The hellish night was passing. When the moon finally sank to the west, Ruth descended the mountain and arrived at Leshin estate. For a while, he sat as if in a daze, lost to the world. Despite being told he needed to treat his injuries and rest, he remained motionless and silent. Eventually, Kamiel retrieved medicine from a healer and forced Ruth to sleep.

After taking the medicine, Ruth finally closed his eyes and slept. It wasn’t until the afternoon of the following day that he woke up, but his condition was still poor. Even when Kamiel, who had stayed by Ail’s side all night, came to check on him, Ruth’s eyes remained unfocused. Although the attendants had treated his wounds and dressed him in fresh clothes, giving him a slightly improved appearance compared to dawn, he was still in a state of panic. To Kamiel, Ruth seemed eerie, as if his soul had been deeply wounded alongside Ail.

Approaching Ruth, who still hadn’t regained his composure, Kamiel cautiously spoke to him.
“Ruth, are you okay?”
Ruth blinked at the sound of his voice, showing some reaction.
“Kamiel… Ah, I’m fine. What happened?”
“Don’t you remember? What happened yesterday?”

Kamiel asked bluntly. It was cruel, but there was no more time to delay. Ail was still unconscious, and if Ruth continued to lose himself, the situation would spiral further out of control.
“Ruth, try to remember. Think carefully about last night.”

As Kamiel pressed him, Ruth’s expression began to change subtly. His distant gaze gradually refocused, landing on Kamiel. A deep sadness rose to the surface of Ruth’s eyes, his tears shimmering with despair.

“I know you’re in shock, Ruth, but you need to pull yourself together. His Highness is still unconscious,” Kamiel said gently but firmly.

At this, tears seemed about to spill from Ruth’s reddened eyes. Seeing this, Kamiel stepped closer and gripped Ruth’s shoulders.
“Ruth, I know it’s overwhelming, but there are more pressing matters. I’m sorry, but you need to hold on a bit longer. There’s someone you need to meet.”

Kamiel’s serious yet soft tone prompted Ruth to lower his gaze briefly before lifting it again to ask,
“Who?”
“Just meet them. A boy, Homan the merchant brought here.”
“Uncle Homan?”
“He claims to be a messenger sent by the leader of the Red Scorpions.”

At this, Ruth’s expression hardened into a cold, grim mask.
“The Red Scorpions?”

Seeing the sudden shift in Ruth’s demeanor—his anger and murderous intent—Kamiel felt a slight relief. It was better for Ruth to react sharply, even with fury, than to remain lost in thought. Though the details would likely plunge him into despair again…

“Just meet him.”

Ruth nodded and rose, following Kamiel out of the room and down the corridor. As they walked, Ruth couldn’t even begin to imagine the shocking revelations awaiting him from the boy.

In the first-floor reception room of the Leshin estate, Ruth listened to the account of a young boy brought by Homan. The boy, about twelve or thirteen, introduced himself as a messenger of the Red Scorpions. He detailed the events leading up to the present situation. At first, Ruth was struck by disbelief, overwhelmed by shock. But as the boy continued, Ruth’s face contorted with fury. Though his face was pale, his eyes now burned with fierce determination.

“… Is all of that true?” Ruth asked.
“Yes, it’s all true,” the boy replied calmly.

Ruth clenched his eyes shut, then opened them again. The events of the past day, as harrowing as they were, now led to an even more shocking revelation. He thought he couldn’t be more surprised, but the anger boiling within him was unbearable.

His father had tried to kill him—used him as a pawn to target Ail. His father had hired the entire Red Scorpions to take Ruth’s life. Ruth had long known his father didn’t see him as a son, so he wasn’t particularly shocked by that. But what he couldn’t forgive was what had been done to Ail. The sheer rage and hatred made Ruth’s head spin.

Clenching his fists tightly, Ruth steadied his breathing before asking the boy,
“When did you receive the request?”
“Shortly after His Highness Ail Linus left Karileum,” the boy replied.

Ruth’s pale, furious eyes locked onto the boy’s. The boy, with his calm and cool demeanor, betrayed no lies.

