Seeing the questioning look in Ail’s eyes, Ruth hesitated briefly before quietly responding.
“No… I just… thank you.”

Ruth kept repeating his thanks, and perhaps out of pity, Ail cupped Ruth’s cheek in his hand and gently stroked it.
“Once is enough. I’ve told you before, you don’t need to thank me for every little thing.”

“…Yes.”

If Ail had refused outright, Ruth thought, he wouldn’t have to feel this guilty. If Ail had gotten angry, it might have been better. At least then, he wouldn’t feel the weight of this unrelenting sense of obligation.

“Be careful,” Ail said. “As my lover, you’ll attract many who want to harm you.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

With that, Ail kissed Ruth’s forehead, his hand still cradling Ruth’s cheek. Though his face was stiff with discomfort, Ruth closed his eyes quietly.

If he returned that night, Ruth thought, he wanted to treat Ail well. He wanted to stop being so rigid, to try showing him warmth. It wouldn’t be easy to open his heart and accept Ail as if nothing had happened, but he resolved to do what Ail wanted—at least until Ail grew tired of him.

If he returned that night, that is.

—

Leading about twenty knights from the Third Order, Ruth finally arrived at the Kaizel estate late in the evening. He hurried to his mother’s room, leaving twelve knights stationed outside the estate and the remaining eight standing guard near the room. Though it felt more like surveillance than protection, Ruth didn’t mind. What mattered most was that he was outside the imperial palace.

As he entered the room, he saw his mother, Leysha Kaizel, and younger sister, Leia, seated by the bedside. Leysha’s complexion didn’t seem bad; in fact, she appeared healthy.

“Ruth, come here,” his mother said, welcoming him warmly from her seat on the bed.

Ruth rushed to embrace her frail form, which had grown weaker with age. It had been nearly a year since he’d last seen her.
“It’s been too long. I’m sorry I haven’t visited more often.”

“I’m just glad to see you healthy,” Leysha said.

Ruth kissed her forehead before turning his gaze to Leia, who sat beside her. However, Leia’s expression was filled with unease. She clearly felt guilty about the lies they were telling.

“Brother… is this really okay? I agreed to help because Lord Kamiel asked me to, but… if we’re caught…”

Leia’s voice wavered with anxiety, a reflection of the tense political situation. Understanding her concerns, Ruth stepped toward her and hugged her gently.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll return to the palace tonight.”

“Still… I’m worried.”

Leia wasn’t usually one to fret so much. In fact, for a woman, she was unusually bold and unshaken by most things. Seeing her this unsettled made Ruth suspicious.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Lord Jessie sent word. A report came in that Elsen is being held captive at Father’s villa. If it’s true… and if Father really did this…”

Ruth had already concluded that it must have been his father’s doing. There was no one else with the audacity or resources to pull such a stunt. His father was capable of anything if it meant securing Salina’s position as crown princess at the expense of Erita.

“We’ll see,” Ruth replied, his tone measured. “Right now, we need to focus on confirming Elsen’s safety.”

“But if it turns out Father really did this, what then?”

“That… I’m not sure.”

If it were true and the truth came to light, the kingdom would be thrown into chaos. It wouldn’t end quietly. Not only the Kaizel family but also their allies would be swept up in a massive storm. Yet, that was beyond Ruth’s control.

“When is the physician supposed to arrive?” Ruth asked, checking the time to steer the conversation elsewhere.

As he did, Leysha reached out and took his hand.

“It’s about time. I’ve done as you said, but… Ruth, if…”
Leysha trailed off, her face darkened with unease. Curious about what she was trying to say, Ruth looked into her eyes and asked again, “Yes?” But she simply shook her head and said, “It’s nothing.”

“Mother, if you have something to say, please say it.”

The once-flowerlike figure of his childhood had vanished, replaced by a woman full of wrinkles, spending lonely days confined to a room in the estate. Ruth felt a profound pity and sorrow for Leysha. Perhaps that’s why he loved her even more. The vivid memory of her former elegance and brilliance made her current state all the more heartbreaking.

Maybe, deep down, Ruth feared becoming like her. That might be why he longed so desperately to return to the beautiful city of his past. He detested this place, where everything was controlled and he could do nothing of his own will—perhaps because he couldn’t separate the present from the contrast of his mother’s past and present.

He didn’t want to end up like her.
He didn’t want to die like this.
Though he lacked her beauty, splendor, or intellect, he was determined not to live, shackled and powerless, as she had.

As Ruth gazed at his mother with eyes full of compassion, there was a knock at the door.

“My lady, the physician has arrived,” came a voice from the other side.

The one they had been waiting for was here, and Leia quickly responded, “Let them in.”

The thick door opened, revealing an elderly man with white hair and a young man in a black cloak with a hood drawn low over his face. The white-haired man was a long-serving physician from Leysha’s homeland of Vera, while the hooded young man was his apprentice. The latter always wore a cloak to cover burn scars he had sustained in his childhood.

As Ruth prepared for his secret meeting with Kamiel, he realized that a second excuse for leaving wouldn’t work. He recalled the physician’s apprentice, a man of similar build to himself. If they swapped clothes and he donned the apprentice’s hood, no one would recognize him. Though Kamiel had suggested coming to the Kaizel estate to avoid risk, Ruth insisted on meeting outside to keep Kamiel out of potential danger. This burden was his alone to bear.

Leysha had already discussed the plan with the physician. When they entered, the young apprentice silently pulled clothes from his bag, identical to his own, and handed them to Ruth. Ruth nodded his thanks, took the clothes, and quickly changed. Everyone moved swiftly and silently.

Once Ruth had dressed, the physician glanced at him and nodded.
“I’ll return tonight with more medicine,” he said with a bow.

Leysha nodded in acknowledgment, then gestured for Ruth to come closer. When he did, she embraced him tightly and whispered, her voice trembling,
“If none of this is truly your will… if you want to leave, then go now. Leia and I will be fine. Go far away. I can’t bear to force more sacrifices from you.”

Her tearful words startled Ruth. He didn’t know what to make of her sudden plea.
“Mother… that’s…”

“I know this isn’t what you want. I see it in your eyes. You’re not meant to live in the palace. If you wish to leave, this is your chance. Leave everything behind and go. I’ll handle the rest.”

As she clung to his neck, Ruth shook his head firmly.
“I’m not leaving. I’ve never thought of running away. If I ever leave, it will be on my own terms, with my head held high—not like this.”

“Ruth…”

“I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.”

After pressing a kiss to her cheek, Ruth pulled the black hood over his head and picked up the physician’s bag. He nodded to signal he was ready, and the physician stepped out first. Keeping his head low, Ruth followed closely behind.

There would be no problems. He would leave with the physician, meet Kamiel to deliver the necessary information, and then return to the palace as planned.