As Albert lowered his gaze, his lashes fluttered.
The sight of him exuded such sacred radiance that one might think this place had instantly become a temple.
Schubert was wearing an old, raggedy pair of shoes that he had worn outside. It was not enough to say that it was filthy.
Schubert flinched. Albert’s lips touched the tip of the boy’s shoe.
“My heavens…”
“Goodness, how squalid!”
“A noble should have his dignity, but…”
The bystanders started jeering. Everyone laughed as though they were watching a comedic theater play, with Albert starring as the lead.
Albert rose to his feet.
“Are you next, Marquis?”
“Yes.”
Marquis Evnen nodded, unable to hide the corners of his lips, creeping up into a sneer.
Albert crouched and bowed his head once more. This same motion happened over, and over, and over again.
This series of events seemed to be happening so far away, like I was watching a movie. I couldn’t register it in my mind that what Albert’s doing right now was part of reality.
And yet, for Albert, this truly was his dreadful, bitter reality.
He rose to his feet once more. There was no change in his otherwise expressionless countenance despite all the people laughing to his face.
What flitted through my mind now was how he was earlier, when he was alighting the carriage to attend this ‘banquet’.
I could not imagine just how many turbulent emotions he had been holding back.
It felt as if I was on the verge of tears, yet I couldn’t even cry. As a soul without a body, I couldn’t feel any pain, but I also didn’t have any bodily functions.
For the first time, I wished that my ordeal involved physical pain instead.
Then it would be me who’d suffer. I wouldn’t have to be so attached to other people.
In the first place, I didn’t think I’d be able to go through this unscathed.
Psychological pain could render a person just as powerless.
…I wished to do something, but it was impossible. Albert told me that I shouldn’t.
I don’t know how he found the strength to say that.
However, in this situation, I could no longer break the promise he had asked of me in a hushed tone.
Just as Albert said, I closed my eyes. But it did not last long.
Because if I didn’t watch him, my imagination would render worse images.
The promise I had made before coming to this banquet had been overshadowed.
The next person Albert was heading towards was Liam. Duke Masen was standing by his son.
Liam’s face was burning, bright red. Duke Masen seemed to have reminded him of what kind of event this was.
But I knew.
Even without Duke Masen standing strictly by his side, it would have been difficult for Liam to find a way to side with Albert at this moment.
The pressure created by Marquis Evnen was not something a child could overcome.
It would be stranger to expect something from Liam now.
Albert, too, knew this.
Showing nothing but calmness, Albert knelt down.
As soon as the tip of Albert’s nose touched Liam’s boots, tears welled up in Liam’s eyes.
“Y-Young Count, I…”
Through his tears, Liam whispered.
He wanted to help. He had been expecting this banquet to be a place where he and Albert could have hung out and enjoyed. Albert was someone he looked up to a lot.
When he had stood up against Duke Masen not long ago, he presented such vigor in his rebellion. However, it was nowhere to be seen now. The pressure was much too great around him.
Liam’s guilt, which filled him to the brim, finally burst forth in the form of tears. Trembling, Liam spoke.
“I’m so, so sorry that I couldn’t help you…”
His voice was quivering immensely.
There was no change in Duke Masen’s expression. It seemed to me that this would be the last time he’d allow a meeting between Liam and Albert.
In this dire moment when Albert needed help the most, Liam was helpless.
Raising his head, Albert looked up at Liam. There was not a hint of resentment in his eyes.
Then, he knelt in front of Duke Masen.
Faced with the reality of his powerlessness, Liam burst into tears. But this did not stop Albert from what he needed to do.
Soon, as Albert stood up, Liam seized him by the collar.
“This, everything, it will never happen ever again.”
“……”
“I will make sure to acquire the power to ensure it. The power to stand by your side and protect you.”
Liam’s low murmur was a pledge not only to Albert, but also to himself.
“What are you mumbling about, Liam.”
Duke Masen yanked Liam back and scolded him.
Wiping the tears away with his sleeve, Liam’s gaze earnestly looked at Albert. He was waiting for an answer.
Ardent goodwill. Pure admiration.
Liam genuinely looked up to Albert.
Albert blinked. The emotions hidden behind his mask seemed to flicker for a moment before disappearing altogether once again.
After a small pause, Albert whispered quietly.
“…For our next spar, please wear something other than this pair of boots.”
This was the very moment that Albert had begun to open his heart a little to Liam.
