Chapter 136: Chapter 44. Going your own way

After I finally managed to persuade Jeremy to tell me about what happened between him and his wife, I was greatly impressed by this story.

Although the guy was reluctant to tell me about their chance meeting without any special details, I still managed to conclude from this that this conversation was not particularly successful.

Well, it seems that they never managed to reconcile.

At least in this situation, the good news was that the Duchess of the north, apparently, was not going to take revenge on her husband. To Jeremy’s considerable surprise, the Duchess was really going to divorce him peacefully, without any bloodshed. And at least that was some relief in our current situation.

Since it mostly concerned their personal family problems, I found it not very delicate to interfere in this and did not ask my friend in more detail and further. After all, it really wasn’t really my business.

Jeremy and I continued to talk about everything for some time.

Soon after, I heard the soft, steady breathing, which indicated that at least one of us had managed to fall asleep. Although it didn’t concern me.

Even after Jeremy fell asleep, I still couldn’t cope with my thoughts, and I ended up tossing and turning for the rest of the night.

«This jerk...»

No, really, why couldn’t I get him out of my head?

Although, until recently, the fate of Euphil de Walt did not bother me at all, but now I suddenly realized that I simply would not be able to close my eyes to it as before. After all, although it was a completely unexpected act on his part, but the heir to the dukedom really sacrificed himself for me.

And now that I was going to just run away, leaving him alone in the clutches of the Empress, it didn’t seem right to me... the right one. Even if it completely went against the instinct of self-preservation and my original goal to survive no matter what, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Of course, I never forgot for a moment how much trouble this guy had caused this body over the years. One more or less noble act simply could not erase our common nasty, resentful past. And yet...

Although I tried to fight my conscience until the last moment, I eventually accepted that I just couldn’t avoid it. In short, I lost.

«Well, it looks like I really have no other choice.» — thinking about it, I just sighed softly.

And the next morning...

— Well, it’s time for us to get on the road.

After we got up early in the morning and packed our things before leaving the hotel, the baron’s youngest son turned to me:

— Although I’m not quite sure where we should go now, but I already have several places in mind where we can temporarily stay until we can find a suitable place...

However, at that moment, I interrupted him.

— OK. In that case, I want to wish you good luck.

— what? — The guy asked, puzzled, — What are you talking about?

I just smiled weakly.

— Unfortunately, we have to part ways here. I won’t be able to go with you, but I wish you good luck on your journey, and I hope everything goes well.

At that moment, the confused expression on his friend’s face spoke for itself about his emotions.

— Wait a minute... — He said slowly, — Can you tell me what exactly you mean? Why can’t you come with me?

I hesitated, then answered:

— I have decided to go to the Imperial Palace.

My words were like a bolt from the blue for the guy.

— what? — He immediately asked, — But why?!

I sighed.

— If your guess is correct and the Empress’s people really kidnapped my brother... I guess they did it for me. They’re waiting for me to come get him.

«.....»

Jeremy blinked at me blankly for a while. Finally, he opened his mouth:

— But even if that’s the case... Isn’t it obvious that this is just a trap?!

«Of course,» I nodded, «but even so, I realized that I couldn’t do anything else in this situation.

— why? — Jeremy exclaimed desperately, — You said yourself that this guy did nothing but ruin your life and create problems. So why would you risk your life for him?

— Because... I lowered my eyes, I can’t run away anymore.

— ...

— If I really do that now, I’ll end up regretting it for the rest of my life. So will there be any meaning in such a life?

My friend stopped for a moment and looked at me strangely.

— You... Are you really sure about this? — Just in case, he asked again.

— yes.

«.......»

Jeremy Seibel was silent for a few moments, only to finally declare decisively:

«In that case, I’ll come with you!»

However, I immediately contradicted him.

— No, you don’t have to do that.

— why? — The guy exclaimed indignantly, — Do you really think I can just leave you in trouble and run away on my own?!

I shook my head.

«It’s not that,» I looked away, «I really am... I don’t want that. Too many people have already suffered because of me, and I definitely don’t want you to become one of them.

— But I’m not afraid! — My friend protested, — Just let me go with you!

At that moment, I looked at him seriously.

— Jeremy, I sincerely ask you to listen to me this time. You can do it, right?

«But...» the guy stopped in mid-sentence when he met my gaze at that moment.

«Please,» I said again.

There was silence between us for a few moments. After which...

— OK... In the end, he had to give up, I’ll do as you say.

«Thank you,» I sincerely thanked him.

The next moment, tears welled up in the red-haired guy’s eyes.

«I...I just want to say that in this world, I was very happy to become your friend!» — He said with a sob.

«Um. Why is this guy talking like I’m already dead...?»

I frowned involuntarily.

Although the probability of this happening after I went to the imperial palace was indeed very high, but still I would not jump to such conclusions. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get lucky and be able to stay alive? Although, with my luck, I doubted it very much...

«Hey, aren’t you saying something like that too soon?» I muttered., «I’m not dead yet, by the way!»

Jeremy sniffed, still wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.

— I’m just saying this for the future... — he stammered.

— hm.

«Anyway, I wish you could handle everything.»

— And me too... — I smiled, — I hope that everything will be fine with you.

I looked at the lanky guy with red hair in front of me with all the warmth. This guy, whom we were unlucky enough to be in the same situation with, met and became friends completely by chance. Nevertheless, at that moment, regret for our early separation could not but overtake me.

Who knows if we’ll be able to meet again? At least, that’s what I really hoped for.

After expressing these mutual wishes to each other, the baron’s youngest son and I hugged each other tightly before we each went our separate ways.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read