Chapter 108: 108 — Broken Promise

Seated on his bed, Lucian lifted his gaze when he heard the door open.

"Have you called for me, Your Highness?.." Suyou hesitantly asked, his voice raspy. It was obvious he had been crying for a long time.

"I heard that you were by her side when she..." Lucian paused, unable to continue his sentence. Everything felt surreal, like a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.

"That is true..."

"Is there anything she said? Perhaps... a wish?" Lucian’s voice was barely above a whisper, unexpectedly lower than the usual tone Suyou was accustomed to hearing.

At first, Lucian couldn’t trust this man. He always stood beside his sister like a well trained dog, ready to bite anyone who would bother his master. However, when he heard about her death, after feeling completely lost, only one thought crossed his mind. Perhaps it was a murder.

When he returned to the mansion, he heard Suyou was the one who had witnessed her last moments. A thought crossed his mind.

Perhaps he is the one who killed her?

However, when he saw the young man cry helplessly before her corpse, and during the funeral, Lucian had no choice but to dismiss the thought. No man would cry for someone they killed in such a manner.

Lucian snapped out of his thoughts, still waiting for Suyou’s answer which never came.

Suyou’s jaw tightened, his gaze shifting around the room as if he were trying to hide something.

"You wouldn’t hide anything, would you? I heard you have been by her side for a long time. If you were loyal to her, even for a moment, you wouldn’t keep anything from me."

Lucian was aware that what he was doing was no different from the way the king had manipulated him over the years. But he didn’t care. He needed to know something—anything—about his sister’s last moments. He couldn’t reclaim the time he’d missed when he was on the battlefield, but at least he could honour any final wishes she might have had. She had been a bright, spirited girl who longed to explore the world, though her health had held her back, something he knew all too well.

"She told me to tell you that, she wished that day she hadn’t lost consciousness."

Lucian’s eyes widened, only for him to quickly snap out of the pictures rushing through his mind— the memories he had tried to bury in the depths of his heart.

"And..." Suyou gasped, trying to not let the tears slip from his eyes. Pursing his lips, he continued, "To look after the grand duchess. She said; She was a great sister to me."

Lucian nodded and inhaled deeply, trying to contain his emotions.

"Anything else?"

"No... However, may I stay here?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

"I don’t think the king will allow me to return to the princess’s palace for the time being. As soon as things settle down with his majesty, I will leave."

Lucian scoffed inwardly. Suyou was too naive despite his buff physique. The king would never allow him to remain alive if he knew that the guard who brought his beloved daughter to Erion was still alive.

"You don’t need to. I suggest you change your name temporarily and work under me. You are someone my sister cherishes if she had kept you by her side when she secretly came to Erion. She might seem to let anyone get close to her but she is always careful to whoever she..." The smile that begun to form on Lucian’s lips slowly dropped, realizing he was speaking in present tense when he was supposed to use past tense— because the person he was talking about was no longer in this world.

Sensing chills running down his spine, Lucian bit his lips.

"You may take your leave. I will take care of your new identity and you can start..." He sighed, waving his hand dismissively without finishing his sentence. He couldn’t speak anymore while trying to keep his composure before this man, who looked at him with eyes filled with tears.

Suyou’s presence reminded him of his sister because no matter where she went, he was constantly there, standing behind her to protect her from any harm.

"Alright..." Suyou bowed, exiting the room.

When the door closed once again, Lucian let himself fall on the bed, closing his eyes.

[What do you plan on doing now?], Keal asked.

Lucian did not answer.

[The promise has been broken, hasn’t it?]

"Right... that promise..." Lucian whispered.

"She told me to tell you that, she wished that day she hadn’t lost consciousness."

Suyou’s words replayed in Lucian’s mind. It was evident to Lucian that the servant was oblivious to the day Arisia referred to due to his straight face. Because no one would be able to keep their composure if they knew what happened that day.

[For the first time... I can’t hear your thoughts,] Keal spoke, trying to get some reaction from Lucian who didn’t respond.

Lucian simply closed his eyes. The faint scent of burning violet incense, Arisia’s favorite fragrance, shifted to a familiar smell of wood lingered, tickling his senses.

A flash of memories surfaced.

An old house, surrounded by green woods, came into view. Despite its shabby state, the sight didn’t repulse him as it might have to a nobleman—because it was the only place where he had known happiness.

"Lyon! Where are you?"

The voice rang clear, as though it were happening in the present. Now, he could see her. Her short, dark hair was tied into a low ponytail, and her plain gray dress bore a few carefully sewn patches from wear.

The woman called out again, searching. A young boy giggled softly, his carefree laugh escaping from beneath a rickety wooden table. He was certain his hiding spot would remain undiscovered.

"Found you!" The dark-haired woman appeared suddenly, lifting him effortlessly. Her laughter echoed warmly through the small house.

"Mom!" the little boy scowled, wrapping his arms tightly around her neck to keep from falling. "How did you find me? You always take so much time!"

"Well," she teased, ruffling his hair, "who’s the silly one laughing at his mother for being slow?" Her grin widened as she tugged gently at his cheeks.

"It hurts..." Lyon pouted, rubbing at his flushed cheeks. Then his nose twitched at the strange smell. "Mom..." he said softly, concern flickering across his face. "Something’s burning."

The woman’s eyes widened.

"The cake!" she gasped, rushing to the small corner of the kitchen.

After a flurry of noise and a few muttered curses, she called him to the table.

"Lyon! Come eat."

The boy hesitantly climbed onto the wooden chair, his gaze shifting to the plate she set before him.

"It’s burned again..." he murmured, staring at the dark edges of the bread.

His mother nodded sheepishly.

"Yep. It’s burned again," she laughed awkwardly. "But you can still eat it!"

Lyon nodded, carefully picking at the charred parts and saving the better-cooked sections for her.

"What do you think you’re doing, young man?" Her voice held a playful sternness.

"You always give me the best part," he said, pushing the plate toward her. "You should have some too. When I’m older and can cook better than you, I’ll make sure you get the best. Or maybe... maybe we can buy food outside when I start working."

She harshly slammed her hand on the table, scaring him as the plate rattled.

"You, young man, will not work!" she said firmly. "You’ll study. I’ll take care of everything, but you need to listen to me."

"But—"

"We made a promise. Remember?"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read