“… Then why are you telling me all of this?”
“The assassin guilds have a rule: they never meddle in imperial affairs. Though unintentional, we’ve harmed His Highness Ail Linus, and we must clean up the mess.”
“Clean up?”
“We have no intention of going to war with Karileum.”
“… So?”

“I heard that His Highness Ail Linus’s injuries are not critical. Please cooperate with us. We will disclose all details and testify that Lyman Kaizel commissioned the assassination of Ruth Kaizel.”
“That’s something for His Highness to decide.”
“That is why I am speaking to you first.”

Ruth listened to the boy’s explanation in silence, his gaze lowered in deep thought. In his mind, he wanted nothing more than to confront his father and take his life, but he knew there was a proper order and procedure for everything. Acting impulsively would only complicate matters. He needed to stay calm and wait for the right moment.

“When His Highness awakens, I will inform him. But I cannot guarantee how he will respond.”
“That is why I am seeking your help. This incident has caused significant losses on our side as well. We are in no position to wage war with Karileum.”
“Then you shouldn’t have taken on such a request in the first place.”

Ruth muttered through clenched teeth. Even though the boy was young, Ruth treated him with sharp intensity, like a blade honed to its edge. The emotional upheaval of the past day had left Ruth raw and sensitive. What ordinary people might experience once in a lifetime had been crammed into a single day for him. He had narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Red Scorpions, reunited with Ail and confessed his love, only to face another near-death experience. And now, he had learned that his own father had orchestrated it all. It felt like a twisted tragedy that defied belief.

Saying nothing further, Ruth stared at the boy in front of him. Kamiel watched him with concern, while Jessie observed him with a calculating gaze. The boy, on the other hand, maintained an expressionless face as he met Ruth’s eyes.

“You can take your time to make a decision,” the boy said.
“There’s nothing I can decide.”
“Even if His Highness Ail Linus regains consciousness, his health will still be fragile. Lyman Kaizel receives daily reports, and we need to decide our next steps.”

The boy’s calm voice made Ruth clench his fists. Knowing Lyman, if he thought the Red Scorpions had failed to complete their task, he would not hesitate to send another assassin. With Ail in his current state, another attack could mean the end.

Biting his lip, Ruth took a moment to think. Then, slowly opening his eyes, he spoke to the boy.
“Inform my father that I died early this morning.”
“Then he will ask for the body to be brought to him.”
“Make an excuse. Transporting a corpse now would cause such a stench that it would be impossible to cross the border. Tell him to come and see for himself.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”

Ruth responded coldly, lowering his gaze. Lyman would likely send hundreds, if not thousands, of assassins to confirm the deaths of both Ail and Ruth. A man like Lyman, cornered as he was, would not give up easily. For him, this wasn’t just about securing the throne for Nathan—it was about survival. Ruth knew his father well enough to anticipate this. Lyman was not just his father; he was also the man who had tried to kill him and sought to harm the person Ruth cherished most.

“Kamiel, contact Karileum and request reinforcements from the enemy knight order. Tell them Jessie has been seriously injured and requires protection. Also, send letters to my mother and Leia, instructing them to leave for Vera immediately.”

Though requesting reinforcements made sense, Kamiel frowned, puzzled about why Ruth was asking Leia and his mother to leave Karileum.
“Why?”
“Lyman Kaizel is guilty of treason against the crown prince. I’ll lure him to Clozium to buy time, and in the meantime, Jessie can inform Her Majesty of his crimes and secure his punishment.”

Hearing Ruth’s pale-faced murmuring, Kamiel uncharacteristically stiffened.
“Ruth, if you go through with this, you won’t be able to return to Karileum.”
“I’ve already accepted that.”
“Are you planning to part ways with His Highness?”
“No.”
“Then what? Those who commit regicide are sentenced to death, along with their families. That includes you.”
“I don’t care. That’s why you need to act before His Highness does. Lyman must pay for his crimes.”
“Ruth, this isn’t your decision to make. Let His Highness wake up first and—”
“Just do it. Please ask for Jessie’s help as well.”

Cutting off Kamiel’s words in a calm but firm tone, Ruth stood, signaling he didn’t want to discuss the matter further. Bowing slightly toward Jessie, he said,
“I’ll go see His Highness now.”

