When Ruth, caught off guard by the sudden question, stared blankly at Ail, Ail repeated himself.

“Why did you join the Knight Order? There must have been other options. Did you really follow Elsen here?”

Ail asked, convinced that couldn’t be the real reason. Ruth had hinted at something like that when they first met, but Ail didn’t want to believe it. No—he couldn’t believe it. Otherwise, the next arrow might truly find its way to Elsen’s heart.

This morning, the arrow shot at Elsen—disguised as a mistake—was both a warning and a form of retaliation. It was the only way Ail could quell his anger. He hadn’t slept a wink the night before. Feeling irritable, he left for the archery range, only to encounter Elsen waving at Ruth in the garden, who smiled back at him.

Arrogant bastard, Ail muttered to himself repeatedly as he strode toward them. Ruth, finally noticing him, stiffened and bowed her head. That expression only fueled Ail’s irritation, leading him to deliberately raise his bow and fire at Elsen. It had felt good. He might have ended Elsen’s life altogether if not for the certainty that Ruth would intervene. So, he aimed slightly off-target instead.

Even now, the anger hadn’t fully subsided. It seethed, waiting for the right moment to surface.

“… I just wanted to leave home,” Ruth answered quietly. “And when I heard Elsen was joining the Knight’s Order, I thought it would be a good opportunity.”

“Was it because of your origins? Were you bullied because you’re the son of a courtesan? Or did you feel that was the only path available to someone of your station?”

Ail’s probing words struck a nerve, and Ruth frowned slightly, deflecting the conversation.

“I am not ashamed of my mother’s status.”

“A courtesan is the worst. Your sister’s engagement to Jessie only happened because of my influence. A lower noble might manage, but your family’s position is nowhere near the Imperial line.”

Ruth was well aware of that. But hearing it from Ail stung. Even so, gratitude was out of the question.

“I never wanted her to marry into royalty. I just wanted her to be with someone safe. Ideally, someone she loves.”

“Your mother didn’t marry into the Kaizel family just for that reason.”

The implication in Ail’s tone—that Ruth’s mother had ulterior motives—made Ruth bristle.

“My mother loved Vera. She didn’t want to leave, but she agreed to my father’s proposal because my sister was born. Unlike boys, girls’ fates within Vera are grim.”

“So she was trapped by circumstances?”

Ruth barely restrained his anger as he replied, “Something like that.”

“A noble sacrifice.”

“You wouldn’t understand, Your Highness, but that’s what family bonds are like. If not for my sister, I would have stayed in Vera.”

As Ruth explained, Ail, perched on a large rock by the stream, pulled Ruth onto his lap. Startled, Ruth tried to push him away, but Ail’s strong arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

“People are watching. Stay still.”

At that, Ruth glanced back to see knights quickly averting their gazes, clearly embarrassed.

“So… does that mean you, too, wouldn’t be able to leave if someone held you back?”

“That’s true for everyone.”

Ruth sighed and, resigned, leaned against Ail as he answered. Ail tightened his embrace and murmured, “That’s why you didn’t pursue a lover in Karileum. You knew you wouldn’t be able to leave them behind.”

Ruth remained silent, prompting Ail to wrap one arm around his waist while running his other hand through Ruth’s hair. The gentle, tender touch made Ruth’s heart pound as though it might burst, and he averted his gaze, overwhelmed by the sound of his own heartbeat.

“Your mother settled down for love, then—whether it was for her daughter or a man she cared for. And you? Are you saying you’ll stay wherever something or someone keeps you—whether it’s your child or your lover?”

Ail’s gaze burned with a sultry intensity that felt out of place in the bright midday sun. Ruth felt an unsettling tension as though he were being seduced, drawn into a trap meant to bind him. The tender gestures, the way Ail stroked his hair—all of it was too kind, too deliberate. Ruth’s heart fluttered with a dangerous hope: Does he truly want me?

But suspicion lingered. That’s what made it terrifying. How was he supposed to interpret the actions of a man who had once sworn to discard his love so cleanly? It left Ruth bewildered.

Could it be that Ail intended to take him only to discard him?

The thought made Ruth’s heart sink. He felt the blood drain from his face as he realized that Ail’s teasing might simply be a cruel game. Ever since Ruth declared his intent to leave, Ail had acted out, frustrated that someone he once controlled was now asserting independence. It was stubborn pride—a challenge to see if Ruth could truly leave.

Ail was still young. This obsession and mischief were childish whims.

Ruth’s hands were ice-cold as he spoke quietly, “Did I ever tell you about my parents?”

Ail, clearly satisfied with Ruth’s faltering resolve, smiled. He could already tell Ruth’s emotions were in turmoil. No matter how composed Ruth tried to appear, his eyes betrayed his inner conflict. Delighted, Ayil took Ruth’s bandaged hand, kissed it, and asked softly, “About what?”

“My mother didn’t settle down because she loved my father. And my father didn’t propose to her out of love either. He simply wanted to possess her. He tried to capture a beautiful breeze. That’s why I won’t be swayed by seduction meant for possession.”

Understanding the full meaning behind Ruth’s words, Ail glanced down at Ruth’s right hand, which he was holding. The bandages hadn’t been changed, and blood had seeped through.

“Does it hurt?”

“… It’s fine.”

“You’re quite patient, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Then you’d endure anything for the people you care about.”

Ruth tried to pull his hand away, alarmed by Ail’s loaded words, but Ail’s grip was too strong, making it impossible to break free.

“I like that. Very much.”

Muttering cryptically, Ail wrapped an arm around Ruth’s waist and pulled him to his feet before standing up himself. Without another word, he began walking back toward the waiting knights, still holding Ruth’s hand firmly.

Led by Ail, Ruth couldn’t shake the growing sense of unease that lingered in his heart.