next words out.

Those simple words—“I’ll go.”

“Overseas, huh…”

Aivert’s voice was lower than usual as he responded.

His expression looked calm—but no.

It wasn’t calm. It looked… stiff. No, not stiff—

He was restraining himself.

Yes, that look.

Rodella suddenly understood something.

That expression she’d seen so often—it wasn’t blankness.

It was the face of someone holding back.

Why had she never realized it until now?

It was the look he wore when he couldn’t act freely—when he was suppressing himself.

Rodella couldn’t take her eyes off him.

What had happened on the western island?

The cult probably didn’t survive.

And when he found Malik Bran—he’d likely gone there intending to kill him.

Just like when he’d caught Thousand Faces.

Or like when he’d dealt with the robbers in Mirpol.

He must’ve had that same cold expression.

Not the face he showed her.

He always seemed to be restraining himself.

Even during the Mirpol robbery, when he broke the man’s limbs without a second thought—he had worn this same expression.

As if saying—he would’ve done worse if she hadn’t been there.

And the moment she collapsed, the way he’d drawn his sword—

That presence of his, carrying a chilling weight, felt like another person entirely.

That must’ve been the part of him he always suppressed.

She had always known he was holding back.

That he wasn’t just a good person.

That he had this colder, darker side inside.

But because he was always playful, always a good friend to her—

She’d forgotten.

Or maybe she had pretended not to see.

Afraid of what he might become if he lost control.

Afraid of the blood he might bring with him.

But even more than fear—what she felt now was worry.