The faint light in the room illuminated Ruth’s pale, set face. Seeing his determination, Jessie nodded reluctantly, and Ruth quietly left the room. His movements were light, silent, almost ghost-like, as if the life had drained from him.

Kamiel rose and approached Ruth as he walked.
“I’m coming with you.”

At the gentle words of his friend, Ruth lowered his gaze and quietly replied. Hearing Ruth’s affirmative response, Kamiel began walking beside him, staying close to his side, worried about Ruth’s fragile state. As the two passed by the boy and were about to open the door, it swung open from the outside, and an attendant came rushing in.

“Your Highness has awakened. Please come quickly.”

The boy’s urgent voice startled the three people in the room. Without hesitation, they rushed out the door and ran into the adjacent room. Inside, they saw Ail lying face down on the bed, blinking weakly as he received treatment.

“Your Highness!”

Jessie was the first to cry out, rushing to Ail’s side. At the sound, Ail frowned slightly, as if irritated by the noise.

“The arrow penetrated deeply but did not damage any internal organs. The bleeding was minimal thanks to swift treatment, and we successfully removed the arrowhead completely. His life is not in danger,” explained one of the physicians standing in a line by the bed.

Jessie let out a sigh of relief.
“Is he truly alright?”
“Yes, but the wound is deep, and the muscles and bones are damaged. He will need ample rest to recover.”
“Thank goodness.”

Kamiel also exhaled deeply, stepping closer to Ail. Looking at the prince, who was barely able to keep his eyes open, Kamiel asked,
“Your Highness, are you conscious?”

Despite Jessie and Kamiel’s worried gazes, Ail’s attention was elsewhere. His eyes were fixed beyond them, on Ruth, who stood a distance away. With great effort, Ail raised his left hand. Jessie quickly grasped it, but Ail shook him off with a surprising fierceness.

Startled by the rejection, Jessie looked at Ail in disbelief. In a faint voice, Ail mumbled something, but his words were unclear due to the pain and haze in his mind. Jessie leaned closer, placing his ear near Ail’s lips. After a moment of strained murmurs, Jessie finally understood. Ail was asking for Ruth.

Though taken aback, Jessie pushed aside his feelings of hurt and answered, “Yes, Ruth is fine. You can see him, can’t you?”

Jessie glanced back at Ruth, but the sight of him made her words catch in her throat. Ruth stood frozen in place, his face on the verge of tears. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his expression a mix of hesitation, pain, and relief. The look in his eyes spoke of deep anguish and overwhelming relief at seeing Ail alive.

Grasping Kamiel’s arm, Jessie murmured, “Let’s leave. Ruth, take care of His Highness.”

He signaled the physicians to leave the room as well, and, with Kamiel, quietly exited. Even as the door closed behind them, Ruth remained rooted in place, unable to move.

He couldn’t bring himself to take a step. His mind had gone blank, and all he could do was stare at Ail, alive and breathing. He couldn’t find the words to express the immense fear he’d felt at the thought of losing him, or the overwhelming joy and relief now filling his heart.

Seeing Ruth unmoving, Ail weakly raised his hand again, beckoning him to come closer. As if drawn by Ail’s gesture, Ruth slowly walked forward. Kneeling by the bed, he took Ail’s hand in his own.

“Are you alright?” Ruth asked, his voice hoarse and heavy with emotion.

Ail gently pulled his hand from Ruth’s grasp and placed it on Ruth’s cheek. Ruth covered Ail’s hand with both of his, leaning into the cold touch and closing his eyes.

If it had been him instead of Ail who was hurt, if it was his pain and suffering, he would have endured it all without complaint. But seeing Ail in pain was unbearable.

How did it come to this?
Why did he have to suffer so much, to be wounded so deeply?
Why was this the only way they could reach each other?

As Ruth gazed at Ail with pained eyes, Ail managed to stroke his cheek gently. His gaze seemed to ask, “Are you alright?” Ruth nodded, and Ail gave a faint smile, as if to say, “Good.” Yet, even as he smiled, his face lacked vitality. Keeping his eyes open seemed to exhaust him.

“Get some more rest,” Ruth said softly.