As Albert lowered his gaze, his lashes fluttered.
The sight of him exuded such sacred radiance that one might think this place had instantly become a temple.
Schubert was wearing an old, raggedy pair of shoes that he had worn outside. It was not enough to say that it was filthy.
Schubert flinched. Albert’s lips touched the tip of the boy’s shoe.
“My heavens…”
“Goodness, how squalid!”
“A noble should have his dignity, but…”
The bystanders started jeering. Everyone laughed as though they were watching a comedic theater play, with Albert starring as the lead.
Albert rose to his feet.
“Are you next, Marquis?”
“Yes.”
Marquis Evnen nodded, unable to hide the corners of his lips, creeping up into a sneer.
Albert crouched and bowed his head once more. This same motion happened over, and over, and over again.
This series of events seemed to be happening so far away, like I was watching a movie. I couldn’t register it in my mind that what Albert’s doing right now was part of reality.
And yet, for Albert, this truly was his dreadful, bitter reality.
He rose to his feet once more. There was no change in his otherwise expressionless countenance despite all the people laughing to his face.
What flitted through my mind now was how he was earlier, when he was alighting the carriage to attend this ‘banquet’.
I could not imagine just how many turbulent emotions he had been holding back.
It felt as if I was on the verge of tears, yet I couldn’t even cry. As a soul without a body, I couldn’t feel any pain, but I also didn’t have any bodily functions.
For the first time, I wished that my ordeal involved physical pain instead.
Then it would be me who’d suffer. I wouldn’t have to be so attached to other people.
In the first place, I didn’t think I’d be able to go through this unscathed.
Psychological pain could render a person just as powerless.
…I wished to do something, but it was impossible. Albert told me that I shouldn’t.
I don’t know how he found the strength to say that.
However, in this situation, I could no longer break the promise he had asked of me in a hushed tone.
Just as Albert said, I closed my eyes. But it did not last long.
Because if I didn’t watch him, my imagination would render worse images.
The promise I had made before coming to this banquet had been overshadowed.
The next person Albert was heading towards was Liam. Duke Masen was standing by his son.
Liam’s face was burning, bright red. Duke Masen seemed to have reminded him of what kind of event this was.
But I knew.
Even without Duke Masen standing strictly by his side, it would have been difficult for Liam to find a way to side with Albert at this moment.
The pressure created by Marquis Evnen was not something a child could overcome.
It would be stranger to expect something from Liam now.
Albert, too, knew this.
Showing nothing but calmness, Albert knelt down.
As soon as the tip of Albert’s nose touched Liam’s boots, tears welled up in Liam’s eyes.
“Y-Young Count, I…”
Through his tears, Liam whispered.
He wanted to help. He had been expecting this banquet to be a place where he and Albert could have hung out and enjoyed. Albert was someone he looked up to a lot.
When he had stood up against Duke Masen not long ago, he presented such vigor in his rebellion. However, it was nowhere to be seen now. The pressure was much too great around him.
Liam’s guilt, which filled him to the brim, finally burst forth in the form of tears. Trembling, Liam spoke.
“I’m so, so sorry that I couldn’t help you…”
His voice was quivering immensely.
There was no change in Duke Masen’s expression. It seemed to me that this would be the last time he’d allow a meeting between Liam and Albert.
In this dire moment when Albert needed help the most, Liam was helpless.
Raising his head, Albert looked up at Liam. There was not a hint of resentment in his eyes.
Then, he knelt in front of Duke Masen.
Faced with the reality of his powerlessness, Liam burst into tears. But this did not stop Albert from what he needed to do.
Soon, as Albert stood up, Liam seized him by the collar.
“This, everything, it will never happen ever again.”
“……”
“I will make sure to acquire the power to ensure it. The power to stand by your side and protect you.”
Liam’s low murmur was a pledge not only to Albert, but also to himself.
“What are you mumbling about, Liam.”
Duke Masen yanked Liam back and scolded him.
Wiping the tears away with his sleeve, Liam’s gaze earnestly looked at Albert. He was waiting for an answer.
Ardent goodwill. Pure admiration.
Liam genuinely looked up to Albert.
Albert blinked. The emotions hidden behind his mask seemed to flicker for a moment before disappearing altogether once again.
After a small pause, Albert whispered quietly.
“…For our next spar, please wear something other than this pair of boots.”
This was the very moment that Albert had begun to open his heart a little to Liam.
